Honeymooners denied boarding on Holland ... - Thorn Tree travel forum

Honeymooners denied boarding on Holland America

Replies: 22 - Last Post: 10-May-2008 12:39 Last Post By: Kiiser

jump to

Posted
09-May-2008 06:46
by: Azzielucky13

Posts: 2
Registered: 09/05/08

Honeymooners denied boarding on Holland America

Fellow Travelers,

I don't know if you can answer or can help in anyway, but I'm desperate.

I booked a 20 day Mediterranean Cruise with Holland America back in February for my Honeymoon. My wedding is May 22 and the ship leaves May 29. I am 23 and my new bride to be is 20. I have paid for everything already, the airlines, hotel in Rome, and cruise.

However, they have just informed me that they are not going to let us sale because Kelly, my wife, is too young. We are 2 weeks away from our wedding!!! They didn't inform me of this before, nor do they say anything on their website. Because I am not over 25, they are denying us. On other websites, age requirements are waived for married couples if they are both over 18 and can show proof of marriage.

What should I do???

Can you please advise or help???

Posted
09-May-2008 07:13
by: jamesdenver

Posts: 1,070
Registered: 09/03/05

1

Azzielucky13 wrote:

I am 23 and my new bride to be is 20

Maybe its a sign. No definitely a sign. Come on - you're supposed to live it up during your 20s and settle down in your 30s.

In any case send your story to the Consumerist. They like that stuff and could get you some publicity. Or that Travel Troubleshooter guy on msnbc.com

http://www.consumerist.com

The more you know who you are, and what you want, the less you let things upset you.
- Bill Murray - Lost in Translation

My blog with travel journals and Denver info

Posted
09-May-2008 09:36
by: ianw6705

Posts: 30,703
Registered: 12/07/05

2

Do you really want to be locked up for 20 days with doddering grannies hogging the dessert buffet, or randy baby boomers who will ogle your Kelly all day, and try and dance with her at the Old Folks Knees-Up after their tenth gin and tonic? I can think of a thousand better (and cheaper) ways to spend 20 days for 20-somethings - but hey - it's your life!

Off the Couch - My Travel Albums 2000-2009

Posted
09-May-2008 09:46
by: lisaknitter

Posts: 3,460
Registered: 13/03/07

3

Well, you could consider a quick down and dirty wedding at JOP (justice of the Peace), get the documents and wave them in the faces of those guys, and/or the bad publicity stuff mentioned above... Best wishes in any event.

That's the way the cookie grumbles -- WildlyTravelled

Posted
09-May-2008 09:57
by: Willysnout

Posts: 6,056
Registered: 06/04/03

4

Holland America, Carnival, and Royal Carribean require that either both parties in a couple be over 21, or if one is under 21, that the other be at least 25. The other cruise lines are more relaxed. If Holland won't make an exception on account of your marriage, then you'd better get your money back and make alternative plans.

Life's a bitch, and then it has puppies

Posted
09-May-2008 10:10
by: Kiiser

Posts: 36
Registered: 28/03/08

5

OP, try bothering the higher ups. Send emails to and/or call the executive officers, and mention that you're planning to tell someone like (for example) the NY Times travel editor. I doubt you'll hear back from any of the higher ups themselves, but perhaps an assistant will be given the task of keeping you happy.

http://www.hollandamerica.com/news/ExecutiveTeam.action

Good luck!

Posted
09-May-2008 11:00
by: zashibis

Posts: 1,867
Registered: 14/05/03

6

Wow. Bizarre.

By all means, kick up a fuss wherever you can, but I basically agree with #2: cruising is for invalids and geriatrics. Who wants to spend their honeymoon trapped with people in their 60s and 70s?

In your shoes, I'd take that flight to Rome and either set off overland or fly to a second destination that particularly interests you. A little more work than a cruise, true, but has the potential to be a great deal more fun.

Posted
09-May-2008 13:51
by: IAsk_StupidQuestions

Posts: 522
Registered: 01/10/07

7

So basically you're saying that a perverted 60-year-old and his 17-year-old mail order Thai bride would no have problem booking a cruise? Would a 55 year old Morman man be able to take his 5 teenage wives?

Posted
09-May-2008 15:55
by: ianw6705

Posts: 30,703
Registered: 12/07/05

8

And would they go to the children's setting at dinner?

Off the Couch - My Travel Albums 2000-2009

Posted
09-May-2008 16:58
by: Willysnout

Posts: 6,056
Registered: 06/04/03

9

Life's a bitch, and then it has puppies

Posted
09-May-2008 21:37
by: bftsaltwater

Posts: 1,147
Registered: 07/09/06

10

I agree with a few of the posters above. You really don't want to be stuck with the blue-haired bloody mary crowd anyway. Spend alot of your time on the phone raising cane with the corporate higher ups to get a full immediate refund (Fedexed over night so you have access to the cash before you leave). When you hit a roadblock with one middle manager start going over their heads and asking to speak to their supervisor, and then their supervisor....Do this tactfully and nonthreateningly but be firm that you want 100% satisfaction immediately. It'll take some time and effort but it is worth it. Then go to Rome as planned and show your new bride that you are strong and spontaneous by visiting the Europe branch and planning out what you'd like to do for your trip. You can do the trip by yourself with some help with destinations from TT'ers.
If you happened to book your trip through a travel agent then start with them too over getting complete satisfaction and a 100% refund (immediately). Go through the same process of going over people's heads until you get someone with authority to grant your wishes.
Congratulations on the upcoming nuptuals. Let us know how all of this got solved.

SLAP ! "You can act like a man!" Vito Corleone to Johnny Fontane

Posted
09-May-2008 21:56
by: ianw6705

Posts: 30,703
Registered: 12/07/05

11

I may have missed something ... but the issue for the OP is not a refund #10 - it would seem obvious that Holland will refund in full soon. After all, it is Holland that is rejecting their custom because of their ages. The OP wants them to change the marriage/age rule, although hopefully they will now think again about their dream cruise and find a more interesting alternative. But somehow I doubt they will give up on it lightly - they seem pretty keen on this honeymoon gig.

Off the Couch - My Travel Albums 2000-2009

Posted
09-May-2008 22:42
by: qwovadis

Posts: 14,947
Registered: 25/05/06

12

RCL many others waive this requrement if you show proof of marraige.

So if you have your cert most will board you.

Check with HAL see if they will do this otherwise cancel/switch.

RCL others more geared to younger cruisers might be a better choice

I have done a Med cruise withCunard/Star Princess it was great

Good values skyauction.com

Romantic super honeymoon memories.

Especially sunsets over the caldera in Santorini Venice finish would be great...

Or just skip the cruise and head for venice

Have fun congrats and good luck,

it is what it is...
it will be what it will be...
acceptance is the answer...
flexibility the key...

Posted
10-May-2008 01:38
by: Azzielucky13

Posts: 2
Registered: 09/05/08

13

WE ARE GOING ON OUR CRUISE!!!!!

My travel agent drove over to tell me the news, because she was so excited and couldn’t do it over the phone. She had got a call from her HAL rep at 8AM, 6AM Seattle time, who had been pushing this case with Holland America.

The HAL rep’s name was Alicia and I want to give a big thanks to her for really sticking it out for us. I know she had to reopen our case and go above and beyond to find someone who would listen. She said she got a call at 1AM from her director who was told that we would be allowed to board. I am so excited!!!

I can’t thank all of you enough, who kept posting all day yesterday and last night. There was so little hope because HAL had faxed over our cancellation notice yesterday afternoon and were only going to refund $400. But you guys kept talking and spurring debate on this arbitrary age requirement rule of being 25. I know they were listening to all of us, even if they didn’t say so.

If we had gotten no response by this afternoon, I had planned to start using all of your great ideas out there. I’m just so happy it didn’t have to make it to that stage. I’ve been on three HAL cruises with my family and always considered there service the best. That is why I selected them for my honeymoon. I’m so glad they didn’t let me down.

Alicia said it had made her day being able to come in to work early and make that call. It is her birthday too, so an extra Happy Birthday to you and a big thanks from us Alicia. Enjoy the flowers!

And thanks again everyone for your support, ideas, and help in this matter!!!

Posted
10-May-2008 01:53
by: jamesdenver

Posts: 1,070
Registered: 09/03/05

14

Looks like you took my Consumerist advice too:

http://consumerist.com/5008371/holland-america-sorry-you-and-your-wife-are-too-young-to-go-on-your-honeymoon

You should post this follow up there too.

The more you know who you are, and what you want, the less you let things upset you.
- Bill Murray - Lost in Translation

My blog with travel journals and Denver info

Subscribe to the latest messages in this branch.

Your Recent Threads

Announcements

Website speed - Facebook...
Posted By: VenessaP -- 07-Oct-2009 16:30

Latest Community News

	Speaking in Tongues Messages: 66,143 Last message posted at: 22-Nov-2009 04:43
	On Your Bike Messages: 28,930 Last message posted at: 22-Nov-2009 00:38
	Travel Tech Messages: 27,852 Last message posted at: 22-Nov-2009 01:28
	Kids To Go Messages: 25,775 Last message posted at: 21-Nov-2009 23:38
	Like a Sore Thumb Messages: 22,513 Last message posted at: 20-Nov-2009 14:04
	Trekking & Mountaineering Messages: 21,985 Last message posted at: 21-Nov-2009 18:22
	Travel on a shoestring Messages: 20,862 Last message posted at: 22-Nov-2009 00:49

Destinations

USA: Destination information

The USA is home to several of the world's most exciting cities, some truly mind-blowing landscapes, a strong sense of regionalism, a trenchant mythology, more history than the country gives itself cre... more »

See » | Map »

Shop Online