Cruise Value Center Shuts Down, Customer Confirmations Doubtful
Cruise Critic is reporting that Cruise Value Center has ceased operations. According to Cruise Critic, some customers who booked cruises through Cruise Value Center may not actually be confirmed on those trips. If you purchased a cruise through Cruise Value Center, please contact your cruise line.
I tried to telephone Cruise Value Center to confirm this report and was put on endless hold. Cruise Value Center's website is still up, but most of the links no longer work.
Situations like this can occur without warning. If you're a U.S. citizen, it's always best to pay for your trip with a credit card so that your transaction is protected under the Fair Credit Billing Act. Protecting your trip with financial default insurance is also a good idea.
CRUISE VALUE CLOSED AND DID NOT REFUND MY MONEY. CARNIVAL CRUISE IS NOT HELPING AND IS REQUESTING THAT I PAY THEM IN ADDITION TO THE MONEY I ALREADY PAID TO CARNIVAL CRUISE’S BROKER, CRUISE VALUE CENTER.
According to the person I spoke with at Prime Travel Protecion, Inc., with whom Cruise Value Center procurred “Travel Protection” plans, CVC has not paid any of the insurance premiums they collected since June 2008. Prime recently sent out letters to all “policy holders” saying that their policies had been cancelled. I doubt that Prime will be able to deny claims, despite the letter and despite the wording in the policy, which says “An enrollment is not in force until full payment has been received at the offices of Prime Travel Protection, Inc.” In any case, I would think that the owners of CVC have probably committed fraud, not to mention being in violation of New Jersey and Federal law.
Carnival has a toll-free number, if you booked a cruise through CVC on Carnival. It’s 1-800-344-0401. This situation is terrible. I hope indictments will be forthcoming.
Thanks, Daveen and Tony, for your updates.
I have a South Pacific cruise planned for January. Thankfully, Regent Cruises did receive all of the money we paid for the trip and Prime Travel Protection was also paid.
Be sure to file a claim for any unpaid travel insurance with your CC company. Send the cancellation letter with the required claim paperwork. My account was credited within 10 days. It would seem the CC companies are aware of the problem with this agency.
I PURCHASED 4 CRUISE TICKETS FOR JAN. 25, 2009, ON OCT. 2, 2008 FROM CRUISE VALUE CENTER. I HAVE JUST RETURNED FROM THAT CRUISE. I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEMS WITH MY TICKETS OR CRUISE, SO I AM SURPRIZED TO HEAR THIS NEWS.