Auto Amazon Links: No products found.
David Mallon, along with five companions, had planned to embark on a trip scheduled for 21 September. However, just days before their departure, they were presented with a new itinerary that differed significantly from their original booking. This change led them to decide against going on the trip altogether.
David described the revised plan as more akin to “a glorified coach trip” rather than the cruise they had initially arranged. A critical factor in their decision was that one member of their group needed to avoid lengthy periods of sitting, such as those involved in coach travel, due to health concerns. Faced with this, and without an offer of a refund, the group quickly arranged an alternative last-minute vacation to Kos, with the intention of seeking reimbursement upon their return.
David expressed frustration not with the cause of the disruption but with how the travel company addressed the situation. “We don’t blame Tui for the water levels, but it’s the way they’ve handled the consequences of that,” he said. Following these events, David submitted a formal complaint to Tui and indicated he would pursue a refund through the small claims court if necessary.
When approached by the BBC regarding the dissatisfaction among passengers over the significant changes to their itineraries and the absence of refund options, Tui River Cruises responded with a statement. They explained that extreme heat across Europe this summer resulted in low water levels on the Danube, impacting river cruise operators including themselves. According to the company, each sailing was individually reviewed with their nautical partners. Customers traveling on the Tui Isla cruises scheduled for 14 and 21 September were provided with revised itineraries before departure. The company arranged coach transfers, hotel accommodations, and adjusted travel plans to reduce transfer times as much as possible, thereby allowing tourists to visit key destinations such as Budapest, Vienna, and Bratislava. While acknowledging that some customers’ expectations of a river cruise were not met, Tui maintained that travellers continued their holidays under the terms of their standard booking conditions
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.