DON'T MAKE THIS CRUISE MISTAKE

[@baldheadgaming-i6o]

As they say, your poor planning is not my emergency".

[@SunshineJohnson-g3n]

Real Shit 😂

[@angelathomas6770]

Sounds like that person knew that they could be a problem with that payment.

[@lovedfriend2020]

Carnival Mardi Gras Dec 7th?

[@karengatz3022]

That is so rude to do to the travel agent!! They should be ashamed of themselves.

[@nancycruiseaholic]

As travel agent myself, I can completely relate to this. Fortunately, I've never had anyone miss their final payment, but I've had a few close ones! I've also had calls from people to help with cruises I didn't book. I always tell them not to wait until the last day for these types of reasons. If the due date is on the weekend, I always tell them by Friday, so they can reach their bank in case there are any issues.

[@raybrown8887]

I always pay our final payment way way early probably too early, but it gives me peace of mind. I also pay for excursions, and any extras, I guess I am old school.

[@cijmo]

I do that, too on any holiday, not only cruises. I like it that when I'm leaving for the holiday, my balance is 0.00 and all I have to get home to is expenses from the trip.

[@deborahwedickcooper2751]

Me too. Peace of mind is worth it.

[@luckislonggone9941]

Pay early and avoid these headaches.

[@LindaBennett-c8g]

Our agent always processes our final payment at least 10 days prior to the due date. Some people like to live dangerously...

[@debbieserwe2242]

Dang, that's why I NEVER wait until the last minute to do anything.

[@SneakyM68]

I wouldn't touch this with a 10 ft. pole. I bet they knew that card wasn't good and they thought the travel agent would just "spot them" the payment. Payments are due by the close of the business day. Which is whenever that business deems that to be.

[@cydneystephen2814]

Spot them? Do travel agents spot their customers? Maybe a loyal frequent client or friend or family member 🤷🏻‍♀️🤦‍♀️

[@SneakyM68]

@@cydneystephen2814 Who knows what these people were thinking. It just sounds like it was a set up.

[@ryanm4013]

@@cydneystephen2814No they don’t, and that’s their point.

[@jameswade7550]

Absolutely right, this is on them not the cruise lines.

[@teresah5318]

I really, really dislike being late for anything. Currently I have post it notes on my computer to remind me of payment due date (a month ahead of actual due date) for 2 bookings we have. Have a notice of when our passports expire and when to submit for new ones. I don't know how people can wait that long to make a payment. That customer sounds like they are the type to see how far the fuel line will go to empty before actually being out of gas. Good advice for cruisers to make sure they know what can happen if you wait too late. Thanks for sharing!

[@cindyk3281]

That's one of the best pieces of advice you have given. The people should have made final payment during the notifications from their travel agent.

[@GrammaTink615]

My motto - if you’re on time - you’re late! Never wait until the last minute to do anything. Stuff always happens and even if it doesn’t, wouldn’t you rather be safe than sorry? Idiots deserve what they get.

[@Cruisetravelers]

As a TA, it is bad business practices to book into a group that isn’t your group or TLN group. You ALWAYS ask the agent that has the group if you can book into it BEFORE doing that.

[@susanjoy3513]

They learned a hard lesson - you can not wait until the last minute to make a final payment. If it wasn't about money then they should have paid it in advance.

[@marilynsue4273]

Some people are self-destructive.

[@paulready8897]

That person should have responded to the emails from his or her travel agent.

[@ivanmorley3735]

Agree, never leave it until the last minute. Too many internet or banking issues to risk it.

[@robynjones285]

Another tip..if you pay final payment early, always check your balance due again before that date. We paid in full in October for an April cruise. But with new sales of excursions and packages, i cancelled a couple of items and repurchased. RC refunded the wrong card ( friends card) and when they caught their mistake, the corrected the refund by adding a balance to our room. She never noticed the refund (and i was still looking for refund). We would have went on our merry way booking flights, hotels etc. With no knowledge that we now had a new balance due still. They never informed us of their error or new balance that went from $0 to $400. Had i not called to check about repricing i would not have learned of the mysterious $400 balance. The point is when making adjustments just make sure to check you truly are at $0 before the due date.

[@TheMeloettaful]

I'll have to remember that after me and my mom finally pay off our cruise for 2026 😯!

[@marthagrant143]

My travel agent has a plan available where they schedule payments once per month, using the one week before final payment is due as due date each month. You don't have to use it, but I think it works great. If we wish to pay off earlier, we can just contact her to set it up for us sooner.

[@dengau2168]

Good reminder as well about what is considered end of day

[@davidhudson5452]

Money was no problem, yes it was

[@BrendaVanderwey]

Obviously didnt want to take the cruise dumbasses 😂

[@TheJm129]

You snooze, you lose.

[@welovegoldens]

Wow. I did not know that final payment was due at 5pm on the last day. I would assume it was midnight. Thanks for mentioning that, good to know! We’ve only been on one cruise so far & we paid the final payment a few weeks early.

[@debibrizendine8523]

Sounds like they knew that it wasn't going to go through

[@kristenkroes9649]

I would never wait until the day the money is due. It’s crazy given the many things that could happen.

[@nicoleolson4721]

That poor travel agent. All that work and now they won't even get paid

[@billybenson3834]

They certainly are going to miss that $65 commission

[@nicoleolson4721]

@billybenson3834 is that really all it is? How sad. Hope they have a second job 🙁

[@BrendaVanderwey]

I wouldnt accept them as a client after that stunt, sounds like they don't care who they disrupt for their benefit. Just totally lazy in my opinion.

[@crystalglass1358]

That's a tough lesson to learn. They also likely lost their deposit.

[@danedefense2046]

The fact that they reiterated to not pay until the final day means they had money issues. Additionally it’s 2024, why is it so hard to get a hold of this person?

[@susieinthesouth1931]

Great reminder. Thank you.

[@judydale9661]

Great reminder !

[@user-ff3ow9ym5t]

Why would making the payment one week earlier make a difference if it's being charged?

[@Hawkeye2001]

Waiting for an incoming deposit

[@lisakennemer6118]

It could be because their next credit card cycle started on the day of final payment therefore they would not have to pay off the charge for another month.

[@patriciazag9443]

Very good advice Don.

[@nigelcartwright5986]

Their travel agent has done more than enough to help them already. Now they're asking you to intervene. Who do they think you are, some sort of travel ombudsman? Don't even feel obliged to help.

[@barbrustik6243]

Hi Don! Interesting subject content - always a treat! Firstly, it was very inappropriate for the client/passenger to reach out to you - you're not even the booking agent. My first thought after hearing the story was if the TA wasn't able to complete the final payment transaction, why didn't the agent call the cruise line directly or their agency's' cruise rep to have an extension put on the booking for 1 day. As a former agent, I've had to ask for extensions and have never been denied. That extension would have given the TA another day to sort through the issue and give the agent a day to get a hold of their client. I'm not siding with the client at all because they shouldn't have waited until the last day to give authorization for the agent to make final payment but in the end, you have to think outside of the box sometimes to make things happen and exhaust all resources.

[@billybenson3834]

I quit doing that long ago for clients because they come to expect that. Clients constantly treat TA's like servants requesting quote after quote for weeks, don't return calls for days or weeks, expect us to stay late or change our office hours for them, and then think we're rolling in the cash. Most commissions aren't $300 for cheaper cruises, and agents who work through an agency split that commission with the agency. It takes a lot of cruises to make any money unless clients are purchasing premium cruises. I'm long done jumping for people who are kicking tires of 4-5 night Carnival, RCC, and other standard lines. I expect adults to act like adults, unless they're booking $15k plus trips. And those people many times expect a home number to call and complain.

[@LauraPerry63]

Never thought about that because We always pay asap. Makes since good advice for those who don't pay way in advance or do it soon as possible, but not at last minute

[@joewines3883]

That final payment is very important. I just made ours today for our cruises in March. He should have contacted his travel agent in advance and made some sort of arrangements.

[@steveconnor746]

My first cruise is sailing in April. I paid the balance months ago. Why wait til the last minute?

[@markm3901]

I know this is 100% the fault of the person leaving the payment until the last day and then being unreachable, but I wonder if the travel agent tried contacting the emergency contact person to see if they could resolve the payment issue.

[@bethdavis6863]

Why should the travel agent even try again?

[@Leeann-gs5qz]

Sounds like they couldn't afford it if they didn't want the payment processed until the very last minute.

[@richardracette-w6w]

we never wait at the last minute. Thanks Don

[@brendaholley-t1t]

Sounds like they did have money issues if they waited until the last second to pay the final payment.

[@johnbunker5102]

Unfortunately, no amount can be added to a credit card that will cover the cost of stupidity. For whatever reason these people hesitated, they were given every opportunity to remit on time and they refused to do so. In the real world, idiocy can cost dollars.

[@susanburkettrn2042]

Ha ha . Have a final payment due Dec 3 on a cruise for March. I think I will pay it this weekend . Don’t want that issue you described 😊

[@PInk77W1]

How much is it ? I’ve never done a cruise and I want to. I’ve never heard of a final payment

[@mariebrooks875]

You usually put down a small deposit when you book the cruise - $200-$500 - then three months before sailing you pay the balance, or final payment.

[@jeanetteraichel8299]

It's a too bad so sad. They had a chance to pay it off well before final payment. I always paid it off months before sailing date. They lost their cruise out of sheer stupidity

[@kevinp1904]

Keep up the good work!

[@cydneystephen2814]

Don. I never understand why some ppl wait til the very last day to make that final payment. But it does seem like they knew there was a potential issue with that payment and it backfired. Very unfortunate.

[@imetaboyiusedtoknow8308]

I book direct with the cruise line and know what is due and when, and if I were to forget, there are numerous emails from the cruise line ahead of due dates as reminders.

[@johnparchman753]

I don't mean to judge, but it seems like these folks financially should be worrying more about getting their finances straitened out than taking a cruise.

[@dbwatx931]

It’s on the customer to make their final payment by or on the due date. If you are not the travel agent you cannot touch the reservation at all. They knew it was due it was on customer to take responsibility for it. Travel agent is not at fault. They followed the customers requests and their credit card was declined. Not the travel agents fault.

[@piratepiffvideo]

✨ Magic Man Don ✨ lol

[@charlesturner1377]

I blame the customer on this one with all the feet dragging

[@randa200771]

If you are going to leave the payment late, never make the payment via the Internet where things can be slowed down. At an ABSOLUTE minimum phone the agent and pay using your card, they will put it through their end and give you an instant declaration that it has cleared or not, but never leave it to the last day and never leave it to a day that could fall on a weekend.

[@noxproductions6851]

My guess is the customer blames the travel agent when this is their fault.

[@lej1105]

Do not wait until the very last minute. Or if you know time is tight always have an open line of communication in case of problems.

[@PInk77W1]

They were digitally left on the Pier

[@Freddypt100]

The payment deadline is not the cruise line's, it is when you organize it months before the due date.

[@randijaffe-7665]

They should mark their calendar a few days early for final payment. I don’t make it too early, because it prevents you from getting a l discount should the price go down, by chance. They probably made a payment on their cc which didn’t clear yet. Cruises are more than happy to do this because when supply in demand, it’s more than you paid for it!

[@jameswade7550]

Totally agree Don, have to feel for the travel agent and the problems it causes that agent. I think these people knew the card did not have money on it or enough and it cost them the cruise.

[@davidjames6879]

Probably the same sort who flies (or attempts) to do so to the cruise port city the day of the cruise.

[@JeromeHudson-z6x]

Hi Don when i book a cruise i always use auto-pay that way there's no issue.

[@beckygilmore4798]

I pay off cruise months in advance so I don't stress out but I research and book excursions later. I figure as long as the cruise and flight are paid off the excursions no big deal

[@emiliawalker4346]

Those clients knew however THEY chose to put off final payment. The travel agent did their best but ultimately it was clients fault.

[@TheWavesong]

We paid our full payment early for our first cruise this December from San Juan but I couldn’t get ahold of the travel agent after the first couple of days

[@Ebba-June]

"Too bad, so sad" for them. I am always early with things.... whether it's an appointment or paying a bill, early is better. That way, there is no problem and if there is, I have time to solve it. But I know people who are "just in time" for most things... or "just a little late". They drive me a bit crazy, especially if we're doing something together. LOL

[@Gre8american]

My travel agent submits final payment 10 days before the due date in case of something like you described. 100 days before the cruise I make final payment not 90 days..

[@AngelaCMurphy-Connie]

I've used a Travel Agent for the first time for my cruise next August ... do you think it would be appropriate for me to pay my final payment directly to the cruise line or is it necessary to pay it through the Travel Agent? Thank you!

[@brucebreault6328]

I make final payment about 9 months ahead of schedule this way I can get the dining times I want(especially since I don’t have a high enough loyalty status)!

[@robertb7864]

These people must have known the payment wouldn't work. Why wait until that day????? Wow!

[@belxsar1504]

Glad you figured out who the unknown person in your group cruise was! Are they going to join in all your group cruise activities? 🙃

[@fedex1339]

I used to make payments always had it paid up months ahead. Today I card the entire cost. No worries that way.

[@SylviaWalters-m8q]

News flash: cruise lines sell every room they can. They do not hold back rooms for special guests

[@cindyonyoutube]

Too bad for them. Next time don't wait until the last minute.

[@alexandrahall2012]

Don, I just cancelled a cruise and rebooked another similar cruise because the travel agent wouldn't return my calls and I ended up cancelling it before we got to "last payment date". I tried paying for 3 weeks. 3 weeks!!! I called, they were busy. I called again, they didn't call back. I called again-they emailed they were out of the country. They called me- I was in the car. I called them, They forgot to call me and were busy. I called them again. and again. Then i finally had enough. I just cancelled the cruise and started again. I am currently waiting on my refund from the cruise company. I couldn't take the chance that they would ghost me on the final payment and lose me the cruise.

[@nancyamaral5620]

That is why I never use a travel agent always book directly with the cruise lines directly

[@daisydix3238]

Good for you to not do any business with an unresponsive TA - better to find another one!

[@moirasutherland7443]

I have had problems making final payment, bank stopped it, bank employee sat on the phone and physically released it and waited until cruise email confirmed it, payment button disappeared etc so I phoned cruise company and they took payment. Never a big problem as I always pay a couple of weeks early.

[@cynthiareifsnider5794]

That is too bad they lost their vacation, but if they couldn't make the final payment until the final day, maybe they shouldn't have booked the cruise.

[@rzz9594]

No money. Go to a park and have a picnic. 😮

[@lovedfriend2020]

I had my cruise paid off 20 days before it was due. I waited a full year for it I don't, and want to miss it.

[@nicolemiller4688]

What a let down, never a good idea to leave things to the last second.

[@BrendaVanderwey]

I'd say some people just live pay check to pay check and have worked for them before! 😂😂

[@deirdrejohnston4510]

I pay well before or in full. I don’t like taking chances

[@BrendaVanderwey]

My agent requires final payment three months before ship sails, cruise ship wants payment two months before. Not sure about that system. Duh!

[@joannke7727]

Never wait till the last minute

[@silversurferhi]

If you are their TA you don't need this client

[@randyseger969]

I wait 1 day before it’s due, call and see if the price went down, on ncl in Hawaii it went down $1,200

[@svetlanakozic5740]

I never wait last day! I always pay at least 3 months before due date.

[@Sabby899-qp1dw]

I don't understand. My final payment is march 1 2025. I will pay off by mid January. Wouldn't you get your payments out the way so you can get on saving for other things. I have drawn up a calender for the next 6 months with all the holiday payments and when to pay what.

[@jeffreyclinard2002]

Did the people have an explanation for why they thought the best possible plan was to wait until the last minute and be unavailable in the event there were issues?

[@lindakowalski8687]

Don, you couldn’t pull out your Harry Potter wizard wand and fix it.

[@brucefrytz8611]

I'll make our final payment about 5 weeks before it's due, right after I surprise my wife with it at Christmas.

[@vickiebridges3584]

Just go into your arsenal of cabins that are reserved on every sailing for Don T and his vantastic cruisers 😂😂😂

[@aussiejohn5835]

I have no idea why anyone would put their credit card details in an email for anyone to see. I have always paid into the account specified in my booking confirmation email and Don should have pointed that out in the video unless of course Don was the travel agent in question.

[@bethdavis6863]

He stated he was not their travel agent.

[@photodom2000]

No one to blame but themselves. Idiots for not paying the final balance at least 6 weeks before the Cruise.

[@Ravenclaw0536]

That was stupid of them to wait in til the last day to pay the final payment

[@sherrydiener8688]

Hi Don, I would like you to help us with our first cruise. How do I get your info.

[@tomasagaray9098]

Never wait till last day, pay early

[@lovedfriend2020]

Sounds like someone from our cruise. :( Carnival Mardi Gras Dec 7th. Maybe they had a dead phone or perhaps the TA's number is marked as spam, and that is why they never got it.

[@lizkotchek928]

Something doesn't add up to me that they told the travel agent to wait until the last day to make that payment. Seems like maybe they knew the card wouldn't go through until the last day.

[@Girasole5849]

Guess this person found out the world does not wait for them. Never wait till the last day to submit payment.

[@carljohnson6434]

We never wait that long before we pay off our cruises.

[@jameshoffman2163]

we generally pay for our cruises a week or more before the due date.. ya just never know!

[@paulasimson4939]

Sounds like their credit card was full and not available to make the payment until the last second.