My mother is terminally ill — why won’t Princess refund her cruise?
Shannon Tait’s mother is terminally ill and will miss that Alaska cruise with her sister. Can she get a refund from Princess? Read the surprising answer.
Christopher Elliott
Help, my Hotwire hotel was a construction zone
To say Michael Weaver was unhappy about the hotel he booked through Hotwire recently might be an understatement. He paid for a 4.5-star hotel in South Beach, but instead checked into a construction site.
The Livingsocial offer that wasn’t social at all
After he buys four tickets for the Indy 500 through a coupon site, he learns he may not be sitting with his friends. Can he undo the purchase?
What makes you happiest? Your TV — and here’s why
Jessica Beeman paid $779 for her 50-inch TV, a purchase she was pleased with, until one day “it just stopped” working. And then she wasn’t.
Any hope of saving a “vacation from hell” to Cuba?
If you were less than impressed with your last vacation, you’re in good company. Say “hello” to Colette Blanchette, who recently traveled to Cuba for what was supposed to be a relaxing tropical getaway.
Can you trust the cruise lines’ new passenger “bill of rights”?
Maybe it was the string of customer-service disasters, starting with the Costa Concordia tragedy last year and leading up to the recent Carnival Triumph “poop” cruise, on which passengers were left adrift in the Gulf of Mexico for five days without working toilets.
I had an aneurysm, but British Airways is keeping my money
After Gavin King suffers an aneurysm and misses his flight to England, British Airways decides to keep his money. Requests for a refund or credit go unanswered. Looks like a case for the Travel Troubleshooter.
Oh no! JetBlue breaks guitars, too?
Add the word “breaks guitars” after any company, and everyone knows exactly what you’re talking about.
My phone doesn’t work — do I still have to pay my bill?
Joanna Morehead’s wireless phone bill has been referred to a collections department. Just one problem: She was never able to really use her phone, which she canceled shortly after receiving it. Does she still have to pay?
Would you care to hold that plane?
Holding a plane for a passenger is an iconic customer service gesture. In a different era of commercial aviation, before on-time arrivals became so important that aircraft doors closed 15 minutes before departure, planes were almost routinely kept at the gate for passengers who were trying to make a connection or who were just late.