Complaint Review: RAMADA PLAZA RESORTS - Fort Lauderdale Florida

On June 25, 2007, I was called at work by a telemarketer who said I had won a cruise for 2 people for 2 nights and three days to the Bahamas. I was told that I would only need to pay the passport taxes and fees for these 2 people to accept the FREE cruise vacation. Then I was told that I could take two additional friends/family members with me for a rate of $129.00/per person on the cruise. Reluctantly and after much pressure by the telemarketer to accept, I agreed. Then I was told that I could receive the following for the money indicated below:

2 nights and 3 days with included buffet meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Ramada Plaza Resort in Fort Lauderdale, FL (4 person accommodations)

2 nights and 3 days with included buffet meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Ramada Plaza Resort in Orlando, FL (Optioned to use these nights in Fort Lauderdale in lieu of Orlando) 4 person accommodations

2 night/3 day cruise to the Bahamas on Imperial Majesty Cruise (Includes all meals and $50 match credit for gambling per person) (4 person accommodations)

7 day car rental for an economy car (upgrades available)

3 nights/4 days Puerto Vallarta, Mexico resort stay only (2 person accommodations)

2 nights/3 days Las Vegas, Mexico resort stay only (2 person accommodations)

Agreed to a tour of the Resort for the primary party only (1 person) specifically asked about this item

$398 paid on 6/25/07 - FREE cruise for 2 people, 2 additional cruise passengers, Ramada resort accommodations in Fort Lauderdale for 4 nights, 5 days, 7 day car rental, Puerto Vallarta & Las Vegas, vouchers for meals for 2 people for duration of trip in Fort Lauderdale

$40 paid on 6/25/07 food vouchers for two additional people for duration of trip in Fort Lauderdale

$118 paid on 4/11/08 Passport fees & taxes for 4 people (cruise)

The package was transferred to my sister. It took Ramada Resorts 4 calls and a written request to get this information entered. Upon arrival at the resort, the hotel (not a resort in any respect) required that taxes be paid for the hotel as well as a resort fee ($10 per day) to use the pool, etc. This was never mentioned during the sales pitch. This was paid for the first day in Fort Lauderdale on 6/28/08 for one night stay since my family was leaving the next day for the cruise. My family was only given vouchers for 2 people although I had paid for 4 people. I called the Welcome Center and was spoken to in a rude way while he yelled for the manager, Sasha, in my ear. I was put on hold for over 5 minutes so I hung up and called again. The same gentleman answered the phone. I asked for his name. He did not reply but apologized for the wait and asked for me to call back in 10 minutes. I called back in 10 minutes and they checked my package to confirm that I had paid for meal vouchers for two additional people. My family had to inconvenience themselves by going back to the Welcome Center to pick up additional vouchers for two people.

Before boarding the cruise, my family was informed that they would be paying an additional $30 for fuel surcharges per person plus $10 gratuity per person. I understand these additional costs but I should have been informed at the time of purchasing the package. My family paid the additional $160 for these fees so they could go on the cruise. My family was also informed that all parties must attend the tour of the resort on Wednesday, July 2nd rather than just my sister, Amanda Flinchum, as was indicated to me at the time of purchase. I called on July 1, 2008 to get this matter resolved per my agreement with Ramada Resorts. Gesalda with the Welcome Center contacted Harry, the Supervisor on staff at the time, at the reservation center which booked this package. Harry said the rules had changed since I booked and all parties must attend. Gesalda also informed me that I owed an additional $258 for the 2 additional people on the cruise. I asked Harry and Gesalda to send me the breakdown that was discussed at the time of purchasing this vacation package. Gesalda does not have this information and Harry refused to assist. His exact words were, I don't have time for this. This is a really good deal. You can't buy this package on your own for this much money. The only reason you received this package was so that we could get you to go on the tour. He was extremely rude and spoke with Gesalda concerning cancelling my family's reservations for Fort Lauderdale when they came back. I tried to explain that I had already paid for the $129 for each additional person and asked for a breakdown of the cost. Harry refused and hung up. I was so frustrated that a company who has my business and wants future business would treat me with such disrespect and rudeness. Gesalda really had no power in this situation since the Ramada Resorts sold the package. I called back later and spoke with James at the Welcome Center. He was most helpful and shared all information he had available on my package. He said that according to the plan Ramada Resorts had in the system for me, the two additional cruise passengers were not included. He apologized for the poor customer service of Harry. At this point, Harry had told Gesalda to cancel my family's reservations if I refused to pay the additional fees they indicated and/or only one person took the tour of the Ramada Resort facilities. I did some research online about Ramada Resort packages in Florida and discovered that MANY people have been ripped off by this company and treated poorly throughout the duration of their trips and while on the tour. I chose not to subject my family to this kind of treatment any further nor allow Ramada Resorts to continue to charge me for things that were never mentioned at the time of sale. The package was cancelled at this point.

The only parts of the full package listed above that were used by my family were:

Rental car for 7 days

2 FREE cruise tickets & 2 paid cruise tickets

1 night stay at Ramada Resorts in Fort Lauderdale

4 total meal vouchers (out of 72 meal vouchers)

The total amount paid for this small package was $731.00. The total cost for all of the items listed on the first page per my agreement with Ramada Resorts on 6/25/08 was supposed to be $556.00.

Do not fall for this scam! If you receive a call with a cruise ship horn in the background, hang up immediately. There are many other negative reports about this company. I will never stay at a Ramada as long as I live.

Misty

Raleigh, North Carolina

U.S.A.

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