Decked by dollar bill

Jan 17 2010 by Mr Justice, Sunday Sun

I’VE made Thomson Holidays walk the plank after a couple were given dodgy information about the cost of a cruise.

John and Joyce Noble were looking forward to a seafaring voyage in the Med.

And why shouldn’t they?

Travel agent First Choice, part of the Thomson family, had told them they would get an allowance of $50 a day.

There it is in black and white on Thomson’s invoice.

It said: “Cabin number D516 has been booked. Customers receive $50 per day.”

Nothing could be clearer but, unfortunately for John and Joyce, it was wrong.

The couple were given just $50 in total.

The holidaymakers had booked the trip at Cramlington, Northumberland, going with Princess Cruises.

John said: “We booked a cruise sailing from Southampton to the Mediterranean.

“We were told we were entitled to a cabin upgrade and $50 per day as we had cruised with Princess before.

“It was even made as clear as day on the invoice we were provided with. So we sat back and very much looked forward to the cruise. It was a wonderful time but there was a shock on the last day when we received our stateroom bill.

“We were allowed only $50 between us.”

John and Joyce showed their invoice to staff on board the ship, the Grand Princess, but it cut no ice and they were told to sort the complaint with Thomson when they arrived home.

The couple, of Ashington, Northumberland, tried to get compensation from Thomson themselves but without success.

In the meantime Princess Cruises told them: “I can confirm that $50 total is the only amount on the booking.