Sorry Luci, my mistake. I'll use the posting on the other forum. Thanks.

Thanks to all of you who have placed your trials and triumphs in this forum. After reading the forum it gave me strength to carry on fighting to get justice and at last I have been offered my trip. Will be going on 7 day 'Spirit' cruise on Island Star leaving Gatwick 6th October. Will be travelling on my own and hope that I meet some other DE cruisers. Good luck to any other people still waiting; I'm sure you will all get your cruises but you need to keep up the pressure! Will continue reading forum as I enjoy hearing of all your successes.

Well done Mikey2, you'll have a fabulous time.

Congratulations Mikey and thanks for reporting back to let us know.

luci

Great news, Mikey!

I travelled on my Daily Express cruise in September '05 which was already a year late. Three years is ridiculous but none the less it is very welcome.

Have a fantastic time - I'm sure you'll love it but it could be expensive because you'll get hooked and want to go again!

I've just come back from my Med cruise after 3 years of struggle (and 5 letters)! And I didn't have to take legal action (although I threatened it).

Tips: Write to the "Group Legal dept" at the DE threatening legal action if no satisfactory response within 30 days. If they don't do this, start the legal process through the online Small Claims Court IMMEDIATELY. The DE will NEVER allow these claims to reach court otherwise it will set a precedent, and they have been refunding all legal fees.

There's probably only a small hard core of claimants left now so it won't cost them very much. So if you want to go cruising right now, write now!

Rob

Pleased to see yet another of our number getting a cruise at long last! Have a great time Mikey

Hi all,
Long delaysince I last posted on the site being due to no access to the internet but all's well now!. At last I have in my little mit the tickets for my cruise on 27th. Am so looking forward to a week of doing absolooooootly whatever I feel like!
Will let you know how it goes on return, keep on fighting for your cruise.! If any of the other DE Cruise Crew are on board will try to meet once at sea!
Avast ye scurvey bits and other nautical phrases!
Best Wishes

Pmad1

Have a great cruise and remember your review when you get back!

luci

My tickets have arrived for the 3rd Nov cruise on Island Star. It will be three years almost to the day that I should have sailed for the Caribbean along with several others from this site. I hope all my would be companions have been successful in getting a cruise now.

Hi

Just to update you. I never got to attend on my court date. DE decided quite graciously to pay me out the full amount. I can now book my cruise with a more reputable company or just spend the cash.

For all you out there. Keep at them!

Thanks for the update poseyflump.

Tempting as it is to pocket the cash, I would highly recommend you book a cruise as it is an experience of a lifetime that you won't regret.

luci

Hi poseyflump - I agree with Luci, please do book a cruise, you won't regret it, I'm sure

Well am happy for all who have won a cruise,have myself recieved a defence from them for a court action I filed,its all down to the small print is the basis for their defence,I myself thought that they were slammed by the ASA for their small print,will now have to prepare my case ,its a pain, but determined to carry on at least it might give them some adverse publicity down this neck of the woods ,will be grateful for any advice. kind regards bucca.

what elements of the small print are the DE relying on? Good luck with your case.

Bucca, unless you think you may not have complied with the Terms and Conditions, you have absolutely no reason to be afraid of the small print! (Well that's my opinion!) It's a bit of a pain for you but the end result will be worth it. Most people who were taking the legal route have won the day so far and I don't see why you should be different! Perhaps they aren't aware that you are a member of the HT happy band!

Thanks for your replies,they did state the small print,but before this I received what I believe is a standard rejection letter stating a number of steps to complete above the collection of the vouchers,I of couse did complete all the steps required, this is what I believe there going on ,as we were told not to send returns by recorded delivery, which make things difficult to prove,regard bucca.

I would recommend anyone with any form of letter to persue their claim for a cruise.

I started the process for a "money claim on line" in May. I obtained a quote from Royal Caribbean for a cruise and based my claim on this amount adding an amount for the letters sent and time I had spent. The DE defended the claim and the date of the hearing set for 17th October in my local court. DE did send a letter offering a choice of 5 cruises for sept/oct,but I'd already made holiday plans to go in November. I advised them that I couldn't go on the cruises they offered and didn't see why I should have to pay a supplement for an alternative choice and would be persuing my claim for payment. I submitted copies of my letters to the court & DE as per the instructions 2 weeks before the date of the hearing.

I was happy to use the court mediation service to try and resolve this, but DE failed to respond to the mediator.

I received a letter from DE on 16th October (the day before the hearing !) enclosing a cheque in settlement for the whole amount of my claim. Whilst they posted it on the 12th in the regular post, they obviously didn't consider the effects of the postal strike and the possible delay. They clearly thought that I wouldn't go through with it and left it as long as possible before settling. In any event, I didn't think I had anything more to lose by continuing the action and just kept focusing on the facts and promises in their letters.

I will now be choosing my own cruise and would encourage anyone to do the same. You have nothing to fear as you know you're in the right.

Hi chrissiecruiser and welcome to HT!

Congratulations on a successful outcome.

Have you decided which cruise you are going on yet? Perhaps the topic Windjammer Does Deals will give you some ideas.

Please remember to come back and let us know what you decided so that we can live vicariously through you.

luci