Holland America West Tours Failed to provide as advertised Alaska Cruise Tour Ripoff Seattle Washington

On Holland America Cruise-Tour 7/15 - 7/25/ 2001, Holland America's "own luxury railcar" electrical system failed on TWO consecutive days of the trip from Fairbanks to Denali and then from Denali to Anchorage. This caused all the passengers to be moved to standard Alaskan Railway cars. Holland America replied that the contract said we could provide "alternate transportation" in case of an equipment breakdown. (just a comment...does "alternate transportation" mean a rowboat if the cruise ship breaks down?). The Holland America supplied cruise was fine. I estimated the difference between the cost of the cruise alone and the cost of the cruise tour (from Holland America's price lists) at $1460 and requested they refund 1/2 of that amount (or $730). Holland America offered $386. They would not budge even though the total trip cost me over $14,000 (including many excursions). I would think that they would come quickly to an agreement because they were clearly at fault. We have NEVER settled this disagreement. Now I have seen that other people on subsequent trips have had similiar problems. This could be a profitable class action law suit for some good lawyers. There were many people on my trip that did not receive satisfaction, and now I am seeing that other trips are experiencing similiar problems I think something has to be done to financially punish Holland America (which by the way is owned by Carnival). This was not the only problem with this trip. The on-shore tour guide was absolutely awful. Buyers BEWARE. Ask them before you buy what you will get if the train breaks down?

Bob
wilmington, Massachusetts
U.S.A.