MINI VACATIONS MVI MARKETING RIP OFF $572. FOR NOTHING PLANNED CRUISE FOR 7 DAYS OVER 1 YEAR TAMPA Florida

My husband and I attend a timeshare presentation which was sponsored by Iron Horse in Feb 2005. We then received our Certificate Number and Certificate Code for the "finest cruise certificate ever made available by their company."

Concurrently we mailed in a check for $572.xx. This check was to cover port charges, government taxes and applicable processing fees.

Mini Vacations, Inc contacted us after they received our money and 3 different travel dates according to their guidleines. They advised us that the reservations we had requested were not available in according to their bookings.

They then offered a reschedule for another date earliest request date of September 1, 2005, or a refund. (which I should have done if I knew then what I know now)

They advised they could hold our check as a courtesy until we provide them with a new travel date and we called them on exactly Sept 1 2005 We had then schuedule our cruise for Feb 19 - Feb 26 2006. Received a new certificate #, and Certificate Code

To reassert our vacation we contacted Mini Vacation Inc, at 813-621-1841 and spoke with Donna at ext. 374. She had validated our sail date and reservation for our 7 day Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Miami, fl on Carnival Victory for Feb 192006 - Feb 26, 2006. Advised that we would be getting our written confirmation soon.

As time grew closer, we decided to call again, and again and again, to no avail. Even thought about taking a ride there. We called Carnival to check our booking, in which of course they had no booking.

We were never provided with a booking number or written confirmation from Mini Vacations so there was nothing they could do. They did provide us a internal research dept that is handling "thousands of complaints"

They also advised to contact the Better Business Bureau which provided me with the Florida Dept of Consumer Affairs - at http://www.800helpfla.com/us - and filed a complaint on line and also mailed all copies of all documentation,

I have also contacted the State Attorneys Office @ http://myfloridalegal.com/pages.nsf/4492D797DC0BD92F85256CB80055FB97/60FD9BD8FA71A5B185256CD1005EE5C5?OpenDocumenthttp:// I have not received a reply yet.

They also have 4 affliates.

1. ASTA- American Society of Travel Agents, Inc http://www.astanet.com/reply "(We have not been informed of any process for receiving a refund.You may want to contact the Florida Division of consumer services at 850-922-2966)", this reply was from from came from Catherine Clifton, Manager Consumer Affairs . Going back to step 1.

2. CLIA-Cruise Lines Assocation http://www.cruising.org/ has not replied yet.

3. ARC - Airline Reporting Corp - (however my vacation was cruise only so did not contact)

4. IATAN - International Airliens Travel Agents Network (again does not apply to me)

I am interested in filing for a class action suit- However wanted to know if there is anyone that knows of one that has already started.

Good Luck to everyone. Please update me with any further information. Thanks

Linda
WINTER SPRINGS, Florida
U.S.A.