Couple expected Mediterranean dream cruise, not losing $6,000
PORTLAND, Ore. – Marty and Sharon Cresalia of West Linn got an expensive surprise when the money they paid for a cruise disappeared.
For them it all started with a bottle of wine when they were at Merry Edwards, which is a winery in California.
They saw a brochure for a two-week wine cruise through the Mediterranean, stopping at places like Rome and Venice in June of this year.
They started making payments to the cruise company, Fine Wine and Food Cruise, out of Georgia, owned by Jonathan Baltuch.
The couple planned visits to the sights of Rome and took Italian lessons.
They had paid about $6,000 – about half of the total – when they received an email from Fine Wine and Food Cruise.
"(It) told us the trip was canceled, and we'll get back to you in January with options for your deposits," said Marty. "And it was like, what do you mean options?"
Their option may be their money is gone.
The company will not answer their calls and emails. They believe the 200 other passengers are in the same boat.
The KATU Problem Solvers called and emailed Fine Wine and Food Cruise and received no answer.
But the Problem Solvers did learn more about the owner's other business, Shoes Only Travel – sex cruises with a very explicit website.
"If all that had been known, we probably would not have booked this trip," said Sharon.
Now they just want to get their money back so they can take that dream trip together.
"He has, I think, convinced himself that it's his money," said Marty. "And until he decides that he should be a law-abiding citizen, he's just going to go travel on everyone else’s money."
Here's something that can help you in this kind of case.
If you pay by credit card, you have a better chance of getting your money back. The Cresalias did pay and are asking their credit card company for that refund.
The Georgia Consumer Protection Office is now investigating.
If you have a problem, contact the Problem Solvers. You can email them at problemsolvers@katu.com. You can also call them. The number is 503-736-3415.
That $6,000 should have better off by spent on paying off any debts or put into savings not on this Mediterranean Dream Cruise. Guess they can afford to buy those expensive wines that are shown in the picture.  Hope they learned the lesson.
 @Sunny  What do you care what they do with their money? They look like they are retired. If they are like my parents they don't have any debt. And they've already done all their saving. That's how they can afford the trip! Why shouldn't they enjoy their life and their money how ever they see fit? Just because they can afford it and (maybe) you can't doesn't mean you have the right to judge them and say "hope they learned the lesson". That's just not nice. The scum bag that scammed them out of their money certainly doesn't deserve to keep their money. He deserves to go to jail. I hope they get their money back and can take a dream vacation.
Travel agencies can make it a lot less work for an involved vacation but it comes with a big risk. When I got to Europe I found out my travel agency probably cooperated in a little bait and switch. The hotel I was booked at was full up but they just happened to have another hotel I could stay at - a much less nice one that is. I was stuck in an inferior hotel in a less desirable location and couldn't book another hotel without risking my package deal. Took me a lot of time and trouble to get a refund on the room rate from the agency once I got back home. I wonder how many people this happens to and they forget about it or are just too tired to bother once back home.
I think it is kind of arrogant to post this story with so many folks dealing in hard times right now.
 @katufanman I disagree. They've worked all their lives for their money. They should be able to spend it on a cruise if they wish, without having to feel at all apologetic about it. They and many others.
@felines99 I'm with ya on that one, feline !
 @katufanman Lots of folks use their tax refund to take a vacation - I find the story a timely caveat emptor reminder.
I am amazed anyone books with travel companys anymore. It is easy to find cruises on your own through Expedia. Or safari trips or flights, hotels, cars, etc..there really is no reason to go through a travel agency unless money is no object and you are fine with someone else handling your vacation plans. I think the horror stories of travel agencies being unscrupulous is enough reason to go it alone though.
 @SR I'll NEVER do business again with Expedia. They are a rip-off, and have zero compassion for anyone. Even with trip insurance, they were a bugger to deal with this past fall when my daughter had to cancel her honeymoon cruise. Doctor's note or no, they didn't want to forfeit their money. No, never again with Expedia.Â
 @washcomom I've never had a problem with expedia or priceline. They say pretty clearly what the conditions are - no changes. You can pay more on average and book direct with hotels/airlines if you want to get refundable tickets/stays, but in general it is probably not worth it. American express offers great travel protection that is free and/or low cost as well.
 @SR There's nothing inherently wrong with booking travel through a travel agency. On my smaller trips, I generally take care of it on my own online, but if I'm going to be spending thousands for hotel and airfare, then I'll probably utilize a travel agency to see if there are any upgrades I may be able to take advantage of, or also purchase travel insurance.Â
 @pdxd  @SR You can get trip insurance from nearly all online booking companies as well as your credit card probably has trip insurance options for less as well.
Um, hmmmm, would I begin putting close to $6000 in deposits down for a cruise with a cruise company that I had no familiarity with? ABSOLUTELY NO.
Having been in the travel business for 15 years it amazes me how people don't take precautions.
ALWAYS, ALWAYS ALWAYS know who the travel provider is and their reputation in the industry.
AND.............................NEVER, NEVER, EVER send checks.
PAY BY CREDIT CARD !!!!!!
Put the payments in your bank, not with a company. Then when you have enough money you can just pay for the cruise in one lump sum. There are few companies that I would trust to hold onto my money and I trust my credit union because they are insured against loss by the taxpayers.
@RalphCramden .......FDIC insures commercial banks.
 @Rob C 503 Â
I'm not a fan of commercial banks. They do whatever they can to screw the customer.
 @Rob C 503 Â
They did screw me over for sure.
@RalphCramden .......what's kinda funny Ralph, in banking circles we called that company First Inyourface. They were notoriously bad for customer service and got bought out. Sorry that experience happened. That would leave me pretty bitter too.
 @Rob C 503 Â
I was with First Interstate, and then several other banks that were too small to deal with my business. I can't remember the other bank we were with but I think it was US bank.
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First Interstate called in our credit line and gave us 48 hours to pay it off and it would not be renewed. We had never been late on any payment with them, had always paid off our credit line in full every month and had never ever maxed it out. At the time we had about $60k on it and the credit line was $200k.
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Their excuse was that our industry was predicted to have a significant downturn in the near future and they wanted to reduce their exposure.
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We had to have a big sale to get enough cash to pay it off and we were selling stuff below cost to get enough customers in to make sure we had the money. It took us a week to generate that much money and they DUNN'ed us for it.
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Once we got to a credit union things went much better. They didn't give us a large a credit line at first but after a year we were back up to $200k.
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After that I never went back to a bank. That was in 1980.
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@RalphCramden ......may I suggest that maybe you weren't at the right bank! That business isn't for everyone and obviously it wasn't a good fit for your financial needs. But it is untrue to say that "they do whatever they can to screw the customer". That's not true !
 @Rob C 503 Â
We will have to disagree on this one. I have never had any really long lasting positive relationship with any bank. Most of it was business dealings and once I moved to a credit union my attitude about financial institutions improved.
@RalphCramden .......I worked in commercial banks for almost 30 years, Ralph. That is simply not true !
 @RalphCramden  @Rob C 503 And, find me a commercial bank anywhere that can pull the paper file on your loan in a matter of seconds. My credit union can. When I call them on the phone, I can talk with "Susie," and if I go into the branch, I can sit down with the same "Susie" and talk with her. I'm not calling a call center in the middle of nowhere.
Wow...I can imagine traveling for $6000  around NOT on a cruise ship  and living the life of Riley quite well.  This sounded like a scam to being with. Let the buyer research  the intended purchase well, to be aware , before laying down any money.
Sad. The credit card co should be able to get their money back to them. I almost took a cruise like myself. geez.
@shewiz A shoe's only cruise?