In September of 2008 I put in for a prize drawing at a local Renaissance Fair for a cruise with this agency. I was called a few weeks later informing me that I had been selected as the winner of a 2 night stay in Orlando, a 2 night stay in Ft. Lauderdale, and a 3 night cruise to the Bahamas. I had to pay $299 per person on the spot, and they would mail me itinerary and more info about companion airfares, car rentals, etc. I received the package in the mail. I was originally told that black out dates apply, and that I could not take the trip during the holidays.

In June of 09 I called the company to see if I could be refunded. They said all payments were non-refundable at this point, which I accepted. They said I had until April to take the trip. When I mentioned the blackout dates I had been informed about previously, they told me that because my trip included the hotel stays and not just the cruise, I could go whenever and there were no black out dates. When I called again today this information was repeated to me. Unfortunately, I have a lot to learn and never got the names of the people I was speaking with. I will be doing this in the future for sure. And the thing that is most fishy, is they claim the cruise is on the Carnival Celebration, but why is it Imperial Majesties Cruise Lines putting me through everything?

My issue is, I have read the complaints on this site, and am very scared about what to do next. It appears to me that there is definitely something fishy going on. I have not been told about any required hotel "tours" or anything. They really don't tell me much at all, but they sure do transfer me around to a million different people for every question I ask. Should I just suck it up and take the trip, hoping that the cruise ship is nice and the Caribbean air will make everything alright, or should I follow someone's advice and write a letter demanding the refund?