Cyprus-Forum.com

[caz]

Can anyone tell me if they were moved from the Atlantica Oasis and received compensation or a refund from Thomson.

We were moved back in June and promised £40 compensation which we have not received as they say this is taken off the price of the accomodation they move you to.

I am also having a battle with them at the moment as the accommodation they moved us to was cheaper in the brochure, when i questioned this the breakdown of costs shows they have charged me for a child place, when I had a free child place on my original booking. and a under occupancy supplement when the brochure also shows there is no charge for a studio.

Is anyone else having the same problems?

[dawny]

hi caz, we were due to stop at the atlantica oasis, but were moved 2 weeks before we flew out,and we got our £40.00 compensation the same week as they told us!, we ended up cancelling that holiday and booking another 4 weeks later, hope this helps regards dawn

[caz]

Hi Dawny

Who did you book with, was it Thomson?

I asked for a breakdown of the costs and they have charged us for a child place even though we had a free child place when we originally booked and they have also charged us for under occupany. We had a studio apartment and the brochure stated that there is no under occupany charge for a studio.

Im not getting anywhere with Thomson so I have now spoken to ABTA and they have asked me to send all the info, letters etc and they will have a look at it for me.

Unfortunately the travel agent I booked through closed down so I am fighting this one on my own, but im not giving up!!! As far as i am concerned there should have been a refund.

Did anyone else book though Thomson and receive the compensation?

[juliesewell]

Caz

If you had a free child place on your original booking - they should honour this whatever they change you to.

Just a bit of info on the ABTA route too - they will want to see copies of all correspondence you have had with the Tour Operator. Once they have all documents, they will decide if Thomson have a case to answer and will make a decision based on their findings. However, if you have already been offered compensation and they feel it's a suitable offer - you will of course, lose the fee you pay to ABTA to take on board your complaint.

If you win your case, then Thomson will have to pay yours and their own fees for the ABTA claim plus any additional compensation.

Last I was in tour ops - the fee for an ABTA claim was approx £60 so bear this in mind if you decide to proceed.

Good luck

[dawny]

HI caz, yes we did book with thomsons, and got our £40.00 compensation three days after they told us we had been moved. I did not even have to ask for it, it had already been refunded back to my card. Hope you sort it out, don't give up they are in the wrong and hoping you will probably think " lets not bother" as it is too much hassle, but why should you. You are only wanting what they have promised you! good luck dawn

[caz]

Thanks Dawn, i just cant understand why they are telling me that they do not pay compensation out and that it gets adjusted on the new accommodation. But I am going to stand my ground!!!

Julieswell

Thankyou also, I totally agree, we booked our holiday early so that we could secure a free child place, so why should I have to pay for a child place when they have moved us.

Thankyou for the info on ABTA, I rang them and spoke to a lady who agreed with what I had said and told me to send copies of all the correspondence and they will take a look at it for me. She didnt mention a fee so at least now I will be prepared!! If she says I am wasting my time I will forget it, but I do feel we have been overcharged somewhat for a holiday we had to change.

Thomson have offered us nothing at all, other that telling me that they have taken all my comments on board. In the last letter we received from them I got the impression i was starting to get on their nerves, but im not going away quietly, i will fight this all the way if i have to.

Thanks for all your help girls, wish me luck and i will keep you posted.

Caz

[juedood]

Got back from the Atlantica Oasis on 29th October and it was great.
Welcomed into the great reception/foyer area by the friendly staff will a glass of bucks fizz. We got upgraded to the new block (10) which was absolutely fab. Rooms really plush and clean with a great view of the sea. (I don't think other people we were talking to were very pleased with their rooms though as they didn't appear to have been refurbished)
The pool area was lovely with nice beds and towels available (have to give a card in to get them then get your card back upon returning them.) There is a pirate ship in the childrens pool (which they loved) and even an 'adults only' pool with plush beds and decking so if some people wanted to get away from the childrens noise they could.
The staff were great especially with the children.
We thought the food was also very good. How on earth anyone can moan about the quality or choice of food is beyond me. There was loads of choice to suit everyone, even meat and 2 veg for the non-adventurous. Plenty of pasta, rice dishes, noodles, kebabs, meatballs, etc (all hot and stocked up regularly). Whatever time we went to the restaurant (7.00-9.00pm), the quantity and standard of food was excellent.
We took the drinks option when there and just showed the wrist bands to the staff. We didn't drink loads (as we have 2 small kids so were not out late), so didn't save on money but it was just more convenient as we didn't have carry money with us when we were around the pool.
The water park is worth a visit, we really enjoyed it. Even stuff for the young children.

Didn't think very much of the resort (surrounding the hotel), just some bars and shops. Limassol was ok. Went in the day and it was quite quiet, but saw some nice restaurants/ bars that looked as if they would come to life on an evening. The old market was worth a walk around. (Really colourful, not very big though).
We spent most of our time at the hotel, where the staff, facilities and friends we made were great.