Tony
Sonoma,#2Consumer Comment
Mon, January 07, 2013
You should all know that the owner of FineFoodandWineCruise.com is Jonathan Baltuch. He is the one who got all our money and won't give it back. He also owns ShoesOnlyTravel.net. We gave him over $8,000 for a cruise with Merry Edwards Winery and he cancelled the cruise. We even paid for Travel Guard Insurance but they say that they do not cover contract disputes. Please in these complaints call out Jonathan Baltuch by name to ensure that any other companies his involved in or may become involved in do not take in other suckers.
Jonathan Baltuch should be investigated for fraud.
Khillski
USA#3Consumer Comment
Mon, January 07, 2013
The money Fine Food and Wine Cruise collected from Tobin James cruisers went to pay the debts they incurred on the other half sold cruises. Unlike Tobin James cruises which have basically sold out, FF&WC's last 5 cruises have had a occupancy rate of about 50%. They need over 65% just to break even. This has turned into a Ponzi scheme where the money collected for our cruise has been paid to cover the loses on the previous cruises. Tobin James is working with Paul Gauguin to try and salvage the cruise and they will keep everyone posted when they know something.
Cindy
Seal Beach,#4General Comment
Sun, January 06, 2013
Fine Food and Wine Cruise took the last deposits from all of us in November, obviously knowing that they were unable to honor the contract with Paul Gauguin Cruise line. FFWC stated approximately 1/2 of the charter fee has been paid. What did they do with that last deposit from over 300 people, whose final deposit was close to 40% of the cost of the cruise - or, close to two million dollars?!
I have also seen reports that FFWC cancelled another cruise with another winery in December. From the reports I have read, those people have lost their money spent for that cruise. Again, what happened to all that money? FFWC claims it was a contract dispute which could be translated to mean they didn't pay Windstar either.
Tobin James Winery had three very successful, nearly sold out cruises through FFWC in 2011. There was nothing to suggest this cruise would be otherwise. The owner is blaming the finances on other cruises they contracted that weren't sold out and lost money. That was not the case with us Tobin James Winery Club Members! We paid for this cruise and FFWC should honor their contract with us!
The future is not certain at this point. Tobin James is doing everything possible to make this happen. This cruise was 97% sold, so there are over 300 very angry consumers right now. I imagine we will be a strong force to deal with should there be no refunds or no cruise.