TRUE STORY: We’ll keep it smooth sailing.

We go above and beyond to make sure your holiday is the best it can be. Here’s just one of our stories.

By JESSICA ROGERS HOUSE OF TRAVEL NORTHLANDS

WHAT HAPPENS IF something unexpected throws a spanner into your holiday plans? That’s exactly when House of Travel consultants step in, keen to use our knowledge and contacts to ensure every holiday goes ahead. For more than a year, the Trouth family had been planning a Caribbean cruise aboard Oasis of the Seas. I had meticulously researched and secured the best staterooms I could get for Debbie, Marty and their sons.

Then, just days before the family was meant to depart, a toppled crane resulted in the cancellation of their cruise. With more than 5000 passengers affected, many cruisers were scrambling to secure alternative departures with similar itineraries. As I checked back, cabins on other cruise ships were filling up fast, but I was determined to save the Trouths’ holiday.

I quickly rang one of House of Travel’s cruising experts, Tracy Malcolm, and the two of us went through dozens of ships to find a similar departure date and itinerary. Debbie said she will never forget how calming my response was: “Leave it with me and I will come up with something!”

“Jess must have spent hours on the phone to the insurance company and contacts at other cruise lines,” remembers Debbie.

Staterooms continued to disappear as Tracy and I worked to place the family in sideby-side balcony cabins. Something I thought would have been impossible, we got them with minutes — maybe seconds — to spare.

There was just one catch — the alternative cruise needed to be confirmed that night to avoid missing out! Debbie and Marty were in such shock that they understandably needed time to decide. Tracy and I really hoped they would agree. It was a miracle we had this amazing option that would still make their holiday a success and included lots of extra add-ons as well.

Tracy and I let the family know we’d both be available to finalise the booking after hours. I was thrilled when Debbie called to confirm. I quickly contacted Tracy, who confirmed the reservation, even using her personal credit card to secure the booking.

Within a week, Debbie and family were cruising the Caribbean. It absolutely made my day to know they would finally get to enjoy their holiday they had been saving for and dreaming of for so long. It’s why I love what we do at House of Travel: We get to make Kiwis’ travel dreams a reality. ■

“She went way beyond the expectations of any travel agent I have ever met.”