JN78/15

Letter to Sir Herbert Janes, Angmering, Sussex: from Thomas Cook & Son Ltd, Berkeley Street, Piccadilly, London, London, W1. Reply to letter of 23rd March 1960.

13th April 1960

From: 1960 To: 1960

Dear Sir, Further to yourn letter of the 23rd March, since my return to the office I have gone thoroughly into the various points you raised in connection with your Mediterranean cruise in T.S.S. "OLYMPIA". In the first place the Greek Line acknowledge that the charges paid to us for visa for the Black Sea were received by them and the additional charge of $.10 made on board was an error. They have asked me to pass to you the enclosed cheque for £3.11.2d in refund with their apologies. I am still waiting a report from the American Express Company regarding their failure to acknowledge the fact that you paid in advance for your shore excursions and the demand for payment again on board. I have asked this Company's London Manager to expedite the receipt of this report and this he is not doing. I would point out, however, that the "OLYMPIA" did not return to New York until the 25th March and no doubt some interrogation of the shore excursion staff will be necessary before a report can be issued. I will write to you again as soon as it is received. I note your remarks regarding the rates charged for the various cabins on "OLYMPIA" . Whilst it is true that the cabins on "C" Deck are somewhat larger than those on the Promenade and Sun Decks, I would point out that the "OLYMPIA" when cruising is a one-class ship, whilst at other times, when engaged on the North Atlantic trade, First and Tourist class passengers are carried. On such occasions Upper Deck cabins are for First Class passengers and "C" deck for Tourist Class passengers, usually occupied by four people. When cruising, however, the majority of the "C" Deck cabins are let as two berth rooms and, therefore, greater space per head is provided. On the other hand the Upper Deck cabins have considerably better fitments and furnishings and the cabin you occupied had a private bathroom. I am informed that when your booking was made you were provided with a copy of the enclosed Brochure and Plan of the cruise, showing the "OLYMPIA" as all one class. I am enclosing a Plan of the "OLYMPIA" showing the First and Tourist Class allocations for the Transatlantic trade. As you will see, the number of First Class passengers carried in such circumstances is very small and the First Class dining room is only large enough to accommodate the few First Class passengers carried. For this reason, when cruising the main dining hall has to be brought into operation for all passengers in order to accommodate everybody on board and this is why a First Class dining saloon was not available. Your report on the condition of the private bathroom attached to your cabin has been passed to the Greek Line for investigation by the ship's Purser and I should be obliged if you would tell me whether you made any complaint on this matter to the Purser or Chief Steward on board at the time. If you will kindly accept this letter as an interim reply I will write to you again as soon as the American Express report, together with a reply from the Greek Line regarding your private bathroom, is received. Yours faithfully, (D A STRICKLAND)

2 pages

letter headed paper

item

Greek Line,
American Express Company Inc,
Thomas Cook & Son Ltd,
Sir Herbert Janes,
Strickland, D.A.

CORRESPONDENCE, holidays, civil ships, TSS Olympia, visa, purser, Chief Steward, Angmering-On-Sea, London, New York City