I was recently proposed to by my adoring fiance, and we sought to find a great venue for our wedding planned for June 2015. We chose Commodore due to it being the only location that we could use for the yacht wedding we were looking for. After reading the contract, I stated over the phone that I was not in agreement with their non-cancellation policy, as I thought it was unfair due to the very large amount it was set at: 25% initial deposit with another 25% deposit required 4 months prior to the event. I agreed to this only due to my certainty that no changes would be made to our plans and because there were no other similar venues in the nearby area. Hesitant but out of other options, on 12/18/2014 I signed a contract with them and submitted a 25% deposit totalling $1898.10.
All was well until unfortunate medical issues worsened at my work, forcing me to quit. While waiting for unemployment, which as we all know can be a delayed process and mine was appealed before being granted, I contacted Commodore by phone shortly prior to the 2/20/2015 due date to let them know that I would not be able to make the second 25% deposit due by 4 months prior, as listed in the contract. Linda Wright replied to my message and stated that they would be willing to work out a different payment plan with me. Unfortunately, this was merely a play on words, as they still required full payment from me by 2 weeks prior to the event to prevent a cancellation, which I had told them I thought was an unaccommodating offer and I was unable to pay that amount at the time in a demand letter received by Commodore on 3/24/2015.
The Captain again informed me that there was no way around the 50% totally non-refundable deposit required 4 months prior to the events and that "If you are unable to do so at this time and cannot afford this event due to your circumstances, please advise that you wish to cancel your event." I interpreted this as meaning that because I was unable to pay, they are assuming I have cancelled as of 2/20/2015, or 4 months prior when the additional 25% deposit I was unable to pay was due.
Just to ensure that the event was indeed cancelled, as it is incredibly reasonable to expect another likely buyer to take my open vacancy with 4 months notice, I again reiterated what the Captain had stated by confirming the event was indeed cancelled. For if they were to assume my non-response was in argument with them, which it clearly was not, wouldn't I have responded? I sent an email out confirming the cancellation on 4/22/2015 under guidance of my father, a former paralegal.
All in all, the stress that dealing with this mess has caused me in planning my wedding has been emotional aggravating and damaging. Not only have I had to cancel the event and turn away many friends and family from the happiest day of my life, but it has also made it stressful to plan an alternate event due to the huge penalty incurred by choosing Commodore. Commodore Cruises and Events uses a illlegal punitive 50% deposit contract loophole to cause potential buyers to literally waste as much money and time on their scam as possible, unless you happen to have the means to pay 100% upfront!
Commodore took advantage of a young couple in love that were simply seeking to celebrate the best day of their life with friends and family, this kind of shady business can't be allowed to continue!
Captain Morgan Proescher runs Commodore Cruises and Event. Yep, that means that Commodore Cruises are run by Captain Morgan. And the pirate culture is quite apparent if a dispute arises. To a pirate you can give them money all day long and that is just fine with him. But if you are to try to get a legitimate refund back, you will discover that a cruise with a pirate is not nearly as fun as the liquor ads would have it. In fact if you sign on to have an event with them the last clause in your contract illegally states that your only remedy in the event of a dispute is their chosen arbitrator. The clause also seems to indicate that they consider themselves above California law and subject only to Maritime law, the law of the high seas. I would advise any consumer wishing to book an event with them to do so if you are rich enough to fully pay for your event then and there. They clearly have no compassion for young people who may experience a financial situation.
On June 8, 2013 my daughter Ashleigh and her fiancé Ryan contracted with Commodore Cruises and Events of Alameda, California, to hold her wedding event on one of their ships in June 20, 2015, over two years in the future.
At that time they gave Commodore a deposit of almost two thousand dollars, one of a series of deposits towards the total cost of the event. A second payment was due six months prior to the event. Unfortunately because of job losses and other financial circumstances they were unable to make the remaining deposits and final payment for the event and so notified Commodore . They explained to them that they were still willing to go ahead with the event if they were willing to bill them.
They expected that if Commodore would not work with them and allow them to be billed for the balance, they expected Commodore to deduct their time and trouble from my deposit and return the balance to me.
California law and civil law generally do not allow deposits to be administered punitively. Actual costs incurred are valid under California law. In this case, the only legitimate costs they could see in this case are the costs of labor and materials involved in selling and executing the contract. It would be ridiculous for Commodore to assert that the cancellation of their wedding event months in advance of the date of the event could have deprived the company any business.
Amazingly, the company stated that it fully intended to keep the entirety of the deposit citing a contract clause that is clearly illegal in California. They now fully intend to pursue their rights under the California Consumer Remedies Act, including a claim for treble damages as per California law, other California consumer protection law, to let other consumers know of Commodore’s unconscionable business practices, a complaint to the National Marine Maritime Association, etc.
Of course, all of this occurring at a time when they should be planning for the best day of their lives has been extremely emotionally trying on myself, and either they or myself may seek additional damages for the emotional distress as well.
Commodore Cruises & Events Reviews
I was recently proposed to by my adoring fiance, and we sought to find a great venue for our wedding planned for June 2015. We chose Commodore due to it being the only location that we could use for the yacht wedding we were looking for. After reading the contract, I stated over the phone that I was not in agreement with their non-cancellation policy, as I thought it was unfair due to the very large amount it was set at: 25% initial deposit with another 25% deposit required 4 months prior to the event. I agreed to this only due to my certainty that no changes would be made to our plans and because there were no other similar venues in the nearby area. Hesitant but out of other options, on 12/18/2014 I signed a contract with them and submitted a 25% deposit totalling $1898.10.
All was well until unfortunate medical issues worsened at my work, forcing me to quit. While waiting for unemployment, which as we all know can be a delayed process and mine was appealed before being granted, I contacted Commodore by phone shortly prior to the 2/20/2015 due date to let them know that I would not be able to make the second 25% deposit due by 4 months prior, as listed in the contract. Linda Wright replied to my message and stated that they would be willing to work out a different payment plan with me. Unfortunately, this was merely a play on words, as they still required full payment from me by 2 weeks prior to the event to prevent a cancellation, which I had told them I thought was an unaccommodating offer and I was unable to pay that amount at the time in a demand letter received by Commodore on 3/24/2015.
The Captain again informed me that there was no way around the 50% totally non-refundable deposit required 4 months prior to the events and that "If you are unable to do so at this time and cannot afford this event due to your circumstances, please advise that you wish to cancel your event." I interpreted this as meaning that because I was unable to pay, they are assuming I have cancelled as of 2/20/2015, or 4 months prior when the additional 25% deposit I was unable to pay was due.
Just to ensure that the event was indeed cancelled, as it is incredibly reasonable to expect another likely buyer to take my open vacancy with 4 months notice, I again reiterated what the Captain had stated by confirming the event was indeed cancelled. For if they were to assume my non-response was in argument with them, which it clearly was not, wouldn't I have responded? I sent an email out confirming the cancellation on 4/22/2015 under guidance of my father, a former paralegal.
All in all, the stress that dealing with this mess has caused me in planning my wedding has been emotional aggravating and damaging. Not only have I had to cancel the event and turn away many friends and family from the happiest day of my life, but it has also made it stressful to plan an alternate event due to the huge penalty incurred by choosing Commodore. Commodore Cruises and Events uses a illlegal punitive 50% deposit contract loophole to cause potential buyers to literally waste as much money and time on their scam as possible, unless you happen to have the means to pay 100% upfront!
Commodore took advantage of a young couple in love that were simply seeking to celebrate the best day of their life with friends and family, this kind of shady business can't be allowed to continue!
Captain Morgan Proescher runs Commodore Cruises and Event. Yep, that means that Commodore Cruises are run by Captain Morgan. And the pirate culture is quite apparent if a dispute arises. To a pirate you can give them money all day long and that is just fine with him. But if you are to try to get a legitimate refund back, you will discover that a cruise with a pirate is not nearly as fun as the liquor ads would have it. In fact if you sign on to have an event with them the last clause in your contract illegally states that your only remedy in the event of a dispute is their chosen arbitrator. The clause also seems to indicate that they consider themselves above California law and subject only to Maritime law, the law of the high seas. I would advise any consumer wishing to book an event with them to do so if you are rich enough to fully pay for your event then and there. They clearly have no compassion for young people who may experience a financial situation.
On June 8, 2013 my daughter Ashleigh and her fiancé Ryan contracted with Commodore Cruises and Events of Alameda, California, to hold her wedding event on one of their ships in June 20, 2015, over two years in the future.
At that time they gave Commodore a deposit of almost two thousand dollars, one of a series of deposits towards the total cost of the event. A second payment was due six months prior to the event. Unfortunately because of job losses and other financial circumstances they were unable to make the remaining deposits and final payment for the event and so notified Commodore . They explained to them that they were still willing to go ahead with the event if they were willing to bill them.
They expected that if Commodore would not work with them and allow them to be billed for the balance, they expected Commodore to deduct their time and trouble from my deposit and return the balance to me.
California law and civil law generally do not allow deposits to be administered punitively. Actual costs incurred are valid under California law. In this case, the only legitimate costs they could see in this case are the costs of labor and materials involved in selling and executing the contract. It would be ridiculous for Commodore to assert that the cancellation of their wedding event months in advance of the date of the event could have deprived the company any business.
Amazingly, the company stated that it fully intended to keep the entirety of the deposit citing a contract clause that is clearly illegal in California. They now fully intend to pursue their rights under the California Consumer Remedies Act, including a claim for treble damages as per California law, other California consumer protection law, to let other consumers know of Commodore’s unconscionable business practices, a complaint to the National Marine Maritime Association, etc.
Of course, all of this occurring at a time when they should be planning for the best day of their lives has been extremely emotionally trying on myself, and either they or myself may seek additional damages for the emotional distress as well.