Chapter 4 - Humiliation at Sea
While I was driving down the coastal highway toward Monterey, three thousand miles away at the Port of Miami, a very different scene was unfolding.
My mother, father, Serena’s sister, and Serena’s parents were standing at the VIP Priority Check-in counter for the Royal Mediterranean Empress. They were decked out in expensive linen resort wear, surrounded by stacks of designer luggage.
My mother handed her passport to the concierge with a regal air. "We are in the Grand Emperor Penthouse Suite. Clara Vance’s party."
The concierge scanned the passports, typed into her terminal, and then paused. She refreshed her screen, frowned, and typed again.
"Is there a problem?" my father asked impatiently. "We’ve had a long flight."
"I apologize, sir," the concierge said politely. "The primary account holder, Ms. Clara Vance, logged into the portal one hour ago and canceled the credit card authorization attached to this booking."
Mother laughed dismissively. "That’s ridiculous. She’s my daughter. She paid for the entire reservation."
"Yes, ma'am, she did," the concierge explained calmly. "However, because the payment authorization was revoked, the Grand Emperor Penthouse Suite has been released. Furthermore, all prepaid drink packages, private spa access, and custom shore excursions in Santorini and Mykonos have been voided."
Serena’s mother gasped, clutching her designer handbag. "What do you mean voided? Where are we supposed to stay?!"
The concierge looked at the screen. "Ms. Vance left the basic cruise tickets active so you may still board the vessel. However, you have been reassigned to three interior staterooms on Deck 2, near the engine room. You will also need to provide a personal credit card right now to cover your onboard food, gratuities, and daily port fees."
"Deck 2?!" my mother shrieked, her voice echoing across the marble terminal. "We are VIP guests! You can't put us near the engine room!"
"Ma'am, unless you wish to pay the $24,000 balance for the penthouse suite out of your own pocket right now, Deck 2 is your only option. Otherwise, I must ask you to step out of the line."
My mother pulled out her personal credit card with trembling hands and swiped it.
DECLINED.
She tried her second card.
May you like
DECLINED.
Around them, wealthy travelers began to whisper and stare. The luxury vacation my family had used to cast me aside had just turned into a public nightmare.
