Monday July 16, 2012, marked one year since the Edden family vacation turned into a holiday from hell.
In those 12 months, their travel agent is still on the run and local police are saying a warrant has been issued for her arrest and an extradition is being worked on for her repatriation to The Bahamas after reports of her being seen in other countries.
Making final payments in April, 2011, to Morris Travel for the trip that would take the 39 family members on a cruise, the Eddens, of Smith Point, were looking forward to a grand seven-day voyage on-board Carnival Freedom.
They left Freeport on June 15 for an overnight stay in Miami … and were said to have had an enjoyable time.
However, when they tried to board the boat the next day, cruise officials told them to stand to one side while their information was being processed.
At this point the family was told some of their tickets were not valid.
Owner and agent of Morris Travel, Eunice Morris, was reportedly called. It was said that only four rooms were booked and another four were available which were paid for with a credit card by Morris over the phone, so only 29 family members were able to go on the cruise.
Unfortunately because all bags were checked in before persons were placed on the boats, the remaining 10 family members were said to have been left in Miami without luggage and return tickets to Freeport set for July 24.
Speaking with Morris during this ordeal, she told The Freeport News, she sent the family $1,500 to assist and had promised a total refund when they returned. However, family members said they received only $1,000 and some vouchers.
As for the family members who got to make the cruise, later they were told the credit card used was allegedly fake and one was asked to pay the full amount of $14,612.00 right then.
The family reported that their passports were then held and they were blocked from leaving the ship, but received help from a friend who they said assisted them in being allowed to leave the boat in the port at Nassau, but they recalled having to leave their passports on-board the boat to ensure they did not run out on the bill.
The family said they were threatened with incarceration, however, authorities were reminded that the credit card was not one owned by the people on- board, but one given by the travel agent.
With this, the family were released to return home.
Back at home, in Freeport, the family went directly to the police and then met with Jacy Whittaker, attorney-at-law, to assist them in their case against Morris Travel and Carnival.
Another victim of Morris told The Freeport News how she had been forced to take Morris to court over a holiday saga.
Katie Nixon said a similar thing happened to her when using Morris’ services.
At the conclusion of the civil case, Morris was ordered to repay Nixon the cost of her cruise.
Nothing more was done in this case.
The case remains open and whenever the police are asked, they confirm they are still working on it and are also working on the extradition. But no one has confirmed where Morris is at present.
The Eddens are, however, are still seeking justice and are still suing Morris and Carnival for their poor treatment. A court case against Carnival is still being pursued.
By YASMIN POPESCU
The Freeport News
