82-Year-Old Gets Thousands Back After Cruise Disaster

An 82-year-old Orlando woman just got thousands of dollars back after a cruise catastrophe, thanks to a volunteer who wouldn't give up.

Sandra Fox had planned the perfect Australian cruise with her two sisters and brother-in-law. Each family member paid $3,500 for the trip of a lifetime.

But disaster struck before they even boarded. A bag containing two critical visas vanished during travel, leaving Fox's sister and brother-in-law stranded at the dock. The cruise departed without them, and Fox's attempts to get refunds hit a wall.

That's when she reached out to Call for Action, a volunteer-run consumer help program in Philadelphia. She was paired with a volunteer named Bobbie, and everything changed.

Bobbie spent weeks making calls to the insurance company, the cruise line, and even the CEO's office. She organized documents, pushed for answers, and refused to accept no for an answer.

The persistence paid off. Bobbie secured a 75% credit toward a future cruise for Fox's sister and brother-in-law, plus full reimbursement from the insurance provider. Thousands of dollars that seemed lost forever came back.

"You have volunteers who care and they show it," Fox said. "I think the world of her."

The two women finally met face-to-face over Zoom, arranged by the Call for Action team. Fox traveled from Orlando just to thank Bobbie in person. "What she did for me was just wonderful," Fox said. "She got results, positive results."

Sunny's Take

Bobbie's advice for anyone seeking help is simple: get organized. Having receipts, pictures, and proof ready helps volunteers work faster and more effectively.

The Call for Action program relies entirely on volunteers who donate their time to help strangers navigate consumer nightmares. They handle everything from travel disasters to billing disputes, all without expecting anything in return.

Fox now tells everyone she knows about the service. "Call Bobbie!" has become her regular advice to friends facing their own consumer troubles.

The volunteers are available by phone at 1-866-978-4232 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, and consumers can also find help online at 6abc.com/CallforAction.

Sometimes all it takes is one person who cares enough to make dozens of calls on behalf of a stranger.