Cruise Passengers Left Stranded After Car Keys Go Missing

[Jason]

Dozens of cruise ship passengers were stranded in Miami after their car keys were lost after paying valets for three days of parking.

The passengers were greeted by a stunning site at the Premier Parking Ventures parking lot at Northwest 8th Street and 1st Court on Monday. Dozens of keys were strewn around the lot and dozens of people said they were not able to find their keys.

It was not clear what caused this confusion. Some passengers said they had heard that some valets were upset because they had not been paid and had intentionally misplaced keys.

“It’s exhausting,” said Maria Perez of Tampa. “Getting off a cruise after having a wonderful week and coming back and dealing with a headache of an unorganized, irresponsible and ridiculous company.”

Perez told CBS4’s Peter D’Oench, “We would like our car keys to get home to our families.”

Perez and her friend Yvonne Fernandez told D’Oench they had been on the 3-day Aventura Dance Cruises to the Bahamas that left on Friday and returned Monday.

“I am unhappy because now I have to pay $400 to get my key copied because I have a computerized key,” said Fernandez.

“So I am not happy. I will be visiting the corporate office at Premier Parking Ventures in Tampa when I get back and I will be looking for a refund and other stuff.”

Perez and Fernandez had to leave their white Jeep Cherokee behind. Stranded passenger Scott Wierzbinski and his family from Stuart were not able to get into their silver Hyundai.

“I’m really upset,” said Wierzbinski. “I want to get my car keys so I can go home. This is supposed to be a secure lot where cars are protected and safe and they were not.”

D’Oench tried to get a comment from valets on the lot but he was told to contact the corporate office for the company and was told to leave the parking lot.

CBS4 made several calls to the company’s corporate office in Tampa but was not able to reach anyone for a comment on this Veteran’s Day.

D’Oench reported that there could be additional problems on Tuesday as additional cruise ship passengers will return to the parking lot.

By CBS4 Miami

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[Sarge6870]

"Some passengers said they had heard that some valets were upset because they had not been paid and had intentionally misplaced keys."

Just to clear things up, I spoke to someone at Premier Parking this morning following an email I had sent to them regarding this issue. We have a reservation at their Port of Tampa facility this weekend for our Brilliance cruise and I wanted piece of mind (didn't want any last minute issues on cruise day). The associate that called me said the reason this happened in Miami was because one of the valets was fired and the other valets supposedly scattered the keys to protest for the valet being fired. It was NOT because the valets weren't paid. But, I bet that their actions will get the rest of them fired now as well!!! I guess it's true, you can't fix stupid!!!!

[Jan115]

Always bring a spare key in the unlikely event of a circus act like this.

[DebbieandJerry]

Thanks for looking in to this and for getting us the truth. It's still unreal that this happened.

[Sarge6870]

@Jan...Good advice. Yet in 9 cruises never concerned myself with something like this happening but will from now on!! @D&J, It wasn't really an investigation as much as it was making sure I had a place to park on Saturday. The way the story sounded in the post, "valets weren't paid" concerned me. Didn't need any last minute cruise blockades!!! :)