Page 3 of Tiki Hut Tragedy (Cruise Director Millie Mysteries #6)

Millie lingered off to the side, waiting for Hannah to take a breather from eating and talking. Remembering Danielle’s advice to stay out of the “flying food zone,” she strode across the room.

Hannah slowly turned, the half-eaten Krispy Kreme midair to her mouth. Her eyes traveled from the top of Millie’s head to the tips of her toes. “Hello.”

“Hello. I don’t believe we’ve met.” Millie held out her hand and introduced herself. “Danielle, the assistant cruise director, has given me your list of requests.”

The skinny redhead shoved the rest of the donut into her mouth and licked her fingers. “All reasonable, I might add. ”

“Nothing on this list was discussed or agreed upon prior to your group booking this cruise. Pellegrino water is an upcharge. Not only is it more expensive, but we haven’t stocked the quantity you’ve requested for your group.”

Hannah’s eyes narrowed. “Are you telling me you don’t have San Pellegrino on this ship?”

“We have it, but not enough for other passengers and the additional quantities your group wants.” Millie told her that the request needed to be submitted prior to finalizing the cruise contract.

“Your dining room waitstaff can handle the special salt and pepper or whatever venue you choose to dine in. I’ll see what I can do about making the steam room available. ”

“Good. Thank you,” Hannah beamed. “And the music…our special song being played throughout the day?”

“Will not happen,” Millie bluntly replied. “Our own custom playlist is played throughout the ship. Requesting a specific song to be repeated over and over is frankly not going to happen.”

Hannah’s expression morphed from one of victory to a glare. “Why not?” she demanded.

“Because it’s unreasonable and not fair to the other passengers to have to listen to it repeatedly.”

Astrid, the mousy woman who had been hovering in the corner, slipped in next to Hannah. “I told you I didn’t think it would fly.”

“Because you didn’t hammer out these important details before we boarded,” Hannah snapped.

“We will accommodate you to the best of our ability, but I want to be clear about what we can and cannot do, so there is no misunderstanding.” Millie held out her hand. “Astrid?”

“Astrid Pace, the event host. ”

“Millie Armati, cruise director.” Millie shook her hand. “I was just discussing the extensive request list.”

“Yes…uh. I apologize for Hannah springing it on you. Hopefully, it won’t be a problem.”

“I’ll work on it.” Millie ended the conversation, promising Hannah and Astrid she would do what she could to address the requests, and made her way toward the door.

She heard someone calling her name and turned to find Astrid hurrying toward her. A scowling Hannah stood glued to the spot, uneaten donut in hand, watching Millie.

“I-I’m sorry about Hannah’s rude behavior. She tends to be…passionate about what she feels the Belly Busters need.”

“No need to apologize.” Millie offered her a genuine smile. “I’ll do what I can. Hannah will have to understand that some things won’t be possible. ”

“Like hearing that awful song over and over and over.” Astrid rolled her eyes. “Between you and me, I think she likes the song because it hurts everyone else’s ears.”

“I may have heard it a time or two but don’t recall the exact lyrics or tune.” Millie shifted her feet. “You’re the designated host. Perhaps you should remind Hannah who is in charge.”

“Been there. Done that. It goes in one ear and out the other. I just wanted to let you know this isn’t my doing.”

Scout, who had been patiently sitting in the stroller, stuck his front paws on the rail, eager for attention.

“Your little pup is so cute.” Astrid reached out to pet him and hesitated. “Can I pet her?”

“You can. His name is Scout. He’s the Siren of the Seas’ mascot and belongs to Captain Armati and me. ”

“I met Captain Armati on my way here. He seems like a nice man.”

Dixie meandered over, eavesdropping on their conversation. She nudged Astrid. “Did you mention our minor issue?”

“What minor issue?”

“Booking the tiki hut excursion.”

“Right. Thank you for the reminder. I completely forgot.” Astrid pressed her hand to her forehead.

“I’m not in charge of ship excursions,” Millie said. “Isla Petersen, the director of shore excursions, can help you.”

Dixie made an unhappy sound. “We already spoke with her. She’s stonewalling us.”

Astrid clasped her hands. “I have some unhappy campers, or in this case, cruisers on my hands. The Grand Turk tiki hut excursion was number one on our list. It was all set, ready to go. Out of the blue two days ago, the company cancelled on us. Is there any way you can help us rebook it?”

“I’ll see what I can do.” Millie pulled a notepad and pen from her pocket and jotted down the information. “Give me until tomorrow morning.”

“The sooner the better,” Astrid said. “We’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about you, Millie. We have faith you can help us resolve the issue.”

“Like I said, I’ll work on the items I can make happen.”

While the women talked, Danielle appeared. Millie promptly turned the meet and greet over to her, and she and Scout trekked down to the excursions desk. “Is Isla around?”

“She’s on break but should be back any minute.”

“Perfect. I’ll hang around and wait.” Millie and the employee chatted about the upcoming port stops, mentioning the tiki hut excursion the Belly Busters had booked .

“I saw it on the list. It sounds like fun.”

“Do you want to check it out?”

Millie turned to find Isla standing behind her.

“Hey, Isla.” She gave her friend a quick hug. “We have a large group who booked the excursion only to have it cancelled on them.”

Isla slipped in behind the desk and reached for the mouse. “The Belly Busters. I’m familiar with what’s going on.”

“They asked for my help. Astrid, the group leader, mentioned this was their top choice for excursions and is bummed.”

“It’s new and very popular,” Isla said. “I spoke with Zema, the owner. He was happy with the booking until they revised the list.”

“Revised the list?” Millie echoed.

“Zema claims they exceeded the maximum number of passengers. ”

“Ah.” Millie arched her brow. “They booked too many people. Zema can’t accommodate the number, so the booking was cancelled.”

“Not cancelled but in limbo. I sent a message to the coordinator to see if they’re willing to cut back on the number of guests.”

“Hmm.” Millie blew air through thinned lips. “It appears I didn’t get the entire story.”

“Nope. I spoke to Zema about an hour ago. He’s waiting to hear back and is looking forward to making it work,” Isla said. “Since you’re here, let’s see if we can track down the group leader.”

“Danielle is hosting a party for them as we speak.” Millie dialed the assistant cruise director’s cell phone number.

A breathless Danielle picked up right away. “Hey Millie.”

“Hey Danielle. How’s it going? ”

She groaned loudly. “These Belly Busters are a lively bunch. They’re keeping me on my toes.”

“Is Astrid close by?”

“She’s in the corner hiding,” she joked. “I feel kind of sorry for her. She seems overwhelmed.”

“Poor thing. I’m down here at the excursions desk with Isla, trying to salvage their tiki hut booking. Can you ask Astrid to meet us here?”

Danielle’s voice grew muffled. “Standby.”

“I’m standing.” Millie could hear her voice but not what was being said.

Finally, she came back on the line. “Astrid is on her way.”

“Thanks.”

The group leader arrived moments later. She scurried across the corridor, a look of concern etched on her face. “Danielle said you needed me.”

Millie got right to the point. “Isla told me the reason why the tiki hut excursion was cancelled. Someone updated the booking, adding too many people.”

Astrid’s brows furrowed. “We overbooked it?”

Isla tapped the screen. “I have an email from Zema, the owner of the company. It appears you originally booked within the passenger limit, but the reservation was updated, adding several more guests, which put you over the maximum number allowed.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.” Isla turned the computer screen so both Millie and Astrid could see.

Sure enough, the owner sent an apologetic note explaining the reason for flagging it and asking the Siren of the Seas’ excursion department to help salvage the reservation. At the very end, Zema assured Isla he was holding the booking until she contacted him .

“The ball is in your court,” Isla said. “The owner is waiting for word. You’ll need to meet with your group and whittle down the list.”

Astrid bit her lower lip, a look of uncertainty on her face. “I can try. Let me make a quick call.”

Isla watched her dart off to the other side of the room, cell phone in hand. “She seems really timid.”

“If you met the women she’s hosting, you would understand why.”

Astrid paced back and forth, her mouth set in a grim line. Finally, the conversation ended. She returned to the desk where Millie and Isla waited.

“What’s the verdict?” Millie asked.

“I’m going to need a vacation after this cruise.”

“You weren’t able to whittle down the tiki hut passenger list?”

“Whittle down might not be the most accurate description. I have some good news and some bad news.”