What Happened to Magical Vacations Travel?
Investigators Examine Owner’s Finances Amid Possible Fraud Claims
For over 20 years, I proudly worked as a part-time travel agent with Magical Vacations Travel (MVT), a New Jersey-based agency owned by Michele DeNofa. It was a good run—two decades of helping families plan unforgettable trips. My work was structured around earned commissions, a standard practice in the industry: I would make the booking, the supplier (like Disney or Royal Caribbean) would pay MVT the commission, and MVT, in turn, would pay me.
In 2024, however, the foundation of that trust began to crack. Agents, including myself, started noticing a troubling pattern: commissions we had earned were not being paid.
And in September 2025, the owner announced she would be closing Magical Vacations Travel.
The Promise of a Smooth Exit
The travel agents were told that there was a solution in place — our bookings and clients could be transitioned to another host agency, Keys to the Castle Travel, with minimal disruption.
For me, this was a good time to retire. I spent 2 decades working as a travel advisor, part-time, in addition to being a teacher (full-time). Today, I make travel videos for YouTube.
Unpaid Commissions and Ongoing Disputes
Despite assisting with the transition and completing work for clients, many former MVT agents did not receive commission payments they believe were owed to them.
Based on records shared among agents, the total amount of unpaid commissions is estimated to exceed $200,000, though this figure has not yet been resolved through the courts.
From our perspective, these funds were never formally released to us, nor were we clearly informed that payment would not occur.
As a result, the travel agents believe they were wrongfully denied compensation for completed travel bookings.
Why this is Especially Bad
Many of my clients booked cruise travel through me.
As part of my agreement with the agency, I was required to offer onboard credits to most clients, which meant I agreed to give up a portion of my anticipated commission as a booking incentive.
Ms. DeNofa required me to fund those onboard credits myself, upfront.
I was never paid the commissions I had earned on those bookings, so the onboard credit came entirely out of my own pocket.
Basically, I paid other people to go on a cruise, totaling thousands of dollars.
I would never receive my commission from their bookings.
A note to travel agents: If you work for a travel agency that requires you to spend your own money on onboard credits, rethink that policy!
The agency should pay your onboard credit, and subtract it from the commission.
Law Enforcement Takes Notice
As of right now, there are several enforcement agencies looking into this matter. I have been asked to submit evidence and write several statements as to how I have been affected personally.
In my latest conversations with Ms. DeNofa, she agreed to take over my client’s reservations for the remainder of 2025 and 2026, and would split the commissions with me starting in September 2025.
I have yet to receive any of those commission payments from her.
This article reflects my personal experience and opinions. All allegations described are disputed unless otherwise stated. No criminal wrongdoing has been proven in court as of the time of publication.
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