Cruising choices with an active Pandemic

[tgh]

Some cultures have a stronger sense of family than other cultures.
The prospect of a few less dollars while preserving their oldies is a no brainer for these good people.

 

[Pushka]

They have been doing this in Venice way before Corona

Different issue entirely and not so violent either, just protests.

Post automatically merged: Mar 2, 2020

Some cultures have a stronger sense of family than other cultures.
The prospect of a few less dollars while preserving their oldies is a no brainer for these good people.

Yes Indeed, and there were protests when shops tried to open on a Sunday to catch the cruise ships. They didnt stay open.

 

[tgh]

We have been advised today that atm Silversea plan to continue their 2020 Asian programme….
Both Silver Explorer and Silver Muse have Japanese and other Asian ports scheduled.
We will cancel our June Explorer cruise this week and either wear a few incidental costs or make a claim on our travel insurance
I am advised that SS will refund any out of pocket expenses if and when they eventually cancel.
All a bit messy and I wonder why SS cannot see the forest….
Anecdotally our ta has been swamped with cancellations…what a surprise….

 

[SydneySwan]

Don't forget it will be flu season here . But I am bitter about getting sick twice on Sapphire Princess in January. I did a cruise review on Cruise Critic and Trip Advisor if anyone is interested.

I read your review, Anna. So very detailed - any chance of a Management Summary next time?

 

[zig]

We have been advised today that atm Silversea plan to continue their 2020 Asian programme….
Both Silver Explorer and Silver Muse have Japanese and other Asian ports scheduled.
We will cancel our June Explorer cruise this week and either wear a few incidental costs or make a claim on our travel insurance
I am advised that SS will refund any out of pocket expenses if and when they eventually cancel.
All a bit messy and I wonder why SS cannot see the forest….
Anecdotally our ta has been swamped with cancellations…what a surprise….

I'm also surprised that Silversea are continuing with the Asian season. I'm not booked on any of the itineraries, but have been keeping an eye on the website for announcements and changes.

 

[k_sheep]

Don't forget it will be flu season here . But I am bitter about getting sick twice on Sapphire Princess in January. I did a cruise review on Cruise Critic and Trip Advisor if anyone is interested.

Ha yes sounds like the perfect time for a holiday, and get away from working at the hospital

 

[Pushka]

Don't forget it will be flu season here . But I am bitter about getting sick twice on Sapphire Princess in January. I did a cruise review on Cruise Critic and Trip Advisor if anyone is interested.

Is that your review that stated you were woken up early on disembarkation to hand back your passport? They did exactly the same to us, on Princess Diamond - yes, we have been on the flu barge - at 6am! Must be a Princess tactic. Not impressed.

 

[Anna]

I wasn't woken up but I was still in bed and I wasn't decent for opening the door and I had been expecting to collect my passport the same way I had done 3 days earlier when we stopped at Singapore. Princess had issued no info to the contrary. Poor management by them.

@SydneySwan there are plenty of one paragraph reviews if you prefer those. I don't find them helpful personally.

 

[SydneySwan]

@SydneySwan there are plenty of one paragraph reviews if you prefer those. I don't find them helpful personally.

That wasn't the point I was making.

 

[Pushka]

From Vikings Website - this applies to ALL cruises, river and ocean, to all places up to end of April. All China River cruises this season have already been cancelled.

A note to guests with a current reservation and future Viking guests,

As you undoubtedly know, the coronavirus COVID-19 is causing concern in the general public and among those of us engaged in travel. At Viking, the safety and security of our guests and employees has always been our top priority. We have implemented enhanced health screening procedures for all guests and staff before boarding our vessels and everyone is required to complete a health care questionnaire before embarkation. We continue to reiterate the importance of individual hygiene, sanitizing and washing of hands.

We continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely including the travel advisories issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) in Australia and Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade (MFAT) in New Zealand and the World Health Organization in Switzerland.

This is a situation that can change from day to day, and we can well understand that the decision of whether or not to travel may be weighing on your mind – particularly for those with imminent departures.

In view of this we are for the time being making a temporary exception to our cancellation policy so that you can be free to postpone your cruise at any time up until 24 hours before the planned departure, without incurring any cancellation fees. You will be issued a voucher for future travel valid for 24 months, which can be used on any Viking product (river, ocean or expedition). This temporary exception to our standard cancellation policy is applicable for all guests who currently have a reservation with Viking and for all new reservations made through April 30, 2020.

The temporary exception to our cancellation policy is as follows:

• Notification of your intent to postpone your current cruise must be received as follows:
  • If you have flights arranged by Viking, it must be received at least 24 hours prior to the time of flight’sdeparture.
  • If you have arranged your own flights, it must be received at least 24 hours prior to the time of embarkation of the cruise or your hotel check-in, whichever is first.
• Cancelled reservations will be reimbursed in the form of a Future Cruise Voucher in the amount of 100% of all funds paid to Viking.
• Future Cruise Vouchers may be used toward any future river, ocean or expedition cruise with Viking and will be valid for 24 months from issuance.

If you have any questions, please contact your Travel Advisor or Viking at 138 747 (AU) / 0800 447 913 (NZ), Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

We hope you will choose to join us as planned. We will continue to update you on any changes in itineraries or circumstance that may be relevant. In the meantime, we hope that this temporary exception to our policy will help put your mind to ease.

 

[luxury-lizard]

The above waiver from Viking is totally generous - will certainly enhance their reputation - I wonder how many cruise lines will follow suit.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

The above waiver from Viking is totally generous - will certainly enhance their reputation - I wonder how many cruise lines will follow suit.

I note though that is postpone, and not cancel, and so they get to keep the cash.

I would imaging that cashflow must be haemorrhaging out badly at all cruise lines at present and so this is probably designed to try and retain some money within the company. Without cash in the situation can be dire for any company, no matter how large.

If a company goes under that voucher will be useless.

 

[p--and--t]

I note though that is postpone, and not cancel, and so they get to keep the cash.

I would imaging that cashflow must be haemorrhaging out badly at all cruise lines at present and so this is probably designed to try and retain some money within the company. Without cash in the situation can be dire for any company, no matter how large.

If a company goes under that voucher will be useless.

I'm not an economist by any means but cash flow/reserves for companies is usually key to survival.

Issuing vouchers in lieu of refunds will help keep them afloat, establish loyalty (imprisonment) for you to come back and spend on ancillaries (alcohol et al) and potentially betting that due to current turmoil, their costs to provide the original service may reduce.

 

[Pushka]

I'm not an economist by any means but cash flow/reserves for companies is usually key to survival.

Issuing vouchers in lieu of refunds will help keep them afloat, establish loyalty (imprisonment) for you to come back and spend on ancillaries (alcohol et al) and potentially betting that due to current turmoil, their costs to provide the original service may reduce.

And some may just not do anything at all. The very last minute cancellation is rather good. Bear in mind that in the US, full payment is required a year in advance.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I'm not an economist by any means but cash flow/reserves for companies is usually key to survival.

Issuing vouchers in lieu of refunds will help keep them afloat, establish loyalty (imprisonment) for you to come back and spend on ancillaries (alcohol et al) and potentially betting that due to current turmoil, their costs to provide the original service may reduce.

Yes I agree, and that was my point.

This is dire times to be running a travel related business. (Including me as while not travel as such I am impacted by people being free to travel)

 

[lovetravellingoz]

And some may just not do anything at all. The very last minute cancellation is rather good. Bear in mind that in the US, full payment is required a year in advance.

postponement

You are still paying in advance. Indeed they want to keep your cash.

This just gives the ability to change when (and where) you go...

 

[Pushka]

postponement

You are still paying in advance. Indeed they want to keep your cash.

This just gives the ability to change when (and where) you go...

Most cruise lovers will want to do a cruise just not right now. Maybe they can be philosophical and think it’s helping to keep the boat afloat which of course it’s doing.

 

[odysseus]

postponement

You are still paying in advance. Indeed they want to keep your cash.

This just gives the ability to change when (and where) you go...

There are two sides to the coin. For the majority, including those within full payment, the cruise line would have the cash anyway. It’s just this allows the customer to keep the use of those funds as a credit so this is actually a benefit to the customer, not the cruiseline and doesn’t improve cash.

There’s a smaller proportion of passengers who may be entitled to a partial refund of cash on cancellation, who may be inclined to use the new policy instead and hence will leave more cash with the cruise line as a future credit instead of taking the partial loss now. In those the cruise line would gain a little more cash.

This is likely more to encourage goodwill, as well as increase comfort in people making new bookings as they feel they are less likely to be penalised if/as this situation continues. I feel it is more new bookings drying up that is the issue.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

There are two sides to the coin. For the majority, including those within full payment, the cruise line would have the cash anyway. It’s just this allows the customer to keep the use of those funds as a credit so this is actually a benefit to the customer, not the cruiseline and doesn’t improve cash.

My guess is that what had been occurring is that cruise companies were seeing new bookings drying up, and hence less cash coming in. Hence they would not get the cash. This change would be turn that cash tap back on.

 

[odysseus]

My guess is that what had been occurring is that cruise companies were seeing new bookings drying up, and hence less cash coming in. Hence they would not get the cash. This change would be turn that cash tap back on.

I think that's what I said.

"This is likely more to encourage goodwill, as well as increase comfort in people making new bookings as they feel they are less likely to be penalised if/as this situation continues. I feel it is more new bookings drying up that is the issue."

But it's not so much about keeping the cash of those who've already paid in advance.