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eldaradoe

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    This in tonight from Viking

    in Oceania Cruises

    Posted

    4 hours ago, Jancruz said:
    An important message from Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen

    Jancruz1


    Dear Travel Partners,

    Please click here to read a letter from Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen, which will be delivered to all Viking guests—embarking March 12–April 30, 2020—and their Travel Advisors.

    Summary:
    • Our mission has been to create experiences for our guests that focus on the destination and allow them to explore the world in comfort. This has always been Viking’s ambition and will remain so.
    • Travel has become exceedingly complicated due to the current COVID-19 situation.
    • Every day, we are advised of new travel destinations that are no longer open to Viking explorers.
    • It has become impossible to provide your clients with the experience that they deserve and expect from Viking, during these challenging times.
    • Because of travel limitations and changes that are evolving daily, we are choosing to temporarily suspend operation of all river and ocean vessels embarking March 12—April 30, 2020 at which time we believe Viking will be in a better place to provide the experiences our guests expect and deserve.

    What this means for your clients, they will have two choices:

    Option #1 - A Future Cruise Voucher valued at 125% of all monies paid to Viking
    Option #2 - A refund equal to the amount paid

    For additional flexibility, if your clients are unable to use their voucher, we will automatically send them a refund equal to the original amount paid to Viking if the voucher expires. These Future Cruise Vouchers will also be fully transferable.

    And please remember, our Risk-Free Guarantee is still available.

    This temporary exception to Viking’s standard booking terms is applicable to two groups of guests:
    1. All guests with reservations made prior to March 8, 2020, inclusive of all itineraries and years of departure.
    2. All guests who make a NEW reservation through April 30, 2020. This includes reservations for all departure dates and products currently available for sale.

    Those who are covered by the temporary exception to the standard booking policy can change their cruise date or cancel their cruise at any time up until 24 hours before their planned departure, without incurring fees. In either case they will be issued a voucher for future travel valid for 24 months, which can be used on a new reservation for any river, ocean or expedition cruise. These vouchers are non-transferrable and have no cash value. Other terms and conditions apply.

    What this means for you:

    Viking will pay commission on any*:
    1. Risk-Free Guarantee Future Cruise Voucher (FCV) booking.
    2. 125% FCV (as described above) booking.
      *Unless commission has already been paid on original booking.
    We understand that this is a difficult time for all of us in the travel industry, and we thank you for your support. We hope that this announcement and the continuation of the Risk-Free Guarantee Program provides you with strong retention and sales tools that will help you continue to sell during this period of uncertainty, while providing your clients with the peace of mind they need and deserve.

    Warm Regards,

    michele_signature.jpg

    Jan I know you have a pulse on whats going on over at O.....any word on what their position will be.....can they as a public company take similar action?

    • Like 1

    Refunds from Oceania

    in Oceania Cruises

    Posted

    Just now, Desert_Boomer said:

    Oceania stepped up as well with 100% refund of cruise fare, air (booked through them), transfers, excursions and post cruise hotel. They posted the credit back to my credit card - we are still missing ~$435 though and have an inquiry into them. Also threw in a 25% FCC for any cruise leaving in 2020.

    when was your cruise....this is for future cruises....Oceania has only did that for the cruises that were canceled

    Diverted to San Juan

    in Oceania Cruises

    Posted

    19 minutes ago, kitty9 said:

    Cruise Director John just came over the loud speaker to tell us we are being diverted to San Juan for a passenger.  Of course, people are spreading rumors wondering if this man has COVID-19.  Nothing is being said about the reasons due to HIPPA laws, so the rumor mill is churning.  The ship is currently speeding towards San Juan at 21.9 knots, with the distance between St Barts and San Juan approx 190 nautical miles. 

    interesting that they didn't send a helo....stay safe

    Oceania's current booking cancellation policy vs industry

    in Oceania Cruises

    Posted

    You would think that since the government is now saying we should avoid cruise ships as they try to contain the virus the cruise lines would have their own insurance protecting them for something of this nature. In addition they should forget this policy about FCC and just give refunds .... It would be cleaner and done..... How are we going to rebook a vacation in a certain period of time when we don't know what the future will be and what availability there will be too go someplace we would even want to go. IMO

    • Like 3

    Drydock - May 2020?

    in Paul Gauguin Cruises

    Posted

    On 3/4/2020 at 9:01 PM, azdrydock said:

    A ship is never lifted out of water. It is floated into a pen very similar to a lock on a river cruise. The water is pumped out and the ship is gently lowered onto a support structure,.

     

     There may be a mandatory inspection, hull cleaning, painting  and repairs that require dry access to the exterior hull. This only takes a few days Some refurbs, such as extending the ship (current Windstar dry dock) that require considerable time time. f there are no major modifications or repairs the ship is then floated out of the pen to a standard pier for completion.  

     

    Once the ship is back in the water things that cannot be done while the ship is in service such as replacing fire control and evacuation components are completed.. The refurb can be know done using the ships internal environmental systems for the workers comfort. Emergency slides are sometimes required when  normal escape routes are blocked.

     

    We tend to use the term dry dock for the entire period the ship is out of service not just when it is dry; my apologies if I led you to believe they were using the slides while the ship was dry..

     

    There is usually a skeleton crew on board for safety, house keeping and training. They usually do not participate in the actual refurb.  I don't doubt they work hard but they have more fun time then the formal regiment of a cruise.

    Google "what does a cruise ship crew during dry dock" for more info 

     

    My nautical expertise is via crew members, Google and You Tube; same as my brain surgery expertise

     

    btw...  I am on the  post dry dock cruise.

     

     

     

     

    Also....the crew (being the household and restaurant services) may not work as hard but their pay is reduced and they don't make any tjips since there are no guests....

     

    Oceania's current booking cancellation policy vs industry

    in Oceania Cruises

    Posted

    Oceania Cruises has announced a new Traveler’s Assurance booking policy effective immediately for all existing and new bookings made by April 30, 2020 for any voyages departing between March 10, 2020 to September 30, 2020.  

    Guests and Travel Partners can now have total peace of mind knowing that should they need to cancel, for any reason, they will not lose a dollar, the company announced, in a press release.

    Guests may cancel up to 48 hours prior to cruise departure and will receive a Future Cruise Credit equal to 100% of the cruise fare paid. Additionally, consumers and travel advisors can book with confidence knowing that up to day of sailing, should there be another applicable public promotion that offers a better value through amenities or price, they may take advantage of that promotional offer and/or price.

    “Choosing to travel is both a very personal choice and substantial investment of time and money. In today’s current environment of ever-changing world events, travelers are seeking peace of mind when booking a vacation,” stated Bob Binder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Oceania Cruises.

     

    https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/22552-oceania-launches-assurance-program.html

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