Port removed from cruise :-( now only 3 ports for 13 night cruise!

[pullenst]

Hello fellow cruisers.  
 

Hoping to get some advice.  I have booked a princess cruise for Jan2024, departing from Melbourne Australia to South Pacific.  We have been on a number of cruises to the South Pacific in the past, however this is the first time departing from Melbourne.  

 

We chose this particular cruise because it departs from our home town, and also because it includes Isle of Pines on the itinerary - our family's favourite cruise destination.

 

Made the booking last year.  Then recently advised that Princess is removing Isle of Pines from the cruise.  Now it's a 13 night cruise with only 3 ports and missing the best port!

 

Princess advise the change was due to government restrictions - however other cruise lines appear to be sailing there at around the same time.  Also the New Caledonian govt advised last year they were re-opening to cruise ships.

 

I have asked my princess cruise specialist - they just say they will raise the info with the respective department - but it has been months and still no reply.

 

The cruise is 13 nights with 4 ports - now it's only 3 ports. 

 

Is there any chance they might re-add Isle of Pines port? (noting the cruise is 12 months away - perhaps govt restrictions change before then)?

 

Has anyone experienced a port getting re- added?

 

Also, the price of cruise seems a little high now with 9 sea days.  I know they reserve the right to remove ports, but this feels a bit extreme.

 

I'm actually less concerned about the cost - our hearts were set on the Isle of Pines port.

 

Apologies for the length of my post.  Thanks,

Tim

 

 

[mom says]

It has long been said, and oft repeated on CC that if a port is of great importance to you, then don't cruise there.  Do a land vacation instead. And it's true. Ports can be canceled for many reasons.  Well in advance or with very short notice.

 

Anything is possible, but don't hold your breath. It might be added back, or a different port day may be added, or you may be stuck with that extra sea day. I am unfamiliar with Aussie booking regulations, but if it's still this far out can you cancel without penalty?

[pullenst]

Thanks @mom says, appreciate your response.  Yes I completely agree about the suggestion of land vacation.  In this case it's the first time my son-in-law will cruise with us - we all talk about how good it is to stop in Isle of Pines on a cruise and we were looking forward to him having the same experience.

 

A bit disappointed about the lack of response from Princess.  I got onto the online chat this morning hoping to get a response other than 'we have raised the issue'.

 

Edited January 23, 2023 by pullenst

[Joebucks]

1 hour ago, pullenst said:

A bit disappointed about the lack of response from Princess.  I got onto the online chat this morning hoping to get a response other than 'we have raised the issue'.

 

While I understand your frustration, what are you expecting here? That they will change their mind because you want them to? 

 

Anyways, I wouldn't take the cruise. Knowingly missing your favorite port and being at sea 75% of the time is too much for me. 

[LHT28]

2 hours ago, pullenst said:

Thanks @mom says, appreciate your response.  Yes I completely agree about the suggestion of land vacation.  In this case it's the first time my son-in-law will cruise with us - we all talk about how good it is to stop in Isle of Pines on a cruise and we were looking forward to him having the same experience.

 

A bit disappointed about the lack of response from Princess.  I got onto the online chat this morning hoping to get a response other than 'we have raised the issue'.

 

I doubt they will give you a reply  

I agree  if you can cancel without penalty  do it

JMO

[VelvetSkeeter]

9 days at sea and a removed port! , if it was me, I would see about cancelling, since you mentioned it was 12 months away,  and booking on another line that may still be going to that port (but that could change too). I would confirm with the other line that they are still scheduled to go to that port if they too are expecting  Govt restrictions.

 

 

Edited January 23, 2023 by VelvetSkeeter

[Hlitner]

I am guessing that your cruise included some ports in French Polynesia (i.e. Tahiti).  The problem is that some islands have banned (or restricted) large cruise ships.   I think this movement (to ban large ships) has started to move around the world with even ports in our own back yard (i.e. Bar Harbor, Key West, etc) imposing bans and restrictions.  

 

We agree with the other poster that if you are really unhappy with the changes you should simply cancel your cruise.   The cruise lines are also the victims of these changes in port rules.  As an avid cruiser, I am not happy with the port restrictions, but as a world traveler (on land) I understand the reasoning.  Ships have simply become too large to come into some ports and not negatively impact the environment and the lives of those who live and visit (on land trips) those islands.   Just consider an island like Bora Bora, which only has a population of about 10,000.  When a ship carrying over 3000 passengers comes to that island it causes "issues" with overstressing the infrastructure.  For those who vacation on that island (and often pay around $1000 a night for a hotel room), being invaded by 3000+ cruisers is not desirable.

 

There is no way I would consider vacationing on an island such as St Thomas, which I think has been effectively ruined (as a vacation place) by having 10,000+ cruisers on a typical day.  We have seen the negative impact on some European ports (i.e. Santorini, Venice, Dubrovnik, etc) because they are too often overrun with thousands of cruisers.  In Italy, there has been a plan to close the road to Riomaggiore ("Cinque Terre) because there are simply too many visitors (many who come from nearby cruise ports).  

 

When most cruise ships only carried 1000 or so passengers, this was not seen as a major issue.  But now, we have ships with 3000, 4000, 5000, and even 6000 souls!  That is just not acceptable to many smaller (and often charming) places.

 

Hank

[chengkp75]

12 hours ago, pullenst said:

Princess advise the change was due to government restrictions - however other cruise lines appear to be sailing there at around the same time.  Also the New Caledonian govt advised last year they were re-opening to cruise ships.

While New Caledonia has "re-opened" for cruise ships, only Noumea is accepting them now.  Two articles from October discuss which ports will re-open and when:

 

https://southpacificislands.travel/new-caledonia-welcomes-back-cruise-ships/

 

https://www.cruisehive.com/cruise-ship-bans-in-pacific-islands-cause-itinerary-changes-for-carnival/83359

 

I think what you see when you look at other cruise lines advertising sailing to Isle of Pines, is that this was the original intent, but that you will find that they have already canceled the port, or will do so before sailing due to the government restrictions.  According to the second article, Isle of Pines will not re-open for cruise ships "for the foreseeable future".