Myanmar

[mallie24]

Any thoughts on why cruise companies don't just cancel this port and substitute other locations prior to having to make final payments?

[ssawjo]

21 hours ago, mallie24 said:

Any thoughts on why cruise companies don't just cancel this port and substitute other locations prior to having to make final payments?

Good question and following.

[ssawjo]

Today, Oceania Riviera canceled its' port call to Yangon.

 

Dear Valued Guests and Travel Advisors,   I am writing to you to inform you of an important change to your planned Oceania Cruises vacation. After careful consideration of the continuing and escalating political instability in Myanmar, we have come to the decision that, at this juncture, the most prudent course of action is to amend our itineraries and replace Myanmar.   Please see below for the revised portion of your itinerary. You can review the full itinerary by visiting OceaniaCruises.com.   If you have the prepaid Myanmar visa confirmation on your reservation, this will be removed and automatically refunded.   We appreciate that this change might be disappointing and kindly request that all guests remain cognizant that this is the itinerary as planned today and that additional revisions may be required as the safety of our guests and crew are always our top priority.   We look forward to welcoming you on board and the team remains at your disposal for any queries you may have.   Warmest regards,   Carlos E. Ortega Vice President, Global Guest Services   Date Port Country Arrival Departure 15-Jan-2024 Colombo Sri Lanka 14:00   16-Jan-2024 Colombo Sri Lanka   19:00 17-Jan-2024 Hambantota Sri Lanka 7:00 17:00 18-Jan-2024 At Sea At sea     19-Jan-2024 At Sea At sea     20-Jan-2024 Phuket Thailand 8:00   21-Jan-2024 Phuket Thailand   18:00 22-Jan-2024 Langkawi Malaysia 7:00 16:00 23-Jan-2024 Melaka Malaysia 11:30 18:30 24-Jan-2024 Penang Malaysia 12:00 20:00 25-Jan-2024 Port Klang Malaysia 10:00 19:00 26-Jan-2024 Bintan Indonesia 10:30 20:30 27-Jan-2024 Singapore Singapore 9:00   28-Jan-2024 Singapore Singapore   18:00    Some on the cruise critic roll calls for this cruise like the new itinerary.  None were surprised that the port call in Yangon was cancelled.  I, personally, am a bit disappointed.  But you have to go with the flow.  The most aggravating thing is that the change is after final payment, so they kind of got you.  I had no intention of cancelling one way or the other.     If anyone has any information regarding Hambantota, Sri Lanka, Bintan, Indonesia, and Melaka (aka: Malucca), Malaysia, please pass it on.   Thanks.

[terry&mike]

Yesterday, we received a similar email for our April 2025 sailing on Oceania Nautica, cancelling Myanmar. The new itinerary is a very good one, so it works for us. 

[pmatawan]

The Transit Electronic Travel Authority for Sri Lanka that Oceania says we should apply  for is only good for up to two days. With the recent port changes, we are staying 3 days, not two. I am awaiting a response from O if we need a different type visa or ETA.

[ssawjo]

18 hours ago, pmatawan said:

The Transit Electronic Travel Authority for Sri Lanka that Oceania says we should apply  for is only good for up to two days. With the recent port changes, we are staying 3 days, not two. I am awaiting a response from O if we need a different type visa or ETA.

That is interesting.  Please let us know what you find out.  We are on the same cruise.

[ssawjo]

On 8/30/2023 at 9:13 PM, terry&mike said:

Yesterday, we received a similar email for our April 2025 sailing on Oceania Nautica, cancelling Myanmar. The new itinerary is a very good one, so it works for us. 

Well, at least they cancelled way before final payment for your cruise.  The O Riviera cruise this Jan. 2024, Myanmar was not cancelled until last week, after final payment.  Now, folks are hustling to get new excursions as some new ports were added, dates at ports changed, and, like Phuket, it is now an overnight.  O could have done this months ago.  Personally, disappointed we are not stopping in Yangon but the new ports are interesting.

[pmatawan]

On 9/2/2023 at 12:12 PM, ssawjo said:

That is interesting.  Please let us know what you find out.  We are on the same cruise.

I was just notified that Oceania will be revising the requirement for Sri lanka and sending an email to everyone letting us know of the change requiring a tourist visa.

[Wayfairers]

If you didn’t know, you apply for the Sri Lanka visa no more than 90 days before arrival.