Hutchinj

On 5/19/2020 at 5:50 PM, Petoonya said:

Windstar Wind Spirit is set to sail in Tahiti Sept 3 2020! Maybe PG then soon too.

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/22973-windstar-plans-to-start-cruising-again-in-september.html

Actually, PG is still planning to sail as soon as early as June 6th (I'm currently booked on a July 4th cruise). They have not (yet) cancelled that cruise since FP hasn't committed to a firm date to open the islands to non-residents. We are all being held hostage until that happens.

Here's the text of the FP COVID-19 Travel Ban update. It really just lightens up on FP residents, especially those on the outer islands, while keeping the non-resident travel ban in effect "until further notice." Doesn't help much for those of us still booked on a pending PG Cruise in the very near future.

In accordance with the measures in place to stop the spread of COVID-19 in French Polynesia, the authorities have taken new measures effective from May 13th 2020.

• Access to the territory for all non-residents of French Polynesia is still suspended (since March 18, 2020), until further notice.
• Lockdown measures are lifted in the islands (except for Tahiti, Moorea, Maiao and Tetiaroa): all establishments welcoming general public will be able to reopen without any restriction.
• Maritime traffic between all the islands within the same archipelago has been restored. However, air travel between the island of Tahiti and the outer islands is still prohibited.
• For the islands of Tahiti, Moorea, Maiao and Tetiaroa, the lightening of lockdown restrictions will continue until further notice as follows: gatherings of more than 100 persons will be prohibited, bars, restaurants and nightclubs will be able to welcome general public again by maintaining social distancing in all cases. However, dancefloors will remain closed. Movies theaters, event halls and sports clubs will also be able to reopen.

22 hours ago, Wendy The Wanderer said:

 

Yes I realize all of that.  I was just wondering if anyone had any reports on how things are on the islands right now.  I can totally imagine, but with people here having personal contacts, I was wondering if there was any real information.   Michael Poole comes to mind, for instance.

Looks like they just eased up on the restrictions a bit but no mention of the travel ban for non-residents. 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.rnz.co.nz/article/1d7705e3-3511-455f-a1f4-91f0a3bd4cf8

• All restrictions imposed over the Covid-19 outbreak in March will be lifted in French Polynesia's outer islands as of midnight tonight.
• This was announced by the French High Commissioner to French Polynesia Dominique Sorain and the president Edouard Fritch after reporting that 28 days passed without any local Covid-19 case.
• Travel between the islands will be allowed from tomorrow morning while domestic air travel will be possible from 21 May.
• In Tahiti and Moorea, which account for the bulk of the population, a ban on meetings of more than 100 people remain, with a review due at the end of the month.
• Bars and discos will be allowed to open but patrons must observe social distancing.
• All sport events have been given the all-clear.
• Schools are gearing up for reopening on 18 May.
• A territory-wide curfew was already lifted last week after a court ruled it was illegal.
• A total of 60 Covid-19 cases were registered since March.

31 minutes ago, fedexretiree said:

 If PG cancels don't they have to refund us according to what I have read in their ticket contract?

Legally, it should depend on the ticket contract that was in place when you first booked and paid a deposit. But that apparently doesn't seem to carry much weight with PG and their new owners, Ponant.

There are several threads here on CC about their lack of ethics in changing the terms and conditions midstream. What other industry can you think of that can get away with changing the terms of a binding contract without both parties agreeing? It seems they are taking the stance "We are a French company. If you don't like it, sue us!" Not good.

The offer of a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) may be OK for some people, but others may not be able to travel in the future due to health or economic reasons, let alone doubts about pandemics or the cruise line's ability to stay in business. Such a shame as the real losers here will be the wonderful crew and staff of the PG and the good people of French Polynesia.

54 minutes ago, Larro9 said:

Across the board issues...if it doesn’t clear up soon...I’ll post a email I sometime use later ..you are/were on 7-4 cruise as I remember

Correct. We still have an active booking for the July 4th cruise. We are waiting to see if it will be cancelled before deciding to opt for a FCC or fight for a refund.

27 minutes ago, Larro9 said:

Hutch..I was hoping to chat privately..you disabled your PM ?  If you want pm me.  Info on Paul gauguin changes daily. 

I'd be happy to chat with you via PM. Especially if you have more info on PG's status.

When I try to PM you, I get a message that says "This feature is disabled." What's up with that I wonder?

I tried to PM a couple other folks and got the same error. Wonder why they did that.

16 hours ago, Tahitianbigkahuna said:

PG/Ponant should be just fine moving forward. The crew is still on-board awaiting future cruises once the green light is given form the FP government. 

This is good to hear, TBK. Given their recent poor decisions, I was worried that Ponant might just wash their hands of the PG and let it fail rather than give any refunds. I sure hope you are right as we want this Dream cruise so badly.

Was really hoping our 4 July cruise would happen but that’s looking less likely now. We shall see...

31 minutes ago, Jared Purdy said:

 

I did got a refund through my credit card.  I'm not sure what it is about my previous post (which ever one that is) is confusing to you?

Yeh, I understand now after reading all the threads more carefully.

Sorry for my confusion further confusing the issue. 🙂 

Ah, thanks for the added info, Jared. Glad you are happy with the deal you got.

Unfortunately for me, my TA tells me that the cancellation policy in effect when I booked applies in which case I face a  penalty of 50% if I cancel 31+ days prior to our sail date of July 4 and 100% penalty after that.

Given that kind of potential loss, I have no recourse but to wait for PG to cancel the cruise and then pursue a refund thru them or credit card dispute. I just don't see how they could possibly be ready to cruise again by early July!

Jared -- I thought you got a refund via a credit card dispute, not through PG/Ponant.

I just checked the PG website and the July 18 cruise to Cook Islands & Society Islands is still listed as available, as are the July 4 (my cruise), 11th, and 29th cruises.

I'm confused.

Yeh, *we* book years in advance but PG says they'll let us know if they cancel our cruise within 30 days of said date. How generous of them! 😞

Congratulations to you both! Great to hear that at least some folks are getting their money back via credit card disputes.

I assume that PG cancelled your cruises?

8 minutes ago, DGK said:

Has anyone received a deposit or cruise  refund recently  without doing the credit card 3rd party default  and if so how long did it take ?

 

To date, no one that I know of from Cruise Critic, Trip Advisor, or Facebook have received a refund direct from PG/Ponant. The only successes I've seen or heard of came from credit card disputes.

Way to go Ponant. You have single-handedly destroyed our dream of cruising in French Polynesia! Yes, I know there are other (or at least, were) other FP cruising options but none offered the allure that the Paul Gauguin once did. Such a shame. I envy those of you that can look back on fond memories of past PG cruises in FP in happier times. <sigh>

I would do this right now and be willing to forfeit 10% as a cancellation fee but have no need for a FCC. I need a cash refund for the balance of the $14K I’ve already paid!

23 minutes ago, Vesude said:

Thanks but this is PG. I mean Ponant cruises

Should be one and the same given Ponant now owns PG.

21 hours ago, Vesude said:

does anyone have a copy of the previous terms and conditions that applied before ponant changed them in March 2020. In mean the part that says that we are entitled to receive a refund.

The Passenger Ticket Contract is still on the PG website at https://www.pgcruises.com/ms-paul-gauguin-passenger-ticket-contract. Section 9b(2) pertains to cruise line cancelled cruises entitling the passenger to a refund:

Company may for any reason whatsoever cancel any sailing or terminate the Ticket/Contract at any time before departure of the Ship, and in such event, Company’s only liability will be to refund to the Passenger the amount it has received for the Ticket/Contract.

This is different from the Reservation Policies page which spells out cancellation fees in case the passenger elects to cancel their cruise:

https://www.pgcruises.com/reservation-policies

I don't have a copy of the previous Reservation Policies page but check earlier in this thread as I think someone else found it online.

4 hours ago, Jared Purdy said:

 

Filing a third party default claim with my credit card (VISA) did the trick.  I got back 100% of what I paid, which was almost $25,000CDN.  Took about two weeks.

Glad to hear it. I plan to do the same if PG cancels the cruise themselves, supposedly letting us know if this happens 30 days or more before our sail date of 4 July.

2 minutes ago, GreatPyrs said:

If our TA can't get the refund for our cruise I plan first to contact my credit card company and if that doesn't happen I will file a lawsuit that will cost them a lot more than my fare. Lots of hungry lawyers today. And also social media will light up with the facts.

Good luck! My TA says he has spent hours “discussing” the situation with senior staff at Ponant but they are steadfast in their “No Refunds” policy, ignoring existing contracts. He was unable to convince of the long term damage their arrogance will surely cause. And despite their having offices in the USA, any arbitration or legal wrangling would have to be done in France as per French law. It certainly complicates things and makes any legal action expensive which I’m sure they are counting on.

But... I’m still hopeful things will improve so we can take our cruise as planned. I don’t wish PG or Ponant ill will. I just want our cruise or the money we paid for it!

This was posted today at https://tahititourisme.com/en-us/covid-19/

Papeete, April 27th, 2020

Lightened lockdown in French Polynesia
Measures effective from April 29, 2020 until May 13, 2020.

In accordance with the measures in place to stop the spread of COVID-19 in French Polynesia, the authorities have declared a lightened lockdown from April 29 and for a period of 14 days, until May 13.

• Access to the territory for all non-residents of French Polynesia is still suspended (since March 18, 2020), until further notice.
• Retailers will be able to open, whilst ensuring barrier gestures are respected; restaurants and food trucks will therefore be able to reopen.
• Beaches will also be open, whilst respecting social distancing, even on the seaside. Individual leisure, sports and nautical activities will therefore be allowed.
• The reopening of administrations will be gradual, prioritizing teleworking where possible.
• However, bars, discotheques, cinemas but also sports clubs will remain closed, collective trainings are still prohibited, as well as gatherings in public and private meetings with the extended family or friends gatherings are strongly discouraged.
• Maritime and air travel between the islands is still prohibited in order to ensure active surveillance and control of the epidemic. However, access is possible between Tahiti and Moorea.
• The curfew is maintained but will be shifted from 9pm to 5am.

In case anyone is wondering what the PG/Ponant Passenger Ticket Contract says, here it is verbatim from the PG website at https://www.pgcruises.com/ms-paul-gauguin-passenger-ticket-contract :

Passenger Ticket Contract, para 9(b):

"Company may for any reason whatsoever cancel any sailing or terminate the Ticket/Contract at any time prior to departure of the Ship, and in such event, Company's only liability will be to refund to the Passenger the amount it has received for the Ticket/Contract."

As per their website, this is their current cancellation policy. Why do they choose to ignore it?

You are right. We need to spread the word about Ponant's behavior beyond CC.

I don't do IG but do lurk on FB from time to time, Not a big fan of social media, CC & TA being the exceptions.

Is there a thread on FB that would be appropriate to bring this to light?

15 minutes ago, Friscorays said:

Ponant isn't the only cruise company pissing off a fair number of folks during this unprecedented time when many lines appear to be struggling to avoid bankruptcy so I am willing to cut them some slack.

Sorry but any cruise line that changes the terms of their passenger contract after accepting payment deserves NO slack in my book!

Yes, the cruise lines are all suffering but most are at least remaining ethical. Not so for Ponant. 

We are not alone. You should check out all the complaints from other cruisers on the Ponant Cruise Line CC Forum.

if this long link doesn’t work search for “need a fair refund policy”in the Ponant forum.

Now I’m scared that FP may prematurely end their travel ban and our 4 July PG cruise will not cancel. I’ll be out 100% of the full fare if the missus refuses to go for fear of the virus.

 https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=6&ved=2ahUKEwj-3t3dn4vpAhVtmeAKHYLfCvYQFjAFegQIBBAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fboards.cruisecritic.com%2Ftopic%2F2740662-need-a-fair-refund-policy-due-to-virus%2Fpage%2F7%2F%3Ftab%3Dcomments%23comment-59872152&usg=AOvVaw1WRWo2Z3gVGnjNi3uXILUJ

Hopefully the 

3 minutes ago, FlightMedic555 said:

I was booked on the June 17 cruise.  I wanted to change to one in 2021 and PG was willing to make the change but it would be $1000 more per person as we took advantage of a good sale when we originally booked. While my TA could not fix this I called PG and after they looked into this further they agreed to allow the change for the same itinerary at the same fare.  While I jumped through some hoops I am satisfied with the resolution 

Hopefully the PG will still be cruising next year. Based on Ponant’s contract manipulation and mistreatment of customers, the bad press they so rightfully deserve may prove otherwise.

Good luck to you in any event.

We have until 31 days prior to our 4 July cruise to cancel for “only” a 10% penalty and a FCC (no refund). If we cancel 30 days or less then it’s a 100% forfeiture.

Interestingly, Ponant says they will let us know if THEY cancel the cruise within *30* days of sail date. So they force us to decide to cancel first.

43 minutes ago, sita said:

I think for a 2021 sailing the old rules apply (100 pp fee) but haven’t checked the PG site in a while. Also, that assumes they do not BK or ‘reorganize’ before they get that money back to you. I know a lot of cruise lines are quoting 90 days for refunds so maybe okay.... it’s just that Ponant seems to have kept PG at a distance and that troubles me.

Correct. For 2021 cruises, the old rules still apply. It’s only those of us who paid deposits or pre-paid cruise fares ages ago that are getting cheated. Interesting, eh? They’ve had the free use of our money for all this time and this is how they say thank you?