NannaJan

Carnival has just announced on news wires updating their corporate market status that they have made the decision to reroute 12 ships , across 7 lines away from the Red Sea, between now and May 24. I’m not sure how to post a link to this , and the cut and paste approach is apparently not allowed ! so the die is cast and now we wait for details and options for passengers.

I would put money on the decision already being made , and to be fair the delay more about the complex logistics of rerouting a world cruise. new Port stops , provisioning , crew changes, alternatives for passengers for exiting cruise or alternative shore excursions , reimbursements , and so on. Which leads to our inevitable frustrations! I just hope we do get to know early February at the latest!

So much for the Chinese asking the Iranians to rein in the Houthis, with an oil tanker being hit and on fire in the Gulf of Yemen tonight. Whilst obviously the terrible events in the Middle East are a totally different dimension to people having their holidays changed or cancelled , on an individual personal level it’s time that Cunard and the other Carnival lines alerted passengers to planned diversions and cancellations, so we know exactly where we stand!

Noticeable that these cancellations do go into April, last one the 6th. Not that long before QM 2 is scheduled. And the Princess world cruise goes through in March , so a decision for that must be expected.

Aida cruises , who I understand are part of the Carnival corporation stable ( subsidiary of Costa ) have just announced cancelling a number of Red Sea cruises in March and April and are deadheading round Africa to the Med. I think they are the first Carnival Corp company to divert. I might be wrong but I would assume there would be an overall decision/ policy at Carnival Board level about a situation like this , which effects all their cruise lines. If so it may not be long before others announce their rerouting plans. incidentally their statement said they were taking the decision now so passengers can have security about their holiday plans in good time. Hopefully Cunard will do the same!

Above prices per person ,not cabin !

Somehow I think the dye is cast… but they just haven’t told us! Cunard selling balcony cabins Singapore-Southampton 36 nights for under £100 per night. Princess Grill for just over £200 ,( less than we’re paying for our balcony from Hong Kong)and Queens Grill for £300 per night…. Butler included! No way would they sell stuff off cheap if the we’re doing the original itinerary! seem to be a lot of availability too, have some people managed to change their booking to next year?