Mark_UK

I know we need to wait until next week, but wondered what people think the potential outcomes might be?

A) Return to Aus but via Africa, potentially from Portsmouth or Barcelona (vs. Athens)

B) Straight over to the Caribbean for a season, maybe out of New York instead of Miami?

C) Stays in UK/Europe and does Canary Islands. 

Any other possibilities?

1 minute ago, MMDown Under said:

I hope Resilient Lady will be coming back to Australia in 2024/25.  If they don't, they will loose all the favourable publicity from this year's Aust/NZ new cruisers.  In addition, if they don't return, they would need to refund money paid as a future cruise deposit 

I think if they didn't return they'd need to refund the money, not just a cruise credit! 

It will be interesting to see how they handle it if they do cancel Aus/NZ this year. They don't seem to offering any compensation for the March/April impacted sailings which, although frugal, can be justified by the circumstances beyond their control. I'd argue to cancel a whole season, many many months in advance, is primarily a business driven decision. 

9 minutes ago, Jamesv281117 said:

I don't think so just a rebooking or refund 

Wow, that's not ideal. Quite surprised by VV. What about incurred expenses? 

Are they offering any form of incentive to rebook versus a refund?

https://vvinsider.com/virgin-voyages-reroutes-resilient-lady-due-to-red-sea-tensions/?utm_content=cmp-true

Also the route back to Australia in October and all Aus/NZ sailings for next season seem to have been taken off sale... 

I'm booked on the October one from Athens 🤦‍♂️😫

Done two cruises a year for the past 10 or so. This is the first year where I'm thinking one will suffice for next year given the crazy pricing and wider financial circumstances (mortgage fix ending). For the per night pricing on European cruises in particular can get a much better deal on land. This isn't just for Virgin, but Royal, Celebrity, NCL, also. 

Also priced out. Sailed with virgin a few times and appreciated the value proposition given the food and inclusives, but these are mega luxury places. Shame 😔

Is it still the case you can use your free diamond drinks for others also? I'm traveling with family next year and plan to get the DBP, but others in our party won't. 

8 minutes ago, little britain said:

@Mark_UK  I just booked our first VV yesterday. I got an extra discount on proof of my pinnacle RCI tier, and it also got me more obc.  No tipping, no surcharge for their restaurants. It’s an interesting business model. 

Have sailed them a few times now and loved it. They have upcharge activities but for genuine value (e.g. free drinks) rather than paying for a level of service you'd expect for the fare you've already paid. The onboard restaurants are all fantastic and no upcharge. 

This is why I'm dumping Royal and sailing Virgin Voyages. Just can't deal with the CONSTANT money grabbing. I sailed Celebrity last week, paid a very high price for a relaxing massage, only to end it with an intense and stressful sales pitch for some $60 shower gel whilst trapped in a treatment room with the staff member preventing me from leaving. It's starting to feel like a bazaar onboard with random people constantly trying to sell you things, even on the tannoy. Gone are the days of a relaxing vacation.

We made it! Despite the change in itinerary it has been a lovely cruise so far! 

4 hours ago, jwlane said:

Read your contract.

Thanks for the tip. I actually did read the UK cruise contract, the definition of "significant change" is most relevant. It says:

5.5 Can you change or cancel my holiday?

Occasionally, we have to make changes to the brochure and other details both before, and after, bookings have been confirmed and, even more rarely, cancel confirmed bookings.

Whilst we always endeavour to avoid changes and cancellations, we must reserve the right to do so. If we have to make a significant change or cancel, we will tell you as soon as possible. If there is time to do so before departure, we will offer you the choice of the following options:

(a) (for significant changes) accepting the changed arrangements or

(b) purchasing an alternative holiday from us, of a similar standard to that originally booked if available. If this alternative holiday is in fact cheaper than the original one, we will refund the price difference. If you do not wish to accept the holiday we specifically offer you (if any) , you may choose any of our other then available holidays. You must pay the applicable price of any such holiday. This will mean you paying more if it is more expensive or receiving a refund if it is cheaper. or

(c) cancelling or accepting the cancellation in which case you will receive a full and quick refund of all monies you have paid to us within 14 days of such cancellation.

Please note, the above options are not available where any change made is a minor one.

What is a significant change?

A significant change is a change to your confirmed holiday, which we can reasonably expect will have a significant effect on it.

Examples of significant and minor (defined below) changes are as follows: Significant change: Examples include a cruise itinerary change from two days port of calls to two days at sea instead; a change in UK departure airport (excluding changes between local airports) and a change in the time of your outbound flight by more than 12 hours on a 14 night holiday.

Minor change: Examples include a cruise itinerary change from one port of call to another; a change from one day’s port of call to one day at sea; a change in timings for any port(s) of call but the ship still calls at all confirmed ports; a change in order of ports that are visited; and a change in the time of your departure or return flight that is less than e.g. 12 hours on a 14 night holiday

7 minutes ago, jwlane said:

It's fascinating how posters ignorantly expect X to turn on a dime and have instantaneous solutions/resolutions to situations they have absolutely no control over.

Don't think anyone is blaming X for making the changes, just some would like to be given the opportunity to change sailings given it's now not what they purchased/paid a premium for. 

7 minutes ago, chemmo said:

Unfortunately one of those sad occasions where you can’t see what else they could do…

 

Mark, you and the family don’t seem to be having much luck at present…try buying a lottery ticket. I hope despite the disappointment re itinerary you can still enjoy a fantastic cruise…

I know, can you believe it... I was the one who suggested they try this trip so I feel quite guilty. Sadly we've done Greek Isles before so not excited about it, particularly given what we paid; seeing the Pyramids is something my Mum is desperate to do. But who could predict a robbery, and then a war breaking out. Why is the world so complicated.   

Alexandria now been cancelled for the current cruise. They are going to Greek Islands and Bodrum instead. 

4 minutes ago, hcat said:

Mark

how are you doing with the quite likely revised itin..?? lots of Egypt??

Ha, I know... it's starting to feel like a cursed trip! 😫 What will be will be I guess!

The Nieuw Statendam is now showing as heading to Alanya, Turkey with a day at sea. 

Wonder where they will go instead? Turkey or Cyprus maybe? 

Seen on Facebook that people on Holland America in port today have been ordered back to the ship. 

Apex is due in Haifa tomorrow and according to Vessel Finder is still en route. With all the violence that's gone on there today I wonder if she will cancel the three scheduled stops this week?

Some of you may have seen from the stolen passport post that I'm due to do the same trip next cruise so am keeping a close eye! 

Phew!! 

1 hour ago, newfiegirl4 said:

This is fantastic news for your parents! A great son you are! 💙. 
I hope they have a fantastic cruise! Happy sailing! 🛳️.

Catherine 

Thank you! I will post a photo once we're all onboard!

55 minutes ago, abbydancer said:

I just read all this, and I'm glad they were able get it worked out.

 

I did get curious about the emergency passports not being accepted for the port stop?  I had my passport stolen the afternoon before a 16 day cruise.  We were in Buenos Aires and the first port stop was Falklands, which would have menat I couldn't join the cruise until midway into it.  We'd worked with a local travel agent to book tours in BA, and she was great - she took us to the Embassy first thing in the morning, and by 11:30 I was on my way to the ship with a 1 year passport.  And I just took a look at it - the only indication that it wasn't a regular passport was a not on the back page that it was issued to replace a stolen passport and couldn't be extended.  But maybe that's just US.

 

Anyway, I hope they have a great cruise.  

They got an emergency passport (a single use 6 page document which gets taken from you on your return). According to the .gov.uk website neither Israel or Egypt accept emergency documents for arrivals. 

12 minutes ago, wrk2cruise said:

 

Did Celebrity provide a solution acceptable to your family?

Yes they did in the end given the circumstances. They provided a FCC for the value of the original cruise, which allowed my parents to book into an inside cabin for about £100 extra. They are also refunding the excursions and WiFi package my parents purchased.

Given they didn't need to do anything at all we are happy with that 👍