stacey82

My TA still denied that the itinerary was changing yesterday!

I think the main gripe is being held over a barrel.

If you booked a package holiday to a hotel in Turkey, and the travel agent then said 'Oh sorry you are now going to Tenerife! Don't worry, the hotel standard and climate is the same' then you have a right to change/cancel your holiday as it is not what you paid for.

It is (in my opinion) incorrect that the same should not apply for a cruise. Regardless of the cruise companies reasons for doing so, there will be some people that agree and some that disagree. As a paying customer for a service, you should have the rights to cancel if that service changes to what you paid for. Yes they cover all this in your t&cs but it is still not right.

Yes they have updated the VP, but all the info for Thessaloniki is actually for Genoa!

Its not just one day in Istanbul though. The itinerary was day one & day four cruising through the Dardanelles, with two days in Istanbul.

The 7 day cruise is going to be quite lacking going to the other ports which are no where near as far. Huge cost saving by Cunard there!

Have just got of the phone to them too.

I understand why they have done it, but surely as a passenger you (should) have the right to cancel or amend. Alas, not.

Let me know how you get on.

I have just seen this on the Cruise Critic news - although no official confirmation from Cunard yet. I am booked on this cruise.

"Cunard has canceled all calls in Istanbul. Queen Victoria was due in on July 18 to spend a night in Istanbul, however the line has altered the itinerary and the ship will now call in at Thessaloniki and an additional call to Volos. A spokeswoman said: "Following advice from the relevant authorities Cunard has taken the decision to remove Istanbul from the planned itineraries on Queen Victoria in July and August. The calls to Istanbul will be replaced by Thessaloniki and an additional call to Volos. A shore excursion programme for these new ports will be available in the next few days. Any shore excursions booked for Istanbul will be refunded."

http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/news/news.cfm?ID=7102