Egypt - Escalating Revolution - Uniworld Response?

[chloes nana]

[quote=cormike1;27741577.

I hope we will be able to travel later in the fall or next year. I feel bad for the Egyptian people as they depend alot on tourism $$$'s and that area will not be helping them earn any money for quite awhile by the sounds of it.

please bear in mind that this is an election year in Egypt and the elections are set for September after the Holy Days. So fall this year is marginal at best. We cancelled out September trip and put Egypt back in the bucket for a later time..:(

[Uniworld]

Please find below our latest update on Egypt as of January 31, 2011 at 9:22 PST. Going forward, please refer to our website, www.uniworld.com, for all future updates.

 

Some of you have posted specific questions about clients currently in Egypt. For such questions please contact our Call Center at 1 800 733 7820 bewteen the hours of 6:00 am to 6:00 pm PST Monday through Friday, and 7:00 am to 4:00 pm PST on Saturdays.

 

Thank you very much.

 

The Uniworld Team

 

As of January 31, 2011, 09:22 PST

 

Important Update Regarding Egypt Cruise/Tours

 

At this time Uniworld is cancelling upcoming cruise/tours due to arrive in Egypt up to and including February 28, 2011, and customers may choose alternative cruise/tours or a full refund. For cruise/tours from March 1 onward, we will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available. As always, the safety and security of, our passengers and staff are our top priority.

The US State Department has upgraded the Egypt Travel Advisory to a Travel Warning and is proceeding to assist with voluntary evacuations for US Citizens starting today, January 31. Further information regarding this Travel Warning can be found at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1108.html

 

Uniworld has provided the US State Department with details on all passengers currently in Egypt to ensure that they are on the voluntary evacuation lists should they choose to evacuate. All voluntary evacuation flights will be departing from the Cairo airport. Costs for voluntary evacuation flights will need to be reimbursed to the US Government. If passengers are currently booked on a commercial flight the passengers may be able to keep those flights if they are not cancelled.

 

Uniworld will take all necessary steps to assist our passengers in reaching the Cairo airport for both voluntary evacuation flights and/or scheduled flights. Uniworld will also be working with ground staff in Egypt to arrange for accommodations and transportation as necessary.

 

Uniworld will update this message as new information becomes available. Please feel free to contact your travel professional or contact us at 1-800-733-7820 with any questions.

[Windy56]

Hi Windy

 

I do have to indicate that the value to me of this particular booking exceeds the amount of dollars that I paid, and I have spent additional on other aspects of the vacation. This trip at this time was to be very special to us and the other couple scheduled to meet us there. So the offers that Uniworld has posted on this board so far aren't attractive, they do not even seem serious.

 

However, there are other sites on our Bucket List (and the other couple's), and if there is enough notice, we may be able to work out a contingency "Plan B" on a lesser vacation this year. I am working with my Travel Agent on this. I don't know if we will be able enough to do Egypt next season, if Egypt still exists then, but I hope so.

 

Hello Encinitas,

 

I hope Uniworld gives you the notice that you will need. Although they have posted on here under their company name and possibly under a few other names as well, they have avoided the issue of people cancelling on their own and not having to rebook or lose their money if Uniworld cancels that specific cruise, down the road. So far, it appears to be the "gamble option" and there shouldn't have to be a "gamble option" in a scenario such as this one. To allow people to cancel and get their money back for any Nile cruise, without having to rebook, would certainly reduce the stress so many of you must be experiencing, (with the exception of the most devoted Uniworld cheer leaders), and would allow you to divert your energy and attention to planning another trip, which may not even be a river cruise.

 

I'm glad your Bucket List allows for possible alternatives for you and your friends. Gotta love that Bucket List. It gives us a long list of possibilities, doesn't it? I sincerely wish you and your friends a wonderful future vacation that meets all of your expectations. Safe and happy travels to you!

[09what]

I have a tour booked with uniworld egpyt in May ( I know its a long ways away)

 

Phoned uniworld, asked what happens, if tour is on as per directions of uniworld but the USA & Canada & British governments recommend no travel to the country. Meaning the USA / Canada & British governments will do nothing for us once there if some thing happens!!!!. Uniworld insists the tour will still be on , no refunds etc. ---!!!

 

As if we could cancel today if we wanted to, answer yes but no refunds for deposits !!!!.

 

In the words of uniwold "we have nothing to worry about" !!!! --- lol

 

Asked if the company would put out policy -- a no nonsense policy, simpling stating that refunds will be returned to tourist if conditions stay the same for later tour dates -- answer NO

 

Find uniworld to very un reaonable -- seems just to be protecting their money- what happen to the good service, honest approach, fairness

[pacaduli]

I read thru this Thread and here is my take on it. I must preface by saying that I have never had any business dealings with Uniworld, and none of my travel plans are affected by the unrest in Egypt.

 

*The travel industry is a business. Certainly the way a business gets a good reputation is by treating it's customers well.

 

*A person who chooses to travel to a third world country has made a conscious choice to do so.

 

*Could Uniworld, Avalon, Gate 1, or any other travel group have predicted the unrest, or the degree of impact there would be in Egypt? NO.

 

*Would it be prudent for any business to make decisions without having full understanding of this situation and the degree to which it ended up escalating? NO. If Uniworld or any other travel group had cancelled sailings at the first sign of unrest, and then the situation had resolved quickly, I am sure people would be on CC bashing that decision!

 

*I find the very harsh and vindictive comments made by some on this thread to definitely show a degree of selfishness.

 

Shake your head if you like....this is my take on it. And I, just like everyone else, am entitled to my opinion.

 

(Waiting to see the unrest I have just caused...)

[franski]

Pacaduli - no snide comments from me - I think you have put it very well.

 

A few posters have commented that they feel it is unreasonable for a company to refuse to return their deposit if they change their mind. With (on average) 60 - 70 cabins on each river boat, companies really don't have the luxury of allowing that degree of flex in their bookings. This is stated quite clearly in the terms in each brochure.

 

As with any business venture, it is always wise to read the fine print. If you feel that not being able to get your deposit back is unreasonable, then perhaps this type of travel is not for you. Another option is to have travel insurance - again, making sure you read the fine print.

 

I stand by an earlier post of mine... I think that how the companies responded to the situation for their clients already in Egypt will be the true test of their worth. There was +++ chatter here on CC re: how people were treated after the volcano eruption last year. I am interested to hear (if anyone posts here...) how things were handled during this situation.

[Windy56]

I have a tour booked with uniworld egpyt in May ( I know its a long ways away)

 

Phoned uniworld, asked what happens, if tour is on as per directions of uniworld but the USA & Canada & British governments recommend no travel to the country. Meaning the USA / Canada & British governments will do nothing for us once there if some thing happens!!!!. Uniworld insists the tour will still be on , no refunds etc. ---!!!

 

As if we could cancel today if we wanted to, answer yes but no refunds for deposits !!!!.

 

In the words of uniwold "we have nothing to worry about" !!!! --- lol

 

Asked if the company would put out policy -- a no nonsense policy, simpling stating that refunds will be returned to tourist if conditions stay the same for later tour dates -- answer NO

 

Find uniworld to very un reaonable -- seems just to be protecting their money- what happen to the good service, honest approach, fairness

 

You have my sympathy, "09what". I wonder what would happen if you cancelled, booked on another Uniworld cruise and then a month from now your cruise was officially cancelled. I wonder if you would be released from your "make-up" booking and if you would get your money back. That to me is the big question. I think any passenger on any future Nile cruise should be allowed to cancel and get a full refund. The region is, of course, unstable now and will be for some time.

 

I really hope everything turns out for you and you are able to recoup your losses on this one.

[Windy56]

Pacaduli - no snide comments from me - I think you have put it very well.

 

A few posters have commented that they feel it is unreasonable for a company to refuse to return their deposit if they change their mind. With (on average) 60 - 70 cabins on each river boat, companies really don't have the luxury of allowing that degree of flex in their bookings. This is stated quite clearly in the terms in each brochure.

 

As with any business venture, it is always wise to read the fine print. If you feel that not being able to get your deposit back is unreasonable, then perhaps this type of travel is not for you. Another option is to have travel insurance - again, making sure you read the fine print.

 

I stand by an earlier post of mine... I think that how the companies responded to the situation for their clients already in Egypt will be the true test of their worth. There was +++ chatter here on CC re: how people were treated after the volcano eruption last year. I am interested to hear (if anyone posts here...) how things were handled during this situation.

 

Hi Franski,

 

Are you getting any of that storm out you way tonight or tomorrow? I am keeping my fingers crossed for a snow day and praying that people stay off the roads!

[fred111]

Pacaduli and Franski - both right on target. Thanks for the comments. My wife and I were in the middle of the volcano mess and Uniworld did an outstanding job taking care of us. Plenty of options.

[H2Otstr]

There is also trip insurance that one can purchase that covers "Cancel for any Reason." I purchased this for my upcoming China trip. It was 1.5 times the cost of a regular policy, but if I decide I don't want to go I will get most of my money back.

[kfran]

Franski - been following the updates regarding Egypt and can understand concerns. We were part of the stranded passengers last Spring due to the volcano eruption. We traveled on Viking and so I can only speak for the way they handled the situation which was outstanding. There were about 60 of us who were unable to leave and Viking worked overtime in trying to arrange flights. We were escorted to the airport three times before we finally got out and had a representative with us until we went through security. Can't say enough good things about them. I firmly agree - a company's customer service can make them or break them, and Viking has earned our loyalty due to the way we were treated.

 

Karen

[franski]

Windy56 - "the storm" turned out to be not nearly as bad as projected in our part of the province. School buses cancelled - but no school closures. A few people didn't make it into work, and some cancelled booked appointments (I work in a hospital) - but generally "much ado about nothing"...

 

Had the opportunity to chat yesterday with one of the docs who is from Egypt. Asked if any of his family was close to the unrest - and what reports he has been getting (if any...) His in-laws are in Cairo, and a sister lives outside the city. He has heard that nothing much is happening outside the city centre. He also states that this uprising is not that much of a surprise - it was a situation waiting for the right time to happen. No thoughts on how long it would take to settle.

 

He stated he wouldn't personally be travelling there with the situation the way it is - but does not think that tourists caught in the country when things erupted would be in any specific danger, as the situation doesn't really involve them.

 

Not that this information is really of any use to anyone - but I thought it was interesting to hear how things are - from someone who has a "direct link".

[simpjo]

I was scheduled on Gate 1 Egypt for May and I just wanted to share what I received on 2/2/11. I commend Gate 1 for their exceptional service by not holding future departures to Egypt month to month. While I only had a deposit at this point, I was allowed to choose another tour without any change fees. It also seems they are willing to risk the payments (except the airline which they can work with) and apply those payments to a new trip). One couple that was on our board said that they worked out the details of their alternative trip this month to Thailand with a bonus day for not extra change (their Egypt tour was scheduled for 2/10/11 which had been cancelled).

 

This is the email from Gate 1 on 2/2/11:

 

This Egypt update is based upon revised State Department directives and preliminary information received from our Egypt suppliers.

 

Concern for the safety and security of our clients remains our primary focus and guides all of our actions. We are pleased to report that all clients in or en route to Egypt when the protests began are either home, on a flight home or awaiting a scheduled departure flight. All passengers are safe and accounted for.

 

The following guidelines are based upon preliminary advice received from our vendors (airlines, cruise lines, hotels).

 

* If your tour is scheduled to begin on or after February 28, 2011, Gate 1 will transfer your land/cruise payment to a new date or destination with no fees. We have not received refunds from hotels or cruise lines to date, however because we are confident that they will eventually provide full refunds, we are willing to take the risk in this situation. We must wait to hear from your airline, if applicable, what fees, if any, will apply.

 

 

 

* For tours scheduled to depart after March 29, 2011 and are today under deposit only (not including Instant Purchase Airfare), Gate 1 will transfer your deposit to another Gate 1 destination with no fees. Passengers who do have Instant Purchase Airfare and have paid for that airfare, and wish to divert your plans to another destination, Gate 1 will negotiate on your behalf with the airline to obtain the maximum credit to be applied towards another destination that they service. If you do not choose to redirect your deposit and Instant Purchase Airfare payment if applicable, Gate 1 Terms will necessarily apply.

 

Communication and phone lines continue to be unreliable, making it difficult to reach the decision making principles of hotels, cruise lines, and other ground service companies. We ask for your patience as we do our best to communicate with these companies. We intend to advocate on your behalf and encourage our suppliers to refund the maximum amount, however we cannot make promises on their behalf.

 

In order to assist those passengers who wish to rebook travel to another destination or who wish to reschedule their tour, please refer to our website, http://www.gate1travel.com or contact our reservation staff at 800-682-3333.

 

Thank you for your patience as we continue to work through these critical issues and attempt to obtain the best possible outcome for all of our clients. We will continue to update you as we learn more pertinent information over the coming days and weeks, to help you make more informed decisions.

 

Please direct your questions and concerns by email to service@gate1travel.com as our phone lines are understandably overwhelmed.

 

Sincerely,

[Flutterbyflyby3]

Thanks for posting Quilting Queen. Our TA did not contact us, rumor has it she is home ill. We were scheduled for March 5 - the limbo has ended.

 

Now we need to try & decide where we are going instead & when...

[Condocat]

Thanks Quilting Queen, this was good news to hear as well. We're scheduled for April 9th and happy to know we can reschedule. Our TA is sick as well and haven't heard a peep. I'm now envisioning all these folks with their Egypt reservations flooding Uniworld with their new requests for 2011. Should be interesting trying to get rescheduled, but this is a good problem:)!

[pjtraveler]

To all of you who have missed your trip to Egypt this year, I am sincerely sorry. We traveled with Uniworld to Egypt in November 2007, and it was a trip of a lifetime. Perhaps another year for all of you disappointed travelers!

 

My prayer and hope now is that the uprising will result in a true democracy for the people of Egypt and an end to the oppressive policies of Mubarak.

[Wineart]

Delta has justed posted on its website that service to Cairo has been suspended until March 27.

[Quilting Queen]

I went to see TA yesterday. She said refunds from Delta and Uniworld are in process. When she heard Delta was canceling flights through March 27 she called and requested a full refund. We don't have to invoke the insurance policy so she will see if it can be rolled over to a replacement policy. Brother has not heard from his TA yet so he will visit her today.

 

Looking for something late March-early April. Possibly Insight or Seaborn Greek Islands and Turkey for 7 to 12 days.

 

I hope the rest of you have gotten satisfaction with your travel companies and airlines.

 

Norine

[3013]

I was booked on Egypt trip with Viking departing Feb 3. Viking has refunded the entire cost of the trip, air fare, and even the cost of travel insurance.

[Condocat]

All has worked out well. Our April 9th Nile cruise with Uniworld was rebooked for a Portugal cruise in May and frequent flier miles were redeposited without fees. Not the original trip we were planning on, but this will be just fine!

 

The only glick is hoping to get some $ back from Royal Jordanian airlines for tickets for a side trip we booked while over in that part of the world then. They were non refundable, but if the State Dept. extends the travel alert we're hoping we might have some leverage for a refund. Worth a try at least, especially if US airlines wouldn't be providing service to Cairo where we would have been flying to Amman. If it doesn't work out, we won't be greedy and consider it an expense towards our safety.

[Flutterbyflyby3]

Quilting Queen - I am curious if you are getting the full refund from Delta. Our travel agent says that we need to pick another place to fly - with Delta by the date we purchased the tickets, plus pay a change fee.

 

I am not impressed with the efforts on our behalf, and our vacation plans now are a land tour of the UK - not the same price range for flights, especially with added fees.

[Wineart]

Delta's policy depends on the date of your flights. If your flights were prior to March 27, they will issue a full refund because they have cancelled flights up until that date.

[Partyhatsforeveryone]

I have a tour booked with uniworld egpyt in May ( I know its a long ways away)

 

Phoned uniworld, asked what happens, if tour is on as per directions of uniworld but the USA & Canada & British governments recommend no travel to the country. Meaning the USA / Canada & British governments will do nothing for us once there if some thing happens!!!!. Uniworld insists the tour will still be on , no refunds etc. ---!!!

 

As if we could cancel today if we wanted to, answer yes but no refunds for deposits !!!!.

 

In the words of uniwold "we have nothing to worry about" !!!! --- lol

 

Asked if the company would put out policy -- a no nonsense policy, simpling stating that refunds will be returned to tourist if conditions stay the same for later tour dates -- answer NO

 

Find uniworld to very un reaonable -- seems just to be protecting their money- what happen to the good service, honest approach, fairness

 

Doesn't "cancel for any reason" travel insurance cover these types of issues? I can not imagine booking a trip that costs thousands of dollars and not taking the travel insurance. Sure, you lose the cost of the insurance but your large investment is safe. And, as my thinking goes, insurance becomes more important when the tour takes place in certain parts of the world where political unrest could happen at a moments notice. Just saying...

[Wineart]

But the problem with "cancel for any reason" insurance is that it is extremely expensive. I don't recall the details of the trip insurance offered through Uniworld, but I seem to remember that you could cancel for any reason and they would give you credit toward a future trip with them.

[Quilting Queen]

We booked replacement for Egypt (March 23) with Seabourn (April 11)for 7 day Istanbul, Greek Islands to Athens. We are booking separate 2 nights in Istanbul and 1 night after in Athens. We wanted to see antiquities and a bizaar so this will cover that. I have seen a lot on Greece and the islands that that will be interesting. Brother is doing same with us in April. Our Insurance will roll over to cover this trip.

 

Our T/A said we should have our refunds in about 2 weeks. Since there were so many cancellations it will take longer than normal. We will be flying Delta to Istanbul from Pheonix to N/Y then transfer to Delta for Istanbul.

 

Brother will get Uniworld money back but Lufthansa has not canceled any flights. He re-booked with Lufthansa and is paying the change flight fare. Since Lufthansa is a German airline they may have more information than we do about Egypt.

 

We never get the cruise line insurance if booking with travel agent. If we book directly with cruise line than we get their insurance. We remember when Renaissance went broke and people were stranded and had Renaissance insurance and had to pay more to get home as insurance was no good.

 

Good luck to you all in finding a future trip, transfering to another tour and getting refunds.

 

Norine