Franz Josef Land Voyages 2019

[richws]

Both MS Spitsbergen voyages to Franz Josef Land (dep 29/08 & 12/09) have been cancelled at short notice due to Russia refusing sailing permits 

[clo]

Just now, richws said:

Both MS Spitsbergen voyages to Franz Josef Land (dep 29/08 & 12/09) have been cancelled at short notice due to Russia refusing sailing permits 

Wow!  Any reason given?

 

[richws]

There are Russian Naval Exercises in the High Arctic during the period - no further comment

[clo]

12 minutes ago, richws said:

There are Russian Naval Exercises in the High Arctic during the period - no further comment

That seriously sucks. If anyone is flying in and doesn't have insurance then I guess they're screwed 😞

[GeezerCouple]

31 minutes ago, richws said:

There are Russian Naval Exercises in the High Arctic during the period - no further comment

 

Is this the reason given by Hurtigruten?

 

Might there be any concerns about that radiation accident?  I can't tell quite how close those are (and I certainly don't know how close on can get, etc.)

 

GC

[richws]

Link to original press article with quotes from Hurtigruten:

 

https://www.klassekampen.no/article/20190817/ARTICLE/190819971 (Google translate is your friend)

[clo]

41 minutes ago, richws said:

(Google translate is your friend)

Can't imagine life without it.

[hallasm]

One Article in English Language and Another Article

[GeezerCouple]

30 minutes ago, hallasm said:

One Article in English Language and Another Article

 

This part can't be right:

 

"Compensation will be offered to passengers who bought tickets, starting at €5,600 per person, for the voyage."

 

GC

[hallasm]

19 minutes ago, GeezerCouple said:

This  part can't be right:

Assuming you do mean the price  - Why not - lowest price is the order of NOK 55,700 -which is €5,600 - lowest price for this cruise in 2020 is NOK 57,700

Edited August 19, 2019 by hallasm

[clo]

25 minutes ago, hallasm said:

Assuming you do mean the price  - Why not - lowest price is the order of NOK 55,700 -which is €5,600 - lowest price for this cruise in 2020 is NOK 57,700

That was the math I did.  Now granted I thought that was pretty expensive 🙂

[GeezerCouple]

55 minutes ago, hallasm said:

Assuming you do mean the price  - Why not - lowest price is the order of NOK 55,700 -which is €5,600 - lowest price for this cruise in 2020 is NOK 57,700

 

Oh, so they cancelled the cruise entirely?

I guess I assumed they just changed the itinerary (although yes, this would be an unusually major "change" of itinerary!).

 

Good for Hurtigruten if they gave full refunds.

Reminds me of all the complaints on different cruise line when USA-Cuba was rather suddenly stopped.  My understanding was that the itineraries were changed, rather than cancel and refund (?).

GC

[clo]

Watching Rachel Maddow and they've been talking about the nuclear issues in Russia.  I have to wonder.

[peppajay]

We just finished a cruise on the Spitsbergen and met a couple who were originally staying on to do this voyage. They were offered a discount on a repeat of the voyage we did, Svalbard or a full refund which they took.