Refund will be forthcoming...

[Jared Purdy]

Well, well, well!! I just received a phone call from the luxury cruise specialist at ************  informing me that Paul Gauguin Cruises/Ponant have decided to issue me a refund for our cancelled cruise that was scheduled for July 18th of this year. This good will gesture and turn about will definitely result in me rebooking for 2021 providing travel is possible, etc. I posted this to both of their Instagram accounts, and thanked them for honouring the original refund policy. I understand that 10% of the cruise and 10% of the airfare is being held back which can be used as a future cruise credit. That is totally acceptable.  Apparently I am not alone in in receiving the refund.  I'm going to keep my third party default case open at my credit card though until this whole matter is sorted out.  I was told by my TA that it will be about 30 days before I'll see the money back on my credit card.  I'll keep you posted.

[CabinBoy2020]

Coincidentally, I called Ponant today to cancel a September 2020 cruise.  The rep gave me the same information:  My deposit will be refunded minus 10% of the fare.  She said that Ponant instituted this (original) refund policy on Monday.  Let's hope they follow through in a timely manner. 

[jland]

Although I am really pleased you are getting a refund and good on you for all the effort you have put in, I think it is grossly unfair that Ponant have decided to “cherry pick” certain people for a refund. I loath companies who run on the door that squeaks gets the oil policies. All customers should be treated the same in my book.

i am not criticising you Jared, in fact thank you for posting, I will use your post in my complaints to Ponant etc.

 

 

 

[Jared Purdy]

32 minutes ago, jland said:

Although I am really pleased you are getting a refund and good on you for all the effort you have put in, I think it is grossly unfair that Ponant have decided to “cherry pick” certain people for a refund. I loath companies who run on the door that squeaks gets the oil policies. All customers should be treated the same in my book.

i am not criticising you Jared, in fact thank you for posting, I will use your post in my complaints to Ponant etc.

 

 

 

If they were cherry picking refunds, that would indeed be most unfair. The post above your's indicates that they are getting a refund minus 10%, as well.  That policy change apparently was implemented on Monday, according to the poster.  I called PG Cruises and asked to speak to the same sales agent who contacted my TA at ******* as I wanted to hear it directly from her.  She confirmed the refund, but said that there would be a 10% refund cancellation fee, that is not redeemable on a future cruise credit.  Ci la vie.  I will make it back in the next year by putting the money into a low interest, low risk investment account.  

 

I'll be rebooking with them next year.  Really bummed that we won't be doing it this year.  We were really looking forward to seeing that ship, sailing those waters, seeing those islands, meeting the locals and fellow travellers and revelling in the cousine.  Hopefully 2021.  I'll post back here when I receive my refund which I was told will be in about 30 days.

Edited April 29, 2020 by Jared Purdy
typos..

[jland]

Jared, or anyone else, can you see the new policy on Ponants site? I cannot find it anywhere, maybe I am not looking in the correct place. I am also looking for an update on cancelled cruises but cannot see that anywhere.

Once again congratulations on getting a refund, you put much effort into achieving it.

[Jared Purdy]

1 minute ago, jland said:

Jared, or anyone else, can you see the new policy on Ponants site? I cannot find it anywhere, maybe I am not looking in the correct place. I am also looking for an update on cancelled cruises but cannot see that anywhere.

Once again congratulations on getting a refund, you put much effort into achieving it.

 

I honestly never looked.  It may not be published?  I would encourage you to call PG and speak to the sales associate and ask them about this.  You could say that "several people" have posted on Cruise Critic that they are getting refunds. That's what I'd do. Did you book directly through PG or a TA?

[resistk]

I am just disputing the whole thing with my credit card company.  I don't think Ponant has a leg to stand on as this would be the second policy change since March 1, if true.

[jland]

1 hour ago, Jared Purdy said:

 

I honestly never looked.  It may not be published?  I would encourage you to call PG and speak to the sales associate and ask them about this.  You could say that "several people" have posted on Cruise Critic that they are getting refunds. That's what I'd do. Did you book directly through PG or a TA?

I booked a Ponant not PG cruise through a TA. Not that the TA is helping, just repeating Ponant rules, fact that Ponant has changed the rules doesn’t seem to bother them. We have used this TA before, we are saddened they will not make more effort on our behalf. One way or another I will fight for a refund.

[loveislandlife]

I called Ponant today. Still refusing to give me any sort of refund. I guess Im going back to the credit card dispute route.

[Hutchinj]

Jared -- I thought you got a refund via a credit card dispute, not through PG/Ponant.

 

I just checked the PG website and the July 18 cruise to Cook Islands & Society Islands is still listed as available, as are the July 4 (my cruise), 11th, and 29th cruises.

 

I'm confused.

 

[Jared Purdy]

37 minutes ago, Hutchinj said:

Jared -- I thought you got a refund via a credit card dispute, not through PG/Ponant.

 

I just checked the PG website and the July 18 cruise to Cook Islands & Society Islands is still listed as available, as are the July 4 (my cruise), 11th, and 29th cruises.

 

I'm confused.

 

 

I did got a refund through my credit card.  I'm not sure what it is about my previous post (which ever one that is) is confusing to you?

[Hutchinj]

31 minutes ago, Jared Purdy said:

 

I did got a refund through my credit card.  I'm not sure what it is about my previous post (which ever one that is) is confusing to you?

 

Yeh, I understand now after reading all the threads more carefully.

 

Sorry for my confusion further confusing the issue. 🙂