Ally

Welcome hjm

I was notified by my TA that VOD were sending letters out...

http://www.cruisingtalk.com/voyages-...-troubles.html

He has a client on her at the moment and no Obc etc has been offered. The fault is a crankshaft bearing that has failed. There is nothing on the company website as to when this started or when it is due to be repaired.

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Ally - CruisingTalk Administrator
Whenever I mention exercise, I go wash my mouth out with chocolate...

15/03/2009 - Costa Fortuna - Transatlantic - Ft Lauderdale, Nassau, Catalina Island, St Maarten, Guadeloupe, Barbados, Tenerife, Madeira, Barcelona & Savona - 17 Nights

10/10/2009 - Costa Classica - Grand Oriental Cruise - Shanghai, Nagasaki, Tokyo, Kobe, Naha, Keelung & Hong Kong - 16 Nights

hjm

I spoke to them this morning and the woman on the phone agreed that it was a significant change, and was very sympathetic. She seemed entirely unfazed by my discussing the possibility of a refund -- indeed, sort of admitted that other people had cancelled for the same reason -- and suggested I contact customer services in writing and they would get back to me to discuss. I've found an alternative cruise to Spitzbergen and am crossing my fingers. Wish me luck!

Ally

As I said in the original thread, I find the lack of reaction from VOD very strange, they of all companies I expected to be more conducive. However, I hope that the replacement cruise is successful.

VOD have certainly damaged their, up to now, good reputation and they must sort that out as soon as possible.

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Ally - CruisingTalk Administrator
Whenever I mention exercise, I go wash my mouth out with chocolate...

15/03/2009 - Costa Fortuna - Transatlantic - Ft Lauderdale, Nassau, Catalina Island, St Maarten, Guadeloupe, Barbados, Tenerife, Madeira, Barcelona & Savona - 17 Nights

10/10/2009 - Costa Classica - Grand Oriental Cruise - Shanghai, Nagasaki, Tokyo, Kobe, Naha, Keelung & Hong Kong - 16 Nights

middy

Hi Hjm, Nice that the operator was sympathetic. Did they actually say why they had changed the port ?

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Middy


Cruises completed on.
Edinburgh Castle, Thomson Topaz, MV Van Gogh (2) Thomson Emerald. Airtours Seawing. Thomson Spirit. Princess Sun. Thomson Celebration (2). Splendour of the Seas. Celebrity Constellation. Fred Olsen Braemar.Thomson Calypso (2). NCL Gem, Celebrity Century, Independence of the Seas

Artemis Panama Cruising in: 39 day(s), 13 hour(s), 23 minute(s)

hjm

It seems that they can't get to Spitzbergen because of the reduced speed due to engine problems. But I had to bring it up!

Ally

The fact that you had to ask them about the engine fault being a reason is absolutely disgraceful. They need to get an announcement out onto the website, explaining the problem fully and giving people the chance to cancel with plenty of notice...not send guests & agents letters a couple of days ahead of departure.

With the financial situation everyone is in now, they cannot afford to drop the ball like this, they should be honest and admit there is a real problem with their ship.

Very bad and completely unexpected behaviour from a cruise line with such a high standard/reputation.

__________________
Ally - CruisingTalk Administrator
Whenever I mention exercise, I go wash my mouth out with chocolate...

15/03/2009 - Costa Fortuna - Transatlantic - Ft Lauderdale, Nassau, Catalina Island, St Maarten, Guadeloupe, Barbados, Tenerife, Madeira, Barcelona & Savona - 17 Nights

10/10/2009 - Costa Classica - Grand Oriental Cruise - Shanghai, Nagasaki, Tokyo, Kobe, Naha, Keelung & Hong Kong - 16 Nights

middy

Were they surprised when you brought it up?
Do let us know how you get on with customer services. Got my fingers and toes crossed

__________________
Middy


Cruises completed on.
Edinburgh Castle, Thomson Topaz, MV Van Gogh (2) Thomson Emerald. Airtours Seawing. Thomson Spirit. Princess Sun. Thomson Celebration (2). Splendour of the Seas. Celebrity Constellation. Fred Olsen Braemar.Thomson Calypso (2). NCL Gem, Celebrity Century, Independence of the Seas

Artemis Panama Cruising in: 39 day(s), 13 hour(s), 23 minute(s)

hjm

The woman didn't sound that surprised -- actually she sounded relieved. And she said that other people had also encountered this problem. I did tell her that I'd called ABTA too so maybe that also played a part in her very sympathetic response

I did explain to her that there were important emotional reasons for wanting to go to Spitzbergen -- my mother and father booked to go there last year but didn't go due to the untimely and sudden death of my father. So my mum and I were going as a sort of memorial to him. I was a bit embarrassed explaining this but I thought it was important to mention that the cruise was only booked because it was going to Spitzbergen!

I'll let you know how it goes!

middy

Must be difficult for the operators in a situation like this. Bet it made her life a bit eaiser you bringing it up.
Sorry to hear about your Dad but as you say makes the drop of Spitsbergen more poignant. Lucky that you have managed to find another line going to Spitsbergen.

__________________
Middy


Cruises completed on.
Edinburgh Castle, Thomson Topaz, MV Van Gogh (2) Thomson Emerald. Airtours Seawing. Thomson Spirit. Princess Sun. Thomson Celebration (2). Splendour of the Seas. Celebrity Constellation. Fred Olsen Braemar.Thomson Calypso (2). NCL Gem, Celebrity Century, Independence of the Seas

Artemis Panama Cruising in: 39 day(s), 13 hour(s), 23 minute(s)

middy

Do you have to post a letter or can you do it via E-mail?

__________________
Middy


Cruises completed on.
Edinburgh Castle, Thomson Topaz, MV Van Gogh (2) Thomson Emerald. Airtours Seawing. Thomson Spirit. Princess Sun. Thomson Celebration (2). Splendour of the Seas. Celebrity Constellation. Fred Olsen Braemar.Thomson Calypso (2). NCL Gem, Celebrity Century, Independence of the Seas

Artemis Panama Cruising in: 39 day(s), 13 hour(s), 23 minute(s)