hjm

My mother booked on the Discovery for a July cruise advertised as "North Cape, Spitzbergen and Eclipse" which is now being advertised as "North Cape, Arctic Circle and Eclipse".

Spitzbergen has dropped from the itinerary completely. There seems no weather/safety reason for this change. While I understand that generally, changes of itinerary are at the discretion of the company, she is highly upset -- because it was Spitzbergen she particularly wished to visit, and assumed that a cruise with this destination in its title would actually visit there!

She had received absolutely no notification of this change in the cruise.

Does she have in this case some case to claim a refund?

Sorry if this is an obvious question; I'm new to these boards, and to cruising!

Best, hjm.

middy

Hi Hjm , Welcome to CruisingTalk
Been having a little look about, Spitsbergen is actually within the Arctic circle,maybe they have just changed the name of the cruise though not changed the ports.

__________________
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: 35 day(s), 19 hour(s), 31 minute(s)

hjm

Thanks Middy! No, I checked the itinerary -- it doesn't go anywhere near Spitzbergen -- just stays in Norway. It seems really rotten that they decided to completely, completely alter the cruise and not tell her!

middy

Is it the one on 25th? Cause as you say Spitsbergen is not mentioned.
They do say in terms and conditions that if they change the itinery prior to sailing then they will contact the passenger as soon as possible. When did she notice it had changed?

__________________
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: 35 day(s), 19 hour(s), 31 minute(s)

hjm

Hello again! As far as I know, she only found out when they sent her the list of excursions to book, about a week ago!

middy

Did they change any of the other ports?

__________________
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: 35 day(s), 19 hour(s), 31 minute(s)

hjm

Only Spitzbergen is changed (and the title, of course). I wonder if this is due to the engine trouble discussed in previous threads -- ?

middy

Personally I would give them a ring and ask re the changes. Not sure about refund as rarely see change in itinery prior to sailing.

__________________
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: 35 day(s), 19 hour(s), 31 minute(s)

hjm

Thanks for your advice -- I will call them when their offices open in the morning. I don't want to be a whingey complainy customer, but my poor mum really wanted to go to Spitzbergen! Thanks again for the input!

middy

Would be nice to know the reason for the change. Let us know how it goes

__________________
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: 35 day(s), 19 hour(s), 31 minute(s)