You are undoubtedly aware that cruise ship traffic has ceased using the Suez Canal until further notice due to the Houthi drone attacks in the Red Sea. This has resulted in countless itinerary changes and redeployments, so I thought I’d offer a bit of context to the situation.
First a bit of social studies:
- The modern Suez Canal was built in the 19th century, and opened officially in 1869.
- It is about 120 miles in length between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean.
- This 120 miles saves about 5000 miles of travel if ships had to sail around Africa.
- The canal is located in, and is controlled by Egypt.
The Logistics of the Suez Canal being unavailable:
- Many clients have asked why such drastic itinerary changes have been required. Understandably, individual clients are looking at their own cruise in isolation, and haven’t considered how the ship will get to their embarkation port.
- Remember that cruise ships travel at about 20 miles per hour. To make up an additional 5000 miles is an extra 250 hours of running time, or just over 10 days… and this is without stopping.
- Adding an extra 10-days to your cruise to get in all your port stops is not realistic.
- Cruise ship berthing reservations are made several years in advance, and some ports don’t have extra capacity to accommodate itinerary changes.
What you’re entitled to if the cruise line changes your itinerary as a result of the Suez closure:
- The short answer is “nothing”.
- If you read the 80 or so pages of your contract with the cruise line (don’t worry… I’ve never read it, nor do I know anyone that has), you’ll find the clause on Force Majeure, and you’ll probably also find a clause that gives the cruise line the option to charge you more for the fact they must now go an extra 5000 miles.
- In reality, I’ve never seen the cruise lines levy such a surcharge. They will likely simply eat the extra expenses to keep their clients happy.
- Some travellers believe they are entitled to some form of compensation because of the itinerary change. The cruise lines disagree.
- The bottom line is that the cruise lines ARE liable when something they are reasonably responsible for causes itinerary changes (mechanical failures, for example). The cruise lines have about as much control as you do over the Houthi attacks, and the fact an extra 5000 miles has been added to the ships’ travel schedule is also a logistic reality they DON’T control.
Rapid Fire Q&A:
- Will the cruise line add a bunch of sea days? Yes… they have 5000 miles to make up.
- Can I cancel and claim this on my insurance? Probably not unless you have insurance with a Cancel For Any Reason Clause.
- Why have they not told me yet if there’s going to be a change? Because they are hoping the situation in Israel and the Red Sea improves, and they can stick with the original itinerary.
- What recourse do I have? It depends when you leave. If it’s in the next 4 months, you likely don’t have any. If it’s beyond that, you need to refer to your cancellation terms.
- I had a cruise booked from Athens to Barcelona… why did they cancel that? Because the ship you were scheduled to be on is somewhere off the coast of Africa, trying to make up the extra 5000 miles.
The people that will cope best with such disruptions, are also the very best travellers. These are the people that realize that not everything always goes according to plan, and when you get a curve ball thrown your way, you do your best to roll with it, and see what new adventures open up as a result.
Today’s Travel Opportunities
OCEANIA FREE HOTEL NIGHT
Oceania is offering free pre-cruise hotel night on selected voyages. I’ve put in a few examples below, but if you want the complete list: https://www.oceaniacruises.com/special-offers/hotel
New Zealand & Australia round-trip Sydney departing January 25 for 16 days.
- Visit the Bay of Islands, Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Picton, Akaroa, Dunedin, Milford Sound Fjord cruising, Melbourne (overnight), and then back to Sydney
- Free Sydney pre-cruise hotel night.
- Prices from $6799 with a $400 Shore Ex credit.
SOUTH AMERICA: Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires departing January 26 for 21-days
- Visit Rio (overnight), Ilha Grande, Parati, Ilhabela, Sao Paulo, Itajai, Montevideo, Puerto Madryn, Ushuaia (overnight), Punta del Este, BA (overnight).
- Free Rio pre-cruise hotel night
- Verandas from $5099, with $500 Shore Ex credit.
JAPAN INTENSIVE: Tokyo round-trip departing April 1 for 12 days
- Visit Tokyo, Nagoya, Kochi, Kagoshima, Nagasaki, Busan, Hiroshima, Beppu, Kyoto (overnight), Shimizu, Toyko.
- Free Tokyo pre-cruise hotel night.
- Prices from $5499 with a $300 Shore Ex credit.
All OCEANIA cruises fares include all taxes and fees, beer/wine with meals, specialty dining, wifi, and the shore excursion credit as indicated.
UNIWORLD SALE ON SELECT 2024 ITINERARIES
Uniworld has some really competitive pricing on a number of itineraries on select dates, if you’re ready to go in 2024. I’ve put a few examples below, and here’s the complete list:
https://pamperedcruiser.uniworld.com/us/current-offers/2024-cruise-savings
PROVENCE, PARIS & NORMANDY: Arles to Paris departing October 27 for 15-days
- Visit Arles (overnight), Avignon, Viviers, Tournon, Lyon, Beaune, high-speed train to Paris, La Roche Guyon, Vernon, Giverny, Rouen, Caudebec-en-Caux, Normandy Beaches, Versailles, Paris (overnight).
- This cruise has wine, roman ruins, and farm to table cuisine, urban experiences in Paris and Lyon, and a visit to the Normandy Landing Beaches.
- $6799 with a $150 on board credit. This is great value on a per-day basis.
NORTHERN ITALY: Milan to Venice for 10 days (several departures)
- Visit Milan for 2-nights in a hotel, and then transfer to Venice where you board the ship, and visit several places around the Venetian Lagoon including Burano, Mazzorbo, and Chioggia. Trip includes 4 UNESCO world heritage sites.
- Optional Lake Como pre-trip extension for 2 nights, AND/OR post-trip extension to Athens & Santorini.
- Departures July 12 for $3899. September 6 or 27 for $3199.
PORTUGAL & SPAIN: Porto to Lisbon for 11-days
- Visit Porto, Entre-os-rios, Regua, Pocinho, Vega de Terron, Salamanca, Barca d’Alva, transfer to Lisbon for 3 hotel nights.
- Fares from $3899 on November 17 or 24
- Fares from $2999 on July 21 or 28 (Flash Sale… only while space permits)
Uniworld includes transfers, a choice of shore excursions in every port, an open bar, gratuities, and wifi on the ship.
HAWAII ONE-WEEK Honolulu ROUND TRIP.
Norwegian is not normally a cruise line we promote, but they are the ONLY ones offering a Hawaiian Cruise that doesn’t require a trans-Pacific stop in Vancouver or Mexico as part of the itinerary.
- Visit Kahului (Overnight), Hilo, Kona, Kauai (overnight).
- Includes Beverage Package, Specialty Dining, Shore Excursion credit, and Wifi. ALSO for the next week only, we can get you FREE PREPAID GRATUITIES on Balcony Staterooms and above. This is ONLY available to the 29th, and only through our agency.
- December departures from $2449, and January departures from $2699. This itinerary is available every Saturday, so inquire for pricing on alternate dates.
IRELAND ONE WEEK LAND-CRUISE with TAUCK
- Shannon to Dublin for 7-nights.
- Visit Shannon, Cead Mile Failte, Cliffs of Moher, The Burren, Blarney, Cork, Kinsale, Ballyknocken, Dublin, Glendalough, Wicklow Hills.
- Spend 2-nights as a guest at Dromoland Castle.
- Departures June through October form $6390.
Recently booked a Viking Cruise?
Viking makes it really easy to book direct, either online, by phone, or on board. Our clients worry that if they book on-line (or on board), that they’re cutting us out, but if you let us know after you’ve booked, then we can still help you with your reservation.
We’ll check over your reservation to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal, and we will also add some onboard credits that are not available on direct bookings.
We can add at least $100 per person onboard credit to any direct Viking reservation made in the last 60 days.
There is never a situation where you’ll get a better deal by booking directly with Viking (or any other cruise line).
If you recently booked a Viking Cruise, please let us know as soon as possible.
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If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
