HAL cancelled my cruise!!!

[kas51]

Hi all...Just to advise, I booked a cruise in July 2011 to sail on Ryndam around the Iberian coast. I have just been notified that the cruise is now 'Chartered'. Therefore my booking has been canceled, and anyone else's who booked this cruise. So much for booking early!!!
HAL are offering $100 OBC for those affected...WOW!!
I have planned my entire 5 week holiday around this cruise and am very disappointed...
Is this a first? or has anyone else had this happen to them?

:mad:

[sail7seas]

Sorry for your disappointment. Happily they have given you lots of notice to find something else that appeals to you.

All cruise lines do this and it is not unusual, though annoying, for sure.

(I'm quite sure you mean July 2012, or you missed the boat a long time ago. ;) ) :D

[Sea42]

Oh, how disappointing for you! I can't say that I'm terribly impressed with the $100 offer as many people make quite a few of their arrangements for overseas travel pretty far in advance. Perhaps you'll be able to book the cruise before or after the one that was chartered.

[tcook052]

Is this a first? or has anyone else had this happen to them?

Had CEL cancel a Holy Land cruise late 2012 due to 'ship redeployment' and got exactly the same offer though hadn't planned as much you had. Condolences on your loss.

[Taxguy77]

Had a Euro river trip camcelled by Vantage, but later booked a great trip with them.
Regret not taking the River trip, but glad we did not miss the special cruise!

[trvlcrzy]

Hi all...Just to advise, I booked a cruise in July 2011 to sail on Ryndam around the Iberian coast. I have just been notified that the cruise is now 'Chartered'. Therefore my booking has been canceled, and anyone else's who booked this cruise. So much for booking early!!!
HAL are offering $100 OBC for those affected...WOW!!
I have planned my entire 5 week holiday around this cruise and am very disappointed...
Is this a first? or has anyone else had this happen to them?

:mad:

So you booked this Ryndam cruise during July 2011, but when is the cruise scheduled to sail? (or did I read this backwards?)

Our July 2012 14-day Amsterdam cruise was chartered after we had booked (and broken into two 7-day sailings), so now we are sailing 2 weeks later than we originally planned. I'm so sorry that this happened to you.

[lorekauf]

I booked a cruise for the Panama Canal for May 2013. This is the only one that I could get to line up with my holidays. HAL moved it to the start of May which doesn't work for me. I got nothing for it ...not even sorry about that. At least you are getting an OBC.

[Himself]

So you booked this Ryndam cruise during July 2011, but when is the cruise scheduled to sail? (or did I read this backwards?)

Our July 2012 14-day Amsterdam cruise was chartered after we had booked (and broken into two 7-day sailings), so now we are sailing 2 weeks later than we originally planned. I'm so sorry that this happened to you.

I am sorry to say those things happen. I got bumped off this cruise also. I had to go at that time. So, I will be on the Volendam at this same time.

[Susie51]

I am sorry this happened to you. Do you already have your airline tickets and other prepaid expenses for your 5 week trip.

Maybe, someone can answer this question? Why don't those groups which charter cruises have to book the ship before HAL offers the bookings to the general public? This would solve a lot of problems for the pax.

My friend who usually cruises with Princess was booked on a cruise that cancelled her cruise, because the group needed the cabins. She was given $700 obc and a cabin category upgrade. Was she given so much because of her past passenger status and her cabin type?

[JamesEM]

We were booked for the July 13th 2012, AK 14 day cruise onboard the Amerstdam and the cruise was bought out by a group, we settled for the June 29th sailing. We are very disappointed because DW would have celebrated her birthday and, our wedding anniversary on the July 13th sailing.

[andeesue]

Boy, that's a bummer! I'd be really upset and disappointed after planning my vacation time and making all the arrangements. $100 is not much of a remuneration.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Hi all...Just to advise, I booked a cruise in July 2011 to sail on Ryndam around the Iberian coast. I have just been notified that the cruise is now 'Chartered'. Therefore my booking has been canceled, and anyone else's who booked this cruise. So much for booking early!!!
HAL are offering $100 OBC for those affected...WOW!!
I have planned my entire 5 week holiday around this cruise and am very disappointed...
Is this a first? or has anyone else had this happen to them?

:mad:

So sorry that this has happened to you and your vacations plans are now upset.

Yes -- we have had this happen several times over the years with HAL. One time it happened after we had bought air fare. Fortunately we had refundable tickets.

[Essiesmom]

I think this is the charter the OP is talking about:
http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/features/cruise/2012/

You can still book, it may cost a bit more. This should not be a rowdy group. Lots of music, though. EM

[Sealine]

I can't find in the cruisecontract that it is possible for HAL to cancel a cruise for these reasons. Please can you help me to find it?

[kas51]

So you booked this Ryndam cruise during July 2011, but when is the cruise scheduled to sail? (or did I read this backwards?)

Our July 2012 14-day Amsterdam cruise was chartered after we had booked (and broken into two 7-day sailings), so now we are sailing 2 weeks later than we originally planned. I'm so sorry that this happened to you.

I booked it in July 2011 for August 2012..it was the only Iberian cruise available in August. (I have to be in the Uk for a wedding in August) I believe it was a corporate charter, so must be something to do with the Olympics I think.. the main problem I have is trying to book something else, e.g. tour..that fits into the 14 day space that is left...no matter!! Glad you had a good result..!!

[kas51]

I am sorry this happened to you. Do you already have your airline tickets and other prepaid expenses for your 5 week trip.

Maybe, someone can answer this question? Why don't those groups which charter cruises have to book the ship before HAL offers the bookings to the general public? This would solve a lot of problems for the pax.

My friend who usually cruises with Princess was booked on a cruise that cancelled her cruise, because the group needed the cabins. She was given $700 obc and a cabin category upgrade. Was she given so much because of her past passenger status and her cabin type?

Hi..Yes that is correct, all flights booked, international and 3 other flights including 1 to get to the cruise... I can cancel the pre cruise accomodation as that was not paid for yet...that is why it is difficult to find a tour/cruise to 'slot' into that exact 14 day period...see my other comments re the London Olympics...

I agree with your comments, it is not as if they have not known about the Olympics for at least 4 years!!!!

[kas51]

So sorry that this has happened to you and your vacations plans are now upset.

Yes -- we have had this happen several times over the years with HAL. One time it happened after we had bought air fare. Fortunately we had refundable tickets.
Hi, the thing is , I have to be in the Uk for a wedding, so I have to go..the reason I booked so early was because of the Olympics being on in London..I am more disappointed that the cruise company can just pull the rug out from underneath you(me) in this way...it is pretty shabby in my view...and you know what, it has unnerved me somewhat, particularly about booking another cruise...at present I am trying to find a tour to fill the gap. I will definately be booking a guaranteed departure tour.....I guess I have just lost faith..that's all...

[kas51]

I think this is the charter the OP is talking about:
http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/features/cruise/2012/

You can still book, it may cost a bit more. This should not be a rowdy group. Lots of music, though. EM


OMG...so it is not the London Olympics afterall...ad the prices are higher too, as you suggested

[nothriver]

A Prairie Home Companion... cruise? They think they can fill a whole cruise ship with Prairie Home companion fans?!

[sail7seas]

We've read here of Prairie Home charters in the past. This is not their first charter.

[YOW]

We've read here of Prairie Home charters in the past. This is not their first charter.



Indeed! :)

www.chesterh.com/510

Some of us here will recall the stories told via Cruise Critic post installments by CC user "chesterh"... but be forewarned, the CC posts and those on his site end early -- they'll leave you hanging. ;)

[obriendan]

I think this is the charter the OP is talking about:
http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/features/cruise/2012/

You can still book, it may cost a bit more. This should not be a rowdy group. Lots of music, though. EM

A BIT more? $3400 to $4300 for an outside stateroom on an eleven day cruise is atrocious. Better to listen to Garrison Keilor on the radio!

Dan

[Viesczy]

That stinks that the it was sold from beneath you like that. Personally, if I was running a business, I'd not sell anything out from beneath my customers as the customers aren't buying the watch but the man. Those that were booked/paid, they'd be golden and the folks looking to charter would be outta luck.

Derek

[peaches from georgia]

I can't find in the cruisecontract that it is possible for HAL to cancel a cruise for these reasons. Please can you help me to find it?
All cruise contracts are written for the benefit of the cruiseline. The cruiseline can cancel a cruise for just about any reason it wishes at any time. To the customer the contracts aren't even worth the paper they are written on. Unless the contract states specifically something the cruiseline cannot do, they can do anything they wish to do, and you'll have a hard time finding a "can't do" in any contract. It's not even worth the time to read the contract.

Just follow the money.

[bepsf]

I can't find in the cruisecontract that it is possible for HAL to cancel a cruise for these reasons. Please can you help me to find it?


Cruises can be cancelled or changed for a great many reasons:
Charter, Mechanical Malfunction, Sinking, War, "Acts of God", etc.

Just be glad you weren't booked with one of the few lines that have gone out of business over the years and left passengers with nothing, including no refunds on deposits or fares!

[Typhoon1]

Charters are all about the $$$$.

Cruise lines make more revenue on a charter than on a scheduled cruise. They will charter a ship at a moments notice.

[samsonmo]

Hi all...Just to advise, I booked a cruise in July 2011 to sail on Ryndam around the Iberian coast. I have just been notified that the cruise is now 'Chartered'. Therefore my booking has been canceled, and anyone else's who booked this cruise. So much for booking early!!!
HAL are offering $100 OBC for those affected...WOW!!
I have planned my entire 5 week holiday around this cruise and am very disappointed...
Is this a first? or has anyone else had this happen to them?

:mad:
Is this the 20 day cruise departing Amsterdam July 22???? peter

[Sealine]

IMO there is a big difference between cancelling to have more $$$$ by a charter then sinking, war, "Acts of God". In the cruisecontract I can only find the last type of reasons:

5. Change in Itinerary/Cancellation/Cabotage Laws: (a) Although we will use our best efforts to provide you with the Cruise, Cruisetour and/or Land Trips, situations may occur which require that changes be made. By way of example only, we may adjust itineraries and schedules, delay departures or arrivals, or cancel a Cruise, Cruisetour or Land Trip, due to casualty, weather, labor problems, the need to render assistance to others, governmental or insurer directives, passenger or employee injury or illness, schedule delays or changes by third parties, repair and maintenance requirements, fuel or other shortages, or damage to the Ship, other means of transportation, roads, tracks, bridges, docks, equipment or machinery.

My cruise isn't cancelled, but this threat prevents me from taking a cruise where I have to buy airplanetickets or hotelreservations due to HAL can cancel when and why they want and do not compensatie the extra costs.

[YOW]

The contract is written so that the cruise line has carte blanche to do pretty much whatever they feel like. "By way of example" would seem to be the verbiage in section 5 that gives them the latitude to cancel for reasons other than those listed.

[bepsf]

My cruise isn't cancelled, but this threat prevents me from taking a cruise where I have to buy airplanetickets or hotelreservations due to HAL can cancel when and why they want and do not compensatie the extra costs.

You can choose to worry about this - or you can look at the reality that nearly 100 ships go out with an average of 2000 passengers every week or so without any such occurance.

Airlines and Hotel Chains can go out of business or cancel flights & rooms at a moment's notice too...

Some of us have cruised dozens of times and have never had such a thing occur - Others have had a few occurances - It's just one of the risks...
...and a good reason not to book airfares or place deposits on hotels until one has made final payment.

[IndyDenise]

Some of us have cruised dozens of times and have never had such a thing occur - Others have had a few occurances - It's just one of the risks...
...and a good reason not to book airfares or place deposits on hotels until one has made final payment.[/quote]

--------------------

If someone makes final payment early ( say now for a final payment due by March ) do you think they would be less likely to " get bumped" ? :confused:

I would have no problem doing this as my cruise has a lot of sold out categories...and a group onboard. If it would help to keep my cruise I will send them payment now. Just askin' ..thanks! :o

[Sealine]

It's just one of the risks...
...and a good reason not to book airfares or place deposits on hotels until one has made final payment.

Thanks for your reply. I learn a lot in this thread.

[Tampa Girl]

I think Praire Home chartered the Veendam in the summer of 2009(?) for a Scandinavian cruise.

[Boytjie]

If someone makes final payment early ( say now for a final payment due by March ) do you think they would be less likely to " get bumped" ? :confused:

I would have no problem doing this as my cruise has a lot of sold out categories...and a group onboard. If it would help to keep my cruise I will send them payment now. Just askin' ..thanks! :o

They won't charter a cruise after final payment.

[trvlcrzy]

[SIZE=4] If someone makes final payment early ( say now for a final payment due by March ) do you think they would be less likely to " get bumped" ?

I would have no problem doing this as my cruise has a lot of sold out categories...and a group onboard. If it would help to keep my cruise I will send them payment now. Just askin' ..thanks! [SIZE]


I don't believe this would make a difference (paying in full in December for a March due date). Once the March due date is passed, you are more safe. Just because a handful of cruisers have made final payment does not mean that HAL wouldn't charter out the ship for a sailing... right?

[samsonmo]

Hi all...Just to advise, I booked a cruise in July 2011 to sail on Ryndam around the Iberian coast. I have just been notified that the cruise is now 'Chartered'. Therefore my booking has been canceled, and anyone else's who booked this cruise. So much for booking early!!!
HAL are offering $100 OBC for those affected...WOW!!
I have planned my entire 5 week holiday around this cruise and am very disappointed...
Is this a first? or has anyone else had this happen to them?

:mad:
It is the August 18 2012 cruise which has been chartered.
Peter

[kas51]

It is the August 18 2012 cruise which has been chartered.
Peter

yes, the 18/08/2012 out of Amsterdam. Around the Iberian coast, ending in Barcelona. Are you booked on this cruise too?

[samsonmo]

yes, the 18/08/2012 out of Amsterdam. Around the Iberian coast, ending in Barcelona. Are you booked on this cruise too?
No we are booked on the earlier cruise sailing Amsterdam 7/22/12-8/11/2012.
peter