Classic international cruises - help

[dizzy1948]

Can you swim............... Only joking - there is nothing official anywhere to indicate all debts have been paid. Athena is still moored - and is supposed to be somewhere else having a refit. Not scaremongering - and I do believe the Australian cruises are good to go - but the cruises in the Northern Hemisphere were good to go as well. Someone has to pay the bill. So without any further speculation - let's all sit and wait.

It'll all come out in the wash

[Melissa mc]

I have decided today, knowing that I will prob not see my airfares again.......the best thing to do will be head to Europe and hope for the best. If the ship isnt in port in Rome - they will fly us all home anyway!!! and then they will refund our cruise fares (or insurance will!!) Airlines (I think??) will be unlikely to refund any fares at all.
BUT no-one will even depart home if it is commmunicated to us before departure the ship and the homebound journey is doomed......
Can anyone please offer any advise regarding this decision.....
BTW Dizzy Lizzy - WE ARE NOT SWIMMING..............!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but thanks for the advise.... Mel

[Pax106]

Based on information from the ASIC (Australian Securities & Investments Commission) on September 28th the shares of CIC Australia were transferred by G & S Hunter Pty Limited to Royal Atlas Maritime Inc, a Panamanian registered company. This doesn't seem very nice.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Sounds like the old story...
They have fled to South America....

(wonder how much money they took with them??)

[Billy and Charlie's Mum]

Originally Posted by Melissa mc

I have decided today, knowing that I will prob not see my airfares again.......the best thing to do will be head to Europe and hope for the best. If the ship isnt in port in Rome - they will fly us all home anyway!!! and then they will refund our cruise fares (or insurance will!!) Airlines (I think??) will be unlikely to refund any fares at all.
BUT no-one will even depart home if it is commmunicated to us before departure the ship and the homebound journey is doomed......
Can anyone please offer any advise regarding this decision.....
BTW Dizzy Lizzy - WE ARE NOT SWIMMING..............!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but thanks for the advise.... Mel

Lodge your complaint now with the Insurance Company/Credit Card Company. If you show good cause why you want to cancel, especially in regards to the CC if you booked the flights with them, they will refund after the date of the flight. We were involved with the illfated Strategic/Air Australia fiasco and got our money back after the sail date for not getting the service which was booked. Worth a try..... send them all the newspaper articles to back up your case.

[The_Big_M]

Originally Posted by Pax106

Based on information from the ASIC (Australian Securities & Investments Commission) on September 28th the shares of CIC Australia were transferred by G & S Hunter Pty Limited to Royal Atlas Maritime Inc, a Panamanian registered company. This doesn't seem very nice.

Not cause for concern of itself. Lots of Australian companies are held/registered overseas.

[Jo Jo Zep]

In similar position ...flying from Perth to Paris on 4th November. My husband and I are sure we will hear nothing other than CIC Australia company line that the cruise will go ahead. Be ready to board on 12th Nov in Marseille ...and if not then pick up a flight home and go to New Zealand for a fly drive. Are we expecting a refund...hope so...if so how long would it take through the company. I have been told that the money is in trust until ship leaves port...that info from CIC Australia in Sydney ....true???? Will be checking posts daily ...good luck everyone ...maybe meet you on board???? think I am attaching this to wrong reply...new at this sorry

[Jo Jo Zep]

Originally Posted by Billy and Charlie's Mum

Lodge your complaint now with the Insurance Company/Credit Card Company. If you show good cause why you want to cancel, especially in regards to the CC if you booked the flights with them, they will refund after the date of the flight. We were involved with the illfated Strategic/Air Australia fiasco and got our money back after the sail date for not getting the service which was booked. Worth a try..... send them all the newspaper articles to back up your case.

what newspaper articles...may need to collect. Our first inkling was some one interviewed on the radio at 7.15 in the morning. A rude awakening. Our travel agent phoned us later that day.

[JakeRego]

Originally Posted by Jo Jo Zep

In similar position ...flying from Perth to Paris on 4th November. My husband and I are sure we will hear nothing other than CIC Australia company line that the cruise will go ahead. Be ready to board on 12th Nov in Marseille ...and if not then pick up a flight home and go to New Zealand for a fly drive. Are we expecting a refund...hope so...if so how long would it take through the company. I have been told that the money is in trust until ship leaves port...that info from CIC Australia in Sydney ....true???? Will be checking posts daily ...good luck everyone ...maybe meet you on board???? think I am attaching this to wrong reply...new at this sorry

Another Perth sucker about to fly out for Paris on the 6th with no guarantee of a ride home. I have contacted CIC Aust with no guaranteed outcome. Just tell me the ship is sailing and hope that I feel reassured. Not likely. I find it absolutely amazing that CIC Aust have put nothing on their website to inform customers of the current situation. Don't know why they employ a PR person. I guess it's just wait and see now.

[rugbypopsie]

Originally Posted by JakeRego

Another Perth sucker about to fly out for Paris on the 6th with no guarantee of a ride home. I have contacted CIC Aust with no guaranteed outcome. Just tell me the ship is sailing and hope that I feel reassured. Not likely. I find it absolutely amazing that CIC Aust have put nothing on their website to inform customers of the current situation. Don't know why they employ a PR person. I guess it's just wait and see now.

What a horrible situation, I would be asking the company to confirm by email that the ship will be sailing...just in case the worst happens the insurance company wont be able to say, you knew about the situation and therefore they are not responsible. I would also check out what your insurance company says about the situation so you know where you stand...just sayin'

Sue

[Jo Jo Zep]

Originally Posted by JakeRego

Another Perth sucker about to fly out for Paris on the 6th with no guarantee of a ride home. I have contacted CIC Aust with no guaranteed outcome. Just tell me the ship is sailing and hope that I feel reassured. Not likely. I find it absolutely amazing that CIC Aust have put nothing on their website to inform customers of the current situation. Don't know why they employ a PR person. I guess it's just wait and see now.

Yep thats what we are doing leaving it to the chance that it might go...that is all we can do. Awful though...a long awaited holiday and first big cruise ...the stress is really spoiling the anticipation of the holiday. As we have no notification of cancellation we cannot risk not going to Paris ...we will not stay in europe if cancelled as it is winter and we are not organized to do anything else. Best made plans...

Maybe we will meet you on board....that's looking glass half full...or just wishful thinking???
Yep communication from CIC is really disgraceful.

[The_Big_M]

Originally Posted by Jo Jo Zep

As we have no notification of cancellation we cannot risk not going to Paris ...we will not stay in europe if cancelled as it is winter and we are not organized to do anything else. Best made plans...

Although I'm optimistic that the cruise will sail, it'd be a shame to go all that way and not take advantage of it if it doesn't.

I was in Europe last Winter and had a great time. There's a massive range of choices from Christmas markets in Germany, skiing in the Alps if you're into that (still at good prices), and tourist attractions in Italy are much less crowded, yet it's still warm. Prices all over are more reasonable as it's not as busy touristically (though some cities are always more expensive than others).

Getting around on public transport is a cinch, so if the worst does eventuate, think about places you'd like to go and you shouldn't find it difficult. The only limit is working to a budget.

[dizzy1948]

I have just received an email from the Travel Editor of the West Australian - who I emailed last week - I also emailed the PR officer at Classic International Australia - and got no reply from him.
Reply from Travel Editor: We are already following this and there will be a story on Saturday.

CIC has not been advertising its cruises in Travel since the arrest of the ships.

[6andy6]

Originally Posted by Jo Jo Zep

Yep thats what we are doing leaving it to the chance that it might go...that is all we can do. Awful though...a long awaited holiday and first big cruise ...the stress is really spoiling the anticipation of the holiday. As we have no notification of cancellation we cannot risk not going to Paris ...we will not stay in europe if cancelled as it is winter and we are not organized to do anything else. Best made plans...

Maybe we will meet you on board....that's looking glass half full...or just wishful thinking???
Yep communication from CIC is really disgraceful.

While its disappointing that the cruise looks off..I must say your attitude 'that its winter in Europe and nothing to do' is a little bit dramatic and actually somewhat short sighted.

Plenty of things to do..just not on a beach!!! Your within a cooee of some of the greatest cities in the world and there's nothing to do? Lord save me!! It takes no time at all to jump online and book hotels. I would even book one for the night of your cruise departure just to cover yourself...then take it from there.

[Jo Jo Zep]

Originally Posted by 6andy6

While its disappointing that the cruise looks off..I must say your attitude 'that its winter in Europe and nothing to do' is a little bit dramatic and actually somewhat short sighted.

Plenty of things to do..just not on a beach!!! Your within a cooee of some of the greatest cities in the world and there's nothing to do? Lord save me!! It takes no time at all to jump online and book hotels. I would even book one for the night of your cruise departure just to cover yourself...then take it from there.

yes you are right ....we are not beachy people and know that there would be lots available... .....guess it has to do with cash flow...a lot tied up in the cruise ..five figures...and not expecting an automatic refund. sorry if I sounded like an uncultured bogan....it will be cash flow that will stop other meanderings through that great cultured continent. the joys of off season would be great too. Any way lets see. Looking forward to the newspaper article on Saturday...not that I am expecting any news.

[rugbypopsie]

I think it is really poor of the cruise line to leave you in this stressfull position and unable to cheerfully look forward to your cruise. Hope you get some definate news soon...did you check your travel insurance to see what they will do if you get stuck?

[badgerbill]

I would like to hope, think i might be dreaming though, that the cruise line or agent the cruise was booked through would have the common decency of advising their passengers personally, BEFORE any newspaper article is released of the decision on whether the Athena will be sailing or not........

Fingers crossed for you all that she sails.....fingers and everything else crossed that if she doesn't your money is safe cheers Shiona

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Fingers are crossed over here too.
You do not need this stress before your big adventure and voyage of a lifetime.

[dizzy1948]

For West Australians - read the Travel Section of the West on Saturday:
I asked the question as per a post re the transfer to Panama - this is a reply I got today from the Editor of the Travel Section of the West Australian:

Just a bit of insight – the situation for the Portuguese owners and for CIC Australia, which is a separate company, is quite different. CIC Aust is solid and has been taking bookings without deposit and payment. I am talking with the MD of CIC Australia and there will be a story on Saturday.

It is also worth noting that Athena etc can only be booked through travel agents and, as such, travellers are then covered by the Travel Compensation Fund.

As I say, full story on Sat.

[dancinman66]

so stressful for you all
I hope and pray it works out and your cruise goes ahead
Greg