scottjeanne

Keep pushing.  A full refund is possible.  Scenic gagged me so I won't share more.

I just got off the phone to Silver Seas.  Though the Book with Confidence policy says if Silver Seas cancels a voyage through April 2021, passengers would receive a 125% credit, they are only offering a 10% discount.  the agent could not explain the discrepancy.  Only that I was not eligible.  Huh?

My Silver Wind, January 24, 2021 has been cancelled.  I do not think they are going through with the retrofit.

Does this mean more cancellations are expected?

I already tried to use the FCC under easy book.  they won't take it.  It has to be a new deposit, not old FCC funds.  I will take your suggestion to contact them about the status.

31 minutes ago, MightyQuinn said:

 

I agree.  Charging $500 pp to cancel a Crystal river cruise is outrageous and out-of-step with industry practice.  However, if you plan to cruise with Crystal again, you can use that $1000 admin fee (issued as FCC) towards any future cruise booking made within 12 months of the date you cancelled your river cruise. 
 

Twelve months is next month!  Unless they extend it, i will lose $1000.

I did book the play and Oberammergau hotel independently from the cruise.  It was much cheaper.  And we could get the accommodations we wanted.  You can contact them at info@passionsspiele-oberammergau.de.

I have not cruised with Scenic.  As I said, I had originally booked with Crystal but last August ( a year before the scheduled cruise), I canceled and rebooked with Scenic.  Crystal refunded with the exception of $1000 admin fee which I think is outrageous, especially in light of all the cancelation schemes with COVID going on now.

Scenic did refund our full cruise fare, but only after much haggling.

We were booked to goto the Passion Play this month.  We booked it all independently.  We were to be in Brussels for a week, then a Scenic river cruise (we originally booked with Crystal, but switched) and then three days in Omeramagua and a few days in Munich.  We booked directly with the Passion Play company.  The package was two nights hotel, meals and transportation.  I found the river cruise and play packages very expensive, but it included all transportation so it was more seamless.  It depends on how much work you want to do and how independently you like to travel.

The play does sell out.  We booked two years in advance.  We plan on going in 2022.  I am waiting to see how the world opens up to book.  I do have to say, since I booked everything myself, I spent a lot of time on cancellations and obtaining refunds.  I had two one way international flights, two European flights, hotels in Basel, Brussels and Munich, the cruise and the play as well as museum tickets and private tours.  I have gotten all my refunds but one Lufthansa flight which they promise is coming. 

I am on the January 2021 Wind Antarctica cruise and we arrive and depart from Buenos Aires.  I found out as we have a post Iguazu falls trip planned and our original documents had us transitioning from Santiago which would not work for the return.  This was pre epidemic days.  With Brazil being the new hot spot for the epidemic, I am waiting to see if this will all work out.

I had overseas flights on British Airways this summer for a river cruise and the Passion Play.  I was told that I could cancel for a fee of $200 per booking.  If they canceled (which they did last week) I would receive 100% of my money back.  One flight I used miles and just paid taxes and they redeposited the miles into my account with no penalty and refunded the fees. The flight they canceled in May still has the refund pending, but the one they canceled in June was returned to my credit card in days.  British Airways has a new instant credit system in place, according to the agent I spoke with.

We are scheduled to fly in to Buenos Aires in January.  Since it is the new hot spot, even if we can fly in I am not sure the US will let us back home.  Again time will tell.  Waiting is hard.

They did cancel more cruises with a credit offered only.

I am in the same position with Scenic.  They are fighting about honoring their terms.

5. Cancellation, delays and changes to Your Itinerary

5.1 Although we reserve the right to cancel, delay or alter a Cruise for operational reasons, we will generally not cancel or consolidate a Cruise due to lack of passenger numbers. However, if minimum passenger numbers are not met, we reserve the right to limit the facilities, amenities and activities available on the Cruise Vessel.

5.2 We will endeavour to make any decision to cancel or delay a Tour or Cruise, and to notify You of that decision, at least 60 days prior to the scheduled Tour Departure Date.

5.3 If We cancel a Tour, for whatever reason, before departure: (a) We will use reasonable endeavours to offer You the closest available tour or cruise departure. If the proposed alternative tour or cruise is: (i) cheaper than Your original Tour Price, We will refund the difference to You; or (ii) more expensive than Your original Tour Price, You must pay the difference to Us; (b) if You accept the proposed alternative tour or cruise, Your Itinerary will be amended accordingly and We will give You an updated Itinerary; (c) if You do not accept the proposed alternative tour or cruise within 7 days of being notified by Us of the alternative, We will cancel Your Booking, refund to You all monies paid directly to Us and will have no further liability to You; and (d) We are not liable for any third party costs You may incur, which We have not booked on Your behalf , for example airfares or other arrangements booked independently through or paid to a travel agent.

5.4 If We delay the departure of a Tour, for whatever reason, for more than 7 days, You may terminate this Contract and We will provide You with, at Your option, either: (a) a full refund of all amounts paid to Us; or (b) a credit towards future tours with Us which will be valid for 24 months from the date You notify Us of the termination of this Contract.

I have spoken with Scenic multiple times to no avail.  They say they are working on it and to talk to my travel agent.She has not gotten a definitive response either.  Yesterday, Scenics agent chastised me for wanting an answer.  He told me I was rushing them.  It would take ten days.  When I told him it had been 5 weeks, he said I still had to wait.  Very poor customer service.

Herman, we booked the Oberammergau play separately.  It was not through Scenic.  They are treating that tour group differently.

Below are the terms of the contract we signed with Scenic.  Since I cannot change a legally binding document, I do not think that they can.Suspend or cancel, it means they are not sailing.  These terms say cancel or delay.  Since it won't sail, the semantics don't matter.  They must refund all monies paid. 

5. Cancellation, delays and changes to Your Itinerary 5.1 Although we reserve the right to cancel, delay or alter a Cruise for operational reasons, we will generally not cancel or consolidate a Cruise due to lack of passenger numbers. However, if minimum passenger numbers are not met, we reserve the right to limit the facilities, amenities and activities available on the Cruise Vessel. 5.2 We will endeavour to make any decision to cancel or delay a Tour or Cruise, and to notify You of that decision, at least 60 days prior to the scheduled Tour Departure Date. 5.3 If We cancel a Tour, for whatever reason, before departure: (a) We will use reasonable endeavours to offer You the closest available tour or cruise departure. If the proposed alternative tour or cruise is: (i) cheaper than Your original Tour Price, We will refund the difference to You; or (ii) more expensive than Your original Tour Price, You must pay the difference to Us; (b) if You accept the proposed alternative tour or cruise, Your Itinerary will be amended accordingly and We will give You an updated Itinerary; (c) if You do not accept the proposed alternative tour or cruise within 7 days of being notif ied by Us of the alternative, We will cancel Your Booking, refund to You all monies paid directly to Us and will have no further liability to You; and (d) We are not liable for any third party costs You may incur, which We have not booked on Your behalf , for example airfares or other arrangements booked independently through or paid to a travel agent. 5.4 If We delay the departure of a Tour, for whatever reason, for more than 7 days, You may terminate this Contract and We will provide You with, at Your option, either: (a) a full refund of all amounts paid to Us; or (b) a credit towards future tours with Us which will be valid for 24 months from the date You notify Us of the termination of this Contract.

We booked (and paid in full) August 2019.  We were to spend a week in Belgium, cruise for a week and then see the Passion Play in Oberammergau.  Since the play has been cancelled (with a full refund), and the cruise is cancelled, we would like our money back to make other plans at a time of our choosing.  I still work full time, though I am furloughed right now.  I do not want Scnic to control our money for 30 months.

My travel agent spent three days trying to call.  She finally reached someone after being on hold for 3 hours.  The rep said no refund.  We wrote a letter and we are waiting (most likely in vain) for a response.  I will take it further.  It is not right to change a contract after the fact.

Below are the terms of the contract we signed with Scenic.  Since I cannot change a legally binding document, I do not think that they can.Suspend or cancel, it means they are not sailing.  These terms say cancel or delay.  Since it won't sail, the semantics don't matter.  They must refund all monies paid. 

5. Cancellation, delays and changes to Your Itinerary 5.1 Although we reserve the right to cancel, delay or alter a Cruise for operational reasons, we will generally not cancel or consolidate a Cruise due to lack of passenger numbers. However, if minimum passenger numbers are not met, we reserve the right to limit the facilities, amenities and activities available on the Cruise Vessel. 5.2 We will endeavour to make any decision to cancel or delay a Tour or Cruise, and to notify You of that decision, at least 60 days prior to the scheduled Tour Departure Date. 5.3 If We cancel a Tour, for whatever reason, before departure: (a) We will use reasonable endeavours to offer You the closest available tour or cruise departure. If the proposed alternative tour or cruise is: (i) cheaper than Your original Tour Price, We will refund the difference to You; or (ii) more expensive than Your original Tour Price, You must pay the difference to Us; (b) if You accept the proposed alternative tour or cruise, Your Itinerary will be amended accordingly and We will give You an updated Itinerary; (c) if You do not accept the proposed alternative tour or cruise within 7 days of being notif ied by Us of the alternative, We will cancel Your Booking, refund to You all monies paid directly to Us and will have no further liability to You; and (d) We are not liable for any third party costs You may incur, which We have not booked on Your behalf , for example airfares or other arrangements booked independently through or paid to a travel agent. 5.4 If We delay the departure of a Tour, for whatever reason, for more than 7 days, You may terminate this Contract and We will provide You with, at Your option, either: (a) a full refund of all amounts paid to Us; or (b) a credit towards future tours with Us which will be valid for 24 months from the date You notify Us of the termination of this Contract.

I have a Scenic cruise booked for June.  They have cancelled it and only offer a FCC.  That is not acceptable to me.  I pointed out their contract which says that if the cancel FOR ANY REASON, they will refund all of our money.  They cannot just alter a contract to suit them, regardless of the circumstances.  I am sure I cannot not alter them to suit my circumstances.  I am going to pursue a refund also.

Which cruise is this? We are on the Danube cruise embarking April 12. I assume that is what you are referring to. We met Mark last fall and loved him. This is exciting news.

Berpat, we are on the same cruise. Will you join the roll call?

Unless you specify otherwise, the gratuity will be posted to your bill each day, automatically. You will settle your bill the last day of the cruise with the tips included. As far as the drinks package goes, that is up to you. It may not include the type of wine you like, or you may not drink enough to make it worth it. On the other hand, it is lovely to be able to order a glass a wine at lunch if you feel like it and know you have already factored in the cost.

It t is very frustrating. I have been trying to book a triple grill cabin and with the website down, it has been impossible!

I sail fairly frequently on HAL. Their dining room hours are very limited especially on days in port (often no lunch is served in main dining room). Breakfast is often 7:30 to 9 in MDR. Breakfast service is very slow, but I am often not in a hurry. Dinner service is spotty. On our last cruise (January 2014) they served our entrees to another table and we had to wait almost an hour to have ours remade.

On the day of embarkation, you can have lunch in the main dining room. We always take advantage of that. They do not publicize it but it is a perk if you have sailed before.

The spa pass for one person for seven days was $199 in January. Well worth it. They gave you a scented scrub each day to use after the sauna or hydropool. It was lush.

Good luck with your decision. We did Canada New England on the Maasdam last July.