Violence in Bangkok - how does Oceania handle these kinds of events?

[pacheco18]

We are scheduled for a cruise in Asia in January and the cruise includes Bangkok (with an overnight). As I am sure you have read, there has been a great deal of violence there and now the Government is discouraging travel there.

 

I am guessing that Oceania will change the cruise and substitute ports if Bangkok remains dangerous in January.

 

Anyone have any experience with how this is handled?

[wiks]

On last year's Hong Kong to Athens cruise, there was similar violence/protests occurring in Bangkok and Oceania bypassed that port and went directly to Ko Samui and then substituted Phuket for the Bangkok stop.

 

Wiks

[frqttrvlr09]

On a somewhat similar topic, I am scheduled on the Asia trip on this thread and also a trip that goes up the East Coast of Africa to Mombasa and then across the Indian Ocean to Southeast Asia with stops in Zanzibar, Madagasgar, Seychelles, Comorros, etc., with Oceania this fall/winter. For any of you that have cruised in these waters in the past year or so, given the increasing aggressiveness and expanded area in which the Somali pirates are now operating, do you know if Oceania has or does take any specific precautionary measures (at least that they publicly acknowledge) or has cancelled port stops in these areas (I know the Africa itinerary is new) as a result of this activity?

[threeedogmedia]

On a somewhat similar topic, I am scheduled on the Asia trip on this thread and also a trip that goes up the East Coast of Africa to Mombasa and then across the Indian Ocean to Southeast Asia with stops in Zanzibar, Madagasgar, Seychelles, Comorros, etc., with Oceania this fall/winter. For any of you that have cruised in these waters in the past year or so, given the increasing aggressiveness and expanded area in which the Somali pirates are now operating, do you know if Oceania has or does take any specific precautionary measures (at least that they publicly acknowledge) or has cancelled port stops in these areas (I know the Africa itinerary is new) as a result of this activity?

 

We were on the first Hong Kong to Athens cruise on the Nautica a few years back. I won't go in to the details of the extra precautions that the ship made on our behalf but let's just say that I was very impressed and felt safe. I don't want to go into detail because one never knows who reads these posts but I wouldn't hesitate for one minute going again. There is danger just about any place you could travel now - but trust me, Oceania has your safety very high on their priority list. Go, have fun and trust that what ever is needed to defend the ship is available.

Karen

PS - FDR if you're out there - thanks for taking such good care of us in these difficult times and places. You have two loyal customers who appreciate each and every thing that was done for us.

[dollfaceod]

Full story available at: http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/12/01/pirates.cruise.ship/index.html

 

CNN - A 30,000-ton luxury cruise ship outran pirates off the coast of Yemen this weekend, the ship's owner said Monday.

 

The Nautica was in an area patrolled by international anti-piracy task forces when two small skiffs appeared to try to intercept it, Oceania spokesman Tim Rubacky said.

 

The ship took evasive maneuvers and accelerated to its full speed of 23 knots or 27 mph. One of the smaller craft closed to within 300 yards and fired eight rifle shots at the cruise ship, he said, but the ship was able to pull away.

[lesyk]

We are scheduled for a cruise in Asia in January and the cruise includes Bangkok (with an overnight). As I am sure you have read, there has been a great deal of violence there and now the Government is discouraging travel there.

 

I am guessing that Oceania will change the cruise and substitute ports if Bangkok remains dangerous in January.

 

Anyone have any experience with how this is handled?

 

Just came off the Hong Kong to Athens cruise on Nautica and felt safe at all times. They certainly take all kinds of precautions to provide safe passage.

These details you'll discover on your cruise.

 

also discovered that there was a hidden advantage in booking major shore

excursions with Oceania. We had booked to travel to Angkor Wat from Saigon to Bangkok around the time when there was instability in Bangkok...

peace of mind was that both my wife and I knew that if the ship did change its port of call from Bangkok it was Oceania's responsibility to have the chartered plane take us to the replacement port (that was unnecessary this time around).

[samsonmo]

Just came off the Hong Kong to Athens cruise on Nautica and felt safe at all times. They certainly take all kinds of precautions to provide safe passage.

These details you'll discover on your cruise.

 

also discovered that there was a hidden advantage in booking major shore

excursions with Oceania. We had booked to travel to Angkor Wat from Saigon to Bangkok around the time when there was instability in Bangkok...

peace of mind was that both my wife and I knew that if the ship did change its port of call from Bangkok it was Oceania's responsibility to have the chartered plane take us to the replacement port (that was unnecessary this time around).

Hi Lesyk, Fully agree with your opinion.

Peter & Monica

[2kiwis]

We were on Nautica when it was "attacked/aproached" by Somaili pirates.

At no time did we feel in any danger. We had been told what would happen if anything like this should occur, so we knew what was expected of us. The professionalism of the Captain and crew was outstanding and they everything under control.