BREAKING: Royal Caribbean and Hapag-Lloyd in merger talks

#expeditioncruising .

The joint venture TUI Cruises of which the US company Royal Caribbean Cruises (RCCL) holds half of the shares, is negotiating with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, the luxury and expedition travel provider which is a full TUI subsidiary.

More news as it comes to hand

Source: fvw.de

Lindblad Expeditions offers free flights to Antarctica

#expeditioncruising .

Lindblad Expeditions has made it easier than ever for travellers to visit the spectacular Antarctic Peninsula with the launch of an incredible 'fly free' offer available until 30 June 2020 on select 2020 departures.

Viking announces launch of expedition voyages

#expeditioncruising .

Viking has announced it is expanding its destination-focused travel experiences with the launch of new expedition voyages. Viking Expeditions will begin sailing in January 2022 with its first vessel, Viking Octantis, embarking on voyages to Antarctica and North America’s Great Lakes. A second expedition vessel, Viking Polaris, will debut in August 2022, sailing to Antarctica and the Arctic.

One Ocean Expeditions closes shop - officially

#expeditioncruising .

After months of uncertainty, cancelled cruises and passengers owed thousands of dollars, One Ocean Expeditions (OOE) has finally entered administration.

The unfortunate saga has played out over several months but had its beginnings in August 2018 when the Canadian company's chartered Russian research vessel, Akademik Ioffe, ran aground in remote Nunavut.

Read the full report at Cruise Critic

Hurtigruten Explore the World Global Sale

#expeditioncruising .

Hurtigruten kicks off its Explore the World Global Sale this week with a range of great savings and special offers available from Wednesday.

The sale will run until 15 March.

One Ocean into administration

#expeditioncruising .


Source Travel Daily

ONE Ocean Expeditions (OOE) overnight advised customers it is set to be placed into administration and has confirmed its upcoming 17 Jan “Ultimate Antarctica” departure would not take place.

The company has not operated any voyages since Oct 2019, with its RCGS Resolute impounded in Argentina over a payment dispute.

However, since then OOE has continued to solicit bookings on its website, while telling customers on cancelled cruises it would provide a “future cruise credit” rather than any refunds.

The company claims to have entered into a partnership with another unnamed “high quality expedition operator” to provide customers with options to book for a discounted price.

Passengers may also attempt to seek a refund of monies paid to OOE, which will occur via a “business administration process overseen by a court appointed Monitor/Trustee”.

“Alternatively, as OOE will soon enter a formal restructuring process (business administration) under the Canadian legal system, you may be able to seek refunds through the cancellation terms of your travel insurance policy,” the company said, offering to provide supporting documentation to assist any claims.

Hurtigruten rejects claims of One Ocean Partnership

#expeditioncruising .

Hurtigruten rejects the recent claims that it has entered into a partnership with One Ocean Expeditions (OOE), or that Hurtigruten has purchased any OOE assets or in any way is involved in what OOE describe as a “restructuring”.

We fully understand the stress the One Ocean Expeditions cancellations has caused both agents and
travellers. As a courtesy given the difficult situation, Hurtigruten has offered guests who have been impacted by OOE cancellations the opportunity to book a Hurtigruten expedition cruise under “compassionate rates” on selected itineraries.

Hurtigruten is the world’s largest expedition cruise line and the largest operator in Antarctica.
With our fleet of small, custom-built expedition ships, we offer a wider range of opportunities and hope this can help affected guests make their Antarctica dream come through.

We are truly sorry for the confusion the misleading communication depicting a partnership has caused to guests in an already difficult situation. But it is important for us to underline that the compassionate rate offer is made independently of OOE, and any booking or financial disputes remain with OOE and the traveller – and does not in any way involve Hurtigruten.

One Ocean Expeditions finds a rescuer - not quite [update]

#expeditioncruising .

© Edson de Lima Lucas - shipspotting.com

UPDATE: Hurtigruten rejects suggestion of partnership

In a statement reported on Cruise Industry News, it would appear that the beleaguered One Ocean Expeditions has found a rescuer - of sorts.

In a note to passengers, One Ocean made the following statement:

“We have agreed to a marketing relationship with another high-quality expedition operator which will provide you various options to continue your travel in your chosen destination for a discounted price.

“One Ocean has entered into a marketing partnership with a highly regarded company with more than 120 years of cruise and expedition experience,”

One Ocean Expeditions entered a 'restructuring phase' in October following financial difficulties and has not sailed a departure since then. The sole ship, RGSC Resolute (the former Hapag-Lloyd Hanseatic) remains under arrest in Rio de Janeiro with a question mark hanging over its future.

As for speculation as to the new partner, OOE is not being specific, but only one operator can claim "120 years of cruise and expedition experience". That operator is Hurtigruten.

The fine detail of this arrangement is not known, but it would appear the primary objective is to find alternate berths for passengers forward-booked with OOE.

More details as they come to hand.

BREAKING #expeditioncruising : Kimberley Quest sold

#expeditioncruising .


ExpeditionCruising.com has just learned that long-time boutique Kimberley expedition cruise operator, Kimberley Quest, has been bought by Troy Thomas who recently sold his successful Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures business to rail and resort operator Journey Beyond in 2019.

“We’re thrilled to take over such a successful and award-winning business like this and look forward to taking the vessel to the next level with the major upgrades we’re currently completing,” Thomas told expeditioncruising.com
More details shortly

For more information and bookings: (08) 9193 6131

Oceanwide to launch year round Arctic expedition cruising program

#expeditioncruising .

Dutch expedition cruise operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, will now operate all year round in the Arctic.

Dates and Rates for Arctic 2021 are now available for Hondius (170 passengers), Ortelius, Plancius (both with 108 passengers), Rembrandt van Rijn (33 passengers), and Noorderlicht (20 passengers).