Follow up to previous posting on Cruise West
The United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) is a professional association representing the tour operator industry.
Travel agents and consumers should be aware that partial or full reimbursement of lost payments and/or deposits for Cruise West products made prior to September 11, 2010, may be protected under the USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program.
Passenger deposits and payments thereafter will not be covered by the USTOA Program.
Claim forms and instructions under the USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program -
http://www.ustoa.com/2009/CruiseWest/Claim_info.cfm
Showing posts with label cruise west. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cruise west. Show all posts
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Cruise West - A World Voyage Nightmare
Can you begin to imagine booking a 335 day world cruise, and mid way being told that your cruise is cancelled? Well that's exactly what happened to passengers on the Spirit of Oceanus who booked sailing on the epic “Voyage of the Great Explorers” cruise.
Well here's what's going on . . . Cruise West fails to renew their bond!
Cruise line members have to post $1 million in security - in the form of a bond or letter of credit. The bond is held in a trust account by USTOA, and used only for reimbursing consumers for tour payments or deposits lost in the event of bankruptcy, insolvency or cessation of business.
USTOA (United States Tour Operators Association) has made the grim announcement - “Effective September 11, Cruise West is no longer a USTOA member, and as such, no longer participates in the USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program.”
Any cruise passenger who made reservations prior to Sept. 11, 2010 may be protected under the USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program. Client deposits and payments made after that date will not be covered by the USTOA Travelers Assistance Program.
On the company's website Cruise West says it is continuing “to work towards a restructuring of the company and its operations.” Don't hold your breath!
Unfortunately passengers who do not have insurance will probably end up losing their money. And even if you do have insurance, the particular policy may not cover a cruise line going under financially.
Well here's what's going on . . . Cruise West fails to renew their bond!
Cruise line members have to post $1 million in security - in the form of a bond or letter of credit. The bond is held in a trust account by USTOA, and used only for reimbursing consumers for tour payments or deposits lost in the event of bankruptcy, insolvency or cessation of business.
USTOA (United States Tour Operators Association) has made the grim announcement - “Effective September 11, Cruise West is no longer a USTOA member, and as such, no longer participates in the USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program.”
Any cruise passenger who made reservations prior to Sept. 11, 2010 may be protected under the USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program. Client deposits and payments made after that date will not be covered by the USTOA Travelers Assistance Program.
On the company's website Cruise West says it is continuing “to work towards a restructuring of the company and its operations.” Don't hold your breath!
Unfortunately passengers who do not have insurance will probably end up losing their money. And even if you do have insurance, the particular policy may not cover a cruise line going under financially.
Passengers Stranded As Cruise Line 'Restructures'
Monday, February 1, 2010
Eco-Friendly Wildlife Nature Cruises
Small ship operator Cruise West specializes in photography-themed and “Whales and Wildlife” cruises.
Aside from the popular Alaska cruises, Cruise West has expanded their destinations to include:
Antarctica, the Galapagos Islands, European Rivers, Panama Canal & Costa Rica, British Columbia, Mexico’s Sea of Cortes, and Columbia & Snake Rivers.
Newest offering includes Voyages of the Great Explorers - a collection of 24 individual voyages that will circumnavigate the globe in 335 days, beginning March 5, 2010 in Singapore.
Visit Cruise West Site
Antarctica, the Galapagos Islands, European Rivers, Panama Canal & Costa Rica, British Columbia, Mexico’s Sea of Cortes, and Columbia & Snake Rivers.
Newest offering includes Voyages of the Great Explorers - a collection of 24 individual voyages that will circumnavigate the globe in 335 days, beginning March 5, 2010 in Singapore.
Visit Cruise West Site
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Spirit of Alaska Hits Bottom - Ends Voyage
Cruise West's Spirit of Alaska transferred its 41 passengers to another vessel June 5 after scraping the bottom in Tracy Arm early June 4 in Alaska.
The company said the 78-passenger vessel "briefly touched bottom during the process of getting under way after anchoring overnight in the vicinity of Williams Cove near Tracy Arm." The company reported no injuries to passengers or 22 crew members, nor any threat to marine life or the environment.
The U.S. Coast Guard received a call from the Spirit of Alaska requesting assistance. The ship reported unknown damage affecting its rudder, the Coast Guard said in a statement.
The Coast Guard sent a 47-foot motor lifeboat, a helicopter and the cutter Liberty to the scene. In addition, the Coast Guard deployed an inspector and investigator to the vessel to assess damage. An investigation is standard practice following the unintentional grounding of any commercial vessel.
Cruise West said the ship proceeded to Juneau under its own power, arriving at approximately 1:30 a.m. June 5.
Guests had breakfast onboard the ship and were to transfer to another Cruise West vessel, Spirit of Endeavour, to depart Juneau on a nine-day cruise of Alaska's Inside Passage.
The company said the 78-passenger vessel "briefly touched bottom during the process of getting under way after anchoring overnight in the vicinity of Williams Cove near Tracy Arm." The company reported no injuries to passengers or 22 crew members, nor any threat to marine life or the environment.
The U.S. Coast Guard received a call from the Spirit of Alaska requesting assistance. The ship reported unknown damage affecting its rudder, the Coast Guard said in a statement.
The Coast Guard sent a 47-foot motor lifeboat, a helicopter and the cutter Liberty to the scene. In addition, the Coast Guard deployed an inspector and investigator to the vessel to assess damage. An investigation is standard practice following the unintentional grounding of any commercial vessel.
Cruise West said the ship proceeded to Juneau under its own power, arriving at approximately 1:30 a.m. June 5.
Guests had breakfast onboard the ship and were to transfer to another Cruise West vessel, Spirit of Endeavour, to depart Juneau on a nine-day cruise of Alaska's Inside Passage.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Cruise West Alaska Cruise Family Discounts
Cruise West is taking note of the expansion in family and multi-generational travel and is offering special pricing for passengers under the age of 18 on its Glacier Bay Highlights cruises.
Cruise West is offering special pricing for kids ages 18 and under on all 2008 "Glacier Bay Highlights" departures, with savings of up to 75% off adult fare in a AAA cabin or 50% off the adult fare in a category A or AA cabin.
Fares start at $1,799 per adult and $900 for one child sharing an A cabin. Cruise West's three- and four-night "Glacier Bay Highlights" cruises are on the newly named and new to Alaskan waters, 102-guest Spirit of Glacier Bay.
On each cruise are explorations leaders, National Park Service Ranger and a local Tlingit cultural interpreter. There are no formal kids' programs, but family activities may take place on an ad hoc basis including a photo wildlife scavenger hunt and movie and burger night.
Both the three- and four-night cruises spend two days in Glacier Bay and the four-night makes a call at Haines.
Cruising roundtrip Juneau from May to September, special pricing for children ages two to 18 is available in multiple categories of travel, from one adult and one child sharing a cabin to two children ages 13 to 18 sharing a double cabin. Pricing is all-inclusive except alcohol and optional excursions in Haines.
For more information, visit www.cruisewest.com
Monday, February 4, 2008
Cruise West Pacific Northwest Culinary Cruise
Cruise West announced its inaugural "Taste of the Pacific Northwest" itinerary, which will highlight the culinary traditions and wines of Oregon and Washington.
The "Taste of the Pacific Northwest" cruise is the third epicurean-inspired voyage for Cruise West, joining the "Culture of the Vine" and "Vintner's Choice" cruises in the California wine region.
The "Taste of Pacific Northwest" cruises depart on Sept. 28, Oct. 5, Oct. 12 and Oct. 19 on the 84-guest Spirit of Discovery.
The seven-night itinerary will explore the Columbia River through Washington's Wine Country roundtrip from Portland, Ore.
Ports of call will include:
Columbia River Gorge; Walla Walla, Wash.; Hanford Reach National Monument; Horse Heaven Hills & Red Mountain; Hood River; and Astoria, Ore. Prices begin at $3,149 per person.
The trip includes visits to family-owned wineries and vineyards; tastings and
meals with owners and growers; and tours through winery cave systems.
The California Wine Country Cruises are designed for novices and connoisseurs.
On land, visits will be made to estates in Napa Valley, Sonoma and Carneros that are typically off-limits.
The four-night "Vintner's Choice" cruise departs on the 138-guest Spirit of Yorktown from San Francisco in September and October and is priced from $2,049 per person.
The three-night "Culture of the Vine" itinerary, also on the Spirit of Yorktown, departs in September and October and is priced from $1,349 per person.
For more information, call 800-296-8307 or visit www.cruisewest.com.
The "Taste of the Pacific Northwest" cruise is the third epicurean-inspired voyage for Cruise West, joining the "Culture of the Vine" and "Vintner's Choice" cruises in the California wine region.
The "Taste of Pacific Northwest" cruises depart on Sept. 28, Oct. 5, Oct. 12 and Oct. 19 on the 84-guest Spirit of Discovery.
The seven-night itinerary will explore the Columbia River through Washington's Wine Country roundtrip from Portland, Ore.
Ports of call will include:
Columbia River Gorge; Walla Walla, Wash.; Hanford Reach National Monument; Horse Heaven Hills & Red Mountain; Hood River; and Astoria, Ore. Prices begin at $3,149 per person.
The trip includes visits to family-owned wineries and vineyards; tastings and
meals with owners and growers; and tours through winery cave systems.
The California Wine Country Cruises are designed for novices and connoisseurs.
On land, visits will be made to estates in Napa Valley, Sonoma and Carneros that are typically off-limits.
The four-night "Vintner's Choice" cruise departs on the 138-guest Spirit of Yorktown from San Francisco in September and October and is priced from $2,049 per person.
The three-night "Culture of the Vine" itinerary, also on the Spirit of Yorktown, departs in September and October and is priced from $1,349 per person.
For more information, call 800-296-8307 or visit www.cruisewest.com.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Cruise West Savings on Alaska Inside Passage
Cruise West is offering savings from $100 to $550 for those guests who book one of five distinctive Alaska Inside Passage itineraries before Feb. 29, 2008.
Cruise West provides five of its up-close, casual and personal itineraries on its small ships -- including, for the first time, the newly renamed Spirit of Glacier Bay (formerly Spirit of Nantucket).
Several new features designed to help guests fully appreciate Southeast Alaska's abundant wildlife, charming ports, jagged peaks, and immense glaciers have been added to the itineraries in 2008, including optional land tours of incredible Denali National Park and Preserve. All Cruise West Alaska sailings visit the majestic Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve as well.
Itineraries features include the 10-night Gold Rush Inside Passage cruise between Seattle and Juneau available on six ships in May, August and September starting at $3,599 per person, double occupancy.
The eight-night Alaska's Inside Passage cruise sailing between Ketchikan and Juneau from May through August starting at $4,449 per person, double occupancy.
The eight-night Alaska's Whales & Wilderness Inside Passage cruise round trip from Juneau from May through August starting at $3,599 per person, double occupancy.
The 11-night Coastal Odyssey onboard Cruise West's flagship and 120-guest all-suite vessel Spirit of Oceanus between Vancouver, B.C. and Anchorage starting at $7,599 per person, double occupancy.
Also featured is the three- and four-night Glacier Bay Highlights cruises onboard the newly named 102-guest Spirit of Glacier Bay start at $1,799 per person double occupancy.
Source: Modern Agent
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