Miasadie

Has anyone experienced One Ocean Expeditions cancelling their cruise. Just received a letter that there weren't enough people booked so they cancelled the cruise that has been paid for. They are not offering a refund but instead will book on a future cruise and have offered a free cabin upgrade as well as "assistance with reasonable changes to your travel arrangements".
Has anyone ever experienced this?
BTW, Travelex trip insurance won't cover this type of cancellation so please look at purchasing your trip insurance elsewhere.

Sassafrass

They cancelled. They should fully refund your money. No question, unless there is something in your contract that says differently.

jacketwatch

I agree. That must have been costly too. You can always protest thru your credit card company.

MyBaggage

What?!? I just made my final payment to them this week - with a check because they don't take credit cards. And I purchased Travelex insurance. This is theft, pure and simple. I will research.

MyBaggage

Forgot to ask - did you ask them for a refund instead of a future trip? Sometimes companies try the no- refund option until a customer speaks up. But this is disturbing, too.

MyBaggage

I just reread the "terms and conditions of booking" from One Ocean. If you look under "Cancellation by One Ocean Expeditions", it says:

"With any form of cancellation One Ocean Expeditions will offer you alternative arrangements."

In my opinion, alternative arrangements include a full refund. I would start by calling the agent who sold you the trip, or One Ocean, if you purchased directly.

Also, I reread the Travelex confirmation of coverage and I find under Plan Benefits: "Trip Cancellation, 100% of Insured Trip Cost." What could that mean if it doesn't mean the travel operator has cancelled the trip?!

I do you hope you get satisfaction on this.

MyBaggage

Just reread the fine print on the Travelex document. I had read the whole document, but of course, didn't think about cancelling because of too few people.

3. arrangements canceled by an airline, cruise line,
motor coach company, or tour operator, resulting
from inclement weather, mechanical breakdown
or organized labor strikes that affect public
transportation;
4. arrangements canceled by a tour operator, cruise
line, airline, rental car company, hotel, condominium,
railroad, motor coach company, or other supplier of
travel services, resulting from Financial Insolvency;

I would still start by talking to One Ocean and asking for a refund. Maybe that is all it will take (she says hopefully).

MyBaggage

Miasadie, do you have any resolution on this? Even though the vague (my opinion) wording in the contract absolves them, this is a dreadful business practice.

ileen

Shocked to read that such cancellations happen.
Please share how you are solving this problem.
Hope you get fully refunded.
Good luck.

eliztravels2

I too am shocked to learn of the “no refund” policy. Basically you have ordered a product, prepaid, and as they are unable to deliver the product common sense says you should get your money back. I doubt that this is even legal.

Their unwillingness to refund plus the fact that they don’t take Visa makes me wonder if they are a company in financial trouble and are having difficulty keeping afloat figuratively and well as literally. Possibly they need they payments for future trips to cover the costs of current ones so don’t have the financial resources to refund.

I’ve never heard of this company. Where is it based and is it part of any tourism association? I’d encourage you to make a big stink wherever you can and threaten small claims court if you do not receive a satisfactory response.

A cautionary tale, to be sure.

jacketwatch

I did not know they did not take c cards. That is a red flag for me. I would have never booked with them. Sorry to see this rip off.