One Ocean restructuring concerns

The cancellation of a third successive voyage by embattled cruise operator One Ocean Expeditions (OOE) is raising concerns among its Australian and New Zealand clientele.

The planned 06 Nov 2019 RCGS Resolute departure was cancelled just a week before it left Ushuaia, and rather than offering refunds, OOE instead is providing a “future cruise credit” for any voyages for the next 24 months.

OOE MD Andrew Prossin said in the interim clients should “contact their insurance company regarding the cancellation”. In a further update last week he assured customers that “recent efforts at restructuring have been going well and we are in advanced discussions with a qualified potential partner to rebuild our business for now and for the future”.

The company’s website is once again live and accepting bookings, and in his note to passengers Prossin said once matters were resolved “we will be in touch ASAP regarding future plans, including any changes to our voyage itineraries”.

Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) MD, Brett Jardine, speaking on behalf of CATO members, said “we are extremely disturbed at the lack of transparency to date and find it unacceptable that an operator can cancel departures without consideration of a refund.

“Australian agents looking at future OOE departures on behalf of clients should ensure they are working through Australian-based tour operators that specialise in this sector of the market, as they are in the best position to provide up-to-date advice,” he said.

Adding further weight to the line’s deteriorating financial position has been the effective cancellation of its International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) membership, with the body alerting its members this month that OOE was a member currently “not in good standing”.

Source: Cruise Weekly