Fascinating Far East from Singapore
Date: 15 Jan 2025
Duration: 15 nights
Ship: Marella Discovery 2
Line: Marella Cruises
A travel agency has been ordered to pay four Maltese holidaymakers damages because it had failed to inform them they needed a visa to board a cruise liner to Alaska.
The four had booked a cruise to Alaska through ATV Travel Limited. The holiday included four days in Vancouver, Canada, after which they had reserved places on a Carnival cruise liner travelling to Alaska. However, once they arrived in Vancouver, they were refused access to the liner as they didn’t have US visas.
The holidaymakers held the travel agency responsible for damages they suffered and went to court claiming the agency was remiss in not stating they needed a visa. ATV, the agency, argued it had provided the customers with the necessary information and produced brochures including the information which had been handed to the passengers. The judge ruled that the travel agency was bound by EU law to inform travellers about any documentation required before the final contract was reached with them but also that the holidaymakers were partly responsible as it was their responsibility to check about visa requirements. The judge found that ATV was two thirds responsible for the damages suffered by the holidaymakers who were one third responsible.
The moral of this story – when booking a cruise, ask if you need visas.
Date: 15 Jan 2025
Duration: 15 nights
Ship: Marella Discovery 2
Line: Marella Cruises
£2,734 OUTSIDE
£3,655 BALCONY
Date: 24 May 2025
Duration: 7 nights
Ship: Independence of the Seas
Line: Royal Caribbean
£939 OUTSIDE
£1,179 BALCONY
Date: 16 Mar 2024
Duration: 14 nights
Ship: Zaandam
Line: Holland America Line
£1,932 OUTSIDE
£3,915 BALCONY
Date: 27 Aug 2024
Duration: 13 nights
Ship: Silver Shadow
Line: Silversea Cruises
Date: 30 Oct 2024
Duration: 12 nights
Ship: Vista
Line: Oceania Cruises
£5,249 SUITE
Date: 21 Feb 2024
Duration: 11 nights
Ship: Opera
Line: MSC Cruises
£1,279 OUTSIDE
£1,499 BALCONY