Cruise West suspends bookings

source: Travel Daily

ADVENTURE World says it’s “business as normal” for its Cruise West bookings, despite the Seattle-based cruise operator selling the flagship Spirit of Oceanus and temporarily closing its reservations centre.

A recording on the Cruise West ‘emergency line’ states that “only the Spirit of Oceanus is affected at this point..we are in the process of restructuring the company with new owners and therefore have temporarily suspended taking new bookings.”

Cruise West is at the end of its 2010 Alaska season, but has an upcoming program of Mexican Riviera and Mississippi cruises.

It appears that passengers on board Oceanus have been put ashore in Newfoundland, ending the world cruise which was set to include an extensive Australian program including New Year’s Eve on Sydney Harbour.

AW spokesman Neil Rodgers today confirmed the sale of the Spirit of Oceanus, telling TD that agents with affected bookings had already been advised, while other itineraries were still available.

“We are currently in the process of finalising the 2011 Cruise West Worldwide brochure which will be launched to the Australian market within the next month,” Rodgers said.

Other Cruise West wholesalers including Travel the World and eCruising weren’t able to comment before TD’s deadline.