Barbara Orr just had a very unusual cruise experience. Over the next few days she will explain what happens when a trip does not work out as planned. We thought it important to share this information with you, our readers, because these things do happen when you travel and it is wise to think ahead as to how you might react in a similar situation. — Cynthia Boal Janssens, editor
Cruises are expensive investments of money and time. But sometimes, for a variety of reasons, the cruise goes wrong. And then what? Who’s at fault? Is there any compensation?
Here’s the day by day record of a cruise that didn’t roll out as it should have – read it to see what to expect when Mother Nature throws a curve ball, to learn your rights and the obligations of the cruise line, and to see how you can plan best to avoid disappointment.
This was to be a week long cruise from Basel to Amsterdam aboard the new Emerald Sky river ship, scheduled for the first week in May. But heavy rains and rising water levels changed the whole character of the cruise.
***
Day 7: Friday
Nine o’clock sees us leaving for Amsterdam. It will be a long trip, close to four hours. Thankfully the buses are comfortable and the weather is clear. Our boat, we are told, has been able to sail, and should be in Amsterdam in time to greet the passengers who have booked the next week’s cruise. It appears that the flooding problems are over.
We arrive in Amsterdam in time to catch a tour boat to sail through the historic canals of the city, listening to a guide who fills us in on the history of the canal houses and the important buildings we pass and enjoying a surprisingly delicious lunch.
There’s a short walking tour of the center of the city and then the bus takes us to our hotel which is on the outskirts of Amsterdam and close to the airport.
Next: Home and lessons learned
Heidi, Editor-In-Chief
