The Week In Cruise is all about delays, with one cruise line suffering from them and another eradicating them.
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Oceania Cruises have announced another delay to the launch of their new ship, Riviera. In August the cruise line announced that the ship would be delayed from the 14th April to the 24th April and now the launch has be put back until May 16th, due to strikes at the shipyard building Riviera.
Talk about striking it unlucky. Affected passengers are being offered the chance to rebook on another cruise, with between $250 and $1,000 of onboard spend added to their account, or the choice of a full refund.
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At the other end of the scale, Crystal Cruises have moved to eradicate pre-cruise queues and delays with a new embarkation process. The new Fast-Track check-in system scans a barcode on cruise tickets so guest can go straight onboard, where they can complete their registration.
Offering smaller, more intimate ships means Crystal can get their guests onboard as soon as possible, get their credit card details registered and a glass of champagne in their hands as soon as possible. It definitely beats waiting around in a cruise terminal, with a lukewarm cup of tea in a plastic cup.
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So, this week is about getting us onboard more efficiently, or not where the Italians are involved, but what excitement could next week possibly have on offer?
Written by Stephen Adam
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