Financial dispute affects summer cruises

Up to 3000 cruise liner passengers could be affected after Classic International Cruises (CIC) went into voluntary administration.

The company’s ship Athena was scheduled to set sail for Australia on November 12, but has been held by French authorities because of a financial dispute.

ClC had been taking bookings for the Athena for the 2012-12 season from Adelaide, including five cruises to and from Adelaide that took in round trips to Kangaroo Island, Port Lincoln, Robe, Tasmania and Victoria.

Commissioner for Consumer Affairs Paul White said passengers should contact the administrator to register their details, and also contact their travel agent who will be kept up to date on alternative arrangements.

“Administrators are trying to source another vessel to carry out the cruises on the coming months, however nothing has been finalised yet,” he said.

“We will continue to closely monitor the situation and can advise passengers about remedies in the event a suitable replacement ship is not found in the near future.

“In the event that the cruises are cancelled, we expect that a number of remedies will be available, including possible credit care chargebacks, as well as through travel insurance if passengers took out a policy covering cancellation.”

Passengers who booked through a travel agent are asked to contact their agent, and they can also register their details with the administrator Lawler Partners by calling (02) 8346 6000 or sending an email to CICAustralia@LawlerPartners.com.au.