Johannesburg - The collapse of the rand has threatened to torpedo South African holidaymakers’ travel plans – but three cruise companies have moved to help cushion the blow.
Imagine Cruising has announced that the price of all cruises and holidays will be fixed at the time of booking in rand.
This applies to all new bookings made from Sunday, for all holidays departing this year or next year and booked by October 31.
On all new bookings, the price confirmed at the time of booking is now fixed and will not be subject to any further increases prior to departure.
Elle Hudson, general manager of Imagine in South Africa, said: “We don’t want our customers to worry about potential changes to their final holiday price as a result of any fluctuations in the rand. We have made this move to give our customers peace of mind and as an incentive to book their holidays or cruises for this year or next through Imagine by October 31.
“Our cruises and holidays already represent terrific value for money and we have always advertised our holidays in rand, including all flights and taxes. Our Rand Awareness campaign will now add an extra level of value.”
l See www.imaginecruising. co.za and www.imagineholidays.co.za or call 086 1111 988.
Meanwhile, MSC Cruises has urged all passengers who have booked for the 2015/16 South African Sinfonia cruise seasons, to pay all outstanding fares as soon as possible in order to secure the price and avoid any possibility of in-curring the added expense of a currency adjustment.
Says Allan Foggitt, marketing and sales director of MSC Cruises SA: “The weakening rand certainly has a negative effect on the MSC local season because many of the costs incurred in the operation of the ship are dollar or euro-based, from fuel to crew. In terms of our terms and conditions, we are entitled to apply a currency surcharge and fuel levy should either become necessary. We are therefore carefully monitoring the currency and hope that the slide in the rand will halt.”
All bookings paid in full by September 16 will not be considered for any currency adjustment in the event that this becomes necessary.
Passengers are able to check their outstanding balance due and make payment electronically by logging in to the MY MSC Area at www.msccruises.co.za.
Alternatively, contact the MSC Cruises call centre at 087 075 0888 to establish your outstanding balance and make payment by providing your credit card details.
Cruises International (CI) is offering its customers an exchange rate assistance package.
George Argyropoulos, chief executive, said: “Just because the rand is weakening does not mean travellers can’t indulge in a fantastic cruising experience offering six-star luxury.
“Earlier this year, we announced that, in collaboration with Crystal Cruises, CI was offering a limited rand-based cash amount of up to R9 500 for South Africans to subsidise their fares when travelling on Crystal.
“Now we are delighted to announce that this offer has been extended to most bookings made up to the end of 2015 for cruises taking place in 2016.”
It applies to most 2016 sailings on Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony. Argyropoulos said this offer was over and above the all-inclusive packages.
“Crystal is hard to beat as its packages include all beverages, fine wines, champagne, premium spirits, non-alcoholic beverages and specialty coffees. Gratuities, a complimentary evening of specialty restaurant dining, 24-hour room service, a personal penthouse butler service, enrichment workshop classes and more come standard in the Crystal package.”
Sunday Tribune