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Voyages to Antiquity cancels winter cruise programme
Cruise line Voyages to Antiquity has decided to cancel its winter 2013-2014 programme after its ship was hit by heavy seas and torrential rains on its inaugural trip to South East Asia.
The company said it was a ‘hugely difficult decision’ to cancel the trip to the Far East, which had a good level of forward bookings, but that feedback from passengers, crew and the meteorological reports said the Winter 2012-2013 cruise had been ‘compromised’ by the weather conditions.
Voyages to Antiquity hope to announce the new ‘South East Asia’ itinerary for 2014-15 in mid summer, avoiding areas most vulnerable to heavy seas and changeable weather patterns.
A statement said: "The adverse ocean and weather conditions encountered in the South China Sea during January and February seriously impacted our ability to provide the calibre of cruise experience we strive to achieve and our guests have come to expect.
"During the period between December 23, 2012 and February 14, 2013 the ship was subjected to winds of up to force 10 on the Beaufort scale and ocean swells between 18 and 33 feet, frequently accompanied by torrential rains.
Marketing manager Ollie Symonds said the Winter 2012-2013 programme experienced very unusual weather conditions and sea pattern, for weeks at a time.
He said: "Worldwide weather patterns are changing and becoming increasing unpredictable.
"Our clientele expect certain levels of comfort and quality of service. We felt we’d be letting ourselves and our passengers down."
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