SINGAPORE – Some eager would-be holidaymakers were met with disappointment upon learning just days before they were to set sail that the cruise they were supposed to board, World Legacy, would be postponed.
One of them was an executive who wanted to be known only as Ms Lo. She told The Straits Times that her family of four was supposed to set sail on Dec 21, but had their holiday plans derailed when they found out on Dec 17 that the cruise would be postponed.
World Legacy was supposed to commence preview voyages on Dec 18, with embarkation via a dedicated ferry transfer from the Singapore Cruise Centre at HarbourFront Centre, according to a Nov 18 announcement by cruise operator World Cruises.
However, Shin Min Daily News reported on Dec 20 that the preview voyages would begin on Dec 19. ST has contacted World Cruises for clarification.
Ms Lo, 41, said her husband booked two twin-bed rooms for two days and a night on the cruise on Dec 7, after hearing about it on a radio advertisement.
On Dec 17, she said, her husband realised that there was a pending incoming transaction of $196 in his banking app, which was the amount that they paid for the cruise.
Ms Lo said they called the bank and were told that the transaction was a pending refund from Dragon Cruise, which, according to Singapore Tourism Board data, provides sea cruises, tours, accommodations and ferry ticketing. Dragon Cruise is listed in the contact information of World Cruises’ website.
She said she and her husband realised the cruise was postponed only upon checking their e-mail, which, as seen by ST, was sent at about 4.30pm on Dec 17.
In the e-mail, World Cruises said that it would provide a full refund and a cruise voucher – which is valid for any World Legacy sailing within 12 months – in order “to make this right”.
