10 Amazing cruise ship swimming pools

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Disappointed by cruise ship swimming pools? Here are 11 that will make you want to jump right in

The showpiece pool – Viking Star infinity pool

Gorgeous to look at and offering matchless sea views, this glass-walled infinity pool cantilevered off the stern (Deck 7, aft) of the new ocean ship Viking Star is in a league of its own. Look down and it feels like you’re floating in the ocean; at night it looks like a sapphire, shimmering in the inky night. 

The details: 6.775m x 4.195m (too small for lengths). Open 6am to 6pm.
What else is on deck? The (not much bigger) main pool is next to the attractive Winter Garden and a hidden movie screen. This entire area can be covered by a retractable glass dome.

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The showtime pool – Allure of the Seas Oceanaria

The deepest freshwater pool (5.45m/17.9ft) at sea – on the biggest cruise ship in the world (so far) with 5,500 passengers – is not for passengers to swim in! However, as the sun sets, a choreographed fountain show comes into its own with jets, music and lights and water acrobats performing dizzying high dives and underwater feats (viewed from giant screens). As a piece of aqua theatre it’s hard to beat. 

The details: 15.7m x 6.75m. Decks 8/9/10.
What else is on deck? On Deck 15, the H2O zone is open from 7am-midnight each day and has three other pools – the Sports Pool, the Main Pool, for those seeking a simple swim and the faux-rock-lined Beach Pool, which features a sloped entry, allowing passengers to sit with loungers partially submerged 

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The family fun pools – Disney Magic

It’s the Disney “we’ve thought of everyone” factor. The three fresh water swimming pools on Disney Magic are all located on Deck 9, each with a different theme or purpose. AquaLab, aft, is a dedicated water play area for children with pop jets, geysers, bubblers and a freshwater pool. It also includes the Twist ’n’ Spout Slide, and the Nephews’ Splash Zone, a water playground for children (aged three and under). Goofy’s Pool and pool deck (with giant screen), is located mid-ships and has two hot tubs for families. 

The details: AquaLab and Goofy’s Pool are open 8am-10pm. Approx 167 sqm and 1.2 m deep.
What else is on deck? Quiet Cove, forward, is the adults-only area. The pool is large enough for laps and is open from 8am to midnight. The maximum depth is 1.2m 

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Swimming with the stars – Emerald Sky indoor pool

Like its sister ships (Star, Sun and Dawn), Emerald Sky has pioneered the pool-cum-cinema on river ships. It has a retractable roof and in the evening the swimming pool base rises to create a floor. Pool loungers are rearranged to face the large pull-down screen at the aft of the ship. Films range from modern-day blockbusters to old favourites such as the The Sound of Music, screened when cruising through Austria. 

The details: 6m x 4m. Horizon deck, open from 6am until 6pm daily.
What else is on deck? There’s a bar in the corner and in the evening filmgoers get complimentary popcorn

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The wow-factor pool – Bar du Leopard, Uniworld’s SS Catherine

Why is it special? Tucked away behind floor-to-ceiling glass walls on this river ship is a small resistance pool with a mosaic-clad interior depicting a jungle/rainforest scene, with leopards and other wildlife. The pool glows emerald-green at night, adding a wild, ‘Me Tarzan, you Jane’ ambience. This pool yearns for Audrey Hepburn, or Ursula Andress.
The details: measurements are irrelevant. This one's for dipping and sipping something exotic, while posing in a palm-leaf bikini. Find it on the Camargue Deck. 

What else is on deck? Beyond its room-with-a-pool innovation the Bar du Leopard is a cool and peaceful space. At dinner, it’s home to a bistro

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The thrillseekers' pools – Norwegian Escape Aqua Park

Almost too many thrills! There’s the Aqua Racer slide, the newest tandem waterslide at sea, where competitors can race side-by-side as they twist and turn to the finish line. There is also the Free Fall, where sensation seekers free fall, as the floor drops from underneath, propelling them into a thrilling loop. Or a more sedate, relaxing ride, in the family-friendly open-flume body slide.

The details: the Aquapark (Deck 16) features four multi-story water slides, a dedicated children’s Aqua Park, two pools and four hot tubs.
What else is on deck? Spice H2O, on Deck 17, is an adults-only space with waterfall grotto and hot tubs during the day. At night there’s dancing beneath the stars and a huge LED screen.

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The big splash pool – Carnival Sunshine Serenity

By far the biggest adults-only area Carnival has on any of its ships, Serenity is an adults-only retreat complete with a triple-height waterfall and plunge pool, plus hot tubs, cabanas and bars. 

The details: it’s a small, round plunge pool set directly beneath the waterfall. Find it on Deck 9.
What else is on deck? The on-board waterpark (WaterWorks – entrance on Deck 14) has five slides including Speedway Splash (72m long) and cork-screw Twister (102m) and a SplashZone for children 

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The tranquility pool – Oceania Nautica

Why is it special? Like all Oceania ships, Nautica has a tranquil saltwater pool (on Deck 9) straddled by a pair of whirlpool tubs. There are comfortable, cushion-topped loungers and stylish “outdoor living” areas featuring plush couches and deep armchairs positioned for shade. 

The details: 6.4 x 4 x 1 (forward) and 1.5 m (aft). Open 6am-10pm.
What else is on deck? The Canyon Ranch Spa Club has its own thalassotherapy pool and sun deck area with unlimited access for spa-goers and Concierge and Suite guests. For other passengers it’s free for one hour before or after a treatment,

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The private pool – MSC Yacht Club

Why is it special? Because it’s exclusively for the use of MSC Yacht Club members, on MSC Fantasia, Splendida, Divinia and Preziosa, so there’s a butler to serve you drinks. 

The details: Though small, it is on Deck 18, so only club members are allowed to use it. MSC Fantastia class ships have four adult pools (the biggest is 11m x 5m) and one for children with splash park and waterslides, plus 12 whirlpool baths. Opening times vary but the longest is 7am-10pm.
What else is on deck? For MSC Yacht club members, The One Bar and on Deck 16, the spa.

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The serious swimming pool – the Crystal Pool on P&O Oriana

For serious swimmers size is everything and this is largest of any cruise ship. Stylish, with hints of art deco, you can contemplate a striking bronze water sculpture by Andre Wallace. The timeless Oriana is an adults-only ship. 

The details: 12m x 5.25m. Midship of the Lido Deck (12), Open 24 hours.
What else is on deck? The Riviera and the Terrace pool – each 4m shorter than the Crystal.

1st glimpse at China ship as it emerges from river

Rescue workers prepare to approach the tourist ship Eastern Star after cranes righted the ship

Four days after the Eastern Star capsized along the Yangtze River with more than 450 people aboard, the cabins of the cruise ship emerged in full view for the first time Friday.

In a moment awaited by rescuers and families of the victims, cranes on barges pulled the iron chains attached to the overturned vessel and lifted upright the multi-decked, 251-foot (77-meter) -long ship.

It revealed top-deck cabins with smashed blue roofs jutting out of the river. Much of the water had to be drained from the wreckage and part of it is still submerged.

From the embankment of the Yangtze and nearby boats and barges, rescue workers in multi-color uniforms watched intently as the ship was being turned upright. After days and nights of diving under the wreckage and drilling holes into the hull in search of the missing, turning the ship back up will make the work easier.

The weather was sunny following drizzle and winds that hampered the operation for most of the week, and the waters appeared calm.

Carnival Corporation to launch new cruise brand

P&O Adonia

P&O Cruises’ smallest ship Adonia (pictured) is being transferred to a new ‘social impact’ cruise brand being established by parent company Carnival Corporation.

The 710-passenger vessel will operate under the 'Fathom' brand, running weekly departures from Miami to the Dominican Republic where passengers will work with local communities on a range of projects for up to three days per cruise.

Cruise-only prices for the seven-day trips start at $1,540 per person, including three onshore social impact activities in the Puerto Plata region.

These can range from helping cultivate and organic fertiliser at a local women’s co-operative in producing artisan chocolates, to working with local schools to help teach English and building water filters for islanders.

Fathom sailings are due to start in April 2016 with reservations opening this month. The cruises will be available to book through the UK trade with 15% commission for reservations made until September 4.

Agents can register online via fathom.org and confirmations will be converted onto the Polar Online reservations platform by October. A Founder’s Circle membership scheme is being created for agents who make at least one booking in the first 90 days, with further details to emerge in the autumn.

An unspecified portion of every cruise purchase price will go directly to partner organisations to cover on-the-ground activities in the Dominican Republic, according to Carnival Corporation. Other destinations will be added after the launch phase.

The initiative is being targeted at people aged in their 20s and 30s "looking to make a difference in the world", and those over 50.

But Fathom chiefs also believe more than half of passengers will be families, as parents “seek a way to open their children’s eyes to other parts of the world in a meaningful way”.

A growing market of potential 'social impact' travellers – approximately one million North Americans, in addition to global travellers already pursuing service-oriented travel experiences worldwide – have been identified as being interested in the concept.

The company believes Fathom will attract a “significant number” of new-to-cruise passengers. Almost 40% of those who will book a social impact trip on Fathom will have never been on a cruise before.

Sailings will start with one to two days at sea preparing for going ashore, including an orientation to the Dominican Republic, conversational Spanish lessons, impact activity training and creative workshops.

The onboard experience will be customised to include “purposeful retail options and amenities,” as well as geographically-inspired menus and music.

The ship will serve as a home base for travellers while it is docked at the new Amber Cove port being opened in the Dominican Republic by Carnival Corporation in October.

US social entrepreneur, Tara Russell, founder and chairman of food production social enterprise Create Common Good, is to run the new offshoot as president as well as global impact lead for Carnival Corporation.

Chief executive, Arnold Donald, said: “Fathom will cater to an underserved market of consumers who want to have a positive impact on people’s lives, and aren’t always sure where to begin.

“We believe travel is a meaningful way to allow for personal growth while making purposeful and engaging contributions in the world.

“We are so pleased that Fathom will give travellers a unique opportunity to work alongside local people as part of a larger scale effort that will demonstrably improve lives. Both our travellers and the local citizens will learn and benefit from the opportunity to serve together.”

Russell added: “We created Fathom to meet the real hunger in the world for purpose, while at the same time tackling profound social issues through a sustainable business model.

“We harness the assets and resources of the world’s largest travel and leisure company and combine them with the talents and hearts of those working in social enterprises around the world.

“Travellers will work in partnership with proven, trusted local organisations on the ground to amplify their missions for far greater, sustained impact.

“Because Fathom will bring hundreds of travellers to a destination on a regular basis, Fathom can achieve focused and holistic, collaborative contributions in a broad region of the country – allowing Fathom travellers to make a collective, transformative impact that they know will extend far beyond their involvement.

“They also will know they played an important role in ensuring the region flourishes.

“We are excited about making the Puerto Plata region of the Dominican Republic our first partner destination, and we are optimistic about taking all that is being built in and through Fathom to other global destinations and to the broader Carnival corporate family.”

Victoria, Century Cruises assure their Yangtze vessels are safe

The Victoria Sophia was not far from the Eastern Star when the latter ship capsized on the Yangtze.

As search and rescue efforts continued Tuesday following the capsizing of the Chinese river cruise vessel Eastern Star on the Yangtze River, two of the largest Yangtze River cruise operators serving the U.S. market said that their passengers and vessels are safe.

“Despite heavy rain and wind, Victoria Cruises’ fleet had not experienced out-of-the-ordinary navigation issues. The Victoria Sophia, which was downstream from the Eastern Star in nearby Wuhan when the tragedy occurred, is sailing on schedule and reports manageable conditions,” New York-based Victoria Cruises said in a statement.

While it’s too early to determine exactly what went wrong on the Eastern Star, Victoria Cruises executives said the tragedy underscores the need for higher safety and inspection standards on the Yangtze.

The Eastern Star was a much smaller vessel in comparison to most of the Victoria ships, yet it was carrying nearly double the number of passengers that Victoria vessels carry, according to Victoria Cruises.

The Eastern Star, at 2,200 gross tons, was carrying 405 passengers, five travel agents and 47 crew members for a total of 457 people aboard when it capsized. By comparison, the smallest vessel in the Victoria fleet is the 198-passenger Victoria Grace, which is 3,868 gross tons. The largest ship in the Victoria fleet is the 378-passenger Victoria Jenna, which measures 10,680 gross tons.

Chinese river cruise line Century Cruises, which provides charters for several U.S. river cruise companies and tour operators including Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection and Avalon Waterways, said that its vessels do not normally sail on the stretch of river where the Eastern Star capsized.

Century Cruises vessels normally travel between Chongqing and Yichang, and the capsizing took place further downstream near in China’s Hubei Province, noted Richard Xie, director of marketing and sales for Century.

Century also said that its vessels have a much larger gross tonnage-to-passenger ratio than the Eastern Star. The smallest vessel in the Century fleet is the 186-passenger Century Star at 4,255 gross tons. And the two largest vessels in the fleet, the 398-passenger Century Legend and Century Paragon, each measure 12,516 gross tons.

“Our hearts go out to the families of the Chinese passengers [onboard the Eastern Star] as we pray for their safe rescue,” James Pi, chairman of Victoria Cruises, said in a statement. Rescue attempts are underway with many pitching in to support emergency workers, including local fishing boats.

“This is just too sad,” said Xie. “We feel sorry for those who have not been rescued and make the best wish to all of them.”

Azamara ships getting major face-lifts

Amazara's rendering of a new Asian restaurant.

Azamara Club Cruises’ two ships, the Journey and Quest, will undergo major renovations in early 2016.

The 686-passenger ships will be outfitted with renovated cabins and new public spaces, including for dining and entertainment.

“Each corner of the ships will have a new look and feel, setting a brighter, more contemporary ambience, while the new venues will bring guests fresh experiences. We're also investing in new onboard innovations and have paid close attention to the smallest of details,” Azamara CEO Larry Pimentel said.

The Journey will enter dry dock in January 2016 in the Bahamas, and the Azamara Quest in April 2016 in Singapore.

Horrific injuries of female guest raped, beaten and almost thrown overboard by attendant on Holland America cruise

Horrific injuries of female guest raped, beaten and almost thrown overboard by attendant on Holland America cruise

MS Nieuw Amsterdam

• A civil lawsuit was filed on Friday in a Seattle district court on behalf of Jane Doe, seeking $50m compensation and $365m in punitive damages
• Room service attendant Ketut Pujayasa used his company-issued master key to enter the cabin of Jane Doe
• He beat her about the head with a laptop and repeatedly strangled her unconscious before raping her
• The victim's screams were reported by fellow passengers but staff took 45 minutes to respond - and then could not access her room
• She was airlifted to hospital following attack on February 14, 2014. The victim was left with a traumatic brain injury and PTSD
• Pujayasa confessed and was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison  

A female guest who was raped, brutally beaten and strangled unconscious on a Holland America ship by a crew member is suing the cruise company.

A civil lawsuit was filed on Friday in a Seattle district court on behalf of Jane Doe who was almost thrown overboard by her rapist during the fight for her life on Valentine's Day last year on MS Nieuw Amsterdam.

Room service attendant Ketut Pujayasa used his company-issued, master key to enter the cabin of Jane Doe, then 31, where he was able to lurk on her balcony for several hours until she returned.

WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT 

Ketut Pujayasa pleaded guilty in a Miami courtroom last September to rape and attempted murder. He was convicted and is serving 30 years

Holland America was 'grossly negligent', Jane Doe's attorney John H. (Jack) Hickey told Daily Mail Online on Wednesday, in allowing Pujayasa access to a master key which was 'applicable to all cabins'.

Mr Hickey, a maritime law specialist with more than 30 years experience, added: 'To top it off, the cruise line's system is that when the other passengers dial 911 they get the front desk, not security, and the front desk responds to the scene some 45 minutes to an hour later and does not even have access to the cabin?

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Ketut Pujayasa pleaded guilty in a Miami courtroom last September to rape and attempted murder. He was convicted and is serving 30 years

'If this is not the definition of outrageous, I don't know what is.' 

On February 14, 2014, the married woman, who was on the cruise with a group of friends but had a room to herself, returned around midnight and got ready for bed.

As she climbed into the bed and turned off the lights, in the shadows, she became aware of a figure lurking on the stateroom balcony. 

Pujayasa, a 29-year-old employee originally from Indonesia, pounced on the woman.

During the sustained attack, which lasted close to an hour, Pujayasa punched her, smashed heavy blunt objects into her head including a laptop, and threw her across the room.

The rapist attempted to strangle his victim with his hands and then used a telephone cord and a curling iron cord.

The victim lost consciousness during the attack where she was raped and sexually assaulted.

Pujayasa pulled the woman to her room's balcony and tried to throw her overboard into the dark waters. 

She screamed repeatedly but no one responded. 

The victim was able to hold on to the door handle to prevent being dragged on to the balcony.

Mr Hickey said it was only by having a certain degree of physical strength as part of her career as an aerialist, that his client was able to hold on.

The victim eventually escaped herself. She managed to wrestle free of Pujayasa, opened the door to her cabin on her own, and ran into the hall where other passengers had congregated.

Opportunities in the industry’s Asia expansion

The development of China as a cruise market means new ships are going there instead of to North America, which is a mild source of anxiety for travel agents in the U.S. and Canada.

But it also serves to put the spotlight on Asia and encourage travelers to explore that part of the world.

At Expedia CruiseShipCenters, trips to Asia were up 10% in 2013, up 37% last year and up 95% so far in 2015, said Matthew Eichhorst, president of the Vancouver-based franchise.

“That’s sending people on itineraries to Asian ports,” Eichhorst said. “It’s not all China; there might be a little bit of Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Japan.”

Two types of customers are likely prospects. The first is experienced cruisers who have seen other places — the Caribbean, Europe — and want to expand their horizons. North Americans of Asian heritage who are curious about their ancestral homes, or have relatives in Asia, are another active segment, Eichhorst said, adding that Vancouver in particular has a large population of Asian ancestry to draw on.

River cruises in Asia have been around for a while but are benefitting from the overall rise in river cruise interest, Eichhorst said.

Because of the long flight times involved in travel to Asia, cruise customers are often looking for pre- or post-cruise activities and lodging there, adding to the attractiveness of the sale for agents.

Asian cruise sales are up, in part, because at every age travelers are more adventurous than they were 20 years ago, Eichhorst said. But travelers want to feel secure about their provider.

“They are looking for a trusted brand when they go there,” he said. “There’s definitely a few operators that are in the Asia market that aren’t what you’d call North American brands.”

Eichhorst encourages his agents to think big and initiate the conversation with clients.

“Speak to all the places they can go, and people will put it on their bucket list and maybe they’ll do Caribbean four more times before they go there, but really tell the stories about amazing places you can go,” he said. “You sort of plant that seed as to the opportunity, because it’s probably an 18-months-out buy.”

MTN Communications lands two more cruise lines for WiFi

American Cruise Line and Club Med Cruises have joined the roster of cruise providers using MTN Communications for Internet and other telecommunications services at sea.

MTN also said that four existing customers have renewed their service agreements with MTN: Crystal Cruises, Moana Cruises, Paul Gauguin Cruises and Phoenix Reisen.

MTN uses satellites and land communications networks in coordination to provide vessel communication systems.

In April, MTN agreed to merge with Emerging Markets Communications. The merger is expected to close by the end of the second quarter, the companies said.

Star Clippers building new masted ship for 2017

Star Clippers Royal Clipper Pictured.

Star Clippers said it will build its first new ship in 15 years, a five-masted barque that will be the largest in its fleet and the largest such cruise sailing vessel afloat.

The ship will have more than 60,000 square feet of sail, which will be its primary motive power. It will be designed to carry 300 passengers, larger than the 227-passenger Royal Clipper that is the biggest of the three vessels now in Star Clippers’ fleet.

As yet unnamed, the 8,770-gross-ton ship will be modeled on the France II, a ship that was primarily a cargo vessel built in 1911. Nearly 500 feet in length, it was the largest tall ship of its time.

Star Clippers owner Mikael Krafft said it has long been his ambition to build a modern replica of the France II. "The ship’s rig will be identical to France II and dimensions will be very similar, although we have added various features that will make this the most magnificent passenger sailing ship afloat,” he said.

The ship will have three pools, including one that will funnel light into the atrium and main dining area.

Star Clippers said the ship, being built in Croatia, is scheduled to be delivered in the second half of 2017.  Sales will open in 2016, Star Clippers said.

Under new leadership, Norwegian Cruise Line goals take shape

In the office of Norwegian Cruise Line President Andy Stuart is a jersey from London’s Arsenal Football Club, his favorite soccer team. Photo Credit: Tom Stieghorst

MIAMI — Five months after new senior executives were named at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and its biggest brand, the company’s strategic direction is coming into sharper focus.

Company CEO Frank Del Rio has laid out priorities meant to grow the company’s business and bring some of the best practices of his luxury lines at Prestige Cruise Holdings to Norwegian Cruise Line.

While not gone, references to Freestyle Cruising are less frequent than under Kevin Sheehan, Del Rio’s predecessor for seven years. The company’s “Cruise Like a Norwegian” marketing theme is also set for a makeover.

Del Rio’s growth strategy for Norwegian is focused on three areas: improving the shipboard product, expanding overseas markets and ending the use of discounts to fill ships in favor of value-add items as incentives.

A fourth area of attention is continuing Norwegian’s drive to become more agent friendly, first formalized four years ago as Partners First.

This year, Norwegian hopes agents will notice a faster decision-making process for issues that are important to them, as it vests more authority in a newly beefed-up field sales operation.

“We’re the third or fourth largest cruise brand,” Norwegian Cruise Line President Andy Stuart said during an interview at the line’s headquarters here last week. “We’re not the biggest. So what can we do to be different? 
“The answer is we can be more responsive. Smaller should be more nimble.”

The new emphasis comes as Norwegian has completed a hiring binge that increased the size of the field sales function by 40%. One new hire in particular came from a position selling high–end vacuum cleaners door to door, and Stuart said he was eager to have him talk to the rest of the sales force about sales dynamics, such as overcoming customer objections.

All of the new sales hires have been on Norwegian ships in the past few weeks learning some of the product features firsthand.

Stuart said the payoff phase for the increase in sales managers should begin this summer.

In pursuit of ‘flawless’ execution

Under Sheehan, Norwegian’s ships got a wealth of new features, such as water parks, dinner theaters, alternative restaurants and specialty pastry shops.

Del Rio’s passion is making the guest experience on the ships as perfect as possible.

“In a nutshell, we want to flawlessly execute on the good strategies that were in place when I took over the company,” Del Rio said at last month’s annual meeting of shareholders in Miami.

Del Rio said the shipboard experience should be so good that guests will want to come back again and tell their friends and acquaintances when they get home.

An example of that, according to Stuart, was the recent attempt to stop guests from bringing food back to their rooms, which results in a pileup of dirty dishes in the corridors outside cabin doors. However, the solution — a ban on food being brought back to cabins — provoked a backlash that eventually forced Norwegian to rescind the policy.

“We picked the wrong solution,” said Stuart, adding that Norwegian will instead step up corridor inspections to see that dishes are removed more quickly. “We’re still going to fix the issue, because the issue is the same."

Another strategic emphasis has been to add more distribution internationally, and to get Norwegian’s marketing to reflect a more global appeal.

In a few weeks, Norwegian will announce a new ad agency, Del Rio said in an interview after the shareholder’s meeting. The “Cruise Like a Norwegian” slogan will likely be phased out in favor of a brand platform “more global in nature,” he said.

The current slogan has worked pretty well domestically, Del Rio said, “but when you tell a German that he has to cruise like a Norwegian, he says, ‘What are you talking about?’”

Norwegian’s global push will also include a hard look at China, the subject of a study group that is expected to report by year’s end.

Value adds

A third pillar is the adoption at Norwegian of the “market-to-fill” strategy Del Rio pioneered at the Prestige Cruise Holdings brands Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, where he was president and CEO before his Jan. 9 promotion at Norwegian.

The concept is to use value-add items, such as a free beverage package or reduced-cost airfare, as enticements to fill lagging ships.

As a result Norwegian is more booked for the next six quarters than it has ever been in its history, Del Rio said.

“When you have that kind of load factor it gives us more confidence to raise prices over time, and that’s what we’re all trying to do,” he said.

That alone should give agents more incentive to book with Norwegian, said Stuart, who also noted that value-adds play to an agent’s strength more than discounts do.

Stuart said agents should also like the “engaged, empowered, responsive” mantra developed by Nathan Hickman, Norwegian’s new vice president of field sales and national accounts. He said Hickman, who was vice president of national accounts for Oceania, is encouraging business development managers to make more decisions.

Faster decisions are part of Norwegian’s Partners First promise, a program first publicized four years ago.

Stuart said Partners First was created to focus the company internally on agent welfare and to put a spotlight on existing agent initiatives.

“Sometimes its hard to communicate all of the things you do to support travel agents,” he said. “We sat down and said, ‘We’re making a huge investment in all sorts of different areas and not really getting a lot of credit for it.’”

The lessons learned from Tom Harper’s closure

When a company suddenly shuts its doors, a lot of different factions are often left picking up the pieces, which has certainly been the case in the aftermath of river cruise reseller Tom Harper River Journeys abruptly closing its doors in early May. 

There still isn't any clear course of action for the now cruise-less travelers who had booked river cruises with Newton, Mass.-based Tom Harper River Journeys. Founded in 2013 by CEO Bret Gordon, a former Vantage Deluxe World Travel executive, Tom Harper has now gone mum.

Michelle Baran

Travel Weekly hasn't seen a bankruptcy filing for the company, but the Better Business Bureau has an alert stating that Tom Harper is no longer in business, and the company has been placed on Travel Guard’s financial default alert list. 

Until (and if) Tom Harper resurfaces, travelers and their agents have been taking matters into their own hands, scrambling to try to get their money back and to salvage their vacations. River cruise companies that had sold inventory to Tom Harper, including Haimark Travel, CroisiEurope and Zambezi Queen, are dealing with the fallout as well. 

Unfortunately, sometimes it takes a calamitous event such as this to be reminded of the precautions travelers and agents should take when booking a river cruise. Really, there are three main ones: book with a credit card; buy travel insurance; and look for river cruise companies that have some kind of financial safety net, such as being a member of an association like the U.S. Tour Operators Association (USTOA).

Many of the major river cruise lines are active members of USTOA — including Viking Cruises, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, Avalon Waterways, Tauck and Grand Circle Cruise Line — and as such are required to post $1 million in the form of a bond or letter of credit that is held by a USTOA trust for the sole purpose of reimbursing consumers for payments or deposits lost in the event of bankruptcy, insolvency, cessation of business, or failure of an active member to refund consumer deposits or payments within 120 days following the company’s cancellation of a vacation. 

According to CLIA, passengers sailing on ships serving U.S. ports (for river cruising this would apply to vessels that ply U.S. rivers) are protected by a performance bond of up to $15 million, administered by the Federal Maritime Commission, which covers passenger refunds for “non-performance of transportation.” 

“Travelers purchasing a cruise also can protect themselves by paying with a major credit card, and/or obtaining low-cost travelers’ insurance that covers trip cancellation for any reason, including supplier default,” CLIA advises.

For many who booked Tom Harper, much of this is too little, too late. For passengers who are booked on upcoming river cruises through Tom Harper, the river cruise lines on which they are booked have advised that they find a travel agent to help them or that they get in touch with the river cruise line directly to salvage their booking.

The larger lesson learned is that no sector of the travel industry is safe from sudden financial turmoil, not least the booming river cruise segment.