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Crystal Cruises has revised its 2014 Asia itineraries to avoid the greater Bangkok area.
The line has also amended its early 2015 itinerary that was set to begin in the city after the Thai government declared a 60-day state of emergency and the US State department issued a travel alert.
Crystal Cruises said: “Given the unpredictable and growing violence, we felt it prudent to make this decision now, reserve our berths to accommodate the changes, and, advise everyone as soon as possible.
“Please be assured that under no circumstances will we risk our guests’ or crew’s safety to maintain a published itinerary. As always, the safety and security of our guests and crew is of paramount importance to Crystal Cruises.”
The Hong Kong-Singapore itinerary had been set to call in Bangkok’s port of Laem Chabang on March 5 and 6. Instead the line has added an additional day in Ho Chi Minh City, a day in Cambodia’s port of Sihanoukville and a day in Thailand’s Ko Samui. Crystal Symphony’s scheduled call in Bangkok on March 30 and 31 has also been cancelled and the same replacement stops have been arranged.
Guests booked on the Singapore to Cape Town Temples and Safaris cruise and its pre-cruise Angkor Wat tour are being told that the pre-cruise tour will still begin on March 7, but will start and end in Singapore instead of starting in Bangkok. The cruise line will replace Bangkok air arrangements with Singapore flights for all passengers who have booked cruise and flights with the line.
From Singapore, guests will fly to Siem Reap on March 8, the original date. The line added: “In the event cruise-only guests incur charges for revising their flights into Singapore, they will receive up to a $500 air allowance with documented proof of change fees.”
Crystal Symphony’s scheduled call in Bangkok on March 30 and 31 on the Kingdom of Jade & Gold cruise has been cancelled and replaced by calls in Ho Chi Minh City.
The cruise line is also monitoring the situation in Phuket as other itineraries are set to visit the destination.
The December 7 Southeast Asia Exploration sailing, the December 21 China Sea Holiday cruise and the January 5, 2015 Southeast Asia Sojourn voyage were all due to begin and/or end in Bangkok. The cruise line has revised all itineraries so they start or end in Singapore instead.