News

Last Update 2nd march 2021

Dear Fellow Seafarers

We are providing regular updates on this page for those of you concerned about the Coronavirus situation and the possible impact on your holiday.

Holidays Scheduled to Re-Start In May

In line with UK Government advice, all UK departures have been suspended up to the middle of May and we have no sailings operating anywhere at this time. In summer 2020 in line with official advice on travel to selected countries within the EU as well as that of the authorities in our host countries, Meditteranean Island hopping yacht holidays operated normally with weekly sailings since July 2020 and we are pleased to advise that all sailings operated without a single case of Covid 19 arising, demonstrating in practice that the precautions and protective measure in place were effective, whilst our guest and some prominent journalists who joined our cruises reported their satisfaction with these measures which they report had no real impact on the enjoyment of their holiday.

Foreign Office Advice

It is clarified that the specific foreign office advice against cruises did not apply to yachting holidays and it should be noted that these holidays are very different to cruise ship holidays, not only due to the small size of the vessel and the smaller number of guests and crew on board, the largely ‘al fresco’ onboard experience and very different facilities and service compared to cruise ships, but also because the island hopping trips we promote generally stay within a single country (mainly Greece, Croatia and the Seychelles) and did not cross any international borders.

Long Haul Travel

With the exception of the Seychelles from June, all other long haul departures are currently suspended and it is now certain that remaining long haul destinations will not resume until November 2021. We are contacting all those guests whose holiday has been affected individually to discuss the various alternatives on offer. In most cases, we are encouraging our guests to re-book at a later date in 2021 or 2022, all with no cancellation penalties or change fees.

The Mega Yacht island-hopping voyages in Greece of Variety Cruises have been running successfully in summer 2020 with weekly departures as were the island-hopping trips in Croatia, whilst Variety cruises will re-start their first departure in the Seychelles in June 2021. The Tall Ships of Star Clippers are still suspended in all destinations till June. Thereafter, programmes are expected to return to normal and operate weekly. This includes the other long-haul destinations from the autumn.

Mediterranean Departures

Departures from May 2021 in Greece, Turkey and Croatia are scheduled to operate normally. Given the internationally co-ordinated plans for pre-departure testing and comprehensive protective measures already in place as regards hygiene and social distancing arrangements on these vessels, it is anticipated that there will be no travel restrictions or quarantine arrangements required. Obviously, we will continue to monitor official advice both in the UK and in our host countries and will ensure that this information is updated regularly, whilst we will also contact you regarding your booking should any changes subsequently prove necessary

For those wishing to book or who are already booked, we summarise here the main elements of our flexible booking policy applicable during this time.

Flexibility Guaranteed

We have always been flexible at Seafarer, but should you be unable to travel due to official restrictions staying in place or being unexpectedly re-introduced, we will allow you to defer or re-schedule your booking at no cost. This will apply where either the UK authorities or those at the overseas destination restrict or advise against travel, or where they introduce a quarantine requirement for more than 24 hours upon arrival overseas.

The same applies if quarantine is required on return, where this is combined with negative foreign office advice for travel to the specific destination.

If you are unable to travel due to a positive PCR test within 72 hours of travel or being required to self-isolate, this is a risk for which you should be covered under your travel insurance. It is important to make sure you obtain travel insurance at the time of booking and it is noted that not all policies will cover you in such instances, though we have identified several reasonably-priced policies that do. See the Q & section below on this and should you need further advice, we can assist by pointing you in the right direction.

Full Responsibility Whilst You Are Overseas

As is always the case, as your tour operator we will provide assistance should there be any disruption whilst you are on holiday with us. We recommend you book the full package with us, since those booking a full package including flights will benefit from financial protection with ATOL cover for the entire package, whilst as a tour operator, we will take full responsibility for your accommodation and repatriation travel arrangements in the event of any disruption whilst abroad.
We also note that should a PCR test be required before the return flight to the UK, we will provide assistance and facilitate this to ensure you can board your flight without problems.

The Seafarer office is open as usual, though with some of our staff working from home and still able to answer calls thanks to our IT and telephone system set up.

We will update this page as more information becomes available.

If you wish to discuss your arrangements, please contact us, and we will happy to advise on the current situation and what we can do to help.

The Seafarer Team

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Holidays Booked For Summer 2021

We operated island-hopping voyages in Greece and Croatia successfully in 2020 and are pleased to report that the season was completed with zero cases of Coronavirus, demonstrating the effectiveness of the enhanced hygiene and other protective measures in place. Furthermore, guests reported that they felt reassured by the measures in place and that these did not adversely affect the enjoyment of their holiday.

Commencing in May 2021, programs are expected to start as normal with regular weekly departures and at this point, with internationally co-ordinated plans for pre-departure testing and well-proven protective measures in place abroad, it is anticipated that there will be no travel restrictions to our European destinations or quarantine requirements on return. The same applies to selected long-haul destinations such as the Seychelles which is scheduled to re-start in June, whilst by the Autumn it is anticipated that any remaining restrictions to our long-haul destinations will have been lifted.

What If My Holiday Is Affected?

Our commitment to a personal service doesn’t end with your booking – If there is any disruption to your arrangements pre-departure, we will do our best to offer you the maximum flexibility possible – this will vary from booking to booking, and our team will work to offer you the best option for your holiday and circumstances.

In the event that exceptionally some disruption to your holiday occurs whilst you are abroad, we have proved from our track record this year, that we have the experience and appropriate policies in place to deal with such situations. Those booking a full package with us including flights will benefit from ATOL cover for the entire package, whilst as a tour operator, we will take full responsibility to provide suitable accommodation and organise appropriate repatriation travel in the event of any disruption.

Deferring Booked Holidays

If your holiday in 2020 had to be canceled or deferred due to COVID 19 related disruption, we recommend that you rebook early to ensure you are not disappointed, since availability for late summer and Autumn sailings is already tight.   If your holiday is scheduled to go ahead but you subsequently wish to defer, please note that you may incur penalties if there are no official restrictions in place. Where restrictions are in place, deferring your holiday will usually be penalty-free. We work with many suppliers, vessel owners, hotels, airlines, and agencies – talk to us about your booking and we will give you the latest information on what is possible in your case.

Flight Cancellations

If your flight is booked through us and is canceled or changed, we will contact you and will do our utmost to secure suitable alternative arrangements. If you have booked your own flight and this is cancelled or changed, please get in touch and we will do our utmost to assist and work out alternative arrangements for you.

You Are Ill Or Self Isolating And Can’t Travel

If you can’t travel due to illness or restrictions, please get in touch and we’ll look at possible amendments to your holiday. Alternatively, if the holiday is still scheduled to go ahead, you may be able to claim on your travel insurance if the cancellation is for medical reasons.

What Is The Situation With Refunds

Given the very large number of holidays that had to be curtailed in 2020 and over the winter due to official restrictions during this unprecedented crisis, we have been encouraging guests to re-book for a later date or if this could not be decided yet, to accept a credit note which can be applied to a later booking. The credit note still benefits from financial protection under the ATOL and ABTA schemes and does not disqualify you from receiving a refund later if you change your mind or are subsequently unable to travel. This is in line with ABTA guidelines recognising that payment of large numbers of refunds immediately would have been unsustainable for the industry.

How We Are Keeping Your Money Safe

We would like to remind you our flight inclusive package holidays are ATOL protected. More information can be found on that ATOL website: https://www.caa.co.uk/ATOL-protection/Consumers/About-ATOL/

How Is Seafarer Coping In These Circumstances

2020 was our 25th year and whilst it will certainly be a year to remember, the way we successfully weathered the crisis it is indicative of our long experience and our strength and resilience, given the many international crises we have had to deal with over the years.

We have a very experienced and dedicated team who have been working hard to keep our guests up to date and change holiday arrangements where required liaising with airlines and our various overseas suppliers and partners. This was often very difficult with long waits on the telephone often being required when calling suppliers as well as fast-changing official restrictions and advice. We have been coping with all of this well and our guests generally find it easy to contact us either by telephone or email.

How Soon Are Holidays Expected To Return To Normal

On the positive side, cruise yachts and hotels are ready and prepared with comprehensive hygiene and other precautionary measures in place in line with local and WHO recommendations to ensure you are safe.

What Additional Precautions Are In Place For Holidays In 2021

Once we restart operations, whilst the virus is still active a negative PCR test will be required within 72 hours of departure for each passenger and this will be at your expense. Additionally, guests and crew will need to complete a health questionnaire prior to travel. On-board, the cruise operators have implemented an enhanced and comprehensive cleaning and sanitization regime on all vessels, ensure regular testing of crew members as well as daily temperature checks for crew and guests. All this has proved to be effective in 2020 having been implemented successfully on all our affiliated vessels. The safety of guests and crew is a top priority for us and any holidays and cruises that do operate will be in line with the advice of the WHO, FCO, and the authorities in our host countries. For info on the type of precautions and protective measures in place on our sailings click here

Should We Travel To Specific Destinations Against Foreign Office Advice

What Is The Situation With Travel Insurance

Where there is negative foreign office advice on travel to certain destinations, many travel insurance policies will not cover you if you travel there. Some will not cover you if you contract the virus or fail a PCR test before departure. However, we have identified several policies that will cover you to travel and also cover you if you contract the virus or fail a PCR test before you travel, with cover if you are unable to travel due to having to self-isolate in certain circumstances also.

See the links below for two examples or speak to one of our advisors for more info: 

Staysure Travel Insurance.
Post Office Travel Insurance

We Look Forward To Welcoming You On Board Soon.

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If you would like a hard copy to grace your coffee table simply request one here and we’ll pop it in the post. You can even ask us to send one to a friend.

Please send me a hard copy of the brochure

Request a Brochure

As small ship cruising operators we are in the fortunate position of being able to respond to the ‘new normal’ of cruising post Covid-19. As such, we have quickly been able to take the required measures that allow us to start cruising responsibly, whilst bigger operators still need to keep their vessels in harbour. To keep our passengers fully informed, and manage their on-board expectations, we have produced an e-booklet detailing the precautions and protocols we have put into place in order to resume cruising from July 24th 2020.

With people around the world talking about the Covid-19 Pandemic putting countries on a war footing, it’s good to know the spirit of co-operation and resilience in the face of adversity still extends to the high seas. This was certainly the case when the 25 cabin Variety Cruises vessel Panorama ‘rescued’ 19 Cuban seamen and women from a large passenger liner in Barbados and made a special 14 day diversion to repatriate them.

Having finished a winter season cruising off the coast of Costa Rica and Panama, Panorama was empty other than crew, en route to a summer of cruising in the Mediterranean. Stopping to bunker in Barbados prior to crossing the Atlantic, she berthed near the MSC Prezioza, a vessel that carries up to 4,360 passengers and 1,300 crew. The photo above (taken in Kotor, Montenegro) shows the size of Panorama in comparison to one of Prezioza’s sister ships.

19 of the crew were Cuban and, given the constraints of Covid-19, keen to return home but with no realistic option for doing so. Following a request from Cuban Government officials, Panorama’s Captain, Vasilis Mazarakis, agreed to repatriate the Cuban crew members to Havana, a cruise taking 7 days. Health declarations were provided by the Captain of MSC Prezioza and the Barbadian medical authorities, and the new complement of passengers was thermo-scanned prior to boarding and on every subsequent day of the journey.

The Cuban Government covered the cost of the fuel, otherwise no charge was made. Upon disembarking his charges on April 4th in Havana, Captain Mazarakis said of his courteous act (which you might think is another reason to vote for us in the Silver Travel Awards – see below):

‘During these difficult times we are facing, it is important to help each other. Knowing that we were helping fellow seafarers by getting them back to their families makes us all happy. We wish and hope that all stranded crew and passengers alike manage to get home to their loved ones and that the world will return to normal soon.’

The world returning to normal is a sentiment we all share at Seafarer and Variety Cruises so, if you would like to do something normal now like booking for the coming winter season which starts in November, along with a full Summer 2021 season, we would love to hear from you.

Anchors aweigh,

SUZIE SEAWORTHY

It’s that time of year again – the month we wrap up all of our cruises for the forthcoming 15 months or so with departure right up until March 2021.
We are featuring our biggest ever range of destinations, from the Greek isles, Croatia & Montenegro, plus Spain & Portugal in the Med, to far away places like Costa Rica & Panama, The Seychelles, Thailand & Malaysia, The Cape Verde Isles, The Rivers of West Africa plus in the Far East, Bali & The Indonesian Islands, plus the islands of French Polynesia.

As ever, Variety Cruises award winning formula of destination focussed cruises on their unique mega yachts is winning new friends. Indeed with their informal friendly atmosphere, open seating dining and typically just 30-50 guests on board, you will be cruising amongst friends.

We look forward to welcoming you on board

If you would like a hard copy to grace your coffee table simply request one here and we’ll pop it in the post. You can even ask us to send one to a friend.

Please send me a hard copy of the brochure

Seeing the problems caused to oceans and beaches by plastic bottles and other flotsam and jetsam prompted Captain Antoniou Leontios, Master of the Variety Cruises vessel Panorama II, to take the issue of cleaning-up beaches into his own hands. Currently cruising the waters of the Flores and Bali Seas in Indonesia, he decided to dedicate a few hours every week to dropping anchor in a bay, venturing ashore with some crew members and filling as many bin bags as possible with rubbish which he then stowed on board and disposed of properly at his next port of call.

According to Variety Cruises UK’s MD, Chris Lorenzo, environmental responsibility is part of the cruise line’s ethos:

‘We have already started eliminating single-use plastic from our fleet,’ he explained. ‘As for the beach clean-up program, our vessels are uniquely placed to do something practical – we only have small ships of 50-70 passengers so we can get close up to beaches and moor anywhere. Overall our philosophy is ‘small is beautiful’ and that’s not just about the size of our ships but about doing the small things that can add up to a big difference.’

Open: Mon – Fri 9:00-19:00 & Sat 9:30 – 17:00 Bank Holidays 10:00 – 16:00

If you want to get closer to the sun for summer 2020 then a cruise on a vessel called Pegasos (the Greek spelling) must be a good starting point. The fact she cruises the Seychelles year-round is another hint that you’re in for the most clement of weather – the temperature in this island paradise, often known as The Garden of Eden, ranges between 24°c and 32°c. It’s altogether lovely.

Pegasos is typical of the Variety cruises fleet – only 21 cabins and a maximum guest complement of 44 passengers. She is specially designed to handle these shallow island waters in the Indian Ocean (hence her shape) and we have just finished extensive renovations.

The 21 Pegasos cabins, and guest hallways, have been completely transformed to feature new bedding, soft fabrics, wallpaper, wood floors and carpet design. Ensuite facilities have undergone complete modernisation featuring marble and stone flooring. Overall there is a brand-new look with turquoise, blue and soft grey tones reflecting the Indian Ocean.

When it comes to public areas the Indoor Bar & Lounge and Dining area on the Upper Deck were completely renovated with new furnishings, re-upholstered furniture, soft fabrics, a new carpet design, flooring, and wooden blinds. On the sundeck we have totally transformed the bar area with new lounge furniture and a wooden bar reading “Seychelles”.

To find out more about cruising the Seychelles on our flying horse of a vessel click the button.

Seychelles Cruise

Open: Mon – Fri 9:00-19:00 & Sat 9:30 – 17:00 Bank Holidays 10:00 – 16:00

If you would like to reserve a place online, fill in your details and we will contact you as soon as possible

13 Nights from £2995 departing July 27 & August 12

It’s all in the name with this trip which will certainly live up to your expectations. Our 13 night package starts with a 5 night stay at the stunningly located Hilton Bali. On the Saturday, we transfer you to our sleek and comfortable 25 cabin sail cruiser Panorama II for an unforgettable 7 night island hopping cruise exploring a selection of the Indonesian islands. Our great value package includes flights from London and all transfers.

• Category C: £2995pp
• Category B: £3195pp
• Category A: £3375pp
• Category P: £3495pp
  —
  Single Supplement (any category cabin): £100Departs 27th July | 12th August

What is included:

Flight | Five-night Hotel Stay @ Hilton Bali | Transfers | Cruise

Open: Mon – Fri 9:00-19:00 & Sat 9:30 – 17:00 Bank Holidays 10:00 – 16:00

If you would like to reserve a place online, fill in your details and we will contact you as soon as possible

As a tour operator of long-standing Seafarer has always held an ATOL licence. However, we are delighted to inform you that Seafarer has also recently become a member of ABTA and that henceforth all Seafarer holidays will be ABTA bonded.

Announcing the arrangement today Seafarer Managing Director Chris Lorenzo commented:‘In these slightly uncertain and unusual times, and in light of recent airline news, we want our customers to be able to book their holidays in complete confidence that they are totally protected and that, in the unlikely event something untoward happens, they will be safe, secure and looked after.’Financial protection under the ABTA scheme covers all holidays booked with Seafarer offered on www.seafarercruises.com and www.seafarersailing.co.uk

We’ve just made a cruise in the Seychelles a whole lot easier to afford. Basically we’ve taken our seven night Seychelles cruises, added a two night land stay, and included the flights, transfers, port taxes, all meals and three excursions in one single deeply discounted price for two people. We’ve also got a great deal if you’re travelling alone – see below

The good ship M/V Pegasus is one of those slightly quirky vessels. We admit that she doesn’t exactly look like the mythical winged horse, but that’s because she has been designed with two hulls to draw less water and be able to cruise through these shallow island seas. We do however promise you that she won’t take you too close to the sun! In fact, the weather in the islands is pretty stable with temperatures that hover between 28°C and 32°C year-round.

For those who don’t like it too hot June is the ideal month to visit. It’s also the best month for prices based on a 40% cruise discount for two sharing a cabin. Hotel-wise we offer a range of properties at varying prices. Our all-inclusive price is based on a two-night stay pre or post cruise, but we can organise longer if you like.

Our best prices for two travelling and sharing a cabin and hotel room on this all-inclusive* basis are:

• MAY from £5,199
• JUNE from £4,994

If you’re travelling alone the deals are:

• MAY from £3,099
• JUNE from £2,978

Anchors aweigh,
Suzie Seaworthy