The massive disruption in air travel from the Icelandic volcano is wreaking havoc on cruise lines sailing in and around Europe.
Two of six ships at Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises have been hit by the historic interruption in European air service, according to Tim Rubacky, a spokesman for Miami-based Prestige Cruise Holdings, which owns both lines.
Regent's Mariner ship spent two extra days in Venice, finally departing on Monday, in order to give passengers more time to make their way to the port, Rubacky said. Oceania's Insignia ship delayed its departure from Barcelona for a day, leaving Monday evening, he said.
For passengers who booked both their air and sea tickets through Oceania or Regent, the cruise lines are picking up the tab for hotel rooms or altered air travel plans, Rubacky said.
As for those who booked only the cruise through the companies, Oceania and Regent have been providing help in finding rooms and transportation.
But, as is standard policy among most cruise lines, extra costs for their derailed plans is their responsibility, he added.
With Insignia on a 36-day Mediterranean cruise, Oceania is scrambling to help those who missed the departure from Barcelona by flying them in to subsequent ports of call, such as Marseilles, Florence or Civitavecchia, near Rome, Rubacky said. "We're rerouting guests on different flights as we can to get them to down-the-line ports," he said.
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