Your Cruise Your Way Cruise Blog

When I wrote about American safari Cruises doing their golf cruises in Hawaii earlier this month (http://www.yourcruiseyourway.com/2008/10/02/american-safari-cruises-introduces-golfing-and-yacht-cruising-in-the-hawaii/), I didn’t anticipate the cruise line being the first to publicly admit canceling a series of cruises due to the sagging economy. We all know cruisers are taking closer to home trips, but most cruise lines have put a different spin on it. American Safari Cruises, www.amsafari.com, is deferring entry into the Hawaii inter-island cruise market until a time when the capital funding markets and the overall U.S. economy improve, announces Capt. Dan Blanchard, president and CEO.

Although response from both consumers and travel agents to the first-ever yacht cruises in Hawaii is positive, the dramatic downturn in the capital markets, plus escalating fuel costs and higher air fares calls for a delay in the company’s expansion plans. “It’s the wise and prudent thing to do,” Blanchard says. “We plan to inaugurate our Hawaii cruises when liquidity returns to the capital markets.”

Guests who are booked for Hawaii cruises will receive full refunds, future cruise savings of 15 percent and allowances for air ticketing. They also will be given first priority to secure space in American Safari Cruises’ other active warm water destination, Mexico’s Sea of Cortés. The 22-guest Safari Quest begins the eighth season in Mexico Nov. 13 with seven- or nine-night sailings through April 7, 2009. Re-accommodated Hawaii guests will also receive a $250 per person air credit. Technorati has limited articles on American Safari Cruises, but you can see some.

About American Safari Cruises – www.amsafari.com: Now in its 11th year, the company offers luxury yacht cruises in Alaska’s Inside Passage, Mexico’s Sea of Cortés, the Columbia and Snake rivers, and the Pacific Northwest. The company’s four luxury yachts include: The 145-foot, 36-guest Safari Explorer; the 120-foot, 22-guest Safari Quest; the 112-foot, 12-guest Safari Escape; and the 105-foot, 12-guest Safari Spirit. American Safari Cruises has been named one of the World’s Top Five Luxury Small Ship/Specialty Cruise Lines (2007) and one of the Top Five Active and Specialty Travel Suppliers (2008) by Virtuoso luxury-travel agent consortium.

For more information about American Safari Cruises, call me at 1-888-579-8706, email me, or visit my website at www.avctravel.com/greggeppleman.