| One Ocean Expeditions to restructure

BELEAGUERED Antarctic cruise operator One Ocean Expeditions (OOE) has confirmed it will soon enter a formal restructuring process, allowing its creditors to seek “some form of payment”.

In the meantime the company claims to have entered into a partnership with another unnamed operator to carry passengers on future voyages.

The Canadian-based cruise line has not operated any cruises for the last three months, with its RCGS Resolute (pictured) impounded in Buenos Aires, over a payment dispute.

The company has repeatedly cancelled cruises (CW 01 Nov 2019, CW 25 Nov 2019, CW 18 Dec 2019), despite continuing to offer bookings via its website, and rather than providing refunds has offered “future cruise credits”.

In an update issued overnight, OOE confirmed it was “in the process of restructuring its business to provide alternative options for its valued customers and partners affected by the current financial position.

“As part of this restructure, OOE has entered into a strategic marketing partnership with a highly regarded company with more than 120 years of cruise and expedition experience…through this partnership, OOE customers will be offered various options to continue their travel for a discounted price,” the firm said.

Passengers are being asked for permission to pass on their details to the as-yet-confidential partner operator.

Customers can also elect to become a “creditor” of OOE, which will enter a formal process of business restructure in accordance with Canadian law, “with the aim of receiving refund of a portion of what was advanced”.

Hurtigruten, which has offered “compassionate fares” to impacted pax (CW 28 Nov 2019), has rejected claims it had entered into a partnership with OOE.