Itinerary changes are a pain

In recent months we have been seeing that many cruise lines have been changing their Itineraries.

I can understand why this is done when hurricanes batter the likes of the Caribbean islands because the infrastructure can be damaged and for a few weeks after the hurricane the whole of Puerto Rico was without power so cruise lines cannot take clients where there is no water or electric because there would be an uproar if excursions were cancelled and all the facilities at the destination were closed.

However when a cruise line offers an itinerary, lets say in September 2018 and has had that itinerary on offer for at least 12 months and then they decide to change the Itinerary 10 months prior to sailing, how does that work?  Surely they are not falsely advertising a more ‘exciting itinerary’ to get clients to book and once they have sold most of the ship, turn around and say ‘oh sorry you are not going there any more’ and if you want to cancel you lose your deposit!

If there is a reason like the port has become un safe for clients, yes i get it, but if a notification comes out stating ‘for operational reasons’ we have to change this Itinerary…..What operational reason? Are the port taxes too much, do the residents not want cruise ships docking on their front door and 4000 people spending their money on local products?

Really cruise lines should give a valid reason as why they change Itineraries more so so we as travel agents can advise our clients rather than speculate!