The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate must intervene when Holland Norway Lines has run into financial problems, according to the Consumers’ Association.
The ferry service to Norway did not offer stranded passengers an alternative when all sailings with the cruise ferry MS Romantika were canceled. According to the interest group, travelers were entitled to this.
In the event of a cancellation or long delay of a ferry service, stranded travelers are entitled to snacks, meals, refreshments and, if necessary, overnight stays in hotels. “And in case of cancellation, travelers can choose between their money back or alternative transport, without having to pay extra.”
Holland Norway Lines applied for a postponement of payment earlier this week and immediately stopped all crossings between Emden, just across the German border near Groningen, and Kristiansand in Norway. The Consumers’ Association is upset that Holland Norway Lines has not said anything about passenger rights on its own website.
A request for deferred payment is often a precursor to bankruptcy. It is highly questionable whether duped customers of Holland Norway Lines will get the money back from their ticket.
Although the transport company appeared to be a member of the Stichting Garantiefonds Reisgelden (SGR), which compensates customers for damage in the event of bankruptcy, Holland Norway Lines sold single tickets through a separate subsidiary that was not affiliated with the SGR, so that the guarantee fund cards also not covered. “That is unnecessarily confusing,” says the Consumers’ Association.