cruisr

The bad.  I had to speak to a Amex Concierge today and asked about Crystal being part of the Cruise Privileges program ($300.00 OBC for Platinum and $500.00 for Centurion).  He said he would call me back as it may take a while to find out.  The Amex concierge said he spoke to his higher ups and the Cruise Privilege program and as of this time Crystal will not be on their list of partner cruise lines.

5 hours ago, ak1004 said:

 

We share a very similar sentiment. The Lisbon to Southampton itinerary is amazing. We were booked on a very similar sailing for September 2022 (11 nights) .. Our OV cabin was $3,300 USD.. We would love to re book it, but unfortunately it is $5,600 now (with 1 night less)..

I did that one many years ago and it was wonderful.   I had been to about 1/2 the ports and discovered new places and have spent weeks in Bordeaux and the surrounding area as there is so much to do.  There was not a port I did not like on that itinerary.

3 hours ago, peribit said:

I know what a destination fee is at hotels.  But this is being charged by Crystal??

Sorry, many people do not know and my last sentence said it would be a first if Crystal was charging this.  It is probably semantics as they are most likely putting port charges, taxes and fees into a catch all “destination fee”.

1 hour ago, peribit said:

My TA told me that the difference is the destination fee.  Anyone heard of that?

Destination fees and/or resort fees are very common in the hotel industry.  They are basically a money grab.  The hotels tell you that the fee is for internet, 2 bottles of water in your room, and some other ridiculous stuff that if you have hotel status you receive anyway.  This scheme started with resorts in a hotel chain portfolio and morphed into destination fees at places like NYC.

If it truly is a destination fee that is a first for a cruise line.

I posted my thoughts somewhere on here when I first viewed the itineraries.  Been there, done that and an exact repeat of ports on current itineraries from past itineraries.

I can see why.  Easier to start with what they know.  They have the contacts, port agents, DMCs for shorex, etc.  I pick itineraries first, cruiseline second.  There is not one itinerary that interests me and as such I am not booking anything ATM.  Perhaps something on the WC when we find more about that but as I would do that as a single that will probably not work as I refuse to be relegated to the least desirable cabins on the ship in the worst location.  
 

I am also going to wait for reviews of what Crystal is.  There is a lot of magical thinking going on and a lot of hope that things will be as they were before Genting/Crystal went bust.  They would have to hire everybody back from the incredible deck staff to the wonderful maitre’d to the same culinary team, etc.  The entire hospitality industry is challenged with staffing.  I have stayed in contact with 2 staff and they are not returning.  Even if 1/2 return then 1/2 will be new.  
 

Hopefully new ports and itineraries for those lucky enough to be well traveled and want new experiences.  Hopefully Crystal will step up to the plate with everything they we loved about defunct Crystal.

2 minutes ago, RD64 said:

This is a NEW Crystal - new management - new financial goals, etc. what the former Crystal did has no bearing on the current situation.

Obviously and my past loyalty has nothing to do with my future loyalty.  Choice is good.

I will never sail as a single (or a double) without a verandah at least and preferably (if $ is right) a penthouse.  I can get reasonable single supplements on the other luxury lines and get verandahs.  I am looking forward to any communication about single supplements for other categories.  If it is a message to singles to take what we give you (window cabins forward and welcome to bow thruster and anchor chain noises) and be happy because we will only give you a discount on these cabins I will not be sailing with them.  Guess I got spoiled with their former approach to singles.

It is also not showing 9/27 Can/NE which is part of a series.

Really bad introduction to Crystal 2.0. Not impressed.

The cruise from Mia to Lax and Lax to PPT in January would be pretty important as well as the rest of the WC.

How do people here know when the Inaugural cruise is?

1 hour ago, sullaRaffaello said:

How did you learn this?

It was in the email sent to my TA

Both ships will have dedicated single cabins.  Didn't say in which category or categories though. 

An announcement was sent out to TAs today.  Mine called me to update me.  Looks like things are happening.

Can you tell us which charter company Seabourn used for the flight please. What type of aircraft 737 or similar?  How was

seating assigned and did some get stuck in

middle seats?  No business class I

presume. Thanks

The Crown Plaza in Maestra is a great hotel and either express to Santa Lucia station or one stop on the train.  I have stayed there many times pre/post if I wanted to save a little dosh.  I have of course stayed in Venice itself but the prices are insane.

Seabourn does not have any admin fees or non refundable fees.  XL penalties start 120 days before sailing.  It use to be at 90 days, when final payment is due and now is 120.  I am fine with a $500.00 non refundable fee 120 days out.  Not fine with xl penalties or admin fees starting right after I deposit.  

On 12/31/2022 at 6:07 AM, G Oliver said:

We are in the ship at the moment. We were told of the issue after we sailed- some passengers asked to go back to Ushuaia to disembark once it was clear South Georgia would be missed. Although the ship did return, they were told they would have to make their  arrangements from Buenos Aries home and there would be no refund of cruise fare. Not surprisingly, no one got off- we were held to ransom by Seabourn.

 

We are now returning to Ushuaia a day early to beat a storm in the Drake passage. 
 

The 7 days scheduled to/from/in South Georgia were spent going further in Antarctica- brilliant scenery, but did not come anywhere near compensating for what we missed.

 

Captain was virtually invisible- left Expedition team to explain issues whenever he could

 

Compensation of $1k each plus 15% is inadequate and we and others will be taking further action. 

Don’t know if it is the same Captain but friends on the Venture in September Iceland/Greenland said they didn’t ever see him at all.  Never doing a walk about, never anywhere.  

Family and I were on one of the original sisters in the Caribbean.  Caribbean can be quite rough sometimes.  My DH and the kids were all feeling queasy.  When we saw the Captain, much to my embarrassment he asked him if he had the stabilizers on.  The Captain said, “Yes, of course”.  My husband replied, “Really”.  The Captain came back with, “If you would like I can turn them off so you could see what the ride would feel like without stabilizers”.

I have crossed the Drakes Passage twice.  Once, not exactly Drake Lake but it was tolerable.  The second time was brutal and we had stabilizers.  Hate to think what that would be like without stabilizers.  

15 minutes ago, Keith1010 said:

That is right. Up to $500.00 per suite 2 people crystal society and up to  250.00 per suite new to Crystal 

Thanks.  I thought someone posted that it was incorrect.

Now I am confused.  When I look at the page it says $250.00 per person for Crystal Society Members (I am) and it says $125.00 per person for first time guests.  So is this wrong?  That is what seems to be stated on this forum.

Send an email to the concierge of the hotel you are staying at.  They will be able to advise you about clinics nearby and can probably make an appointment for you.

@ciaoYachtSadly, Seabourn does not care.  They have been cruising to this area for many many years.  The port operations and itinerary planning departments know these ports and to change after cancellation fees apply is really disappointing for the guests that now want to change their choice and cannot without penalty it seems.  Not very customer friendly.

The dog is in the Colonade?  Geez.

The whole service dog issue has devolved into a scam.   I know people who got their pet dog certified as a “service dog” and its not that hard to do.  
 

I agree with others above,  Seabourn is having a lot of issues shipboard and shoreside and this is another issue which should be addressed.

OMG.  The dog took a dump and she used a paper towel and said that was enough.  Wow, I feel sorry for the staff that has to clean that mess up.  What must the balcony look like in the owners suite?  Who cleans it top to bottom to get rid of the dog hair.  Would hate to be the next guests in that suite and be allergic to dogs.  On the Cunard ship crossings the dogs stay in the kennels.  Their owners can visit them there and a trained staff member walks them,  They are not allowed in suites, cabins or seating areas.

I sort of think prospective guests should be made aware of the fact that dogs are allowed on board and allowed in public rooms on Seabourn.  

6 minutes ago, Joc123 said:

On Encore in 2017 (I think).

Lady was travelling in the Owners Suite and had a ‘toilet’ area set up on balcony.

Cute dog, but seriously?  I for one do not want to sit in a chair after a dog was in it.  I had dogs all my adult life and they never, ever, were allowed on our furniture at home.  I can’t imagine bringing my dog to one of the restaurants we frequent (outdoor dining, dogs allowed) and have them sit on a chair.  Of course she was in an Owners Suite.  Wonder if someone in a V1 would be allowed to do this?  

12 hours ago, Mr Luxury said:

This lady and her dog were on the Encore in August.

I didn't notice the dog curled up on her lap in Seabourn Square until my wife told me.

Never saw either again.

 

Never saw either of them again?  I hope you don’t mean you never saw your wife again.LOL.