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JDF

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    New restart date for all ships announced on Facebook

    in Seabourn Cruise Line

    Posted

    3 hours ago, cruiseej said:

    @marazul

     

    What I read from that is that guests on these specific cruises must be vaccinated, but there is no such requirement for cruises this winter and beyond. Knowing that the majority of Seabourn customers on CC are in favor of mandatory vaccinations, I think that's a really big deal. This really scares me about future cruising on Seabourn, and I'm reluctant to book a cruise for next year when Seabourn is trying to keep open its options to allow non-vaccinated guests aboard. 

    We're in the same situation.  Now booked on the Ovation out of Miami in November (group of 20), but Seabourn won't commit to a vaccine policy - which is a dealbreaker.  

    Not impressed

    in SeaDream Yacht Club

    Posted

    I took a stab at calculating timing of a refund:

    Assumptions:

    5 minutes per transaction (how complicated is it to refund since all the information is already in the system)

    2 months of cancellations

    Each segment is based on a 7-day itinerary

    Full capacity of every segment

    1 representative processing the refunds

    Processing:

    12 transactions per hour x 7 hour day = 84 refunds per day

    84 x 4 weeks = 336 per month

    336 x 2 months = 672 refunds for the 2 month period

    Guests for the 2 month period:

    4 (weeks) = 4 segments (7-day itinerary) x 2 yachts = 8 per month (or 16 for the 2 month period)

    Average capacity = 50 cabins/transactions x 16 segments = 800 transactions or possible refunds

    • The above is based on every segment being full - which we know is rare
    • Crossing occurs in April during the canceled months is 12 days and capacity is half full, still, I'm basing the above on 7-day segments to show the comparison of a 'higher' amount of transactions SDYC has to process.

    Summary:

    SDYC with 1 representative can process 672 refunds in a 2 month period.

    IF, SDYC sailed full in every segment they would have to process 800 refunds in a 2 month period.  We all know this number is inflated by xx% (you decide).

    SDYC to put it nicely is 'full of it' that it takes 90 days to process from a stay at home requirement.

    We have 4 segments on deposit (now canceled) and a credited future cruise due to a cancelation.  Fingers are crossed to receive the money, hoping our insurance and/or AMEX will come through if not.

    **These are just my thoughts, feel free to comment on your assumptions**

     

     

     

     

     

     

    We were on SD1 - March 15

    in SeaDream Yacht Club

    Posted

    1 hour ago, ssawjo said:

    JDF, thanks for the information.  We got off SDI on March 15 in Barbados.  Taylor was saying that they expected less than fifty guests for the next voyage.  They were offering a 25% discount to anyone who wanted to do a back to back.  I do not know if anyone took them up on the offer.  Most people, including the four of us, were concerned about any airline stoppages back to the states.  The foreign nationals were especially concerned and were making some convoluted itineraries to get home, like via Panama.  Our German guests were not allowed to disembark in Grenada due to what was going on in Europe. They were upset but understood what was going on.  Actually, they didn't miss much. 

     

    I may be misreading your post but it looks like you did a Barbados back to back and never got to St. Maarten.  Correct me if I'm wrong.

     

    The crew did not appear too anxious but I believe that they were thinking about what to expect in the next few weeks and was their underlying concern.  

     

    We had a great cruise and yachting experience and would do it again.  

     

    No issues whatsoever.  Some rough seas at times but nothing outrageous. Great food and wonderful service.

     

    Bill and Kathi

    Hi Bill and Kathi-

    Correct, the original itinerary never made it to St. Maarten due to the closure of the port.  We then did a Barbados round trip.  Also booked the following week which was another Barbados round trip.

    As well Taylor and corporate was trying to sell the second week with the following incentives:

    -25% off the fare

    -Free Wifi

    -Free Laundry

    -Upgrade to the Premium Wine Package

    No rough seas for us, weather was perfect.  Just a little other drama........

    We were on SD1 - March 15

    in SeaDream Yacht Club

    Posted

    Hi All-

    You might call it stupidity or just trying to run from the scourge. Probably both. 
    We originally had March 15 - 22 Barbados to St. Maarten and March 22 - 29 St. Maarten to Barbados booked.  Needless to say only one was completed. 
    Arrived Barbados on March 13 and when we awoke on the 14th our iPhones were ablaze with news notices of global cruise cancellations. Ugh. But, no email from SD. 
    We had several friends from the UK flying in and couldn’t advise them since they were already airborne (not a good word these days). 
    Sunday the 15th, I texted Taylor and Silvio and everything was a ‘go’. 
    Barbados pier was a mess since several mega ships were in and canceled with no clue what to do with their passengers.

    Once onboard Taylor gathered everyone in the Main Salon and advised us of the new itinerary since the majority of ports on our itinerary were closed. All of the Grenadines...St.  Lucia, Bequia, Canouan, Union Island and Mayreau. We were the last boat allowed into St. Lucia and had to anchor near Shenanigans in Canouan since our original location we were not welcomed any longer. 
    Once the Level 4 US Travel Advisory went into place, basically ‘shxt  the fan’, Barbados announced they were closing the port (supposedly {not confirmed} there was virus on some anchored boats).  The government announced anyone arriving from the UK or US would be quarantined for 14 days. There was an exception made for SD1 to allow us into port since we had no virus, but, all 52 of us had to go directly to the airport and depart. Transfers were arranged between the port agent and SD, we could not take any independent taxis. 
    it was quite sad arriving since Barbados is such an active port to see many ships anchored and view a literal ghost town. 
    We were originally booked on JetBlue to JFK, but, they canceled. Fortunately we could purchase a flight via Miami on American. 
    It was not a typical Sea Dream, many of the crew were stressed out (understandable). Many challenges to overcome, but, in all (even with this enormous dark cloud), everyone had a good time.

    Sea Dream kept trying to sell the next segment with the Lebel 4 travel advisory, which I disagreed with, thus, we canceled (another scramble rebooking flights) prior to their cancellation. 
    Many of the crew were traveling home, but, their routing was via Dubai. Dubai enacted a quarantine (even in transit passengers), hence, some of the crew had to return to SD1. 
    Sorry to be long winded, but, what an experience which I’ll never forget. 
    Stay healthy, strong and safe. 

     


     

    Thanksgiving

    in SeaDream Yacht Club

    Posted

    Anyone sailed over thanksgiving with SeaDream? I assume extended families are on board at this time with a few kids? Got a good Past cruiser offer for Nov 22.....

     

    We've completed 2 Thanksgiving cruises (2014 & 2012). Both cruises were outstanding. Both times occupancy rate was in the 90s (% not age). Can't go wrong. You'll have an outstanding time.

    Engine Update?

    in SeaDream Yacht Club

    Posted

    Just a thought out loud !! :rolleyes: Does anyone 100 % know for sure SeadDream I is only running on 1 engine?

    Haven't seen anyone for sure make a claim 1 way or another. from last few that have been on SeaDream I they seem to think all is well.

    As far as SeaDream responsibilty to its customers is, I'm sure they base all there decisions on worst case scenario's.

    They wouldn't want to have 100 customers stuck in the Carribean, (well I could find worst places to be stuck )

    I'm counting down the days until March 20th. Barbados to Barbados 9 day

    Suffering here in Michigan on Global Warming;)/Global Vortex, guess i should call Al Gore:o

    Well I'll report back to everyone on SeaDream , I'll do this before making stop at TOY Bar or Piano bar.

    I'll be sure to pack a paddle in case we get stuck:)

     

     

    Haha. We're on the same cruise as well. Born and raised in Detroit (Southfield) and have been living in NYC for 24 years. Staying at the Hilton as well -- arriving on the 19th.

    Sea Dream I is alive and well

    in SeaDream Yacht Club

    Posted

    Thanks for the update Pirate. :-)

     

    Favor, can you ask Gareth if he'll be on for the March 20th cruise on SD1? He was our Assistant CD on SD2 September 5th from Monte Carlo to Rome -- he was GREAT.

     

    SD2 had engine problems as well for our cruise. We didn't get to half our ports and there was a lot of unhappy passengers. Future cruise and shipboard credit was offered.

     

    One month and counting -- can't wait.

     

    -Jim

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