Seabourn pricing !

Henry,

 

In a previous post you alluded to the fact that you were not entirely satisfied with your TA. Perhaps a change to a more qualified TA who would work more closely with Seabourn to get you what you wants in order.

No, on this occasion it's Seabourn's prices combined with the usual battle over third person cabin availability. I think the fact it's the only cruise not covered by Seabourn's current promotion as far as I can tell adds insult to injury.

We currently use the supposed best Seabourn agent in the UK although I'm not entirely sure what added value they bring to the table. I can match their discount elsewhere.

I love Seabourn to bits but it's not THAT good. Providing you feel you've had value for money you forgive it little mistakes here & there and get on with having a good time. At £20,000 ($26,000) for 2 weeks in a standard cabin I would resent every deviation from perfection.

As we have the flights to Hong Kong already we are limited in terms of Seabourn options.

Henry :)

 

 

 

We currently use the supposed best Seabourn agent in the UK although I'm not entirely sure what added value they bring to the table. I can match their discount elsewhere.

 

 

 

 

Henry :)

Quite. Think their service is personalised for a few. About 8 consecutive bookings with Seabourn through them over four years seemed to mean nothing so we went elsewhere. Much closer to home. Same discount. Much better and friendlier service.

galeforce9, Could you further explain your comment, " think their service is personalised for a few"? I am interested in your viewpoint. Are you talking about service from a TA or from SB? It appears you are referring to a TA.

Can you tell us why you keep sailing SB?

Quite. Think their service is personalised for a few. About 8 consecutive bookings with Seabourn through them over four years seemed to mean nothing so we went elsewhere. Much closer to home. Same discount. Much better and friendlier service.

We use same TA and so far have been happy with the service we receive from them but I believe I know what you mean and why you have the impression that their service is personalised for a few. If we were offered the same discount elsewhere I'd try another TA.

Intrigued about your new TA, especially given that we're based in an area not far from the Peak District, they must be quite close to us too. I know the CC rules though so I know you can't tell me their name. I'll do a bit of research over the wekend!

I use the same TA and have had excellent service and advice over the years.

They are the largest selling Seabourn agent on the planet and specialise only in luxury cruise lines not mass market lines.

They must be doing something right but nothing in life works for everyone.

It's good that we have a choice at this level.

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Just checked the US website, and V3 is selling for $10,599 + $300 port taxes. That's $757 per diem. (V1 & V2 not available.)

 

However, the other ships are offering more typical pricing: Encore $353 per diem (Sydney to Auckland) 32 days for V5 or $375 per diem (Sydney to Auckland, 16 days for OB, or $279 per diem (Benoa to Auckland) 34 days for an OB; Sojourn $319 per diem (Sydney to Singapore). Antarctica on the Quest holiday cruise is $708 per diem.

I’m quite surprised Antarctica is priced at less per day than south east Asia!

Henry, perhaps you can book connecting flights from Hong Kong to/from Auckland & Sydney and consider the Encore sailing?

Floris

Quite. Think their service is personalised for a few. About 8 consecutive bookings with Seabourn through them over four years seemed to mean nothing so we went elsewhere. Much closer to home. Same discount. Much better and friendlier service.

I’ve never heard a peep from the Regal sounding agents once money has been received until the next time we email them to book another cuise. The other people who seem to specialise mainly in the 5 or even 6 Star cruise lines have invited us over to hear private presentations from luxury cruise lines and enjoy a bit of lunch. Very pro-active and remembered us instantly. I’m sure computer database led memory but it works.

We all know what the discount should be to within a couple of quid.

I’m quite surprised Antarctica is priced at less per day than south east Asia!

 

Henry, perhaps you can book connecting flights from Hong Kong to/from Auckland & Sydney and consider the Encore sailing?

 

Floris

I know, madness. Either somehing has gone a bit wrong with the pricing algorithm or everyone has been waiting to book the new ship over Christmas.

I could get just as good a deal on flights to OZ from Heathrow so the air miles HK flights would be wasted.

On a serious note Seabourn need to be careful. If you charge a lot of money people arrive with extremely high expectations and they will leave angry and disappointed because Seabourn isn’t designet to function at that level. Im a huge fan of the product but it’s essential you feel like it was good value.

I’d hate to see loads of poor reviews based on over expectant campers.

Henry :)

I’m quite surprised Antarctica is priced at less per day than south east Asia!

 

Henry, perhaps you can book connecting flights from Hong Kong to/from Auckland & Sydney and consider the Encore sailing?

 

Floris

Could that be because of less port days fees on the Antarctica sailing as compared to the Asia sailing?

Henry you could join us on the Benoa to Sydney leg of the sailing to Auckland cruise as our price has dropped from about US$400 a day to US$260 a day since we booked with the same free cabin upgrades? I would love to meet you and your family :)

No, on this occasion it's Seabourn's prices combined with the usual battle over third person cabin availability. I think the fact it's the only cruise not covered by Seabourn's current promotion as far as I can tell adds insult to injury.

 

Henry :)

If we're still talking about the over Christmas cruise on the Ovation it is covered by the current promotion (the one called Set Sail is what I keep getting in my mailbox), it's just gone massively up in price in the last few weeks, possibly because the promotion was successful and they've darn near sold it out.

As far as I can ever tell none of the Seabourn 'promotions' seem to change the fares on cruises from what they were before, they just throw in a bit of internet or something.

Anyway - having just experienced Encore packed from bow to stern, I think I'd need a discount to take the last room on Ovation over Christmas :D

galeforce9, Could you further explain your comment, " think their service is personalised for a few"? I am interested in your viewpoint. Are you talking about service from a TA or from SB? It appears you are referring to a TA.

 

Can you tell us why you keep sailing SB?

TA comment not Seabourn. I voted with my money with regard to my travel agent.

Generally happy with Seabourn. As others have said, it is wrong to expect perfection. Every cruise line has issues and some cruises are affected more than others. Overall I believe Seabourn has the best product for the price but I will continue to comment on this board about particular aspects if I think they are not performing on a cruise in areas that could reasonably be better. I think that is what cruise critic is for.

Could that be because of less port days fees on the Antarctica sailing as compared to the Asia sailing?

Henry you could join us on the Benoa to Sydney leg of the sailing to Auckland cruise as our price has dropped from about US$400 a day to US$260 a day since we booked with the same free cabin upgrades? I would love to meet you and your family :)

The Antarctica cruise is the most expensive to operate hence pricing (normally). Asia is cheaper. Silverseas have a Singapore to Hong Kong cruise that Shadows the Ovation sailing (can you see what I did there :) ), and has overnight stays in all the ports, free excursions and money off deals. I know they are different cruise lines but it shows the port charges aren't excessive.

We can get onto the same Ovation sailing next Christmas for £4,000 less.

We aren't that nice in the flesh, we just present well on Cruise Critic :)

Henry :)

The Antarctica cruise is the most expensive to operate hence pricing (normally). Asia is cheaper. Silverseas have a Singapore to Hong Kong cruise that Shadows the Ovation sailing (can you see what I did there :) ), and has overnight stays in all the ports, free excursions and money off deals. I know they are different cruise lines but it shows the port charges aren't excessive.

 

We can get onto the same Ovation sailing next Christmas for £4,000 less.

 

We aren't that nice in the flesh, we just present well on Cruise Critic :)

 

Henry :)

Are you considering the Silver Shadow cruise?

The Antarctica cruise is the most expensive to operate hence pricing (normally).

Henry :)

Henry when I put my brain into gear and think I would say you are correct but worth every dollar as its the best cruise we have done

I would have liked to stay on that Benoa to Auckland cruise instead of getting off at Sydney but DW says too long away. Well it would have saved me two airline tickets from Sydney to Auckland as we live at Auckland :)

Also worth noting... these cruises are just hitting the 90 day out mark which is when those who are eligible for industry discounted rates (airline employees, TAs, friends/family) are sometimes offered reduced rates for sailings with a number of open cabins.

Also worth noting... these cruises are just hitting the 90 day out mark which is when those who are eligible for industry discounted rates (airline employees, TAs, friends/family) are sometimes offered reduced rates for sailings with a number of open cabins.

The issue here is that the Ovation Christmas cruise is very well booked as it is a new ship doing a holiday cruise.

The lesson to be learnt is that holiday cruises rarely if ever go down in price,if you know that you want to be on it and have possibly booked or have your flights on hold,book the cruise as early as you can so that you get a good price and the category of suite that you want.

We can all see what is happening with this one,it’s a case of supply and demand.

The value of the holiday cruises this year is The Encore,sixteen days Sydney to Auckland £4999 OB Seabourn choose your balcony suite and this price is before the 5% onboard booking and the other hefty discount that some TA’s give.

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The problem is some people expect big discounts and great personalized service. I would much rather forego the discount and get what I need when I need it from my TA.

I used to think the same thing but have found we finally have the time to cruise more often and when you can save several thousand dollars on a cruise and you take 3 or 4 a year that almost adds up to another cruise. I don't mind doing my own googling and comparing. The odd thing this time is I could not book until last minute due to husbands health issues. I went onto Seabourns site and it said no availability on a cruise that only days before showed numerous suites. I called direct to Seabourn and was told the same thing. Yet multiple travel agents had availability?Thankfully we got the cruise and suite I hoped for but it was touch and go for a few days.

Well, FDR (via Regent Marketing Dept), keeps emailing me daily and offering select cruises at Canadian$ at par plus an additional 15% off. Included is their 12 day Holiday cruise on the Voyager. The price is quite attractive, but we have other plans, and prefer Seabourn vs Regent. But if we did not have plans, that price point would be very attractive.

 

 

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Appreciate the link to 'Canadian at par'.

Thanks.

I guess booking a cruise can be a bit like buying a car---the price is all over the place.

I guess booking a cruise can be a bit like buying a car---the price is all over the place.

Buying a car is easier now, I go to a service that offers fleet pricing at a small premium over dealer cost (sometimes less). I wish I had the same option for a cruise!

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Are you considering the Silver Shadow cruise?

Looking at that cruise pretty much exactly the same thing has happened. I have a mail in my inbox from Silversea a week or two ago showing fares started at $7,200, and they did, I clicked the link. Now they are $8,700 and that's for a vista suite. Comparing suites with verandas, which is I think a fairer comparison, they start at $10,200, fairly close to the Ovation cost.

The three cruises every year which seem to be in demand, sell out fast and command something close to brochure fare are the Christmas Asia cruises, the spring cherry blossom around Japan cruise and the one which most lines do once in August roundtrip London. As Luxury says, this is good old supply and demand.

The prices go up as the cabins sell out... sometimes there’s a price drop after final payment as some people cancel.

Re: Celebrity. I’m finished with them. Even if you have a nice suite you are still hounded day and night with photography packages, drink packages, dining packages, art sales, jewelry sales, on and on. Then there’s lunch at the Oceanview cafe buffet..survival of the fittest meets high school cafeteria. The food in Luminae is mediocre at best.

Then there’s the crowds and full elevators, nowhere to sit at the pool or coffee shop.

Sure , it’s nice if you stay locked in your room.......

The prices go up as the cabins sell out... sometimes there’s a price drop after final payment as some people cancel.

Re: Celebrity. I’m finished with them. Even if you have a nice suite you are still hounded day and night with photography packages, drink packages, dining packages, art sales, jewelry sales, on and on. Then there’s lunch at the Oceanview cafe buffet..survival of the fittest meets high school cafeteria. The food in Luminae is mediocre at best.

Then there’s the crowds and full elevators, nowhere to sit at the pool or coffee shop.

Sure , it’s nice if you stay locked in your room.......

That’s why we never have or never will sail one of the mass market cruise limes. Size does matter.

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Just to add closure to the thread we have had to move away from Seabourn on this occasion. We were offered an acceptable deal with Silverseas on Silver Shadow for a variation of the Ovation itinerary with some interesting overnight stops but felt it wouldn't be the best ship on which to try Silverseas for the first time.

Henry :)