Jim Avery Posted December 25, 2012 #1 Share Posted December 25, 2012 We are constantly bombarded with email and snail mail special offers from just about every cruise line under the sun except SeaDream. We get the usual newsletters and emails about new itineraries and occasionally some news tidbits from SeaDream but none of the last minute discounted specials from other lines, even Seabourn. Guess SeaDream's passenger load is enough that that type of last minute discounting is not necessary. Or maybe they just don't send it to me in order to cut down the chances of me being on board.:eek::D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Avery Posted December 26, 2012 Author #2 Share Posted December 26, 2012 In re reading the above, what I forgot to say is that I like the way SeaDream will sail with 75 passengers or whatever it is rather than discounting to fill the ship every time. But we are now able to make last minute decisions and would surely jump on SD for the right price.:D I know they offer Travel Agent pricing on certain voyages giving TAs a very nice break. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare knotheadusc Posted December 26, 2012 #3 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Unfortunately, sometimes the TAs then start handing out their cards to their fellow passengers... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frequent traveler Posted December 27, 2012 #4 Share Posted December 27, 2012 In re reading the above, what I forgot to say is that I like the way SeaDream will sail with 75 passengers or whatever it is rather than discounting to fill the ship every time. But we are now able to make last minute decisions and would surely jump on SD for the right price.:D I know they offer Travel Agent pricing on certain voyages giving TAs a very nice break. Don't think this is always the case - on our Corinth canal voyage in July, last minute discounts filled the yacht with families paying far less per person per week then we did and the yacht was full .what is more concerning, go to the booking page and all cabins are now listed as capable of sleeping 3 (except owner & admiral) talk about changing dynamics if many of those cabins noe have 3 guests. FT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Avery Posted December 27, 2012 Author #5 Share Posted December 27, 2012 Don't think this is always the case - on our Corinth canal voyage in July, last minute discounts filled the yacht with families paying far less per person per week then we did and the yacht was full .what is more concerning, go to the booking page and all cabins are now listed as capable of sleeping 3 (except owner & admiral) talk about changing dynamics if many of those cabins noe have 3 guests. FT We are certainly on the same page with you concerning the changing dynamics. That is partly why I asked the questions. I would jump on a last minute cruise because maybe then the kids/large groups would be known. I just want to get the experience advertised and which we have had 50% of the time.:eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flygod Posted February 7, 2013 #6 Share Posted February 7, 2013 It always annoys me when I find "hidden" discount pricing - ie for military, travel agents, airline pilots. The last, especially, since I am a flying instructor and earn far less than an airline pilot! I suppose one thinks offering "mates mates" is a common courtesy, so airline pilots count as people in a similar industry. I suppose we should be grateful to those who defend our country - but then perhaps we should simply pay them well enough and give them proper conditions in the first place (I talk from a UK background. Check out "standard" UK Forces middle eastern toilets compared to US ones!) And I suppose the idea is to encourage travel agents to recommend SD from personal experience. Although, really, you should be sure to get the sort of TA that has the right type of clients). But, ultimately, SD has lost me on a couple of trips to other alternativs simply because I have seen they are giving other people a rate they won't offer me. How they offer such a rate to me without offering it to anyone else (hint! hint!), I do not know. After all, any accountant will tell you it is better to sell 50 berths at full price rather than 99 at half price. And if everyone knew that early December voyages - say - were to be dumped at cut-prices, they would buy fully-refundable airline points tickets early and just sit on their wallets until November! Oh well, hang the price. It will be back to SD for us in 2014 - either Colon to SJ or a week on JVD over New Year and a week on SD to recover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cabosal Posted February 8, 2013 #7 Share Posted February 8, 2013 We just got off cruise on SD I that was Jan 19-27, We had just 1 room that was not filled on it. We were told that the complete SD I that was sailing Caribe was sold out 100% till it finished sailing this winter . Guess no need to have specials pricing. In fact a few of cruises next late fall/early winter are nearly sold out, with waiting list being taken. We booked March 2014 Barbadoes-Barbadoes (9 Day cruise) and we were 6th reservation sold with over a year to go Guess SD got a good thing going !! LOVE THE DREAM:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flygod Posted February 9, 2013 #8 Share Posted February 9, 2013 And this morning..... A SD email with a 10% discount on the new Asia voyages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Avery Posted February 9, 2013 Author #9 Share Posted February 9, 2013 And this morning..... A SD email with a 10% discount on the new Asia voyages. I know, for us, Asia is quite a stretch logistically and financially.:eek: That might be a factor in others bookings as well. No discounts offered for Costa Rica---yet.:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare knotheadusc Posted February 9, 2013 #10 Share Posted February 9, 2013 A few of the Costa Rica cruises are priced at under $3000 a person, though... I am really looking at them, but I'm also interested in the one that goes from Panama to San Juan in January 2014. That one is $3199 a person right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Avery Posted February 9, 2013 Author #11 Share Posted February 9, 2013 The Panama to SJU does look great. Lots of interesting stops. Too bad we already booked the other. Guess I did not notice it sooner.:eek: Hey, they are all good.:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare knotheadusc Posted February 9, 2013 #12 Share Posted February 9, 2013 I'm looking at the logistics of getting to Panama from San Antonio. Looks like it could be a PITA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zimmy Posted February 11, 2013 #13 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Knothead: We just came home yesterday from Panama. There are flights from DFW and Houston to Panama City. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CDreamer Posted February 16, 2013 #14 Share Posted February 16, 2013 Guess SeaDream's passenger load is enough that that type of last minute discounting is not necessary. :::snip:: Did anyone else just receive a "private sale" email from SD, announcing a reduced fare for some of their 2013 March-April Caribbean cruises? So it appears they DO send out "discount" email notifications. Just don't know how they decide who gets these emails and who doesn't? :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fpebbles Posted February 16, 2013 #15 Share Posted February 16, 2013 Did not receive. :mad: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Avery Posted February 16, 2013 Author #16 Share Posted February 16, 2013 Me Either.:mad: Maybe they dont waste them if you are already booked?? Might make you want a reduction of the fare. Conspiracy Theory Saturday!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CDreamer Posted February 16, 2013 #17 Share Posted February 16, 2013 Me Either.:mad: Maybe they dont waste them if you are already booked?? Might make you want a reduction of the fare. Conspiracy Theory Saturday!! LOL.... Or maybe they just like me better? :eek:;) Well it only applies to a handful of Caribbean cruises that will take place earlier this year - so that throws one theory out the window since you're not booked until Costa Rica, correct? But you are also correct in that there is a short, specific period when you can book these lower fares, so if you were already booked on one of these cruises it wouldn't apply anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zimmy Posted February 16, 2013 #18 Share Posted February 16, 2013 But you are also correct in that there is a short, specific period when you can book these lower fares, so if you were already booked on one of these cruises it wouldn't apply anyway. But if I were booked it would make me angry to know that they were going to book a bunch of new people at lower rates than I paid! By the way, we are not booked until Costa Rica, and we did not get an email. So perhaps they really do like you better CDreamer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fpebbles Posted February 16, 2013 #19 Share Posted February 16, 2013 Or maybe they just like me better? That is probably true. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CDreamer Posted February 17, 2013 #20 Share Posted February 17, 2013 That is probably true.:) Yes, it's my glowing personality! :rolleyes: Maybe it's because I use a Virtoso travel agent? Dunno, have no idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frequent traveler Posted February 17, 2013 #21 Share Posted February 17, 2013 But you are also correct in that there is a short, specific period when you can book these lower fares, so if you were already booked on one of these cruises it wouldn't apply anyway. But if I were booked it would make me angry to know that they were going to book a bunch of new people at lower rates than I paid! By the way, we are not booked until Costa Rica, and we did not get an email. So perhaps they really do like you better CDreamer! Zimmy, you are so right about being on board with people who paid substantially less than we did for a week, especially when reduced fares allowed them to bring two children under the age of 8. We had not one but several of those on our last SD voyage. Hope none of those mark down weeks are during spring break weeks. FT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare knotheadusc Posted February 17, 2013 #22 Share Posted February 17, 2013 I didn't get one... But I'm booked for May. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whatnot Posted February 17, 2013 #23 Share Posted February 17, 2013 I'm booked in May too! And I didn't get the email either! Yep, they must like you better! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CDreamer Posted February 17, 2013 #24 Share Posted February 17, 2013 I'm booked in May too! And I didn't get the email either! Yep, they must like you better! Yes, I'm sure now this is the reason. :p Seriously have no idea, but what I will say is that it only applies to a few upcoming Caribbean cruises and doesn't extend out into the Med sailings. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abenaki Posted February 17, 2013 #25 Share Posted February 17, 2013 I don't quite follow the logic of being upset that someone who booked last minute might be paying less. The cruiseline surely has the right to try and fill the boat, just the same as on an airplane or in a hotel . Often you might get a lower price on the cruise but end up paying far more for last minute travel. When you buy a dress and the price goes down later, do you go back to the store and try to get a refund? Presumably the management is smart enough to understand that someone getting a bargain basement price might not fit the profile, and they would be no further ahead, but it is a little grand to think that someone paying less cheapens the experience for you. We have all been onboard with passengers obviously paying the full price, who weren't fit for the product either. IMHO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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