Jim Avery Posted January 15, 2014 #201 Share Posted January 15, 2014 I find it even more interesting that SeaDream can communicate about booking groups or promoting future cruises on their blog, but never say a word about losing an engine and what impact it will have on itineraries. It is easy to see what their priority is, and it is clearly not the customer. And that group with kids gets a discount we don't get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JES4845 Posted January 15, 2014 #202 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Thanks for bringing to our attention. I just found and read it and see what you mean. How depressing. So the home page says 56 couples while the new marketing plan in the blog posting says groups including family groups. What a shift from our first voyage in 2008. We did the onboard booking for 2009 because we had such an enjoyable inaugural experience. SD actually called many months later to say a group had booked half the ship for a birthday party and they gave us the option to reschedule, which we did. I can only say, based on our experience last August and earlier, groups on a small ship like SD when the group isn't a full charter pose serious problems for those not in the group(s). To be fair, the nature and extent of any problems varies by the people involved. Following last August's problems, we were explicitly told in writing that in the future SD would not let groups get undue access in ways detrimental to guests traveling as couples. So much for that! This is now a 180 to promoting groups including families (though the blog is vague as to families of adults or kids too). Just today we finally got our deposit money back from the last cancellation we made early last week. This was our our sole remaining booking following two other cancellations since August as SD struggles to define itself. This posting about groups and families confirms we made the correct decision to move on and go elsewhere, at least for us. Everyone has to make their own decisions. In our view, we didn't leave SD, it left us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ho-hum Posted January 16, 2014 #203 Share Posted January 16, 2014 ..........not enough engines ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
commodoredave Posted January 16, 2014 #204 Share Posted January 16, 2014 ..........not enough engines ! Ho-hum, at least you didn't say they are crazy. This is a huge improvement over your previous posts! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypercafe Posted February 10, 2014 #205 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Do not worry about kids any more, their all on Crystal because it is free!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Avery Posted February 10, 2014 #206 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Do not worry about kids any more, their all on Crystal because it is free!! good one!:D:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goRRRdon Posted March 4, 2014 #207 Share Posted March 4, 2014 ......ok so now SD have even more problems...for which I'm truly sorry .......but SD's problem is a refusal to communicate......and that is poor show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goRRRdon Posted April 11, 2014 #208 Share Posted April 11, 2014 ......ok so now SD have even more problems...for which I'm truly sorry .......but SD's problem is a refusal to communicate......and that is poor show. The issue that still needs addressing ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
commodoredave Posted April 13, 2014 #209 Share Posted April 13, 2014 The issue that still needs addressing ! Quite right. But SD management will only stop taking its loyal passengers for granted when they actually make an issue of being treated this way. From my reading, most people don't care enough to make a change happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JES4845 Posted April 13, 2014 #210 Share Posted April 13, 2014 Sadly the Commodore is right. We have moved on, literally. We are booked on another line for our August trip. We still care about the wonderful SD crew but won't be going back after nine voyages unless we see tangible changes on kids and groups. Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnycruise Posted April 14, 2014 #211 Share Posted April 14, 2014 Children invade Silversea :eek:... Oh, the kids!!! I was shocked to see so many kids yesterday, today I asked how many were on, the lady said this is the most kids they have ever had on their ship. 43 kids! YUCK! I am no way a child hater, but I prefer to cruise with adults, not kids. There are three babies, 22 kids between 2-12 and 18 teenagers. They have been well behaved thus far, just wanted to forewarn anyone planning to travel during spring break/Easter, don’t! http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=42428372#post42428372 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ho-hum Posted April 29, 2014 #212 Share Posted April 29, 2014 A senior spokesman from Sea Dream has advised a select group of persons in the travel industry and honoured guests (that would be “moi”) that a review of Sea Dream’s policy on children has been meticulously undertaken and new rules have been put in place forthwith. Whilst those gathered were surprised that SD had done anything ! They were then overwhelmed by the measures now being undertaken on both Sea Dream vessels. Children action groups will be in outrage ! Have SD gone too far ? On the India - Athens voyage, armed personnel (YES, armed personnel) will rigidly be enforcing the No Kids Policy ! Anybody smuggling kids onboard will………will…….err be shot ! Yes you heard it right ! Signs will be put up on all ship sides as shown in photo below. Ho hum is saying this has gone too far. Issuing tasers (set on stun) is quite sufficient. Your views please ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcmv Posted April 29, 2014 #213 Share Posted April 29, 2014 WOW - Seadream really listens to their customers - your photo is the proof - neither kids in nor at the pool! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Avery Posted April 29, 2014 #214 Share Posted April 29, 2014 A senior spokesman from Sea Dream has advised a select group of persons in the travel industry and honoured guests (that would be “moi”) that a review of Sea Dream’s policy on children has been meticulously undertaken and new rules have been put in place forthwith. Whilst those gathered were surprised that SD had done anything ! They were then overwhelmed by the measures now being undertaken on both Sea Dream vessels. Children action groups will be in outrage ! Have SD gone too far ? On the India - Athens voyage, armed personnel (YES, armed personnel) will rigidly be enforcing the No Kids Policy ! Anybody smuggling kids onboard will………will…….err be shot ! Yes you heard it right ! Signs will be put up on all ship sides as shown in photo below. Ho hum is saying this has gone too far. Issuing tasers (set on stun) is quite sufficient. Your views please ! Are you sure "stun" is sufficient? Commodore Dave and I would prefer setting to "vaporize".:eek: Aahh, a pleasant dream but I know you only tease us with "news" of pending policy change. We forgive you as we know a certain level of alcohol is involved.:eek::D:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goRRRdon Posted May 4, 2014 #215 Share Posted May 4, 2014 The issue that still needs addressing ! See you again in a month's time ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
commodoredave Posted May 4, 2014 #216 Share Posted May 4, 2014 Are you sure "stun" is sufficient? Commodore Dave and I would prefer setting to "vaporize".:eek: Aahh, a pleasant dream but I know you only tease us with "news" of pending policy change. We forgive you as we know a certain level of alcohol is involved.:eek::D:D While I am a great believer in the policy of "Children should be stunned, not heard," I am open to other, more effective policies such as keel-hauling and vaporizing. Perhaps Ho-hum could ask the security personnel to try some of these alternative measures and report back on their effectiveness. :eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ho-hum Posted May 7, 2014 #217 Share Posted May 7, 2014 While I am a great believer in the policy of "Children should be stunned, not heard," I am open to other, more effective policies such as keel-hauling and vaporizing. Perhaps Ho-hum could ask the security personnel to try some of these alternative measures and report back on their effectiveness. :eek: Well it's funny that you should say that Dave because ho hum has been liaising with the security personnel and a Chinese children clothing manufacturer in designing a more humane method of children control. It is at an early design stage but the method has been tried and tested and early trials look very promising indeed. The furore that greeted the armed response when children ventured into adult only areas on Sea Dream surprised many and this had to be abandoned. Something about UN human rights was bandied about. Yes the bleeding heart liberals won out that day. Your suggestion of keel hauling and vaporising seemed quite excessive to many. Why keel haul and then vaporise ? Keel hauling is not practiced these days and crew training would take quite some time and that would bite into Sea Dream's crew workload. Vaporising is the stuff of comic books and no actual simple to operate device is on the market (unless you are holding out on us). No the gun option was our only hope. Even offering to swop live rounds for tranquilliser darts had its difficulties. What if a shot missed and hit a passenger or even worse a crew member. And what if that crew member was an essential crew member in charge of the ship such as a bar man or even worse the sommelier ! No, Sea Dream couldnt take the risk. Ho hum has been wrestling with this issue morning, noon and night. To be honest the security personnel's methods always ended in fatalities and bodies were stacking up right, left and centre. Ho hum had to let them go. Unfortunately Jim Avery cannot be dissuaded to give up the gun deterrent and is holding out his Constitutional Right to bear arms to protect his right to be in a child free environment. And was recently quoted as saying he will only surrender his Colt 45, Smith & Wesson and pea shooter "over his cold dead hand !" The gun toting, rooting shooting cowboy given his first gun at just 8 years old ! Jim, who makes Charlton Heston look like a mamby pamby socialist just cannot be associated with plans for children control unless lethal force is back on the agenda. So he has withdrawn his consideration of other options and was last seen riding back to his Arizona ranch pursued by a posse of radicalised Democrats. Yee-ha ! And so ho hum is proud to offer the prototype of children control in the attached photo which is a humane method of children restraint. Children actually love it. A separate sound proof hood that allows ventilation is on offer too with a large capacity water bottle. It is being marketed for wider purposes too (parents can use it at home, teachers at schools, the uses are endless). and backers are being sort. So, to begin large scale production (thus reducing production costs) ho hum is looking for $2 million dollars, shares will be issued in multiples of $100,000 dollars each. There will be no voting rights and no hum will act without responsibility as he sees fit. Please send money transfers to ho hums Cayman Island account (number 1212), Lets get back control of Sea Dream from those pesky little monsters ! Alternatively Sea Dream shoreside management/owner could produce a children's policy. How about it ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Avery Posted May 7, 2014 #218 Share Posted May 7, 2014 Well it's funny that you should say that Dave because ho hum has been liaising with the security personnel and a Chinese children clothing manufacturer in designing a more humane method of children control. It is at an early design stage but the method has been tried and tested and early trials look very promising indeed. The furore that greeted the armed response when children ventured into adult only areas on Sea Dream surprised many and this had to be abandoned. Something about UN human rights was bandied about. Yes the bleeding heart liberals won out that day. Your suggestion of keel hauling and vaporising seemed quite excessive to many. Why keel haul and then vaporise ? Keel hauling is not practiced these days and crew training would take quite some time and that would bite into Sea Dream's crew workload. Vaporising is the stuff of comic books and no actual simple to operate device is on the market (unless you are holding out on us). No the gun option was our only hope. Even offering to swop live rounds for tranquilliser darts had its difficulties. What if a shot missed and hit a passenger or even worse a crew member. And what if that crew member was an essential crew member in charge of the ship such as a bar man or even worse the sommelier ! No, Sea Dream couldnt take the risk. Ho hum has been wrestling with this issue morning, noon and night. To be honest the security personnel's methods always ended in fatalities and bodies were stacking up right, left and centre. Ho hum had to let them go. Unfortunately Jim Avery cannot be dissuaded to give up the gun deterrent and is holding out his Constitutional Right to bear arms to protect his right to be in a child free environment. And was recently quoted as saying he will only surrender his Colt 45, Smith & Wesson and pea shooter "over his cold dead hand !" The gun toting, rooting shooting cowboy given his first gun at just 8 years old ! Jim, who makes Charlton Heston look like a mamby pamby socialist just cannot be associated with plans for children control unless lethal force is back on the agenda. So he has withdrawn his consideration of other options and was last seen riding back to his Arizona ranch pursued by a posse of radicalised Democrats. Yee-ha ! And so ho hum is proud to offer the prototype of children control in the attached photo which is a humane method of children restraint. Children actually love it. A separate sound proof hood that allows ventilation is on offer too with a large capacity water bottle. It is being marketed for wider purposes too (parents can use it at home, teachers at schools, the uses are endless). and backers are being sort. So, to begin large scale production (thus reducing production costs) ho hum is looking for $2 million dollars, shares will be issued in multiples of $100,000 dollars each. There will be no voting rights and no hum will act without responsibility as he sees fit. Please send money transfers to ho hums Cayman Island account (number 1212), Lets get back control of Sea Dream from those pesky little monsters ! Alternatively Sea Dream shoreside management/owner could produce a children's policy. How about it ? Hear-Hear!! As usual, Mr. Hum is right on the spot. If this works, Mr. Hum, I shall treat you to a day of shooting various caliber guns at the local range. The range, coincidentally is called the Ben Avery Shooting Facility. Named after Great Uncle Ben who was singularly responsible for introducing Mr Smith to Mr. Wesson at the No Name Bar in Bullhead City. I visualize you with the "Dirty Harry" .44 Magnum as you are already well acquainted with various Magnums (Magni??). Best wishes for your child wear start up. When is the IPO?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ho-hum Posted May 8, 2014 #219 Share Posted May 8, 2014 Hear-Hear!! As usual, Mr. Hum is right on the spot. If this works, Mr. Hum, I shall treat you to a day of shooting various caliber guns at the local range. The range, coincidentally is called the Ben Avery Shooting Facility. Named after Great Uncle Ben who was singularly responsible for introducing Mr Smith to Mr. Wesson at the No Name Bar in Bullhead City. I visualize you with the "Dirty Harry" .44 Magnum as you are already well acquainted with various Magnums (Magni??). Best wishes for your child wear start up. When is the IPO?? Go ahead, make my day ! ho hum would love to mosey on down and go a rootin, tootin, shootin with you down the old ranch, pardner. Yee-ha As soon as ho hum figures out what an IPO actually is Jim, you'll be the first to know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Avery Posted May 8, 2014 #220 Share Posted May 8, 2014 Go ahead, make my day !ho hum would love to mosey on down and go a rootin, tootin, shootin with you down the old ranch, pardner. Yee-ha As soon as ho hum figures out what an IPO actually is Jim, you'll be the first to know. "India Pale Ale"? Oops, no that doesn't fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Avery Posted May 25, 2014 #221 Share Posted May 25, 2014 Ho-Hum, you are right and are catching up with the Kids thread. It will not be long before I officially owe you that premium pint.:eek::D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Avery Posted July 11, 2014 #222 Share Posted July 11, 2014 Interesting SD blog article on Transatlantics that mentions "teens" and "children". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CDreamer Posted July 13, 2014 #223 Share Posted July 13, 2014 Interesting SD blog article on Transatlantics that mentions "teens" and "children". Time to book that SD cruise, Jim! :eek:;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Avery Posted July 13, 2014 #224 Share Posted July 13, 2014 Time to book that SD cruise, Jim! :eek:;) I know, seems a long time since December and Costa Rica.:eek::D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ho-hum Posted February 2, 2015 #225 Share Posted February 2, 2015 Friends, the "Teens onboard" thread is a re-working of an even thornier issue. And what did Sea Dream shoreside management do about it then despite many constructive suggestions ? Precisely. Sweet Fanny Adams ! Either Sea Dream shoreside management are simply incompetent of creating a policy or cynically wish to gain revenue by whatever means even ignoring the way they promote the product (couples: and no reference to children). Most likely it is both. They are un-concerned either by the effect on passengers, paying a lot of money or the problems it creates for the crew ! It remains, as coined by Jim Avery "the $10,000 gamble". As it goes you are most unlikely to have your voyage disrupted and will have a great experience onboard. No need to criticise one another; Sea Dream shoreside management are the sole culprits in this issue (again). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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