Can't use shipboard credit if pay for tours before boarding?

[dafne]

First time cruising with Seabourn.

 

I was told today by Seabourn that if I pre-book any shore tours in advance that I can't get refunded on board to my credit card and use my shipboard credit?

 

How likely is it that tours will be sold out once boarding?

 

Also same with Spa Treatments- was told it is up to the Spa Manager on board.

Is this true?

[secoma4]

It is correct that if you book an excursion before boarding, not only do you pay in advance, but you can't use your credits.

 

Our experience has been that there are few occasions when an excursion is not available for booking whilst onboard. Unless you think the excursion is particularly unique and likely to be popular, booking on board is probably preferable.

 

The current practice of not allowing guests to pre-book excursions without them immediately having to pay doesn't seem to make much sense.

[Mr Luxury]

I would wait and book on board.

 

Seabourn tours are more likely to not take place due to lack of interest rather than a stampede to book them before sailing.

[alexandra cruiser]

in Norway,the Flam Railroad tour sold out and glad I had booked prior.So it may depend on popularity and size of tour.

 

If its one you REALLY want,book it prior.We used ours for spa,extra drinks(some Scotch is more,etc.).

 

But really WISH you COULD use it for exc.We ended up using it for things we didn't REALLY want or need.A $100 manicure(what??):confused:

[rl787]

You can if you wish use it towards a donation to the crew fund.

[margbem]

Is this a new ruling? A couple of years ago we booked and paid for our excursions then once on board we had our credit card refunded and the cost taken from our on board credit.

[wripro]

I agree that unless it's a very unique tour wait until you're on board. Very few sell out ahead of time.

[Emperor Norton]

Is this a new ruling? A couple of years ago we booked and paid for our excursions then once on board we had our credit card refunded and the cost taken from our on board credit.

 

When you book online you can't there's no "book and pay now then get refunded later" option. Also some lines will take the rebooking as a cancellation and toss you to the end of any waitlist.

[Laylam]

Is this a new ruling? A couple of years ago we booked and paid for our excursions then once on board we had our credit card refunded and the cost taken from our on board credit.

We did too margbem, on the Sojourn, February 2013.

[Emperor Norton]

Interesting. However I like spending money on the excursions. They bring me better status faster than just sailed days.:D

[descartes1]

First time booked on Seabourn and, to my surprise, I experienced this same thing recently. I tried to book a host of excursions for a July sailing and they require prepayment.

 

We've sailed SilverSea before and they simply let you book and then deduct the cost from your shipboard credit.

 

Honestly, it feels a little chintzy and low-budget for Seabourn to require that your credit card be charged months in advance in order to book excusions ahead of time, particularly where one has more than enough ship board credit to cover the costs.

[Emperor Norton]

First time booked on Seabourn and, to my surprise, I experienced this same thing recently. I tried to book a host of excursions for a July sailing and they require prepayment.

 

We've sailed SilverSea before and they simply let you book and then deduct the cost from your shipboard credit.

 

Honestly, it feels a little chintzy and low-budget for Seabourn to require that your credit card be charged months in advance in order to book excusions ahead of time, particularly where one has more than enough ship board credit to cover the costs.

 

I can see the flip side. You don't want all your passengers pre-booking then showing up and deciding at the last minute to cancel, since there wouldn't be a penalty on funds they never paid. Regent/Oceania also expect pre-payment.

[Bostonactor]

I don't understand. Is there a new policy? On all 3 Seabourn cruises, the last this past November, we pre-paid 1 or 2 excursions months ahead (ones we really wanted) and then the amount was refunded to our credit card when we were on board.

[secoma4]

That's interesting! It's not our experience. That practice also causes issues (ie costs) if you are not a US citizen or using a USD denominated card. In fact you would then be hit with 2 lots of transaction costs.

[Mr Luxury]

I can understand why some cruise lines adopt this pre payment system.

 

If everyone just waits until they are on board to book tours then the lines might re think the policy.

 

Seabourn tours are rarely sold out before boarding othwise they would not hound you with leaflets try to get you to book.

[Emperor Norton]

I can understand why some cruise lines adopt this pre payment system.

 

If everyone just waits until they are on board to book tours then the lines might re think the policy.

 

Seabourn tours are rarely sold out before boarding othwise they would not hound you with leaflets try to get you to book.

 

Perhaps I'm just lucky but I've never received anything from Seabourn pushing their shore excursions.

[Mr Luxury]

Perhaps I'm just lucky but I've never received anything from Seabourn pushing their shore excursions.

 

Sorry I meant once you were on the ship.

 

Blurb arrives in the slot ouside your suite door along with special detox rebuild anti clogging new fangled ways to relive you of money rather than stress special offer from the spa.

Funny how port days are cheaper in the spa;)

 

What about being invited to the very limited wine tasting with your Sommelier Juan who will give you a couple of drops to try in exchange for $75

 

I wouldn't mind but they never offer anything as good to try as I buy from the wine list nightly.

[Emperor Norton]

Sorry I meant once you were on the ship.

 

Blurb arrives in the slot ouside your suite door along with special detox rebuild anti clogging new fangled ways to relive you of money rather than stress special offer from the spa.

Funny how port days are cheaper in the spa;)

 

What about being invited to the very limited wine tasting with your Sommelier Juan who will give you a couple of drops to try in exchange for $75

 

I wouldn't mind but they never offer anything as good to try as I buy from the wine list nightly.

 

Ah you're referring to the daily spam. There should be an opt out option for those. Especially the wine offers.

Edited February 11, 2014 by baychilla

[TootyJane]

First time booked on Seabourn and, to my surprise, I experienced this same thing recently. I tried to book a host of excursions for a July sailing and they require prepayment.

 

We've sailed SilverSea before and they simply let you book and then deduct the cost from your shipboard credit.

 

Honestly, it feels a little chintzy and low-budget for Seabourn to require that your credit card be charged months in advance in order to book excusions ahead of time, particularly where one has more than enough ship board credit to cover the costs.

 

Seabourn used to let you pre-book shore excursions and you were charged once you got on the ship. However, this ended once Holland America took over.

[2SailingNomads]

Sorry I meant once you were on the ship.

 

Blurb arrives in the slot ouside your suite door along with special detox rebuild anti clogging new fangled ways to relive you of money rather than stress special offer from the spa.

Funny how port days are cheaper in the spa;)

 

What about being invited to the very limited wine tasting with your Sommelier Juan who will give you a couple of drops to try in exchange for $75

 

I wouldn't mind but they never offer anything as good to try as I buy from the wine list nightly.

 

Yeah, years ago the wine tastings had good stuff, (one on the Legend years ago introduced me to Sassicaia - what can I say, I know a lot more about New World wine and was never a big Italian wine fan - unlike my choice of best friends :)) on the last few cruises, we passed as IMO they were over priced and nothing I wanted to try.