Flamin_June Posted August 19, 2014 #151 Share Posted August 19, 2014 (edited) Its not about should SB have large incentive group bookings or not. What it is about is if the behaviour of such a group significantly changes the ambiance one might reasonably expect on a SB cruise, or if their behaviour has a significantly negative impact on one's ability to enjoy all the amenities and levels of service that one might normally expect, given Seabourn's advertising and marketing. And if that it is the case, how does SB management respond to customer complaints, and what should we do as customers if our reasonable expectations are not met. As we have seen SB have responded in a reassuring way as far as the legitimate grievances of some recent passengers are concerned, This gives me confidence that SB would also respond in a similar way should I or anyone else encounter the same kind of disruption on a future cruise. It doesn't mean that there will not be other incentive groups. It does mean that, if my relatively expensive and very precious holiday experience is ruined by a bunch of oafs that SB has sold a package to and subsequently is unable to control, I will be treated with sensitivity and understanding by SB management. I hope. Edited August 19, 2014 by Flamin_June Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnycruise Posted August 19, 2014 #152 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Until then there is nothing wrong with asking lines "do you have any large groups booked on this cruise, if so what is their "affiliation", how many of them will there be and what do you believe will be their average age?". That to me seems sensible and cost nothing. :) Playing devil's advocate ... but would it make good business sense for SB to share that information? Only those who consider a large group on their sailing as a "dealbreaker" would ask that question. Unless the potential customer is flexible, he/she will select another cruise line or other alternative holiday/vacation arrangement and SB will have lost a $$$ booking. The potential customer might also get on a message board such as cruise critic and tell everyone to avoid cruise #XYZ as it might be overrun by boys behaving badly. And, sharing passenger average age and affiliation is a very slippery slope as nolagirl previously mentioned. I would be very surprised if SB's sales staff have not been taught to dance around demographic questions from potential customers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKCruiseJeff Posted August 19, 2014 #153 Share Posted August 19, 2014 (edited) Playing devil's advocate ... but would it make good business sense for SB to share that information? Only those who consider a large group on their sailing as a "dealbreaker" would ask that question. Unless the potential customer is flexible, he/she will select another cruise line or other alternative holiday/vacation arrangement and SB will have lost a $$$ booking. The potential customer might also get on a message board such as cruise critic and tell everyone to avoid cruise #XYZ as it might be overrun by boys behaving badly. And, sharing passenger average age and affiliation is a very slippery slope as nolagirl previously mentioned. I would be very surprised if SB's sales staff have not been taught to dance around demographic questions from potential customers. To be clear, if I were simply made aware that - for example - 170 computer salesman were booked on a cruise, I would choose not to join them. SB know that a great many others would do the same. There is no problem asking about group bookings and nothing wrong with being warned. Informed choice. That would be in SB's interest and my own. If they refuse to disclose this type of information when requested then there are potential repercussions for them. I am still unaware of the nature of any slippery slopes except that of me being imprisoned on a cruise with 170 computer salesman on an expensive 6star cruise without pre warning that they got for free where they can "drink all they want all day and all night and wherever they chose". It does represent a prejudice on my part ... I agree ... but it is a perfectly reasonable and legitimate prejudice. Jeff Edited August 19, 2014 by UKCruiseJeff spelling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Avery Posted August 19, 2014 #154 Share Posted August 19, 2014 This has been a problem on SeaDream for several years. So far, they have been forthcoming when I ask about groups and children. If they were not, I have made it plain I will not book. I also ask at final pay. Again, if they are not forthcoming, I have no problem cancelling. A problem is that SeaDream now has penalties for cancellation beginning at 120 days out. Lots can and does happen in 120 days prior to departure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKCruiseJeff Posted August 19, 2014 #155 Share Posted August 19, 2014 This has been a problem on SeaDream for several years. So far, they have been forthcoming when I ask about groups and children. If they were not, I have made it plain I will not book. I also ask at final pay. Again, if they are not forthcoming, I have no problem cancelling. A problem is that SeaDream now has penalties for cancellation beginning at 120 days out. Lots can and does happen in 120 days prior to departure. I fully sympathise. As I understand it in the US you do not have consumer protection for this scenario. A very powerful business lobby. The cancellation penalty clauses are effectively unenforceable in both Oz and the UK and some other places. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Avery Posted August 19, 2014 #156 Share Posted August 19, 2014 I fully sympathise. As I understand it in the US you do not have consumer protection for this scenario. A very powerful business lobby. The cancellation penalty clauses are effectively unenforceable in both Oz and the UK and some other places. :) That would be a big plus in this situation. "Consumer Protection" over here is increasingly spelled "Caveat Emptor". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CraftyEC Posted August 19, 2014 #157 Share Posted August 19, 2014 But our deposits are non-returnable, so it's not all in favour of booking on this side of the pond. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nolatravelgirl Posted August 19, 2014 #158 Share Posted August 19, 2014 To be clear, if I were simply made aware that - for example - 170 computer salesman were booked on a cruise, I would choose not to join them. SB know that a great many others would do the same. There is no problem asking about group bookings and nothing wrong with being warned. Informed choice. That would be in SB's interest and my own. If they refuse to disclose this type of information when requested then there are potential repercussions for them. I am still unaware of the nature of any slippery slopes except that of me being imprisoned on a cruise with 170 computer salesman on an expensive 6star cruise without pre warning that they got for free where they can "drink all they want all day and all night and wherever they chose". It does represent a prejudice on my part ... I agree ... but it is a perfectly reasonable and legitimate prejudice. Jeff I still don't understand why you believe they got it for free? It is part of their compensation package and any company who can shell out Seabourn prices for as an incentive isn't just handing those out to sales floor computer guys at Best Buy. Companies that would hand out cruise packages of $10K per couple are normally handing these incentives to high level executives. I fail to see your correlation that everyone on a group incentive tour is drunk, unkempt, party animal and some sort of bottom feeder of life who is so unwashed that shouldn't be allowed to mix with you. So we now know that cosmetics agents and computer salesman both are the unwashed masses and should be relegated to Carnival. What other professions may not gather in large groups while you are present? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Host Dan Posted August 19, 2014 #159 Share Posted August 19, 2014 (edited) So we now know that cosmetics agents and computer salesman both are the unwashed masses and should be relegated to Carnival. What other professions may not gather in large groups while you are present? Very rude large insurance group for one, that ruined what should have been a very nice Med cruise on the Legend. And yes... it was "free"- to them. :mad: Edited August 19, 2014 by Host Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martita B. Posted August 19, 2014 #160 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Dan I've been aboard a few times when passengers have won their sailings ~ they didn't act like they were very comfortable on Seabourn. Once, the Captain had to talk with a family of 4 as to the dress code. Again their cruise had been won in a raffle. MB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKCruiseJeff Posted August 19, 2014 #161 Share Posted August 19, 2014 I would pay a premium to be on a cruise with 170 cosmetic beauticians. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winner Posted August 19, 2014 #162 Share Posted August 19, 2014 And I wouldn't mind the company of 170 computer salesmen if they could teach me how to avoid the demons of Microsoft 8.1! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKCruiseJeff Posted August 19, 2014 #163 Share Posted August 19, 2014 And I wouldn't mind the company of 170 computer salesmen if they could teach me how to avoid the demons of Microsoft 8.1! Presuming that these "winners" are at the top of their game, I think you'll find that just the one of them should be more than enough. Perhaps one spare whilst the first is getting drunk .....:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laylam Posted August 19, 2014 #164 Share Posted August 19, 2014 ........The cancellation penalty clauses are effectively unenforceable in both Oz and the UK and some other places. :) UKCruiseJeff, would you expand on this please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKCruiseJeff Posted August 19, 2014 #165 Share Posted August 19, 2014 UKCruiseJeff, would you expand on this please? I have already done so earlier in this thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laylam Posted August 19, 2014 #166 Share Posted August 19, 2014 I have already done so earlier in this thread. Oops!! :o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenidallas Posted August 20, 2014 #167 Share Posted August 20, 2014 So we now know that cosmetics agents and computer salesman both are the unwashed masses and should be relegated to Carnival. What other professions may not gather in large groups while you are present? Be careful... he might say management consultants and then a few Seabourn regulars will be in trouble. I now think I want to see a House of Lies incentive cruise episode. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted August 20, 2014 #168 Share Posted August 20, 2014 And I wouldn't mind the company of 170 computer salesmen if they could teach me how to avoid the demons of Microsoft 8.1! Easy. Go Mac or Linux or FBSD. ;) The best way to avoid the 8.1 demons is to stay with 7. Otherwise get out of that mess of code they call the metro interface. If you don't mind metro too much you could always use: Windows key D = desktop view Windows key E = explore, will open windows explorer (shows drives/peripherals/etc...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curiousx Posted August 23, 2014 #169 Share Posted August 23, 2014 Not a bad idea. If your group is going to occupy X or more % of the vessel you need to either charter it on your own or join a few smaller groups. Of course that could lead to some interesting combinations. My old university used to rent out its facilities for conferences during the summer. One time, we had both the Coal Miners union and a Midwives association. Needles to say, the place was hopping! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKCruiseJeff Posted August 24, 2014 #170 Share Posted August 24, 2014 My old university used to rent out its facilities for conferences during the summer. One time, we had both the Coal Miners union and a Midwives association. Needles to say, the place was hopping! It shouldn't have been. It is illegal to have tutti frutti with a minor. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janecambridge Posted August 26, 2014 #171 Share Posted August 26, 2014 This thread is very damaging for Seabourn.I am really reconsidering booking with them. Should I? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markham Posted August 26, 2014 #172 Share Posted August 26, 2014 As you saw in my earlier post I have not and I can tell you now I would not. Seabourn, as far as I know, is the best luxury cruise line. Period. And having sailed with them for 15 years, I can tell you that each return visit is as welcoming as it has ever been. Also, I have not met encountered a corporate incentive group (my sole experience was on Cunard's Caronia) nor do I expect on Seabourn another incident worthy of the opprobrium the August mess received. Happy sailing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Host Dan Posted August 26, 2014 #173 Share Posted August 26, 2014 This thread is very damaging for Seabourn.I am really reconsidering booking with them.Should I? No Sent from my SGH-T399 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Luxury Posted August 26, 2014 #174 Share Posted August 26, 2014 As you saw in my earlier post I have not and I can tell you now I would not. Seabourn, as far as I know, is the best luxury cruise line. Period. And having sailed with them for 15 years, I can tell you that each return visit is as welcoming as it has ever been. Also, I have not met encountered a corporate incentive group (my sole experience was on Cunard's Caronia) nor do I expect on Seabourn another incident worthy of the opprobrium the August mess received. Happy sailing! I agree,I have never seen a large group that takes over a ship on any Seabourn cruise. The largest that I have seen is about fourteen people in a group and normally they are a family unit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Host Dan Posted August 26, 2014 #175 Share Posted August 26, 2014 Only once have I sailed with a large group on SB. At least half the ship. Interesting that several of the staff attitudes changed because of the group (acting less than classy) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now