Seabourn's new book with confidence

[wesport]

Just read a press release from Seabourn. Seems that if you book a cruise by 7/31/20 for any sailing through 12/31/2021, you can cancel up to 30 days before embarkation and get an FCC. Also, they have a best price guarantee.  In the past, I have found Seabourn to be very flexible when your category of suite price is lowered. I think if they sped up their refunds from this year, a majority of us would book another cruise next year. Had to get that in. 

[dalliowner]

I notice that they still have the option of on board credit with the difference rather than match the lower price.

[wesport]

It was released from Chris Austin VP of Sales and Marketing, so I guess there is someone at the helm.

[rallydave]

1 hour ago, wesport said:

It was released from Chris Austin VP of Sales and Marketing, so I guess there is someone at the helm.

Yes, someone who doesn't understand how to communicate or document different versions of the Book With Confidence Policy when they have had several versions .

 

We cancelled under a different version and this new one doesn't mention what happens to those who cancelled under a different policy.  Also the complete BS where they will match lower fares but, how at their discretion whereas in the past they matched fares by revising the fare as long as before final payment.  Huge difference between say OBC vs repricing the cruise especially when the difference can be thousands of dollars.  Much worse new terms for fare reductions.

 

Guess with the president gone in 3 days and nobody replacing him, nobody is at the helm and making such stupid decisions??  And,  while the pricing games go on, the refund games continue with a new promise date each time the previous promise has passed.  Thoroughly disgusted with what I thought was going to be our go to cruise line for the future.

 

Perhaps somebody skilled in contracts and customer service should be involved in these totally ridiculous press releases and programs.

[brittany12]

The President has been gone in reality for some time. Once his leaving was announced, I am sure he was effectively relieved of command, making no more decisions. May 31 date is just a PR thing. Someone in CLL is calling the shots for the time being until a new head  is put in charge. Surprising no announcement of that these several weeks -not normal, but then again, what is today??.

[Mark56]

The policy should be called “Book with Trepidation”.

 

How can you book with confidence when hundreds of customers had their cruises canceled and have yet to receive a refund on them? 

[rallydave]

1 hour ago, Mark56 said:

The policy should be called “Book with Trepidation”.

 

How can you book with confidence when hundreds of customers had their cruises canceled and have yet to receive a refund on them? 

On top of the almost complete lack of confidence no word on how this affects those of us waiting now almost 10 weeks who have seen several changes including this latest one which in some cases better but in other cases significantly worse????????  Absolutely not one iota of communications and they believe we will be suckered in to this new plan when reduced fares will be dealt with based on their whim??

[johng75370]

Another day, another uncoordinated “special offer”:  pay in full by July 31 and there’s another 10% off (except you have to ask for the deal, and it seems to be buried on the website).  I think they are slinging offers around now faster than they can update the website.

 

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/seabourn-invites-guests-to-rediscover-extraordinary-worlds-with-introduction-of-new-early-bonus-savings-promotion-available-through-july-2020-301066907.html

 

 

Edited May 28, 2020 by johng75370
Typo

[phil09]

Don't you love reading the fine print?

 

"...Guests using a Future Cruise Credit and/or rebooking from 2020 voyages are not eligible for this Offer..."

[sfvoyage]

5 minutes ago, phil09 said:

Don't you love reading the fine print?

 

"...Guests using a Future Cruise Credit and/or rebooking from 2020 voyages are not eligible for this Offer..."

Also not applicable towards world cruise segments or Venture voyages.

[Paulchili]

All of the above together with my rebate experience (or lack of it - over 90 days now) & FCC from 2020 makes it that much easier for me to say goodbye. No need to think about it.

[tv24]

Yeah, we noticed this offer as well.  And yes, I would love to book a future cruise on SB, but...can't board any cruise ship until there is an effective widespread vaccine.  And I am waiting for thousands and thousands of dollars from SB from cruises they cancelled and have not yet refunded.  So no love for SB today.

[dalliowner]

When trying to look at terms and conditions of this new 10 pc offer , seabourn`s site says cannot find page  ???

[Kauaijim]

SB cruisers go with SB because they want a quality experience . They pay top dollar and expect certain things. They do not expect the games being played by Carnival on refunds and the moving goalposts involved . Most own 100 to whatever shares to get some OBC , that has worked in the past to buY  a few nice bottles that don’t look so good  now in the rear view mirror. Uncertainty on covid coupled with uncertainty in how Carnival management creates policy will not lead to SB cruisers rushing back to book. At least this one won’t .

[phil09]

2 hours ago, dalliowner said:

When trying to look at terms and conditions of this new 10 pc offer , seabourn`s site says cannot find page  ???

 

Not sure if you received an email with the offer?  Here is the mice type from the email we received two days ago.  Maybe this is the not full T&C's - don't know, but it is what we received.

 

*Sensational Suite Savings: Offers are valid through July 31, 2020 on select 2020 & 2021 sailings. Offers vary by sailing. Featured fares are per guest based on double occupancy and promo code NG. Fares are in U.S. dollars. Taxes, Fees & Port Expenses are additional and range from $125 to $2,840. All savings amounts are included in the fares shown. Complimentary Veranda Suite Upgrades are subject to availability at time of booking. Upgrade will be reflected in fare paid for selected Suite category. Shipboard Credit offers are in U.S. dollars and are non-refundable, non-transferable, have no cash value, expire at the end of the cruise, may not be used in the casino and are not combinable with other shipboard credit offers. Shipboard credit offer is based on promo ZS. Air creditis available on select sailings and on select gateways for flights booked through Seabourn’s Flight Ease® program. Air credit is available to the first and second guests sharing a Suite and is non-transferable. Air must be booked no less than 30 days prior to sail date in order to be eligible for the air credit. Seats are limited and may not be available on every flight. Once air is booked, please check with the airline’s website or contact the airline directly for information regarding baggage fees and other charges. Each airline has its own baggage allowance policy. Guests are responsible for all baggage fees, including excess baggage imposed directly by the airline. Air Credit is based on promo JX. Internet Packages of 300, 600 or 900 minutes of internet access are offered per guest and are only applicable to the 1st & 2nd guest booking in Ocean View & Veranda Suites. Unlimited Internet Package is offered on a per Suite basis and only applicable to Penthouse & Premium Suite categories PH, PS, OW, SS, WG & GR. Internet service is not guaranteed and Seabourn is not responsible if internet service is unavailable. No credit or other compensation will be provided should internet service not be available. Internet Packages are based on promo ZI. 50% Reduced Deposit offer is valid on select sailings that are outside of standard penalty periods. Reduced Deposit amount is taken off of the standard deposit policy amounts. All offers are capacity controlled and may be modified or withdrawn at any time without prior notice Offer is subject to availability, capacity controlled and may be modified or withdrawn at any time. Other restrictions may apply. Seabourn reserves the right to correct errors.

*The 10% Early Bonus Savings (“Offer”) is based on promo code ZW and is only valid on select sailings booked by July 31, 2020 and departing on or after November 1, 2020. Guests must pay in full by July 31, 2020 to receive a 10% discount, which will only apply to the gross cruise–only base fare and does not apply to taxes, expenses, or port fees (TF&PE). Full payment means full balance of the booking (including, without limitation, any air, excursions, transfers, or hotels). Offer must be asked for specifically in order to be applied. Guests using a Future Cruise Credit and/or rebooking from 2020 voyages are not eligible for this Offer. Offer is subject to availability, and may be capacity controlled and may be modified or withdrawn at any time without prior notice. Discount is not valid on any optional packages including but not limited to: air, Seabourn Shield, private car transfers, or pre/post packages. Offer is not valid on World Cruises or segments thereof and sailings on Seabourn Venture. Other restrictions apply. Seabourn reserves the right to correct errors. 

*The Book with Confidence offer (“Offer”) is available on bookings made prior to July 31, 2020 for Seabourn cruises sailing on or before December 31, 2021 (“Eligible Cruise”). On sailings departing through December 31, 2021 consumers can cancel up to 30 days before the Eligible Cruise’s departure and the consumer will receive a Future Cruise Credit (“FCC”) equal to the amount of the non-refundable portion of their cancellation fees (subject to verification). The value of the FCC will be determined by the actual non-refundable cancellation fees for the Eligible Cruise’s booking. SeabournShield premiums and/or reimbursed amounts shall not be included in the value of the FCC. Consumers cancelling Eligible Cruises must visit seabourn.com/bookwithconfidence and fill out the form with all requested information at least 30 days before the departure date of the Eligible Cruise. Once verified and processed, the FCC will be applied to the consumer’s Club Number. If consumer does not have a Club Number, Seabourn will create a Club Number for the consumer. Consumer must use the FCC towards a future Seabourn cruise booking(s). Consumer must use the FCC within 12 months of issue or it will be forfeited in its entirety. FCC is only valid on cruises sailing through December 31, 2022. FCC may be subject to additional terms and conditions as provided by Seabourn and may not be used for deposits, TF&PE, or SeabournShield. The value of the FCC and the Offer are non-transferrable, are not redeemable for cash, and have no cash value. May not be combined with any other offers. Offer may be modified or withdrawn without prior notice. Any promotion or offer available during or with the Eligible Cruise booking shall not apply to the subsequent booking. May be subject to additional terms and conditions. The Best Fare Guarantee compensation is valid for guests if their particular voyage and booked suite category pricing is reduced. Guests must have a deposited booking with Seabourn to be eligible. Compensation will be done on a request basis only and the request must be received at least 30-days prior to the booked voyage departure date to apply. Compensation provided will be in the form of a shipboard credit, suite upgrade, fare reduction or other method. Seabourn reserves the sole right to determine the method of compensation made to guests. The amount of compensation will be determined by the difference between the booked fare and the current available fare displayed on Seabourn.com the day the request is received by Seabourn. Book with Confidence and Best Fare Guarantee offers are not valid on World Cruises or segments thereof and sailings on Seabourn Venture. Other restrictions may apply. Seabourn reserves the right to correct errors. 

SE2025EBS

[whogo]

If a cruise line wants me to book with confidence, my payments will be held in escrow and fully refundable up to the sailing.

[Jane21]

Booked a cruise in February for November this year at a great price for a Penthouse Spa Suite.

just looked on Seabourn listing for 10% off and our cruise is on there.

Quick phone call to TA who confirmed if I pay in full by 31.7.20 we get the extra 10%.
 

Happy with that. 
 

I am aware others are awaiting refunds but would not be an issue for me if cruise was cancelled and I had to wait for repayment. This has happened to us on both Silversea and Crystal - Seabourn is not alone in this.

[Mark56]

Without a vaccine you will be risking your life.

[Jane21]

It is an individuals choice as to what action they take based on their situation and risk factor.

 

No one on this board should feel it necessary to comment on other people’s choices. Make your own decisions and let others do the same!

[Covepointcruiser]

I have also booked a Penthouse Spa Suite for April 21.   It’s on the Quest so there are only four staterooms on that short aisle.   The suite is great in that it is larger and has a very large balcony overlooking the aft.   We were also able to book one with a wrap around balcony and an extra window.   We are very happy spending a lot of time in this suite.   You can only access the stateroom via a staircase (winding) so we get no foot traffic.   Not concerned at all about health risks but neither my husband or I have any of the risk factors.

[SLSD]

On 6/4/2020 at 10:04 AM, Jane21 said:

It is an individuals choice as to what action they take based on their situation and risk factor.

 

No one on this board should feel it necessary to comment on other people’s choices. Make your own decisions and let others do the same!

I agree  that  no one needs to comment personally  on the choices of others when it comes to safety.  On the other hand, I DO want to hear from others about their opinions on the safety of cruising and flying internationally going forward.  I would not ever tell an individual that they have made an unsafe choice, but I do want to have to ability to state my opinion generally on the safety of cruising during the Covid-19 Pandemic and would like the hear the opinions of others.  I don't think there should be any censorship here.  In other words,  I am not going to tell a specific poster that they are making a bad choice, but I would like to have a general discussion without being shut down on the topic.  

Edited June 7, 2020 by SLSD

[brittany12]

SLSD has said it perfectly. We need to hear all views about cruising in the future and traveling to  get there and back. We are all exposed to everyone else and everyone else is exposed to us. The risk is even greater for spread among and from the crew. Recirculating air between all cabins and floors leaves everyone vulnerable. Secluding oneself in a penthouse cabin with limited access and thinking's that is an acceptable risk maybe a solution for some, but is it foolproof or good enough for the rest of us?. Forty cruises in twenty seven  years may enough. The thought of seeing crew and guests wearing masks or shields, and much changed cruising conditions, no caviar, a downgrade in services and quality because the bottomline is a new one, changed socialization conditions is a big pause for us. Bring on the proven vaccine first.

[Paulchili]

3 hours ago, brittany12 said:

Recirculating air between all cabins and floors leaves everyone vulnerable

This was posted by chengpk75 who is expert on ship engineering and may put some people at a little more rest about recirculating air:

 

Here's an explanation of how a ship's cabin AC system works that he posted on May 6 on the Holland America board:

 

"Nope.  There are two AC systems.  One system takes fresh outside air, cools it, and delivers it to blocks of cabins (no mixing of air, straight from outside to cabin).  This system is balanced by the bathroom exhaust, which takes air from a bank of cabins, and delivers it outside (again, no mixing between cabins, straight from cabins to outside).  The other system recirculates air within a cabin, sending it over a separate cooler, controlled by the cabin thermostat.  

 

Now, the fresh air supply system delivers slightly more air to the cabin than the bathroom exhaust takes away, keeping the cabin under a slight positive pressure, with regards to outside and the passageway, in order to keep smoke from migrating into cabins during a fire.  When you prop open the balcony door, creating a large opening, the pressure in that cabin drops to outside pressure, and the fresh air delivery system all flows to that cabin (since every other cabin is at a higher pressure, the air flows in the path of least resistance, to the one place where the pressure is lowest, the cabin with the open balcony door).  This means that all the remaining cabins receive less cool fresh air, and they start to warm up.  That is the interrelationship between cabins, but again, there is no ducting that takes air from multiple cabins and recirculates it back to multiple cabins."

Edited June 8, 2020 by Paulchili

[Mark56]

This is pretty standard practice with modern cruise ships. I wouldn’t be concerned hanging out in my cabin and getting infected by breathing the air in the cabin.

 

I would be very concerned about eating in a dining room with others, going to the spa, going to the entertainment areas, casino, bars, gym and even forming up and using the tenders. Outside areas like the pool would be somewhere in between as far as concern of getting infected by breathing air that has droplets passing from passenger to passenger.

 

Then there is concern about touching surfaces from people that are infected. Compulsive hand washing would be really important.

 

Then there is the same concerns about flying to the ship. 

 

It seems like a lot to worry about when paying a lot of money to supposedly go and have a good time on a vacation.

 

[SLSD]

39 minutes ago, Mark56 said:

 

 

It seems like a lot to worry about when paying a lot of money to supposedly go and have a good time on a vacation.

 

I agree.  Since we are still at the stage of staying at home all the time (almost three months now--with cases still rising in our area), we haven't started planning our next cruise.  We do talk about the fact that we will cruise again--and indulge in a bit of talk about where we would like to go.  Thank you Paulchili for your explanation about ship circulation systems.  I have read posts by chengpk75 in the past. I would want more specific to my ship information as well I think.  We will hold off on cruising until it appears that we can thoroughly enjoy our trip without excessive worry.  I do hope buffets will be permanently discontinued.  We avoided them anyway--not dining buffet style (except the the galley lunch which I am not a huge fan of) even on a three week cruise.  

Edited June 8, 2020 by SLSD