Reasons for a cruise being sold out

[wesport]

I am on the 12/8/24 Encore from Singapore to Hong Kong. There were many suites available . Now it’s showing sold out.  If it’s not sold out what would be the reason?  New promo, charter?

Edited August 11 by wesport
Date

[Gourmet Gal]

I think you’re asking if it’s now sold out?  Could be a charter or an impending itinerary change or cancellation.  How long ago were many suites available?

[wesport]

Just now, Gourmet Gal said:

I think you’re asking if it’s now sold out?  Could be a charter or an impending itinerary change or cancellation.  How long ago were many suites available?

As little as 5 days ago.

[Hlitner]

Something strange about the Encore sailings.  Look for any of the November sailings.  They all seem to have disappeared along with most of the December sailings.  Wonder if it is just a software glitch.

 

Hank

[CalmSea]

The question is how will Encore go from Athens to Singapore between Nov 3 and Dec 8.

[Gourmet Gal]

3 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Something strange about the Encore sailings.  Look for any of the November sailings.  They all seem to have disappeared along with most of the December sailings.  Wonder if it is just a software glitch.

 

Hank

Usually means itinerary changes coming but this is very late for that.  Perhaps impending war fears and route deviations.

[—BW]

Seabourn Changes Encore’s Spring 2025 Itineraries to Avoid Red Sea

 

July 23, 2024

Seabourn has modified the spring 2025 itineraries for the Seabourn Encore to avoid the Red Sea region, the company announced in a press release.

The new deployment includes a series of voyages to Southeast Asia, Japan, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, and the Mediterranean between March and May 2025, the company added.

According to Seabourn, the new itineraries feature 36 destinations in 18 countries, and many firsts for the Seabourn Encore, including 18 maiden calls and the ship’s first transit through the Panama Canal.

The Encore will also make its first-ever visit to U.S. ports, with visits to destinations in Hawaii, California and Florida.

The new itineraries replace a series of cruises that were scheduled to sail during the period and would take the vessel westbound from Asia to Europe.

“Changes were made to the original planned itineraries to prioritize the safety of guests and to avoid the Red Sea. Instead, the ship will head eastbound from Singapore to Dubrovnik, traveling nearly 20,000 nautical miles across four continents and two oceans,” the company explained.

According to Seabourn, guests who book the revised itineraries by Nov. 19, 2024 can take advantage of  ten percent savings.

“We are pleased to offer these new and exciting voyages on our beautiful Seabourn Encore to visit and explore a diverse range of destinations,” said Natalya Leahy, president of Seabourn.

“We are proud to mark Seabourn’s maiden visits to two brand-new ports, giving guests the unique chance to experience two enchanting destinations in Japan with our signature ultra-luxury service. We hope guests will take advantage of our special offer and join the Seabourn Encore as she sails to a number of destinations for the very first time,” she added.

The new voyages range from seven to 25 days and may be combined for longer sailings up to 53-day global adventures.

The Seabourn Encore will make 18 maiden calls during the period, including its first transit through the Panama Canal and its maiden visit to the U.S., in Hawaii, California and Miami between March and April 2025.

The ship will also visit two new ports of call in Japan never before visited by the Seabourn fleet:Tokushima and Wakayama.

Additional itinerary highlights include overnight calls in Honolulu, Hawaii; Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam; Kobe, Japan; and evening departures from Yokohama, Japan; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; and Cartagena, Colombia.

Also new on select voyages will be a curated onboard entertainment program, featuring a lineup of performers and guest speakers. Additional details will be announced soon.

[wesport]

52 minutes ago, —BW said:

Seabourn Changes Encore’s Spring 2025 Itineraries to Avoid Red Sea

 

July 23, 2024

Seabourn has modified the spring 2025 itineraries for the Seabourn Encore to avoid the Red Sea region, the company announced in a press release.

The new deployment includes a series of voyages to Southeast Asia, Japan, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, and the Mediterranean between March and May 2025, the company added.

According to Seabourn, the new itineraries feature 36 destinations in 18 countries, and many firsts for the Seabourn Encore, including 18 maiden calls and the ship’s first transit through the Panama Canal.

The Encore will also make its first-ever visit to U.S. ports, with visits to destinations in Hawaii, California and Florida.

The new itineraries replace a series of cruises that were scheduled to sail during the period and would take the vessel westbound from Asia to Europe.

“Changes were made to the original planned itineraries to prioritize the safety of guests and to avoid the Red Sea. Instead, the ship will head eastbound from Singapore to Dubrovnik, traveling nearly 20,000 nautical miles across four continents and two oceans,” the company explained.

According to Seabourn, guests who book the revised itineraries by Nov. 19, 2024 can take advantage of  ten percent savings.

“We are pleased to offer these new and exciting voyages on our beautiful Seabourn Encore to visit and explore a diverse range of destinations,” said Natalya Leahy, president of Seabourn.

“We are proud to mark Seabourn’s maiden visits to two brand-new ports, giving guests the unique chance to experience two enchanting destinations in Japan with our signature ultra-luxury service. We hope guests will take advantage of our special offer and join the Seabourn Encore as she sails to a number of destinations for the very first time,” she added.

The new voyages range from seven to 25 days and may be combined for longer sailings up to 53-day global adventures.

The Seabourn Encore will make 18 maiden calls during the period, including its first transit through the Panama Canal and its maiden visit to the U.S., in Hawaii, California and Miami between March and April 2025.

The ship will also visit two new ports of call in Japan never before visited by the Seabourn fleet:Tokushima and Wakayama.

Additional itinerary highlights include overnight calls in Honolulu, Hawaii; Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam; Kobe, Japan; and evening departures from Yokohama, Japan; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; and Cartagena, Colombia.

Also new on select voyages will be a curated onboard entertainment program, featuring a lineup of performers and guest speakers. Additional details will be announced soon.This is December 2024

[wesport]

So, they shortened the cruise by a day. Now 13 instead of 14. One less sea day. Will get options probably tomorrow. 

[Isr45]

On 8/14/2024 at 8:48 PM, wesport said:

So, they shortened the cruise by a day. Now 13 instead of 14. One less sea day. Will get options probably tomorrow. 

Do you know what is going on with your cruise now?

[wesport]

4 hours ago, Isr45 said:

Do you know what is going on with your cruise now?

Just got notice. Not leaving Singapore till the 9th instead of th 8th.  Seabourn will provide one night at the four seasons and provide transportation to the port from the four seasons. Also the rate will be reduced by one day. 

 

Seems to be ok. 

 

13 days means shareholder is now 100 instead of 250

[Isr45]

1 hour ago, wesport said:

Just got notice. Not leaving Singapore till the 9th instead of th 8th.  Seabourn will provide one night at the four seasons and provide transportation to the port from the four seasons. Also the rate will be reduced by one day. 

 

Seems to be ok. 

 

13 days means shareholder is now 100 instead of 250

Still nothing on website for the 6 weeks before that on the Encore

[stan01]

19 hours ago, Isr45 said:

Still nothing on website for the 6 weeks before that on the Encore

 

Do you mean the transit from Athens after disembarkation on Nov 3 to Singapore around Africa to bypass the Red Sea?  They are going to do that with no passengers and minimal crew again.

[Sunprince]

On the original topic re cruises being “sold out”, my advice is…do not necessarily believe it.  We recently booked a cruise where the price was fluctuating and suddenly the day we were ready to book (and final payment required since it was within 90 days), the price then went up. So our agent held space for us with 24 hours to decide. Our TA was then told by Seabourn that the cruise was “sold out”.  So thinking it was sold out, we booked at the higher price. It was still a great deal but nevertheless higher than the original quote.  
 

Lo and behold, a few days later, after full payment was made, the cruise now reappears at the original lower price with lots of availability across all cabin classes.  Our TA contacted Seabourn and asked for the original price to be honoured (or upgrade or ship credit) but was declined.  It was escalated to a Seabourn supervisor and declined.  We are waiting on our TA to hear from their Seabourn sales rep to see if they can resolve this.

 

I understand pricing is fluid, but indicating a cruise is “sold out” when that is not true is false presentment/advertising. If it hadn’t been sold out we would have monitored pricing and availability and not been “pressured” to book at a higher price.  The cruise was never “sold out” and is still available, so don’t believe what appears to be factual info!

 

[Hlitner]

51 minutes ago, Sunprince said:

On the original topic re cruises being “sold out”, my advice is…do not necessarily believe it.  We recently booked a cruise where the price was fluctuating and suddenly the day we were ready to book (and final payment required since it was within 90 days), the price then went up. So our agent held space for us with 24 hours to decide. Our TA was then told by Seabourn that the cruise was “sold out”.  So thinking it was sold out, we booked at the higher price. It was still a great deal but nevertheless higher than the original quote.  
 

Lo and behold, a few days later, after full payment was made, the cruise now reappears at the original lower price with lots of availability across all cabin classes.  Our TA contacted Seabourn and asked for the original price to be honoured (or upgrade or ship credit) but was declined.  It was escalated to a Seabourn supervisor and declined.  We are waiting on our TA to hear from their Seabourn sales rep to see if they can resolve this.

 

I understand pricing is fluid, but indicating a cruise is “sold out” when that is not true is false presentment/advertising. If it hadn’t been sold out we would have monitored pricing and availability and not been “pressured” to book at a higher price.  The cruise was never “sold out” and is still available, so don’t believe what appears to be factual info!

 

51 minutes ago, Sunprince said:

 

We have been avid cruisers for over 50 years, and have often snagged last minute "deals."  While we generally book far in advance (we take some very long and complex itineraries) I have long had a lot of fun with the last minute bookings.  But here's the deal.  With nearly all the cruise lines (we have been on 18) a last minute booking (inside the final payment period) does not give you any room to change your mind.  You book the cruise, generally must pay at that time (or within 24 hours), and cannot cancel or make changes without losing everything or suffering a huge penalty.  It is also one of those times where hesitation can be expensive.  When we see a great deal, we book. Immediately.  I have actually had times when one of my computers was booking the cruise, I was down to the last click before finalizing, and on another computer I was checking for the price and availability of air.  This is not a game for those who cannot make quick decisions.  DW and I have sometimes found ourselves having about a week to get ready for a last-minute trip to Europe, Asia, etc.  

 

The reality is that most folks cannot pick up and go at a moment's notice, so these deals are for a small segment of society.  I should add that these last minute deals are best for folks who are very independent travelers.  We usually have to grab last minute air, last minute hotels, etc.  For folks that like cruise line excursions (we dislike large group excursions) a last minute booking can mean that nearly all the best excursions are sold-out.  For those of us used to doing things on our own, that is not an issue.  

 

Many of our last minute bookings have been on fantastic itineraries that were "sold out" until we booked :).  Why does this happen?  I honestly have no clue.  But we have taken some exotic "sold out" cruises that seemed to have quite a few empty cabins (once aboard).

 

Hank

[Sunprince]

8 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

Many of our last minute bookings have been on fantastic itineraries that were "sold out" until we booked :).  Why does this happen?  I honestly have no clue.  But we have taken some exotic "sold out" cruises that seemed to have quite a few empty cabins (once aboard).

We very well understand the benefits and risks of a last minute booking.  In this case, it did save us more than 50% of what it would have been if we had booked early.  My challenge is that lack of transparency or should I say honesty in adverting a cruise to be “sold out” when it is clearly not. That clouds the decision making process and makes you wonder the accuracy and trustworthiness of the company that you are dealing with.  Now we know, so lesson learned. 
 

[Hlitner]

23 minutes ago, Sunprince said:

We very well understand the benefits and risks of a last minute booking.  In this case, it did save us more than 50% of what it would have been if we had booked early.  My challenge is that lack of transparency or should I say honesty in adverting a cruise to be “sold out” when it is clearly not. That clouds the decision making process and makes you wonder the accuracy and trustworthiness of the company that you are dealing with.  Now we know, so lesson learned. 
 

Transparency in the travel industry?  Surely you jest.  You are talking about an industry that touts rip-of art auctions, sells "gold by the inch,"  has Duty Free shops that charge more for booze than I pay at our local "State Store," etc. etc.  One can whine/complain about the way the game is played, or learn how to play.  Consider that many folks book cruises direct with cruise lines instead of using a decent cruise/travel agency that can save them 10%.  Why do they do this?  P.T Barnum had it right and nothing much has changed since his days.

 

Hank

[BasandSyb]

We have been told the sold out indicator means that Seabourn has temporarily closed the bookings down to do cabin assignments behind the scenes and make wholesaling decisions with other companies. It can take a few days during which time agents can’t get access. We went through that process recently. It can mean some cheap cabins popping up when the site is refreshed or only higher level suites. Pot luck.