Seabourn experts needed

[curiousx]

We have had to do without Seabourn cruises for a couple of years owing to illnesses in the family and are so excited, now, to be planning for a cruise in early December 2007 on the Pride in the Caribbean. Our deposit has already been paid.

 

We have some questions, however, and hope you can help.

 

1. Our travel agent says he has been told by the Seabourn head office that there are no A1 guarantee reservations possible for this cruise...we must select a suite (A1 category) now. The last times we have booked on Seabourn, we have booked A guarnatees and been pleasantly surprised by getting excellent upgrades to B category suites. We fear that selecting a suite now means the likelihood of an upgrade will be greatly reduced.

 

What do you think ? Are our concerns well-founded ? And do you know why the A1 guarantee would not be available ? Is this a new Seabourn business practice ? Do you have any advice for us ?

 

2. We just realized that we have an unused Onboard Gift Certificate credit that expired shortly after we paid our deposit for this cruise. Has anyone been in a similar situation ? What happened ?

 

Thank you

[GrannyLorr]

In March 2006, we booked and paid a deposit on a 72 day cruise for January 2008....thats almost 2 years in advance....couldnt get a Guarantee. We only had about 6 Suites to choose from in the A1 Category....seems they are selling out fast!

[xplrcrzn]

Because the three small ships are selling pretty well Seabourn's business office has become distinctly less customer-friendly (although the onboard experience is still great). They may be forced to revise this attitude when the additional capacity from the new ships comes online. We'll have to wait & see.

[Iamboatman]

The issue is not one of being less customer friendly, but rather one of supply and demand. A few years ago there was less demand and so upgrades were more likely. Similarly, because of less demand the guarantee suites were available closer in to sailing. Now they are booked quickly and often more than a year in advance.

 

Seabourn still does upgrade from assigned suites, but because there are very few suites available the chance of an upgrade...whether from an GTY or an assigned suite...is not nearly as likely as it was a few years back.

 

So, you see, it is the people that keep coming back and are loyal to Seabourn that are causing all the "problems"!:D

[ltsally]

As a Seabourn newbie, I'm confused by what "guarantee" means, in seabourn terms.:confused: Our confirmation from the TA lists the category for our 3/19 crossing as "A2 Guarantee" - but, unlike our experience with Silversea in which we were able to book a specific cabin right off, we have no idea what our cabin assignment is. Is that typical? And what relationship does a "guarantee" status have to the possibility of an upgrade? Thanks for any clarification!

[LaPaloma]

As a Seabourn newbie, I'm confused by what "guarantee" means, in seabourn terms.:confused: Our confirmation from the TA lists the category for our 3/19 crossing as "A2 Guarantee" - but, unlike our experience with Silversea in which we were able to book a specific cabin right off, we have no idea what our cabin assignment is. Is that typical? And what relationship does a "guarantee" status have to the possibility of an upgrade? Thanks for any clarification!

We usually book an A2 suite or an A2 guarantee--almost all the time we wind up with an up-grade--there are so few A2 suites--I'm sure if you wanted a specific A2 suite you could probably get one, but if I were you I would sit tight, and go for the almost certain upgrade. As you probably know the suites are all the same size, so the only possible advantage of an up grade would be a French balcony suite--which is nice, but in many peoples mind, not worth the extra money. Good luck and have a great cruise!

[Iamboatman]

A guarantee is just that: You are guaranteed no less than an A2 category suite. The benefit is that you might be assigned an A3 or even a balcony suite, but then again, you might be assigned an A2 suite you do not desire. You can, if you wish, change your A2 guarantee to an assigned suite. There is no difference in the price. Most, however, keep the guarantee in the hope of an upgrade.