Lucky Seabourn guests!

[Host Dan]

I received a call last night from some friends I met last year on Seabourn. They were booked to leave on July 18th on the Pride for 12 days, 2 balcony suites, 4 guests total. They received a call yesterday from Seabourn that the ship had been oversold, and would they be OK with being bumped. They asked how this would work? Seabourn responded "how about the same 12 day cruise in August for free," along with other exciting perks that I have never seen offered! They money they have paid for this weekends cruise is being refunded, and any charges related to air and hotel penalties will be refunded as well! They thought they won the lottery!! :p WOW! These folks have only sailed Seabourn and will NEVER sail another line! They are THRILLED! Great job Seabourn! I understand that they are booking a South America voyage next year!!

 

Host Dan

[LaPaloma]

I received a call last night from some friends I met last year on Seabourn. They were booked to leave on July 18th on the Pride for 12 days, 2 balcony suites, 4 guests total. They received a call yesterday from Seabourn that the ship had been oversold, and would they be OK with being bumped. They asked how this would work? Seabourn responded "how about the same 12 day cruise in August for free, a balcony suite AND the owners suite! They money the have paid for this weekends cruise is being refunded, and any charges related to air and hotel penalties will be refunded as well! They thought they won the lottery!! :p WOW!

 

Host Dan

 

Thanks Dan for such a nice story. In these times I think we get tired of hearing the bad stuff! :)

[Farscaper]

Seabourn can feel free to bump me anytime under those conditions.

 

Heck, if we weren't concerned about seasickness we'd even accept a Level A2 to Owner's Suite upgrade to make room for someone else.

[Host Dan]

Seabourn can feel free to bump me anytime under those conditions.

 

Heck, if we weren't concerned about seasickness we'd even accept a Level A2 to Owner's Suite upgrade to make room for someone else.

I'm DEFINATELY "bumpable"! The term Seabourn used was "walk off"!

 

Host Dan

[Jim Avery]

I received a call last night from some friends I met last year on Seabourn. They were booked to leave on July 18th on the Pride for 12 days, 2 balcony suites, 4 guests total. They received a call yesterday from Seabourn that the ship had been oversold, and would they be OK with being bumped. They asked how this would work? Seabourn responded "how about the same 12 day cruise in August for free," along with other exciting perks that I have never seen offered! They money they have paid for this weekends cruise is being refunded, and any charges related to air and hotel penalties will be refunded as well! They thought they won the lottery!! :p WOW! These folks have only sailed Seabourn and will NEVER sail another line! They are THRILLED! Great job Seabourn! I understand that they are booking a South America voyage next year!!

 

Host Dan

 

That is most generous but my question, just as with the airlines that also have been fully paid for the space long before the event, how can you justify "oversold"? The space is paid for and you sell it again to someone else? You and I would be arrested for double selling a house or a car, etc. Someone please enlighten me.

Jim.

[LaPaloma]

That is most generous but my question, just as with the airlines that also have been fully paid for the space long before the event, how can you justify "oversold"? The space is paid for and you sell it again to someone else? You and I would be arrested for double selling a house or a car, etc. Someone please enlighten me.

Jim.

 

It is clearly written that the this could happen. We have a few cruises sold out to charters when with SeaGoddess. The $ and profit are the bottom line. It has never happend to us on SB...but I agree with Dan..with this largesse...let the good times roll!

[WEAVO]

In our dreams this would happen LOL

[ambersstepmom]

The same thing happened to our friends (frequent SB cruisers) who were supposed to cruise in May. They were asked to re-schedule to a later cruise (and given incentives). By coincidence, they re-booked on the same sailing as us...Aug 1 on Odyssey! Thanks SB!!!

[Martita B.]

Overselling happens quite often ~~last Jan. I have a friend that was aboard the Legend for a 28 day voyage. After 2 weeks the hotel manager came to him and ask if he would "walk off" as the ship had oversold. In return, Seabourn flew him home, 1st class and gave him a 2 week free cruise of his choice. (his choice was was a Norge/

Baltic sailing) Seabourn also refunded his full passage for the cancelled 2 weeks.

I would certainly change plans if I was notified a couple of weeks in advance.

Dan, good for your friends!! Wonderful news ~~thanks for sharing!

Martita B.

[Traveling Bob]

That is most generous but my question, just as with the airlines that also have been fully paid for the space long before the event, how can you justify "oversold"? The space is paid for and you sell it again to someone else? You and I would be arrested for double selling a house or a car, etc. Someone please enlighten me.

Jim.

 

You're right. Its because of their contract language and lack of legal restraint that cruise lines can get away with it. Airlines used to be able to do it, but now they are required to give compensation for greedy overselling. At least Seabourne is doing the right thing, despite what their contract says. But some others do not. Some say "Its in the contract, we don't have to give you anything. Take it or leave it." Someday, if enough people get burned, Congress will do something about it. But for now, all we can say is "Thank you, Seabourne".

[Farscaper]

I see that they must occasionally have corporate events such as rewards for some company's sales leaders. If they can fill a ship with one entire group at the expense of one happy individual who gets bumped, I suppose it makes sense.

 

I'm just surprised that, with so many repeat customers, there is ever any room on board for such a thing. I should imagine that they wouldn't even list those sailings for the general public.

[Croce]

You're right. Its because of their contract language and lack of legal restraint that cruise lines can get away with it. Airlines used to be able to do it, but now they are required to give compensation for greedy overselling. At least Seabourne is doing the right thing, despite what their contract says. But some others do not. Some say "Its in the contract, we don't have to give you anything. Take it or leave it." Someday, if enough people get burned, Congress will do something about it. But for now, all we can say is "Thank you, Seabourne".

 

I disagree - Congress has done enough already!!! At the least perceived injustice people call for more laws and congressional intervention. This has led to many of the problems we face today - too much government. :eek:

 

I have never heard of anyone being forced off a cruise ship. There's nothing wrong with asking for volunteers and it may make good business sense. I noticed that the prices have risen more than two-fold on several Seabourn cruises. Now there's a wait list for many cabins. Someone willing to pay closer to brochure prices may also provide higher margins in casino, spa and shore excursion revenue than someone who got a 65% off deal. This might make it worthwhile for the cruise line to make these type offers. It's business. Don't forget these lines depend on repeat business and I don't think anyone would be offended if offered something of value to give up their booking.

[dbbsteve]

We just returned from the Mediterranean on the Spirit.

Ten days before the ship sailed we received the following message from Seabourn via our TA:

 

We would like to offer the above booking the following Move Off Offer:

We are currently oversold by 5 suites. The offer is as follows:

Full refund

Free cruise on SPXXXXXXX (a similar sailing in August) with cabins XXX... booked

$200 Ship Board Credit

Seabourn will absorb any cancellation costs associated with air, hotel and transfers as long as a cancellation invoice can be provided

Move off to another sailing date may not have the entire same offer

Please note this is on a first come first serve basis

 

I have never had this offered before, on any lines.

 

We were unable to take the offer, but it did create some minor anxiety and uncertainty very close to the sailing.

 

We booked this sailing one year ago. When final payment was due Seabourn had reduced the actual cruise fare by 44%! (Our fare was adjusted).

My TA explained that Seabourn had reduced the price on many summer sailings in view of the economy and had not expected the resulting large number of bookings (or overestimated the cancellations), thus the oversold suites.

 

There were 196 names on the guest list on our cruise.

[LaPaloma]

I hope that you enjoyed your trip anyway. As has been noted on another thread...this happens...and you have no obligation to go along with it..unless...the trip has been chartered..then you do have to comply. At least this is my understanding.

 

I can see where is would be a bit unsettling so close to departure when you wanted to go anyway. It is a very good deal, and had it not been so close to sailing I would venture you would have considered the offer. In most cases..I am certain that we would have done it. The fact that you mention it makes me think that you harbor ill thoughts about it. I hope not, because SB is a great line and does a wonderful job. Lola

[dbbsteve]

No ill thoughts at all. We love Seabourn and did not mind - just surprised since it has not happened before. The uncertainty was brief, as I believe many others will take the offer. We had a thoroughly enjoyable time on board (as always) and will continue to cruise with them.

It was a generous offer, but as you said it was too close to departure. In fact we originally booked a June 09 sailing, which was cancelled last September due to the ship being chartered - and we were pleasantly surprised by a $200 onboard credit back then.