alexandria

Just be aware that if you book a hotel through Silversea, they reserve the right to change your hotel for any reason and you have no recourse other than to complain and hope they make it right.  It doesn't happen frequently but you could find yourself in a different and inferior hotel than the one you expected.  I'd suggest you book your pre-cruise hotel yourself so you can also arrange for long-term parking of your car (either at the hotel or the cruise terminal).  Parking at the terminal is $20/day, you can probably find a hotel that will allow you to park there during your cruise for about half that rate.  Then you can just take an Uber for $10-$20 dollars from the hotel to the cruise terminal.

Is the Silver Suite the lowest category stateroom you would consider acceptable?  You mention being new to Silversea but not new to cruising so perhaps you haven't considered a Veranda Suite which (on the Silver Shadow) is 345 sq ft.  That is as large as what are considered upgraded suites on cruise lines such as Celebrity (larger than most Sky Suites), Princess (larger than most Mini-Suites), NCL (similar to many Club Balcony Suites) and HAL (nearly as large as most Signature Suites). 

I mention that because if you are driving to Ft. Lauderdale, you will pay a significant premium for the door-to-door w/o flights fare without any benefit other than a more favorable deposit and cancellation policy (and the ability to book a Silver Suite or higher). 

For example, on the Silver Shadow 14 nt RT from Ft. Lauderdale leaving Dec 3, 2024, you'll pay $12,500 for a Classic Veranda suite with a port-to-port fare but $15,000 for the same suite for the door-to-door w/o flights (after the $200 credit for not using the Executive Transfer between your home and departure airport).  That is $2,500 more for the exact same suite and benefits with the only difference being the deposit and cancellation policy.  (The Silver Suite on the same sailing is $27,000).

Most Silversea regulars book Veranda suites (the only difference between Classic, Superior and Deluxe is location on the ship) and are very pleased with the accommodations.  But it is all a matter of personal preference!

Hope that is helpful...

I spent some time checking into this for an upcoming sailing from Seward.  Here's what I found:

• For all fare classes for US based passengers sailing to or from Seward, Silversea now includes motorcoach transfer between Anchorage and Seward.  In some cases, they may permit you to "upgrade" to the charter train transfer for $210pp or so.
• Silversea no longer provides train transfers for any fare classes on new bookings for US based passengers on 2025 and later sailings.
• The meeting point for the motorcoach transfer from Anchorage to Seward is the Egan Convention Center.  Check-in for the motorcoach transfer begins at 8am and coaches begin departing at 10:30 am, usually arriving at the Seward cruise terminal around 1:30 pm.
• Those who do receive cruise line train transfers are taken from the Silversea pre-cruise hotel (usually the Captain Cook) to the Alaska Railroad station for charter trains which is adjacent to Ted Stevens Airport (which is not the same as their Anchorage Depot for their scheduled train service).  The charter train departs at 1:15 pm and arrives at the Seward cruise terminal about 5:30 pm.  The cruise line charter train serves a box lunch (sandwich, side and drink) and other items are usually available for purchase.

Another option is to book the Alaska Railroad Coastal Classic train independently.  It departs Anchorage (the Alaska Railroad station, not the depot at the airport) at 6:45 am and arrives at the Alaska Railroad station in Seward (about a mile or so from the cruise terminal) at about 11:20am.  The cost of a ticket on the Coastal Classic on May 30 from Anchorage to Seward is $108pp for Adventure Class and $220pp for Goldstar Service.  Adventure Class gets you a confirmed seat in the standard coach car with food and drinks available for purchase in a cafe car.  Goldstar Service includes more comfortable seating in cars with glass dome ceilings and upper-level outdoor viewing platforms, an included meal in the full-service dining car, free soft drinks and two complimentary adult beverages per adult passenger.

Hope that is helpful!  Fair winds and following seas...🛳️

You are right to be disappointed with Silversea.  A basic room at the Westin is indeed a fraction of the cost of the Conrad.  Unfortunately that is a risk of booking a hotel through the cruise line.  The terms and conditions of the Silversea Hotel Programs provide that "Silversea reserves the right to substitute hotel selection..."

However, your travel agent should push Silversea to either rebook you in the Conrad or, alternatively, refund your $550pp so that you can book independently.  And they should escalate it with Silversea as necessary to reach a satisfactory result.  Let them earn their money.  Good luck.

As I mentioned in your earlier post on the Seabourn forum, you can only book the Silver Suite for the fare class where it shows available.  Silversea often only offers the higher level suites for booking with their door-to-door fares.  Your travel agent can confirm that with Silversea for the particular cruise you are considering.

Unless you book the hotel through Silversea, they will not pick you up at the hotel.  Plus, if you plan to drive to the pre-cruise hotel in Ft. Lauderdale and want to leave your car at the hotel during your cruise you'll need to book a "stay, park and cruise" rate or similar (in which case the hotel will often include a complimentary shuttle to the port).  Otherwise you can just drive to the cruise terminal and park there for the duration of your cruise. 

25 minutes ago, Mapomp said:

I'm new to Seabourn, not to cruising.  I can understand the three categories, (door-to-door with flights, door-to-door without flights, and port to port).  However, the cruise I'm looking at, if I look at just port to port, Silver Suite is unavailable.  So does that mean that in order to book that category cabin I have to book one of the two others?  And would they pick me up at a hotel? (assume the answer is yes)

Thank you!

MA

I think 15Day+ is right.  You are describing a Silversea cruise, not Seabourn.  Silversea has the door to door (with air or with air credit) and port to port fares as well as Silver Suites.  Seabourn does not.

But to answer your question, Silversea often will not permit you to book a higher-end suite with a port-to-port fare so you won't even see those categories if you choose that fare.  In that case your only option to book a Silver Suite is the door-to-door fare.  If you want airport transfers, you'll need to book door-to-door with flights.  If you book door-to-door without flights, you do not receive any transfers to and from the ship (and of course you'll also pay for your own flights).  You only receive hotel to ship transfers when you book a pre-cruise hotel stay through Silversea (some, but not all door-to-door with flights fares include a one-night stay and hotel transfer).

Is cost important to you?  If so, comparing what you'd pay for the flights and an Uber to and from the ship if you book those independently with what Silversea will charge to include those in your fare can be helpful in deciding what option to choose. 

You may want to post your inquiry in the Silversea forum to get more input. 

Fair winds and following seas!  🛳️

2 hours ago, 1960Travel said:

Thankyou for all the replies, ended up changing to a later flight, Probably would have made it but  with some stress involved.  Will have to hang around FLL longer then we like but thats ok. 

IMO, a very wise decision.  Any number of things can go wrong to delay your arrival at FLL.  We've been on two cruises in the past two years where CBP was short-handed and there were long delays leaving the ship.  We would not have made a 10:30 am flight in either of those cases.  While someone with a 10:30 am flight out of FLL or MIA is probably okay 95% of the time, wise travelers consider the consequences of accepting the risk that something won't go smoothly and they miss the flight.  For the benefit of others who may read this thread, I believe factors that should be considered are:

• How many other flights are available that day from the departure airport to your home airport.  For example, there are about 125 flights daily from FLL to ATL so there is a pretty reasonable likelihood of being able to get a later flight if an earlier one is missed.  If you fly a carrier with multiple flights (AA has 40 of those flights), the risk of not getting home that day are lower.
• How busy is the travel period?  If your flight is scheduled for a very busy travel day (spring break, Thanksgiving, etc) then your ability to get on a later flight may be reduced.
• How flexible is your carrier about allowing you to go on a standby list on a later flight if you miss yours?  If you simply are too late to make your flight, the airline generally does not have any obligation to accommodate you (and depending on your ticket, you may not even get a refund or travel credit even if you notify them before departure that you won't make it).  Some carriers are better than others at rebooking travelers on later flights who won't make it to the gate on time.
• Are you able and prepared to spend a night (or more) in the departure city if you are unable to be accommodated on a later flight that same day?  Will your pet sitter stay an extra day or two?  Do you have enough prescription medication to last until you do make it home?  Will it be a problem if you have to take extra time off work?
• Are you financially prepared to bear the cost of lodging, meals and even last-minute airline tickets if your carrier can't or won't accommodate you or refund your airfare?  Remember that travel insurance will NOT provide any coverage if you simply miss your flight because you don't make it to the airport in time.

Each traveler has to decide for themselves whether they are willing to risk it when considering both the likelihood of missing their flight as well as all of the consequences should that happen. 

If your flight is after 2pm or so, you might consider getting a day pass to a local hotel.  Take a look at Resort Pass (resortpass.com).  For example, you can get a day pass at the Marriott Ft. Lauderdale Airport for about $20.  They'll store your luggage, you can enjoy the pool and facilities, grab lunch, and they even have an airport shuttle.  You can get a day pass for a resort on the beach for about $50.  Check your credit card offers.  AMEX and others periodically have cashback offers where you get about $20 back when you spent $100 with Resort Pass.

Fair winds and following seas!  🛳️

.

3 minutes ago, Paulbud said:

Alexandria, thanks for checking on this. People on this site are so helpful. I can get a refund of my miles but there is no space on the later flight that day. I think I will be okay booking a car in advance, plus I will only have a carry-on bag.

Don't forget that EVA is part of Star Alliance so you may be able to book an award ticket on a later departing flight on another Star Alliance carrier.  Here is a Star Alliance search engine:  https://flights.staralliance.com/en/flights-from-japan

If you miss the 10:30am EVA flight you may find yourself at HND for a day or two with the added expense and inconvenience that entails.  If EVA can't or won't rebook you (they aren't required to) and you can't find an available award seat on a later EVA or Star Alliance flight, then you could find yourself having to pay a last-minute one way fare to get back home in a seat that is not of your choosing.  If your flight is long and/or you are flying business class, it may be better to proactively rebook (even for the next day) to be able to select your own seat, lest you pay thousands of dollars only to be relegated to a middle seat in the last middle row of four near the aft lavatories and galleys. 

And travel insurance won't cover your travel delay if the delay is a result of simply not getting to the gate in time.

Only you can decide whether to accept the risk knowing the potential costs involved (both money and time) if you miss your early flight!  Good luck!

FYI...the above comment was not directed to the OP, who had the courtesy to both inquire and then plan to act according to the consensus of what would be considered respectful of fellow travelers.

It never fails.  Over the past few years, whenever my wife and I are waiting patiently in line to board a mass market cruise, invariably someone in front of me is "saving" a spot for someone who is "on their way" which more often than not turns out to be a large group, not just a spouse.  And then, of course, when that "spot saver" and their party reaches the front of the line, one or more of them are nearly always unprepared to show the correct documentation, or there is some other issue and they manage to delay everyone behind them who was actually waiting their turn.  😠

If you are waiting on members of your party to arrive at the terminal on embarkation day and want to board together, just wait until they are there before getting in the line to board.  If you have access to specialty dining due to your category or past passenger status and want to dine with friends who don't enjoy that access, join them in the MDR or other venue.  If you have priority tender access and your friends do not, either wait for them on shore or tender in with their group.  Common courtesy and respect for others seems to be in shorter supply now than it was in the past.

Being considerate of your fellow passengers will make the cruise experience more enjoyable for all!  😀

Why risk cancellation of your booking and forfeiture of any non-refundable deposit just to put off payment for a day?  What happens if you or Celebrity have IT issues or other problems with posting of the payment.  What if there is an issue with credit card approval of what could be a large charge amount.  What if something urgent comes up tomorrow and making the payment just slips your mind? 

At best, you get an extra month of "float" which, at 5% a year on liquid savings/checking/money market, will net you ~$42 before taxes on a $10,000 final payment.  At worse, your payment isn't processed on time, for whatever reason.  IMO, the juice just isn't worth the squeeze.

3 minutes ago, joiedevivre said:

I know that we get included wifi and internet. How about using your cell phone to call home once a day. Also, can you use zoom on board for meetings in Florida ?
 

I believe you would need the Stream package which is included with Penthouse Suites and above and Diamond status or above.  If you don't qualify, then you would need to pay to upgrade from the included Surf package to the Stream package.

https://www.seabourn.com/en/us/wifi

Your friend should confirm with the US State Department and CBP that they will be able to depart and re-enter the US on their particular tourist Visa, as well as with the embassy of each country on the itinerary what may be required to enter that country as a passport holder of India.

Being at the bow of the ship in the Panama Canal, Glacier Bay or other similar locale can be an interesting experience.  And for those occasions, the bow is usually open for all passengers. 

Otherwise, being "invited" to the helipad for sailaways and other ordinary things.  Meh.  Highly overrated. You aren't missing anything.

On 2/1/2024 at 12:33 PM, Paulbud said:

Thanks to all of you for the helpful advice.  I can't change to a later flight because I am traveling on an EVA Air award ticket that doesn't allow changes. 

Are you sure about that?  See paragraph 6 of their policy regarding refunds/changes of award tickets due to EVA schedule changes. 

"6. Award ticket and upgrade with mileages

Please contact EVA reservation and ticketing office:

(1) Refunds: refund service charge will not be imposed.

(2) Changes: reissue fee as well as the expired miles are exempt from collection for one transaction provided the revised itinerary meets the same criteria as the affected ticket."

https://www.evaair.com/en-global/customer-services/ticket-changes-refunds-due-to-schedule-changes/

1 hour ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

could somebody please tell me what the official policy on bringing sodas onboard is? It is not in the FAQ section on X website.

Can we bring a 12 pack per person? Carry-on or suitcase?

https://www.celebritycruises.com/int/faqs/faq-fragments/enjoying-your-cruise-fragments/beverage-packages

"On embarkation day only, guests are welcome to bring on any non-alcoholic beverages. They are limited to what can be hand-carried onboard by each individual."

You may want to take a look at this Penthouse Spa Suite tour video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_P_rdSo4new&t=350s.  The very beginning shows the staircase that leads to the Penthouse Spa suites on the Odyssey-class ships (Odyssey, Quest and Sojourn).  There is a chair lift but reviews I have read indicate that others have not seen it in use.  On those three ships, access to the Spa Suites is only via that staircase.

If mobility is a challenge, the Penthouse Spa Suite on the Quest (or her sister ships) may not be the best option for you.  (Note that on the Encore and Ovation there is elevator access to the Penthouse Spa Suite). 

However, the Penthouse Suites on the Quest (found on the forward sections of Decks 9 and 10) won't be an issue for mobility as they are easily accessed by forward elevator.  Hope that helps!

18 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

One thing of note.   If you booked air are are a US citizen you have 24 hours to cancel without penalty or fee (Federal Law).    Give FBC a call and see what they can do for you.

Not necessarily.  (Plus, it isn't federal law but a DOT regulation.)  That regulation provides that the airline must offer EITHER:

1.  The ability to hold a price for 24 hrs without a fee, OR

2.  The ability to cancel booked tickets within 24 hrs without a fee.

So if the airline offered the ability to place a 24 hr price hold at no cost, there is no concurrent right to cancel booked tickets within 24 hrs.  An airline can offer both options, but they are not required to.  As always, wise consumers should read all of the terms and conditions applicable to their purchase/booking before making that purchase.  😃

I learned from my TA, confirmed by Seabourn, that Seabourn does not permit both a referred new guest credit (I'm new to Seabourn) and OBC provided by the TA on the same sailing but my TA wasn't certain about the shareholder credit.

It sounds as though the shareholder credit, however, can be combined with the referral credit.  Thanks all!

Quick question...can the OBC from CCL stock ownership be combined with the Seabourn OBC for a referred new guest?  Thanks!

6 hours ago, mkmaj said:

Ok thank you. For some reason I thought it was $9.95.

 

I would ask why it was your last but we just booked our first so I'm not sure if I want to know the answer 😬

I wrote a review on it which is in this forum and on the Cruise Critic review section for the Celebrity Summit.  Been cruising for decades with dozens of cruises under my belt.  I found Celebrity to be okay, not great, not terrible, just average.  No better than Royal Caribbean, worse than HAL but a step up from Carnival and NCL.  But that's just my experience, others may be thrilled with their X sailings.  You may indeed love it.  Go with an open mind and see how the Celebrity experience works for you.

My next three cruises are booked on luxury lines:  Regent, Seabourn and Silversea. 

Enjoy your cruise!  🛳️

On our first (and perhaps last) Celebrity cruise in November that was the room service fee except for continental breakfast using the door hanger order card.  That was at no charge.

15 hours ago, brandy3415 said:

I am one of those who has tried to download app and got message that Celebrity does not support the android tablet.   Still waiting for Celebrity to address that issue.    How do I do the pre boarding health check ?    I assume the safety review can be viewed in cabin on arrival.

 

How has anyone else dealt with this ?

You don't have a smartphone?

I've got three luxury cruises booked so far this year.  All booked in the past two months for travel in 2024.  Two are just under $200pp per day, one just under $300pp per day.  But you have to have flexibility in your travel schedule to regularly book at those rates.  As a retiree, I enjoy such flexibility!

Why are customers so interested in this?  The fascination with the compensation of cruise line employees seems odd to me.  After all, there isn't this type of discussion about how a restaurant, hair salon, hotel or other service industry allocates gratuities where some employees are compensated, in whole or in part, by tips.

If the level of service onboard fails to meet expectations such that the passenger believes a 20% gratuity is excessive, it is up to that passenger how to address it.  That could include, in their discretion, reducing or even eliminating the gratuity.  How they choose to handle such service failures is nobody's business but their own. 😎