CJANDH

Is Explora Journeys set up to provide air bookings and pre/post hotel stays like most of their competition are? I have a cruise booked with them for March but do not see anywhere on their website offering air and/or hotel packages.

I think that many lines are getting tougher on cancelation fees. I just noticed that a Regent cruise I have booked for summer 2024 has a 25% of cruise fare cancelation cost for 151 days or more out from sailing. That is pretty steep. If I cancel a full year out it costs me 25% of the full fare. Wow!!

Unfortunately, I think this is a sound observation. All these changes, along with the outrageous rise in the prices of top tier suites certainly look like moves from corporate. I don't think Barbara M is strong enough to resist the takeover of her business by the bean counters.

This comment applies to their erratic pricing policy too. After years of sailing Silversea in their top tier suites we have switched to Regent and are trying Crystal and Explora in 2024. Silversea have more than doubled the price of their Owners Suite and are now not competitive with their "lux" competitors.

Thanks. That is helpful. I now know where Serenity will be for the first half of the year. I will be patient waiting for Symphony and the second half for Serenity. I appreciate your input.

Has anyone heard when Crystal will be publishing their 2025 schedule of cruises? I am booked through the end of 2024, but am eager to try Crystal, which sounds so good on this board. Thanks.

A strong fan base that is being tested by the aggressive price increases being implemented for 2024 and out. I am a top tier suite purchaser that has switched from Silversea to try Explora Journeys because Silversea have more than doubled the price for their top suites.

Yes, but they include ECONOMY air, not business.

Bon Voyage.

Agree with all of that:

My point in posting this information was not to suggest anyone uses it to book a cruise instead of using a trusted TA. It was to show that the new program allows you to quickly check out the final price for a cruise under various booking scenarios. While I always use my TA to make a booking, I like to explore options on line myself to determine which cruise line is offering the best value for an itinerary I am interested in.

It seems that SS may be testing (or transitioning to) a new way of pricing a cruise on their website. First, they have you click through various choices such as number of passengers and your choice of their three pricing option (DtoD, DtoD without flights or Port to Port) Then you are presented with a choice of suites that are shown as "Total Price" rather than per person. The link below should take you to an example for the July 4, 2024 Spirit cruise Reykjavik to Reykjavik. https://quote.silversea.com/v3/SL240704010?guests=A2-K0&airfare=DoorToDoor-flights--Economy&gateway=DoorToDoor-flights--ABQ Interesting way of showing pricing for various options. Will be watching to see if this will be a change for all cruises.

The sub-title says it is the Cocoon.

Amsterdam?

Actually, if you look at the 2024/5 cruises the top suites are mainly still available. In the past they have always been the first to go "waitlist". I have had to book nearly two years in advance to get an Owners Suite. Not at $100K though!!

I wouldn't bet on it. Like their decision on doubling the prices for their top suites, it looks like throwing things at the wall to see if they stick.

Maybe a boycott? How do we let SS know we have a problem? Customer service just ignores emails.

Here is a comparison with Regent on similar cruises in July 2024: 10-day N. Europe Comparison – July 2024 Silversea Dawn: Owners $44K Grand $41K Royal $37K RSS Splendor: Master* $27K Grand $24K Splendor $22K * Master is 2-bedroom And Regent provides Business Class air to Europe!! The bean counters are pricing SS out of the market.

Here is a comparison with Regent on similar cruises in July 2024: 10-day N. Europe Comparison – July 2024 Silversea Dawn: Owners $44K Grand $41K Royal $37K RSS Splendor: Master* $27K Grand $24K Splendor $22K * Master is 2-bedroom The bean counters are pricing SS out of the market.

The Silver Suite prices have gone up as you say. But check out the Owners and Grand Suite increases. They are now about three times the cost of the Silver Suite versus 1.5 times this year.

Looks spectacular. Cannot wait for my cruise in March next year.

Thanks for the summary Terry. Reading between the lines I sense that the company thinks that their business is not very price sensitive and they have an opportunity to make us pay a lot more. I may be in the minority but I am feeling "gauged" and have switched several bookings to Regent who seem more rational in their pricing strategy. Also looking at the new Explora Journeys brand that has top-end suite pricing lower than Silversea.

And the outrageous price increases on the Silversea's top suites.

If so, she doesn't look too happy!

I have just come off Dawn where I raised the issue of the wild pricing on the top suites with both the Future Cruise Consultant and the Chief Finance officer, with whom I had dinner. Neither seemed aware of the issue. But the Finance guy was shocked by the difference between the Silver and Owners suite prices. He said he would do his own investigation. I still believe that there is a crazy pricing gremlin somewhere in HQ that is now working his/her evil ways with specialty restaurant pricing too. (See separate thread).