3418ahl

There is a Sun City right outside of the Ballantyne section of Charlotte, right after you cross over the South Carolina border.  We have about 3300 homes. It is in Indian Land, SC (Sun City Carolina Lakes).

Whoops, I just called Seabourn and they told me this was put in as a "placeholder" and does not really exist at all.  So much for that!

I just noticed what seems to be a new category of preference for "Landing Benefits".  I cannot find any information as to what this "perk" consists of.  Can someone enlighten me.  We are due to leave in a few days.

3 minutes ago, zelker said:

Yes, I realize that.  I just did the same thing with Holland America and Seabourn both and that's what I was told.  Cancelled cruises (whether you cancel or they cancel) and requesting refunds of FCDs ALL go through the same accounting department.  So basically we all have to get in line.  We figure if we get it sooner it's a bonus but we're not holding our breath.

My point is that somehow they have enough people to still process the PAYMENTS within 24 hours, just not the refunds!

7 minutes ago, zelker said:

 

Sorry but I'd say 8 weeks might be a more reasonable expectation for your refund.

This is just a return for a deposit I made.  If they can process your deposit within 24 hours, why can't they manage to return it?

Funny, when our Ovation cruise was cancelled, I booked a new cruise for August.  They managed to process my payment within 24 hours.  I decided that was to soon to cruise again and cancelled.  They have not managed to return my payment for eight days.

50 minutes ago, zimflyer said:

That is exactly my point DWF.

 

Even in this extraordinary situation, I am/have been able to go online and alter, amend, refund or cancel most of my hotel and air travel. Hell, even my supermarket lets me interact/order/refund online to my credit card...

 

These are basics. Even my tyre shop has sent me messages about changed hours, etc.

 

So why the heck do any of us who have:  

1. booked months ago

2. Paid months ago

3. Paid in full

4. NOT even seen the ship never mind boarded, or had a drink of water from SB

5. Not been offerred any refund until those who waited till last minute were  able to choose that option instead of FCC.

6. Not communicated with at all in response to requests for information

7. STILL have no idea when we will get

our refunds....

 

Interesting that even those such as Westmount on Sojourn are not delighted with matters now that they are back on shore and again...

 

SEABOURN LEAVES EVERYONE IN THE DARK. PATHETIC CORPORATE ETHIC.

 

WHY BE DEFENSIVE ABOUT SUCH BEHAVIOUR. DOES NOBODY VALUE CORPORATE ETHICS ANYMORE?

 

PLEASE CONSIDER. We were originally schedule for the Singapore to Athen Ovation cruise. Our airfare was not changeable. When the embarkation port was changed to Sri Lanka, with no guarantee from Seabourn of reimbursement for airfares, we chose to take the FCC. If we had hung on, the cruise was cancelled about 24 hours beforehand.  We requested a refund rather than a FCC, but were told that we cancelled too early.  Meanwhile, we have heard nothing on the FCC and my travel agent cannot get an answer either.  Very poor service.

I agree wholeheartedly. 

1 hour ago, Mark56 said:

Testing will help but let’s face it, there needs to be herd immunity in the population before it will be safe to travel again. If we’re lucky, the world will have a vaccine in about a year and then the cruise industry can resume operations. 

 

The big problem for them is Carnival and most other lines have registered their companies in places like Panama to dodge taxes and I don’t know how excited people will be to bail them out when they declare bankruptcy. 

It is my understanding that although the ships are registered outside the US to avoid having to follow US regulations, Carnival, Royal Caribbean and other corporations call the US home. "The US entity Carnival Corporation is incorporated in Miami, and its operational headquarters are located in the city of Doral, Florida."

I guess the "good old days" are gone!  We were on Azamara in 2014 when the ship broke down the the cruise had to end.  They flew everyone from the ship to Shanghai at their expense, put all guests up for two days at the Hyatt on the Bundt and then flew everyone home at their expense.

We were offered a FCC for the March 14 sailing from Singapore to Athens, which we took.  That cruise is now cancelled, but we cannot receive a refund like everyone else, since we pulled out when they offered the FCC.  Also, as far as post #740 by Jozi, we have already booked a cruise for our FCC and a totally new deposit is still due.  The FCC cannot be used as a deposit. I am not at my happiest.

Personally, I worry far less about cruising, especially on small ships like Seabourn, than I worry about the flights, numerous airports, numerous people handling the luggage I eventually pick up, security pat downs that have patted down hundreds before me, etc.  The cruise is not my main worry, but the trip to the ship is.

5 hours ago, zimflyer said:

Quoting Westmount:

"...With everything I read here about customer care and business , remember that the virus is not covered by anyone’s insurance, including Seabourn, so if you are uncomfortable about travel right now, take the credit and book something for a year from now. The other option is to stay home and lose your deposit, so the cruise line is offering everyone a one year break. "

 

wrong, those caught on SB cruise departures from 21 Feb, when this was announced,  until (now) 01 April, have till Dec 2020 to book.

 

Those cruising between 01April on get the Customer Confidence (trick ?) ...can FCC till Dec 31 2021.

 

We have this 38 day cruise on Sojourn, followed by medical back home, followed by 7 weeks on Crystal finishing late Nov 2020... how the hell am I supposed to book another SB trip at a time that suits me to travel BEFORE DEC 31st 2020...

 

That is the problem for all of us facing things now... but SB just wont lift their game. Still NIL response to emails, call centre not empowered to do or confirm anything.

 

Poor show.

 

Perhaps I am wrong but: I took a future cruise credit for a cruise due to leave March 10.  I booked a future cruise already for August 1.  I had to pay deposit for my future cruise.  Even though I am using a credit toward it, it is a new cruise.  The date is between April 1 and Dec 2020.  It seems to me that I can now defer that cruise for yet a different one that would sail before 12/21.

I was indeed booked for the March 10 Singapore to Athens cruise, for which we accepted a FCC.  My airline flights were cancelled by the airlines under the circumstances with no penalty.  We accepted the hotel loss of a few nights.  Also, I believe it states the FCC must depart before 12/31/2021, which is quite a distance out. I am sorry those in Australia cannot book air through Seabourn, but I can also understand that they must have some type of sustainable business model.  No one is forcing anyone to book, if the terms are not favorable to your particular situation.

18 minutes ago, naata said:

I think the cancellation policy of Seabourn misses the mark for us Australians & New Zealand  cruisers who are on average 25% of the passenger mix.  The very nature of our more distant geographical location often involves long flights and in our case we often take a Seabourn cruise, and several associated holiday stops around Europe as part of the overall holiday.

 

All this involves other costly reservations and flights to make a trip to Europe worthwhile and enjoyable.

 

However the published current cancellation policy will not in the current turmoil induce us to book with Seabourn for a 9th voyage!.    So Seabourn, as tough as it is you need to improve your cancellation provisions, before we will book again in the current situation ..... your call!!.

Perhaps you feel they should reimburse your INDEPENDENT flights...or your outside holiday stops around Europe....or perhaps you are being unrealistic?  In what way exactly would you suggest they change their policy?

2 hours ago, Bobal said:

 

According to this post on the MSC boards Colombo are no longer allowing cruise ships to call. I would give this less credence if it weren't from someone actually onboard.

 

I realise it's some time before Encore is due in Colombo but just a heads up that this is what's currently happening. Please don't shoot the messenger.

The Ovation is due to embark from Columbo on March 10.  We took a FCC in lieu of this cruise.

Thanks so much for going out of your way and finding this, but at this point I think I will try and take a fcc for the entire 42 night cruise.  I have NO interest whatsoever in the poor first leg itinerary, and as for the second, Qatar is banned from going into Dubai.  I really had wanted to go back to Myanmar one more time, but alas, that is not to be.

We would need to fly from Charlotte  to Columbo.  One cannot chance going from Singapore and possibly being denied boarding in the future.  There are no Qatar flights available.  I would prefer a future credit at this point.  Looking at the letter, I assume I can credit the entire cruise.

We are contemplating a future cruise credit.  Does anyone know if this credit has to be used against a "brochure price" from Seabourn, or if I can go through my travel agent?

Your comment about Singapore being added in the future to boarding requirements is exactly what I was thinking.  Also, there are very few airlines going there, so our flights are not able to be changed within the same airline (Qatar).  I am going to call Seabourn on Monday and ask about future credit for the entire cruise, which is how it was booked.

We just received the following email from Seabourn.  We are not "happy campers"! A lot of worthless ports with NO offer of help for new flights for independent bookers. Also, we are on a 42 night cruise, so I do not even know if we are offered a credit if we decline to take the entire cruise.

February 20, 2020

Dear Valued Guest:

We look forward to welcoming you on board Seabourn Ovation for your 42-day Ancient Empires Exploration voyage and wish to advise you of changes to our scheduled itinerary.

As you know, Seabourn has been closely monitoring the very fluid and evolving situation with respect to the new coronavirus (COVID-19) that originated in mainland China. Our medical experts are being briefed regularly and coordinating closely with international health authorities to ensure we protect the health and well-being of our guests and crew, which is always our top priority.

The difficult decision to adjust our itinerary has been made based on the unpredictable changes we have seen recently in travel restrictions and port operations in Asia. While we expect things will stabilize, we endeavor to ensure our guests’ experience will live up to their expectations.  

As a result, your voyage will now begin in Colombo, Sri Lanka, rather than Singapore, and we have modified the first half of your itinerary. We will no longer call to Thailand or Myanmar (Burma), and have added additional port calls in Sri Lanka, India, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Qatar. To accommodate these changes, our calls to Mumbai (Bombay), India and Muscat (Oman) have been moved to new dates.

The revised portion of your itinerary is now as follows:

In recognition of these significant changes to your voyage, when you sail you will receive a Future Cruise Credit of 25% of the cruise fare paid for the 22-day segment of your voyage that begins on March 14. The terms and conditions of this Future Cruise Credit are listed below.

For guests with Seabourn tours booked for the cancelled ports or Seabourn pre-cruise hotel and transfer arrangements in Singapore, you will automatically receive a refund to your original form of payment and you do not need to contact Seabourn to obtain your refund. Our Destinations Team is working to secure tours for our new ports, and more information about our new tour programs will be available on board.

Guests with Seabourn’s Flight Ease®

Guests who have purchased their air through Seabourn will have their embarkation flights rebooked to arrive in Colombo rather than Singapore at our expense. We will communicate your new travel arrangements to you within the next two weeks.

Guests with Independent Air

Guests with independent travel arrangements should rebook their air to arrive at Sri Lanka’s Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) on Saturday, March 14, no later than 1:30 PM. 

We understand this is not the cruise vacation you anticipated, and some guests may prefer not to travel at this time. Should you choose to defer your travel and cancel your cruise you will receive a 100% Future Cruise Credit (excluding independent travel expenses) for the base cruise fare paid that can be used on a replacement cruise that sails within 12 months. The terms and conditions of this Future Cruise Credit are listed below. You will also receive a full refund of any Seabourn pre- or post-cruise hotel packages or transfers, prepaid shore excursions and amenities purchased through Seabourn, and taxes, fees, and port expenses back to the original form of payment. 

We also recognize that these changes may cause you to incur other unexpected expenses, such as air change fees. Reimbursement of reasonable non-refundable expenses will be considered on a case-by-case basis. A Change Fee Reimbursement Form is available at http://*****/SBN_CHGFEE; please complete this form and submit it, along with any relevant receipts and documentation, for review by our corporate office. If you purchased SeabournShield® or independent vacation travel insurance, please submit your claim through your carrier before submitting a reimbursement request.

Should you have any questions, please contact your travel advisor or Seabourn at the appropriate office:

Seattle Office (USD/CAD Currency):
Contact us at 1 800 207 3551. We are available Monday – Friday 6:00am to 5:00pm PST

Rotterdam Office (EUR Currency):
Contact us at 00800 1872 1872. We are available Monday – Friday 9:00am to 6:00pm

Southampton Office (GBP Currency):
Contact us at 0344 338 8615. We are available Monday – Friday 9:00am to 6:00pm

Sydney Office (AUD Currency):
Contact us at 300 987 323. We are available Monday – Friday 8:30am to 7:00pm

We appreciate your understanding that this unprecedented situation is beyond our control and regret this disruption to your vacation plans.  Please know that we are working to provide the best possible destination experience for you.

Thank you for your attention to this important information and for choosing Seabourn. We are eager to welcome you on board and remain, as always, at your service.

My feeling is definitely that our cruise on March 14 out of Singapore will be cancelled.  Many of the boarders will be spending time in Singapore prior to boarding and all it would take is one case to be a "Diamond Princess"!  Today, even planes carrying citizens from Westerdam and Diamond Princess were denied landing in several countries.

Crystal just cancelled all its cruises in Singapore for the entire month of March.

2 hours ago, pgintct said:

February 29th sailing has been canceled.  You will all be receiving an email. Full refund to credit card as well as 50% FCC.

My guess is that this bodes ill for our cruise on March 14, which is the relocation cruise.

3 minutes ago, SLSD said:

I saw the posted email from Seabourn announcing this cancellation on another site.  So--it is certain. 

 

The person asking for a source was referring to the post made by Florisdekort, and there is NO decision on Singapore for cruises departing other than the one that was due to leave today.

We are due to sail on March 14.  I just spoke with Seabourn, and as of yet, no decision has been made for future cruises out of Singapore, other than the one that was just cancelled.  They will be making those decisions after they handle the cruise due to depart today. They will send an email directly (not through travel agent) if cruises are cancelled.