caleyjag

57 minutes ago, middlehaitch said:

A couple of thoughts. 

 

The offer only applied to new bookings. This has to be applied at time of booking. 

 

You wanted to apply it to an existing booking, albeit you’d only booked 2 days prior. 

 

You recieved an email about the offer 2 days after you had booked but, as the start date of the offer was 25 March 2021, it has probably been on the website  in the members section under offers since then. (Or a date close to). 

Did you check for Captains Club special offers before booking? 

 

When you did your booking and entered your member number did you also click the check for offers button? 

The wording and the button change occasionally but if there is an offer available to members it is on that page in one form or another. 

 

I have been caught by this ‘applies to new bookings’ before, as I suspect many others have, and never had the offer applied. Now I do my due diligence and check the website before booking.

 

I also make sure I click that button for offers when I enter my member number (even if I haven’t seen any offers) just in case.

 

I don’t think Celebrity are being unfair as if an exception is made for 2 day it could be argued that it be made for 2 weeks or months. Maybe a little harsh, but not unfair. 

 

Cheers, h. 

 

Thanks middlehaitch

I very much take your point about applying due diligence before you book and will be more careful in the future. I was not expecting to have to do so when the guarantee declares "If the fare on your sailing is reduced or the promotion gets better, give us a call and we’ll honor your choice right up to 48 hours before you sail." This point was emphasised by the Celebrity booking agent as a reason to book on the call. It feels disingenuous to subsequently apply a caveat that was not made clear at the time of booking.

I'll put this down to experience. Clearly others are both wise to, and accepting of, these marketing ploys. I have learned not to treat things at face value with Celebrity and thank you and others for sharing. My reason for posting was not to debate, but to highlight to other less experienced cruisers like myself to be wary.

On a much more positive note the ship was docked in my home port today. We were able to get a look from a distance and it does look amazing.

Thanks for the responses.

I get that offers are time bounded. The point I'm trying to make is that the best offer guarantee covers both the date of my booking AND the date of the new offer therefore I should be able to have the better offer applied. I'm not expecting an offer that was released outside of the best offer guarantee to be applied. 

I think what I'm trying to say badly is that it should not be an exception. It was Celebrity's Customer Service that proposed that approach. In my opinion it should be applied because it is the best offer in the period of the "best offer guarantee" that is applicable to my booking. Otherwise the terminology "best offer guarantee" is misleading.

Hi Jeremiah1212

The issue is that we booked on May 23rd with a best offer guarantee. Two days later on May 25th Celebrity announced a new offer of double points for bookings made until June 30th. Everything else between a booking made on the 23rd and one made two days later on the 25th were identical, therefore we asked to have the best offer applied. Customer services then advised us the best offer guarantee did not apply to this offer but to email the Captain's Club directly and ask for an exception. They waited 3 weeks before responding, which was after the final payment date, to reiterate the offer did not apply and they would not make an exception.

Thanks everyone. I'd have thought applying the promotion would be in Celebrity's interest with a view of establishing loyalty and trust.

I will make one final call and then will forget about it and enjoy the cruise no matter the outcome. 

2 minutes ago, Bo1953 said:

Okay, now that I re-read your original post, here in the U.S. the 'Best Offer Guarantee' only applies to pricing and not non-pricing promotions.

 

As such I can only 'suggest', if possible and still available and possible, cancel and re-book your cabin to gain the points. There may be a policy in place which prevents your ability to do this.

 

Enjoy your sailing regardless and bon voyage

Thanks Bo1953

You are correct we cannot cancel and re-book. We will enjoy the sailing regardless, the most likely impact will be when we choose our next cruise as we feel Celebrity may have been a bit mean.

2 minutes ago, Bo1953 said:

The fundamental question, at for me is, are you a Captain's Club member now?

 

bon voyage

Yes I am a classic member and had previously completed a Celebrity cruise. 

We booked a suite on the Celebrity Silhouette in August for a 7 day UK cruise. The booking included a best offer "guarantee" . . . . . . or so we thought. 2 days after booking Celebrity announced a "double points" promotion that includes our sailing. When we enquired about applying the offer under the best offer guarantee, Celebrity said that as the offer is only available to Captain's Club members it is excluded from the best offer guarantee (even though non-members can join up to get it). I raised it to both Customer Services and Captain's Club directly but both agreed it could not be applied. How ironic that a promotion designed to boost loyalty has had the exact opposite effect . . . . . or am I being unreasonable? 

Hope you have a great time Bob

1 hour ago, norm2002 said:

 

Hi

 

OK. I've posted it on Youtube. Please bear in mind I made this over 13 years ago.

 

Seabourn Pride at Tower Bridge.

Superb . . . . Thank you

6 hours ago, norm2002 said:

 

That is one of my favorite bits of nostalgia. I lived in London at the time and two or three times I went to Tower Bridge, when I wasn't sailing, just to watch the Pride sail out under the fully open bridge. I even made a video of it. For most craft the bridge only opens partially.

Have you posted the video online? I'd love to see it.

Welcome back.

3 minutes ago, Mulberry08 said:

I can do a referral coupon.

i think the system has changed now instead on one coupon of $400 per suite I think you get one each of $250.

if you want to send me your email address I can do the referral online for you!!

@Mulberry08 - Yes the system has changed, however, Seabourn have said they will honour unused coupons from the $400 scheme 

Just now, caleyjag said:

 

After we exchange the details for the form I will send it to Seabourn (and a copy to you) and once it is processed they will credit your booking 

One coupon each for two of your bookings. I'm sure someone else can provide a third

5 minutes ago, caleyjag said:

 

Hi

 

I have 2 of the $400 coupons available. If you email me 

 

eohowell at gmail dot com

 

I will sort out the details with you

 

 

After we exchange the details for the form I will send it to Seabourn (and a copy to you) and once it is processed they will credit your booking 

6 minutes ago, robertmartha said:

There will be 6 of us sailing mid-January (yup just booked this week!)

3 couples - all first timers on Seabourn!

if anyone has 3 coupons that would be amazing!

 

assume if we are lucky enough to receive - instructions are on them as to how to redeem once we have a booking number?

Hi

I have 2 of the $400 coupons available. If you email me 

eohowell at gmail dot com

I will sort out the details with you

Hi - I have two of the original $400 OBC coupons that Seabourn will still honor even though the current offer is only for $250

If you are a first time guest on Seabourn you can have one by contacting eohowell at gmail dot com

☺️

I have a Referral Coupon available for fist time Seabourn cruisers.

Please email me "eohowell at gmail dot com" if you would like me to register it for your initial sailing.

We have booked for November through Air France via Paris from St Martin. It used to be serviced by Joon, the low cost Air France carrier, but these are all now operated by the main Air France carrier since 2019. As they are partnered with KLM we had options to onward connections either direct or via Amsterdam which may work out for you dependent on where your nearest airport is in the UK. As our cruise is transatlantic we were able to book both legs as a multi journey also and got a good rate as a result.

FYI - you can book the same flight either through KLM or Air France (in case you have air miles with one)

Hope this helps?

Kind Regards

Beautiful photos - Thank you

Was just called by my TA regarding the Nov 2, 2019 transatlantic on Odyssey. This Lisbon transatlantic departure will go to St. Maarten, NOT Miami, and will arrive on Nov. 16th. We are offered the following options from Seabourn:

 

1. Keep the booking of our same suite at the prior fare (note that this transatlantic crossing is 1 day longer than the original itinerary), and receive a $400 per person OBC.
   
2. Cancel the booking for a full refund.
   
3. Change the booking to any other cruise and receive: a) A 10% reduction in the posted fare for the newly selected cruise, and b) A $400 per person OBC for the newly selected cruise
   

We know we will not be keeping our booking on this revised transatlantic itinerary, but we haven't decided whether to do #2 or #3. So it's back to the cruise calendar for us ................

I received a similar communication from my TA with the exception of the amount of OBC which they have stated for Options 1 or 3 to be:

• USD $100 per person/$200 per suite for Ocean-View/Veranda
  
• USD $200 per person/$400 per suite for Penthouse/Premium Suites
  

My wife and I are also booked on the 2019 Lisbon to Miami transatlantic. I got the same story, via my TA, from Seabourn that the trip is simply booked out . . . . . but nobody I've spoken to believes that to be true. I guess we must just wait and see when the story changes. To be honest the simplicity of the travel arrangements for this trip appealed to me so I'm unsure what the options may be after the 'reveal'. Do you think it will be a case of take it or leave it or would alternate cruises be offered? If anyone has had a similar experience or opinion on how these things are usually managed I would love to hear them - Thanks in advance.

If anybody wants a list give me you email address and I will send you a list of the 23 wines available.

yes please

eohowell @ gmail dot com

Depends on your interests but 3 nice things in close proximity that make for a nice afternoon are Belfast Museum, Queens University and the Botanic Gardens allowing you to combine culture, architecture and a pleasant walk. On the history front Crumlin Road Gaol have day and evening tours but would require a cab ride there and back. It's only about 15 mins in a cab and allow a couple of hours for the tour. There are free guided tours of Belfast City Hall. They are a on a first come first served basis and it is likely to be a busy time of the year but is well worth a visit. I know you mentioned the Titanic museum but for a different aspect there is a small boat that does tours of the titanic basin where the ship launched. This runs from the Big Fish sculpture. There are a number of themed walking tours dependent on your interests. A lot focus on 'the troubles' but there are lighter themes such as food, music and drink (I know it's a cliche but Belfast does have some really interesting and historic bars). Hopefully these will offer some food for thought.

I live about 20 miles outside of Belfast. Although I don't attend the parades myself you should not be overly concerned from a security perspective. Trouble is rare these days and tends to be in the late evening at areas on the outskirts of the city. The evening of the 11th, and the day of the 12th July, are when most of the activity occurs. If I have read your post right your overnight is on the 10th and this will be a normal working day in the city. Therefore I wouldn't anticipate any issues. Enjoy the 'craic'!

Let me know if you need any further information and I will try to help.

Thank you DrSHF for providing my referral.

So very kind.

MH

Hi, We have a referral coupon available. I am at drshf@aol.com. Thanks. Stephen.

 

 

Hi

 

Apologies in advance if I am way too early to be thinking of this but I have just booked on the Odyssey for a sailing in Nov 2019

 

I have direct mailed DrShf but would love some guidance on how, when, or why I should be asking about this? From what I can see the timing is relevant to when the coupon holder is next travelling, therefore, I susoect I may be much too early . . . . . . no harm in asking :D

 

Kind Regards

Marcus