OBC and 'solo' cruiser.

I've been reading Silversea's Terms and Conditions -

I have booked a cruise, paid the single supplement; and my booking shows $500 OBC. Do the statements highlighted in red mean I will only actually receive $250?

I wouldn't worry about it. I think that what appears on your official Silversea booking document is tantamount to a contract. Perhaps someone made an error, but I am fairly confident that Silversea would honor whatever is on your booking.

Yes, it seems very strange! However, it's there in writing...

I think what they are referring to is when OBC is advertised specifically per person.

I know with Princess, sometimes OBC is given as a total for the room, and sometimes pp. If it's pp, and you're sailing 'solo' you only get half of what a couple gets (even though you paid a 100% single supplement).

Did you book with the recent offer where you could get a two level cabin upgrade or $1000 OBC? If you chose the OBC, as a solo you should get $500 OBC. In the publicity for the offer it kind of implies that everyone will get $1000 OBC but it's actually $1000 per cabin double occupancy, i.e. $500 per person. What you quote above is the small print that confirms that even though you have paid the solo supplement you still only get $500 per person.

Did you book with the recent offer where you could get a two level cabin upgrade or $1000 OBC?

No, I booked a cruise with an early booking discount of 10%, and a 25% single supplement. There was no mention of OBC at all. That is, until after I got a quote and told Silversea a TA had offered $500 OBC... then Silversea said they would give me $500. Perhaps if there were two of us, we would have gotten $1000? :confused: ... oh well, it's worth $500 not to have my ex-wife along. ;p

No, I booked a cruise with an early booking discount of 10%, and a 25% single supplement. There was no mention of OBC at all. That is, until after I got a quote and told Silversea a TA had offered $500 OBC... then Silversea said they would give me $500. Perhaps if there were two of us, we would have gotten $1000? :confused: ... oh well, it's worth $500 not to have my ex-wife along. ;p

Look at it this way, if your ex was along you may have gotten a $1000 OBC, but you would have paid 100% of your fare (the second passenger fare) for that privilege and not the "mere" 25% you paid with the solo supplement.

Naw... with my luck, I would be paying $9281.25 more than 'solo'... and still be getting only $500 OBC. :rolleyes:

I'm in the same boat (no pun intended) as you... 10% early booker discount and 25% single occupancy surcharge. Being new to this game, I didn't know about OBC and how it works until I asked the question in another thread and the replies I received suggested I call Silversea to see what they would do. To my great surprise I was granted USD250.00 OBC without me suggesting any figure so I wonder if this is the going rate for sole occupancy?

I'm new to Silversea too, and the whole OBC 'thing' is a mystery to me.

I've booked the Silver Cloud, 'Cape to Cape' (Ushuaia - Cape Town) March 7, 2019 because I'm retiring, decided to 'splurge' and South Georgia has been No.1 on my bucket list for a long time, as well as Machu Picchu which I'll see before making my way to Santiago to start the 'cruise' (1-night hotel, transfers and charter flight to Ushuaia are included). There are not many choices if you want to see South Georgia. I've been to Antarctica, so I picked this 're-positioning' cruise because I've always wanted to see South Africa too... and on a per Diem basis, it is pretty good value compared to other expedition cruises visiting S.G. (that are not as luxurious and are more expensive). Ponant offers an almost identical cruise for an almost identical price, but I picked SS because the Cloud has a pool and hot tubs (and I probably won't be completely surrounded by Francophone people).

There is no mention of OBC on the SS website. I got quotes from TAs that included $500 OBC. A quote from SS had no mention of OBC... until I told the SS cruise counselor about the other quotes with OBC. Then, he said he can give me $500. I got the feeling OBC is not given unless asked for, and they have 'discretion' as to the amount.

Now, I'm wondering if I should have asked for $1000. :rolleyes:

I have received 3 OBC's on my last three cruises on SS and I have never asked. I am a solo cruiser. These were booked through my SS TA.

Perhaps there is a fixed-rate OBC for each voyage... but it is never mentioned, and just appears on the Cruise Confirmation when you make your deposit? (I don't know) It seems strange they would not 'advertise' the fact if it were so.

For my cruise, there was absolutely no mention of the (included) precruise hotel, transfers and charter flight until I got the Cruise Confirmation quote from SS. I had to question the hotel and transfers. It was only then I found out about the charter flight... and that these were all 'included'.

Expedition cruises in the northern hemisphere requiring similar charter flight(s) do not have the hotel, transfers and flight(s) included... you have to pay extra.

There was nothing re: OBC mentioned on my confirmation. I have Cruise Critic (or rather it's members on the Silversea board) to thank for discussing and awakening me to the subject.

And Bill, that's a very interesting itinerary - I hadn't heard of half the islands you'll be visiting.

And Bill, that's a very interesting itinerary - I hadn't heard of half the islands you'll be visiting.

Book it quick... the 10% early booking discount expires in few days - October 31... and you'll get at least $500 OBC (maybe more if you ask). :rolleyes:

It's tempting Bill but I think I'd better make sure I really do enjoy solo cruising on Silversea before I commit myself to a second voyage!

BTW, I booked and paid in full for my TA departing September 2018, last October, attracted by the 10% early booking discount and the advertised departure point of Greenwich, which is close to where I live, and guess what... they are still offering a 10% early booking discount a year later. And to rub salt into the wound, the departure point has moved downriver to Tilbury (can't really blame Silversea for this because the cruise terminal promised by developers in 2015 has failed to materialize) so I will now have a pricey taxi ride to catch the ship :mad:.

BTW, I booked and paid in full for my TA departing September 2018, last October, attracted by the 10% early booking discount, and guess what... they are still offering a 10% early booking discount a year later.

Interesting. They told me the fare was going up on October 1. It's now the 29th and the fare is still the same. We'll see if something happens on the 31st (final payment deadline for the 10%)... or if they keep offering the 10% and extend final payment deadline.

If it's the latter, I'll be POed.

I've become extremely cynical about cruise lines' marketing practices - they push the boundaries of what's legal. For example, while their website is plastered with notices about their ethical practices, HAL is deliberately misleading. On some cruises they charge their past pax more than someone who has never sailed with them. Past pax are encouraged to sign in to the website to get "special pricing" (and it sets cookies). What they don't say is "special" means MORE! They are preying on people's naivety and natural tendency to assume "special" means less.

For years, Princess trumpeted how 'green' they were and how great their environmental protection programs were... all the while dumping oil at sea (fined $40,000,000) with full knowledge of the practice going to the top of the corporate ladder.

I don't believe anything any cruise line says. Take everything with a huge grain of sodium chloride... and analyse every word of everything they say.

They all say "Safety is number one". That's not true... profit is number one.

It is interesting that there are so many different experiences and points of view.

Interesting. They told me the fare was going up on October 1. It's now the 29th and the fare is still the same. We'll see if something happens on the 31st (final payment deadline for the 10%)... or if they keep offering the 10% and extend final payment deadline.

 

If it's the latter, I'll be POed.

 

I've become extremely cynical about cruise lines' marketing practices -.

I think you are referring to the 10% discount for payment by a certain date.

I am not clear as to why you are cynical. Airlines and hotels routinely manipulate fares/rates from time to time. At least with Silversea one knows that the discount will be valid until a given date (though it may be renewed.) Another cruise line I know can change fares without notice.

Most hotel chains, airlines, shipping and railway companies now seem to use similar inventory/pricing algorithms to match supply and demand but knowing that doesn't make it any less irritating when you find that you've paid more than you need to have done for a particular service.

I think you are referring to the 10% discount for payment by a certain date.

 

I am not clear as to why you are cynical. Airlines and hotels routinely manipulate fares/rates from time to time. At least with Silversea one knows that the discount will be valid until a given date (though it may be renewed.) Another cruise line I know can change fares without notice.

I suspect that the point Bill is making is simply about integrity. In other words making an offer of a contingent discount that will expire with the sole intention that customers accept the offer at face value and in good faith and buy, when the company knows that the offer it has made wasn't as sold. and that they knew when making the time-limited special offer, that it would be extended.

I think we all accept it as a way of life but equally I think most would accept it as dishonest and feel duped.

Another cruise line I know can change fares without notice.

Any cruise line (or airline, hotel etc.) can change the price without notice. What they can't do is raise the price if you have paid a deposit (or in full).

The Cloud (on March 7, 2019) is (supposedly) currently priced at $11,000 pp based on double occupancy. SS currently has a 10% early booking discount if paid in full by October 31, 2017 making it $9,900 pp. I was told by SS on September 28 the $9,900 price was "going up" on October 1, 2017. I made the deposit on Sept. 28 and the price did not rise on Oct. 1. I naively believed them and got 'sucked in'... sort of... I had decided to book the cruise anyway. Did they lie to me?... I'm sure they would say something like -

"No... we changed the marketing strategy after we told you that... we did not lie, we inadvertently misrepresented the truth." :rolleyes:

I made full payment a couple of days ago. If I find the early booking bonus is extended beyond Oct. 31 (which seems likely based on what Twigalina said), I'll feel even more 'sucked in'.

It's not a big deal (interest rates are low); and, as I said, I had decided to book the cruise. However, now they have $9281.75 of mine ($12,375 minus the 25% deposit) way before I probably needed to pay it. It's the principle of the thing that Ps me O... and the fact they are less than honest. :mad:

On the 'plus side', I had a good selection of staterooms to choose from. :)

Here's a question -

Has anyone ever been able to collect on the 'Silver Fare Guarantee'? I suspect 'No'... because fares never actually go down. Rather than reduce fares to stimulate bookings, they offer inducements such as upgrades and OBC i.e. they never have to 'pay' on the guarantee.

For our upcoming cruise in January we paid in full many months ago. We booked Silversea directly and was offered a very nice OBC at the time of booking.

We noticed the extensions to the early payment deadlines, but also noticed the baseline price had increased by well over $1000pp because they were now including flights and some excursions. On contacting our sales rep they did the calculations and it worked out they could save us a few hundred dollars......since we had already booked our own flights.......... plus they would allow us to have the included excursions.

I usually prefer to do private excursions but since some of the included excursions were things like going to the Great Ape sanctuary in Sandakan, so I'm happy. I have chosen some excursions and some ports we will just wander and do our own thing. For me the included excursions were a bonus, since some of our port stops aren't very long.

I am not sure if that qualifies in your "Silver Fare Guarantee" but we're happy.

Julie

I didn't have the name quite right, but from the SS website -

Silversea Fare Guarantee Programme

Silversea’s Fare Guarantee Programme provides guests with the peace of mind in knowing that when they plan ahead and book early, not only will they be able to reserve their desired suite, but they can also benefit from any future reduction in the Silver Privilege Fares for their voyage, upon request. All voyages are eligible.

Requests for reimbursement received on or after the sailing date will be denied. Reimbursement provided under this guarantee will be in the form of a shipboard credit, suite upgrade, future cruise credit, fare reduction or other method. Silversea reserves the sole right to determine the method of reimbursement made to guests. The amount of reimbursement the guests receive will be determined by the difference between the Silver Privilege Fare actually paid by the guest and the Silver Privilege Fare displayed on Silversea.com the day the request is received is by Silversea.

I think we all accept it as a way of life but equally I think most would accept it as dishonest and feel duped.

In my case doubly so because:

1. I was told over the phone on Oct. 28 the price was going to rise on October 1. It did not;

and,

2. The 10% early booking bonus applies if final payment is made by Oct. 31. Implying (not stating... that's crucial) it will expire on that date. However, it will probably be extended... we'll see.

Here's a question -

Has anyone ever been able to collect on the 'Silver Fare Guarantee'? I suspect 'No'... because fares never actually go down. Rather than reduce fares to stimulate bookings, they offer inducements such as upgrades and OBC i.e. they never have to 'pay' on the guarantee.

Bill, you have posted the relevant section but perhaps a comment or two might help. There are a number of ways customers are potentially thwarted.

Firstly Silver Privilege fairs are cruise only. That means that subsequent comparisons have to be on a like for like basis. If for example SS subsequently annnounce that the same fair now includes a flight, it seems to me that they would likely argue that it isn't covered because you can only compare a cruise only fare with a cruise only fare. The same if they subsequently add an OBC, or an upgrade. The are however inconsistant so some may get a good result but others not. And what do they mean be the seemingly innocent "Additional restrictions may apply."

Book early for the best fares and availability; Silver Privilege Fares are structured to reward guests who book early with the best possible fare and the privilege of being able to select their desired suite when the best inventory is available. All Silver Privilege Fares shown are cruise-only per guest unless otherwise noted, based on double-occupancy. Availability of all suite categories cannot be guaranteed. Fares for single guests are available upon request. Additional restrictions may apply.

 

Requests for reimbursement received on or after the sailing date will be denied. Reimbursement provided under this guarantee will be in the form of a shipboard credit, suite upgrade, future cruise credit, fare reduction or other method. Silversea reserves the sole right to determine the method of reimbursement made to guests. The amount of reimbursement the guests receive will be determined by the difference between the Silver Privilege Fare actually paid by the guest and the Silver Privilege Fare displayed on Silversea.com the day the request is received is by Silversea.

 

If after the initial sale of a newly announced cruise SS ceases to call the far Silver Privilege Fare then it seems obvious that they can duck it. There was a short discussion some time back ...... that may be of interest to UK based customers.

https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2056820

It seems similar to the ubiquitous 'Best Price Guarantee' for hotels. To make a successful 'claim', the room must be the same type, available on the same dates and have exactly the same booking conditions*. The trouble is, no hotel booking sites (and a hotel if booked directly) have exactly the same booking conditions.

* Other conditions my apply.

Other Conditions:

Only applies to guests whos birthday is February 30.