Guest Referral Program

[curiousx]

The Seabourn Guest Referral Program offers $500US future cruise onboard credit to Seabourn Club members who send rhem the names, addresses and email addresses of 'referred guests' (i.e. family or friends who might be interested in booking their first Seabourn cruise). The 'referred guests' also get a $500US onboard credit, when and if they book a cruise. Credits are good for up to two years. Credits cannot be used in the casino

 

What are your experiences with this program ? Have you referred guests? How long has it taken for notice of the credits to come through? What kind of follow-up is sent to the 'referred guests' (brochures, emails etc)? Did you have any problem using your credit on board ? Would you refer someone again ?

[ITravelNow]

I referred friends about a month ago....no response yet. We are doing a cruise next January. I hope we get our credit by then! :eek:

 

We are doing back-to-backs. Interested in knowing if we can use two credits?

[aaannnthony]

We participated last year, recall receiving the referral coupons in about a month.

 

You can use one per cruise, however, only if each cruise is a seperate booking. When we cruised in February, we were unable to use two coupons since our b-2-b was one booking. Our combo booking was at 50% off brochure versus 25% and 30% off for the individual bookings. You submit your referral coupon when making final payment.

 

It's a nice, easy benefit.....we paid less than $500 for almost $1000 in ship tours.

[mpfund]

As a recipient of one of these referrals, I was mightily annoyed. The people who referred us knew we would never take this line (dress up policy) and I felt we were just used to get a $500 credit. Pretty cheap and tacky in my opinion, plus my mailbox is even more cluttered with junk mailings.

[curiousx]

Egad, mpfund, how unpleasant for you ! Simple politeness would, it seems to me, require that one should get consent before making a referral.

[ITravelNow]

Everyone has a difference response to such things, but if giving my name gave a friend a $500 credit, I say "glad to do help". After all, I can toss the information in the trash - I certainly toss out other mail which came to me via a variety of sources.

[bldsld]

As a recipient of one of these referrals, I was mightily annoyed. The people who referred us knew we would never take this line (dress up policy) and I felt we were just used to get a $500 credit. Pretty cheap and tacky in my opinion, plus my mailbox is even more cluttered with junk mailings.

 

 

You can always unsubscribe. What's the harm in helping a friend?

 

bldsld

[mpfund]

Aside from my personal annoyance at my address being given out (and I may be a bit paranoid about that), I also felt they were somewhat "scamming the system." The cruiseline is effectively paying for sales leads, and in all fairness referrals should be bona fide. In this case, it was not, as the people involved knew we would never, ever take this line. They might as well have referred their dog.

[aaannnthony]

Why, if you would "never, ever, take this line", do you have interest in reading the threads for this line? Just curious.

[mpfund]

aaannnthony, I read a great number of travel related boards. (Maybe I have too much time on my hands, maybe I should get a life?) I have often found very good tips from folks who post. For example, on a cruise board, I found the name of a recommended private tour guide for an upcoming European trip.

 

Perhaps your real question is why did I post on this particular board? Well, the original poster asked about the referral program, and it caught my eye, having been a recipient. My distaste for this kind of program, and it's possible misuse is just my opinion -- I imagine most would not agree with me.

 

I think it is time to go back to "lurker" mode!

[assam]

The Seabourn Guest Referral Program offers $500US future cruise onboard credit to Seabourn Club members who send rhem the names, addresses and email addresses of 'referred guests' (i.e. family or friends who might be interested in booking their first Seabourn cruise). The 'referred guests' also get a $500US onboard credit, when and if they book a cruise. Credits are good for up to two years. Credits cannot be used in the casino

 

What are your experiences with this program ? Have you referred guests? How long has it taken for notice of the credits to come through? What kind of follow-up is sent to the 'referred guests' (brochures, emails etc)? Did you have any problem using your credit on board ? Would you refer someone again ?

Just to clarify, does one get the credit JUST for providing names and addresses OR does one get the credit IF one of the persons one refers actually books a cruise or crossing??

[curiousx]

My understanding is that the person making the referral gets a credit just for the referral. The people whom he/she refers get a credit if they make a booking. Credits must be taken up within two years of eligibility.

[Martha B.]

I have always enjoyed having $500 "in the bank" when I sail......buys pictures, massages, etc., etc.......also I am always very apprective of the credit from Seabourn!

 

MB

[IBK]

I never read the T&C printed on the back of the certificate. Will I receive the credit if I present it onbaord ?

 

I hope so.

 

IBK

[curiousx]

Good question, IBK.

 

The t's&c's are pretty clear that the certificate is to be submitted when the final payment is made (so my TA sent it in with the invoice payment).

 

Is it too late to contact the Seabourn office and see what they can do for you ?

 

I hope this is an area where there is flexibility - let us know what happens.

[garycarla]

A few questions. Do they need it with the final payment for the cruise, or when you settle your account on the final day and pay for Spa, pictures, tours, etc.?

 

And, what if you do not get the certificate until AFTER you have made the final payment? For example, somebody refers me today, I book it next week and make the final payment next week, which is way before the certificate arrives.

[mcboo]

Contact the Seabourn Club desk they have the final say. It definately needs to be there before you sail.

mcboo

[curiousx]

To Garycarla: My guests held off their booking until my referral, sent by mail, was sure to be 'in the system'. More specifically, they allowed a little over a week between the time I posted the referral and their actual booking. They received the certificate in between the time of their booking and the time of the final payment for the cruise was due. Their TA sent the certificate to Seabourn with the invoice proving final payment. They fully expect to find the credit on board waiting for them.

 

I agree with mcboo that you should call Seabourn club to find out if they will honour a certificate issued after you have made the final payment for the cruise you want to use it on.

 

Let us know what they say !

[juicyjuju]

I plan on using my guest referral certificate for a Seabourn cruise next year. It turns out that you can't combine with Amex. I have received $300 from Amex and $100 pp room credit from a TA in the past. So, I'm not sure what the point was in signing up for this. More to the point, anyone who is not a club member can easily get $500 cruise credit without having to go through the referral process.

[garycarla]

If anyone needs a referral or has specific questions, send me a note at cruisegary @ krkms.com (no spaces in address)

 

Gary

[cruisr]

Hi there,

 

It was so nice to meet you on the Pride on the Food & Wine Festival. I hope you enjoyed it and of course your overnight in NYC. Are you going to post a trip report?

 

Bon voyage always,

Cruisr

[LaPaloma]

We used the referal progam for our daughter--she had not sailed Seabourn before. I sent in the referal card--I got my credit certificate--daughters did not arrive--I called the Club desk--they approved it and sent out final conformations for both of us with the credit listed. Its a good program, but I think the person you refer to the program must sail for you to get the credit.

[garycarla]

It would make sense that the person would have to sail for you to get the credit, otherwise EVERYONE would get it just be referring their neighbor, mailman, etc.

 

It is a great program though. Loved having that credit to cover expenses on our trip.

[Martita B.]

No, the guests receiving the "Referral Coupon" do not need to book for you to receive your $500 on board credit.......if they DO book, they receive the $500 also.

When you make your final payment, send in your coupon.....upon arrival on the ship, you will have your $500......

I do always check with the Club Office before my voyage.

MB

[mcboo]

Martita B.

You are correct. My referral coupon has been posted to my booking and the person I referred hasn't sailed yet.

mcboo