teamflames

I just wanted to say your summary and description is exactly how I feel about our recent Venture cruise. While we didn’t have the disappointment of missing SG we did have an entire day cancelled (questionably). I am reading this thread due to the recent cancellation of SG and the recurring stabiliser issues (which I questioned on our cruise). I have made it clear that when we return to the region to do SG it will not be on SB as their track record now is not trustworthy. However your description of what the Antarctica experience was is how I wish I could explain it. I was actually moved to tears several times and was again reading your description as it truly moved my soul as well. My wife says she has never seen me so emotional (I must say having a major illness while in BA and being told I should cancel the trip probably added to this). Like you I can say these memories will last forever and I am truly grateful to have experienced all we did (also went below 68deg - in fact went further south than SB had ever achieved). It was done in high comfort with amazing suites and surroundings. Overall SB did an amazing job, I will still as I have been point out flaws with some of the decision making regarding days cut, Drake crossing etc but found it eerie how well you summarised my overall feelings on our voyage.

Just to clarify I will potentially sail Seabourn again but I would not trust them with South Georgia. Overall our Antarctica cruise was great. After this news however and what I experienced on our sailing in particular in the Drake they cannot be trusted when it comes to honesty. The fact that we had a whole day cancelled on our trip and arrived 18 hours early into Ushuaia also felt suspect especially as it turned out the new SB President was on the next sailing. A sailing that magically got to Antarctica early and had a bonus expedition. Now they cancel major itinerary after he disembarks, I wouldn’t trust them with a really important expedition.

We had a fantastic time in Antarctica on our recent Seabourn cruise and definitely plan on going back to do SG but this has put a big line thru SB for that journey. Has happened twice now. Too far and too expensive to risk it.

Passenger safety! I was on the sailing 2 weeks ago, it was so obvious stabilisers were not working. On 2 different nights almost tossed out of bed when we were in “calm” waters. The ship rolled every time someone sneezed. Then the 9m waves in the Drake had us fearing for our lives on deck 8. Everything in the cabin went flying on multiple occasions. Reports of smashed glass tables and televisions in nearby cabins. Bess in the suites rolling to the window and back as on rugs not carpet. People knocked out of their chairs in the Colonnade. The kicker is we cancelled a beautiful sunny day in Antarctica so we could position the boat better in the Drake and ended up in the only section of the Drake with swells that high. I met the Captain who in hindsight clearly bold faced lied that there was no issue with the stabilisers. Then it turns out the President of SB is sailing on the next voyage so no wonder it was mentioned we had to leave early to ensure the boat was back for turnaround day! Back 18 hours early!! Then that voyage doesn’t miss an expedition let alone a whole day. Now this news straight after that sailing - please- stinks of rats.

I’m finding it interesting reading about the port experiences of O (never sailed them) I wonder if this is a result of NCL head office as we have experienced those problems consistently on past NCL cruises. Any sign of a potential problem and they skip port and times and duration in port are usually poor relative to other lines.

Hi there we are very late to this, can I ask what the pricing was originally for this GV?

Hi all, haven’t been on for a long time. We have put a cabin on hold for the Lisbon to Mauritius GV in Nov 25 - is there a roll call or a thread about this cruise? Also have forgotten my password for Aza website have tried to reset but get nothing - anyone have any tips? cheers

Sure but my concern is more to do with flexibility around price drops.

Thanks for your response, our TA was very reluctant to call and went out of their way to even suggest there hasn’t been a price drop. They eventually called but it is evident the call centre for Australia is based overseas and they have no decision making power at all. My only recourse was a feedback email that took 2 weeks to get a response and then it is from someone who refuses to give their full name or contact details. I have used FCC on other lines and they can be good but we did get hurt with COVID with a number of them expiring. Appreciate your relevant feedback and unfortunately for the crew there is no way we could be expected to tip in these circumstances.

Thanks - the point of my post was more about whether Australians have found a way to get some refare or compensation for when the cruise fare drops as opposed to the fairness of pricing policies across countries. Like any form of social media it seems easy to get dragged into minutiae

Interesting - thanks for explaining that. However in my case I am talking about the overall cost of the cruise fare with Plus package included. Currently the conversion equivalent price of the cruise is $200 cheaper in the US. So if the Plus is priced as you say than the Standard fare of the cruise must be significantly less in the US. So overall fare is lower with bonus of gratuities included edit to add - so if I pay the gratuity onboard I am paying more than 30% more

That’s good to hear. Unfortunately for us once we were within the 180 days we had to forfeit the 20% deposit to achieve the 12.5% saving. Sounds like circumstances have to fit. Also the 25 and 26 sailings seem to have a lowest price guarantee- which makes sense as obviously they want to sell cabins well in advance. That’s what annoys us - there is absolutely no understanding towards those who did book in advance. i understand last minute prices being lower as it is difficult for people to organise last minute travel and transfers but these prices were dropped prior to final payment

Thanks for your response. Will definitely weigh up pros and cons in future but hard to see me supporting the Australian booking system. I pointed out that they now have lowest price guarantees for 25/26 cruises so is it really that difficult to extend such courtesy to our cruise that extends over the end of year into 2025 - nope! Interesting point on the gratuities- while the US passengers won’t be able to lower or remove there is no need to as their cruise fare was the same (now lower) than ours without gratuities so they were already ahead by the tipping amount. It is difficult to see how we can proceed with tipping as it would mean paying 30% more than other passengers.

Thanks for your response, sorry you are correct, initially our deposit was refundable until 180 days prior to cruise. Of course prices dropped just after this date and prior to final payment. As we used to earn HKD (effectively usd) it was always worth booking in the US - it is true there are probably less protection for a foreigner - and could find amazing deals especially regarding obc. When we booked the fare prices were reasonably similar although gratuities were included in the US. I am just shocked that they are not willing to at least offer something - even a better location cabin. Even worse they argue it would be unfair to other passengers?!?! Fair - so it’s fair we pay 30% more (if we tip as expected) for booking early.

Thanks I will try and search those boards.

My point about refaring was in relation to the other cruise lines I have sailed. It has never been an issue prior to final payment and even after final payment we have usually received obc or upgrades. I am not sure what you are talking about in regards to gratuities. On this particular cruise those from the US who have booked a Plus fare have gratuities included whereas in our situation we are expected to pay gratuities on top (perhaps you are referring to sailings within Australia where gratuities are usually built into the price). The current US fare is $200 cheaper than the equivalent AUS fare and includes gratuities so is worth in excess of 500 more and that’s not taking into account the fact we paid 12.5% more (in fact the current price would get us a mini suite compared to our balcony). I understand there will always be some inequity but my post is seeking Australian client experiences if others have found a way to deal with Princess Australia. Interestingly they now guarantee that any bookings for 2025 or 2026 made now will be lowest price (so either they will not lower fares or will guarantee repricing). So they are acknowledging through this new promotion the inequity of our current circumstances- surely some form of compensation as a goodwill gesture is warranted

Hi all we recently booked our first Princess cruise (South America and Antarctica). We booked through an Australian TA. We have done about 25 cruises (400 days) with a variety of lines (Hal, NCL, Celebrity, Seabourn, MSC etc). Normally we have booked through US TAs as we have been based overseas but post Covid and returning to Australia we booked at home. Fares on our cruise have dropped more than 12% and we asked for a refare as we have always done previously but have been refused. We can’t cancel and reprice as the deposit we have paid (20%) is non refundable in Australia. Even requests for an upgrade in cabin to match the current pricing or obc have been denied. We are told it would be unfair to other passengers. Not sure how this fairness argument works when American bookings can reprice and it turns out their plus promotion includes gratuities which are excluded in Australian fares (cruise fares the same). Is there anything other Australian cruisers have managed to do to achieve a more equitable outcome? Our TA has tried and we have tried to speak to Princess direct but those who make the decisions refuse to provide any contact details other than a feedback email address. any help appreciated

Just came here to read about the penguins. We originally booked the Star for this coming season and then remembered all the problems we have had with NCL dockings over the years and especially issues with the Star. I don’t know why but NCL make visiting ports incredibly difficult and their shore times are often at weird hours and short. We enjoy the onboard experience but would never use them for an important itinerary. Sorry this happened to you.

Thanks for response, I have tried Safari and Chrome on iPad and only Safari on IPhone. I will try and download Firefox.

Hi, I am trying to use the HAL website (in Australia) but on both my iPhone and iPad I can’t get past the page where you select cabin type. Are others having this problem?

Thanks for the responses. While I understand the package is less in our case the cruise fare is more so the overall cost of the cruise when package is added is the same as that in the US but expected to pay gratuity on top. I guess we either sail and not pay them on principle we are paying more or choose another line.

Hi we have never sailed Princess. I know gratuities are included on Australian sailings but what about non Australian sailings. It is clear that if booked in the USA with plus or premium upgrade gratuities are included but it isn’t clear if this also applies if booked thru Princess Australia?

Thanks, did you stay 2 nights at the hotel provided by Seabourn?

Hi again for those who have done the Antarctica packages recently, I have been told that a transfer from BA airport to hotel is included - how does this work with people flying from all over the world? also for those that extended their stay in BA longer than the included one night hotel stay how did it work? thanks

Thanks for amazing detail. Sounds like a great trip trying to book the exact same one for next year.