beachbooles

Hubs never wore shorts, but I recall some men in some very nice, "dressy" shorts and no issue.  He did, however, forget to change shoes one time and had on flip flops (with pants) and they asked him to go change shoes.  Another time, different trip, he had done a late workout and was in the hot tub (aft deck as this was before the renovated forward deck tubs) and he and others were told that it was cocktail hour time and so they needed to leave the pool, dress code, etc.  It was never an issue..but just something that did happen. 🙂

On 10/13/2021 at 11:00 AM, ctbjr1309 said:

 

Thank you! Sounds promising. 🙂

Thank you for all the great info and pictures !

How is the Wi-Fi? We have to work remotely in order to travel as much as possible. Ideally, we work in the early mornings and no one is ever the wiser. Our last trip on SD in 2019, the internet was so bad that they refunded us the charges but we were left finding Internet cafes at the ports to work. The cell phone connection was not enough bandwidth from the ship. It was a real bummer to spend port time working. 

Thank you  for any updated info on the Wi-Fi!

cheers!

Sandra 

1 hour ago, richb21 said:

My refund was promised in 90 days, I got it in 85 days.  Good timing to get Norway cash flow going about the same time lots of us hit the 90 day mark

Thank you for sharing!!  This is GREAT news for SeaDream and it's passengers!!  🙂

43 minutes ago, JES4845 said:

 

UPDATE - pleased to report/confirm that we and others we know started to receive refunds on the 90th day this week per the new revised refund policy.  There is a lag of one or more days for the refund to post depending on the credit card company.  Note that the refund policy now reads “issued” within 90 days, so receipt or posting will occur a bit outside the window, but our accounts show SD processed/issued the refunds on day 90.  

Thank you for this update!  This is GREAT news! 🙂 I really want SD to survive this and be around for us in the future and this is a step in the right direction.  That makes sense, that the CC company has a lag, but it's so good to know they are processing these refunds, finally. I think you are the first one I hear of, "first hand" since the Covid closures.  Thanks again! 😉

52 minutes ago, Naveron said:

On a very sad note, we have had to cancel our Oct 10th Med cruise because my husband was diagnosed with cancer.  Although the prognosis is hopeful, his chemotherapy and radiation will be ongoing for the next six months.  At first we explored applying our deposit to a future cruise (Seadream was willing to book us until early 2022 with a modest discount on future cruises) we felt that with so much uncertainty in our lives right now, we will revisit this decision in 2021.  Our TA was informed by SeaDream it will take 90 days to get our deposit back.

i'm very sorry to hear the circumstances in which you had to cancel.  I hope to see you all on Sea Dream in the future!

18 minutes ago, ohmiss said:

I have been reading the accounts of not receiving refunds in the appropriate amount of time. People are angry. I am angry reading all of this. The world and cruising industry did not ask for any of this. When you sailed on SD, you all had the most wonderful time or else you would not have booked again..at 15% off on board no less, most of you. SD has always tried to make your trip memorable. Now, when the chips are reversed you all are so angry that SD can’t jump to the request for all money returned right away. I am not an attorney. Just a normal person who knows that the world is in turmoil and I give a little leeway to those that might be hurting for the time being. SD has always been my happy place, I will never fault them when times are tough. That’s all...

Hey! 🤗 I didn’t realize I came off as angry. I think I said I was sad. I hope they make it and I am waiting the 90 days. I simply want to know if anyone else had gotten their refunds to have some idea where this is going. We have been very blessed that we have not lost any loved ones but our financial losses have been big. I apologize if I seemed angry. I’m not. I’m sad that this is all happening and I’m hopeful that in the promised time, I’ll have a little money on my side. Happy thoughts 😊

8 minutes ago, Scspartan76 said:

   Several of my friends have got their funds back from SD when they were due 90 days after cxl

Oh wow! That's GREAT news!  That's the first i've heard of someone getting it from SD since the virus.  SD refunded me within a week last fall when I changed trips.  I cancelled one and booked a different on while onboard. So, this new delay, though understandable,  was making me really wonder so I wanted to know if anyone had gotten a refund since Covid.  I'm glad to hear some have!! 🙂

1 minute ago, JES4845 said:

 

.  Many if not most of us have literally each spent tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of dollars with SD over many, many years.  We deserve better.  And I am writing that as one who once gave them the benefit of the doubt, implored senior management to communicate pronto and honestly, and still hopes they make it.

 

Yes!  

27 minutes ago, Scspartan76 said:

their refund policy clearly States 90 days https://seadream.com/payment-refund-policy/

 

In regards to 90 days  this is in Line with the latest travel law and regulations both from The Eu and Norway. The New law in Norway was back dated giving travel companies up to 90 days to refund.  This was backdated to all cancellations/refund requests  from March. 

 

This was implemented by the Government to support the tourism industry and avoid they all companies goes under. 

 

SeaDream is a Norwegian company and are allowed to follow this law.

 

Their t&c reads:

• THIS PASSAGE CONTRACT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH NORWEGIAN LAW, EXCEPT FOR NORWEGIAN CHOICE OF LAW PRINCIPLES. IF THERE IS CONFLICT BETWEEN NORWEGIAN LAW AND A PROVISION OF THIS PASSAGE CONTRACT, THE CONTRACT PREVAILS.
•  

• ANY CLAIM FOR EMOTIONAL OR BODILY INJURY, ILLNESS TO OR DEATH ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS CONTRACT MUST BE BROUGHT AT THE ASKER AND BAERUM DISTRICT COURT, NORWAY, TO THE EXCLUSION OF ANY OTHER COURT.

This can all be found here: https://seadream.com/about/policies-terms-conditions/

 

 

It is important to know that all tourism companies use money for cash flow when they get money.  No tourism company will just sit on the money they received for bookings. 

 

I understand that people are frustrated,  but SeaDream is within their legal right to spend 90 days before refunding. 

 

 

I think we are all just hoping that at the allowed 90 day mark, refunds start appearing.  That's why I started the thread to see if anyone was  out there yet.  I guess just one is getting real close to the 90 soon.

48 minutes ago, BeignetBoy said:

Also, on the issue on dealing with the credit card company and their dispute intervals.  I think that most credit will honor a dispute for purchases made within the past 60 days, but in our case, the deposits were paid over a year ago for our next cruise departing in October.  I don't know if they will make an exception here. 

 

We haven't cancelled our next cruise yet, but will probably do so before the final payment date upcoming in about three weeks.  I guess then we will have to "wait out" the 90 days and then deal with either the credit card company or the Travel Insurance Company.  Either way we are anticipating a long wait for our deposit back. 

 

I have just printed the "Terms and Conditions" page from their website in the event that the site should shut down, and it clearly states their refund policy.  However, it doesn't say anything about the timeliness of the refund.  So if you have something from them indicating a short period of time, that would be very helpful.

We are basically in the same "boat" 🙂 because we booked while on board in October.  That contract only states that if we cancel 120 or more out, then we get the deposit refunded, minus the $50/person booking fee.  I expected to lose the $100 for us. However, now it's THEM that cancelled the voyage, but more importantly, when I cancelled they said it would take up to 90 days. So we, too, will wait it out and then submit this info I copied below to the CC company as proof.  That's a good idea to save a copy from their site in case it is taken down.  I actually feel we may lose our deposit completely.  It's very disheartening.  I hope i'm wrong.

April 22,2020

Thank you for your email. 

We are sad to hear that you wish to cancel your upcoming SeaDream reservation and have declined the offer presented to you, but understand under the circumstances.

We will proceed with your request to cancel your reservation and a notice has been sent to our Accounting Department.

We have been asked by the Local government to shut down our home office, so we have shifted our operations to our homes.  Due to the shutdown, we are working as quickly as we can to process your refund and we hope to have them out as soon as possible. Refunds may take up to 90 days as all refunds are processed manually. 

You are able to view our Cancellation and Refund Policy here: https://seadream.com/payment-refund-policy/

We know there are better times ahead of us and we look forward to welcoming you both back on board in the near future.

Thank you for your patience as we navigate these unusual circumstances.

Sincerely,

Ashley

Just now, Christi209 said:

After a complete lack of communication with Seadream about getting my deposit back after cancelling a Fall cruise in mid March I lodged a dispute with my credit card and received all of my deposit back .. people we were travelling with also had to do the same.  We were originally told 10-14 days in writing and then heard nothing until I contacted Seadream and they then said via email it would be 90 days and did not return any of my several calls. Since I had the contract which clearly stated a refund was due since we cancelled more than 120 days out, and I had a written email acknowledging that the refund would be posted within 10-14 days it was a pretty clear case.  Too bad Seadream did not handle things better 

Thanks.  I'm REALLY hoping that someone  will reply that they actually GOT their refund from SD as promised. 😞 It actually saddens me that this is happening.  I loved SeaDream so much.   

1 hour ago, ExoticDestinations said:

Thanks for starting a new thread.

 

I am not speaking for anyone else, but the only people I've connected with to have gotten any money back was by going through their credit card company.  Otherwise, I haven't seen any stories here or elsewhere of refunds being paid since before mid-February, which is over 90 days ago. And with communication being non-existent and their offices remaining closed, sadly, you may need to go this route too.  If you do, here is what someone shared with me.

 

"Upload your booking contract and/or a screenshot of their terms and conditions web-page which has the original refund policy.  Then note that when you booked, 90 days was not their policy and still isn't on their T&C page.  Include a short statement on how SD changed to 90 days and made it retro-active to your existing booking without contacting you or posting a policy announcement on their website.  Meaning, you were told one thing when you booked and another when you tried to cancel. And if you have any unanswered or cut/paste emails or bounce-backs from terminated employees, include those as well.  This would support the claim by showing they are unable or unwilling to honor their original terms. Depending on your card and the thoroughness of your appeal, you could get instant notification of success or they may ask for more information. Either way, SD will have to respond to the CC company and may actually even try to contact you with another offer so you will cancel your appeal."

 

Post here any updates so we can all benefit from your experience?  Thanks!

 

Thank you for this info.  I too, have a friend, that had to go through Amex.  SD had told her 14 days in EARLY March, just before things shut down...so Amex credited her and requested similar documentation as what you mentioned above.  Let's see who else replies.

Hi all!

Has anyone succeeded in getting a refund from SD?  Seeing that April, May, June, July and August voyages are now cancelled (and even the end of March maybe?)...I was wondering.  We cancelled our August 29th departure from Malta, ending in Rome, and they said it would take up to 90 days.  It's been 34.. 🙂 I feel i'm going to end up having to get American Express involved but i'm hoping not.  So, if others have gotten their refunds, i'd love to know!!  Thank you!

My Friend booked on our August 29 out of Malta trip and paid in Full end of February.  Within days, she realized (Pre-covid) that the airfare was unaffordable and she canceled.  They told her 3-10 days for her refund ($10K) and that was March 3rd.  Now it's May 11th and she got American Express involved.  Amex requested the emails and communication and took the charge off her card.  I canceled the same trip due to the obvious uncertainty just before the 120 day period, about 30 days ago.  I hated to do it..as it was a big trip, but I had little trust that the ports would accept these Americans and that SeaDream would be forthcoming with port information and rule/restrictions.  They tried to entice us with future cruise credits, etc but we opted to cancel.  They told me 90 days to get my deposit back.  We will fight for the money through AMEX but we are doubtful we'll ever see it other.  It's been 30 days so far.  We've done 3 SeaDreams.  I'm worried they will go out of business.  I feel like many others, that the lack of information is really concerning.  I hope they make it through this.  I feel that if they communicated with their loyal guests we'd be more apt to book future cruises with them rather than hold on to our money.  

1 minute ago, Jim Avery said:

We have done the same for years.  Since switching to T-Mobile, we find coverage just about anywhere.  Lots of time we don't have to leave the ship to take care of bidness.😎 As far as improving wi-fi at dry dock.....  Well put it this way, we have heard that ever since there has been wi-fi onboard.  🍸

We have ATT and the phones are no problem but the computer work we have to do is usually too slow on cellular.  I agree that the "talk" that there is WiFi on board is a joke.  You can only claim that it's to preserve the old fashioned "yachting experience" for so long...🤣 We are on again in August,  after SD2 dry docks ...so I can only hope!! 

I can't wait to hear more details on what they are doing at Dry Dock.  We had some friends just get off from their BVI trip but the info seemed vague.

Can't wait to sail again... 🥂 

It's historically been terrible WiFi.  

We have no choice but to have to work some on each trip, even if  it's only 1 week long...for us, working is how we can KEEP taking SD trips!  The last time, Oct. 19, we had to find local places with WiFi to spend time working..It would be much nicer if we could do that early morning before disembarking or at any point ON the ship rather than tote a laptop with us and have to camp out somewhere.

I agree, that facetiming, videos, etc. would be super annoying..I think a way SD could fix the WiFi issue is to offer it in Library.  Then you have to be confined in what is a, naturally, quiet space and get the work done.  

I hope that they improve the WiFi when they dry dock this year.

🙂

With Innovation cancelled, and SD 2 dry docking in "spring," I looked and see a gap in their itinerary March 30, 2020 to May 7th, 2020.  Does anyone know if that's the dry docking and will they do what they announced they would when they were selling innovation but said they were theming SD1 and 2 in similar looks?

Thank you, JES4845!

You are correct, it's Oct. 19th!  I'm struggling because we leave from Florida 10/17 and arrive in Barcelona the 18th!  So in my head my trip starts that day! LOL

I have done the same, in signed up for some tours..i hope they take!  It looks like we still have some cabins still open.  I must have missed the approximate times but I will look!  I just saw morning and evening listed...I'll try emailing them today, 🙂

I went ahead and booked what i really wanted in Valencia and will cross my fingers. 🙂

How exciting that you are doing a B2B cruise!!  🙂

We look forward to meeting you when we board in Barcelona!

Sandy and Jason Boole

54 minutes ago, JES4845 said:

We will be with you on your Barcelona to Malaga voyage (we embark on the prior voyage in Rome).  It can be frustrating when YLAs get cancelled.  One suggestion is to book now on the SD web site for the 10% savings so they see interest in the tours.  We have done that for both segments of this back to back for those tours of interest to us.

 

The material sent with the final payment shows the approximate arrival and departure times by port, with emphasis on approximate of course.  We have been on SD to most but not all the ports on this voyage.  The SD info says “morning” arrival (usually by 8 AM) and “evening” departure for almost all of them (usually that seems to mean 6 PM or so).  

 

Valencia says “evening” departure but if you email the SD office they will advise what specific time they expect at least as of now (I just did that for a port during the Rome to Barcelona segment as we were looking at booking a private boat, and they replied right away).  The only ports other than “evening” are Cartagena, which says “afternoon” which usually means 3 PM or earlier, and Puerto Banus says “late evening” since GIbraltar is close by, which usually means after dinner, maybe as late as 11 PM?  These are only my best guesses and no guarantee of course!

 

Also, I’m pretty sure this voyage has a high passenger count (though not sold out if anyone wants to us join us!) so of course that improves the odds of tours going as scheduled.  Finally, since this is shoulder season I’d suspect the ability to book private tours at the last minute is greatly enhanced.

 

Hope this helps.  Welcome back to SeaDream.  We look forward to meeting you on board.

 

P.S. I think the correct departure date from Barcelona is Oct 19 not Oct 18 but I’ll check!

54 minutes ago, Zimmy said:

I understand exactly how you feel, Sandy. In summer of 2018 we did a European voyage where almost all of the excursions were cancelled for lack of participation. Last month on our Greece/Italy voyage all the excursions went. It all has to do with the passenger mix and it is all in the luck of the draw.

 

But in our 15+ years of sailing SD, with over 20 voyages, this is what I have learned. SD is a small ship. If seas are rough it has happened that SD has had to change a port, or even cancel one and go on to the next one. If you have private excursions planned and this happens, it is quite a hassle. For that reason, we now only plan private excursions in ports of embarcation or debarcation - SD never misses those. 

 

One alternative - there have been times when excursions have been cancelled and we have been able to make private arrangements last minute through the concierge. 

 

I hope you have a wonderful trip. We have done that itinerary and it is wonderful.

Thank you!  Most of what I"m booking has a 24 hour cancellation policy and aren't too expensive if we lose them all together.  In the two SD trips we've done, we only changed scheduled ports once...the one where we were most sad that all tours were cancelled, we did a private excursion they booked for us but it was incredibly expensive.

I am thinking they stay pretty late in these ports since we aren't traveling all that much nightly but I wish I had an idea if it's 6pm or 10PM.  LOL

Thanks!  We are looking forward to it!!

Hi!  This will be our 3rd SD departing on 18 October 2019.  The first SD was Greek Isles, the 2nd was St. Vincent and the Grenadines.  Now on to coastal Spain, Barcelona to Malaga.  I discovered, on the Greek Isles trip, that many of the excursions offered by SD did not actually happen due to lack of adequate pre-registrations.  We still had a fabulous time and enjoyed the islands very much.  On this trip, i want to be better prepared with some tours I know will work out by booking ahead of time off the ship, rather than risking being cancelled just a day before the port while on SDII.   

My question to anyone that's done that itinerary or similar, what times was all aboard?  I know in Greece it ranged for 18:00 to 02:00 the next day in Mykonos!  and everywhere in between.

I specifically have the question about All Aboard time for Valencia.

Thank you in advance to all that have some input for me!! 🙂

Sandy 

We did this a year ago and the Sea Dream set up service for about $119 for a private car that got us there perfectly.  We had a tight window of time, and they knew it.  We were first off and swept away and made it, easily!!  🙂 it was GREAT

Curious as to why the land adventures were cancelled. Was the ship not full? Had the passengers been to all the ports before? Were the excursions too expensive, and people booked their own? In the past, we found it practical to find a taxi at the port and just have the driver take us around.

All of the above: Ship only had 70 passengers. Some people thought the tours were too expensive for what you got. Many in our group wanted to just wander the shops rather than see things further out.

In Mykonos, for example, catching the Ferry to Delos and doing a tour there is very easy...but it was not offered nor talked about. So, do your research if you are looking to explore more as the ship tours don't always happen. The concierge and other staff REALLY tries to give advice, but SeaDream doesn't visit the same ports over and over and over, like big box ships so sometimes they don't have all the info.

Grabbing a taxi can work..where there ARE taxis. Not every island has them easily accessible. The busses were pretty good on many islands though.

We just finished a trip through the Cyclades: Santorini, Mykonos, Sifnos, Patmos, Spetses, Hydra, Nafplion (not an island), Naxos...

So I can help answer questions about those. Just about every tour on our ship was cancelled due to lack of participation. So, we kind of scrambled to make sure we covered everything we wanted...but it worked out.

It's an amazing trip!!