FKGirl

Although I don't think that would be available to them with a flight that late in the day.

It is available for flights until 11:45 pm.

Also, Seattle is one of the ports in which Celebrity offers luggage valet. That would probably be a good option for you. They deal with your luggage, you just take your carry-on. Much less to drag around.

That is what we are doing on our May Solstice cruise...

Love your nails! :)

Looks like there are several decent choices within the Premium package limits. Thanks for doing this on vacation!

It is the job of the TA to remind people when final payments are due, and when cancellation policies expire. They are not always the same thing. (I calendar both dates for every client when I make a booking.)

Sky Suites, Celebrity Suites and Signature suites will still get the previous free specialty dining, yes. Royal Suites, Penthouses and the Reflection suite get unlimited specialty dining.

This is exactly what was confirmed to me as well earlier this week.

In reading the latest brochure for Americas received last week from Celebrity it looks like when the Suite restaurant opens the are no longer offering the free dinner in a specialty restaurant any longer for the lower couple suite classes.:(

 

 

Not the case, according to current literature.

Best wine we bought aboard a Celebrity (or any other, really ) ship was a 1986 chateau beychevelle. It was a bargain. But this was back in 2002, aboard the Millenium...

http://Http://floridakeysgirl.com

Although I've not personally experienced that situation, I've always heard the same -- the cutoff for "good deals" is the date final payment is DUE (regardless of when you actually made your final payment). :)

True.

That being said, I always like to do final payments at least a few days out to make sure everything is all correct (and there are no credit card issues, etc.)

I think that is great...

 

I have another question. For your cruise clients- is is customary for Travel Agents to send something for their clients once they are on the cruise? Like a bottle of wine, chocolates, flowers for the room, dinner or a spa event?

 

I'm talking about a Professional TA experienced in cruises- not a clearing house TA geared for the last minute best priced cruise.

 

~Steve

It totally depends on the agent/agency. Some do, some don't. Also depends on length/price of cruise and a few other factors as to what can be done for any given client!

Hi Cle-guy,

I always appreciate your responses when I read the threads-you seem to be everywhere!

 

I'm torn on this issue. First, if I were a cruise TA, I would be in it for the discounts on my own travel, the pleasure I would have in helping others have fun, and just because I love all the details involved in getting a good deal. I would also never do anything unethical. For me, unethical means knowing something, like for example the 123GO pkg., and not mentioning it to an ignorant client. But is it, really? Probably not, and my perspective is skewed because my salary wouldn't go to rent, food for kids, etc. It's the proverbial "slippery slope" to decide to bump a commission because a client is ignorant one time. The next time would get easier and then it would just be part of the way business is done.

 

Also, just to do a little hypothetical math, my TA was bragging about booking 150 cabins in Feb, and 110 in Jan. He does a lot of volume. If every cabin were to generate an extra $12 in commission, that would be $3120 over the two months. Heck, my DH and I could go on a cruise for that!

 

Thanks for the input,

I don't normally chime in on these threads, but...

As a Travel Agent, it is my responsibility to get my client in the best situation. Period. Sometimes that means price is the most important factor, sometimes that means that a particular cabin is the most important. It depends on the client. BUT the client ALWAYS gets the best deal possible, with as many perks as possible (some of which I kick in on my own).

I have called clients before final payment and let them know that it was due, and that I got them a price reduction. Yes, sometimes a client who spends a lot of time online might see a price drop before I do, but it is pretty rare.

Additionally, it is my responsibility to know what I am selling. That is why I have taken as many cruise line courses and certifications as possible (RCCL, Celebrity, Carnival, Disney, Princess, Seabourn and a couple others). It is also why I tour as many ships as possible, when they are in port in Florida.

IMO, your travel agent needs to be working for YOU. Not doing you a favor. And frankly, if they don't know the answer to a question (we are, after all, human) they need to be able to get you the information requested in a timely manner.

For me, it is much more important to have clients that stick with me for a long time because they are happy with the service they receive, than make a few extra bucks quickly. Unfortunately, not everyone sees things that way.

Lois, May 1 - 8. Looks like we'll be getting off as you arrive.

 

Additional questions, please - And yes, I have been a member here for years but I simply cannot find the answers I'm looking for. :o

 

~Is the glass blowing show free (included)?

 

~What additional included eating venues besides the buffet are on Solstice - I'm thinking similar to Park Cafe, Promenade Cafe, Latte-tudes on Royal - that type of thing for snackies?

 

~Assume the details of the evening cocktails will be in our cabin, where and when (we are Elite first-timers)?

 

Thanks!

We are on the same cruise, and are so ready to be on board already!!! (Desperate for a vacation!)

Greetings

 

Do not get on I-4. It is heading in the wrong direction, it actually goes NE from there. Take the turnpike south. I would exit at east I-595 in Ft Lauderdale and then take I-95 to the port. If you want to use the tunnel then just follow I-95 south to I-395 east. The tunnel is a left exit off I-395.

 

Good Sailing

Tom

Yes. This is good advice - and the best route!

I just recently rented a car and drove from Ft Lauderdale to Key West for a couple of days. Had a really good time, but after doing it I understand why people say that everyone should make the drive at least once in their lifetime. In my opinion that's enough. No problem going back to Key West by cruise or maybe air, just no desire to drive it again.

 

Can't imagine what it was like in the olden days.

I do this drive almost weekly and I can say a couple of things... First of all, rent the car. Too many choices of where to stop to be stuck on a bus. Stay overnight in Key West (many places do have parking or can direct you to public parking). Lastly, ENJOY the drive. It is one of the most beautiful drives anywhere, and yes, an accident can cause delays, or slow moving traffic can cause delays, but it is absolutely worth it and not something to stress over.

Don't forget to leave yourself ample time (a couple hours more than you think you need) to get back, just in case!

(Much more on Key West life in my blog... http://floridakeysgirl.com )

Very nicely written. There are some people who thrive on being miserable, and in the process make those around them miserable. Fortunately, you are not one of those people. Enjoy your cruise despite the few grouches.

Henry,sad news tonight at dinner I was told that Karl Ekle has left Seabourn this week.

 

I am on the Sojourn.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

What a loss! Any idea where he went?

I have also stayed at the Valadier (and have had clients stay there). It's nice, but I did not find it particularly memorable, and the rooms are tiny.

On Seabourn's Odyssey, Sojourn and Quest, the passenger space ratio is 70. They never feel crowded, and there are no inside rooms! (There are some with a window only, and no balcony)

http://floridakeysgirl.com

(I have a bunch of blog posts about Seabourn Quest and Sojourn!)

O.K Do not want to start a fight but.

Last 3 cruises

1 referral credit

2.CCL credit

3.Agents credit. All were applied no issue.

We are sailing again this spring and were told from SB that all 3 will be applied. The only one that would not was American Express.

The agents credit comes directly from the agent as a gift, so that has nothing to do with seabourn, really. They are simply buying the credit for you. I. Such case, the above sounds correct.

Yes, we typically arrive at our embarking port a few days before the cruise to enjoy the area. In this case we wanted to experience Key West and a little of the Fantasy Fest. That requires up to take a bit of a risk. If we leave by 8:00am, that gives us about 8 hours. Living on the edge I guess.

 

Burt

Leave by 8 for sure. You should be fine. The longest I have had to wait for an accident to clear is about 2.5 hours. (Not kidding. It happens fairly frequently, and I drive back and forth to the. Mainland from Key West nearly every week.)

My parents LOVE Seabourn, and did a Tauck river cruise but were disappointed. While they had a good time, the food was sub par, and service was lacking as well. Both areas, which different from a cruise ship, should still be excellent. Especially for the price!

AMA is a good place to start looking.

Sophie is terrific. A fabulous entertainer, naturally bubbly and always seems like she is having a good time. Hopefully she will be a full CD for many cruises to come!

You are the client and should be given the best deal possible and not made to feel guilty for doing so. She shouldn't be griping to you about you trying to save yourself money and her losing out on commission. That is not professional at all.

 

.

Agree 100%

First of all, your TA is not doing her job, which is to get you the best deal. Find someone you can trust. You hour always be able to get a lower price until final payment. Period. (Yes, you may lose an onboard credit or other amenity, but again, the TA should be able to point you n the right direction as to what the better deal is.

In Niv, on Sojourn, the ship cleared early but we waited about 30-40 minutes after we were called to be able to get our luggage. I would take the later flight. Or rent a car and you can be home before the later flight!

Generally, if you haven't made final payment yet SB will always match the lower price. And as others have said a good TA can make all the difference. I find the question posed by the OP rather curious because why I sail Seabourn and what I pay for it are two totally different issues imo.

Absolutely true. If you have not made final payment, it can generally be done. Sometimes it does take some effort on the part of the TA. After final payment, they generally do not honor price reductions.