2015 World Cruise

[wripro]

Exactly.

[oregon50]

The last thing I am worried about is being shortchanged by SB on how they carry out the 2014 WC.

 

2015 WC is being debated and the likelihood of it happening is not so great in favor of doing more grand voyage type cruises. Anyway, that seems to be today's line and would seem a better route given their lack of imagination.

 

I'd say it ain't going to happen.

[Keith1010]

I'd say it ain't going to happen.

 

Maybe they should let those know who put a deposit down thinking there woul be one. ;)

 

Any idea why it is being debated?

 

Keith

[zorro90068]

Maybe they should let those know who put a deposit down thinking there woul be one. ;)

 

Any idea why it is being debated?

 

Keith

 

Keith it's been debated for several reasons. The Wolrld Cruise last year only had 106 paxs that did the entire World Cruise. Unlike NYC that doesn't care if their ships are at full cpacity (as it is more of a pretige thing for them to own these two ships) Seabourn is accountable to it's shareholders. Also the repeated itinerary certainly didn't help the bottom line as most die hards stayed away and didn't book and the Quest was never more full that 390 at any given one time out of 455 full capacity. Also with the Pride leaving next April, and the Spirit thereafter in late 2014 and Legend in April 2015 all without a New Build or Two being annnounced is going to leave a capacity problem whereby they will not be able to dedicate 1 full ship for a World Cruise from Jan to Begining of May or thereabouts. Hence why the Company is seriously looking a creaating Grand Voyages such as Holland America does and also Regent periodically.

 

I think once we regain the status again of having a fleet of ships (6 or more) then a World Cruise would be re-implemented IMO.

[Keith1010]

zorro, that is a good explanation. I do think that the itinerary is the key and then of course putting together a good on board package to make it special.

 

Thanks again for the explanation.

 

Keith

[Mr Luxury]

I also think that grand voyages could be a better fit for Seabourn and more profitable.

[Keith1010]

In the end, Seabourn must figure out what works and doesn't work.

 

Personally, a strong itinerary can make the "world" of a difference in the bookings.

 

Keith

[Mr Luxury]

In the end, Seabourn must figure out what works and doesn't work.

 

Personally, a strong itinerary can make the "world" of a difference in the bookings.

 

Keith

 

I agree Keith a strong itinerary is paramount but it does not have to be a 110 day trip.

This works on the two Crystal ships and with some other lines but also due in some part to economic constraints it may not be best for Seabourn with their world cruises being a slow seller.

[Keith1010]

Mr Luxury, Crystal went through the same thing and made adjustments too including for 2013 where they had a record number of world cruisers for a shorter duration cruise. 2014 will be longer than 2013 but shorter than the traditional ones. Interestingly enough 2015 has sold extremely well and it represents a longer world cruise once again but a very unique itinerary.

 

Again, each cruise line needs to figure out what works and does not work. As you say they must factor in the economics and to figure out whether or not this makes sense for them.

 

For those who hope to take their World Cruise it would be good either way if they somehow communicate whether or not they will offer one and when it will be decided by.

 

Keith

[Mr Luxury]

Yes Keith agree that knowledge about what is on offer would be good for all.

[jrmuk]

I was led to believe the late announcements for the winter 2014/2015 were because the Antarctic cruises have sold very poorly and they are trying to decide whether or not to continue with the Antarctic cruises or to give up on them all together.

The hull strengthening cost circa $20 million and the cruises are expensive to run because of all the additional specialist lecturers, special clothing, landing craft etc etc and they still cannot guarantee even being able to sail to the Antarctic never mind put ashore as they have very limited weather windows they need to operate in.

SB may scrap the whole thing for 2014 and move the Quest onto the world cruise and Sojourn into South America, but that is just a personal thought with nothing to back it up.

 

 

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[zorro90068]

I was led to believe the late announcements for the winter 2014/2015 were because the Antarctic cruises have sold very poorly and they are trying to decide whether or not to continue with the Antarctic cruises or to give up on them all together.

The hull strengthening cost circa $20 million and the cruises are expensive to run because of all the additional specialist lecturers, special clothing, landing craft etc etc and they still cannot guarantee even being able to sail to the Antarctic never mind put ashore as they have very limited weather windows they need to operate in.

SB may scrap the whole thing for 2014 and move the Quest onto the world cruise and Sojourn into South America, but that is just a personal thought with nothing to back it up.

 

 

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May I ask who is your source?

The only truth to your statement above is that the first Antarctica sailing is soft in sales hence why they had to now encite with a 1000.00 OBC for the Nov 20/13 sailing and Dec 11/13 sailing as well whcih they have now pulled for the Xmas sailing since sales are now back in line with projections; but the Jan 4th and Jan 25th are almost sold out completely with very little availability.

 

Secondly, the drydock in Genoa cost the company well over 1 million a day for 21 days add to that the re-enforcement of the double plated haul which only travels from the keel of the ship to past cabins 419 only was almost another 17 million investment that was committed by doing the Antarctica voyages for another 3 consecutive years.

[Roxburgh]

May I ask who is your source?

The only truth to your statement above is that the first Antarctica sailing is soft in sales hence why they had to now encite with a 1000.00 OBC for the Nov 20/13 sailing and Dec 11/13 sailing as well whcih they have now pulled for the Xmas sailing since sales are now back in line with projections; but the Jan 4th and Jan 25th are almost sold out completely with very little availability.

 

Secondly, the drydock in Genoa cost the company well over 1 million a day for 21 days add to that the re-enforcement of the double plated haul which only travels from the keel of the ship to past cabins 419 only was almost another 17 million investment that was committed by doing the Antarctica voyages for another 3 consecutive years.

 

Just as well I got my booking in before the $1000 OBC was pulled.

 

Incidentally, I thought the Antarctica cruise was relatively expensive but that was mitigated by very cheap flights down to Buenos Aires and back from Santiago ($8500 for two ... first class down, business class back).

[jrmuk]

My source was the onboard sales specialist on Quest 5 days ago.

 

He told me some of the antarctic sailings are doing very well but others not so, meaning lots of discounts, sales and obc offers, the theory is if they struggle this year then next year could be even more difficult as they do not expect a high repeat booking rate as it is a bit of a once in a lifetime kind of cruise.

He also told me the strengthening work cost $20 million - I've no reason to disbelieve him but maybe he was wrong.

I specifically asked him when the winter 2014 itineraries were going to be released and he said they were delayed because of the poor Antarctic sales - he's no reason to lie and to be honest I would have thought if he was to lie it would face been to hover the poor sales.

As I said in my post, the possible change to Quest for the 2015 WC was purely my own thoughts with no basis other than a 'hunch'

 

 

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[jrmuk]

Ooops " it would have been to cover the poor sales"

 

 

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[zorro90068]

My source was the onboard sales specialist on Quest 5 days ago.

 

He told me some of the antarctic sailings are doing very well but others not so, meaning lots of discounts, sales and obc offers, the theory is if they struggle this year then next year could be even more difficult as they do not expect a high repeat booking rate as it is a bit of a once in a lifetime kind of cruise.

He also told me the strengthening work cost $20 million - I've no reason to disbelieve him but maybe he was wrong.

I specifically asked him when the winter 2014 itineraries were going to be released and he said they were delayed because of the poor Antarctic sales - he's no reason to lie and to be honest I would have thought if he was to lie it would face been to hover the poor sales.

As I said in my post, the possible change to Quest for the 2015 WC was purely my own thoughts with no basis other than a 'hunch'

 

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With all due respect to Pierre the onboard Future Crusie Specialist, my information came from Captain Anderssen directly who is currewntly onboard with you as well I wold imagine as he was scheduled to leave on August 7th. I got this information from him in June of this year when I was there for 5 weeks. I have more confidence from the information coming from someone in MArine than the Future Crusie Specialist.

[zorro90068]

Just as well I got my booking in before the $1000 OBC was pulled.

 

Incidentally, I thought the Antarctica cruise was relatively expensive but that was mitigated by very cheap flights down to Buenos Aires and back from Santiago ($8500 for two ... first class down, business class back).

 

Rox you did well and BTW, they just lowered the fare on the Dec 11/13 and also on the Nov 20th cruises by $700.00 per person yesterday and have created a CAT OB and OS in case you wnat to refare all again and take advantage of the lower fare.

 

Excellent pricing for your airfare!;)

[wripro]

So if the Antarctic cruises are selling well why have they lowered prices and created OS and OB categories?

[jrmuk]

And have offered a discounted airfare as if today.

 

 

 

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[zorro90068]

So if the Antarctic cruises are selling well why have they lowered prices and created OS and OB categories?

 

 

As I said the last two are selling well and are almost full. The Xmas and New Years has also seen some healthy bookings. I believe the company has itself to blame on this Marketing Fiasco as they initially were charging over $860.00 per person per day and only started lowering their pricing as of a 1.5 months ago.

[Roxburgh]

Rox you did well and BTW, they just lowered the fare on the Dec 11/13 and also on the Nov 20th cruises by $700.00 per person yesterday and have created a CAT OB and OS in case you wnat to refare all again and take advantage of the lower fare.

 

Excellent pricing for your airfare!;)

 

We are on the January 4th cruise out of BA :cool::)

 

Edit ... just checked the Seabourn site. The fares we paid are lower than those currently being advertised plus we get the $500 each.

[zorro90068]

We are on the January 4th cruise out of BA :cool::)

 

Edit ... just checked the Seabourn site. The fares we paid are lower than those currently being advertised plus we get the $500 each.

 

Great!...I will be getting off the Quest that same day you embark in Bunoes Aires.;)

[wripro]

The other part of the problem is that the majority of these Antarctic cruises are the same old "round the Cape" cruise they have been offering for years which many Seabournites have already taken. The addition of five days in Antarctica was probably not enough to attract them back, especially at these prices.

[zorro90068]

I think the Grand Voyages are the way to go such a sRegent does like circumnavigation around South America for 72 days etc....

[Mr Luxury]

Just recieved info from Oceania on their 180 days around the world trip.