Silversea considering including excursions?

[duct tape]

OK. I am feeling neglected. I did not receive the survey nor the discount.

[connlach]

Fear that next logical step alongside introduction of cruises including excursions is no more complementary shuttle buses in most ports on economic grounds.Has anyone in UK received the survey or is it US only?Hope none of this happens which seems the general consensus from many long standing SS cruisers.

 

I got the survey in the UK and I also got the voucher today.

[brimary]

I got the survey in the UK and I also got the voucher today.

 

Congratulations glad to hear UK is represented!!Still hope the outcome is continue as before...no change please!!

[wripro]

Thanks, Craig. Guess we'll just have to wait and see/

[jillyf]

I did the survey a few days ago and received my discount voucher today.

We hope included excursions aren't in SS plans.

 

We do have a cruise booked on Regent next November, Dubai to Cape Town, and will do the included excursions. The itinerary appealed, so I'm hoping the offered tours will be good.

[Stumblefoot]

I did as well.

 

 

Thx for the update! We received ours too.

 

 

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[Sweetpea711423]

How can you consider Silversea superior to Seabourn if you have never sailed on Seabourn?

 

 

I would say that my opinion is based on publicly-available information on both lines, information from Cruise Critic and the like, etc. I do not believe that I have to personally experience everything in order to arrive at a conclusion about it based on available information. Of course, this conclusion is only relative to my own (and my husband's) personal likes and dislikes, and may certainly vary from others' conclusions. I'm sorry that you seemed to take such personal offense at my statement.

[duct tape]

I found the survey in my "go home" file. That is where I put stuff that I will handle when we go home. Would not want such things to interfere with our cruise! So, answered it today. It was after the date requested. Let's see what happens. I would be tickled with a discount coupon! Will let you know.

[Winner]

I would say that my opinion is based on publicly-available information on both lines, information from Cruise Critic and the like, etc. I do not believe that I have to personally experience everything in order to arrive at a conclusion about it based on available information. Of course, this conclusion is only relative to my own (and my husband's) personal likes and dislikes, and may certainly vary from others' conclusions. I'm sorry that you seemed to take such personal offense at my statement.

 

I take no personal offense; I simply do not understand how one can make choices based on others' opinions. I have sailed both lines so I can make my choice based on my own personal likes and dislikes.

[Mr Luxury]

I take no personal offense; I simply do not understand how one can make choices based on others' opinions. I have sailed both lines so I can make my choice based on my own personal likes and dislikes.

 

 

Exactly,those that have not tried a line don't have much room for an opinion on what it's really like.

 

I say try all of the luxury lines and then you will have a complete picture.

If not you are missing out.

 

 

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[TLCOhio]

I say try all of the luxury lines and then you will have a complete picture. If not you are missing out.

 

Agree 100% on your wise, super smarts of trying varied cruise lines. For us, it is first and foremost about the itinerary/port locations. We have only done five cruises, including first with Seabourn Spirit in Greek Isles to Istanbul in 2006, then Crystal for Baltics/Russia in 2008, Silversea for Norway/above Arctic Circle in 2010. Then two with Celebrity, Med in 2011, Australia/NZ earlier this year. This second cruise with this line allowed us to sample a larger Celebrity Suite. That worked well and was a good value for needs on a 14-day cruise. Each of these different companies have many pluses, but no one cruise line is perfect for any ALL interests, budgets and tastes. Many options and potentials to consider. Glad that we have been able to sample and test varied cruise lines.

 

We are getting ready for a Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean combo on the Silver Cloud. Looking forward to see how these experiences compare and work. Tough research challenge!!

 

"FREE" EXCURSIONS??: On the main discussion topic, if anybody from Silversea is listening, my strong vote would for "NO" on having excursions included. The marketing geniuses will claim that this will be "free". BUT, no, it will only jack up the overall pricing and put things at too much higher of a level for us (and others) to consider. We have looked at the options with Regent Seven Seas. Too costly!!! Sure, a very narrow and select group folks don't care on what things cost. BUT, that market is way too small for it to work well with Silversea, Regent, etc., playing that type of marketing/pricing game. My experience tells me that most who have some money got there by being thoughtful about "value". It's Economics 101!! Offering "more" at a significantly higher price is not always a winner. Hope that SS carefully considers how such a gamble could backfire with their business model and market positioning.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 87,657 views for this posting.

[drron29]

Exactly,those that have not tried a line don't have much room for an opinion on what it's really like.

 

I say try all of the luxury lines and then you will have a complete picture.

If not you are missing out.

 

 

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But then we have cruised on the Shadow and decided that is the largest ship we want to go cruising on means that the publicly available facts suggest that most other cruise lines will not be on our to do list.

Also there are probably many that do not have the funds to try all of the luxury lines and if they have found one they like why not stick to it.

[Mr Luxury]

But then we have cruised on the Shadow and decided that is the largest ship we want to go cruising on means that the publicly available facts suggest that most other cruise lines will not be on our to do list.

 

Also there are probably many that do not have the funds to try all of the luxury lines and if they have found one they like why not stick to it.

 

 

That's fine,just stay with the Shadow I think it is a lovely ship but it is a shame that you might miss an opportunity to broaden your horizons.

 

 

 

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[Mr Luxury]

Agree 100% on your wise, super smarts of trying varied cruise lines. For us, it is first and foremost about the itinerary/port locations. We have only done five cruises, including first with Seabourn Spirit in Greek Isles to Istanbul in 2006, then Crystal for Baltics/Russia in 2008, Silversea for Norway/above Arctic Circle in 2010. Then two with Celebrity, Med in 2011, Australia/NZ earlier this year. This second cruise with this line allowed us to sample a larger Celebrity Suite. That worked well and was a good value for needs on a 14-day cruise. Each of these different companies have many pluses, but no one cruise line is perfect for any ALL interests, budgets and tastes. Many options and potentials to consider. Glad that we have been able to sample and test varied cruise lines.

 

 

 

We are getting ready for a Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean combo on the Silver Cloud. Looking forward to see how these experiences compare and work. Tough research challenge!!

 

 

 

"FREE" EXCURSIONS??: On the main discussion topic, if anybody from Silversea is listening, my strong vote would for "NO" on having excursions included. The marketing geniuses will claim that this will be "free". BUT, no, it will only jack up the overall pricing and put things at too much higher of a level for us (and others) to consider. We have looked at the options with Regent Seven Seas. Too costly!!! Sure, a very narrow and select group folks don't care on what things cost. BUT, that market is way too small for it to work well with Silversea, Regent, etc., playing that type of marketing/pricing game. My experience tells me that most who have some money got there by being thoughtful about "value". It's Economics 101!! Offering "more" at a significantly higher price is not always a winner. Hope that SS carefully considers how such a gamble could backfire with their business model and market positioning.

 

 

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

 

 

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

 

for more info and pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 87,657 views for this posting.

 

 

Terry,

You are doing a wise thing trying and learning about the different options in the cruise industry.So many people miss out and I think it's a real shame.

Keep up the good work with your excellent photos

 

 

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[Sweetpea711423]

I remain baffled that some people apparently think that I need to personally try everything in order to arrive at a choice/preference. Why would I want to spend my time and money on something when, from available information, there are legitimate reasons for me to conclude that I am not likely to enjoy it as much as other options available to me?

[Seafairer]

I didn't receive that particular excursion questionnaire, but agree that it's the wrong way for Silversea to go. Opinions on Regent are divided: many people love that they're included, but many are disappointed in large group size or substandard tours. With more and more luxury passengers booking their own independent tours, Silversea must be looking at a way to regain that income. But it's the wrong way to go, even if their "included" tours are top quality. People who don't take many excursions won't change their habits, and the higher fares will end up hurting the company.

 

I did get a questionnaire yesterday about our travel and cruise habits, along with several weird promotional photos and questions about a potential French specialty restaurant.

 

This was funny: one question supplied about 10 choices for said French restaurant's name and asked for my top 3 preferences. Even with several years of high school & college French under my belt, I couldn't quite figure some of the names out! Dommage.

Edited December 5, 2014 by Seafairer

[jpalbny]

I didn't receive that particular excursion questionnaire, but agree that it's the wrong way for Silversea to go. Opinions on Regent are divided: many people love that they're included, but many are disappointed in large group size or substandard tours. With more and more luxury passengers booking their own independent tours, Silversea must be looking at a way to regain that income. But it's the wrong way to go, even if their "included" tours are top quality. People who don't take many excursions won't change their habits, and the higher fares will end up hurting the company.

 

I did get a questionnaire yesterday about our travel and cruise habits, along with several weird promotional photos and questions about a potential French specialty restaurant.

 

This was funny: one question supplied about 10 choices for said French restaurant's name and asked for my top 3 preferences. Even with several years of high school & college French under my belt, I couldn't quite figure some of the names out! Dommage.

 

Yes, we both got that questionnaire yesterday as well. I liked the photos, though. And the silly restaurant names, even if I didn't understand them either... :rolleyes:

[UKCruiseJeff]

We received two of these today and it is the most bizarre questionnaire I have seen for a long time. The questions are poorly constructed and weird. From my experience they are designed to produce a result that they have already decided on.

[drron29]

That's fine,just stay with the Shadow I think it is a lovely ship but it is a shame that you might miss an opportunity to broaden your horizons.

 

 

 

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Actually most of our time is spent on the Explorer.Seabourn doesn't come anywhere near that.Using the Quest as an Expedition ship with 400 guests is plain ridiculous.

For mainline SS the Cloud has been our choice.Just once on the Shadow.

[Mr Luxury]

Actually most of our time is spent on the Explorer.Seabourn doesn't come anywhere near that.Using the Quest as an Expedition ship with 400 guests is plain ridiculous.

 

For mainline SS the Cloud has been our choice.Just once on the Shadow.

 

 

Yes I agree Silversea has gone down the specialist expedition route with small ships designed for that style.

 

The Quest has had a reinforced hull which is fine for Antarctica and they travel with 350 guests,it does give them another string to their bow.

Cloud is getting old so not sure how long Silversea will hold onto her and the Wind.

 

 

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[Wendy The Wanderer]

Okay, to you SS loyalists and stalwarts, what do you generally do about excursions? Book ship's excursions, use the roll-calls to share private ones, get off and take taxis? Speaking as a former Regent loyalist who is disaffected because of their crazy prices and included excursions. Oceania customers band together and book shared excursions, do you?

[Silver Spectre]

Okay, to you SS loyalists and stalwarts, what do you generally do about excursions? Book ship's excursions, use the roll-calls to share private ones, get off and take taxis? Speaking as a former Regent loyalist who is disaffected because of their crazy prices and included excursions. Oceania customers band together and book shared excursions, do you?

 

We do all of the above, if the port is obscure or offering something interesting then we may do the ships tours. We are seasoned enough travellers to make our own arrangements when we wish or to band together.

[WesW]

Hi Wendy,

 

We like take both SS excursions and arrange private excursions. For example, on our upcoming Feb/Mar Sydney to LA cruise we are doing 11 Silversea planned excursions and doing two private excursions with two fellow SS cruise critic couples (Samoa, Port Vila). We follow a similar analysis that Mr. and Mrs. Silver use above plus look at the excursion detail provided by Silversea and then the detail offered by a private operator and go with best value. Tho, we did not mind the included excursions we paid for in the Regent price--we prefer the current SS model. We no longer sail Regent and prefer the service/cuisine provided by SS.

Edited December 10, 2014 by WesW

[jpalbny]

We generally go off on our own unless the port is too remote to get a car rental, or we can't find enough information to plan an independent excursion. If we can't figure it our on our own we will use a ship's tour. We generally have found the SS ship's tours to be decent, though a touch expensive. We can generally do more for less on our own, but the flip side is that you have to drive yourself, and it can be a little more stressful.

 

Have not yet tried something with a roll call group. Not that we are opposed, but we've had little luck assembling enough of a roll call for any of our cruises. In all of our trying we've only had enough for a M&G once. :(

[CASHIPman]

Our preference is to do something on our own, either a taxi or a private tour. If we're at a port where there's a concern about getting back to the ship on time or where there's no good private tour option/taxi service then we'll go with a SS excursion. We've always found that booking on our own is better and usually less expensive.

 

Case in point:

We were in Walvis Bay, Namibia on Silversea and booked our own excursion. The "comparable" SS excursion was more expensive. In addition, one thing that was listed as something to see on the SS excursion was flocks of flamingos. When the tour buses returned to the ship our fellow passengers said they didn't see any flamingos because they had already migrated.

Well...

Edited December 11, 2014 by CASHIPman