Odyssey - changed itinerary Grand Pacific Voyage

[BasandSyb]

Wondering what the general feeling is about the just advised itinerary changes to the Papeete - Sydney 38 day cruise in October 2022?

We have just received advice this morning of "updates" and roughly two thirds of the itinerary has changed. It's not what we signed on for - and of course advised 2 weeks after final payment.

Instead of travelling west and north to the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, it's travelling south to New Zealand. A tropical cruise is now a cooler weather cruise to places we have traveled before and have done so with Seabourn for a much lower price than this "Grand Voyage".

Contact with Seabourn Australia was as predicted:

 

1. we've only just found out an hour ago (clearly no scripting yet in place)

2. no options for passengers, normal cancellation arrangements now apply with payment forfeiture

 

We have no issues with, and understand the need for changes to itineraries. However, these things don't happen overnight. To have been working on what are significant changes and allowing the final payment date to pass without notifying an extension of time predicated on advice of potential changes we believe is unconscionable. Have sent an email of our concerns and hope to receive a more considered response.

[lincslady]

That sounds like  a different cruise!  Is there any good reason why this should have happened, do you know?  If not, it will be interesting to find out what they say, and surely these are substantial changes, not just the odd port here or there, and should give passengers the ability to cancel without loss.

[Mauzac]

We are on this cruise, but from Ontario, and haven't heard anything. I don't doubt this is happening and I'm ringing our UK TA this morning.  On the SB website, there are no changes showing.   What a pity, we really loved the itinerary.  

[BasandSyb]

We have requested information as to why as we can’t fathom it. A review of the relevant countries tourism websites has them open for business. Everyone is having the same COVID issues and getting on with it.

 

The Seabourn website shows the itinerary as per the original. Yet, they are cancelling and re-issuing booking numbers. So, it’s only an updated cruise in terms of us withdrawing, but their system requires a re-booking process and a new number. Go figure.

[Mauzac]

We've had the notification now.  We are very disappointed to say the least.  We booked this cruise specifically for the South Pacific Islands which now don't feature much at all.  

Also the weather in NZ is chilly and we love hot weather cruises.

 

But what will be, will be, we are going ahead knowing that once on board we will love it all, as we always do.  

 

I can't figure out why the change in Booking numbers, seems a bit odd.  

[Cru Doll]

We were notified yesterday, and again today, about the possible changes, and that a final itinerary would be finalized by July 31.  
Since we are on the first half, Vancouver to Papeete, it looks like we will have three or four changes.  The one bright spot for us will be the overnight in Bora Bora for a two day visit.  
Any thoughts about the possible substitutions?  

[phillipahain]

Seabourn is trying to wriggle out of clause 40 

 

Given the cruise is 50% very very different to what was booked and paid for 

 

That is simply not on ....its already needed extended trip insurance at £400 

 

The only itinery that does the islands is back end of next year when we already have other plans plus  its more expensive too  and theres the issue of Seabourn being sold off 

[Fletcher]

1 hour ago, phillipahain said:

Seabourn is trying to wriggle out of clause 40 

 

Given the cruise is 50% very very different to what was booked and paid for 

 

That is simply not on ....its already needed extended trip insurance at £400 

 

The only itinery that does the islands is back end of next year when we already have other plans plus  its more expensive too  and theres the issue of Seabourn being sold off 

I fully understand people's annoyance and frustration with Seabourn's change of itinerary on this cruise.  However, as someone with a fair amount of experience in taking cruises around the islands of Melanesia I would contend that the Odyssey is a bit too big for you to get a fully immersive experience of this wonderful part of the world.  You need to search for a genuine expedition ship - for those who are devoted to Seabourn, the Venture has scheduled some wonderful trips in this area. 

[phillipahain]

Fletcher you may well be very correct however they should have thought of that when designing itinery 

 

They have also marketed the new NZ and Aus itinery before having the decency to advise those already booked and currently refusing to recognise that many passengers will already have done extensive tours on NZ and Aus internally on several occasions...plus not everyone has age or health  on their side to defer to the 2023 or 2024 let alone commit that far ahead 

[DTtravelers]

Could someone post what the proposed itinerary changes are?  Thanks

 

I had been looking at this cruise for the last few months, but wanted to finish sailing SE Alaska on the Odyssey first to see for myself how things were working out.  It would have been the ultimate snorkeling cruise, and it also left from Seattle so no airplanes needed for us - at least at the start.

 

HAL is/was sailing the Westerdam from Seattle to some of these same ports (New Caledonia, New Guinea, Conflict Islands).  Nothing on their boards about any changes....

 

 

[kjbacon]

I’m very sorry for those experiencing this disappointing change. We had a similar situation with a Viking cruise scheduled for last Christmas. We were supposed to go to Hawaii but Hawaii was denying ships. Viking rerouted to Mexico and they were gracious enough to extend refunds for those of us who wanted a refund.

[phillipahain]

They have replaced majority of the islands with in depth visit to Aus and NZ 

 

Fat lot of use if you have already been to both on land several times 

 

Not content with dramatically  changing 50 % of the cruise they are blocking use of Section 40 in Ts and Cs 

[Covepointcruiser]

Passengers who don’t like the new itinerary should cancel their voyage.    Many of the original ports are too COVID restricted to visit.   Our cruise from Japan to Vancouver next May was also canceled and rerouted.    We are now happy with a Tahiti to Hawaii cruise.

[BasandSyb]

Mauzac - can understand your sentiments and we wish you a fabulous trip.Unfortunately the changes for us are in our own “backyard” visited many times.

 

Covepointcruiser - cancellation means 50% loss of fare paid, 75% in a few days. The advice of the changed itinerary was received within 2 weeks of final payment, which meant we were throwing another bucket of money their way in good faith for Seabourn to keep 1/2 to 3/4 of it. We are waiting for Aust Seabourn to communicate with Seattle in terms of options going forward other than loss of fare. The ports are not COVID restricted.

 

Cru Doll - we hope changes for your leg work out. It will be interesting to see what they are as we are wondering if an option for us might be to move our cruise start to Vancouver and disembark in Auckland.

 

DTTravellers - yes, it was a brilliant snorkelling itinerary - which was one of the attractions. Copy of the changes below:

NEW ITINERARY			ORIGINAL ITINERARY
DATE	DAY	DESTINATION	DESTINATION
27-Oct-22	Thu	Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia	Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia
28-Oct-22	Fri	Cook's Bay, Moorea, French Polynesia	Cook's Bay, Moorea, French Polynesia
29-Oct-22	Sat	Uturoa, Raiatea, French Polynesia	Uturoa, Raiatea, French Polynesia
30-Oct-22	Sun	At Sea (Pacific Ocean)	At Sea (Pacific Ocean)
31-Oct-22	Mon	At Sea	Arutanga, Aitutaki, Cook Islands
02-Nov-22	Wed	Cross the International Date Line	Avatga, Cook Islands
03-Nov-22	Thu	At Sea	At Sea (Pacific Ocean)
04-Nov-22	Fri	Suva, Vitu Levu, Fiji	Alofi, Niue
05-Nov-22	Sat	Levuka, Ovalau, Fiji	Cross the International Date Line
06-Nov-22	Sun	Savusavu, Vanua Levu, Fiji	Nuku'alofa, Tongatapu, Tonga
07-Nov-22	Mon	Dravuni Island, Fiji	Neiafu, Vava'u, Tonga
08-Nov-22	Tue	At Sea (Pacific Ocean)	At Sea (Pacific Ocean)
09-Nov-22	Wed	At Sea	Dravuni Island, Fiji
10-Nov-22	Thu	Easo, Lifou, New Caledonia	Savusavu, Vanua Levu, Fiji
11-Nov-22	Fri	Nouméa, Grande Terre, New Caledonia	Suva, Vitu Levu, Fiji
12-Nov-22	Sat	At Sea (Pacific Ocean)	At Sea (Pacific Ocean)
13-Nov-22	Sun	Kingston, Norfolk Island, Australia	Inyeug Islet (Mystery Island), Anaton, Vanuatu
14-Nov-22	Mon	At Sea (Pacific Ocean)	Port Vila, Efate, Vanuatu
15-Nov-22	Tue	Russell (Bay of Islands), New Zealand	Luganville, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu
16-Nov-22	Wed	Auckland, New Zealand	Ureparapara, Vanuatu
17-Nov-22	Thu	Tauranga (Rotorua), New Zealand	At Sea (Coral Sea)
18-Nov-22	Fri	At Sea (Pacific Ocean)	Tavanipupu, Solomon Islands
19-Nov-22	Sat	Gisborne, New Zealand	Honiara, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands
20-Nov-22	Sun	Napier, New Zealand	Ghizo Island, Solomon Islands
21-Nov-22	Mon	Wellington, New Zealand	At Sea (Solomon Sea)
22-Nov-22	Tue	Kaikoura, New Zealand	Alotau, Papua New Guinea
23-Nov-22	Wed	Nelson, New Zealand	Kitava, Papua New Guinea
24-Nov-22	Thu	New Plymouth, New Zealand	Conflict Islands (Panawal Group), Papua New Guinea
25-Nov-22	Fri	At Sea (Tasman Sea)	Conflict Islands (Panawal Group), Papua New Guinea
26-Nov-22	Sat	At Sea	At Sea (Coral Sea)
27-Nov-22	Sun	At Sea	Cairns, Queensland, Australia
28-Nov-22	Mon	Hobart, Tasmania, Australia	Cairns, Queensland, Australia
29-Nov-22	Tue	Port Arthur, Tasmania, Australia	Townsville, Queensland, Australia
30-Nov-22	Wed	At Sea (Tasman Sea)	Airlie Beach, Queensland, Australia
01-Dec-22	Thu	Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia	At Sea (Great Barrier Reef)
02-Dec-22	Fri	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia	Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
03-Dec-22	Sat	At Sea (Tasman Sea)	At Sea (Coral Sea)
04-Dec-22	Sun	Sydney, New South Wales, Australia	Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
05-Dec-22	Mon	Sydney, New South Wales, Australia	Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

 

[Fletcher]

The plus things on the new itinerary (if you've not  been there already) are Tasmania and Philip Island. Another brilliant port is Norfolk Island, one of the prettiest places in the world and with a fascinating history, but landings there, especially from a big ship, are always problematic.  There is no protective reef and the waves can get seriously choppy.  Our two zodiac landings from different ships were quite 'exciting.'  Tenders don't stand a chance most days.

Edited July 14, 2022 by Fletcher

[Mauzac]

That's interesting to know, Fletcher, thank you.

 

Having landed in Tristan da Cunha by tender with the biggest swell imaginable, and each passenger being literally carried onto the Tender from the ship, I shall look forward to Norfolk Island and hope the Captain is brave and allows it!  

 

@BasandSyb  I quite understand what you are saying... we have never actually been to Australia/NZ, so for us... it's not what we wanted, but it is an opportunity.  I have researched so much where we were going and now need to start again. 

 

 

[phillipahain]

The insult that Seabourn are ignoring is clearly they have been planning this for weeks ir months and they ignore fact many have already done extensive tours on land of NZ and Aus 

There are now less ports of call 

Plus trying to evade clause 40 

[glorygaf]

We find this very disappointing and am quite annoyed. Like most people on this post we’ve done NZ several times plus of course Tasmania and Victoria. It will be interesting how Seabourn will get passengers onto Norfolk Island I’ve been there and it is rarely smooth enough to get small vessels onto the pier.

Wish  you luck with emails to Head office, I’ve sent several re some issues with later advertising of benefits that were unavailable when we initially booked earlier in the year and as yet to receive a reply from  two months ago. Not happy Jan.

[SLSD]

Are any of you who are booked on this cruise using a Travel Agent?  If so, have they gotten any response from SB? 

[BasandSyb]

Mauzac - being the holiday researcher at this end I can appreciate the additional work this will bring - I’m sure you will enjoy the cruise given it is new territory to explore.

 

Glorygaf - we are GC also. We thought the same about Norfolk Island. Seabourn included it twice in its last two full season itineraries down here. Haven’t heard what the success rate was for landing, although NI has improved some pier facilities in the last 5 years for the purpose. I’m sure it’s still Russian roulette.

Haven’t heard back from Head Office as yet, but the acknowledgement was to allow 2 business days - will follow up on Monday.  

 

SLSD - friends through their TA (after lengthy calls) have been promised a refund, but had to leave behind significant $ held as pre-payment for a future cruise. Note, we deal with the Sydney office here. While accom and flights can be cancelled with some cost involved, in the meantime the cost of business class travel now exceeds the old 1st class price. Not sure if it’s the same case in the US. Therefore, the other “knock-on penalties” for cancelling and looking to make other travel arrangements start to mount - including for insurance changes.

 

It never ceases to amaze how Seattle central continues to fail in its customer service - they just leave it to regional offices to deal with the fall out, rather than do it in a planned, coordinated and conciliatory way. 

[FlyingScotSailors]

@phillipahain what is clause 40?  We can not find it in the T&C.

 

Edited July 15, 2022 by FlyingScotSailors

[Fletcher]

On 7/14/2022 at 6:23 AM, Mauzac said:

That's interesting to know, Fletcher, thank you.

 

Having landed in Tristan da Cunha by tender with the biggest swell imaginable, and each passenger being literally carried onto the Tender from the ship, I shall look forward to Norfolk Island and hope the Captain is brave . . . 

 

 

Congrats on landing on Tristan.  We spent three days there over Christmas and got ashore each day, though the last was very hairy.  I believe they have improved the harbour since then to allow tendering ashore as well as zodiacs.

 

Norfolk Island has two possible landing places.  The main pier at Kingston, right by the World Heritage Site of the old convict settlement, and another on the other side of the island.  On our first trip we landed at Kingston, the second time the other one which is very basic and involved a steep climb (pic below)

 

Edited July 15, 2022 by Fletcher

[BasandSyb]

Great pic Fletcher.  We have put to sea (crane launched) from Cascade for fishing many times. It looks like  a wonderfully calm day. I believe the pier has been upgraded. We were last there about 7 years ago. One of the lasting memories is locals being called on the radio to come to the docks to assist in off loading supply ships. We have seen cars perched on planks stretched across two long boats in heavy seas brought into KIngston together with local supplies. Real heart in the mouth stuff. Hopefully the new facilities have improved supply transfers (and the safety of locals).

A great excursion would be deep sea fishing, if offered. Using multiple hooks and small boulders for weights, the haul is prolific. Very satisfying.

[SLSD]

10 hours ago, BasandSyb said:

 

 

It never ceases to amaze how Seattle central continues to fail in its customer service - they just leave it to regional offices to deal with the fall out, rather than do it in a planned, coordinated and conciliatory way. 

It sounds to me like two things are happening when it come to the Seattle office:  1.  They are being very hard nosed as they are under financial constraints and 2.  They have a shortage of employees to handle business.  

Edited July 15, 2022 by SLSD

[DTtravelers]

11 hours ago, FlyingScotSailors said:

@phillipahain what is clause 40?  We can not find it in the T&C.

 

Look here and scoll down to 40...  Note the -united-kingdom-  part of the URL. 

 

https://www.seabourn.com/en_US/legal-privacy-united-kingdom/booking-conditions-united-kingdom.html

 

In the US, it is Clause 8:

 

https://www.seabourn.com/en_US/legal-privacy/cruise-contract.html