Truly outrageous pricing for transfer arrangement, any other ideas?

[lisa6191]

We are on the TA that arrives in Barbados on Saturday November 23. We were hoping to spend a couple days in Barbados but it turns out the only nonstop flight to Philly is on Saturdays and we can’t spend another whole week (plus it’s thanksgiving). Originally our return flight was at 3:45 so we booked the ship excursion for a tour around the island followed by an airport transfer. Our flight has been changed to 1:45, so we can no longer do that excursion (must have a flight leaving after 3). I am figuring we need to be at the airport by around 11:45, so we should still have at least a couple of hours for a scenic drive, right? We are due to arrive at 7 so I would think by 8:30 the latest we could be out and around. 
 

Anyway, I reached out to Seabourn a couple weeks ago to see if they could arrange a short tour and transfer to the airport. They finally just got back to me. Their proposal is a 45 minute driving tour of Bridgetown with immediate transfer to the airport at 9:30, which seems unnecessarily early, but the kicker? They want $780 for this. $780?!?! Are they insane? Plus I would like to do some touring outside of Bridgetown also. 
 

Does anyone have any thoughts or ideas for how to do this reasonably? I guess I could take my chances with a taxi at the port but I tend to be a planner so would prefer prior arrangements if possible.

 

Thanks!

[Cantara24]

Hi, some ideas for you. Disembark time will depend on time it takes ship to clear customs and the number of Pax leaving. Could be 9:30 before your out & around. Taxis at port are plentiful and would not be difficult to get one to quote you a quick tour and drop at Airport. If planning is your thing consider Tours by Locals, they offer lots of choices. Their website offers some alternatives and they will meet you at the port facility.

Also, the recommended check in time at Grantly Adams is 3 hours prior, it is a Saturday they will be busy. Getting thru check in & security can be a chore sometimes.

From our many experiences in Barbados you have a very limited time frame.

Enjoy your cruise!

[caviarforme]

Barbados port is a mess - last time we  were there it took 2 hours from Gangway to the baggage claim. Fortunately Andre of Forever summer waited for us with AC and beers! Try him https://foreversummerbarbados.com/

 

SB is moving from Barbados to San Juan from 2025 because Barbados port difficulties

[FlyerTalker]

Quick question....why did you base everything around a single non-stop flight?  You could easily get to PHL with a connection any day of the week.  And thus, you could have stayed in Barbados for as long, or short, as you wished.  Was a non-stop THAT important?

 

I don't see anything wrong with what Seabourn is charging.  You have asked them to create a custom excursion, just for you.

[lisa6191]

Yikes, so maybe we don’t have time and I should just use my included transfer from Seabourn (we used flight ease so as I understand it a regular group bus transfer to the airport is included). I just hate to be in Barbados and not at least see some of it! We frequently do self service for luggage and as long as I can get our stuff into our usual carry ons and backpacks for this trip we will probably do that again, so that may save us some time. It’s a bit more challenging packing because I have no idea what weather to expect on a transatlantic. 
 

I did contact the Forever Summer place so I will see what they say. I also contacted another tour company weeks ago but they never got back to me, which is why I contacted Seabourn in the first place.

[lisa6191]

Yes, we really do prefer to fly non stop if at all possible. Honestly the bigger problem was that it’s thanksgiving week so not only were the flights a few days later connecting but they were also about double the price. I guess I should have said instead that this was the only flight that worked for us, nonstop or otherwise.

 

I have never tried to make private arrangements before through Seabourn and if that is an expected price for a 45 minute tour then I won’t try again. 

[HotRoot]

You really do not have time to see much in Barbados.  Maybe book a cruise that leaves from Barbados and come in a few days early next time.

[tv24]

I don't understand why Seabourn has traditionally used Barbados as a starting and ending point.  Does not work at all for PAX like us on the West Coast of the US, so they lost us as customers for this.  Happy to read that San Juan is the future replacement.

[Cantara24]

3 hours ago, tv24 said:

Does not work at all for PAX like us on the West Co

That may well be so but, BGI is very accessible for UK, Europe, Eastern Canada and US. Even a healthy number of Aussies who don’t mind the trip. From our chats with Senior Officers on Ovation earlier this year using BGI as a home port has become an issue on the logistics side. Too often refrigerated containers arriving at the pier with contents completely spoiled.

[stan01]

10 hours ago, tv24 said:

I don't understand why Seabourn has traditionally used Barbados as a starting and ending point.  Does not work at all for PAX like us on the West Coast of the US, so they lost us as customers for this.  Happy to read that San Juan is the future replacement.

 

We agree, but we also live on west coast.  Our UK and EU friends will prefer Barbados since there are nonstop flights from London to Barbados every day.  A plus for them is that they don't have to clear US border control.  We agree though about San Juan and would much rather embark and disembark there (or even in St. Thomas) than in St. Martin or Barbados.  Our first choice though would be Florida but Seabourn wants to operate 7 day cruises for people who can't take two weeks off from work and they don't want to buy the fuel to get from Florida to the Caribbean when the customers will pay the airlines to take care of that.

[galeforce9]

3 hours ago, stan01 said:

 

We agree, but we also live on west coast.  Our UK and EU friends will prefer Barbados since there are nonstop flights from London to Barbados every day.  A plus for them is that they don't have to clear US border control.  We agree though about San Juan and would much rather embark and disembark there (or even in St. Thomas) than in St. Martin or Barbados.  Our first choice though would be Florida but Seabourn wants to operate 7 day cruises for people who can't take two weeks off from work and they don't want to buy the fuel to get from Florida to the Caribbean when the customers will pay the airlines to take care of that.

You hit the naii on the head. San Juan is a nightmare for uk passengers and note there is heavy use of this port coming up 

[stan01]

55 minutes ago, galeforce9 said:

You hit the naii on the head. San Juan is a nightmare for uk passengers and note there is heavy use of this port coming up 

 

BA/AA connections and US CBP lines at JFK or MIA are bad, but there is the TWA Hotel in the JFK terminal area which is nice airport hotel for one night.  The in-airport hotel at MIA is bad.  Via Atlanta on Delta or Virgin might be better for CBP lines.  Guessing FlightEase would often try to run people through MIA?

[Astride]

On 9/30/2024 at 2:32 PM, FlyerTalker said:

Quick question....why did you base everything around a single non-stop flight?  You could easily get to PHL with a connection any day of the week.  And thus, you could have stayed in Barbados for as long, or short, as you wished.  Was a non-stop THAT important?

 

I don't see anything wrong with what Seabourn is charging.  You have asked them to create a custom excursion, just for you.

 

[Astride]

On 9/30/2024 at 2:32 PM, FlyerTalker said:

Quick question....why did you base everything around a single non-stop flight?  You could easily get to PHL with a connection any day of the week.  And thus, you could have stayed in Barbados for as long, or short, as you wished.  Was a non-stop THAT important?

 

I don't see anything wrong with what Seabourn is charging.  You have asked them to create a custom excursion, just for you.

What planet do you live on?

 

[FlyerTalker]

14 minutes ago, Astride said:

What planet do you live on?

 

 

Planet Reality.

 

Not Planet Whining.

 

BGI is not that tough to get to or from, even from the "west coast".  Where are the complaints about cruises starting in Bali?  Or Seychelles? 

 

Too many people just want fast, non-stop flights and make sure everyone knows how important that is.

 

Also, folks travel at high demand periods and then complain that air tickets cost too much.  It's Econ 101 folks - supply and demand.

 

The OP had many many options, chose to take none of them other than the path of least resistance.  And then wanted a special excursion just for them.  But didn't like the price quoted.

 

Time for lots of reality checks, IMO.

 

 

 

 

Edited October 1, 2024 by FlyerTalker

[Astride]

6 minutes ago, FlyerTalker said:

 

Planet Reality.

 

Not Planet Whining.

 

BGI is not that tough to get to or from, even from the "west coast".  Where are the complaints about cruises starting in Bali?  Or Seychelles? 

 

Too many people just want fast, non-stop flights and make sure everyone knows how important that is.

 

Also, folks travel at high demand periods and then complain that air tickets cost too much.  It's Econ 101 folks - supply and demand.

 

The OP had many many options, chose to take none of them other than the path of least resistance.  And then wanted a special excursion just for them.  But didn't like the price quoted.

 

Time for lots of reality checks, IMO.

 

 

 

 

 

[Astride]

The path of least resistance is often the only avenue for people with reduced mobility. I guess you will say that such people should stay home. Perhaps you should do a little bit of reflection. Those people are alive & wish to experience a bit of joy before the end comes. Their choices are limited. Multi-flights are difficult choices for them. Put yourself in their place. You will be there yourself before you know it.

[FlyerTalker]

1 hour ago, Astride said:

The path of least resistance is often the only avenue for people with reduced mobility.

 

The OP made no such claim or situation.

 

1 hour ago, Astride said:

I guess you will say that such people should stay home. Perhaps you should do a little bit of reflection. Those people are alive & wish to experience a bit of joy before the end comes.

 

And I am quite glad for that.  I understand mobility issues quite well.  Modern transportation can do wonders for folks.  What would take days in past times now takes hours.

 

1 hour ago, Astride said:

Multi-flights are difficult choices for them. Put yourself in their place. You will be there yourself before you know it.

 

Multiple flights can be managed, given proper planning and airline assistance. Over the years, I've give many such folks great advice and planning assistance to help their travels.  And as for myself, you have ZERO knowledge of "my place", so you can take your assumptions and label them irrelevant.

 

 

[2SailingNomads]

On 9/30/2024 at 10:39 PM, tv24 said:

I don't understand why Seabourn has traditionally used Barbados as a starting and ending point.  Does not work at all for PAX like us on the West Coast of the US, so they lost us as customers for this.  Happy to read that San Juan is the future replacement.

And Barbados is a crappy port to disembark from.  HOT bus ride to clear immigration.  Then depending on where you have transport arranged could have to drag your luggage quite a bit - we didn't but saw others do it.  Will embark in March in Barbados and hoping it is better tahn disembarking but not optimistic... 

[tv24]

51 minutes ago, 2SailingNomads said:

And Barbados is a crappy port to disembark from.  HOT bus ride to clear immigration.  Then depending on where you have transport arranged could have to drag your luggage quite a bit - we didn't but saw others do it.  Will embark in March in Barbados and hoping it is better tahn disembarking but not optimistic... 

I don't think we will ever book a cruise to or from Barbados.  Difficult travel to and from the West Coast of the US, expensive overnight stays in boring hotels,  a lack of cultural or cuisine experience locally, and we are unable to be sun bunnies anymore.  Too many negatives, sadly.

[2SailingNomads]

Hi TV24 - actually once we got out of the port had some very good meals.  ( I can't do sun either any more, my dermatologist has me on the every 3 month how much money can I make from you plan...   But did get a severe case of (hmm how to say it?) stomach issues... Was glad to be able to make the flights home a few days later after eating nothing for a couple of days  and lots of drugs....

[commodoredave]

We spend winters in Barbados and have found it to have some of best restaurants and hotels in the Caribbean. The people are fantastic- warm, friendly and helpful. And we love the English-Bajan atmosphere. Some great music venues too.

In contrast, we can’t stand San Juan. 
So I guess it really depends on what you enjoy.

[Hlitner]

Really do not see any issue with the OP's situation.  Simply disembark and take a taxi to the airport.  Even if it takes a couple of hours to disembark (unlikely) you will still have plenty of time to get to the airport.   And no, we would not be messing around with a "scenic drive" although, if you have extra time you could ask the taxi driver for a short driving tour on your way to the airport.  .  Having been to Barbados too many times, we would not bother with a driving tour, but each to their own.  

 

The last time we took a taxi between the airport and cruise port it cost us about $35 (for the entire taxi).  I imagine that now it might be closer to $50.  If the public bus (#27) us running you could take the bus from the cruise port to airport for less than $5.

 

Hank

[jdk-atlga]

Morning/Afternoon: I don't know if it is an oversight, mistake or what, but regarding transfers when using FlightEase: "Are Transfers Included? - Transfers are included between the ship and airport, arranged by our team."

 

In the past, the transfer option (when booked FlightEase) was only available when it was a same day (embark/disembark) event. I have looked through the on-line Terms & Conditions and it does not now indicate same day. 

 

Can anyone confirm the "new" policy or is it just an oversight? Personally, I would love to see transfers included, regardless of arrival/departure timing.

Best, jdk

 

[Hlitner]

42 minutes ago, jdk-atlga said:

Morning/Afternoon: I don't know if it is an oversight, mistake or what, but regarding transfers when using FlightEase: "Are Transfers Included? - Transfers are included between the ship and airport, arranged by our team."

 

In the past, the transfer option (when booked FlightEase) was only available when it was a same day (embark/disembark) event. I have looked through the on-line Terms & Conditions and it does not now indicate same day. 

 

Can anyone confirm the "new" policy or is it just an oversight? Personally, I would love to see transfers included, regardless of arrival/departure timing.

Best, jdk

 

The topic came up, while on our recent Encore cruise (Croatia).  Transfers were included for those who had same-day flights booked through Flightease.  Otherwise, no!  However, we have heard that folks who booked hotel and air through SB, would also get transfers (I cannot personally vouch that this is true).

 

We flew into Dubrovnik, a few days ahead of our cruise, on flights booked through EZAIR.  Since we had made our own hotel arrangements, SB did not cover our transfer from the airport to our hotel.  I will also mention that we are very independent travelers and, over the years have noticed that cruise line hotel/transfer packages generally cost about double the cost of doing similar on one's own.

 

Hank