If there is one thing I love it is controversy. It is fodder for thought. Motivation for writing. And a basis for great discussion. The reactions to the new Seabourn itineraries are very diverse and conflicting. That may seem like a bad thing, but alas I think it is good.
A Shock to the Transatlantic System - I have heard, read and discussed with some of the well-seasoned Seabourners that they are very disappointed with the end of the triplets making transatlantic voyages as of April 2010. While these cruises have uniquely become cliquish for the Blue Water Cruisers, they are also extremely costly for Seabourn (actually every line) and, frankly, not terribly popular with those outside the cliques.
These Seabourners have become used to 175 passengers being waited on 24/7 for 12 days for about $225 a day (or 50%-75% less than normal fares). What is there not to love?! On the other hand, Seabourn is faced with huge fuel costs, significant wear and tear on the ships (transatlantics are notoriously hard on ships), significantly higher per day costs to keep the guests happy, no ports to give the crew even a short break...and fetching only steeply discount the fares just to get people onboard.
So now Seabourn will, on occasion, have the Odyssey making transoceanic crossings and, apparently from the comments, that ship's size will prevent the clique from taking it over. I am not sure how that is a bad thing...unless you are of the opinion that you own the ship. As for those few that now claim they will find a new line to cruise or that Seabourn doesn't appreciate them (ala Host Dan on Cruise Critic claiming he will be left with "nothing special") I say: STOP ACTING SPOILED.
Oh, that's right, Seabourn has spoiled you. You have no idea what the Odyssey will be like (and I know many will soon migrate to her if the ship, not the ports, is the prime area of interest). You don't know whether it will afford intimacy or not. Oh, and by the way, would you please let me know what cruise line is going to offer you what Seabourn does on a 208 passenger ship and will on a 450 passenger ship? So please, stop lying on your back, kicking your feet, in the middle of the internet "store".
I am confident once your tantrums are over, you will settle down and remember what it is that made you so comfortable on Seabourn. If not, so be it. I am sure the passengers that have actively avoided a cruise because of the cliquish behaviors of some,might just now book them.
New Ports for Older Ships - Let's get some perspective here. New ships are uniformly tasked with visiting the "tried and true" ports. Why? Because the vast majority of the cruising public want to go to these ports.
Remember that most people have not been on a cruise ("I must go to Venice.") and that most somewhat experienced cruisers have only been on a few (usually Caribbean first and then once in Alaska or the Med). Then there are those experienced past guests that many times do not get off the ship because they are there for the service, service and service.
Without question, attracting new passengers is the first priority (over 80% of Americans haven't cruised!...more on this below!) and simply shifting your present passenger base to the new ship will leave any cruise line with empty older ships. Up there as well is attracting experienced cruise passengers to try Seabourn. (How many times I have heard, "If Seabourn only had balconies." or "I just am not comfortable on such a small ship, as I need more to do."). That is not to say that the present Seabourn guests are third class. To the contrary, Seabourn has made huge efforts to assure a consistency of product...elevating so many aspects of the cruise experience.
All that said, the thing I hear the most from truly experienced Seabourners: "When is Seabourn going to have new itineraries? I have been to all the ports." As - you know I love him - Host Dan complains that the Seabourn Legend, Pride and Spirit have been "banished" I must ask, "Banished to exotic areas of the world? I wish I was banished like that! Heck, I have to pay to go to those places."
The fact is that the triplets have been "stuck" because of demand for the "tried and true" (as explained above) and are now - finally - being set free; free to do that which they can do best: Venture into Small and Exotic Ports Where Normal Cruise Ships Cannot Go. If you look at the new itineraries you will discover that most of the ports have either never had cruise ships visit or they are far and few between, with less then prime infrastructure and underdeveloped tourism opportunities. (I explained this a bit more in my October 23, 2008 post: http://goldringtravel.blogspot.com/2008/10/seabourn-will-cruise-asia-year-round-in.html. Remember you heard it here first!!!) Seabourn has tried to address the needs of yet another group of dedicated and loyal Seabourners.
Would it be perfect if the Odyssey or Sojourn could sail into these exotic ports? For some yes, but for other absolutely not. They love the smaller ships; something which pretty much remains unique.
Worldwide Passenger Base Expanding- As a final point for now: Seabourn may be an American cruise line, but the reality of it is there is huge world out there and people from all over the world are starting to discover and enjoy cruising. Western Europeans have truly exploded onto the cruise scene in the past few years. Eastern Europe is just starting. Asia (and boy are there a diversity of cultures there) is but only marginally tapped. The Middle Eastern nations are another group of people that have yet to really embrace cruising (and have only recently made a push into the true yacht market in a significant way).
Now let me throw a concept at you: Close to Home Cruising. Americans did it...and then said, "Enough of the Caribbean, I want to cruise Europe." Don't you think these billions of people from Europe, Asia and the Middle East might be interested in cruising in their backyard first and then expand to other areas of the world...just like you did? (Of course, just as you enjoyed chatting with pride to "foreigners" who have traveled to our part of the world, I am very confident you will greatly enjoy being on the receiving end of similar hospitalities!)
Now, think about all the wonderful people you have met on your cruises. Think of all the cultures you have enjoyed. Think of all the great service and food. Now Seabourn can do it better; different in some ways, but better.
Showing posts with label Asia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Asia. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Seabourn 2010-2011: Sojourn and Exotic and Exciting New Itineraries
Hot off the Press!
Seabourn announces that 2010-2011 is highlighted by the debut of Seabourn Sojourn, 44 new ports including Zanzibar and Madagascar, and a year-round presence in Asia highlight 2010-2011. I have "highlighted" some of the most interesting points.
MIAMI, Feb. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Spin the globe and stop it with your finger - chances are The Yachts of Seabourn go where it lands. The ultra-luxury cruise line unveils new itineraries and exotic ports of call for 2010-2011. With two new Seabourn yachts and a host of new destinations, the line's well-traveled guests can look forward to its most extensive and diverse year yet. Cruises are now available for sale, and can be viewed at www.seabourn.com. A cruise catalogue will be published in April.
With its fleet of intimate, all-suite ships, Seabourn is able to access less-traveled destinations that larger ships can't. With the addition of Seabourn Odyssey in June 2009 and Seabourn Sojourn in June 2010, the expanded fleet allows Seabourn to explore more far-flung, exotic ports of call, such as Palopo on Sulawesi; Zanzibar, Tanzania; and Antseranana, Madagascar.
Starting in 2010-2011, Seabourn will operate year-round in Asia - a first for the fleet as well as its first return to Indonesia in years. New Asian ports of call include Dalian, China; Busan and Inchon, Korea; Nagasaki and Kagoshima, Japan; and numerous Indonesian destinations, including Bali, Borneo, Komodo Island and the Karimoenjawa archipelago.
Exotic New Ports of Call
With a deployment of five vessels to the far reaches of the world, Seabourn will call at a record number of ports throughout 2010-2011, including 44 destinations that are either brand new for the cruise line or where they have not called for years. These destinations include: Jeju Island, Yeosu and Mokpo, South Korea; Djupivogur, Iceland; Doha, Qatar; Kuching, Malaysia; Fremantle, Australia; Mayotte, Comoros; Sir Bani Yas, UAE; Manama, Bahrain; Mangalore, India; Muara Port, Brunei; Port Stanley, Falkland Islands; Sibenik, Croatia; Sihanoukville, Cambodia and Szczencin, Poland.
New Itineraries
Seabourn will return to Indonesia for the first time in years as Seabourn Spirit offers Gems of the Java Sea with stops in Singapore, Kuching, and Kota Kinabalu , Java, Bali & the Barrier Reef, a winter cruise from Singapore to Darwin, and a Spice Islands Holiday round trip from Singapore.. Seabourn Pride's China Journey operates between the People's Republic and Taiwan for the first time.. Other new Seabourn itineraries include China/Korea/Japan Journey from Xingang (Beijing) to Kobe; Indian Ocean Edens from Dubai to Mahe, Seychelles; and Pearls of Arabia round trip from Dubai.
Expanded Destination Services
A newly-expanded destination services department offers guests a variety of land-based activities, including escorted Seabourn Journeys extensions to Bhutan, Kyoto and Tokyo, and an African safari in Kenya. Other new offerings include a four-night Florence and Venice Journey, and a five-night Laos and Cambodia Journey.
Seabourn announces that 2010-2011 is highlighted by the debut of Seabourn Sojourn, 44 new ports including Zanzibar and Madagascar, and a year-round presence in Asia highlight 2010-2011. I have "highlighted" some of the most interesting points.
MIAMI, Feb. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Spin the globe and stop it with your finger - chances are The Yachts of Seabourn go where it lands. The ultra-luxury cruise line unveils new itineraries and exotic ports of call for 2010-2011. With two new Seabourn yachts and a host of new destinations, the line's well-traveled guests can look forward to its most extensive and diverse year yet. Cruises are now available for sale, and can be viewed at www.seabourn.com. A cruise catalogue will be published in April.
With its fleet of intimate, all-suite ships, Seabourn is able to access less-traveled destinations that larger ships can't. With the addition of Seabourn Odyssey in June 2009 and Seabourn Sojourn in June 2010, the expanded fleet allows Seabourn to explore more far-flung, exotic ports of call, such as Palopo on Sulawesi; Zanzibar, Tanzania; and Antseranana, Madagascar.
Starting in 2010-2011, Seabourn will operate year-round in Asia - a first for the fleet as well as its first return to Indonesia in years. New Asian ports of call include Dalian, China; Busan and Inchon, Korea; Nagasaki and Kagoshima, Japan; and numerous Indonesian destinations, including Bali, Borneo, Komodo Island and the Karimoenjawa archipelago.
Exotic New Ports of Call
With a deployment of five vessels to the far reaches of the world, Seabourn will call at a record number of ports throughout 2010-2011, including 44 destinations that are either brand new for the cruise line or where they have not called for years. These destinations include: Jeju Island, Yeosu and Mokpo, South Korea; Djupivogur, Iceland; Doha, Qatar; Kuching, Malaysia; Fremantle, Australia; Mayotte, Comoros; Sir Bani Yas, UAE; Manama, Bahrain; Mangalore, India; Muara Port, Brunei; Port Stanley, Falkland Islands; Sibenik, Croatia; Sihanoukville, Cambodia and Szczencin, Poland.
New Itineraries
Seabourn will return to Indonesia for the first time in years as Seabourn Spirit offers Gems of the Java Sea with stops in Singapore, Kuching, and Kota Kinabalu , Java, Bali & the Barrier Reef, a winter cruise from Singapore to Darwin, and a Spice Islands Holiday round trip from Singapore.. Seabourn Pride's China Journey operates between the People's Republic and Taiwan for the first time.. Other new Seabourn itineraries include China/Korea/Japan Journey from Xingang (Beijing) to Kobe; Indian Ocean Edens from Dubai to Mahe, Seychelles; and Pearls of Arabia round trip from Dubai.
Expanded Destination Services
A newly-expanded destination services department offers guests a variety of land-based activities, including escorted Seabourn Journeys extensions to Bhutan, Kyoto and Tokyo, and an African safari in Kenya. Other new offerings include a four-night Florence and Venice Journey, and a five-night Laos and Cambodia Journey.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Seabourn: New and Very Cool Itineraries Are Coming - Very Soon!
While I continue to read from some their skepticism as to what will happen with the Seabourn triplets after the new ships, starting with the Seabourn Odyssey, arrive, I am forced to hold back information that I know will put those "concerns" to rest.
What I can tell you is that, in addition to the information I posted here in October about Seabourn's major expansion into Asia as a year round destination (http://goldringtravel.blogspot.com/2008/10/seabourn-will-cruise-asia-year-round-in.html), the new itineraries (to the extent I know about them) are VERY COOL...and the expansion is not limited to Southeast Asia and the Orient. (Hint: You may just find cruising the Med again to be passé!)
There are so many new ports and itineraries it is really going to take some studying to figure out not only where the ships will be, but what each port has to offer. And, by the way, if you want to visit many of these ports, the only practical way will be on a Seabourn cruise.
As I write this it just hit me. And I may be wrong, but it makes sense to me. With all the new and exotic ports which are coming to Seabourn...or is that Seabourn is going to?...having a complimentary Seabourn Experience in each (which necessarily must be focused on larger groups) may not only be impractical; they may be impossible. And, if Seabourn cannot do it right, it is not going to do it.
Further, as to people wanting large group tours in small, exotic, ports I think Seabourn's thoughts (and guest conduct confirmation) is that higher quality, smaller group/individual, tours are going to be where the sophisticated traveler's desires are. That may well be why Seabourn has so aggressively expanded its private tour operations.
So with the new itineraries probably being printed as I am writing this, it is time to look forward to some excitement; some good news; and, some extraordinary experiences in 2010. (But don't forget about 2009 - there are plenty of rewarding cruises available for this year too!)
What I can tell you is that, in addition to the information I posted here in October about Seabourn's major expansion into Asia as a year round destination (http://goldringtravel.blogspot.com/2008/10/seabourn-will-cruise-asia-year-round-in.html), the new itineraries (to the extent I know about them) are VERY COOL...and the expansion is not limited to Southeast Asia and the Orient. (Hint: You may just find cruising the Med again to be passé!)
There are so many new ports and itineraries it is really going to take some studying to figure out not only where the ships will be, but what each port has to offer. And, by the way, if you want to visit many of these ports, the only practical way will be on a Seabourn cruise.
As I write this it just hit me. And I may be wrong, but it makes sense to me. With all the new and exotic ports which are coming to Seabourn...or is that Seabourn is going to?...having a complimentary Seabourn Experience in each (which necessarily must be focused on larger groups) may not only be impractical; they may be impossible. And, if Seabourn cannot do it right, it is not going to do it.
Further, as to people wanting large group tours in small, exotic, ports I think Seabourn's thoughts (and guest conduct confirmation) is that higher quality, smaller group/individual, tours are going to be where the sophisticated traveler's desires are. That may well be why Seabourn has so aggressively expanded its private tour operations.
So with the new itineraries probably being printed as I am writing this, it is time to look forward to some excitement; some good news; and, some extraordinary experiences in 2010. (But don't forget about 2009 - there are plenty of rewarding cruises available for this year too!)
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Seabourn Will Cruise Asia Year-Round in 2010!
Seabourn has announced today that the Seabourn Pride will cruise Asia year-round for 2010. This is great news for all cruisers that are looking for new ports to visit.
The interesting question is: "Where in Asia?" While all of the ports have not been determined, Peter Cox (Seabourn's maven on such things) is working as hard as ever to discover ports that have not only the uniqueness desired, but the required infrastructure from docking/tendering facilities to land operations to facilities for those interested in exploring the ports independently.
What I can say is that the Seabourn Pride will operate a number of unique itineraries such as Hong Kong to Tianjin, and Tianjin to Kobe.
Mr. Cox has described Tianjin is ‘very advanced’ in planning for a cruise terminal, Dalian has having a "magnificent waterfront development plan" and Qingdao, where the Olympic sailing competitions were held, as "a revelation" (though I do remember the tremendous problem with pollution-induced algae just prior to the Olympics).
But do not worry that all the focus will be on China. Although there is great interest in China, Seabourn is, for example, investigating many other ports such as those in South Korea in addition to those of Busan and Inchon.
For those of you who insisted Seabourn would be getting rid of the triplets as the new ships arrive I am very pleased to be able to say, "Told You So!" They are not going anywhere...anywhere other than new and unique ports with the same outstanding Seabourn service and food and in the same extraordinarily personalized manner.
Seabourn will be announcing the remainder of its 2010 itineraries as well as its first quarter 2011 itineraries during the first quarter (or so) of 2009.
The interesting question is: "Where in Asia?" While all of the ports have not been determined, Peter Cox (Seabourn's maven on such things) is working as hard as ever to discover ports that have not only the uniqueness desired, but the required infrastructure from docking/tendering facilities to land operations to facilities for those interested in exploring the ports independently.
What I can say is that the Seabourn Pride will operate a number of unique itineraries such as Hong Kong to Tianjin, and Tianjin to Kobe.
Mr. Cox has described Tianjin is ‘very advanced’ in planning for a cruise terminal, Dalian has having a "magnificent waterfront development plan" and Qingdao, where the Olympic sailing competitions were held, as "a revelation" (though I do remember the tremendous problem with pollution-induced algae just prior to the Olympics).
But do not worry that all the focus will be on China. Although there is great interest in China, Seabourn is, for example, investigating many other ports such as those in South Korea in addition to those of Busan and Inchon.
For those of you who insisted Seabourn would be getting rid of the triplets as the new ships arrive I am very pleased to be able to say, "Told You So!" They are not going anywhere...anywhere other than new and unique ports with the same outstanding Seabourn service and food and in the same extraordinarily personalized manner.
Seabourn will be announcing the remainder of its 2010 itineraries as well as its first quarter 2011 itineraries during the first quarter (or so) of 2009.
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