cruisr

It's been three families that owned AmaWaterways. Now a private equity firm has taken a stake in the company. So, guess their representatives will have a seat or seats on the board and some input into running the company.

http://www.travelweekly.com/River-Cruising/Certares-invests-in-AmaWaterways

AMA does a great job and hopefully this new partner will not try to change anything.

Haven't sailed with Handre yet but I loved Barry. What a lovely gentleman. I loved his "conversations" where he invited anyone who wanted to come into the Boardroom and he threw a topic out there to be discussed among the participants. Simply brilliant.

I also loved Eric DeGray. So talented, full of energy and a delightful chap.

Great showing in the marathon. Congratulations to him. He must be on the tread mills onboard at all hours to be able to train for this. Well done.

Am I mistaken or did you ask this also in the Crystal forum?

I have sailed both and loved both. Crystal is a bit more polished with service and the food was a bit better but my cabin on Journey seemed larger than the one on Crystal (balcony cabin). I loved the fact that casual, al fresco dining was available every night on Journey. I loved the dinner buffets and I am NOT a buffet person, so, that says a lot. Enrichment is better on Crystal but the CD was better on Journey (Eric DeGray). LIbrary better on Crystal and they have DVD players and a DVD library but IIRC Journey had more satellite channels. Pools about equal. There is not a full promenade deck on Journey/Quest but you can walk around on the deck above the pool. I love the promenade deck on Crystal.

Entertainment (nightly shows) equal and Trivia better on Azamara. Loved the smoothie bar on Journey.

It would come down to itinerary and price when I compared them but you can't go wrong with either.

If you have British Airways miles (Avios) it's a 4500 or 7500 point redemption. If not the best route is NRT to Osaka Airport (ITM) and then train to Kobe Station. The time from the airport to Kobe is approximately an hour. The flights from Haneda Airport to Osaka or to Kobe are cheaper but I guess you are locked into Narita.

You can do a variety of trains from NRT into Tokyo and then to Kobe and that would be approx 4.5 hours.

If you can spare a couple days Tokyo and/or Osaka are incredible places and well worth visiting pre cruise.

This thread didn't even need to exist. A google search of three words "friends of Bill" would have answered all the questions from the OP.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoholics_Anonymous

It was interesting reading how the thread actually meandered.

Remember, Google is your friend.

New Management, new ships, new Seabourn. I hope it isn't going to end in tears (for me, anyway).

RIck Meadows is still the President. IF you are speaking about management changes in the sales department then John Delaney's replacement, Chris Austin, I see that as a net positive. Chris Prelog did also go to Windstar and brought Graeham Cockburn but that is F&B which has nothing to do with revenue management. That department has not changed management.

As I say, the "Carnival rot" is setting in. Death by a thousand cuts..

Seriously? It's been 19 years this month since Carnival Corp purchased its remaining interest in Seabourn and became the sole owner.

Show me one company that hasnt changed its policies and procedures in the past 20 years and it's probably going to be a company that's out of business.

Cruise lines are not charities, they are not non profits. They are for profit companies, responsible to their shareholders. In that Carnival Corp (CCL) is doing a great job. As a share holder and passenger I am happy with them.

If Carnival did NOT buy and own Seabourn 100% you wouldn't have anything to complain about as they probably wouldn't exist now, at least as we know them.

OP is what as known as a one hit wonder. People who come to message boards to right some perceived wrong and when they are shocked that nobody agrees with them they disappear.

For someone who has a MA in Psych and who listens I don't think the OP actually heard what Silversea most likely told her about guaranteed staterooms.

And Cunard is also owned by Carnival. Cunard has seen huge cutbacks in recent years. I can remember when a crossing own QE2 in the Queens Grill came with a return flight on the Concorde and chauffeur driven transfers.

And thank goodness they purchased them in 1997 otherwise the line would probably not exist now.

The Concorde is still my most amazing aircraft experience. I love the suites Class and apartment Class on the A380s but breaking the sound barrier was a whole other league.

So nobody on here has ever experienced a 7 day with shorter segments nested with in it? It sounds as if it is luxury bus trip with people getting on and off at all different stops. Think I'm going to give it a pass.

Carnival owned 50% of Seabourn with the original owner Atlee Brynsted of Norway until April, 1998 when Carnival Corp (which owns Carnival, HAL, Princess, Cunard, Seabourn, Costa, and European brands) purchased the entire thing. So, next month it will be 19 years that Carnival Corp has owned Seabourn. Now you are thinking that there are changes?

Seabourn had been run as a standalone company (first under the presidency of Debbie Natansohn and then after her untimely death by Pam Conover) from May 2005 until April 2011. At that point for "economies of scale" they were moved to HAL HQ in SEA though sales/marketing and F and B were always kept separate.

If there are cut backs it is just like EVERY single cruise line. I have been cruising for 45 years and nothing is like it use to be.

I am considering this itinerary but it is available In shorter segments. This seems crazy to me as it's only a 7 day. Won't this effect the ambiance as there will be guests coming and going. Some for 3 nights, some for 4 nights, etc. This is a turn off for me even though the itinerary looks nice and it's been announced it's a Ballet cruise.

Any thoughts for those booked or those that have experienced this.

Yes, I'm not too harsh with SB/Carnival. We squeezed a few extra years of quality out of SB because of Carnival. Can't really expect greatness when they merge SB with other lines. Things were going south enough the past couple years, but the added capacity and competition for staff is the end of the line.

 

Booked Encore to hang out at TK bar. Hope the suite is good enough, because those are the only two spots that interest me. I believe the two new ships have been designed for a different market segment.

Just like Crystal's two new ships will be designed for a different market segment. Things change on all lines. Cruise lines and their guests both evolve and I'm good with that. If I'm not, I move on.

I'm sure the suite will be good enough. Enjoy the TK bar.

John Delaney only became involved with Seabourn after the merge with HAL. His background was not luxury. It was easy to bring Chris Prelog over to Windstar as Windstar is SEA based and he didn't have to relocate and he is back working with small ships (including the original Seabourn sisters).

Senior staff come and go and in the past unless a very visible President (such as when Larry Pimentel left Seabourn) moves it usually doesn't make a huge difference. Most passengers don't even know who the exec team is on any cruiseline.

Carnival Corp has owned 100% of Seabourn since April? 1998. Since that time Seabourn has consistently been viewed as a World's Best cruise line. Had CCL not purchased Seabourn, who knows what would have happened.

All cruise lines have cut back and it is not only Seabourn. I still find it an incredible value. I do miss Barry may he Rest In Peace. He was one great CD.

Forgot to add the replacement for John Delaney is Chris Austin who has a great CV and will do wonderful things IMHO

I've booked with a U.K. Agent and saved a lot and had no problems. Now, especially with the strong USD it's a good value. They have different rules which you are subject to, of course.

I'll be on a Celebrity cruise on that date so I hope they have some sort of info onboard.

I think you would really enjoy a suite on Celebrity with its perks such as Luminae Restaurant, Michael's Club, and typically alcohol, grats, and Internet.

I literally have the last cabin on the ship. I am going with an open mind and if I like it I will go again and if I don't then I won't go again.

I just booked it yesterday and paid for it today. I just had to get away and this was pretty much my only choice. I think it's meant to be as in the mail today was a postcard from Celebrity (addressed to resident) saying that it was time to book a cruise.

I know others from the Crystal board have been on Celebrity and enjoyed it. Don't see why I would be the exception.

Thanks for the encouragement. I must admit that one post had me re thinking my decision. I am not in a suite as there was only one verandah left, it's a good location with an unobstructed view near the elevator on deck 9.

The res agent did tell me that the 29.00 unlimited was still available, so that's disappointing. I will go for the 5 dinner package.

I'm also a platinum Mlife member so I get some benefits from that, Including one specialty dinner and drink coupons. I really don't drink that much and as long as they have ice tea I will be happy. One or two glasses of wine with dinner is usually my max.

Booked the Silhouette for next month. I usually cruise Crystal and Seabourn and Azamara and love them all and love the all inclusive. I have been on a larger ship (Regal Princess) for a family reunion cruise and did not like it. Then again, it was Xmas week and a complete zoo.

I hear nothing but good things about Celebrity so I am sure it will be fine. I will try to find quiet places and if I have to pay extra for things, so be it. I'm planning on purchasing the unlimited dining plan for $29.00 a day. I am not a fan of huge dining rooms so I think this plan will work well for me.

Looks like there is a lot of choice of entertainment. I hope there is maybe some classical or piano or violin.

I am looking forward to a new experience, and if I get a chance I will post my impressions whilst onboard.

Great video. That was something to see.

I get a bit crazy about this but, Seabourn has not been Miami based since 2011. Why do reporters not fact check anything?

Oh my. The damage looks nasty. Glad nobody was hurt and hope you are all underway soon.

I have sailed Seabourn more times than I can count. I did the Azamara Journey last year and loved it. I had the top verandah stateroom (right below the Suites) and I thought the layout was wonderful and had plenty of room. I spent a lot of time on the verandah as it was very deep and not windy at all. I had breakfast almost every day there. They make a great hash.

Staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. The ship is very pretty. The alternate Restos were great and I especially loved the Arabian tasting dinner. The best rum raisin gelato I have ever had. Best calamari I have ever had. I hate buffets but absolutely loved their themed dinner buffets and dining al fresco.

The drinks I ordered were made perfectly well, though not the highest quality. The Rum was Mount Gay and I like that. Prosescco was fine.

Eric deGray is a joy and it was so nice to sail with him again. I thought the entertainment was better than Seabourn.

I went for the itinerary and I think OP should go for it. I paid a lot less for Azamara then I have paid for Seabourn and I didn't have great expectations. Maybe that's the secret. I was blown away that I enjoyed it so much. If they have an itinerary I like would not hesitate to book them again.

Whatever you do enjoy it! In the end it doesn't matter what others think as it's all about how you will or will not enjoy it and only you know the answer. If you must have a suite and caviar then you may not be happy. While nice, I am just as happy without it if I like everything else, which I did on the Journey.

Have never watched the show, won't start now.

I think it's wonderful that some may want to watch.

It's all about perspective. People say they are lucky to do this or live here or whatever. That opinion may not be shared by others and that what makes the world go around. I respect other people's point of view even if it I don't share it.

Bathroom looks lovely. Room looks like a midrange US based hotel room. Way too dark for my taste.

Thanks for your honest feedback. Based on what I am hearing from fellow cruisers, we are now rethinking the itinerary. While I would like to see the architecture of Dubai, I'm wondering if it's worth the length of the flight or should I just watch it via video. Thanks to all who replied or will reply.

I have done this itinerary and loved it. I have been to Dubai twice and find it the most overrated, over built and over hyped place in the world. Sure, if you like malls but I have a mall a mile from me. It's a cultural wasteland. The creek area and the souks are interesting but that just takes a 1/2 day. OTTH, I loved Mumbai and Colombo/Galle. I also love days at sea.