Mauzac

Hello and welcome!

1.  Wifi is Starlink and is excellent, you can buy the enhanced version onboard but I believe you have to purchase it for the whole trip and I'm not sure why you would need it.  We made Wifi calls and it catered for our needs.

2.  Caviar in the pool is on Sea Days, so you won't miss it, just keep an eye on The Herald or the app which will tell you

3.  Hard to answer... if there is a beach within tendering distance, you can just take it to the beach and then return at your leisure.  We have just returned from a cruise and did that twice.  Further afield is a bit more tricky

4.  I haven't used the Retreat.  We have never had a problem finding beds, but yes there are chair hogs around!

5.  I would book Solis in advance if you are able, I do it through SB's website in advance.  If you can't make your bookings, yes I would go early on to try and book.  Ask at Guest Services if you have trouble, they will help you

6.  We have only once had trouble boarding in all the SB cruises we have done... that was down to US immigration at Vancouver.  Apart from that it's plain sailing!

7.  My husband only wears a jacket and tie on formal nights, or maybe a casual linen jacket when dining outside but you really don't have to (apart from formal nights which are once a week in the main dining room).  His attire is a nice shirt and trousers (pants?!) or chinos which are smartish trousers in the UK. 

Hope that helps! 😃

6 minutes ago, Fortunate 2 travel said:

How far in advance of the cruise do reservations open?  Thank you for your input on the Marina deck.  

It really varies, but I got into the habit of checking weekly!

We have just returned from a cruise... and I think a couple of months before embarkation, we booked Solis.  One day you couldn't... next day, voila!

But that was as they were changing over from Thomas Keller to the new restaurant, so it might be more in advance than that for you.  

We have done 9 or is it 10 SB cruises, all over the world and only once has the Marina Deck been opened!   And we tend to go for hot weather cruises, so I really wouldn't rely on that happening. 

The new Solis restaurant is great, I suggest you book online through SB website, when bookings open up.  

To be honest, the first night we went we were a bit confused with it, but the staff in there were so helpful so it only took a few minutes chat about different dishes to decide what to have.

After that, on other visits,  it was plain sailing!

Try again.  Here is the pic.

We have just returned from Quest too, and loved Solis.  It is 'mediterranean' food at its best as far as we're concerned.

It does take one visit to understand the menu but by our second visit we knew our way round more.  We went four times on our 35 day cruise, but even then I was just checking I wasn't ordering a main course as a starter.  Salads were really good as were all vegetable dishes.  

The cocktails were superb as was the Afogato Ursula at the end (Pic attached, I might have the name wrong).  I had it each time I went but had it decaf to ensure sleep that night! 

We really enjoyed Solis.  

4 hours ago, Redtravel said:

We got a brochure from Seabourn that sparked our interest. Wondering if Seabourn is for us. We are in our 70s. We have traveled extensively for many years. Our travels have been both on land and sea. We have taken many land tours and ship excursions.  Now that we are retired, we have slowed down.  We still enjoy traveling, but not taking group tours.  Sometimes we prefer private tours tuned to our pace and interests.  Sometimes just cruising is enough. Taking a winter Caribbean cruise has become our time to relax and enjoy warm weather.  We love meeting interesting people, dining in a variety of restaurants, and are happiest relaxing in style.  We are looking for a cruise that fits our style:  less than 1500 guests, excellent food with a variety of dining venues, spacious cabins, good service, some entertainment, offers tours without including them in the fare, and doesn’t have formal nights.  Years ago we used to enjoy dressing up. Now, we would rather do club casual.  Do you think Seabourn is a fit for us.  

To be honest. I thought you were describing us!  And we love SB...after a long flight on Monday we're embarking on Tuesday for another one!

We love meeting new people on our cruises and hope we bump into you on a cruise maybe some day!  There are formal nights but they are only once or twice on a 2 week cruise  and there are other options of venues to eat at when it happens.  Also it's not as dressed up as some imagine!  Personal choice really

I hope you take the plunge! 👍😊

9 hours ago, Kane said:

Sort of an unusual location, on the 9th deck, above but not on the pool deck.  Would not seem to be a popular location.

 

What sort of hours is it open?

It's lovely up there, we'll be there next week!   We particularly enjoy it when there is a sail away or Epicurean event. 😀

2 hours ago, DubDublady said:

I’m onboard Venture and have been using What’sApp to send pictures home. I’m presuming it’s free…Hope so

Yes, absolutely it is.  It is internet.  I send pictures, messages and videos on WA whilst on board and even have the odd call or two. 

The menu looks delicious, just my sort of choices of food... and the cocktails.. wow!  🍸

Hi @Yorkieaboard

Fellow Brit here!  Having been on SB cruises for many years, my husband now doesn't take a DJ, but does take a couple of jackets.

Non formal nights, he wears a long sleeve shirt, sometimes a jazzy pattern, and chinos or slacks (trousers)

When dining other than the Main Restaurant he sometimes wears a smart polo shirt or a short sleeve shirt and sometimes a Hawaiian shirt or similar with chinos, especially outside on a hot weather cruise.  Over the years Seabourn has got a lot more casual but we still like dressing up in the evening!  

5 hours ago, markham said:

Mauzac,

Thanks for the good wishes!

 

We have a Sojourn cruise in February lasting 33 days starting 20 Feb (is that 62 days away?).

I hope to see lots and lots of improvements vs the early 2023 letdown on Quest. We were truly shell-shocked by it. And we go back a long way. OTOH our June Venture trip was a joy, and I would encourage everyone to experience that ship design, simplicity with luxury and happy crew environment.

 

I am now waiting to hear who the Capt, HD, CD and F&B are on Sojourn for our WC sector. We know well that on Seabourn specifically the quality of these officers in terms of my expectations for service delivery is supremely important. This is not the case with other lines and how their ships operate, we have observed; often I barely know who they are.

 

For example, I would like to know what “enhanced menus” we have been hearing about the chefs testing for months now will be offered in the MDR and hopefully the Colonnade. And what’s new and better in Earth and Ocean where the format of smoky chicken salad starter and the same week rotating same old menu has gotten boring. It’s pretty much the one introduced when the concept was rolled out years ago.

 

All that said, and since this will mainly be a warm and good weather cruise, I would not be disappointed if they did not open the MDR for breakfast and lunch. Like you, I prefer eating outside at the Colonnade or poolside if there is space.

 

I’ll let you know.

 

Happy and healthy sailing!

I love Sojourn... it was the ship for the first 4 cruises we did with SB so it holds a special place in our hearts!    Say hello to the dog on Deck 5 for me!

We are Quest in February and have just got to get ourselves to Buenos Aires... what a long journey that is! 

Have a good cruise! 🥂😎

10 hours ago, markham said:

Ok, how about that glass of chilled rose on an aft deck served with a plated meal ordered from a deep menu and/or a buffet presented with at least triple all the choices offered at the Seabourn Colonnade- from appetizers to mains to cold meats and fish to salads to soups to breads to vegetables to desserts and to cheeses? Ditto poolside, now that I think of it.

 

You can get that on certain luxury lines whose names I won’t repeat. Included in the fare and with your all  friends.

 

It’s not a fair and even match. “Different strokes for different folks” comes to mind.
 

Happy and healthy sailing!

I don't want a 'plated meal' at lunchtime (unless I have my treat which is a Napa burger I indulge in just once a week!  Or the fish at the Patio) .  I want the freedom and informality of the Colonnade at lunchtime, I want to pick and choose and I couldn't cope with triple the choice... there's quite enough choice for me.    

You are obviously not happy with SB anymore, everyone to their own and I am glad you have found your niche with another cruise line.

For us... we are happy with our choice of SB and very much looking forward to our next cruise in 62 days, can't wait!  

I'm not 'a poor punter sputtering in the Colonnade'  and I don't 'grab' my food

I take my time deciding what I would like to partake of washed down with a nice glass of chilled Rosé sat outside in the warm sun watching the white trail as the ship moves through the waters!  

Can't beat it. 

Cheers! 🍷 

On 12/12/2023 at 12:02 AM, SLSD said:

I should do that.  This is the first time we have used this TA and have not been happy.  

Good luck.

However.... trying to check on our guest registration for our upcoming cruise is impossible!  I know they have changed the website, but its unworkable at the moment. 

It's 2pm here and if it was a sea day, I would hope to be in one of my favourite places... either deck 5 or above the sky bar on a double padded bed, with a good book!

45 minutes ago, mklions said:

We have just booked on the Encore 17 nights Dubai to Singapore sailing on 21/11/24.

Cruise only £4100 pp for a V1 cabin.

Im trying to find out a bit more about these cabin on deck 5 as they have a steel balcony frontage. Any pictures or reviews would be most appreciated.

MKlions

We've been on Deck 5 before and it honestly wasn't a problem.  If I got a good deal, I would do it again.  We just like high up becaue we don't suffer from seasickness!  

1 hour ago, Mr Luxury said:

Did you both use a TA for even more added value

Yes, and FCC 5%, and we are actually due a free week (Milestone Cruise thingy) but we are going to wait until we have two weeks free which we are not far from. 

47 minutes ago, galeforce9 said:

@Mauzac @Mr Luxury

@cruising.mark.uk.  
 

Also booked!  V1 and v2 closed but got a v3 and business air 😁

Well done!  We started off at V2 (we're never worried about being midship), but all that was left was a connecting room, then moved on to V3 but the only two available were next to a V2 (hardly worth the extra expense) so went for a V4 staggering distance from the Obs Bar! 

@cruising.mark.uk  Thank you!

I get lots of emails from SB, and no doubt I had this, but didn't pay attention.

We've just booked!  

9 hours ago, SLSD said:

We've never asked for a special meal on any of our previous Seabourn cruises.  We are considering asking for one special meal next summer (28 day cruise) to celebrate our 48th wedding anniversary. We will be on the ship on the day of our anniversary.  I would be very disappointed if we were turned down because we are not in one of the more expensive suites.  We plan to ask for slow roasted lamb shanks which is a dish we have enjoyed on Seabourn.  We would not dream of asking for something exotic or something the chef did not have experience with.  Hopefully, our request will be accepted.  This will be the first time we have EVER asked for anything special.  I'll be sure to report back on whether or our request is fulfilled.  

 I can't imagine for one moment you will be turned down!

We also asked for a special meal (both our birthdays are days apart and for once, we were on a cruise for that!) and we had a few people for a special Indian banquet in the Restaurant.  SB could not have been more helpful and someone in Guest Services designed a really fun invitation.  We did start to arrange this over a week in advance though.  The person to speak to was the man in charge of Restaurant (sorry I am not good at knowing titles!)

We were on a long cruise so the Executive Chef chatted to us about the sort of dishes we wanted... it was a great evening, and I am sure you will have the same!   We also have never asked for any special request at all, as we are go with the flow people and we only did it this time as it was an occasion for us... I can't imagine it will happen again.

I have seen the most labour intensive requests imaginable, better not say what, but it caused disruption to three restaurants on one night!  

We've met the nicest people travelling on their own.  And enjoy dining with them on hosted tables, and also still keep in touch with a couple of them.  

7 hours ago, lincslady said:

Reading Robison's review of lunch at the Colonnade, the choices must have gone down dramatically  since I was last on board.  It used to be a pleasure to walk along the line and choose combinations of salady things with seafood or meats to go with them.  Lots of choice.  What a shame, if this is so.  Too many new untrained staff perhaps?

It was lovely for us in August, so these criticisms are puzzling me.  

I must be peculiar then... I like the Colonnade, especially on warm days sat outside for lunch.  I just find it relaxing, and one can order from a menu if that's what appeals.

I also think the Colonnade on an evening has got so much better than it used to be.  Again, I only like sat outside because it's a much better ambience than inside.  We rarely sit inside for any meal in the Colonnade.  

3 hours ago, SLSD said:

My dietary preference is definitely light and healthy.  

So is mine!  (Doesn't mean to say it always happens though!  I love a napa burger but limit myself to one a week!)