cruisingfor4

Hi, My SO and I are finding cattle class on long haul flights to be dreaded. So my question for those who have experience, if you book business class through Viking Air for a long haul flight - either US to Europe or US to Asia/Australia/etc, how are the fares compared with standard retail? Can they get you a good price break?

Hi ClevelandKid

We always travel business class on long haul flights. When we went with Viking for our River Cruise last year, we decided to check prices with our preferred airline (several months in advance) to see how they compared to to Viking's prices from Toronto to Budapest. Viking was significantly less for return air business class, so we booked with them. We did pay the small fee for Air Plus and this allowed us to give Viking our preference of airline and routing (we prefer direct flights and choose Air Canada because of status points). All in all, we have now booked two more cruises and will also be booking with Viking for business class air. I think it is is important to mention that as Canadians, we tend to pay higher air fares in general because of "taxes" so in our case it worked out well. Hope this helps.

We are on the September 19th sailing and suspect that both Bodrum and Kusadasi will still be exempt from ports of call. Indeed it is unfortunate as we were lucky enough to experience these areas two years ago on another cruise, and spent time in Istanbul as well - all very beautiful and culturally enlightening. We cruised after 9-11 and Istanbul was exempt from one of our ports of call and a few years later - was on the list again as things became more steady and safe. As things settle, and positively thinking they will, these ports of call will be favoured again by the cruise lines. Better to be safe and there are so many beautiful ports in the region to see that just being on a ship and enjoying the holiday will be awesome.

Hi Starshollow

My husband and I were on Silver Sea two years ago and we tendered in Fira. We actually walked to Oia - it was a long walk - about 4 hours of up and down hills but absolutely amazing! As i write this post, my husband is laughing and saying next time he is going to "buy a donkey" to get there :D If you do the walk, there is a "path" to follow and you will pass some beautiful sceneries - much of what can't be seen from the road and truly a spectacular site. It was an extremely hot day and we brought lots of water and bananas for our walk - it certainly was a hike and we are very fit :) we loved it so much that we are doing again this year when we journey back to Greece - this time on Celebrity! Once in Oia we wandered the streets, had a lovely lunch, and took the city bus back to Fira. Just an idea...hope it helps. Have a wonderful trip!

Hi Sunprince

I truly cant say anything negative about the SS itinerary. We started in Venice and stayed at a beautiful small hotel called the Hotel Moresco (located on the outskirts of St. Marks square, so not in a super busy area. We were greeted with a a wonderful anitpasto bar, wine, and pasta (freshly made). The accomodations were lovely - spacious and very clean. Breakfast in the am was plentiful. We boarded the ship late in the afternoon and our first port was Ravenna., It is a lovely town to wander in, and if you like historic churches, there are some lovely ones to see. The next day we stopped at Hvar Croatia which we liked very much - hiking to the old fort (hiking was a trend on our vacation). Beautiful town. We then went into Kotor Montengro which was among our favourites - beautiful sail in through the "fjord" and we hiked, again to the top of the old city where the views were spectacular. Even did a little shopping at some local artisan shops. We then had three stops in Greece and our favourite was Santorini where we hiked the caldera (about 14 km) from Fira (where the ship stops), to Oia (pronounced EEEYA). The locals thought we were crazy but there is a path that runs between the two towns. It truly is the most spectacular view and a lot of our time was taking pictures at almost every turn :). We then went to Kusadasi and spent a day tour in Ephesus and did the evening concert offered by SS. THis was the highlight of the trip (even my husband who falls asleep when I listen to classical music), was bright eyed and absorbed in the ambiance and beauty of it all. The next port (actually a Greek Island - Myetiline (spelling?) was the only port that was questionable. For those who like Sea days, this is the one port that may not have been a necessary stop, however, it did give us an opportunity to get off the ship and spend the day exploring a different town. It is a short stop, and we visited the old fort. Istanbul is an amazing place. A fabulous place to see all the sights but if you are able, spend a few days extra just walking around and getting to know the local area. We stayed in a small boutique hotel in a residential area (TOMTOM Suites Hotel), and it is right across the street from the Italian Consulate. There is hardly any car traffic as the street is closed to "regular traffic" and only those that see the guard can get through. Very safe :). They too had a wonderful breakfast, the rooms are massive, and the staff extremely helpful. We walked up the hill to the "Main Street" the is known as the European Shopping area, but also walked back to the old city to the Spice Market and Grand Bazaar (Spice Market is our favourite). Not to far from the hotel (about a 10 minute walk), is the best Baklava shop in Istanbul and all the locals go there. They will shrink wrap your selections so you can bring them home :). The shop is called Gulluoglu, and truly has the best Baklava ever! In terms of Itinerary, we liked the fact that it was port intensive. Even after 7 cruises, my husband still gets sea sick if there is some chop (we do try to nip it in the bud with meds), but he still loves cruising. We have sailed the large ships, in fact we are heading to the Baltics next spring on the Regal Princess , with our kids who are 21 and 20 and still like to travel with us.... yes, a very different holiday as compared to the SS and Seabourn (our very favourite), but for us, itinerary is very important. Of course, the larger ships tend to have more sea days, but then it is larger ship with things to do. I hope this helps you...if I had to pick favourites: Venice, Hvar Croatia, Kotor Montenegro, Santorini Greece, Kusadasi Turkey, Istanbul Turkey. If you look at cruises and there is a stop in Dubrovnik, that is definitely worth a stop (we went there on a previous occasion while visiting family in Croatia). Happy planning, and if there are any questions don't hesitate to ask :)

Past-guest input is always appreciated. If anyone has more comments - they will be sincerely appreciated.

Hi Kwaj Girl

This is now our 7th cruise, and most certainly we are not "experienced" cruisers, but do know the differences between the various lines, expectations for prices paid, etc. Try Seabourn...their attention to detail at every level is far superior to Silversea. I have sailed on both, at the same "penthouse" level (Silver Suite on Silversea), so am able to compare apple to apple. Heed to the recent reviews, and safe travels :)

Funny, sailed on SS many days and never experienced their penthouse suites.

Hi Derbylane

Perhaps I used the incorrect verbiage...check Suite 1114 - "Silver Suite" which is equivalent to Seabourn's Penthouse Suite. :)

I know these "which is better" questions are entirely subjective and both lines have their rusted on fans but I'd appreciate some objective opinions please.

 

We are considering two almost identical 2-week Auckland to Melbourne/Sydney cruises next Feb on Seabourn Odyssey or Silver Spirit. We know that Seabourn is great but we've never sailed Silversea. So, which one to pick and why?

 

I'm leaning towards Silversea purely because we'd like to give it a try but maybe that's not a good enough reason!

Last edited by Grumpy Wombat; Today at 10:49 AM.

Hi Grumpy,

We sailed with Seabourn Sojourn (Med) last year in May and spent the past two weeks on Silver Spirit (Venice to Istanbul) - still jet lagged. Both were amazing itineraries, both have wonderful restaraunts and food, but the room appointment is far more superior on Seabourn, and the disposition of the staff on Seabourn is friendlier and more welcoming. They truly take to heart "attention to detail". The Silver Spirit decor is somewhat drab and needs some refurbishing in my opinion. Seabourn is crisp and clean.

I have been a Cruise Critic Member for a number of years and rather than do any posts I like to to be entertained and informed by the many other members with their experiences and comments but I now feel I must comment on Silversea attitude to it's Venetian Society Members

I have sailed over 500 days with Silversea and now feel rather let down by them with their on-board booking discounts. We always used to have at least 12 future cruise booked with Silversea for up to 2 years in advance, depending when they produced their future cruise programe. We used our travel agent shore side for most bookings and after we had done a booking we received our on board booking discount when we did our next cruise but no longer, now all you receive is an on board credit for use on that cruise, which to us is no use as we have been to most ports before and have done all the tours we wish to do, you can only eat in the Champagne a couple of time each cruise and for other paying restaurants we do not use the Silver Spirit, 60 days was enough and we do not use the spar, So apart of trying to spend in the shop, which is very difficult when you consider their range, we have no use for the on board credit.

Silversea are trying to get us to book on board but also now I understand from other postings that there are many "blackout cruises" when an on board discount is not offered

We certainly get other benefits,early embarkation, chocolates etc.,in the suite but these could disappear.Other noticeable things that have changed

are flowers in the bar, all gone, not your 6 star.

Silversea is certainly not tempting Venetian Society Cruisers to return in fact we are now going to other cruise lines and have managed to do over 120 days with RSSC and have just booked our first cruise with Tauck and are looking at Seabourn

Up to now we have always used Silversea but they seen to be driving us away. At the moment we have 9 cruise booked with them but we are now booking elsewhere

The Cloud situation is also very worrying,in July in Norway the ship completely broke down once,lost all electrics at sea and on numerous occasions the companion ways and suites were flooded with sweet water and guests had to be moved, suites 638 and 640 had problems at night with noise from the swimming pool equipment, we were moved and I had a letter with our compensation confirming that the ship knew that there was a problem. Whilst we were on board they stopped the swimming pool equipment at night

We are off in a couple of days for a 4 cruise back to back on the Cloud and all the other 5 cruises are again on the Cloud, as it is ,even with all the problems our favorite Silversea ship, I must have my head in the sand. We are on over Christmas and I will certainly contact duct tape and introduce myself so we can grouse together as I see you will be on board and like me

you enjoy the Cloud

Sorry but I do not know all the abbreviations that regular contributors use I must post more regularly

We just got off the Silver Spirit )Penthouse suite and travelled with Seabourn Sojourn last May in the Penthouse Suite. Seabourn is far superior in room appointments, staff disposition, and I believe you would not be making a mistake trying Seabourn. Seabourn is now our luxury ship of choice..between the two.