SDuckers

Our experience on our first Seabourn cruise, in the Mediterranean, was similar.  We mostly did our own excursions using Tours by Locals and much preferred the private guide (at a fraction of the cost) to what we heard our fellow cruisers experienced with Seabourn tours.  On that cruise we did use the Seabourn excursion to go to Florence (because of concern that if there was an issue getting back on time, we were better off with a Seabourn-booked tour), but felt it was highly overpriced for what was essentially just transportation to Florence.  Other Seabourn cruises (particularly in Alaska) have been a mixture of good/fair priced or unique experiences.  I think it's wise to consider both Seabourn-booked, and book-on-your-own on every cruise.

If you want a good read before going to Malta, I highly recommend this book of historical fiction.  It really helped me enjoy our visit there.  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0304358444/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Title:  The Kappillan of Malta

2 hours ago, SLSD said:

So they leave the bag OUTSIDE your suite rather than inside?  Is that the usual?

Not sure.  The first time we used them, the bag was in our suite when we got on the ship.  The second time, we boarded pretty early in the embarkation time so I think the LF bags got added to bags that were just checked in at check-in time on the pier, and everyone's bags were left outside their room (whether LF or just regular check-in time bags).

1 hour ago, SLSD said:

It does give me some comfort.  We'll hope for a good experience.  By the way, we should expect the bag shipped with Luggage Forward to appear in our suite.  Is that correct?

That has been our experience, although one time we did find our bag outside a room two doors down the hall from ours.  No big deal.  

We've use LF twice -- once round trip and once out-bound only.  We intend to use it again on our next cruise (a crossing from Miami to Lisbon), because after we arrive in Lisbon, we intend to do additional travel and don't want to drag our bigger bag around with us on those last few days.  I will just take hope that SharkB8 has just been bitten more than average 🙂

1 hour ago, PaulMCO said:

Maybe it is just me -- 🙂   But me and the better half thought the Oyster Farm was pretty lame.  You taste a few free ones, but if you wanted to indulge $$$.  The same oysters from the same farm were cheaper in town.

 

The highlight is the various zodiac tours.  Do not miss them. 

Thanks for the correction up above that it was Ketchikan, not Haines.  We were lucky with the weather the day we went.  It was a beautiful blue-sky day and not all that chilly, so the boat ride out to the oyster farm was also a highlight.  I loved seeing the growing process, but if you are only in it for the oyster eating, you're right, it's probably cheaper in town.

We failed to book ahead on the zodiac tours, so only were able to book one on the last day, and it ended up getting cancelled due to the fog.  So be wiser than we were on pre-booking!

18 hours ago, Ithikan said:

We will be first-time Seabourn sailors this September, and wonder if the ship supplies free shuttles into town, (specifically Juneau).  Any thoughts on not-to-be-missed excursions are also very welcome.  Thanks in advance -

We took the Vancouver-Juneau-Vancouver cruise last September.  My favorite excursion was to the sled dog training facility, where we got to ride on a (wheeled) sled pulled by the sled dogs and also play with the puppies there.  It was rather chilly and very rainy that day, but still a lot of fun.  We also did an excursion (at Haines, I think) where we went out to oyster beds and got to see the whole oyster growing process and then eat fresh oysters right out of the water.  Really yummy.

I love the Observation Bar at cocktail time!  DH and I set a standing order for caviar to be delivered to us there at 6 pm each night.  The piano player is always good and the view can't be beat.

Earth & Ocean (the patio grill by the pool during the day) has wonderful food each night.  The menu is very limited (usually a choice of 3 different appetizers and 3 different entrees) but wonderfully executed and inventive.

We are fans of trivia and enjoy joining a fun team that has a mix of experience but that doesn't get *too* serious about the game.

Seabourn Square is a great place to hang out.  Relatively quiet during the day time (except when trivia is going on), there's usually a jigsaw puzzle to work on, great view out to the back of the ship.

4 hours ago, RoyalShock said:

Did you already have reservations for later times?  I'm curious, since I did go ahead and reserve for 8:30, if they would also change the reservation or if I should cancel the ones I made for 8:30, if that's even allowed on the website/app.

My TA had signed us up for "my time dining" so we didn't have previous reservations.

We were just on the Allure last week.  After we got on the ship, I went to the MDR and got standing reservations for 6:45 each night.  We were mostly at the same table and wait staff each night.  There usually was a bit of a line before getting seated each night, but no  more than 5 minute wait.

16 hours ago, Vineyard View said:

Okay. That makes sense. I am only concerned with having an outlet for a cpap machine and separate one for phones and iPads. Not packing hair dryer and hoping not to regret that! 

There is an outlet by the bed that you can use for the CPAP, but it does need an adapter for US plugs.  We asked our cabin attendant and she got it for us right away.  Now I just remember to pack one.

20 hours ago, SLSD said:

I honestly believe that the door, cabinet, veranda door slammers do not realize the noise they are making and how it bothers others.  If they have not cruised SB before, they may not realize how easily the doors slam.  It does take some purposeful care to not let them slam.  If the staff is not willing to give them a note about it, why not slip one yourself into their note holder outside their door?  I do think most people would be embarrassed and vow to do better.  

 

Why do I think this? Because Mr. SLSD can be an offender.  He can be oblivious.  But, when I explained to him how important it is to close the doors with care--he was mightily embarrassed as he always aims to be polite and not bother others.  I'll have to remind him again when we sail this summer as he will once again be oblivious.  

Ditto regarding my husband being oblivious about such things.  A gentle reminder usually suffices.  Similarly, on our Alaskan cruise, we didn't realize that the light on our balcony was turned on and remained on overnight.  Our next door neighbors left us a polite note asking us to check it, which we gladly did.  The switch is behind the curtain and we just were not aware of it.  

I am curious of the logistics for these poor folks getting their passports replaced.  Normally the protocol would be to go to your country's embassy to process a replacement.  But if the ship is leaving port, do they have time to do that?

20 hours ago, binro01 said:

I am looking for some suggestions for dinner on Friday and Saturday, and if anyone is going to be sailing with us, please feel free to chime in if you want to grab a bite to eat and do some pre-cruise drinks with us! Might as well get this party started early!

We are officially 5 days and a wake up away from jetting out to Texas!
 

 

We have a beach house in Galveston, so we eat out there often.  Our favorite place is called "Cajun Greek" on 61st near Stewart.  Wonderful seafood, the best boiled crawfish around, and their seafood chowder is really delicious.  Another good place, near the Strand area, is Black Pearl.  Be advised that their "appetizer" portion sizes are HUGE.  DH and I typically just split one.  If you want to go high-end, Rudy and Paco's near the Opera House is outstanding.  As far as TexMex, sadly in my opinion none of the places on the island are that good.  Everyone recommends The Original Mexican Restaurant, but I think it's mediocre at best and the service is horrid.  On the Seawall, the Gumbo Diner is very good.  Again, their portion sizes are huge.  It's a small place so there can sometimes be a wait.  Then there is always the classic Gaido's.  It's been around forever and it's a bit touristy (and pricy) but their seafood is as fresh as it comes.

On our Alaskan cruise last fall, all the fishing trip excursions sold out well before the cruise, as did most of the Zodiac excursions.  We were able to book one Zodiac excursion on board, but then it got cancelled due to foggy conditions.  That was a bummer.

We have used Luggage Forwarding twice now (once outbound only, and once round trip) and had almost no problems at all.  They scan the bar code on the luggage tag at pick up and you then can log in and track the bag's progress.  The only issues we had were (1) when we opened the bag on the ship in Barbados, DH's dress shirt that was packed on the very top was soaking wet.  Oddly, nothing else in the bag was even damp.  We never could figure out how that happened, other than maybe the bag was left out briefly in the rain and that one shirt soaked it all up.  Seabourn washed and ironed it at no charge.  (2) taking the bag for drop off on our return from Vancouver was sort of a PITA.  It was a LONG walk, and somewhat confusing to find where we were supposed to take it.  I would have thought Seabourn could arrange for Luggage Forwarding to pick the bags up from the ship.  Other than that, I loved not having to schlep around our big duffel for the day and a half prior to boarding the ship.  Having just our carry on bags allowed us to take the train from the airport to the hotel since walking a few blocks was no big deal with just rolling carry on bags.

  I did pack my cruise-approved electric/USB plug (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BBMQTZFR?ref=ppx_pop_dt_b_product_details&th=1) which I love and is allowed.  I also use the vacuum seal bags (you roll up the bags to push the air out -- no vacuum required) which saves a ton of space.  I also try to minimize as much as possible the number of shoes I bring.  That's the hardest part!  DH's (huge) shoes are a great place to stuff socks, underwear and other small miscellaneous stuff.

For my carry on, always pack meds and at least two changes of clothes that can be mixed and matched.  Plus a lightweight rain jacket and hat.

With regard to plaxlovid (sp), before our Alaskan cruise I asked my doctor about getting an RX of it just in case.  Since DH and I are both on blood pressure meds, she recommended against taking it, because if you take it, you have to discontinue your blood pressure meds while taking plaxlovid.  Just something to consider.

I have Bailey's regularly on the ship.  It may be they just don't list all the liqueurs like they do hard spirits like Vodka or Bourbon.

On 4/5/2023 at 11:58 AM, MBP&O2/O said:

What about places like Alaska where many excursions are small boat based and the ship is in the middle of a fjord away from land? Or do they use shore based companies to supply the kayaks and zodiacs?

Seabourn uses the marina off the ship to send out the Zodiacs in Alaska.  But you don't get to go play in the water!

So jealous about the sweetbreads!  I am definitely going to ask about having that on our next cruise!

We've used Luggage Forwarding twice now.  Once on the outbound only, to Barbados.  The other both outbound and returning on our Alaska cruise.  We had zero problems and loved the convenience.  The risk of the luggage not making the ship is not any more than taking it yourself and checking it on the airline.  Not having to hassle with schlepping the bags to and from the airport, not having to check bags and wait for them at the airport baggage claim was huge to us.  Also, we always try to arrive at least a day or two before a cruise, but the bag we shipped ahead contained stuff we would only need for the cruise.  So it was a bag we didn't have to mess with before we needed it.

It is a pricy convenience, but I will absolutely use it again.

15 hours ago, Mr Luxury said:

With fries?

LOL, no fries with the caviar.  But I do love them from the pool-side grill at lunch!

On 3/7/2023 at 4:00 PM, johng75370 said:

Over time they’ve gotten a lot better at how quickly they can serve caviar in the Obs Bar - they have some number of orders pre-staged there so they don’t have to specially order it.  A few years ago (at least our experience) there could be some delay but more recently it’s been pretty fast.  

My husband and I usually set a standing order for caviar for 2 at 6 pm in the Obs. bar and it's always there right on time.  Such a decadent treat!

Our family is planning a cruise out of Galveston on the Allure in May.  Our youngest child (age 21) is on the autism spectrum.  He is quite functional and verbal, but maturity level is more akin to a 14 or 15 year old.  I am intrigued with the teen activities they have on board because I think our son would really enjoy them.  I am wondering if it is possible to get permission for him to participate in some of those, even though chronologically he isn't a teen.  I will also be asking RCCL guest services, but I hoped maybe someone reading here had experiences they could share.

Such amazing pictures!  Thank you for sharing!  You need to get some foie gras to go with that Saturnes!

1 hour ago, SLSD said:

I just don't believe that.  On our SB Alaskan cruise, 95% of the passengers wore the SB jackets.  They worked very very well.  Yes, there are the outliers who prefer their own jacket.  I see this as a cost cutting measure.  

Totally agree it is likely a cost-cutting measure.  I love our Seabourn jackets and was happy not to have to pack one out-bound.  It was a bit challenging to find space to pack them on our return, but I wanted to keep them and have worn them this winter here in Houston!

I find this whole thread quite funny.  Nothing blows up CruiseCritic more than discussions of wardrobe standards.  Honestly, unless someone is wearing really raggedy jeans or swim attire in the MDR, I can't say as I really notice much of what anyone else is wearing.  I've paid a bit more attention to what people wear on "Formal Optional" nights, just because I am mildly curious to see how many folks get really "formal" as opposed to just slightly dressier.