Mahogany

When I sailed Viking Ocean, I would have preferred complimentary spirits to leather luggage tags.

3 hours ago, kjbacon said:

Our first small ship ocean experience was with Viking and we think very well of them. We tried Regent a couple years after and now prefer them.

 

We are getting ready to do a Viking river cruise followed by a Regent TA back to the states and our packets for both have just arrived. We received beautiful leather luggage tags from Viking and some thick paper punch out tags from Regent …

Your point?

On 10/2/2024 at 12:34 PM, SummersinSteamboat said:

I’m sorry but I have to wonder, where have these people who believe the food on Granduer is good been vacationing? Perhaps 30+ cruisers have become accustomed to the flavorless fare this ship feeds you..? I’m no foodie, yet these reviews saying how “wonderful” the dinning was makes me wonder…. Where have these folks been eating to think this is tasty, or even mid quality dinning?

I think that you forget you're eating in a venue that is larger than your normal restaurant where your dish may be tailored to your specific taste. When you are cooking for a large group, many will like it mild, some hot. I have never had a problem when ordering specifying that I would prefer my dish spicier than normal. Just ask.

4 hours ago, B-HQC said:

Personally I don't think Solis is a meaningful miss, can't comment on entertainment as I don't attend shows but the musician coverage in the Club / Obs bar is more or less the same. To me, the benefit of a newer, smaller ship far outweights these small downsides. A far bigger potential issue in my mind is the smaller amount of open deck space and loungers  for a warm weather cruise. But note I say potential as I have only ever been onboard during cold/coller weather expediiton voyages where this has never been a problem, and the average high temps for your voyage in April are unlikely to top 20c. 

 

The benefit of getting into smaller harbours would be convienence (closer/walking distance to the center of town) vs having to dock further away or tender - but it doesn't appear this is going to make a difference in any of the ports on your voyage.

 

On Venture last spring, I was disappointed that when we didn't dock, we were taken ashore by zodiac, not tender. When I asked the tender driver, she said, "but then, you would miss this experience!". Yeah, well, I WANTED to miss that experience of wind, sea spray, difficulty of entering and exiting the zodiac.  This voyage was from Spain to England

13 hours ago, tfred said:

They want to keep the “presently profitable “ loyal pax. Pax that just pay the cruise fare are not profitable unless they pay for add ons - better wine, spa, excursions. the cruise fare is “low margin “, it is the add ons that drive profit 
 

SB knows the habits of pax and what they buy. 21 day cruisers that only buy one spa treatment in that time is not a customer that they “ love”. My guess is that spending on board flattens on longer cruises as a rule. 
 

Solo pax are in the same category as they are only one person in a cabin that can hold 2 and could spend for 2. 
 

 

Not sure what you mean by "Solo pax are in the same category". What category is that? Of course we don't eat and drink for two, and suite probably needs less clean up with a solo. But if this is the case, then refuse to accommodate solos. Now, that comment would be worth a post of its own! 😄

9 hours ago, SLSD said:

No one contacted me.  What I posted was posted by Cruise Law News and I read it on Facebook.  They are the ones who received this communication from a member of the crew.  

I read the blog Cruise Law News. Right below this anonymous letter from a Seabourn crew member about the Seabourn Odyssey was an article about the unfortunate Villa-Vie Odyssey. Coincidence?

52 minutes ago, stan01 said:

 

Thanks for the feedback, and I'm glad to see that you saw some improvements in staff efficiency. 

 

Were they able to provide quick service at the Seabourn Square for morning coffee?  I'm hoping not to stand there in line for 15 minutes.  To be honest I will be bringing a large insulated mug and asking them to fill it with half-caf regular coffee then taking it up to the Observation Lounge which should now be even more peaceful in the morning :-).

 

If it's not a complicated order, and you don't mind their cup, you can order in advance on the app. Though you could order 2 or 3 to fill your large mug.

I never meant to imply that we Seabourn regulars do not choose to pay for extras like the Spa, upgraded wine, and expeditions. It was just the Retreat in the past has earned a reputation from some as elitest, an adjective not usually associated with Seabourn. But it's understandable that in warm weather, the pool may be crowded and noisy (lounge hog alert!), and passengers may be looking for a place other than their balcony with privacy and pampering.

With all these positive posts, sounds like Seabourn regulars have changed their minds about paying extra on their "inclusive" voyages.

On 9/9/2024 at 10:57 AM, forevertravel said:

We just tell our cabin steward what we want and it's delivered later in the day. However, on our last two cruises bottles of same spirits we had requested on prior cruises were waiting for us. That said, you can tell them to change whatever was delivered. We also tell our steward what mixes and/or sodas we want.

Does this go for bottled water, too? Like San Pellegrino? Can you request in advance?

13 hours ago, tv24 said:

Are your gratuities included?  And compare the stateroom size HAL vs. Seabourn.

Thought that was "included crew appreciation". If not, what is that?

I'm on the LA-Vancouver part. I presume spinnaker2 wasn't searching for solo fares, but was thinking jollyjones might. I travel solo, and just received a quote for the Canal portion. It wasn't very attractive, and though I've done the Canal 3 times, I would do it again, but not at this price. 😞

6 minutes ago, Lemorvan said:

Why have they listed the Louis Latour Ardèche wine twice in the same category?

To pad the list? Make it look longer, and think we might not notice? 🤣

Dos anyone know if Silversea is housing any passengers prior to the cruise? Although, if you are P2P, can't use the SS transportation hotel-ship anyway - or that was my experience in Lisbon.

On 9/13/2024 at 2:59 PM, DavidTheWonderer said:

For the Panama Canal transit, I recommend not staying in your cabin for most of it, regardless of where the cabin is. Sometimes you will want to be forward looking at where you're going, sometimes you will want to be aft looking at where you've been, and sometimes you will want to be looking over the side at the amazing lock structures and 'donkeys' helping pull your boat through.

This was advice given to us by the great Terry Breen who was on board for our crossing, and it served us very well I think.

Was this recent? I agree Terry Breen is the greatest. She said once she had hung up her sailor suit! I'm curious if you've seen her lately?

On 9/4/2024 at 2:18 PM, minntom said:

We had a similar disappointing cruise in the spring of '23 on a 6 week cruise from florida  around UK, France and Spain ending in Dover.   

1.   Food was bad in most venues and sometimes inedible, especially in Thomas Keller.   Main dining room served few, if any, cooked vegetables with mains.   requesting vegetable sides resulted in tasteless boiled glop.   

2. The suites and ship were generally top notch, for almost $1,000 a day i expected 6 star experiences. 

3.  Internet was throttled not allowing for wifi calling or texting on our phones without "upgrading". 

4.  Fitness directory was incompetent and showed late for first class we signed up for.   Made a 45 minute class 15 minutes.

5.  Coffee shop had minimal pastries most of which weren't as good as Pepperidge farm or Publix.

6.  I could go on but if you haven't decided against Seabourn by now you're who they're looking for.

 

 Even spent 40 minutes with new President explaining what i felt were inexpensive solutions.  While she appeared to be listening, given later reviews, nothing seems to have changed.   I believe the covid epidemic set the cruise industry on its tail and they're trying to recover by cutting costs and charging first class fares.     Would NEVER sail Seabourn again.  And while Crystal has been reborn as a good imitation of the former cruise line, it still is the only cruise line worth taking.

Wow, Debbie Downer! I wonder how many potential clients lost because of #6.At least there are still a lot of us who disagree with you - and don't get me going on Crystal!

I've a solution: $100/pp per day SBC to spend on the premium wine and spirits lists!!🍷🍸

My understanding is that when ETIAS goes into effect mid-2025, no passports will be stamped upon entry into the Schengen countries. Of course, you're leaving in March so doesn't apply. Just my 2 cents.

When the purser retains our passports onboard, are they stamped at each country we enter, even if we are not doing face-to-face?

1 hour ago, CascadeLakeGirl said:

Thank you, I did read that but was curious about real experiences. My TA told me to be prepared for gowns and tuxedos. Seemed a bit much for Alaska. 

Your TA doesn't seem to keep us with the changes on cruise lines.

On 8/25/2024 at 6:59 PM, H2O Polo Willie said:

Mahogany -

Having sailed a dozen cruises give or take, what we encountered on that segment of the Reykjavik to Southampton were hardly "strong seas".  So, if that is how Regent is going to excuse being late that is as one of my kids would say, "weak sauce".  If Regent cannot handle the type of seas we encountered on that trip, they are in real trouble and you could hear that claim on any normal cruise.  I know "strong seas" having experienced 27 foot swells and 50 mph winds crossing the Drake Passage on the Oceania Marina, a ship a few tons smaller.  It was a bumpy ride but not really an issue.  I bet we did not even have 6 foot seas if that!

On 8/25/2024 at 6:59 PM, H2O Polo Willie said:

Mahogany -

Having sailed a dozen cruises give or take, what we encountered on that segment of the Reykjavik to Southampton were hardly "strong seas".  So, if that is how Regent is going to excuse being late that is as one of my kids would say, "weak sauce".  If Regent cannot handle the type of seas we encountered on that trip, they are in real trouble and you could hear that claim on any normal cruise.  I know "strong seas" having experienced 27 foot swells and 50 mph winds crossing the Drake Passage on the Oceania Marina, a ship a few tons smaller.  It was a bumpy ride but not really an issue.  I bet we did not even have 6 foot seas if that!

I agree that the Captain's word to us of strong seas was not one I agreed with. Just quoting him. Having sailed the North Atlantic in December, I also know strong seas!

4 hours ago, SellaVee said:

I wouldn't even consider allowing Regent to book my hotel and transfers after this year, so I’m guessing we won’t be cruising with them again.

 

Last year's cruise to Norway with Oceania had something that made me feel happy pretty much every day.  This years cruise with Regent, although it had many great features, had too many niggles, like being told we were losing 8 1/4 hours in port because of a minor problem with Splendor, then missing our entry to Honfleur because despite cutting short our time in Antwerp, we didn't get there on time.

If this is the Reykjavik-Southampton voyage you're referencing. the "minor problem" was strong seas that prevented our entering the Seine when the tides were correct (high?).

6 hours ago, PaulaJK said:

A word to the wise…

We found reservations for La Dame and Silver Note impossibly difficult to make once on board. Also unsure how early SALT lab classes fill but my attempts to reserve 24-48 hrs in advance were unsuccessful. 
 

i am reluctant to use the word ‘spoil’ but will say that the dearth  of entertainment, whether in lounges or at the evening ‘show’ is a factor for us.

 

 

After the initial booking of SALT lab classes on embarkation day, I left my name with Reception and often received a space. Also, pays to show up at the class since often (rude) no shows don't call to cancel.

On 8/9/2024 at 11:30 AM, bubbulz said:

What in my post gave you the idea that I was implying that I expected formal attire on an expedition cruise? I knew very clearly what to expect and that is one reason (of many) I book expedition trips. Implying I don’t read is actually kind of rude. 

I said non-expedition (or classic). Of course you wouldn't expect formal attire on an expedition cruise. But there is no formal attire required on non-expedition ships.as well.

On 8/6/2024 at 9:20 AM, bubbulz said:

Much more casual (which is my personal preference) and definitely nothing formal. 

On the non-expedition ships, “definitely nothing formal” is acceptable. Where did you get the idea of “formal “? As other posters state, people don’t read the guidelines.

On 8/4/2024 at 1:25 PM, Archipelago said:

Was just checking and Regent has 71 voyages on offer for solo travellers many at 25%  ..have always had a great time solo on SS so I hope this is just a glitch in pricing but willing to try Regent 

I’m on Regent Splendor now on a 0% SS, category G. Just make sure you compare suite sizes. Mine is considerably smaller than Silversea  verandas .