Mahogany

And I can understand their wish to reduce the paper flow. Why not dispense with those notices to scoop up those great deals on gems and watches in the Boutiques!!

For those of you who've sailed and reported not receiving a daily Herald, I have good news. I emailed Seabourn and received an answer 10 days later (frankly I was pleasantly surprised that they did). 

On my upcoming Odyssey voyage, the Herald will be left on the bed during evening turn-down (as in the past), and if not, I am to contact Seabourn Square. I know many of you primarily use digital means of communication, but I am pleased I will not have to sign into Source, and squint at the small print on my phone - yeah, I'm old! And there's a paper reminder of goings-on to keep if you wish.

At present, there are two levels of internet access. For the occasional search, checking email, etc., yes, that is complimentary; an upgrade to stream is available at a cost.

Didn't think there was a TK bar on the smaller ships.

And on Formal Night Optional, are cruisers allowed throughout the ship (Grand Salon, the Casino) in shorts?

Is a dry dock stop also a way to change staff? Or is a full complement of crew onboard during a 2-week dry dock?

Yes, CruiseMapper shows Odyssey in Curacao.

23 hours ago, ImpulsiveTraveler said:

Hi Mahogany, I am in Florida and on the April 16th Aruba to Miami cruise too. Where are you in FL? Luckily, we get free PCR tests in FL... That helps so much! 

 

My name is Fiona and I live in New Smyrna Beach. I am going to Aruba 3 days before sailing, so I have to get my PCR test ($125) in Aruba. Fortunately my hotel is offering them, mostly for tourists entering the US. Hope to see you onboard

I guess I didn't make myself clear. On all my Regent cruises, traveling solo has resulted in many enjoyable dinners arranged by the Social Hostess. I was referring to esther e's post about not allowing sharing on Celebrity Apex which I have reserved for next April. No sharing, no go!

I too am boarding in Aruba on April 16. Don't you love the changing protocol? Now need a PCR test. Stay tuned for further ????

23 hours ago, esther e said:

One of the main reasons I like cruising is to be able to have dinner with different people and possibly make new friends. I am right now on a celebrity cruise that has a policy of no sharing. As a solo there is nothing more depressing than sitting at a table dining by yourself 

 

My question is does regent allow sharing for solo? I have a reservation with them for next year but if they have the same policy then I’m canceling. Maybe it’s because of Covid but for me and it’s just not pleasant. 

I'm Platinum on Regent so has been on many voyages. I have a reservation for next year on Celebrity Apex in Retreat. If they prohibit sharing a table, I will cancel. I travel solo and enjoy sharing tables on Regent that are usually arranged by the Social Hostess or Assistant Cruise Director.

I LOVE Terry Breen! How long ago was this? My memories of sailing with her are long ago. Such a delight - bright, personable, informative. I'd love to know what she's doing now.

On 3/28/2022 at 7:57 AM, DavidTheWonderer said:

My transit on Mariner had Terry Breen on board.  She pointed out that the view from the stern is also really interesting, seeing where you've been and who is following you. I wouldn't have thought of it, but as usual she was right.

What makes the Old Cuban so difficult to make at one of the bars? When I saw one being made at the TK bar on Encore, I didn't realize it was exclusive to that venue.

I am scheduled to be on Encore Sept. 4-25. What is your source?

Thanks for the comments. You're right, it can get pricey since I'll be on a 33-day voyage. But I believe I could try without and then later on select the Surf package which would have to be for the duration of the cruise. I'm glad to learn it's not as onerous as I thought to switch devices. I travel solo with 2 devices but sounds like you need to keep a device with you at all times to access daily activities. Are they still printing the daily schedule?

And apologies for Regent comment: I guess my status onboard entitles me to 4.

I will be boarding Odyssey in 3 weeks.

Can someone tell me the price of the premium internet package? I know it is based on the number of days, and I think you can sign up anytime through the end of the cruise.  A bit of a pain to have to log off on one device in order to use another. Regent allows 4 devices 😁So, if someone knows the approximate cost/day, I'd appreciate it.

I agree Seabourn Square is the go-to place for everything.

I just want to clarify what I think is the process. I don't believe the transfer of SBC is sent immediately to your cc for credit. I think the amount is credited to your onboard account, and at the end of the voyage, if there is a credit that is refundable, e.g., purchased shore excursions, then you will have a credit balance which will reflect on your next cc statement. So, you want to use up the non-refundable credit (from Seabourn) first.

Am I correct?

32 minutes ago, SLSD said:

About ordering liquor for your suite.  In any suite, you are given the choice to order two bottles.  My husband's requests have been made ahead of time by our TA and have always been honored.  We have never used up any bottle as we tend not to drink (much) in our suite--but it is my understanding that the bottles would be replaced if requested.  My husband orders Elijah Craig bourbon and it has appeared.  Now, I don't this the SB offer would extend to something super expensive (like Rip Van Winkle bourbon which is hard to get anywhere) but within reason, SB will make every effort to fulfill your request.  

Rip VanWinkle. Cute, I like that. On the suite preferences page with all the liquor, I just write in the blank space Mt Gay Rum and in the non-alcoholic area, Pellegrino water in the blank space. Easy peasy. And if it's wrong or absent when you board, just ask your suite attendant.

I know there's been a push to eliminate plastic on cruise ships.

Are individual bottles of water still dispensed before/during shore excursions? Or are passengers expected to bring with them refillable containers?

What's the method in suites? Metal containers, glass carafes replenished twice daily, or large quantity plastic bottles?

3 hours ago, marazul said:

That's on every night at TK.  It's good.

But as I recall, it's not what I think of when ordering Lobster Thermidor: in the shell (it was not), so presumably they only have lobster meat onboard, not whole lobsters.

I am about to join an O ship for the first time and am bemoaning no TK bar which I love on Ovation and Encore. But from postings, it sounds like the loss of the bar is made up with the intimacy of the Grill space. As a solo, I am always made to feel "cheap" for ordering included wines, but I refuse to be intimidated. Perhaps if enough loyal Seabourn passengers complain, the F&B honcho will persuade the TKG wine staff to be a bit more welcoming. Whom do they report to, a Seabourn manager or Thomas Keller?

I did read that Keller also has say on the music volume, but enough patrons complained that it's not screaming loud now. Must check next month when I board Odyssey.

On 2/14/2022 at 3:02 PM, hampshirelad said:

The ship will be swimming in booze ! We have never managed to consume the spirits and the rest that has been stocked in our suite bar. 

And if you don't finish it, they have to throw it out! I didn't expect opened bottles to be transferred to the bars, but I was hoping staff could have them. But I understand for health reasons, that's impossible. 

I have been known to pack an opened bottle in my luggage home 🙂

Markham, are you saying The Retreat isn't on the smaller ships? I'm on Odyssey in April, and the deck plan shows it, much to my disappointment. I attended a cocktail party on Ovation there, and for a few hours, it was fine, but for me, my opinion only, not worth the surcharge.

12 hours ago, markham said:

We have met lots of people playing shuffleboard and ping pong and golf putting on Quest, Odyssey and Sojourn. NONE of that is available on Encore and Ovation because that top deck space is wasted on the Retreat. It’s reminiscent of expensive or wanna be prestigious chain hotels with a VIP adults only area for a fee to separate and elevate those who like that kind of thing. 
 

My point is that the Retreat denies the vast majority of Seabourn passengers valuable outdoor space and those deck sports. Ironically on these 2 ships with 150 more passengers than the 3 sisters, and with LESS deck space per passenger. Which makes one wonder if there aren’t 2 brands on offer at Seabourn. To get $250 day for some head office scheme? Ridiculous and degrading to the original brand boasting egalitarian treatment and enjoyment for all passengers. 
 

It seems to me that if you want a bottle of special champagne, peace and quiet in the shade etc you can get that in your own suite. Without an up charge unless, of course, you had chosen to upgrade your cabin choice to PH or higher. Then when you’re rested and in the mood you could join a shuffleboard game.

 

Happy and healthy sailing!

I'm on the Odyssey April 16 from Aruba and have booked excursions for almost all the ports. Now you've got me worried that many of the ports will be canceled. As on now, the only change was Dominica replacing Guadeloupe.

The thread on the Seabourn site about Luggage Forward explains what today's problems are, with DHL, Covid, etc. that may be more accurate now than pre-Covid.