Mahogany

8 hours ago, florisdekort said:

Love TKG. Never book online before departure, always on board. Ate their >15 times on our 168 night world cruise earlier this year, never had the same menu item; there are always delicious daily specials. And despite all the complaining on here, it sells out every night… 

What ship was the World Cruise? One of the Odyssey class? The TKG is a lot smaller, and yes fills up nightly. Not so much on the larger ships, but that could be because of staffing shortage. BTW I LIKE, not LOVE, the TKG. 🙂

I called Seabourn today to ask why it was not possible to book TK Grill online or through a phone call. While onboard Ovation in April, I booked Encore for 25 days next spring. When I returned home I tried to book dinner rez, was told "unavailable at this time", called and asked if there was a new venue. "oh no!" was the answer, just book when onboard. I know all this, just called today to see if I got a different answer. Nope.

I know we've discussed this before but am just waiting for the first passenger to mention construction, or the appearance of a new theme in that location.

So, just wondering if anyone onboard now has any news. I for one am ready for something else without a "restaurant dictator" in charge.

On 10/1/2023 at 7:04 PM, crickette said:

Jawlaw

 

A few months ago we were in 1119, immediately next door to the stateroom you have.

 

There are very few staterooms in that section, thus the only people you see in the hallway are your neighbours. Extremely quiet because at one end there is a door leading to a balcony over looking the pool and at the other end the observation lounge. Absolutely no noise from the lounge or the Retreat.

 

We almost always used the stairs and because of the ships layout you are constantly going up and down and then along the length of a corridor to go any where. The ship is weird because they crammed in an extra deck without adding any height to the original designed ships of this class, thus the ceilings are extremely low. DH is tall and he did not like this feature.

 

1117 in reality is quite near mid-ship even though you think you are quite forward.

 

Depending on the seas you might get movement being on deck 11. For us, over 30 days on board Dubai to Singapore, movement was never a problem.

 

The waiters in the lounge knew us very well, provided excellent service as they saw us in hallway all the time. Other passengers who came to the lounge never came down the hallway. All they did was use the elevator.

 

This ship has weird doorways/hallways.  The doors are at a peculiar angle to the walls, and with the hallways being on the narrow side, you and the crew members will find it difficult to go in and out when carrying anything.

 

If sea sickness is not a problem for you 1117 is a great location.

I haven't been on Encore in a few years, but was on Ovation this year, same class. Don't remember low ceilings and slanted doors. Is that only on Deck 11? I too will be on deck 11 next year and now a bit concerned after reading your answer.

4 hours ago, Mr Luxury said:

I have lost count of the times that a cruise company has put a spanner in the works and messed up a booking or details regarding a booking.

I don't have anything to do with a cruise company involving booking anymore.

I have my very experienced TA look after the whole thing.

I turn up at a reasonable time to board that suits me although I am considerate and don't turn up at silly o'clock demanding to board like the last time when two ladies tried to board the Pursuit in Barcelona at 09.00 

Us Diamond Elite folks get on without any fuss anyway.😀

Why do you feel obliged to often remind us of your elitism? 😬

Just booked, but switched from deck 8 because I was just below the zodiacs and worried that lowering them first thing in the morning might be a bit noisy (but not on 5 sea days!) 🙂

I am considering this repositioning cruise next fall, 5 sea days, then 3 Caribbean ports. 

My question regards the remote (to my way of thinking) location of the airport. But since it is a port stop, and non-Canadian passengers may be debarking as well as embarking, I imagine we will all get there. 

I posted a week ago wondering if there were many solos on the expedition ships.; now I'm more serious, and though expedition sailing is no longer my thing, I am anxious to see this class of ship.

Still a year off, but anyone else considering this 10-day voyage?

I have done both, and yes, they are both great. To me a main difference is that there is no hunting in Antarctica, so the chances of seeing wildlife are greater. I did see A polar bear on an ice floe, but some visitors never see one. 

6 hours ago, Silver Spectre said:

The LP replacement

Now, that makes sense. I thought you were unhappy with the orchid!

10 hours ago, Silver Spectre said:

Now this was a huge shock, I haven’t seen this stuff in my suite since about 2010! I just hope it’s not another cost cutting measure.

 

10 hours ago, Silver Spectre said:

Now this was a huge shock, I haven’t seen this stuff in my suite since about 2010! I just hope it’s not another cost cutting measure.

 

Sorry, I don't understand. Are you pleased or not?

And if you "are looking for it" and don't see it, then you won't do it? 😉

I think your examples of Vegas visits and your own bar can't equate to the Seabourn experience. JMO

BTW, does anyone really know to whom the policy "Gratuities included" applies? Just the people you see?

This happened before your cruise or while on board?

I just returned from 24 days on the Dawn. I was surprised at how few passengers tipped the excursion guides. Is tipping mainly an American thing (I am American)? I always tip in local currency if I have it, but often it's not worth buying local if you're only visiting the port for a day.

To those of you on board, have you noticed any solo passengers? I travel solo, and would not participate in the strenuous excursions, but am curious about the ship. I've been to the Arctic and Antarctica, but there might be more itineraries which would interest me. I imagine it might be more difficult to meet passengers since there are probably no hosted dinners or other opportunities to meet fellow passengers.

I recall being on a larger ship years ago, maybe Cunard, maybe RCCL, and buying a bottle of, I think, Grand Marnier, because the price was so good, tax free and all. The ship held it and delivered it or I had to pick it up right before debark. As I say, details fuzzy, but definitely did it.

On 8/30/2023 at 8:39 AM, SLSD said:

We really like the restaurant at lunch and have had consistently great food there at lunch.  I think many would enjoy it.  It is not at all like "feeding at the trough" as one of our Seabourn friends calls the buffet in the Colonnade.  One of my favoirte dishes was a Mongolian beef stir fry.  There is always shrimp cocktail, good salads, different entrees and desserts.  Lunch in the restaurant is part of what makes our SB cruises a luxury experience.  For us, it is very much worth it.  Everyone is different.  On our June Ovation cruise, both breakfast and lunch were well attended in the Restaurant.  

I'm confused. I know SLSD likes the restaurant at lunch on the classic ships. But didn't know you'd been on the Venture which I think is the subject here. Or am I really confused?

I think the comments, positive and negative, depend so much on whom Blacklane outsources the transfers to. My experience to/from home/airport (Orlando) was so positive, I took their card to use them for other rides (e.g., SS transatlantic cruise that ends in Fort Lauderdale), including home to airports. Only 6 drivers and I was in a Mercedes the first time, and then last night in a BMW 7 series.

Just checked with my TA, and want to clear up my misunderstanding. Yes, you can use Silversea’s hotel package with independent air, just not the transfers if not using the hotel.

1 hour ago, canderson said:

Another data point:  We will be on Dawn in November and will be arriving 4 days ahead, not the usual max 3 that SS allows.  We paid the $150 for the deviation, and booked our 1st night at the same hotel that SS booked for us for the 3 ahead ... and they have agreed to have is picked up at the airport for hotel transfer.

Is this for the crossing from Lisbon? I will have my TA call again and see if I can get the hotel package at Tivoli (right?). Stayed there before a Viking crossing. Good location, but I prefer the Ritz overlooking the park.

24 minutes ago, Randyk47 said:

Is that a change in policy or just this cruise?   In the past, before the door-to-door or port-to-port options, we always booked our own flights but occasionally have used Silversea hotels without an issue.  Our next cruise we went full door-to-door for the first because the quote we got for the air portion was very close to what we could book ourselves and it just seemed simpler and cleaner to let Silversea handle all the arrangements.  The future cruise consultant sold us on the full package.  Again, this will be our first cruise using that option and we didn’t research all the ins and outs while on the Dawn.   

I’m currently on Dawn and booked d2d but deviated Air so lost out on airport-hotel-ship transfers and was told no credit for unused transfers except Blacklane, so for Dawn in November and Silver Ray next fall, I’m doing p2p. I understand days sailed on p2p don’t count toward benefits, so I guess I’ll never get to 350 days for a free cruise. 😏 BTW, I have a free cruise with Seabourn after 150 days - big difference.

I think comparing SS air vs DIY is valid when looking at d2d or p2p, but Air on a crossing for a U.S. passenger isn’t as dear as Europe both ways.

On 9/3/2023 at 5:17 PM, canderson said:

Here's where they are putting us up in November.  Perhaps the same?

 

https://www.nh-hotels.com/en/hotel/tivoli-avenida-liberdade-lisboa

 

Couldn’t book hotel with SS for November crossing because I booked Air independently.

Just now, Mahogany said:

Connemara. Was there years ago to play golf, but pouring rain. At least the weather was lovely. I agree that the buses have been too full on most tours and on previous cruise in Norway.

On 9/1/2023 at 3:56 PM, Lois R said:

And on the way back we drove through a beachy resort area called Salt Hill. Looks so cute and compact and easily walkable. I  never do land trips anymore but could see myself staying here for few nights. It was lovely.

Oh, it was Canamara.

Revamping the TKG to become a G without TK involvement?

6 hours ago, Mr Luxury said:

Please don't come to our suite as we have been doing this far longer than you and are quite capable of making a dinner reservation,unpacking our cases and folding my underpants and putting them in a draw.

One less person to tip if Butler never shows up 🙂

I am currently in Southampton on SS Dawn to start the second half of a B2B Copenhagen RT. The last 12 days have been in Norway, and since I was on Ovation for a month in the spring, I feel I can compare the two cruise lines.

Susan, you might appreciate the effort SS has taken in La Terrazza, their breakfast and lunch “buffet” (Italian at dinner). Food is in a separate room with 3 hand washing stations at the entrance and then a staff member hands you a plate. You can’t force passengers to wash, though! 😷

Seabourn Square is a friendlier, more private experience than SS Reception.

SS has a total of 9 food venues, French La Dame and dinner at Kaiseki an up-charge. The MDR Atlantide was open for B & L on port days with few patrons.

The Grill where you can (or not) cook your own meats or fish, has heaters; so does Spaccanapoli, best pizza at sea.

Veranda sizes are the same on both lines. Butler is available but not obtrusive.

Entertainment: Seabourn is better, though we had a guest soloist Christine Andreas who gave 2 excellent performances. Also had 2  very knowledgeable speakers, one a diplomat and the other a destination specialist.

So, which line do I prefer? Honestly, it’s a tossup. I have another Dawn booking this year and Encore next spring, so obviously I like both. And will continue to view itineraries on both and Regent. Just wish Seabourn would build a new classic, not an expedition, ship.