SLSD

I totally get it. The two should not be joined--but that is our opinion. There is no guarantee that they will not be joined. At least on HAL the MDR was open for breakfast and luncn. Who knows how Carnival will handle things. All I can say is that is it hard to foret getting an email congratulating us for sailing with Holland America when we were booked on a Seabourn voyage.

I toured The Retreat early on when Encore was a brand new ship. One of the things that I was put off by was the lack of an open view of the ocean. Perhaps that is overcome by the serenity, great service, special champagne etc? Could you describe the meals served at The Retreat?

Hmm...on our recent cruise in August, the time for dining in the MDR was moved up to an earlier time. When we arrived at our usual time, we were shocked at how many guests were already seated. And yes, there were games--Name that Tune, The Liars Club, and some I do not remember the names of. I don't think the clientele is as different as many think. Of course I could be wrong. It will be interesting to see what happens over the next two years. I hate to see a decline in quality for things like cognac. It you want a better quality, you will have to pay extra. The idea of all inclusive is beginning to look very unclear. In other words, if you want luxury, you will need to pay extra. Don't get me wrong, we had a great time from July 27th until August 24th this past summer. But, there were certain aspects of the experience that did not exude luxury.

I've never been on a Holland America cruise, but I have met plenty of people on Seabourn cruises who have. And, with Holland now offering some of the same kinds of amenities as Seabourn--and both being run by the same office, I can see a change in the target market.

I am not so sure that the targeted markets are so different. We have seen the clientele on Seabourn change quite a bit over the years we have sailed with them. And I have read that those who have sailed with Holland have spent almost as much once they add on certain amenities and levels of suite. We'll just have to wait and see. I will say that I am not convinced that Seabourn is committed to a luxury product. I'm willing to sit back and watch to see what happens.

I saw galeforce's additional photos on a Seabourn FB group.

I've been reading all the posts about the disappearing cognacs that long time Seabourn cruisers are accustomed to. The worsening complimentary wine lists, etc. And I remember that shortly before our 28 day Seabourn cruise of July/August 2024, we received an email about our "Holland America" cruise. There was no retraction or apology for that "mistake". We all know about the financial straits. We see the changes in entertainment that are already underway--all the singers also have to be dancers--a watering down of talent. We also see the reluctance of Seabourn to provide a true luxury experience when it comes to dining--it is always iffy if the MDR will be open for breakfast and lunch. There is no advertisement of caviar--you have to know to order it--perhaps they are hoping that that will die out. There are more and more "add on" costs--the Retreat, the wine tastings, the special dinners you pay extra for. I have no idea if my idea is correct, but it is something to think about. I don't have a dog in this fight. Mr. SLSD and I only cruise once a year (longer cruises, but still--just once a year). We are just as happy to take land vacations. We loved our summer 2024 Sojourn cruise, but we saw a few things which gave us pause. We haven't booked another cruise yet.

Yes, but I envision Holland charging more for Seabourn than Holland--to cover that margin. Just a thought. It may well not be what is going to happen, but the changing of some Holland amenities made me think about this.

Here's what i wonder. Is it even possible that Carnival will merge Holland and Seabourn with similar amenities, the same menus, the same alcohol, etc--but will charge more for the "former" Seabourn ships as the experience there will be more intimate. Tell me that this will not happen or, if you think this might be a possibility.

No one is going to turn you away in the MDR in the jeans you describe.

I thought it wasn't possible, but you have!! I also saw the photos you posted in that other social media group. I've always trusted your reports here. By the way, we are STILL thinking about our day outside of Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands.

Do you have to wait until you are on the ship to book The Retreat? Or, can you book it ahead of time. We have never really considered booking it at all and haven't. gone on a warm weather cruise in a few years. But, we might consider trying the Retreat. I am just a bit intrigued.

This is the area of the unknown. On our Seabourn voyages, we have always seen more than this number both at breakfast and at lunch in the MDR. I even asked some days on our last cruise for the numbers at lunch. On one day, as we were leaving lunch, I was told that the number of diners so far had ben 57. I should never need to trouble myself with asking for numbers on a luxury cruise. All I can say is that any luxury line must provide a non buffet option at breakfast and at lunch for its guests. This is very important to us. We don't do buffets and on some days the weather prevents lunch at the Patio or at the Colannade outdoors (we don't dine indoors there, the ambience is terrible). Quite frankly, this issue is so important to us that it makes us pause before booking another cruise. No big deal, we can do land vacations--and do plan those as well. Ambience is everything to us when it comes to dining. We are all different in what we value. But we DO expect choices on a luxury cruise. One added comment--so many are up in arms about complimentary wines and other things like cognac. I'm right there with you with these complaints, but ambience in dining and choices for breakfast that are not buffets or in the cafeteria looking Colannade are just as important to us. We do expect a luxury experience--which is not the same for every guest. Seabourn KNOWS this--now, they need to deliver--for all of us. It is NOT that hard. They know what it takes--decent wines and appropriate venues for dining. Absent this--we may elect to travel on land. The options are great.

For us, the Restaurant being open for breakfast is a huge value. You have to understand that we are not all alike in what we value. I've seen way more than 2 or 3 tables occupied at breakfast. .

I have no idea why it matters how long the cruise is---but the same metric is used for other things. For example: whether or not there is a Galley lunch and certain other typical SB activities. And, the three times my husband and I decided to go to the Sky Bar on our 28 day cruise, it was closed (even though the Herald said it was open). We didn't go there after those three times, so I have no idea if it was open at other times. I don't know if the opening of The Restaurant at breakfast and lunch is up to the Hotel Director or not. On our cruise, early on, I put in a written request for it to be open. Of course I realize that SB does not care what I want in this respect. I was happy when, a few days later, it did open for breakfast and lunch for the rest of our cruise. But getting back to the policy---effectively it means that if you book a long cruise, you still won't be able to enjoy certain amenities IF your cruise has been divided by Seabourn into shorter segments. Most cruises ARE divided into shorter segments because they are easier to sell.

Let's see--I was told that the MDR would be open for breakfast and lunch on itineraries longer than 7 days. And then someone said it was NOT open on their 10 day cruise. To tell you the truth, we are told something different every time we cruise.

This is all great. news!! We did enjoy our time on Sojourn this summer. I hope you are enjoying lunch in the Restaurant!

That is a shame as our steaks at Earth and Ocean in July/August on Sojourn were really good.

Interesting. I had overcooked salmon on Ovation last summer when I ordered medium rare. This summer on Sojourn, all fish cooked as I asked --medium rare. I think the issue that you describe happens--but not always. I was prepared this summer to send back anything overcooked fish or meat--but it did not happen. I was relieved, but see I will need to remain vigilant.

I applaud the way you do things--both looking at the overall experience and spending time before and after a cruise to enjoy an area in a bit more depth. We try to do the same thing--but had to rush home after our cruise this summer as we had already been away for a month. We are going to plan differently next time. And yes, we would have loved at least two more days in Bergen--maybe three or four leisurely days.

I think it is reasonable to expect consistency across the fleet of ships.

Your experience further supports my comment that Seabourn should not be marketing long cruises (and they market them by name) if they cannot support their customers who are willing and able to book these longer cruises.

All that you say is true. Seabourn's parent company has a huge debt and they are looking for ways to save money and create more profits. We all understand that. Honestly, I thought the complimentary wines on Sojourn in July and August this year were a step up from last year's offerings on Ovation. I am not very picky about wines, but do know when they are decent. As far as Solis goes, the premium wines (revenue wines) were NOT pushed on our 28 day voyage. There was no mention of them in Solis and I did not feel the premium wine list was in our faces at all. I may well be an outlier among Seabourn cruisers, but while the complimentary wines were not "fine" wines, they were decent. I do suggest that Seabourn should drop the "fine wine" descriptor in their marketing and advertise that they offer "complimentary wines".

Since I love Eze, i really like the sound of your port. I have a quibble with treatnig people that have booked a cruise marketed by Seabourn as a 14 days cruise, a 28 day cruise (or longer) as if they are on a 7n day cruise. I don't care about the block party, but other events should be part of a cruise marketed to many as a longer cruise. It should not be up to the cruise buyer to determine if they are really going on a series of 7 day cruises. The also affects the SOURCE which will only show you your current segment even if you have booked a longer cruise which was MARKETED as a longer cruise. I don't think SB should advertise 14 day cruises and longer if they are really selling 7 day cruises and treating them as such.

Great report Hank. Mr. SLSD and I have had suites on decks 5, 6, 7 and 8 on our various Seasbourn cruises. We prefer 5 and 6. Up until our cruise this summer, I did not realize how convenient deck 5 is. The partially metal railing on the veranda is a total nonissue.