SLSD

The ubiquitous seven day cruises are one of the things that concerns me the most. I do hope that there will be more cruises of at LEAST 14 days with no segments within the 14 days. I'm glad you contacted the President's office. Evidently, they did realize that your experience was not as expected.

This is very disappointing to hear. I get the feeling that the office staff of Seabourn is overwhelmed and not very knowledgeable. Is the Holland America staff doubling up with Seabourn? Or am I mistaken about that?

That is good to hear. It is fairly obvious that there are way too many cruise ships and so many huge ones. I applaud cities and towns placing limits and even bans on them. I love cruising, but realize that it can be a very indulgent and non green way to travel.

No one even asked for documents when we boarded Ovation in Copenhagen. They asked to see our passports--and that is all.

Getting a bit complicated. Why not make it especially easy for loyal SB cruisers?

Hmmm... We are certainly past passengers, but I was not aware of a 5% discount for past passengers other than the one you can sign up for onboard paying a $500/per person deposit. Am I missing something????

Our cruise port was not Rotterdam, but was not the central port in Amsterdam.

I've just read that the Acropolis in Athens is closed again today due to extreme heat.

I've never seen that. I don't think this is how this promotion was explained in the past onboard.

Hmm... That is interesting. What would be the point of doing the onboard deposit with the promise of 5% discount? I don't remember being told it was not combinable--but maybe it was there in fine print? Or was it not?

Tell me if I am remembering incorrectly--but doesn't Amsterdam have TWO ports? One is near the center of the city and the other one is out a bit--maybe a 20 minute drive. As I recall, when we sailed out of Amsterdam on Ovation several years ago, we didn't sail from the port in the city--but from the port that was out a bit. It was a more industrial port--and that port is not being closed.

I totally support the autonomy of any country/port to regulate the number of cruise ship tourists to visit them daily. I think the huge mega ships have changed things. What port wants to be inundated by 5,000 people in a single day. I don't want to sound elitist, but not all cruise passengers are interested in the same experiences. I can only imagine that the influx of 5,000 passengers would be some port's worst nightmare. No location should be subjugated to an unpleasant experience.

Not many places other than Texas do Tex Mex well. New Mexico has fabulous New Mexican food, but it is not Tex Mex. It has its own charm and is a favorite of ours.

Ports in Norway are already limiting the numbers of daily tourists from cruise ships. This affected Seabourn's ability to go to Flam this year. One of our Norwegian guides told us that there will be further limitations of the types of ships that can go to Norwegian ports. In the future, they will all have to be totally "green". I'm not sure what all that entails, but it is already in discussion.

I don't think anyone here is asking for sympathy--and I gave my own observations made while onboard Ovation. I think there is a suspicion that people are using the ADA to bring pets onboard and that these same people are prone to flaunting other rules concerning dogs. For example, I observed the owner of the dog without her dog on the ship. I also observed the dog being let off leash in Norway--including in a place that had a clear sign that no dogs were to be off leash. Because so many people suspected that this dog was not a true service dog, the dog and its owners were closely observed.

I don't think anyone here has ever assumed that all dogs are merely pets. I started this thread to give my observations from a recent cruise. I am in favor of service dogs for those who need them. Service dogs are highly trained dog which require upholding their training at all times while in service.

From what I read any ship that operates in US waters (including 12 miles off shore) is subject to the ADA. This may mean any ship that EVER operates in these waters--or is part of a fleet that does. I'm just guessing this would be claimed in a lawsuit. The fact that Carnival/Seabourn are based in the US adds to this argument. Here is what Carnival says its policy is: https://www.carnival.com/about-carnival/special-needs/service-dogs.aspx And here is information about traveling with a service dog in Europe: https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/guide-for-traveling-with-a-service-dog-in-europe/

i did just a bit of research and it appears the ADA does apply to these ships--and many others. And, I realize that this is not a Seabourn statement--but here is the statement by Royal Caribbean on the topic: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/experience/accessible-cruising/service-animals

Both are great things and we enjoy them often.

All of this heat--whether dry or humid is unpleasant--and even dangerous right now. Thank goodness for powerful air conditioning! Central Texas is a favorite of ours--Austin in the 1970s specifically. It's not the same now of course.

Hopefully you will get some well deserved respite from the heat! We loved our Alaska cruise and will go again.

I think we are in a close race for who is hotter--keeping humidity in mind. Yes, would love to meet you--but don't get too close! I ran about five errands this morning--all before noon. There is no way I am going out this afternoon. One other comment. I think some didn't understand my original post here. I'm not talking about SB adjusting itineraries that are already set. I'm talking about not cruising in certain areas in July and August! I know--this is a radical thought--but something to think about. After all, they don't cruise in Asia in the heat of summer.

I am not sure. I've seen priority embarkation for Diamond members in the past, but our latest experience was in Copehagen and everyone at the terminal was invited to board pretty much at the same time. The lines were minimal and there was plenty of staff to process everyone. It was seamless and quick. As far as I am concerned, everyone was treated equally well. I read someone's post above about not honoring boarding times being an elitist behavior. As someone who IS a rule follower, I have a few things to say. First, boarding times change--even after transport to the port has been arranged. I don't think it is alway feasible to keep changing arrangements for transport. I think Seabourn realizes this and are laid back about boarding,. I'm sure every port is different and I can only report on our most recent experience.

If you had booked with a private travel agent, you would have been notified in a timely manner by them and would not have had to worry about your junk mail harboring an important message from Seabourn.