SLSD

We like both Encore and Ovation. The TK Bar is a favorite place. We also think the decor in the Observation Bar (and all over the ship) is much better on the larger ships. We like the outside area of the Colonnade better also. We even like the Restaurant better on the larger ships (in spite of the plastic ceilings). We are not huge fans of the TK Grill. I have yet to have a great steak there. The best steak I've had onboard was a ribeye in the The Restaurant. While the service is always quite good in the TK Grill, the menu has gotten old (and the specials are not always so special). The side dishes are like Dallas steak restaurant side dishes--and way too large. We usually have a couple of bites each and the rest is wasted. Hopefully, there will be some updates when we sail in June.

I think the issue with debt is that payments come due and the money has to come from somewhere.

Costa is owned by Carnival? If so, that sounds like a great idea-but perhaps it is profitable?

Of course I have no idea if they will sell Sojourn and Quest. It just seems inevitable as they are older ships as well. With Pursuit coming, and the difficulty filling ships coupled with the huge debt Carnival has incurred, I just see it as a possibility. I understand that many do not like Ovation and Encore and prefer the smaller ships. We've sailed both and prefer the larger ships. Of course we seldom/never lounge by the pool which may make a difference.

Right now, money is needed to pay down Carnival's massive debt. The money has to come from somewhere.

I can see Seabourn "slimming down" to four ships--Ovation, Encore, Venture and Pursuit--and hoping to fill them. Not everyone's cup of tea as there are SB regulars who will not sail on any of these ships because they feel that Ovation and Encore have too many passengers and Venture/Pursuit are too expensive.

Here's another article about the sale, with a bit more context: https://thepointsguy.com/news/seabourn-cruise-ship-sale-odyssey/

Financial pressure.

We know that Carnival (and Seabourn by extension) are under financial pressure. I would not be surprised to hear that Sojourn and Quest will be sold as well at some point in the fairly near future. Then, SB would have Ovation, Encore, Venture, and Pursuit when it is ready.

Shark B8--I've enjoyed your commentary, but I have a question. Has your voyage met your expectations for a World Cruise? Have you been pleased with all the offerings--including service, cuisine, tours, entertainment, supplies, your suite etc.

What do I know--but it seems to me that Seabourn is operating with skeleton back office staff. Not updating websites is a giveaway. A company on top of things would be coordinating announcements with website updates.

Don't be offended. There have been many threads in this forum about people who reserve a lounger at the pool and then go and do something else. I can understand why a poster here thought you were one of those people. I guess the unasked question is---why do you reserve your lounger and THEN go and start laundry? Why not start your laundry and then go find a lounger? And, are you reserving a lounger for your husband even though he is still asleep/and or in your suite? THIS is the kind of thing that upsets other passengers. They object to others reserving a lounger early when they are not going to be using it. Others would also object if you reserved a lounger when the ship is in port--then left the ship, leaving the lounger reserved. It's a sensitive point.

I've been looking at the Explora website. It is well done. From what I can tell there would be at least 900 passengers--actuallyn a few more than that.

I understand that DJs can provide an almost limitless playlist--still not the same as live music. I've been to wedding with live bands and those with very good DJs--there is a difference. I do respect the work that you do--I just don't think many will be happy with doing away with live bands on SB.

There is NO doubt that SB passengers do not all have the same likes and dislikes when it comes to entertainment. There are guests who prefer to spend their evenings socializing with other passengers and require only soft background music. There are others who enjoy spending one hour watching a show in the Grand Salon. This doesn't mean that they don't enjoy spending time socializing as well--just that they also enjoy a bit of planned entertainment. I think, at least for us, the main issue on SB when it comes to entertainment is repetition and the fact that some of the shows seem hopelessly old fashioned for those of us who grew up in the 1960s and 1970s. At least for us, show tunes don't transfer all that well when out of the theater. Not everyone even cares about the entertainment--I get that. However, if SB is going to go to the trouble (and expense) to provide it, I think they need to be mindful that a lot of what they have been providing is passe.

I agree with what you say about successful DJs. At the same time, we would much prefer live music. Perhaps DJs could augment the music at other times. I am not in any way trying lessen the value of what DJs provide. But, just as a "luxury" wedding would have live music, so should a "luxury" cruise line.

I'm beginning to wonder what kind of jazz some of you have heard to dislike it so much.

This is exactly what I have heard. I would not want to contribute to his coffers.

Mr. SLSD is now saying that he isn't even going to take a pair of jeans (for daytime) on our next cruise. I think the issue is that I've told him that his existing jeans are not up to snuff even for daytime wear. And, I had a nightmare last night--dreamed that somehow I left all of my clothing for evening dinners at home accidentally--along with my makeup. What a nightmare! I should have known it was just a dream as the ship was departing from Dallas. At any rate, we Texans plan to hold up our end of the bargain and dress as we always have in the MDR--jacket and bow tie for Mr. SLSD and I will be presentable--no jeans.

I will post about it!

Well, all I can say is that there is jazz and then there is jazz. https://jazzfuel.com/best-jazz-musicians/ https://www.sfjazz.org/onthecorner/15-jazz-piano-albums/ But, I totally understand. Dated Broadway show tunes are not my cup of tea.

June 11-25 Copenhagen to Copenhagen--up the coast of Norway. I hope I have the dates right without looking at my calendar.

We will be checking on both the mistaken refund and the length of the new FCD. But yes, they caught the error, reached out and corrected it.

I agree with everything you have said. Not everyone has to like jazz--I get that. Casting out a net for exceptional performers could be a winner.

I think this is what we are looking for--some surprises that delight us.