SLSD

I totally understand that--and agree. However, why have guests now been precluded from making reservations for four in the TK Grill. It seems to be the only way to enjoy friends for dinner there--to have a reservation under one name that includes four people. Maybe things are different once you get onboard and a reservation for two could be changed to one for four. I am just a bit worried that the financial issues for Carnival are more serious than many of us know. I'm not looking for trouble, but I am concerned. Nothing I have read here (so far) would keep me from sailing on SB--but I do have concerns.

This is really a disappointment. We always make our reservations for four people. After all, many of the tables in the TK Grill on each ship seat at least four people. This seems to point to a cutback--both in food resources and staff available. Is it just me, but are things getting more difficult? Not being able to share a dinner at the TK Grill with another couple does not seem to support dining with whom you please.

Thank you! I will take a look. By the way, the topic I started about the tragic accident on a Viking Polaris Antarctic trip was deleted by admins. While it was not specifically about Seabourn, I thought it would be of interest. Also, perhaps the summary I gave of a guest's FB post was considered second hand. I apologize for that--but it was a true heartfelt account by someone who went through something horrific. The deletion felt like that the powers that be behind CC don't want any of the dangers of cruising that area to be discussed. I am looking forward to cruising with SB again and we will be looking at the new itineraries.

I think the very limited hours are an issue here. It takes some planning to make sure you can appear during the one hour it is open. And yes, outdoors at the Colonnade is always nice in good weather, but not if there are no tables available--or if you have to concern yourself that no tables will be available. I may be a total outlier, but I never enjoy dining inside at the Colonnade.

Yes, we always use a TA and not a cruise line representative.

And, I think it is irresponsible of Seabourn not to contact each guest and let them know what has happened and assure them that they will correct things with no reservation lost. I am beginning to doubt the ability of SB to carry on. And it is a cruise line I have always enjoyed.

Thank you Markham. I asked about SS here instead of over on the SS forum as I know you and wanted to know your opinions/experience instead of people not known to me. Mr. SLSD is keen to go on Silversea again. I think I know what you mean about a calmer clientele. We should fit right in or at least be unobtrusive. And, we would definitely try one of the newer SS ships instead of the older, smaller ones. I have one more question--if you choose DtoD on SS, do you have to stay in the hotel they choose? And if so, what have you thought about the quality of the hotel SS has chosen? We also like to go several days early and prefer a hotel with a pleasant restaurant and bar.

I had thought Seabourn would be at a disadvantage if they are planning their routes after other lines have already set their routes. Markham, I noticed in another forum that you are now on SS Dawn. I have a question about Silversea (if SB lets everyone down with 2024 routings). How are you handling Silversea new pricing (Door to Door or Port to Port). I've been trying to understand the implications of this new pricing system. There seem to be issues with nonrefundable deposits if you choose P to P, and dissatisfaction with flights on D to D. What are you choosing when you sail with them?

I love seeing vintage photos of cruise ships that include photos of dogs along with their owners. Since we have a dachshund (miniature long-haired black and tan dapple), I especially notice the photos with the dachshunds. That being said, only true service dogs (with authentication) should be allowed to travel by cruise ship to help their owners.

Here is where the rub comes in looking at all the posts on this thread. I am the one who mentioned "seeing eye dogs" as one kind of service dog that we would all accept---BUT in the same sentence I mentioned that there were many other kinds of service dogs. I object to posters cherry picking words here or there in a post and then attributing bad motives to the writer--not taking into account the entirety of what the poster said. I don't think we have an issue here other than people doubted the dog was a true service dog (no matter what crew said or SB designated) mostly based on the behavior of the dog. This forum is beginning to look like a "us again them" forum which I think is a real shame. Most of us are on the SAME SIDE here--and all devoted to having wonderful experiences with Seabourn. NO ONE is saying that service dogs cannot come on a ship. The complaints are about dog behavior which is not common with a true service dog. Service dogs are very well trained and very expensive. Most people who own them are well versed in their training and what is expected from them both in terms of service and their behavior. Maybe what we have here is a somewhat elderly woman (not sure) who was not truly able to travel on her own while taking care of a dog. Taking care of dogs (as most of us who love dogs know) is a LOT of work (service dog or not). But, here is what I am asking--please don't take words out of context and accuse posters here of being uncaring, clueless, etc. It just isn't true. While we have the occasional outlier here who is beyond the pale, most posters here are good people giving their honest opinions--without malice.

Is this an accepted product---or just one that claims to kill the viruses?

What is Envovid? Is it a hand sanitizer? Or is it something else entirely?

In the reading I did on this issue, I read that the dog can never be left alone. The owner cannot leave the dog alone in his/her suite for example. That seems to imply that the dog will be in dining areas--unless the owner takes all meals by room service. I also read as Markham did that service dogs are allowed into restaurants. I doubt that most of us would object to a "seeing eye dog" being onboard. I think the issue here is some skepticism that this dog is a true service dog (understanding that there are many types of service dogs) . Perhaps he is. But, some doubt. Even though I come from a family with people with profound disabilities/special needs (and one service dog among them) , I find myself being among the doubting. I keep thinking that this woman (as people report she had had this dog onboard twice) found a way to transport her dog trans Atlantic at a good price. Perhaps if the dog had not been on furniture and had not pooped on the floor outside the elevator, people would look more kindly on the situation. If the woman herself appeared confused, perhaps she should have traveled with another person as her companion as well. I don't think any of us would begrudge a true service dog aboard a Seabourn ship. There just seems to be some doubt here--perhaps unfounded/perhaps not.

Yes, I'm aware that there is no particular breed for service---but--certain breeds are chosen for their intelligence and trainability by those who are expert in training service dogs. I have not seen this particular breed used--but perhaps they do not wear the usual harness/jacket if they are assisting diabetics and others, so they go unnoticed.

I just saw a photo of this particular dog in a post for one of the SB Facebook groups. It is some kind of small spaniel looking dog. Not a breed usually trained to be a service dog. Someone in our extended family has a service dog who has been trained to alert to a child's seizures. It is a much larger dog-- I believe a Belgian Malinois.

Here's what I found on the SB website: Seabourn only permits service animals on board, defined as those animals that are individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. We do not permit our guests to bring pets, therapy/companion animals, and other animals that do not meet the definition of service animals. If you have any questions about whether the animal you wish to bring on board is, in fact, a service animal, you may contact Guest Accessibility. Your itinerary may include ports of call that have very specific and strict requirements that need to be met prior to your service animal being allowed off of the ship. Please be sure you understand the requirements for a service animal to disembark in each port of call. The best places to obtain specific information on required documentation and immunizations for your service animal are the U.S. Department of Agriculture's website, local customs offices in the specific ports, and from your service animal's veterinarian. All documentation and immunization requirements are established by government authorities and not by Seabourn. Should you need assistance in locating this information, please contact Guest Accessibility. To board the ship, your service animal must have current vaccinations. Records confirming the vaccination status should be provided to Guest Accessibility prior to your departure. We also recommend that you carry the immunization records with you in case they are required at any port of call. If you do not have the proper documentation and proof of vaccinations for your service animal required at a port of call, or if there are local quarantine requirements, your service animal will be denied the right to leave the ship. If your service animal is denied the right to leave the ship in a specific port of call, the staff and crew will work with you to determine what actions may be possible to allow you to visit the port without your service animal. Please note that in your absence, you will need to provide for the care and supervision of your service animal. Except in those circumstances where your service animal has been denied disembarkation, you may not leave your service animal unattended on the vessel or in your suite at any time. The Australian quarantine authorities have changed their approach regarding service dogs on-board cruise ships. Unfortunately, their new approach makes it practically impossible for us to accept service animals on domestic or roundtrip cruises from Australia. The Department of Agriculture now considers these cruises to be akin to an international voyage and therefore under ‘biosecurity control’. As a company, we are incredibly disappointed with the Department’s new approach, and we have written to the Federal Minister to ask for a return to their previous way of doing things. At this time guests will not be able to travel with service animals on voyages that end in Australia or call upon a port in Australia after visiting a foreign country. Guests sailing on voyages that begin in Australia will be able to sail with their service animal provided the voyage does not return to Australia after visiting a foreign port. Should you have further questions please contact Guest Accessibility via email at Access@Seabourn.com.

I think it would be great if someone onboard asked a SB representative (the Hotel Director) what the Seabourn official stance is on service dogs. Do they have to be officially certified dogs in their home country? And, are they always allowed onboard? Are there limitations as to where they can go? etc. Also, is there a limit to how MANY service dogs can be on board at one time? And, what is that limit? It would be good information to know. I would guess that anyone who asks is going to get a vague answer. I could be wrong about that--and I hope I am wrong. This article (scroll down to read) gives basic information about Seabourn and service dogs. https://www.cruise.co.uk/bulletin/guide-dogs-cruise-ships/

I have a friend who is. moving to Portugal in April and taking her dog. She tells me that it would cost $10,000 to fly her dog on a special "dog flight" on a chartered flight with other dogs. It costs around $500 she says to fly her dog in the hold of a plane. So--the cruise option looks pretty good to some I would think.

I doubt that the dog is actually a service dog. While I could be wrong about that, I think it is more likely that this is seen as a way to get the dog across the Atlantic.

We also dine outdoors in nice weather. We choose the MDR during cold or inclement weather which is not uncommon on our cruises, or if the Colonnade is zoo. Not preferring buffets, we do enjoy the additional offerings of a menu. We have dined for breakfast in the MDR often since 2014--different cruises I guess. i am tired of arguing about a preference which does not affect anyone's choices.

This is exactly what I have said---that most on SB obviously prefer the buffet for lunch. That has been fairly clear. Just for the record, we don't really consider lunch in the MDR to be formal. It's not like dining there in the evening. Generally, we don't change as we dine there for lunch on a sea day and we are already dressed presentably for dining there. And, we don't mind if dining is leisurely as we are not going anywhere--it is a sea day after all. I am in NO WAY criticizing those who prefer a quick lunch. It's just an ambience thing for us and an aversion to eating from any buffet. I am very puzzled that this thread has been so contentious. The issue just doesn't warrant that. The real point is that some see luxury in cruising differently from others. It is not a moral failing--on either end of the spectrum. Let's try not to be snarky here as we have enough of that in politics these days.

We all are entitled to our different perspectives. I'm just observing that the Colonnade appears to be more popular for breakfast/lunch with most. No judgment being made--just an observation. But, as I recall, you are the poster who said that your record for dining in the TK Grill is 35 minutes. Amazing. Not what we would choose to do, but then again, we may be in a minority.

Two things you might do: 1. Ask. your hotel for a later check out time. 2. Ask Seabourn for an earlier arrival time.

Pre-pandemic we dined for breakfast and lunch every day we were at sea in the MDR on a crossing from Japan to Alaska. I am beginning to believe that most Seabourn guests actually prefer buffets and don't mind dining with a crowd. Perhaps it seems more festive to them than the serene dining room. It's a shame for the rest of us, but SB may be trying to please the majority and doesn't worry about the few. Is Covid a valid excuse? Who knows. I just read that Carnival's Majestic Princess is docked in Sydney with 800 Covid positive passengers onboard (out of 4,000 total passengers).

Here's the bottom line--Mr. SLSD and I want to sail with you and Mrs. Fletcher and benefit from your observations and your eye--not to mention your way with words. Thank you for sharing these photos. Please keep us apprised on your next cruises--on whichever line.