SLSD

But the issue here is that there is just a "chiller" in the suites (at least in the veranda suites) and not a true refrigerator. I've read this--and so I am concerned that food put in it is not safe to keep.

The jackets are excellent--but we did take layers for underneath. I had a down sweater for example which I almost always wore. And, it all depends on the weather while you are there. You do not need to bring another cold weather jacket.

We are not haters of TK Grill. We have dined there many times. There were certain entrees (the chicken for two) that we found inedible because all we could taste was salt. While we love the Dover sole, the portion for each individual is HUGE. There is no way we could eat it all. We hate seeing wasted food. Also, the side dishes are very rich and also enormous. When it is just my husband and I dining alone, we can only take two bites each--and the rest is wasted . We have learned to make our TK Grill reservations for four--banking on the idea that we will meet fellow guests who would like to join us. Even so, half of the side dishes go uneaten because of their size and richness. I am NOT a hater, but think there should definitely be some fine tuning of the offerings. Perhaps it doesn't bother others to waste large quantities of food, but it does bother us. I do think it is time for the TK Grill to come up with new menu items. I understand that they have "specials" each evening. We have availed ourselves of several of them, but have found that they have not measured up (usually) to the always offered entrees. By the way, using the word "haters" is seldom accurate. Nothing is black and white.

I can remember a continental breakfast being served when we left very early on a catamaran excursion on an Alaska cruise on SB. Also, you could always arrange for room service breakfast as early as you need it.

And I chimed in and said that after posting all through one of our cruises, it suddenly became unavailable while onboard---and curiously after my husband told an interim/fill in CD that I had been posting (which I would not have done). There WAS a work around and I did manage to keep posting.

We also love Earth and Ocean, but on our cruise from Kobe to Vancouver, we sometimes found it TOO cold, even though we had on layers, our parka and were under a heater. We could only last two courses. That being said, we LOVE the food and heartily recommend Earth and Ocean.

What exactly do you mean by shake down cruise. This ship has been in Alaska for a number of cruises now. Are you saying that there are service/staffing issues? If so, can you give us details?

This is something I have learned from reading this board. We don't all have the same views--or likes and dislikes. A case in point is the chicken served in the TK Grill. Mr. SLSD and I found it to be inedible because for us, it was excessively salty. For others, it was just right and they loved it. Some people absolutely hate adhering to any kind of dress code, while we find having a certain amount of "dressiness" all around enhances our enjoyment of the cruise. Some people don't even like the Napa burger, while we like it so much we have to limit the number of times we can allow ourselves to order it. Some people avoid ship excursions as if they are the plague, while we have found them most enjoyable as long as we choose carefully. We have been on some excursions that we absolutely loved, while people on the same excursion with us hated the whole experience. This is why I read all comments with a grain of salt.

kjbacon, I have just a few more things to say. I KNOW that for some of us, trying a new cruise line is difficult. We wonder--will we like it? Will we hate it? Will we regret booking it? And WHY didn't we stick with the tried and true. Some years ago, we booked a Seabourn cruise at pretty much the last minute. We had only cruised on Silversea before that, but SS did not have the itinerary we wanted to sail. I had found Cruise Critic and started reading reviews about the ship we were going to sail on with Seabourn (Encore). The reviews were TERRIBLE! I just knew we had made a huge mistake in booking with Seabourn. I had to psyche myself up--up until the day of embarkation--to try to be in the moment and enjoy the cruise--even if the experience was not going to measure up to what we had experienced before. Lo and behold, we loved Encore and had a wonderful time. It was a new and different experience. Was it just like Silversea? No. it was different--but in a good way. We found that we liked it BETTER than Silversea and so far, have not returned to that cruise line. Quite frankly, negative reviews on Cruise Critic are plentiful AND they get more attention than the good reviews. Life is just like that. I've read plenty of reviews of Regent which have not been complimentary--and quite a number that have been. There are some people who actually prefer Seabourn to Regent. Imagine that! Who knows what you will think of the SB ship you are going to sail on. (Which one is it by the way---Quest?) I think the best thing to do is to go with an open mind and to try not to compare it to other cruise lines (because it is NOT those cruilselines). Hopefully, on YOUR cruise, staffing issues will have been ironed out and the service will be back to being great. Try to look at the overall experience and not let one aspect sour either your anticipation of a wonderful vacation or your experience once you embark. In the meantime, happy sailing and I truly hope you have a wonderful time.

Kjbacon, My husband and I also enjoy the lectures onboard Seabourn cruises. We have heard some excellent presentations on all kinds of topics. It is also fun to meet the lecturers--perhaps have lunch or dinner with them, or talk to them on an excursion. On one cruise, there were a number former diplomats from the UK. On another cruise, some experts who had worked in the space exploration program (NASA) and some experts on Alaska history and wildlife. The suites are well appointed and spacious--all of them. On Encore and Ovation, all suites have verandas. The beds are very comfortable and there are plenty of pillows. The closets are walk in closets and are spacious. There are two sinks in the bathrooms and most have both a bathtub and a separate shower. All the staff is very cheerful and helpful. We have always enjoyed meeting them and hearing stories from their home countries. Embarkation is generally well organized and the fun immediately begins. We have enjoyed a wide variety of excursions from Seabourn ships. I can't think of any of them that we did not enjoy. We do choose carefully according to what we are interested in.

Ok. I'll try. One of the features of Seabourn cruises that we especially like is the fact that they are virtually all inclusive. What does that mean exactly? It means that there will be no nickel and diming while you are onboard. There is no extra charge for special restaurants, alcohol (wine, beer, and mixed drinks)are included. All coffee and coffee drinks, ice cream, etc. etc. is included. Afternoon tea is included. You get the idea. Another aspect of Seabourn cruises we like is that all passengers are treated equally. There are no levels of service for those who pay more. While there are larger suites which may have more amenities--when out and about on the ship--everyone is treated equally. The staff is likely to know your name--even though you are not wearing a name tag around your neck. I've had this happen to me so many times. One time, a cook came out of the kitchen and called me by name, saying "I hope you are having a good morning Mrs. D." I like the fact that the ships are small--which means fewer passengers. There is no standing in line for anything. Oh--you might stand in a line to board a tender now and again--but that is just part of boarding a boat. I like the special events that just pop on onboard. Sometimes it's champagne and caviar at the bow of the ship. At other times, it is hot chocolate for everyone--or a special French theme for afternoon tea--or a chocolate theme. On a Seabourn ship, the Cruise Director sets the tone for a voyage and SB has some very fine Cruise Directors. I've had a Cruise Director come rushing over with a blanket when we were at a deck party when he thought I might be cold. On a number of our voyages, the Cruise Director has been so memorable that we still talk about them at home. Now this is a bit controversial, but I like the fact that passengers on SB ships generally dress nicely--as if they are at a country club. You usually don't see people sloppily dressed or dressed in tasteless/revealing outfits. You don't see very many people overindulging in alcohol to the point of being obnoxious. In fact, I have not personally ever seen that on a SB cruise. The clientele is well educated, erudite and interesting to meet. You can count on 99% of them to behave well and be polite. The food is very good. Like you, I don't go on a cruise for the food. There are various venues to suit most everyone onboard. While we don't do the breakfast buffet, I am familiar with what it has to offer--and the choices are extensive. And, since reopening post pandemic, there is a new breakfast venue on the pool deck which I have read is very popular. We generally have breakfast in our suite when we are leaving the ship for an early excursion and room service is always on time. There are plenty of offerings on the room service menu for breakfast and we order the night before, marking a card and leaving it on our door. We have also enjoyed breakfast in the MDR upon occasion and I've really enjoyed that serene atmosphere early in the morning. I've even gone to the Observation Lounge super early for hot tea and a pastry. You call them junk--I would not call them healthy eating---but they are quite tasty. Encore and Ovation both have a Sushi restaurant which is popular with many. There is the venue called Earth and Ocean around the pool in the evenings. Fabulous food there! And, it is very casual. Many people like the TK Grill--which is a typical upscale American style steakhouse with entrees in addition to steak (the Dover sole being my favorite there). We especially like the TK Grill Bar on Encore and Ovation. Many days we enjoy lunch around the pool with the Napa Burger being a favorite. We also like ordering from a (short) menu at the Colonnade for lunch, especially out on the veranda.(There is an extensive buffet at lunch in the Colonnade). We have found the menu in the MDR in the evenings to be elegant and usually quite good. I could say a lot more about why we enjoy Seabourn, but perhaps someone else will chime in. I think you can get some idea from what I have written. We were reluctant cruisers when we took our first cruise at the behest of some friends. I feared that all cruises had an Animal House type atmosphere with drunken partiers. You can imagine how happy we were to find that Seabourn cruises are elegant, genteel, serene, and fun.

Some off the ship excursions leave around 8am, so I am certain that breakfast often starts before 8 on the ship. There is a lot that is very appealing about Seabourn or so many of us would not have made it our cruise line of choice.

It's all a matter of climate--you just haven't needed it until recently perhaps. We need air-conditioning for almost 8 months a year. I do remember not having it as a child, but the house my parents built was ducted for it, as they knew they would want it. We originally had window units for air-conditioning before changing over to the more efficient central air conditioning. But, I don't remember eating our meals later due to the heat even before we had it. This has been an interesting thread. One things that is apparent is that one needs to be flexible when traveling. The only cruise lines we have ever tried are Seabourn and Silversea, so I haven't experienced the early dining on Holland America or Princess. When do they start? 5pm? I would say that Seabourn and lines like Silversea are going more for an elegant dining experience which 5pm dining is not. But, as kjbacon says, they are not cruising for the food. We don't cruise for the food either, but I am convinced that some people do!

Most everyone who lives in a southern or western state in the United States has air conditioning and increasingly, most people in other parts of the country as well. I lived without air conditioning in Texas until the age of about seven (in the 1950s). At that time, we were acclimated to the heat. But, it is even hotter now, and people actually die from the heat if they don't have a way to keep cool. Now, we are very acclimated to air conditioning and keep our house quite cool in the summer. So, the heat has little to do with when we dine.

I have found myself in the Observation Bar many days at 6am having a cup or tea and a pastry. There are plenty of early risers on the ship! I think your issue is that you just want what you want! I get it! We don't do buffets--ever---and we don't eat sushi--ever---and we like to have lunch in the MDR--which is often closed. We like breakfast there too. And it is often closed. But--we still manage to eat very well on the ships and have a great time. We just have to adapt to what is available--and it is usually quite good. I don't see having breakfast at 6am and dinner at 7pm an odd combination. Perhaps the issue is that you want to go to bed by 8pm?Not trying to be snarky--just trying to figure out what the real issue is.

Most people do not consider 7pm to be a late dinner hour. So, I don't see SB as catering to a European dinner schedule. If you don't want to go to tea, you can pick up a snack at Seabourn Square--or order a snack for your suite. There is always caviar as well. It does sound like going on a cruise is a difficult thing for you right now--if you truly want to avoid groups of people.

Have a wonderful cruise!

Exactly how did they convert the Observation Bar? How does one even do that?

You always tell it like you see it. I remember you saying a couple of years ago that you thought I would like Crystal. Hmm.... and I don't think we have met as you didn't introduce yourself on the cruise we were both on.

And not only coffee , but tea--and all manner of pastries. I'm an early riser and sometimes go there. Usually, there are very few people and quite a bit of pampering by the crew on duty there.

Go for tea at 4pm and that will tide you over until 7pm.

I applaud your very mature attitude and your determination to enjoy all the good things on your cruise and in the ports. I just read your comments about how Seabourn has handled this to Mr. SLSD and his comment was that "this is very disappointing". Evidently, there were multiple failures on the part of Housekeeping and Seabourn just doesn't think it is a very big deal. This certainly is food for thought.

I agree with everything said here by Sunprince. I think you should definitely contact the Hotel Director and perhaps even the person he answers to. I am so appalled. This does not engender confidence in Seabourn--my favorite cruise line. I'm beginning to think that your entire cruise fare should be refunded as this is a legal breach of duty.

Of course we don't know yet, if this is the case--but it is the thought I had--and I was horrified upon having the thought. The dirty toilet, the food chunks on the floor. I can't unsee this! Seabourn needs to do more than the flowers and dry cleaning--a LOT more. We are very laid back guests who hardly ever make waves of any kind--but this really bothers me.

Were those possibly the suites used for the quarantine of those testing positive for Covid?