AnnieO2019

10 hours ago, adoctor said:

 

Only down side is that the South China Sea can be a rough.

 

I am a bit concerned by this last comment - how rough are we talking? 🙁or 🤢?
 

we are also doing this cruise in January

We have used Seabourn to book our flights twice when we have booked our cruise directly with Seabourn and they have had offers on airfare deals. Our flights for our Baltic cruise (from U.K. ) ended up free and for our upcoming Singapore to Hong Kong cruise in January the flight prices Seabourn quoted were considerably less than any other quotes I got. They offered a few options (different airlines and Heathrow/Gatwick airports) and we booked at the same time as the cruise. So it’s definitely worth asking them for a price. I don’t think you can use your air miles though as you’re booking through an agent (Seabourn). 

Thank you all for these recommendations - I’m looking forward to the cruise and the extra 2 night stay in Hong Kong. I hope the political situation in Hong Kong improves in the meantime. 

Does anyone have a recommendation for a hotel in Hong Kong (post-cruise for 2 nights )?

We have booked OB twice. Got V1 and V4. There is another thread with a lot of comments called “interesting ob assignments” about 4 pages in. Sorry I don’t know how to link to it but it covers that assignments are totally random. Hope you can find it and hope that helps. All cabins are fabulous so just don’t worry! Have a great cruise !

14 hours ago, sunshineocean13 said:

I actually like admiring those who dress up on formal nights. So, go for it! You are right that, in general, it has gotten a bit more casual, but you'll usually find some very spiffy dressers in the MDR on formal nights. Enjoy, whatever mode of dress you choose.

I agree. I love to see people make an effort. I was slightly disappointed with the dress in the Colonnade on our recent Baltic trip (e.g sneakers, raincoat and backpack - I assume these people had just come back from a trip  - but surely they could have spent a few minutes to change) . However, I don’t let it worry me - I just love dressing up in the evenings and wear my poshest dresses every evening regardless of where we dine. A cocktail in the Observation Bar just wouldn’t be the same without a nice dress on! 

Thank you all - very helpful. I’m so looking forward to this cruise!

I’m aware there is another thread discussing Seabourn tours v other tour companies in St Petersburg but I have a few further questions:

• Can anyone comment on or recommend any of the Seabourn excursions? (I can’t find many reviews) Are they very large groups? I’m attracted by the fact that they can start earlier than other tour companies. 
• Has anyone ventured out in St Petersburg on their own? I’d normally prefer to do this and would be happy to get the necessary visa but I’m concerned how far the cruise ships dock away from the city centre and if a number of large cruise ships are there at the same time it could be quite difficult getting transport.

6 hours ago, T^2 said:

Might be a bit off topic, but ...  July's Greek island cruise is about 20% empty for the Ocean View and Veranda suites (vs total suite inventory).  I haven't looked at the other categories.  This being my first Seabourn cruise, I am looking forward to the enhanced service.  I guess I am going to be spoiled even more than I initially anticipated, if the occupancy rate stays where it is today!

They have extend the sale I think three times now.  I wonder if they will be going for four with all the empty suites.

When they are showing a lot of suites empty I wouldn’t have thought this will be a realistic view as I presume it doesn’t take into account all the people who just book a “guaranteed veranda suite” and don’t get their allocation until a week before sailing ? (As we do) Wouldn’t it just be showing those who have booked specific suites?

I agree with Kamfish. There are a large number of cruise ships staring or ending in St Maarten (I counted six in port) and as a result there are very big planes landing and taking off on Saturdays (cruise changeover day). The airport couldn’t cope with the huge volumes of people. We stood in so many queues (lines) being barked at by angry staff, then were packed like sardines at the departure gates. I don’t know what it was like before the hurricane so if it does get back to normal by 2020 you may be ok. If you can fly to Barbados consider that as an option - it’s exactly the same 14 day cruise but obviously you only get a day in St Maarten. Or if you are planning on staying in St Maarten before and after the cruise the airport may be much better on weekdays. You can check on the airport website how many planes are coming through - there’s a timetable. 

Someone else may have experience of weekday flights or what the airport was like before?

Enjoy the cruise - we loved it so much !

We did the 7 day cruise from Barbados to St Maarten in early March. We then got a Caribbean Airlines flight from St Maarten back to Barbados to spend 6 days there before flying back to the U.K.

it was a 3.5 hour flight as it touched down in Port of Spain for an hour. In hindsight I wish we had booked the full 14 day cruise Barbados to Barbados as we wasted a whole day travelling which wasn’t even pleasant as St Maarten airport was packed . Our hotel in Barbados was nowhere near as good as being on the Odyssey. You live and learn!

Our ports are: Saline Bay (St Vincent & the Grenadines), Roseau(Dominica), Basse-Terre (Guadeloupe), Gustavia (St Barthes),Basseterre (St Kitts & Nevis), Great Harbour (BVI), St Maarten

We will be on the Seabourn 7 day Caribbean cruise on 23 February 2019 and are first time cruisers. Does anyone have recommendations for the excursions, we haven’t booked on to any yet. We would love to see as much of the islands as possible. I’d love to hear your views.