markham

“Victim” sounds a bit dramatic. Maybe “complainant” is appropriate? It seems to me they want to know what to do this time and probably how to avoid experiencing the same problem next time. Do you have a suggestion for the poster? Mine is/was use a resourceful TA going forward. Happy and healthy sailing!

I am not blaming anyone, just reminding people how to avoid this type of sorry situation. That is all. Of course if someone has a solution to post we can all learn about that, too. Happy and healthy sailing!

Why anyone books a cruise and related travel arrangements directly with a cruise line I will never know. And now you want assistance from some third party? An experienced and reputable cruise specialist travel agent is the answer to this situation.They have your interest at the core of what they do and clout you do not have. Happy and healthy sailing!

Silversea has many ships and ship designs on offer. That is one reason I focused on the 3 newest ships, Muse, Moon and Dawn, that happen to have generous forward facing lounges. Further, they do have access to an outdoor area via a port side door and then up some stair to the top deck for an outdoor view. Best then to look at deck plans. Happy and healthy sailing!

You say a small library with small windows? Sounds small… Not so sure. The Dawn’s Observation Lounge with library and games tables on the port side and a bar in the starboard side is not small, nor are its windows. You could throw a party for 50. Happy and healthy sailing!

Rothko1, If you look at the deck plans of my favorite-by-far Silversea ships, Muse, Moon and Dawn you will see they all have high deck forward Observation Lounge/bar/library/games rooms. Same will be true on Nova and Ray. So you WILL be able to see where you are going after all. Happy and healthy sailing!

How much travellers checks do you have? No matter what, that’s a lot of money to tie up for 10+ years pointlessly. You might as well figure out how to spend them where you live and take some large USD bills with you in the bottom of your hand luggage. And open an account with a smarter bank to advise you on credit card/debit card usage abroad. They do work. Happy and healthy sailing?

Low ceilings on Moon? Let’s see about that. We will be on its sister ship Moon in early August. I will measure the floor to ceiling height in my cabin. If people reading this on the Ody class ships and Encore class ships would do the same we can compare our findings, Off the cuff, I have never thought about low ceilings on Moon etc but I have on the Encore/Ovation on the basis that these 2 ships are basically Ody class ships with another deck added within the same height vessel. So something must have been compromised somewhere. Maybe we can figure this out. Happy and healthy sailing!

Spinnaker, Was this guy who greased the MD’s palm on Dawn in Nov./Dec.2022? If so I saw the same episode in La Terrazza. That said, I have to admit that initially I took comfort from the idea that while these 2 graspers were in La Terrraza we we’re spared their company. It would appear that it’s all about vulgarity! Happy and healthy sailing!

Cruiseej, You have the facts and I wish the gist was otherwise. Natalya is a most valuable asset to Carnival. Without any doubt she takes the presidency of Seabourn to a completely new level. I hope for the good of the Seabourn brand she is widely supported so that she can lead it into its next iteration. That might, in time, include new ships with superior designs to compete with Silversea’s and Regent’s latest classic ships- 5 beauties between 2022-2023. And Seabourn has some of the most personable shipboard staff and crew, and now she is attempting to improve the quality and efficiency of the land operations. So much to do… We hope to continue to sail with them for years to come. Carnival simply has to support Natalya’s across-the-board initiatives with proper resourcing. Happy and healthy sailing!

Handre is the entertainment director and friends of many on Seabourn ships. He is not a brand manager, and the lack of a competent person serving in that role is an obvious weakness. Look at all of these cutbacks, quality control and coordination matters that have harmed the brand the past few years. For one thing there have been way too many staff defections. And no, former HDs, chefs and others flying in for a week won’t fulfil the challenges of the line. It would appear that Natalya Leahy has hit the ground running and she has likely assessed the situation fully. Let’s she what she does next. If anyone can strip away the hype and deliver tangible quality results, it is her. Happy and healthy sailing!

This learning tour of the ships by Natalya Leahy has certainly been instructive for all of us! Maybe she will find it expedient for her to clean house so a new set of people take responsibility for delivering the “it’s your moment” stuff. It may mean recruiting and paying more or moving HQ to a location that is better resourced than Seattle. No matter what the senior management has a lot to answer for given all the slippage over the past years, arguably starting well before Covid. Just sayin’ Happy and healthy sailing!

Atlantide’s MD is the person to coordinate a special meal for dinner, even when the request was as late as lunch same day. That does not happen on SB, sorry to say. BTW, these meals were no reflection of the deep menus of Atlantide, more for a “special” special meal. About ages of passengers, I don’t generalize or even know, and the demographic looks like Seabourn, but there are certainly fewer needy and grasping people on SS, IMO. When we go on a SS cruise, we have one in early August, we don’t necessarily know anyone, and don’t mind at all. If we want to meet people we do so. That said, we have two Dawn cruises including the 2026 WC with 2 sets of friends we originally met on SB. (Still nothing out on SB past April, 2025 - although that did not drive our joint decisions to book this at all.) About bars, we like the outdoor seating of the Panorama Bar on Dawn/Moon/Muse predinner but will meet up with people indoors at the Dolce Vita. It is calm, quieter and very spacious, something many SS people like with seating arrangements clusters for 4 or 6. As in a very fine hotel. So whatever other people do or don’t do in such an environment means little to us as long as the service is competent and trained which is always the case for us. Happy and healthy sailing!

FWIW, we have never waited at all when we visit Atlantide, the “main” restaurant. Or at the SALT (local specialities) restaurant. There is, in our experience, no need to book at these restaurants. And about their menus, they offer what their themes suggest, but their menus are deeper in their numbers of choices versus Seabourn- by far. Together these restaurants can serve about 360/595 on the 3 newest SS ships. The other restaurants may call for bookings within certain dining hours but La Dame, Kaiseki, Silver Note, The Grill and La Terrazza. We do this without any issue before we board, and have never waited longer than whatever time it might take to clear a table that was occupied earlier. Of course you can plans these choices with your butler on board or with the various MDs. The bottom line for us is that we get the cuisine we are in the mood for, just as you would on a “la cruise”. And if by chance you change your mind on the day, my advice is to head to the Atlantide. Simple as that. Happy and healthy sailing!

One difference with Kaiseki on Dawn vs Muse is Dawn has no teppanyaki grill. This is due to its location which is different. Apparently no venting mechanism etc is in place. The dinner we had there was awful and not only Japanese in name only but hardly worth any up charge. If you know the real thing this ain’t it… I refused to pay for it. i would have expected a revamped menu since that November cruise on Dawn. Silversea, please step up. Happy and healthy sailing!

SLSD, No, she wasn’t. Happy and healthy sailing!

Mr Luxury, Passenger shows? What a hoot! Which reminds me, are you still doing your act with your musical spoons? Happy and healthy sailing!

2seabournsailors, The self-proclaimed queen of your world cruise is well known among us old timers. For far too long… I have witnessed her berate and insult crew, and by reporting her actions immediately afterward to the HD and GSM I have done everyone, including the victimized crew member a favor, in my estimation. However, no one at Seabourn seems to mind even though she perennially causes so much aggravation and distraction. You can only deduce that Seabourn HDs are frightened of her, they fail to report upward these incidents, and/or head office does not consider it their role to get involved/approve any ship officer’s reports and/or recommendations - as they must do whenever there might be a documented case of physical assault on board. The bottom line is “who needs any of this” and how long will it take, if ever, for Seabourn to recognize that their brand is being compromised by fits and starts. Not sure about that? Then I’d ask how such behaviors enhance the brand. The downside for Seabourn is one less fare but a savings on staff time, towels, dish washing and Evian water, and an improvement in staff morale and calm, once and for all. Simple as that. By the way, the same discussion can follow about these so-called support dogs irritating passengers and cleaning staff. Happy and healthy sailing!

PS- it’s the food. Happy and healthy sailing!

SLSD, I have to ask when did Seabourn ever ban someone who has caused disruption during a cruise? Unless you punch someone out you are good to go and go and go. Any and all serious complaints are treated with “sorry you feel that way” and/or “sorry for the inconvenience” platitudes. I wish someone would disagree. Until then I deduce that Seabourn is fill her up capacity driven, and hardly concerned with these matters. Happy and healthy sailing!

SLSD, My original thought that Silversea classic ships operate like very fine European hotels remains fresh and valid whereas Seabourn are more matey-cruise informal events. How do I have this impression? It was firmed up after the Aug., 2021 restart of Seabourn when we took the 2 week cruise on a not-full Ovation in Greece. Afterwards, a day later, we joined Dawn in Athens for a 10 cruise where we indulged in that longer swimming pool, relaxed after the fun/craziness of Ovation during what seemed like a release from Covid drudgery, and enjoyed far superior poolside comfort, service and food across all the Dawn’s outlets, poolside and in the restaurants. Whereas Seabourn can be busy-fun, Silver Dawn was restrained and calm. But the quality, getting the basics done very well, and adding in flashes of brilliant style, was in evidence. About Silversea clientele, I cannot make generalizations. Many are indeed discrete types, loyal repeaters. We have nonetheless made many friends there. Possibly they simply like the lower key entertainment there, too. But I have fortunately not observed any sun lounge hogs or confrontational people claiming “their” MDR table with revenue wine glasses as I have on Seabourn. Why? Better quality appointments on deck (don’t get me started on those narrow, hard and now ancient Seabourn sun loungers) and more far space in the various dining areas may be a clue. Then you have those renowned prima donnas eg the one who commands compliant Colonnade staff to carry her lunch plates for her to other decks. Which sorta gives the impression that Seabourn allows/encourages somehow an “anything goes” atmosphere that either Silversea or its passengers do not want/wouldn’t tolerate. The vibes are different, and may they stay that way - if that’s what most want… Maybe we have moved on indeed- with the exception of Venture which is an absolute game changer IMO. About door to door vs port to port pricing packages I am no expert. We seem to select the former as they work for us and we like SS handling the airfares. Then they come with pickups at home to Heathrow and from the ship to airport. Like you we always arrive at least a day early and sometimes stay after the cruise. Well in advance of the cruise I simply ask my TA to have SS book specific flights to/from the cruise and there may be a deviation fee. But I have never been disappointed with the responses. SS will pay for my Blacklane transfer to LHR and back, but I have to handle my transfers to my own hotel pre-cruise and to the port. Same on the return from the ship to my hotel and to the airport. Best then to talk with a TA. And back to Natalya Leahy’s efforts: Seabourn is cooking up new recipes and will even offer oysters. That sounds good for our 2024 Sojourn cruise. Friends now on the wonderful Venture have just enjoyed some in Iceland which shows things are changing. Anyway, I remember showing a Bridge Officer, maybe Environment or Safety, in January on our Quest Grand Voyage photos of the oysters we were offered at the Dawn’s La Terrazza lunch buffet 2 months earlier in Spain. He muttered something about US health regulations absolutely forbidding oysters - as if either Silversea was not regulated too and/or I was somehow mistaken. Which goes to show how certain mindsets can, well, set in. You just have to have the willingness, budget, contacts, and know-how to handle fresh shellfish - as permitted by local authorities. And on the topic of marketing “This is your moment”, mine came twice on Dawn last November. The first was at a cooking competition we enjoyed in the Venetian Lounge held on stage by 3 ship’s top chefs, one from Spain, France and Italy, together with close to 40 years at SS. They ran the SALT, Atlantide and La Terrazza restaurants and explained how there are several independent storage areas/prep areas/kitchens in play. This is a serious well-resourced ship for catering. The other “moment” was at the Venetian Club reception when we had reached our 100 day milestone. The caviar plates when we were seated had the usual dollop but the accompaniments with blinis, the egg yolk, egg white and parsley were arranged beautifully in stripes like the Italian flag. A real first class moment. I hope I have given you useful information. Happy and healthy sailing!

SLSD, I have not sailed with Regent but I have heard terrific things about their 2 new ships. Over the years I have heard mixed things about Regent but for me new ships with advanced design win. At the risk of being too specific I know what I want and that baseline includes a large and wide top deck for unencumbered walking exercise and a swimming pool that is for swimming and not for standing around with drinks. Seabourn offers no track as such and swimming pools that are so short that my 3 strokes of crawl is the limit. Silversea’s Muse, Moon and Dawn are the business: 2 lane tracks, top deck, long and circular, lots of space, and deep pools that are long enough for 5-6 strokes. So that’s what works for me, and so are their 8 differentiated restaurants. These 8 restaurants collectively have far more seats than Seabourn ships do. Yes, you book dinners for La Dame, the Japanese Kaiseki, the poolside Grill, the Jazz club, and Italian La Terrazza, the latter for flow control. Otherwise there is no booking, and the large restaurants Atlantide and SALT with >180 each can take virtually whatever the remaining flow delivers. Oh, and booking is done online or via your butler. Whereas Seabourn’s TK Grill and ad hoc TK Colonnade dinners have their own capacity limits and reservation quirks (including gaming), as everyone knows. Before anyone starts throwing down the gauntlet about what line does what may I suggest that everyone do their research, recognizing that what suited us years ago won’t necessarily work now. You can graduate from one sort of ship to another, in my case Silver Whisper and Cloud, “never-agains” to the 3 ships mentioned above “anytime”. And I would not be distracted by any such no cancel policy when you might find it’s not true and/or you can shift your booking to another sailing. On Silversea we have experienced unique extra benefits when booking on board and further after 100 days. The Silversea website for all aspects of your cruise leaves that of Seabourn in the shade- for functionality, content and integrity. And now Silver Nova launches next month as does Ray in a few months; their design are game-changers according to TAs. Silversea is on a roll, and to boot they have their 2026 WC on sale while Seabourn is only considering its 2025 WC. So it would appear that Silversea is my “go-to”, and with the 3 current ships (post the Muse/Moon/Dawn launches) may well occupy a top-tier place that Seabourn had when it rolled out those game changers Ody, Soj and Quest, so many years ago. You may just have to see for yourselves. And I reiterate, best of luck to Natalya Leahy with turning around Seabourn’s classic ship offerings. And may she quickly bring out more itineraries and even some new ships. Happy and healthy sailing!

Fine letter by President Natalya Leahy. Its delivery, content and refreshing candor sweeps aside the peppy but empty hype we often hear about new corporate executives taking charge. Sadly it may just show how Seabourn’s standards have dropped and evidence how many complaints and/or defections to Silversea and Regent have accumulated. When did all this happen? How did Seabourn Management ever allow the lapse of so many items and processes to become institutionalized over the past few years? And will these various improvements (taking us to late 2023 and 2024 to realize) be sufficient to stem the tide? These are seminal questions. I would argue that Natalya Leahy is doing a fine job in admitting so much that is wrong. Shame on her predecessors and those staffers who witnessed the rot. You could say that this thoughtful exercise evidences both indifference to passengers and Seabourn’s competition. They have harmed the brand to such an extent that the new president is under such pressure during her first 100 days. In time I hope these efforts deliver results for the patient Seabourn loyalists out there. But it will be vital, in my opinion, for Seabourn to spend the big bucks and exercise a lot of imagination to deliver new ships with feature already in the market. Encore, now 7 years old, was a larger but more crowded Odyssey the same size pool, MDR and Grand Salon, and a smaller Club. Whereas in the meantime Silversea and Regent launched several classic cruise ships that easily outstrip the old Seabourn models with far more generous, clever and sophisticated venues, especially dining and recreational facilities. So there we are. Best of luck to the direction taken by the new Seabourn Management. Happy and healthy sailing!

This would appear to be downgraded product. Sushi is better tasting when just made. Sitting around makes the nori damp and flavors lose their freshness. Japanese food is all about quality consistency. Happy and healthy sailing!

… then you are not talking to the better UK TAs. Remember that cruise lines need TAs to sell their cruises and pay commissions to them. It is from those commissions that my TA offers me around 6-10% price reduction for cruises on many cruise lines. This depends on the line, of course, and logically it is the larger volume-selling agents that have the biggest commissions to work with. Do you think a cruise line would voluntarily do so on a direct booking? Not likely. As has been emphasized before, having a valued TA (your personal confidence in them/ the pipeline for the cruise line) on your side to explain/clarify any cruise line lapse/problem is smart, and a sort of insurance policy for you. There is no conflict of interest as there certainly would be if a cruise line’s sales agent sided with you on one level but could not move the line to help or compensate you. Happy and healthy sailing!