margbem

7 hours ago, commodoredave said:

HAL is already working on the next survey for Seabourn. I’ve heard some of the questions will be:

1. Would you like more than 1 more meal per day?

2. Would you be willing to pay extra for a mattress on your bed?

3. Do you want the ship to visit more than 1 port?

4. Would you pay extra for gin in your martini?

5. Are you willing to wash your own dishes?

If you would like to suggest some more survey questions, please do so as there is no area that HAL is unwilling to explore to improve the Seabourn experience.

This reminds me of the Fascinating Aida spoof “Flights for 50p”. Available on Youtube!

Any UK cruisers received this?

15 hours ago, Huggsy said:

Do you know if you have to book this or put your name forward prior? I'm a newbie with my first cruise with Seabourn booked for next June.

The last couple of times we have had Marina day we have gone to the Club to sign up for it. You have to sign a waiver form and you are given a wrist band so the staff on duty at the Marina know you have signed. It’s no big deal!

22 minutes ago, sloopjohnb said:

We discussed this with the on-board cruise consultant on our last cruise. My understanding is that this is not possible. Seabourn corporate won't even begin to check your eligibility until you have completed your 140/250 days. They will check your most frequently booked category to enable a decision on which suite category your complimentary 7/14 days cruise should be. Even while you are on the cruise on which you reach the required number of days, they won't let you book the "free" one as they won't have done the checking.

Sorry!

Thank you!

17 minutes ago, jjs217 said:

I'm curious about this too.  Also, you may go over the 139 if you have booked shore excursions.  I think it is one day for every thousand spent - not sure about the amount.

We are way over the 140 if you include onboard spending but I am nearly sure it's days sailed only that count for the free cruise.

Next year, after our September 20 night cruise we will have amassed 139 days sailed (I know...... just one day short!!)

Does anyone know if we booked back to back cruises after then, could we have the second week as our free cruise?

Another vote for Welcome Pickups. We use them frequently. Last October we had a transfer arranged with them from Piraeus to the airport and got a message whilst we were eating breakfast that we could disembark earlier if we wished as our driver had arrived. We didn't want to do so, but it just reiterates how good their service is. They keep you informed at all times as to where they are.

6 hours ago, sfvoyage said:

How much is a pair of custom shoe pads that the fitness instructor tries to sell at the end of the complimentary footprint analysis?  And are they durable & effective (in reducing foot pain)? 

My husband bought a pair a few years ago now and I think they were around $200. His bad back problems got significantly worse and once we were home his chiropractor told him they were a waste of time as you can’t change your back once you are getting on a bit! They might work for you with foot pain but maybe research a bit before you buy some. 

We visit the Canary Islands regularly and have never come across any other currencies being accepted rather than the euro. You will find that there are ATM's all over the place so getting euros will not be a problem. There are also exchange places in the larger islands. Everywhere will take credit cards. Can't answer the question re the onboard exchange.

12 hours ago, jjs217 said:

From what you described, APT's alcohol policy would totally put me off of Seabourn's Pursuit and Venture, if they did institute the same. I would sure like to know the answer to that question.

Absolutely 

We have literally just completed a 3 week land tour of Vietnam and Cambodia and a 7 night river cruise on the Mekong with APT. We have nothing but praise for the organisation of the tour, the tour director and all the attention by APT that led to the smooth running of the holiday. BUT, and this is a big but for us, APT’s alcohol policy stinks! We stayed in 5* hotels whilst in the cities and the Mekong Serenity river boat is brand new. The policy in the hotels was ONE drink, wine (very small glass), one beer or one soft drink with dinner. The wine was the hotel’s house wine. On one occasion only one small bottle of water was provided. Anything else was an extra charge. My husband had an extra glass of wine one night and it cost £10.50 ☹️
 

On the boat (and here lies my question if APT charters Seabourn ships), the wine provided was dreadful. You could have as many glasses as you liked but it was hardly drinkable. The cocktails on offer were from a very short list, otherwise there was a charge. If you purchase an APT trip that includes a Seabourn cruise, are they going to inflict the same poor standard wines and a lack of choice in other drinks?

We got our Tiffany pin last year. We asked for ours to be delivered to our room and they were. We are UK cruisers.

7 hours ago, where-to-next said:

Having recently attained Gold status am I correct in believing that my wife and I can now both claim a complimentary bag of laundry? That being two bags a week? If so, do we have to wait seven days before submitting the first bag?

You can claim a bag a week each but you will lose out on another perk if you do that. We have always managed with the one bag a week. Carefully rolling and folding means you can get 30ish items in!

29 minutes ago, CDNPolar said:

Careful with the rucksacks too!  They may weigh and measure those too!  That would be your personal item and many of these carriers have size and weight restrictions to the personal item.

 

Even if your carryon is within weight and size restrictions, the personal item may not be.  

 

We are more used to getting past a lot of airline checkin and boarding counters with luggage, carryon, and personal items that may not meet the published standard, but some of these internal carriers in other countries, are very strict and don't miss anything.  

 

We also see some passengers that have the carryon, the personal item, AND another bag of sorts.  This also may not fly in some countries and the internal airlines.

Thanks, CDNPolar. We have one flight from Siem Reap to Bangkok on a turbo prop plane that has the least generous hand baggage measurements and both our rucksacks conform to those. We have nothing else! Handwashing here we come!

Thanks to everyone for all the advice. The suitcases are out! We are attempting to keep the cases at about 17kg so they will fit things in that we might buy. We are also only taking a rucksack each as hand luggage. Certainly not what we usually do!

19 hours ago, worcestergal said:

I just called Scenic to confirm luggage limits for the flight from Hanoi to Siem Reap and was told that the “normal” international limit of 23 kg applies for checked baggage. The representative said that carryon limits were “normal” as well - and I have no idea what that means!  
I am curious if any of you have had experience with this. 

Do you know who your flights will be with? If so, you can check on the airline's website for full details of weights and measurements.

34 minutes ago, ljandgb said:

There was a lady on our cruise that dressed nicer than everyone else.  She looked quite nice, with long shift dresses and light jackets and gauzey over-dresses, with a different pair of fancy heels, usually 2 different outfits a day.  She was the one everyone talked about.  LOL.  Mostly of the "how many suitcases did all THAT take??" 

That definitely WON'T be me!!!

Thank you for all this advice. We leave in a week’s time for a month - Hanoi to Siem Reap and all points in between, including a Mekong cruise. Whole thing with APT then we head for Aonang for six nights for a rest! Worcestergal - we are regular Seabourn sailors and it’s so different planning the packing for this trip. I am having to stop myself getting my dresses out! Our itinerary does say that we might like a dressier outfit for the welcome and farewell dinners so two summery light dresses are going!

1 hour ago, kpcg1 said:

Solis menu is now on the Source app - attached for those who don't have access

5ea06ff87b101f4e3e32f57d46c5f5cd_solis_menu_day_1.pdf 351.86 kB · 13 downloads

That menu is fabulous!

1 hour ago, lady ahoy said:

 

Anyone else annoyed by seabourn's new policy of automatically taking $210 dollars off your credit card on your 1st day of sailing on a 7 day cruise?[ Its $30 a day] Isn't it meant to be an all inclusive cruise? Plus so many of us have on board credit to get through before we might even want to buy anything else! I wonder how long they hold your $210 deposit for after the cruise? Feels cheeky to me!

Why on earth are they doing this? Our next cruise is a 20 nighter. Not happy!

Hi to my Yorkshire friend! Send me an email to mjberry56@hotmail.com

1 hour ago, Yorkieaboard said:

Indeed it is. We moved here in advance of retirement and it’s a lovely place to spend time. I’ve took a Quick Look at the referral thread and my first observation is that we have already paid our balance so perhaps that ship has sailed (excuse the pun)?

When do you sail? It takes about two weeks to apply it. I will put my email address on that thread and we can try!

2 minutes ago, Yorkieaboard said:

Hi Margaret 

 

Beverley, a gorgeous part of Gods County! We are currently exiled over the border and living in Bakewell 😂

Thanks for the feedback and of course the tip!

 

Sean

Bakewell is pretty beautiful too!

Hi Sean. A fellow 'Yorkie' here (Beverley). My husband generally wears either smart chinos or ordinary trousers (M&S type) with a collared shirt, either long or short sleeved for the restaurant. He does take a jacket because sometimes it's chilly in there. He doesn't wear a tie on formal nights but the jacket is definitely needed then, if dining in the restaurant but not for other dining venues. Having said that, we have seen men in polo shirts in the restaurant - totally acceptable. The only thing not to wear is shorts in there. If we dine in the Colonnade he usually takes a sweater in case it gets cool and we are eating outside. Hope this helps!

Can I draw your attention the the referral thread at the top of this board where you can get $250 onboard credit if you are a first time Seabourn cruiser?

Margaret

11 hours ago, Kristelle said:

On our previous Wendy Wu land tour of Vietnam I didnt wear a dress either - casual during day and slightly dressier in evening - but capris or lightweight pants with dressy type top was fine for all event/places. Certainly nothing formal.

A casual type dress would be fine too, if you want.

Thank you, Kristelle