Thecat123

33 minutes ago, Thecat123 said:

 

Of all the different cruise lines we have been on Seabourn CDs seem to work  the hardest for their money😀

Forgot to add very talented  as well 😀 

9 hours ago, UUNetBill said:

I guess I'm in the minority in that I believe a good CD can make a good cruise better but I don't think a bad CD can make a good cruise worse.

 

A good CD can definitely provide atmosphere and entertainment, and the relly good ones can also interact with the passengers to give them a smile or share a quick story...but we've sailed with some CDs who (in my opinion) were pretty much invisible and it didn't detract from the cruise for us.  There is so much other stuff going on that one person doesn't make or break it for us.

 

Granted, our longest Regent cruise so far has been two weeks, so maybe a longer cruise would call for a more engaged CD, I don't know.  I think John is a nice, engaging, upbeat and enjoyable person and for that I guess I'm sad to see him go...but it sure won't affect our decision to cruise with Regent, that's for sure.

Of all the different cruise lines we have been on Seabourn CDs seem to work  the hardest for their money😀

15 hours ago, Mauzac said:

I would never judge anyone for coming from another cruise line but comparisons just don't work do they?  They're all different.

 

What I have a problem with is needless complainers.  This happened on one of our earlier cruises, just one couple, but it was so bad, we had to make a huge point of avoidance because it was spoiling our time onboard.  This person was trying to rally others into a mass complaint at every opportunity about nothing, nobody played ball.  (To give an example, the weather was very misty in Halong Bay and SB should've taken that into account and cut the boat trip we were all enjoying, short) 

 

Serial complainers should remember it impacts other guests.  There is nothing wrong with a quiet word with SB staff when something doesn't go right, of course.

Agree Mauzac our story with a pre covid cruise of 18 days?

We met Mr and Mrs Crystal on the boarding day lunch then having dinner with them that night of which we ended up sitting at the dining room table with the staff being brand new to Seabourn due to crew change that day so the service was a bit slow. Bad service according to Mr &Mrs  Then on in for the rest of the cruise every time we saw them there was another issue over every tiny little thing

It got to the stage that we would never sail with Crystal just in case we  mentioned sailing with another cruise line and getting told how much better Crystal is

Their continual comments did ruin our cruise

Even a couple of days ago there was a comment on CC on which I can never understand why Mr Crystal would make a comment like this

Stickman1990

• 
• • 4.4k
• April 13, 2018
• Cruising

4 hours ago, skybluewaters said:

 

Wow.  Quite a leap for you to assume that just because I previously sailed on Crystal that I was implying that Crystal would have done things differently.  Go back and read my comment.  I mentioned that I was previously cruising on Crystal to make the point that a new would-be passenger to Seabourn might not be impressed by this recent change of terms.  If I had previously sailed on Princess or HAL, I would still have the same opinion that changing the terms after accepting a deposit is not customer-friendly.  Is it "legal?"  Maybe...but that's not the high bar of excellence that a luxury line should aspire to.

 

I believe a reasonable solution would be for Seabourn to initiate this change for all new bookings and to still provide pre-disembarkation tests for existing bookings.

This is the type of thing I am really on about

https://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/national/new-zealand-border-reopening-fully-from-end-of-july/ar-AAX8dYv?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=4a64e9779ba042d5f355104485d7d08a

How does any cruise line deal with when the NZ Government has not made up their mind yet if cruise ships can arrive let alone informing the passengers?

4 hours ago, sfvoyage said:

 

I would encourage Seabourn newbies to sail with an open mind and heart.  Instead of going on board expecting and demanding everything to be how they used to like it on other lines, it would behoove them to take the time to observe and ask and find out how things operate on Seabourn.

 

We were on the same Ovation cruise in March, followed by the transatlantic crossing.  On the first segment, the staff had to contend with a lot of unusual demands by some of the new guests who wanted everything their way from Day One.  In fact, I overheard guests who complained daily about various inconsequential issues just because they didn't fit what they had been used to on another line.  One couple dined (and ordered a full dinner) at all the dining venues every night.  Another lady complained incessantly about an issue and wouldn't give up until she threatened legal action and got her way, i.e. monetary compensation.  (BTW, the issue was something that we and other friends have encountered on occasion, but we would never dream of asking for compensation, let alone threaten to sue.)

 

Please do not misconstrue the above:  I am not minimizing or denying the pain and suffering of those who had to try Seabourn for the first time.  However, I challenge anyone to find the perfect line who would deliver the perfect service the very first time based on their exact likings, unless they own or charter their own yacht and/or have had a chance to express their exact desires in advance to all the necessary staff.

 

The reality is that Seabourn delivers an impossibly high level of service and aims to please.  However, there are differences, and it's often not a black and white matter of better or worse.  As good as Seabourn is, it doesn't and cannot always read minds and it doesn't know your expectations until you make them known, preferably in advance.

 

BTW, on the topic of "dining course by course in the privacy of your own suite", I, too, have noticed and been intrigued by this marketing copy but have never indulged for dinner.  With the two of us, we tend to eat fairly quickly, and it doesn't make sense for us to keep calling room service every 5 minutes for the next course to be delivered.  All the hassle, the fuss, the labour...  So for us, it sounds interesting and lovely in concept but not in practice.

 

Having said that, we have been invited on a couple of occasions by another couple to their fancy suite for private dinners, and those had been very well executed.  The other couples contacted guest services and consulted with the F&B manager in advance (24 hour would suffice) regarding menus, service timing and pacing, wine pairing, etc., and we would get a dedicated server during most of the dinner.  Nobody would think of calling down to room service at a moment's notice to arrange or a course-by-course dinner the same evening.

Fully agree with your comments 😀

I still do not understand why anybody would want to try and change any cruise lines policy  just to suit themselves   Those policies to me make that cruise line special and a reason to sail with over a different cruise line

We have always sailed with an open mind,  MSC to Seabourn along with half a dozen different cruise lines over the years just looking for the good things and adapting  and not worrying,  like the Crystal passenger, of going through the effort of taking a photo just to post on CC a  column which holds up the deck above in the main theatre, an earlier post, to  block his view. We would just find another seat  

7 hours ago, Hlitner said:

We met more then a few “ Crystal Refugees” on our recent 27 day Ovation cruise and heard a fair number of complaints regarding the comparison to SB.  We finally suggested to one party that perhaps they should go back on Crystal

Love that comment that they should go back to Crystal 

1 hour ago, skybluewaters said:

 

I believe if Seabourn does the test and if the test is (+), then Seabourn would be responsible for paying for the quarantine.  This new policy effectively shifts the responsibility to the passenger. 

 

Seabourn had promised currently booked passengers that they would do the test (and do it without charge), but they have now unilaterally changed the contract.  It's a breach of contract and, furthermore, a poor way of doing business.  I guess their "Worry Free Promise" program actually isn't meant for the passengers to be worry free, but for Seabourn to be worry free. 

 

As others have stated, we are also former Crystal cruisers, and this introduction to Seabourn leaves much to be desired. 

 

And of course perfect Crystal would have handled it different with the rules changing each day with different rules for entering different ports.   I wonder how any cruise line can keep up with the latest daily covid conditions let alone weeks in advance?

For those who havent been to Norfolk before one wants to do the half day island tour as early as possible to get an idea of the layout of the island and see what is there then go exploring on your own

And dont forget to visit the golf club and cemetery

https://www.norfolkislandgolf.com/

Even though we have stayed right in town we have found we need a car  rain?

Been there half a dozen times for the Country Music Festival bar last year. even went up for a week when my uncle, who was the oldest Norfolk Islander, had his funeral there, cousin still lives there

Enjoyed each trip even though we have been there so many times

Dont forget all the roosters who like to wake up early😀

21 hours ago, frantic36 said:

Every time I sail on Seabourn when doing my pre-registration I have to fill in how I am getting to embarkation. And I have done many sailings with them. No big deal to me.

Agree frantic36 we have filled it out many times  No big deal  we just go with the flow to keep things easy for everybody who could be looking for us to board

rkacruiser its not a matter of as you say the ships just sail , turns around and sails out of Milford Sound as there are waterfalls there of which some ships will pull into real close if the weather is good. We did spend several hours there just cruising around

Here is a photo we took from the Radiance of the Seas, 2500 passengers to larger than Seabourns ships a few years ago

I seem to remember we also did the same to another waterfall but this one was the best

On 3/26/2022 at 2:17 AM, frantic36 said:

As Pudgesmom said you should be aware of Ramadam because restrictions for eating and drinking in public is a cultural issue. Not a major problem but good to be aware of.

 

 

We were there about 10 years ago not knowing anything about Ramadam happening  while we were there

It was funny to see all the very large food courts in the shopping malls shut with nobody there

5 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

 

I apologize if you considered my post implying that you were an uncouth guest. Your post said that the lady sitting next to you asked the Officer that question.  I don't think in polite company that is appropriate; I don't think it is a "fun" question.  In my opinion, the uncouth guest was the woman who asked such a question.  

 

 

Why would I not think so?  

 

 

Well said.  

rkacruiser maybe I should have said asking us. I defiantly did not say she or anybody else asked the Officer anything about his age. Why I said in a fun way cause it wasnt asked in any disrespect to the age of the Officer

Also he was sitting miles away from us

I will have to be a bit more careful with the words I use in the future to prevent any confusion 😀

On 3/19/2022 at 8:44 PM, frantic36 said:

 

 

Don't worry Cat. I know it would have been gentle banter which the young officer took well. Sometimes that willingness of us Australians and New Zealanders to willingly laugh at ourselves and with others isn't understood by some of our northern neighbours.

 

I think that being a comedian on a cruise ship must be really tough because humour from different areas isn't always understood. 

23 minutes ago, Thecat123 said:

You got it all wrong, you were not there so you dont know how the night went down

Do you honestly think that the young officer heard  that. I did say it was said in a fun way to us

Also when leaving the group stopped and mentioned to the Hotel Manager how well he did talking to people 3 or 4 times his age

56 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

 

100% inappropriate conversation by those who engaged in such remarks.  Is it any wonder that Officers, if they have a choice, don't want to host a table when there may be such uncouth guests?  

You got it all wrong, you were not there so you dont know how the night went down

Do you honestly think that the young officer heard  that. I did say it was said in a fun way to us

Cant remember which ship but wandering around one night there was one of the staff members with boxes of cigars on the stern of probably deck 5.  There weren't many passengers there even though I think it was advertised

On 2/26/2022 at 5:43 AM, Hlitner said:

The simple answer is NO!  Those who host tables are limited to officers (generally it will be the more senior officers), entertainment staff, lecturers, the cruise director and his assistants, and a few other staff such as some folks from Guest Relations.

 

Hank

We were invited to a hosted table one night and this young officer, who looked so young the lady next to us kept asking in a fun way does he shave yet. I felt sorry for him having to join a table as a host with all these old geriatric passengers. We just asked him what he does work wise and with his off duty time. Everybody just seemed to make the night about him instead of us. He handled himself well It was a good night but I dont think we have ever had a bad night on a Seabourn ship. One of the better hosted diners we have had was with Sophie the Cruise Director, remember her, a fun night  😀

There should also a Caviar around the Pool party, not to be missed

Wonder if you just had a change of staff due to the ship having a turn around at a port ? Should not have happened but no big deal  No one took our order as they thought others had taken order

I can image getting on a strange ship for the first time not knowing many other staff or how the ship is run

Had a cruise awhile ago where was a large crew change with us getting "the wrong table" with the staff still having to become a team?

Has happened to us on other cruise lines as well

16 minutes ago, NSWP said:

I could get on, but 41 hr flight does not appeal, no direct flights from Australia to South America currently. So 41 hours in 3 flights and transits, Syd - Dallas - BA - Ushaia. Could not handle that.

When we went 2014 flew out of Auckland AIRNZ business to Sydney then Aero Lingous business or something like that to Buenos Aires, cant remember travel time where we caught the ship after 4 days there which was still actually cheaper including the hotel  than Qantas . 21 days on the Quest via Antarctica Falkland Islands then up the Chilean Coast where we caught a plane to Vegas for a week at a convention. Trouble was packing and also the accountant would not let me claim it as a long business trip  Well Vegas was work related just took awhile to  get there

Still reckon its the bestest cruise we have ever done

21 hours ago, NSWP said:

My son say's the first 3 Antarctic expedition cruises from Ushaia  on the 189 berth brand new Ocean Victory have been full. Which is good.

Well did you talk your son into taking you? 😀

The ship looks good

Found The Retreat Area

https://www.seabourn.com/en_US/experience/onboard-activities/activity/the-retreat.html

21 hours ago, crickette said:

What does Seabourn charge for the Retreat?  I've not seen that mentioned.

Been on the Encore several times and looked at the Retreat, even though we have had lots of OBC we would never bother going to the Retreat as every time we looked in nobody was there, maybe one or two couples along with the area "blocked" off from the ocean sea views due to the cabanas  . To us its a waste of deck space for the other passengers being able to use on busy days around the main pool

. One of the things we loved about Seabourn was that there seemed to be no preferential treatment given to any passengers with the Retreat, even though one has to pay for it, making it a "preferential area"

Having stayed in the Penthouse suites to the standard cabins. We were always treated the same as "special" passengers and not just a number