sfvoyage

Not only that, but some of them were loudly and incessantly complaining to guest services (I was on board in March and saw/heard them in action) because they didn't get things exactly how they like it on Crystal. One in particular threatened legal action if she didn't get her way (i.e. monetary compensation). I am very fond of the outstanding and hardworking Seabourn crew and felt sorry for them. A few confided - diplomatically, of course - that "this is not a normal Seabourn cruise." Of course, a few loud ones make all the noise and troubles, and some Seabourn loyalists are also troublemakers, but my experience and direct observation on that cruise left me feeling sad for the extra stress and burden imposed on the lovely Seabourn crew, unfortunately. However, not all was lost, as it also gave me even more respect and admiration for the Seabourn crew for their patience, perseverance, and professionalism. Service jobs are among the hardest there is, with low pay and long hours and having to deal with all kinds of customers.

Really? This is unheard of for cruise lines. Some airlines and hotels do have status matching from time to time - sometimes with a challenge match, e.g. you must fly X miles within Y months - but, in all cases, the matched status is for the first year only - you'll have to requalify on your own in subsequent years. Elite status for cruise lines is different in that there is no annual reset and so the status is evergreen (no annual requalification). Are you saying Crystal passengers get full-on unconditional matching, e.g. no challenge, no limited period, no need to somehow requalify?

In late 2019 & early 2020, SB started to change over from small tubes to big refillable bottles for all cabins ship by ship. Covid hit before the changeover was completed, and they restarted sailing with the small tubes last year. Apparently they are now in the process of changing over to big refillable bottles again. (Previously, regular cabins were stocked with 50ml tubes, while penthouse suites and above had 80 ml tubes.)

No need to argue over Canada's legislations. As I said, more and more brand-conscious luxury hotels are doing away with single-use toiletries.

Like it or not, this is becoming more and more prevalent due to environmental concerns. Many 5* hotels are changing over to large refillable bottles. Also, Canada has banned single use plastics: https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/news/2021/12/government-of-canada-moving-forward-with-banning-harmful-single-use-plastics0.html

These are the bubble bath/shower gels. What about the shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, and body lotion? Big refillable bottles as well?

What do you mean by "available"? Were all embarking passengers required to get a rapid test prior to boarding?

No or very little problem on the Ovation earlier this year as well. I thought the 3 O-class ships have upgraded to the same satellite (or whatever) system as the 2 bigger ships. Perhaps not? Good news about the new Tim Rice show. How does it compare to the original one? Does the new one feature all new songs and narratives? Has it replaced the old one, or are both still in repertoire at the moment?

Another data point: friends currently on Sojourn are reporting that all is well, normal excellent standards.

The serene area on Encore or Ovation is small: <= 25% of the one on the Odyssey. It has the stone lounge chairs and the special scented showers and sauna.

I have sailed on SB on several segments in the past few months (Oct, Nov, Dec, Mar & Apr) and was very pleased with the food and service - just as good if not better than ever (over the past 10+ years). However, I did not thoroughly enjoy myself due to issues with Seabourn's covid protocols, especially with the lack of mask enforcement. At the same time, I know of quite a few beloved old-time SB employees who have left SB or the industry during the pandemic to start a new job, a new business, a new family, etc. I am happy to be taking a break from cruising for the rest of this year, especially after reading about the latest service issues due to hiring and training challenges, which, as many of us know, are widespread in all hospitality sectors (cruises, airlines, airports, hotels & restaurants, etc.). What I am curious about is: all those people who swear they'll never sail with Seabourn again, who are they go going with?

I just emailed you.

Most of the non-management expedition staff members are free-lancers and take contracts with various expedition companies and ships.

Yes, the full prepayment, just like the initial deposit, is fully refundable before penalty period starts. It is normally advantageous to take advantage of this, unless you can manage to invest your money elsewhere and get a better ROI. Not idea how quickly Seabourn handles refunds these days. My guess is that it is not bad, unlike those early covid days back in 2020 when system and staffing were overwhelmed. Not sure I understand your 2nd question about whether this is a good deal. 10% off is a great deal. If you're asking about the cruise pricing itself, I don't know if anybody would know. Obviously, one would think that less popular voyages would get promotions close-in, while more popular voyages would either get price increases or be sold out.

Yes, and yes.

Based on my experience getting quotes from Seabourn Air, that is unfortunately not the case. They only have contracted rates on certain routes with certain airlines, and most of the times their quotes are higher than what I can get online. Their justification was that SB Air comes with protection in case of irregularity, but we never need that benefit because we always fly in a few days before departure. Having said that, there is now the Covid-related benefit in case of cruise destination rerouting, cancellations, etc. No idea how this will play out with the new inclusive air program, but I doubt it would work to our benefit.

I also do not like inclusive air because you have no control over airlines and routing. If you want to choose your airline and routing, you will need to pay a deviation fee and the fare difference, which will in practice by always greater than 0, since the included air will most likely be the cheapest option. Let's hope the credit for opting out of inclusive air is reasonable.

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.

Other options for proctored self-test kits: if you cannot get it done on the ship (due to wifi issues) the day before or the morning of disembarkation, the city of Victoria (maybe also its cruise terminal) has free wifi hot spots throughout the city. Same for the city of Vancouver and its cruise terminal (including the Starbucks at its entrance) the morning of disembarkation. Also, YVR airport has free wifi, so you can self test before checking in for your flight. (Of course, if you're staying behind, you can do the self test in your hotel room.)

Is nobody on here familiar with proctored self-test kits that are approved by the CDC for travel back to the US from overseas and accepted by airlines and cruise lines for entry and reentry into the US? They have been discussed extensively on other boards for months and used by many overseas travelers. In fact, I just used one (eMed Abbott BinaxNow) to fly back to the US from France last month. It is easy, cheap, and quick, and it's even reimbursable by most if not all insurance.