The Seabourn Quest has two hot tubs on a lower deck with numerous lounge chairs on the back of the ship. I was always the only person there and it was wonderful!
On Regent the cruise fare is reduced if you do not use the air program. I calculate the credit for not using the air program as the amount of the airfare, which is substantially less than purchasing business class tickets outside of the program.
My experience is identical with Regent. Business class airfare from the US to Europe has become very expensive, almost as much as the cruise fare on a 10 day cruise! On my recent Regent booking we saved a total of $8,000 using the air program and the flights are convenient although they are one stop each way rather than non-stop. I will gladly trade a stop each way for $8,000.
Fair point. My comments assume that the Crystal experience will equal or exceed that of the past. There will be plenty of reviews of Crystal well before the cancellation deadline expires on my cruise.
This analysis assumes that one is comparing similar experiences. Having sailed both lines I posit that the Crystal experience, in all areas, far exceeds Seabourn. To quote the ancient adage...."you get what you pay for."
When I was younger I chafed (literally) at the thought of wearing anything but jeans at dinner be it on land or at sea. Now, I prefer to get somewhat dressed up at a fine restaurant or at dinner on an ultra premium segment cruise ship. Alas, the level of required dress seems to have degraded everywhere. I, for one, will not govern my conduct by the lowest common denominator.
Robin,
Looking forward to your reports. We are booked on our first Regent cruise next summer after having had less than stellar experiences on Seabourn and Silversea. Prior to its demise we sailed almost exclusively on Crystal.
On the hope that your TA is correct about Seabourn keeping the better staff on the newer ships and from what I have heard from recent cruisers on the newer ships we have booked a cruise at the end of March on the Ovation. We also have a summer cruise in Europe booked on Regent. We shall see which experience we enjoy more.
If you enjoy Four Seasons on land you will have the opportunity to enjoy it at sea. Four Seasons just announced its cruise line starting in 2025. I don't know what one calls a cruise segment above ultra premium but it appears it will be a catagory unto itself.
Good afternoon,
We are thinking about booking a cruise this spring on the ovation. We recently cruised on the Quest and had a less than stellar experience which I understand is an anomaly among Seabourn ships. If anyone has recently cruised on the ovation we would appreciate your comments about the food, the service, and the ship in general.
Thank you
It is simply astounding to me that after months and months of Seabourn being advised of multiple problems with the Quest they remain uncorrected, yet these issues do not seem to exist on the other ships in the line.
Hello,
We are Crystal refugees looking for a new home. Just got off of a 12 day cruise on Seabourn Quest (we posted a thorough review on the Seabourn CC Board). We are in the process of booking our next cruise to Europe on either Silversea or Regent and would appreciate any comparison of Regent (particularly the Navigator) to Silversea and Seabourn from folks who were recently on one of those lines and are frequent or infrequent Regent cruisers.
Thank you.