kej1

Hi Fleuve51. Thanks for this bit of info. I've sailed with Oceania 6 times and have thoroughly enjoyed every cruise. It is always consistent. The Oceania MDR is ALWAYS open for breakfast and lunch if you want to pass on the buffet. I recently booked my first Seabourn cruise for May, 2017 and I've been following this thread and the Seabourn board recently. I'm not thrilled to hear that there is no guarantee that the MDR will even be open for breakfast or lunch. And now reading your post has me more concerned. I am a foodie. I definitely want a great culinary experience. Please keep us posted on how things progress.

 

Thanks,

Joe

Love Seabourn. Going on first Oceania Marina cruise over Christmas this year. Biggest issue we have with Seabourn was on a 21 day cruise last summer MDR was only open for lunch 2 days. Once was a buffet galley tour, so really only 1 day for service off a menu. Their Columnade is a buffet which is open for lunch but very, very crowded. There are a very few room service items that can be ordered off the menu, but not being buffet people this was not to our liking. However, it was the only bad issue we had with the cruise. Otherwise we were very happy with the accommodations, service, etc. here's to hoping we will enjoy Oceania Marina!

We are not cruise experts - only 4 in the past - 1 silver sea, 2 regent, and 1 seabourn. However we have traveled extensively all over the world in both high end resorts and hotels and adventure travel. I'd like to give some feedback on seabourn. We are on a 21 day med cruise and 1 week into the cruise. We have some positives and some things that really eyed improvement.

Positives:

Room fantastic - PHSpa suite - 1090 - love the room, the shower is particularly terrific. Love the corner and everything about this room. One of our favorite cruise rooms ever.

Marina days - fabulous, really great. Better than when they had the small netted area.

Caviar - although not the best quality, really good. The best food offering.

Room cleaning and service - very good, we use the " clean the room sign" when we leave and it's always done before we return.

Ship - beautiful, love the spaces, design, etc. great job on this ( similar to odessey we were on previously).

Needs improvement -:

Food - really disappointing. The biggest issue. We remember decent food and sometimes really good from our previous Seabourn cruise ( it was 2012) and now it is very disappointing. What happened? frozen food, off color vegetables, nothing is great, we are happy if something is fair...We are in the med where the local food sources are great. We realize it is feeding a large group of people and don't expect excellence, but would expect at least "fair" not poor.

MDR - closed every day for lunch. Actually we were disappointed at first, but given the quality of the food ( lack thereof), we have gone out in the ports almost every day, because the food is quite disappointing. The Columnade is crowded and hard to find a nice table for 2 to have a relaxing lunch unless you get there very early. And the buffet options are really quite marginal. Soggy lettuce for the hand tossed Caesar salad. I know we are from California, but soggy lettuce is not great.

Service - mixed - sometimes great, other times really poor. I feel like some ( not all)of the staff just wants to go home or have a break. Also feel like when we order room service ( usually breakfast) they kind of sigh like not them again.... Makes us uncomfortable as not used to this on other lines or hotels. But some of the staff really terrific - it's really a mixed bag!

Wines - well some decent and some really poor. I do think they could have a bit higher end, but I know they have to make money! Even the " for pay " are not outstanding ( we are from California), but we have found things that are very drinkable, just not great. The for pay gas some great things and some nit so great things. Again, we are in the med, and can buy our own which we have done in several ports!

Spa - we walk through there several times a day to our room. I had a facial on our recent sea day. Let's just say even with 14 + days to go, I won't be giving anymore treatments....

Having said this we love our room and much of the service is great - just overall service is mixed. Food is the biggest disappointment. We don't expect it to be Michelin 3 star or even 1 star, but it the high level of salt and poor quality of ingredients given we are in the med is just too bad. I guess I have changed my mind about wanting the MDR open at lunch as just much better to eat lunch I the towns we visit - of course I should have known having been to many if them!

We are leaving tomorrow for a few days in Italy, followed by a 21 day med cruise. New will be disappointed if the MDR is closed every day for lunch, so I suppose either lunch in port or room service on our deck. Just not big on buffets as work really hard all year and want to relax! Disappointing, but I am sure we will have a great time regardless! But I agree with the previous post, it should be our choice not seabourn's.....

We will be on a 21 day med cruise departing 25 July. Will be very disappointed if MDR closed ever day. It is 2 B2B 11 and 10 day cruises. My husband and I work hard and one of the most relaxing things is a nice " served" lunch in a quiet place mid day. We are not Avid cruisers but are avid travelers. We were last on Seabourn several years ago and did MDR lunch almost every day. Went on Regent last year for 18 day cruise and enjoyed MDR lunch almost every day as well.we are really not buffet people. What do you think? I am worried we will be eating off the ship most days in port......

We are on an upcoming 21 day summer med cruise. I hope the MDR U.S. Open for a la carte lunch. Ant experiences? What is the likelihood of it being open. We don't care for buffets.

Is caviar still ordered freely on the ship?

My husband and I are thinking if taking a 21 day med cruise this summer. In order to be gone this long it is critical for us to stay connected. Is the diamond Internet package pricing per device or per suite? Does it cover multiple devices? Or do we each have to buy the package?

We are planning for 7 nights post cruise. It is our first PG cruise and we are doing the 11 day which includes the Cook Islands. We have been to FP before, having spent most of our time at the old Hoel Bora Bora which we loved, and a few days on Morea.

Since our cruise includes overnights in both places we've been to, we are thinking of doing 3 nights at Kia Ora in the Tuamotoes and 4 nights at the Brando. Has anyone been? I know the Brando sounds great! But what about Kia Ora? I have heard amazing snorkeling excursions, but mixed reviews on service, accommodation, and food. I have heard no room service for breakfast or any meals, and not much service at all! Has anyone been? We were thinking of going after our July cruise so it would be late July.

Thank you everyone for the replies! We knew that PG would not be as fancy as Seabourn and others, but love the iten and really wanted to do it in our summer/their winter.

We will check out the 8th floor rooms as well. We love spending time on our balcony which is why the grand suite was appealing ( size of balcony) and 701 has a larger deck as well. . The only thing is if you have to stand up to see the view....although I am sure we will be outside a lot on this cruise!

Thank you!

I looked at both and chose a grand suite. I just loved standing up front watching as we sailed into different ports - the upper deck was usually closed as it was "early" morning and thus no-one else got this view. And the deck was big enough for two loungers usually with wonderful sun and wonderful privacy. The down side re entertaining others is the bed is in the same space as the lounge area ... ah well, such are the things we have to suffer

Are the windows such you can see the view indoors for the bed or chairs indoors? Are the windows floor to ceiling glass? How is the bathroom? Thanks for your response!

We will be going on our first PG cruise this summer. We are debating between a Grand Suite and the owners suite 701. We are very lucky and celebrating a very special occasion. Does anyone know the difference or have a preference? Thank you!

Sorry for the poor spelling, but using an IPAD! Just to clarify, we actually really liked the cruise and liked Regent. We had some disappointments, but nonetheless had very good service and would consider it again based on the itinerary.

This cruise on boarding was delayed out of Sydney first due to a thorough cleaning if the ship due to sick passengers and crew. We don't know how many but at least over 2% reported, so they said had procedures to go through. We thought a good thing! Boarding delayed from 12:00 for some, 2:00 for others to 5:00 with a scheduled sail away moved from 5:00 to 8:00. Once on board sail away again delayed due to weather to sometime after 1;00am or later. Left about 6:00 am - 8 hours late.

Crossing not terrible but evidently some sea sick and some sick from prior leg and prior non seasick problem still on board. Ny husband and i despite an aft corner suite had no problem with sea sickness but could hear and hear about other illness on the ship, however we set about to have as great time, always washed hands, used sanitizer, no buffets, and were not effected by the rough seas.

Two days in we heard very disappointing news, would not make cruising of Milfird Sound clearly a highlight. Just told once matter of factly two days in, very upsetting, nothing extra done to make up for it, but decisions had been made.

Our butler and cabin service were excellent. Although the quality of the food in the MDR was inconsistent we felt the service good. The staff on general tried really hard to please and that was terrific.

The one area that was a let down was destination services. They were quite rude when asking about status, and we were never cleared for several tours - our highest priorities despite waitlisting in Oct. one pay extra tour we cleared the night before but had already booked a private very expensive tour through regent in its place but told non refundable, the whole tour stuff was a disaster and could prevent me from going again - you pay - in your price, but you cannot get what you want? Charge less and charge for tours would eliminate this problem.

Loved our room in the aft and did not mind the vibration and noise, but some might. I thought the complimentary wines pretty good although splurged on a few others on occasion. Did not do the entertainment or casino so could not comment there. The specialty restaurants we thought the best, although had a few very good special orders in Compass Rose a couple of nights.

Overall despite foibles happy with cruise til last full day when husband came down with the dreaded thing going around. Saw dr in NZ as we stayed over and today dr. At home. My husband has picked up bug only about 8 times in 22 years marriage, he goes for physical once a year. And that is it Clearly was on ship despite our diligence so now debating whether to do another with regent or back to Seabourne. Time heels all so we will see shortly. I has a bit of 24 hour symptoms the last day but his have gone on and on.....anybody else care to comment? Loved Dunedin and did akaroa on own z( did not get tours). Did Wellington on own as well. Missed Tangarua as husband sick that day. Loved cruising in and out of Charlotte Sound!

Thank you for the wonderful comments along the way! We are at the Park Hyatt Sydney after a week in Australia and looking forward to boarding tomorrow! Really enjoyed your feedback! Happy New Year!

Forgot to say that there isn't anything even remotely interesting to write about except the heat and people sick on board. Don't think anyone is interested in that.

 

Going to Steve Irwin's Crocodile farm and zoo today in probably 100 degree heat but I would not miss the opportunity to go there. I had great respect for him and miss seeing him on television.

 

Another great menu tonight but won't have time to type it. Will try to give highlights.

Am interested in people sick on board. Just received notice from TA that we will have a delayed embarkation from Sydney as major GI issue with crew nd passengers. Is it that bad? We have been in Oz now for a week nd are worried, but then are not experienced cruisers! Comments?

TC2,

Thank you for the great report. We are joining the ship in Sydney for the trip to Auckland. We also have a Seven Seas Aft suite but on the 9th floor and looking forward to it despite the vibration! I certainly hope the menus are as good as you describe on our trip. They look delicious!

Although we have traveled far and wide but we are fairly new to cruising. We have been on Silversea and Seabourn previously and are really looking forward to This upcoming regent cruise! Will you still be on board or are you getting off in Sydney?

Thank you everyone for your encouraging feedback! We are looking forward to our first regent cruise. Have been once on silversea and twice on seabourn. We have traveled a lot but fairly new to cruising and so far have loved it!

On my upcoming cruise ( 1 month from now, sydney to Auckland) I tried booking a few days after the restaurants opened up and they were completely full. My TA was able to get me reservations for both but only at 9:00pm and not on nights we had chosen. So I guess one needs to book immediately when it opens for reservations. I am also booked in a seven seas suite which we thought had priority, but appears not so.

I can only remember one tour that did not open up. And that was for a high cost limited, 12 people excursion. That is for the last 6 cruise I have been on since the included tours started. So don't fret, you will probably get what you paid for.

 

 

 

Rule of thumb.

1. Regents reps are usually clueless. Don't ever call them.

2. Get an Agent who is experienced. Besides getting correct info, they are usually much cheaper and get you better perks.

 

J

31/425

We still have not cleared any excursions and are leaving in a month. My agent is very good, but is getting frustrated too! Part of the problem may be we re wait listed on paid excursions but this is what we wanted to do. To book privately is quite a bit more expensive! Any advice? I am afraid with one month to go in high season if we don't book now we may not even get a private tour!

Thank you for the responses! I really appreciate.

We booked a cruise from sydney to Auckland and have found all tours we are interested in ( even paid tours) are booked full. We are wait listed in every port despite being in a very high end Suite which supposedly has priority. Calling regent they tell me tough luck and our TA can do nothing. Very frustrating for a cruise line that advertises all inclusive tours. We will most likely go back to Seabourn after this trip.