Isklaar

Thank you! I scrolled as I read the port reviews and expected to move through the review from there. I've never had a similar isssue when reading previous reviews here. Now looking forward to read the review in full, rhanks again.

When I visit that link, using Safari, I only see the ports and boarding process reviewed. I can't find how to move from that page. 🤔 Anyway, I was interested to read it as my understanding was that catlover hated most every apect of their previous experience on SB so I'm surprised they took another SB cruise...

Spot on, it's showing for me currently on Seabourn's UK site. Of course, the site is so poor that it could disappear again!

Totally agree! We've done it on Ovation and Sojourn, unmissable even if it means an early wake up.

I don't gamble but have sailed often with friends who do visit the casino. There may be cruises that are exceptions but in my experience the casino is a low key activity on Seabourn ships. The casinos are small and often close early-ish because there aren't enough players. To answer your question, I'm not aware of any offers like you mentioned. If the casino is an important aspect of cruising for you, Seabourn could be a disappointment.

Back in the day, it was delicately balanced between the two!

Thank you for providing the context. Same as you, I've never had a suite attendant tell me that.

I mostly concur with MrL, although depending upon where I am in the world I sometimes drink tap water 😉. SB changed to a new drinking water filtration system in 2019. I did not like the taste or smell of that water. Not an issue, there is always good branded bottled water available. It isn't clear from the post above the context. Who advised the poster to not drink the water, why the advice was given? Clearly if it was e.g. the ship's captain announcing to all onboard to not drink it, is a different situation to another guest expressing mere dislike of it. More information is needed.

I would very much like to know where we are going wrong! Hundreds of nights on SB but only set up as requested on at most 3 or 4 cruises. It's never been a problem of course as they soon sort it out, and actually it's become something of an in joke when we enter the suite to guess what unrequested delights are in the fridge. 🤪

It should be possible regardless of whether it's your first SB. However if you're still unable to do it, you could ask your TA to do it on your behalf, but honestly unless your requirements are quite specialised don't worry about it. Not sure if we are just unlucky but on embarkation our requested bar setup has only been correct a couple of times. It's not an issue, let your suite attendant know what you would like and they will get it set up usually the first night, or sometime the next day given how busy they are on embarkation day.

Thank you @highplanesdrifters. I'm sure I saw the photos you had posted during your Venture cruise but I actually didn't have either of these ships on my radar until recently. Pursuit has some extremely interesting itineraries around Australia and Papua New Guinea next year. Plus the lower number of passengers is a big draw.

What is the situation with outdoor deck space and seating? It's really not clear from SB deck plans or the website. I see the small infinity pool and assume there is seating in that area, but don't see it anywhere else. I understand that these ships were built for expedition and active cruising, however I would like to sit outdoors in a quiet but public space (ie not just on my suite veranda) whenever the weather allows. What are the options?

skybluewaters is correct, it's on deck 5. When Encore and Ovation were built they did not have a laundry room. Hence doesn't show on deck plan. The laundry rooms were retro fitted.

Thank you for taking us with you, it has been an enjoyable read. I look forward to reading your summary when you have settled back at home.

We have a situation such as this in our house too. When/if we are able to travel together again one of us is open to considering SS again (the new ships only), however one of us is not. In the meantime I may be in the market for a solo cruise in late Autumn this year. SB itineraries don't interest me. Will take a look at SS but would prefer a line with more attractive single fares!

Indeed, for us too noisy and crowded because far too small. The MDR was just one item in a list of my dislikes about Ovation. Not a luxury experience to be turned away on formal night (Christmas Eve) because it was full.

Mr L, just for sake of clarity, is it specifically MDR on Encore/Ovation that you find dreadful? I found it awful too on Ovation but on O class ships I like it much better. Very much looking forward to reading your thoughts about Pursuit, as an aside, I have in my head that you are also trying Explora. Or have I made that up?

Our first cruise was with Silversea. There was a group of people on a corporate freebie onboard, I believe 300 in total on Silver Spirit which at that time had a capacity of 540. We cruised one more time with SS, there was a group again but much smaller and far better behaved. Still had a negative effect on our enjoyment. This was 12 years ago. We moved to Seabourn after that. Do any of the luxury lines not take group bookings? I know SS still did just prior to Covid as two regular CC posters were on the same cruise posting about a badly behaved group.

I wish I hadn't looked but I imgine being seated next to a,service duck would be preferable to the infamous support peacock.

Sorry to confirm that there are plastic ducks. It's a thing currently. Hopefully a fleeting thing.

I have used them for business hotel accommodation. I haven't booked a cruise with them as I'm happy with my luxury cruise specialist TA.

We do have access to Virtuoso in the UK.

Sounds as if they serve the bread. Is the bread basket no longer on the table? It's been almost 4 years since our last cruise so I'm trying to keep up with all onboard changes, large and small. I will feel like a total newbie if we are ever able to cruise again!

In my experience, booking in the UK, my TA offers a generous discount on the cruise fare but not OBC.

Exactly.