kiawahdon

For a small fee "Concordia " or "Titanica" should be available. More seriously,

I like Islada, Primavera and Celestra. Let the games begin.

I agree with this comment.

 

While I would prefer not to take the gamble with smokers on the balcony I still prefer Seabourn to other cruises I have sailed on.

 

Though I might prefer a different smoking policy, I find I can avoid the smoke from smokers .................most of whom I find to be nice people :).............. just like I can avoid most other things I don't like.

 

For some context I have some Asthma issues so I am careful of the smoke because of this.

 

Julie

All it will take, I am sure, is one cruise with a chain-smoker on the veranda next door for you to change your mind. I for one am not going to spend $20k and play the smoker lottery. Other cruise lines give me much better odds.

Nautica is currently on her first cruise, post drydocks. She has left the port of Livorno and heading west per Marine Traffic.

Each person in the stateroom can have their own paid internet account with their own login and password. That way DH & DW can have dueling IPads.:)

I am sorry but this poll has about as much validity as a DNC poll on our President's popularity. How in h@&$$ can you compare lines with average per day rates ranging from $150 to over $700? How do you compare lines with ships having thousands of passengers per ship to ones with 650? How do you compare food and amenities with the per day cost difference? This "poll" falls into the same category as ones done by Cruise Critic, Travel & Leisure, Conde Naste Traveler and others. It is a popularity contest where often the cruise lines pander their clients for votes with frequent emails around voting time.

I for one would much rather look at reviews from knowledgable people and reputable travel agents who have actually done a lot of cruising on different lines. Just my opinion, so flame away.

While I talk verbally with our TA, I always confirm any booking request with an email. This provides both parties with written documentation of the cruise & stateroom request. No future arguments ever happen.

I wonder why Seabourn can't remove the "luck of the draw" and designate a substantial number of staterooms as non-smoking. Hotels do this and everyone wins under this approach. For example, make the front 2/3's of decks 2-5 non-smoking. That way, I can confidently book a specific stateroom and know that I can enjoy my veranda without smoke.

If Seabourn would wise up, this reoccurring thread would disappear forever.

The atitude was very much of that is the policy, deal with it. .

I did! I have moved to Oceania and Azamara until Seabourn gets its head screwed on straight.

looking at the Journey Destination Guide, there is a 5+ week gap starting 4/20.

I see the 2 week gap in January, but no mention of drydock.

I wouldn't think they would dry dock that time of the year...that's a busy travel time. :confused: :confused:

Maybe Bonnie or some one else in the "know" can tell us the answer.

There is a large gap in Journey's published schedule from April 20, 2016 until May 24th. Wonder if the gap is for charters or long over due dry dock & overhaul?:confused:

I would like to see if a small "friendly" reminder to gently close your door be placed on the inside of the stateroom doors at eye level.

Looking at your itinerary, Nov. 8 is "turn-around" day. As such, the ship will be docked- never heard of using tenders to offload (and embark) 1200 people + luggage. It also looks like Riviera is the only ship in port on the 7th & 8th. That said, I would suspect the tendering notation for the 7th may be in error. Worst case is there is another ship in port on the 7th, but leaves in the afternoon of the 7th; and Riviera moves into the dock. A quick call to your TA or O will clear up the confusion.

The real issue IMO is getting a taxi at 6am or so and the related cost. Taxis in MC are very expensive and scarce. A second mortgage may be in order.

I noticed a switch to 'Roos' today, too! Thought I was seeing things. Perhaps they are harbingers of next year's itineraries 'down under'?

I would respectfully request that Azamara identify the locations of the beautiful scenery shots they use throughout the website. Not all of them are iconic. This might go a long way to tempting me to travel to these locations.

 

As for the phone experience, here's another suggestion, for what it's worth. I spent about 10 min. on hold today, waiting to speak to a cruise consultant and while I waited, was treated to a lengthy and repetitious spiel about the glories of cruising on RCCL....the skating rinks, the rock climbing walls, Broadway shows, and, especially Starbucks coffee!

Wake up marketing folks... This is definitely NOT what an Azamara customer wants to listen to while waiting too long for a response. I'd rather forget the connection to all that megaship stuff. Don't drive me away.

Not surprising at all. For years, AZ has been the ugly step-child of RCCL. RCCL will not commit any dollars to give AZ the real separate identity that it deserves. When you have 30 ships holding thousands of passengers, why would you worry about AZ, their 2 ships and its 1,300 passengers? The lack of upgrading the ships is another example of non commitment to the AZ brand. AZ is merely a pimple on RCCL's corporate body. The lack of actions speaks much louder than words.

I believe a lot of the different demographics is a result of the departure and terminating port. For Europeans the flights are generally much shorter and cheaper if they are sailing in Europe- hence they like these cruises. The cost and logistics are much more complex if flying from North America.

And smoking is allowed on cabin verandahs, so one runs the risk of having smoke float in from a neighbor's verandah. This indeed did happen to us on a recent Sojourn trip. We unfortunately had chain-smoking neighbors.

And this is why SB will not get another nickel of my cruise dollars until they kill veranda smoking. I will not spend thousands of dollars, only to have my cruise ruined. It is now a crap shoot- you may get lucky, or you could lose big-time. I would rather gamble in Las Vegas- at least you know the odds and game.:mad:

having sailed both Azamara and Seabourn, there is no comparison. Seabourn is far superior. Staff know your name and your drink of choice when entering the bar. Food on Seabourn far superior.

 

tom

Don't want to start a food fight, but..... I do not totally agree. First, there is no question that SB's 3 newer ships are, from a physical perspective, far superior to AZ. But, after 30+ cruises on almost every line! the visibility and friendliness of AZ's officers and crew is the best in the industry.

As far as food, I view it a draw. AZ' 2 optional restaurants are superior to SB's one limited menu offering in Restaurant 2.

The staterooms on SB's newer ships are far superior to anything AZ offers. But one needs to consider the age of AZ ships and the desperate need for updating.

One thing AZ trumps the industry on is their overnights in ports and special evenings.

Bottom line is that both lines have their pluses and minuses.

this topic deserves a sticky!,

Try this one- this is where I found him.

https://www.facebook.com/robert.drewes.12

In my opinion, the OP was entirely proper to post his experience. The real issue is that he had to escalate his issue. It should have been a no brainier for O! Actually, under the circumstances, O should have taken the initiative without the client having to get involved.

The whole morass of non- refundable and refundable credits is a mess. O needs to clearly spell out the "ground rules" and when the usurious 5% fee applies, and when it doesn't. Just my opinion.

We cruised Oceania recently and took advantage of some promotions and get a bunch of shipboard credit. We really enjoy the art shows and my wife fell in love with a piece so we decided to use our credit for that.

After 28 days on Marina earlier this year, and no hint of the Art "Auctions", I assumed that O finally got some sense and killed them. But, based upon the OP's post, they may have come back only to be abruptly killed again. Anybody know the straight scoop?

Here is another suggestion- take the train to Dover.

It is as fast, or faster, than a car and costs much less. Trains leave from several London stations; and the cab fare from the Dover station is only a couple of pounds. Plus, you can ask the taxi driver to stop on the way to the ship to grab a couple of bottles of your favorite libation. Have done this twice and would do it again in a heartbeat!

[quote=LHT28;

They usually post the menus after lunch in the entry way so you can always compare or check if your favourite dish is offered

Lyn

Too bad they do not "post" on the TV or Ah la Seabourn, include in your Currents for you to review while laying in bed and plan the next day's attack.

Maybe JimandStan's cogent reply will put this discussion to bed.

Put a fork in this thread- this turkey is done.