Vineyard View

We enjoy nice wine. We also, when on vacation enjoy a cocktail before dinner. We buy the SSBP because of the convenience, and easy variety of wines offered on the package that we can choose from at each meal, rather than the red or white being offered that day. Yes, you can purchase those non-included wines by the glass as well. Geography plays into wine buying in port if you choose to do that, as we have at times, particularly in Europe. We’ve even brought a favored bottle with us from home for a special occasion while on board. Viking makes it easy, it just depends on what works best for you and your personal preferences.

We are big fans of Viking. When I was researching Mediterranean 2023 itineraries earlier this year, I first looked at Viking. I have to agree with the comments that it would be nice if Viking added some new places, because they have been repeating many of the same ports/itineraries for a long while. I also agree with a couple comments on the included Viking excursions - we have almost only used them as transportation into a place, so that doesn’t enter into our price comparison. We buy Silver Spirits package when we sail Viking, so I add that cost. I would also agree that the per day cost on Viking has bumped up considerably. When adding up the costs we incur with Viking, they are competitive with , and sometimes even more costly, than the other lines I looked at in multiple regions (Mediterranean, Canada/NE, S. America) So I started looking at other lines - Oceania, Azamara (knowing I would need to bump up to a suite category for a decent bathroom), Seabourn, Regent, and Silver Seas. It was about itinerary, but also total cost. At the end, when adding up all the costs we incur on Viking, that for us Oceania, Azamara entry level suite, and Seabourn were all within a small margin of difference based on the specific time and specials being offered. We haven’t sailed on any of those three, but we ended up booking Seabourn based on itinerary, and a huge Labor Day sale they were having, bringing per day cost below others. We hope to sail Viking again - we have nothing but positive to say about our experiences, both rivers and Oceans - back to inaugural Star cruise in ‘15). But we will also continue to look at these lines. If the experience on Seabourn doesn’t need expectations, I will be first to say one and done. But I absolutely know that we wouldn’t ever be worried about Viking meeting our expectations, as long as the itinerary/total cost works.

It is undoubtedly disruptive with the whole new Venice cruising protocols, regardless of the smaller ship lines such a Viking, and of course recognizing the reasons for this. That said, new substitutions are good to understand better for planning. We are taking a RT (different line) that allows time in the city beforehand or after.. I think there are various types of itineraries that have a more impactful experience (such as a 2 1/2 day ‘Venice’ stay), vs a start or end, or RT in Venice. The specific itinerary OP is discussing is a turnaround with a lot of ‘Venice time’, vs the chance to start or end with time in Venice? I am learning quite a bit with these responses on how Chioggia impacts the Start, end, or RT pieces…..but the turn around with 2 1/2 days in Choggia is, to me, the puzzle on how that plays out?

We are new to SB as well. We also enjoy premium wines. So two questions. Are we able to jump up to a different wine package at a cost? And then, can we bring what wine we want on board - with or without corkage fees? Thanks much

We are very interested in how this all plays out, so to speak. The exact itinerary you booked is the one I have had on my bucket list for a few years. With the changes happening in Venice, we pivoted for next year to another line and itinerary RT out of Venice. That said, I really want to still take this one in the next couple years depending on how that 2.5 days transpires and evolves. I know that staying in Venice proper prior to or afterwards is the ideal way to see the city (we’ve visited before), so we will do this next Spring, however what the options are during this turn around is an important piece of this specific itinerary, IMHO.

Thank you Nancy. Appreciate this update. Guess no Cyber Monday or Black Friday deals for 2024 😉 I was looking at Mediterranean and I am really wondering if all of them are posted yet up to June.

Plenty of options to have lunch aside of buffet on other lines on sea days. What may seem simple decisions from management of companies, such as this, can truly affect customer choices. Just a curious thought - why would someone prefer lunch served in their stateroom over other options on a sea day? Sorry, dots just don’t connect for me, but what the heck.

Thank you.

Thank you for so many and various responses. We are sailing with Seabourn in May for the first time. Itinerary is important. I looked at several lines for 2024, and was disappointed to not be able to view Seabourn. We will be traveling with friends in ‘24 who would prefer a focus on Italy, and since we have sailed and land tripped quite a bit ourselves in the country, I was looking for a bit different ports. After reading a lot of positive here on SS, I looked there, as well as Regent, Viking ( which we are fans of), Oceania, and Azamara. Maybe I am missing someone I should be looking at, but so far Azamara has the most potential from an itinerary standpoint, however we have not sailed on them. From what I have read here and on other threads, Seabourn and SS seem most comfortable for us from afar. It’s just strange to me that if everyone else can predetermine costs and itineraries at this point - at least through mid June 2024, that Seabourn has not done so.

Thank you both. This seems more than a little late, but if that’s what they do, then I guess it works for them.

I reached out via email regarding our missing TK reservations. I was informed that a recent update is not showing existing/previously made reservations, but that they were not cancelled. They are still in the system, but not able to view at this current time. I imagine this is causing quite the headache for the reservations/customer service group.

Any idea when Seabourn will announce their 2024 itineraries for the Mediterranean? I know that I asked this a while back, but I am wondering if anyone has had any updates? Most all lines have theirs published by now. Thank you

Sorry to hear that. Thinking through all these threads, on a couple different lines, and I have to think that truth is, that the industry overall will do better post Covid with more positive reviews, regardless of line. I sure hope we all start seeing that on our multiple favored cruise lines.

I honestly do not care what the gender of the owner is, nor what the nationality of the owner is. I don’t care if the dog is cute or not. I don’t care if the owner is in the entry level cabin or owners suite. If the dog is allowed to sit on furniture, and poops on the carpet, then it seems to me to not be a service dog, and/or the owner is not a responsible owner. Having been in the company of good friends and dogs involved with Canine Companions, I would suggest these behaviors are not acceptable. Then let’s wonder, based on these reported observations, who know what else is occurring (for instance, how is that poop/pee controlled in other areas including the cabin. Then add go into eating venues on a closed environment such as a ship, there is an inherently wrong situation taking place. I don’t know how ADA plays on an internationally registered ship/company - maybe sailing to the USA is the determining factor (?). I just think that a door may have been opened by Seabourn on this decision that could set precedent, and create issues moving forward. And yes, we are huge dog lovers. But that is not the point of what is occurring IMHO.

I sure hope that someone has said something regarding this to ship officers, but since it’s a transatlantic I guess they can’t change what has been already been allowed on board. But the dog is in the elevators, pooping on the floor, and she doesn’t see an issue? It is unsanitary and quite honestly disgusting. NO ONE is that important - on any cruise line - for this to even be able to happen. I am sorry if she is a bit confused, but having this situation even occur is beyond me. I mean, seriously - There shouldn’t even be this thread - it shouldn’t be happening! So….how is this possibly allowed in the first place?

While it would be great, I would not count on that response. It was not available to anyone to do this 10/19 in San Juan, and I doubt it has become more lenient post Covid start up. Would be nice if it was accurate

When we disembarked in San Juan, Viking had a large, (probably conference) room for people to spend time who had late flights. The hotel was directly across the street from where we docked. DH and I were staying over for a few days so went to our hotel, but there were a number of passengers taking this opportunity. I believe that I heard passengers were able to store their bags there and explore, but I may be wrong about that piece. I also remember needing to be off the ship, as suggested, around 9:30 or 10:00.

I understand and do not dispute the business scenario that you represent. I agree that it is impossible to satisfy 100% of people. That said, I would argue though that there has to be truth in advertising, or your reputation as a business should rightfully be challenged. If SB advertises services, then they should deliver those offerings unless there is a legitimate exception to the rule at that particular scenario, and then that should be explained in some way. Continued lack of advertised services and offerings, that are rightfully considered when one pays for them, results in false advertising.

It is great to read your review about the Quest and all the positive experiences that you had. Thank you for sharing. From multiple threads, Quest has had some fairly significant issues and this sounds as if those are being turned around. On sea days, was the MDR open for lunch? Wasn’t sure if the Galley lunch was on a port or sea day, and if a sea day, if others were able to dine maybe in a different area? Also curious as to whether the MDR was open for breakfast, at least on sea days? You mentioned hosted dinners, but how were your other evening meals? MDR and TK? Thank you again.

I meant to say, and maybe needed to be more clear, that when you grab a lounger, then you should be ready to use said lounger. Not grab it and then ‘leave for a bit’. It’s those who place their things on loungers, do not use them, and then come back ‘after a bit’ to do so that isn’t right. It’s also the same when people have been using a lounger, then go have breakfast, or lunch, and leave their belongings on the lounger - that just isn’t right. If you claim it, you should be ready to use it at that time you claim it.

Why not just grab a chair when you are done in the World Cafe…..seems like by this logic, you are grabbing a chair you aren’t going to sit in for a bit so no one else, who wants to sit in it at the time, does? It seems only fair that if you grab a lounger, that you are ready to use that lounger. If you need to go to the facilities during that time, that’s one thing. Drinks can be brought to you happily by Viking staff.

On our Caribbean trip out of NYC just before Covid this was a big issue. There were obviously complaints because there was correspondence from Viking about no chair reserving. Unfortunately, it didn’t make a bit of difference. It’s incredibly rude to a) do this in the first place, and b) put a Viking staff member in a position to be hall monitoring. That’s grade school garbage. After reading all of this, I do believe that if chairs are being ‘reserved’ for lengths of time in this manner, then placing the items elsewhere is not such a bad idea. We didn’t do a thing, and neither did Viking, so the pattern continued. I honestly do not know the solution, but self entitlement is disgusting on most levels IMHO. And this is nothing less than that.

Thank you Nancy for your response

Would you book sailing on Quest again Nancy? Were your expectations met on the quality of food and service, and overall felt that Seabourn was a high value for your vacation time and money?

So I have to believe that if you are wanting to book another cruise, that your journey on Quest went well? I hope the future booking was secured as well