Seabourn Alaska Questions?

Just got an email for some specials to Alaska which on a per day basis prices out not much more than the Celebrity cruise I already booked which the deposit is still refundable for a few more weeks and I have a couple questions. I have only cruised on Celebrity and Carnival previously.

Do you need to get dressed up for dinner?: I am not a jacket and tie guy and do not own a tuxedo and wife has no gowns.

Is there a charge for specialty dinners?

Look like wine is included with dinner what about other drinks both alcoholic and non during the day?

Is there a place to look online to see what excursions are offered for certain cruises? Can't seem to find it.

Any other comments appreciated.

Just got an email for some specials to Alaska which on a per day basis prices out not much more than the Celebrity cruise I already booked which the deposit is still refundable for a few more weeks and I have a couple questions. I have only cruised on Celebrity and Carnival previously.

 

Do you need to get dressed up for dinner?: I am not a jacket and tie guy and do not own a tuxedo and wife has no gowns.

 

Is there a charge for specialty dinners?

 

Look like wine is included with dinner what about other drinks both alcoholic and non during the day?

 

Is there a place to look online to see what excursions are offered for certain cruises? Can't seem to find it.

 

Any other comments appreciated.

Per your questions:

1. There are four dining options of which two, the Patio Grill and the Colonnade are casual.

2. There is no charge for any of the restaurants although you do have to reserve for the Thomas Keller one.

3. All drinks are included at all times with the exception of premium spirits and wine. Premium wines are high end and we can always find a complimentary one to suit our taste. With regard to other drinks, regular champagne is included and there are several single malt scotches and decent cognacs on the standard offering. Cocktails are included.

4. The Seabourn web site usually tells you what excursions are available and allows you to book them ahead of time. Go to the bottom of the Seabourn web page and Excursions are under "Discover".

5. You didn't ask this but I will get ahead of the game anyway. The only 'extra charges' on Seabourn are for the laundry service (there is a free self service launderette) , internet, excursions, spa services, the shop, premium spirits and wines and the casino.

Seabourn is like night and day from Celebrity and Carnival. Much smaller ships, nice cabins and a generally way nicer atmosphere than the other two cruise lines. You will not be nicked-picked either. For the cost, would definitely take Seabourn.

As far as jackets go, just a nice navy blazer would work for you. It's worth it to go on Seabourn. Your wife doesn't need a gown--just a classic black dress will work for formal nights. I hope you choose Seabourn.

Agree with the others' comments. While there are formal-optional nights, black-tie attire is not required in the main dining room (though Seabourn encourages men to wear a suit or jacket and tie in the MDR on those nights).

Even when my husband has brought a tuxedo, I haven't brought a gown -- just dressy cocktail attire. I've only seen women in true ball gowns a handful of times (over Christmas/NYE cruises). Full-length gowns are the exception, not the norm.

Do bear in mind that you don't have to dine in the MDR on formal-optional nights. As others have pointed out, there are other, less formal, dining venues available.

So -- for flexibility re dining venues, I'd advise bringing a blazer/sports jacket, a couple of dress shirts, and a tie. Your wife will feel fine with a LBD (or comparable) and some dressy accessories.

Here is where you look at excursions:

https://www.seabourn.com/luxury-cruise-destinations/Shore-Excursions.action?selectedNavElement=search

It is not unusual to find additional excursions listed for your particular cruise a few months before the cruise. You will find those in the "Booked Guests" link.

And many of us had great fun posting our adventures on the first season of Alaska cruises last year:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2506393&highlight=Alaska

Also, search this board for Alaska. There are other threads on specific questions.

Just to clear something up many premium spirits are included (in fact, most.) It's only really top shelf items that cost extra like certain single malt scotches or premium cognacs etc.

Trying to figure out what we will need for our early June Alaskan cruise. I’ve read the threads and Seabourn’s suggested packing list and I have a question about gloves. Last summer we went on an expeditionary Arctic cruise and have a LOT of cold weather gear. We have long (mid forearm) waterproof gloves with a liner glove inside. That seems like overkill for the Alaska trip. On the other hand, Seabourn suggests “windproof gloves that dry quickly or are made of neoprene”.

Can anyone tell me what they wore or needed for their cruise last summer? I’m trying to figure out what windproof gloves that dry quickly look like. Are these for every day use or the excursions?

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We were on a Seabourn Alaska cruise last August. We didn’t need windproof gloves. Be brought lightweight synthetic gloves, and they were fine for shore excursions and zodiac rides.

If you’re planning to kayak, then you definitely want something more substantial and water-resistant.

We were on a Seabourn Alaska cruise last August. We didn’t need windproof gloves. Be brought lightweight synthetic gloves, and they were fine for shore excursions and zodiac rides.

 

If you’re planning to kayak, then you definitely want something more substantial and water-resistant.

Thanks! That was my feeling but wanted to be sure. We have signed up for a kayaking excursion and they provide Pogie gloves. Not sure what those are. Pictures of them look odd. If anyone has used them, please share your experience. My DH has Raynauds so keeping his hands warm is important.

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Thanks! That was my feeling but wanted to be sure. We have signed up for a kayaking excursion and they provide Pogie gloves. Not sure what those are. Pictures of them look odd. If anyone has used them, please share your experience. My DH has Raynauds so keeping his hands warm is important.

 

 

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They’re like neoprene type mittens. I didn’t use them as I was taking photos and they kind of attach your hands to the paddle because they’re attached to it (I think by Velcro). I presume they’re waterproof but because they’ve probably been dangling in the water if the people before you didn’t use them they will likely already be wet. The second time I requested a paddle without them because they got in the way. I just used some gloves with good grips in Antarctica. My hands got wet but it wasn’t that bad.

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They’re like neoprene type mittens. I didn’t use them as I was taking photos and they kind of attach your hands to the paddle because they’re attached to it (I think by Velcro). I presume they’re waterproof but because they’ve probably been dangling in the water if the people before you didn’t use them they will likely already be wet. The second time I requested a paddle without them because they got in the way. I just used some gloves with good grips in Antarctica. My hands got wet but it wasn’t that bad.

 

 

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Very interesting information. I very much wouldn’t like the idea of having to take my hands out of the gloves attached to the paddle for photography.

Thanks,

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I kayaked quite a few times last July in Alaska. I used an old pair of thin leather gloves that I weren't concerned about getting wet. Plus a pair of fingerless gloves yachtsman use that helped prevent blisters, they were just a cheap pair. They dried fine between kayak trips. I agree with galeforce the mittens supplied just got wet taking your hands-on and out while taking photos.

I found especially kayaking around the glaciers where it was very cold it was very glad to have these. Because the leather gloves were thin I could still take photos without taking them off.

Julie

I kayaked quite a few times last July in Alaska. I used an old pair of thin leather gloves that I weren't concerned about getting wet. Plus a pair of fingerless gloves yachtsman use that helped prevent blisters, they were just a cheap pair. They dried fine between kayak trips. I agree with galeforce the mittens supplied just got wet taking your hands-on and out while taking photos.

 

I found especially kayaking around the glaciers where it was very cold it was very glad to have these. Because the leather gloves were thin I could still take photos without taking them off.

 

Julie

Thanks Julie! We have the fingerless gloves for kayaking in the shores off SoCal. So it sounds like something warm or waterproof over them might be the right thing for us. We hope to kayak around the glacier in either Tracy Arm or Endicott... which ever they choose.

Did you get to kayak among the floating ice? That is our hope. We did a lot of zodiac trips among the ice on our Greenland trip, but we wanted the quiet of the kayak this time.

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We did in Tracy Arm glacier. This someone else but this gives the best picture of the floating ice. Hopefully the people pictured won't mind as I think they are disguised enough. He is wearing the Pogies so you can see they are a big rubber "oven mitt".

Julie

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As Julie has said, you do get in between the ice! We only watched in Alaska from the catamaran trips. Ailiak glacier also looked a good place to do it. We found the ice in Antarctica a challenge as we weren’t at all experienced and at times it was everywhere but we enjoyed it. We’re hoping to try in Greenland this year.

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We had a great time in Northeastern Greenland (on a different line). I hope you have the luck we did with wildlife. Two of my favorite shots:

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We had a great time in Northeastern Greenland (on a different line). I hope you have the luck we did with wildlife. Two of my favorite shots:

 

 

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I know Polar Bears aren't really cute and cuddly, but these photos make them look adorable.

Julie

Can anyone tell me if Rudyard Bay which Seabourn describes as CO or Cruising actually has excursions ?......There are a number of excursions listed on the Seabourn excursion site which seems a bit odd unless the ship anchors and excursions emanate from the ship?

Can anyone tell me if Rudyard Bay which Seabourn describes as CO or Cruising actually has excursions ?......There are a number of excursions listed on the Seabourn excursion site which seems a bit odd unless the ship anchors and excursions emanate from the ship?

Yes it anchors and they go from the ship. Kayaking and catamaran plus I think zodiac/seaplane last year.

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Agree with the others' comments. While there are formal-optional nights, black-tie attire is not required in the main dining room (though Seabourn encourages men to wear a suit or jacket and tie in the MDR on those nights).

 

Just to be perfectly clear, never was encouraged to wear a suit or tie in the MDR. The only requirement on Formal Optionas Nite is a jacket. We were on board for 45 wonderful nites with 6 Formal Optional Nites and I was not alone in only wearing a sports jacket. Intentionally didn't even bring a tie and never felt out of place. Not bringing a tie on our next Seabourn Cruise in November either.