Seabourn Spirit - Recent experience

[smoothcruiser]

I have just returned from the 6th May Sailing of the Seabourn Spirit, Venice to Venice, and would like to share some random thoughts.

 

I have sailed on the triplets before several times and the Odyssey once. My wife and I prefer the smaller ships, mainly because we feel the dining experience is (was?) superior.

 

On arrival at the pier, we were transferred the 100 yards or so, by mini bus. Immediately after stepping out of this little bus we were accosted by a lady in a scruffy stretched blue cardigan and abruptly asked if we had had diarhoerr or vomiting over the past 24 hrs. No welcome or politeness whatsoever. Then straight across to a man who resembled the Grim reaper, who again was unwelcoming, and asked us whether we had any allergies. Not an encouraging start.

 

Anyway, at the top of the gangway we met Nick Hale who was extremely welcoming, and we felt at last that this was the old traditional Seabourn welcome we were used too.

 

It has been some time since we travelled on the Spirit, and in fact we did not recognise any member of staff from a previous visit.

 

There is a very marked move to using Prosecco instead of Champagne in the various bars and at functions. At a bar if you ask for Champagne they will willingly serve it, however, at alot of deck parties and other functions they serve Prosecco.

 

We met our stewardeswsw, from Latvia. She had a bad command of the English language, to the extent that she really did not understand alot of conversation, and of course, seemed unable to smile. She was not good. We had requested she topped up our water and soda supplies on a daily basis, which she failed to do on several occasions. Twice we had to call for more toilet tissue. Her bedmaking skills were down right awful. After the second occasion, when she simply covered the sheets from where we had got out, we had to speak to her supervisor. After that, we werent worth talking too!!!

Not a big deal, but there was no personal stationery supplied, as in the past.

 

We did not notice any Massage Moments on deck whatsoever.

 

THe ports of call were good and the ships timekeeping excellent. The CAptain was David BAthgate.

 

The MAitre D was Warren. We felt the staff ran him as opposed to the other way round. Nothing has changed with the menus, or the predinner Canapes, and we found the menus to be greatly uninspiring. We do run a restaurant here in England, but do not claim to be experts. THe bread selections, never warmed, were simply not fresh.

Service was generally good. The BAr Manager was excellent and we never had a problem with wine service. But it is virtually impossible to get a cold glass of Sparkling water anywhere on this ship. We did request this on the first night, but it was only on the last day that it actually appeared.

 

We had one dinner in Restaurant 2, the servcie and food served there was indeed excellent, just how we remember it.

 

For the first time, we did not put down a deposit for another cruise. We feel that Regent has got something good to offer, maybe moving with the times a bit quicker. We felt there was less attention to detail, we think the staff think that Seabourn is the best and that they really do not have to work at it.

 

The entertainment was very good.

 

So, are we being overly picky. I dont think so. Its what we have come to expect from Seabourn. I feel if Seabourn allienates their past loyal customers they are going to struggle to fill all those new berths in their new ships.

 

On disembarkation day breakfast is served 7 to 9. You have to be out of your room by 8am. We returned to our room at 5 past 8, and the beds had been made for the next customers!! We left the ship at 8.15, and interestingly there was no mini bus to take us back to the terminal (the same 100yards as embarkation) - we were left to walk. In other words weve had your business, Cheerio.

 

Well, Mr Seabourn, I feel it is also Cheerio from us!!

[Corner Tavern]

well that's not very encouraging!

 

I wonder if any of the other folks on your cruise had similar problems with the staff...

[cows255]

Who was the Hotel Manager?

 

Perhaps the more experienced crew have moved to the bigger sisters.

 

Were the passengers mostly new to Seabourn?

[csto]

I have also heard from recent travelers that service and food were headed in the wrong direction. I have a trip booked in September and will be interested to see for myself if there has been a decline. There is too much competition out there for Seabourn to slip.

[smoothcruiser]

The Hotel Manager was Joerg Grossmann.

 

There were 100 American, 35 Australian, 30 English and the remaining 40 or so from all over. There were only 70 repeaters.

Interestingly the winner for the prize of msot travelled customer went to a person who had achieved only 115 days.

[Poppy1966]

So, are we being overly picky. I dont think so. Its what we have come to expect from Seabourn. I feel if Seabourn allienates their past loyal customers they are going to struggle to fill all those new berths in their new ships.

 

In other words weve had your business, Cheerio.

 

Well, Mr Seabourn, I feel it is also Cheerio from us!!

 

 

I agree totally with Smoothcruiser. They are struggling to fill their new ships as I am bombarded with offers. I have booked a trip in August and to be perfectly honest I wish I'd waited to avail of the fantastic deals going now. As for the Seabourn club -I think I'm entitled to 2 free garment pressing - big deal - I'd rather have an enhanced on board experience and I'll do my own ironing. Think I might try Seadream next time - any recommendations from anyone? I know they're expensive but friends tried them and said they were wonderful.

[lincslady]

Smoothcruiser - sorry to hear your recent experience on Spirit was not up to standard. I did think Captain Dag was still on board? The only two times we have had problems with less than charming members of staff was a bar waitress and a barman, on two recent cruises. They were both from Eastern Europe (they did speak good English), but had very surly manners at times. Having said that, all other staff including quite a few from Eastern Europe were fine. To have a stewardess who not only was inefficient but also not nice was very unfortunate -one might forgive if at least one of these criteria was fulfilled! Hopefully she will not last long in Seabourn's employment. Were the people who asked you about illnesses etc. actually Seabourn employees?

[Keith1010]

Sorry to hear that your experience on Seabourn was not what you had hoped.

 

I remember you had posted on the Silversea board with some similar comments about the Silver Wind with respect to your initial welcome on board and your disappointment with food. (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=23336227#post23336227)

 

In the end, each person needs to decide which cruise line(s) and which ship(s) work best for them. Just like a movie, book, broadway show, restaurant, etc. what works for one might not work for another person. Conversely, what doesn't work for someone works very well for someone else.

 

If we all shared the same views, this would be a boring world.

 

Keith

[Martita B.]

So sorry to hear of your disappointment in sailing the Spirit ~

Mr "G" is one of Seabourn's finest Hotel Manager's ~ usually his management is close to perfect! I've sailed with him many times the past 10 years.

I was aboard both Spirit and Legend this year ~I thought the service and food were absolutely 10* ~ I've made future bookings

on the Spirit and am looking forward to being aboard again.

Martita B.

[glutenhab]

Sorry to hear that your experience on Seabourn was not what you had hoped.

 

I remember you had posted on the Silversea board with some similar comments about the Silver Wind with respect to your initial welcome on board and your disappointment with food. (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=23336227#post23336227)

 

In the end, each person needs to decide which cruise line(s) and which ship(s) work best for them. Just like a movie, book, broadway show, restaurant, etc. what works for one might not work for another person. Conversely, what doesn't work for someone works very well for someone else.

 

If we all shared the same views, this would be a boring world.

 

Keith

 

Hmmm. Totally unstaisfied with not one, but two 6 Star lines?

Not much left to choose from. Maybe a 3-day on Carnival?

[Moggymad]

Phew! I'm glad this thread is becoming more positive - I will be sailing on the Spirit in five weeks.... to be honest I'm not bothered about whether I get Prosecco or Champagne - to be sat on that beautiful ship sipping something sparkling is enough. On any holiday you are going to come across some people that you don't get on with whether other holiday makers or staff - that's life.

I agree with Keith - all our expectations are different - if we were all the same it would be a boring world!

[smoothcruiser]

I do feel the comments by glutenhab to be unjustified.

 

Its precisely those sort of comments that stop people from airing their heartfelt comments about a cruise, hopefully to the benfit of others.

 

I did not in any way say that I was totally dissatisifed with either Seabourn or Silversea. I was merely pointing out the defientcies on these particular cruises. I don't know why people insist in protecting their favourite cruise lines to the extent of ridiculing other peoples views.

 

For your knowledge, I reported on 2 cruises with different lines that I felt were not up to the standard we have all come used too. I have actually sailed with Seabourn well over 10 cruises, Silversea on 6 occasions, Regent 3 times and Crystal twice. I do feel well justified in making those comments.

 

I simply think that Seabourn have got to work harder to keep their valued position at the top of the pile, and that means moving with the times, new menus, new ideas etc.

[lincslady]

I do feel the comments by glutenhab to be unjustified.

 

Its precisely those sort of comments that stop people from airing their heartfelt comments about a cruise, hopefully to the benfit of others.

 

I did not in any way say that I was totally dissatisifed with either Seabourn or Silversea. I was merely pointing out the defientcies on these particular cruises. I don't know why people insist in protecting their favourite cruise lines to the extent of ridiculing other peoples views.

 

For your knowledge, I reported on 2 cruises with different lines that I felt were not up to the standard we have all come used too. I have actually sailed with Seabourn well over 10 cruises, Silversea on 6 occasions, Regent 3 times and Crystal twice. I do feel well justified in making those comments.

 

I simply think that Seabourn have got to work harder to keep their valued position at the top of the pile, and that means moving with the times, new menus, new ideas etc.

 

I agree with you that not all cruises come up to expectations, for various reasons - sometimes the staff, or the food, or the fellow passengers, which in our experience with Seabourn, Silversea and Regent is actually the most frequent reason for being slightly unhappy with the product - particularly on the small Seabourn ships and Seadream, where the fellow passengers can either make or mar the experience. And also, I must admit, ones own mindset at the start of the cruise - if you think you will have a good time, you probably will!!

 

I would like your comments on my previous post - I thought Dag was still supposed to be the Captain, and were the people who queried your health status actually Seabourn employees?

[smoothcruiser]

Lincslady

 

Thank you for your comments. Dag, the previous Captain, left the Spirit the day we embarked (May 6th). My parents had been on the same ship a couple of weeks prior and enjoyed his Company at Dinner one evening.

 

It was actually the Ships Nurse who met us on arrival, and questioned us on our Health status.

[JaneBP]

>"It was actually the Ships Nurse who met us on arrival, and questioned us on our Health status."

 

That makes sense. Lately when I have filled out the health questionnaire, it's just been at a table set up by the gangplank, with only the restaurant crew in charge. I suppose if someone filled out the form with some questions about symptoms, a medical person would be notified.

[sovereigncruiser]

I will also be sailing on the Spirit in 5 weeks time. Having done many sailings on Seabourn I know that I will have a very pleasurable cruise.

[Chairsin]

I agree that it is unfortunate that the cruise did not live up to your expectations. I am distrubed by the stewardess issue. We have usually found out stewardesses to be the hardest working peole on the ship -- and always with a bright smile.

 

I am surprised about your comments about Warren Kree. We have known him for over 5 years when he was still a waiter and were thrilled first to find he had been promoted and then to sail with him again last fall on the Legend in his new capacity.Because Warren came up through the ranks he does have a very close relationship with many of the jr dining staff but I would strongly disagree that he does not provide strong leadership -- he just does it with his very boyish grin. I must also say that on that cruise,for the first time in all of our Seabourn sailings I can remember, the Maitre 'd and the Chef( Rajat) were totally in sync. Warren is the one who overheard my husband's comment about stuffed squash blossoms when we were all shopping with the Chef and who arranged to have them served ( unrequested) to our table that evening.

[jagi]

I have to echo the kudos for Warren. We were on the Spirit with him and found him to be an excellent maitre d'. II too remember him as he moved up the ranks and felt he ran the dining room well. We were also impressed with Jorge Grossman. He was not on the Spirit initially, and suddenly everything appeared to be running smoothly. In commenting this to Nick, he said. Ah, Jorge is back from his vacation.

[lord of the seas]

 

We do run a restaurant here in England, but do not claim to be experts.

 

[/quote

 

Yes,thank you for your honesty.

[xplrcrzn]

I personally give significant credence to individuals such as the OP who are in the hospitality business as they usually have a very trained eye as to how things "should be."

[tallship]

I personally give significant credence to individuals such as the OP who are in the hospitality business as they usually have a very trained eye as to how things "should be."

 

Agreed. I have been trying to get a better sense of Seabourn as of late and I find the OP's remarks to be insightful. Having a bad cabin steward would be quite unpleasant. If the food or service on Seabourn is not what it once was - I would like to know that in advance to adjust expectations.

 

I think CC is a forum where one should be able to voice their opinions without sanction.

[wripro]

The problem is that on the board for every cruise line there are die hard defenders who will accept no criticism. It's best to ignore those replies just as one would ignore those of a persistent whiner. The truth always lies somewhere in between.

[tallship]

The problem is that on the board for every cruise line there are die hard defenders who will accept no criticism. It's best to ignore those replies just as one would ignore those of a persistent whiner. The truth always lies somewhere in between.

 

Fully agree with you.

[dbbsteve]

We boarded the Spirit just as the OP disembarked, on the May 13 sailing from Venice to Venice, so I thought I could add our thoughts here.

In the pier we did not see a transfer bus. Not that it mattered since we could easily walk the 100 yards to the ship. (In fact we have never been transferred by bus when we boarded a ship in San Basilio, on Seabourn or Silversea).

The first person to greet us outside the terminal was indeed the ship’s doctor. He walked over to us halfway to the ship and we recognized him by his uniform. He was polite and all business, asked the usual questions regarding symptoms of illness. He handed us two health questionnaires, and said we could complete these at our leisure and leave them in the suite for the stewardess to collect. This was different from previously when the questionnaires were done in the terminal.

The cruise director was Steve Wood so I guess Nick left the ship in Venice.

We were escorted to the show lounge for check-in. We arrived at 2:30 pm to find the lounge full of guests, with hardly any space to sit. Soon we learned that the ship’s computers were down. With 60 or so people ahead of us we sat there for a full one hour and ten minutes before we could get our ID. A few familiar faces did come up to greet us and chat, and Lars the bar manager was apologetic. No one was really complaining and we blamed this on Black Friday.

The stewardess was superb – excellent English, fast, and efficient. We were greeted by name by everyone on day one.

Warren gets the job done and the wait staff excellent. We enjoyed very good service in the restaurant. The menu, I agree, was a little less inspiring. In fact this was almost exactly the same menu as our two previous cruises (This was our fourth trip on the Spirit). Since I brought a digital album of our previous cruises I could see the menu was similar, and even the presentation of the food was the same (although the chef was different). I wonder whether Seabourn has a “standard” of preparing dinner? We have not done back-to-back cruises her but it would be interesting to know if the same menu was repeated every seven days? Some innovation here would be welcome.

Another slight change – during the scenic cruising of Kotor Bay (in and out) the front part of the ship on Deck 7 was roped off and marked off limits. This was not the case previously. Perhaps the Captain was concerned with guests crowding the front of the bridge, but I missed my favorite spot.

There were some minor maintenance problems (creaking balcony door, desk light broke), to be expected on an older ship.

Overall the atmosphere was good, and we had another excellent cruise.

[ironin]

Sorry to hear that your experience on Seabourn was not what you had hoped.

 

I remember you had posted on the Silversea board with some similar comments about the Silver Wind with respect to your initial welcome on board and your disappointment with food. (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=23336227#post23336227)

 

In the end, each person needs to decide which cruise line(s) and which ship(s) work best for them. Just like a movie, book, broadway show, restaurant, etc. what works for one might not work for another person. Conversely, what doesn't work for someone works very well for someone else.

 

If we all shared the same views, this would be a boring world.

 

Keith

 

Thank you, Keith! The link you provided was very helpful. As you say,

 

If we all shared the same views, this would be a boring world.