Expenses on a cruise

[Erex]

Hi

 

I am thinking about taking a Sojourn cruise in conjunction with me turning 50.

I have never cruised on a high end cruise line, just on mainstream (RCI)

 

A Sojourn cruise will be over my budget and I am interested to hear what kind of expenses I can expect onboard.

As I understand, Seabourn does have most included.

Does that mean I can go to the bar and get a drink/cocktail without paying?

If not, what would a standard beer, cocktail, whiskey cost?

How is the prices in the Spa area compared to for example RCCL?

I am normally OK with the "house" wine, so no need for me to buy other type of wine for dinner/lunch.

On RCI I also normally use the main dining room. I do notice that there are some extra restaurants on board. What will the cost here be? And is it worth it?

 

Basically what I am trying to figure out is what the whole trip will cost me.

And my feeling is that onboard expenses should be less (much less maybe?) than on a RCCL cruise. On a RCCL cruise we normally use about 1000-1500 dollar a week, depending a bit on how much drinking and Spa'ing we are doing (not including tips and shore trips)

 

Cheers, Atle

[himandi]

You can spend nothing on board - all drink including premium brands is included in the cost of your cruise as are all meals and snacks and any restaurant or bar.

 

I didn't do the Spa so I cant comment.

 

You pay for internet either taking a complete package for the whole cruise or buying time by the hour - it is taken from your account so no cash changes hands on the ship.

 

Hope you decide on one we travelled on our first last year and are going again in March.

[Martita B.]

If you do decide to book a Seabourn sailing, indeed go up to "Guest Referrals" thread and request a CC members 'coupon ~you'll receive $400 ship board credit which comes in handy for Spa, Excursions, dry-cleaning, internet costs, crew fund contribution , wine package, etc., etc.

You do need to book however ~make a deposit before asking for a referral.

Happy Sails & Trails

Martita B

[Erex]

Thanks for the answers so far.

 

Crew fund contribution? Is that just another word for tips?

We are Norwegians and not really used to the tipping system, so I always pre-pay thse things.

 

Another question. Any problem navigating the public space with a wheelchair?

(If booking, it will be on the March TA crossing, so expect that the only free cabins will be normal ones)

 

On the deck planes, it looks like the veranda's up front (for exemple 501/502 etc) have smaller veranda than further back. Is that correct?

 

Cheers, Atle

[Martita B.]

Which March TA Crossing? Which ship?

Several Seabourn ships will make a spring Crossing.....

MB

[Erex]

Which March TA Crossing? Which ship?

Several Seabourn ships will make a spring Crossing.....

MB

 

Sojourn

[Erex]

More questions.

Anyone have a link that describe the difference between the different V-types?

I assume there are a difference between V5 and V1 since there are a price difference

 

Cheers, Atle

[fairbourne]

Thanks for the answers so far.

 

Crew fund contribution? Is that just another word for tips?

 

Definitely No. As tipping is included in the Seabourn fare, tipping is neither required nor expected. But some people want to contribute something and as Martita B has said the best way to do this is to make a contribution to the crew fund which then means all the crew benefit (behind the scenes etc.) but this is totally voluntary and not required by any means. In fact I would imagine most Seabourn guests do not even know this fund exists and we certainly didn't until I read these boards. No crew on Seabourn is ever standing with their hand out and they certainly don't tell you about the "crew fund"!

 

We are Norwegians and not really used to the tipping system, so I always pre-pay thse things.

 

You have as it's included! So you won't need to worry about it! :)

 

 

Another question. Any problem navigating the public space with a wheelchair?

(If booking, it will be on the March TA crossing, so expect that the only free cabins will be normal ones)

 

On the deck planes, it looks like the veranda's up front (for exemple 501/502 etc) have smaller veranda than further back. Is that correct?

 

I would speak to Seabourn or your TA as I think a wheelchair user might find the space to manouevre in the suite a problem (I'm thinking of getting past the bottom of the bed and the dresser unit which is along the wall at the bottom of the bed as you can see from the plans) and of course there is a step up into the bathroom. And I seem to remember a small step out into the verandah. But the suites are spacious and very comfortable. I'm talking about a Verandah suite here by the way.

From memory I think most if not all of the public spaces are wheelchair accessible, and I remember ramps out of the hallway from the suites which accesses the pool deck from the forward side of the pool deck. (There may be some doors to the outside decks which have a small step over but they've made access by using ramps from some). On our recent TA on the Quest I did notice a wheelchair user who may have been on his own as every evening he was wheeled into dinner by a very nice young lady from Guest Services! So he was happy:);)

 

Cheers, Atle

 

I'm sure others will come back with more advice for you.

[fairbourne]

More questions.

Anyone have a link that describe the difference between the different V-types?

I assume there are a difference between V5 and V1 since there are a price difference

 

Cheers, Atle

 

No difference except the location of suite, i.e. deck, midship etc. and of course the price! LOL!

 

But I think the lower deck suites have solid not full glass fronted balconies.

[Erex]

In regards to wheelchair. She is not using it all the time, only to save her legs a bit and when she gets bad. However, it is not so often she is so bad that she is not able to navigate the cabin without the chair (only happened a couple of times on cruises so far). Cruises are supposed to be relaxing and that helps. Specally if we don't try to do too much shore excursions :-)

 

So we should be fine with a normal cabin

 

Cheers, Atle

[fairbourne]

In regards to wheelchair. She is not using it all the time, only to save her legs a bit and when she gets bad. However, it is not so often she is so bad that she is not able to navigate the cabin without the chair (only happened a couple of times on cruises so far). Cruises are supposed to be relaxing and that helps. Specally if we don't try to do too much shore excursions :-)

 

So we should be fine with a normal cabin

 

Cheers, Atle

 

 

Any suite should be absolutely fine then - no worries. And hey not much chance to do shore excursions on a TA! LOL! All those lovely, leisurely sea days with enough going on so you're not bored, and enough time to be as lazy as you like LOL! You'll have a wonderful time, you'll meet very nice people on Seabourn. And don't forget as Miss M said as newbies to Seabourn, once you've booked to go to the "referral coupon" thread - there's a "sticky" at the top of the Seabourn page here and ask for a referral. It's very easy someone will contact you. We did it and we got a very nice $400 OBC which we used towards our spa treatments, and laundry.

[Kate-AHF]

If you are not into shore excursions, you could conceivably end your cruise with only laundry and internet charges.

 

 

You don't mention it, but another place you are nickeled and dimed on other lines is specialty coffee. You can drink as many lattes or espressos as you like on Seabourn and never have an extra charge.

 

 

I think you'll find the extra expense is worth it, and a wonderful reward for reaching your 50th year. THe ship will never feel crowded with only 450 guests, and the service is like nothing you have experienced on RCI.

 

The one thing I find particularly compelling about the new Seabourn ships is Seabourn Square. It's like a huge living room for the passengers that runs the entire width of the ship (and easily navigated in a wheelchair). You can check out the library, use the internet, grab a cappuccino and a pastry or glass of champagne, work on a puzzle or just visit with other passengers in complete comfort.

 

THe downside is that you will likely be spoiled for ever using another line.

 

Wishing you a wonderful cruise,

Kate

[Erex]

I have started sweet talking my wife into it. That will probably be the biggest roadblock.

Looks like the air tickets will not be too bad, and with (hopefully) a 400 OBC we would actually be able to afford it without cracking our pennypig.

Then it is a matter of getting my boss to sign my vacation plan. Which should not be a problem.

 

Any advice if I should book via Seabourn or a TA? Bearing in mind that I have not found any Seabourn TA's in Norway

 

Cheers, Atle

[fairbourne]

I have started sweet talking my wife into it. That will probably be the biggest roadblock.

Looks like the air tickets will not be too bad, and with (hopefully) a 400 OBC we would actually be able to afford it without cracking our pennypig.

Then it is a matter of getting my boss to sign my vacation plan. Which should not be a problem.

 

Any advice if I should book via Seabourn or a TA? Bearing in mind that I have not found any Seabourn TA's in Norway

 

Cheers, Atle

 

We're not allowed to recommend TAs on this site but I'm sure an internet search would get you in touch with some luxury cruise specialist TAs who can help you best. We had wonderful service from our UK TA and the fare was a bit less than quoted on Seabourn, so it pays to shop around. I have not booked directly with Seabourn.

 

And yes Kate is so right I forgot to mention the truly wonderful concept of Seabourn Square - saves you a small fortune as you're not shelling out for every coffee, milkshake, drink or snack that you have! And believe you me, when you think you can't have another mouthful, those little beautifully crafted club sandwiches or mouthfuls of sweet delights (the pastry chefs on board are some of the best in the business!) are "winking" at you when you pop into Seabourn Square! LOL!

[Martita B.]

Deck 5, Suite 519 might be more comfortable or Deck 6 Suite 619

Deck 4 (window) # 408 would NOT be comfortable on a TA Crossing ~it's a bow suite and we never can predict what "King Neptune" has in store for us!:eek: Even on one of the bigger Seabourn vessels, the Atlantic can be rough.

You WILL be spoiled rotten.....I have always said, "a Seabourn Atlantic Crossing will change your life.....":D It changed mine 11 years ago ~

Have a fun, safe weekend!

MB

[JaneBP]

There are no charges for any of the dining rooms. Not to worry.

I cannot compare the Spa costs but think that Seabourn might be on the higher side.

The differences between the V categories are location, and the V1&2 have flashing part way up on the balcony.

Do not worry about contributing to the Crew Welfare fund, no one will know. What is important to the crew/staff is to have their names mentioned in the cruise evaluation form if they have done well.

I think it makes sense to have a wheelchair for convenience, especially on the larger ships. There are long hallways without a handrail which is a problem if the seas are rocky. W/C are easily handled in the public rooms. If you can fold it up during time in your suite, there will be nor problems. There is also plenty of room once you are past the bed, for watching TV for example.

[Erex]

Deck 5, Suite 519 might be more comfortable or Deck 6 Suite 619

Deck 4 (window) # 408 would NOT be comfortable on a TA Crossing ~it's a bow suite and we never can predict what "King Neptune" has in store for us!:eek: Even on one of the bigger Seabourn vessels, the Atlantic can be rough.619

You WILL be spoiled rotten.....I have always said, "a Seabourn Atlantic Crossing will change your life.....":D It changed mine 11 years ago ~

Have a fun, safe weekend!

MB

 

Took me a while to understand what you meant by 519 and 619 ;)

I have tried to find a link that shows available cabins, but haven't been lucky so far. Your post started a new search for a link like that. It was only when I started to study the deck plan I got it :)

 

Cheers, Atle

[Erex]

Looks like my wife are buying my arguments. Especially since we can now do a return trip to Miami (doing a TA in the autumn) bringing the cost down.

For some reason a return trip is often much cheaper than two single trips....

 

Did check a few of the TAs, but seems like pricewise I can go directly via Seabourn.

 

Cheers, Atle (asogn123 at the standard google mail system)

[Martita B.]

A few yrs. ago I flew from West Texas to Oslo....then took the train down to Fredrikstad to a birthday party ~~I flew Houston to Amsterdam ~then on to Oslo. It was a very long ride, but certainly worth every mile!:p

I've used several TA's to book voyages but now go straight to Seabourn ~my Agent/Rep is still in Miami and gives me excellent service~and rates:D

Welcome to our Seabourn family!

Martita B

[Erex]

One thing I need to verify.

I am a smoker. I assume that Sojourn is not smokefree?

On a small boat like this, I don't mind going at a designated area on deck, even though one of the nice thing I like on a cruise is to sit on the veranda with a drink, a smoke and my kindle just before going to bed

 

Cheers, Atle

[Roxburgh]

Looks like my wife are buying my arguments. Especially since we can now do a return trip to Miami (doing a TA in the autumn) bringing the cost down.

For some reason a return trip is often much cheaper than two single trips....

 

Did check a few of the TAs, but seems like pricewise I can go directly via Seabourn.

 

Cheers, Atle (asogn123 at the standard google mail system)

 

In my experience, there is no price difference between using a TA and going direct.

 

But ...... often the TA will give you something free in return for the business. Our TA is a member of the Virtuoso group and we always get a free tour (which is excellent) from them.

 

Seabourn is fairly expensive but you get a lot for your money. The only things we pay for are tours, internet usage and the occasional spa treatment. Compared to mass market cruise lines, the rooms are bigger (the smallest room is a Junior Suite), the food is much better, the service is outstanding, you don't have to sign a receipt every time you want a drink, there is a good choice of restaurants and bars and the ship never feels crowded.

 

However, one of the things that makes it special are the people ... both passengers and crew. It really is a nice and friendly environment to be in.

[Erex]

A few yrs. ago I flew from West Texas to Oslo....then took the train down to Fredrikstad to a birthday party ~~I flew Houston to Amsterdam ~then on to Oslo. It was a very long ride, but certainly worth every mile!:p

I've used several TA's to book voyages but now go straight to Seabourn ~my Agent/Rep is still in Miami and gives me excellent service~and rates:D

Welcome to our Seabourn family!

Martita B

 

My home town is actually the town next door to Fredrikstad (Sarpsborg)

 

Looks like the most likely flightplan will be from Oslo via London to Miami. Then from there to a hotel for a night before boarding.... and in a couple of days my wife will be OK again..... Those long flights "kills" her.

 

Cheers, Atle

 

PS. Writing on a tablet is so slow and give a few spelling mistake. Can't really do touch typing. This in conjunction with the fact that English is not my native language can sometimes give an unintended result :)

[Martita B.]

You may want to consider flying into Miami 2 days before boarding the Sojourn. A private car/driver to Ft Laud from Miami would be doeable and comfortable ~ I can recommend a hotel in Ft Lauderdale ~Hyatt Pier 66 Hotel, but there are many fine hotels in Ft Laud. I would go ahead and make hotel reservations just as soon as you book your Crossing ~March "Spring Break", in South Florida is very popular.

I loveeee Norgeland......will go back one of these days...:D

Martita B

[JaneBP]

Mentioning smoking is like touching the 3rd rail on the train tracks. HOwever, here is a thread that may answer your questions.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1459369&highlight=smoking

[Roxburgh]

One thing I need to verify.

I am a smoker. I assume that Sojourn is not smokefree?

On a small boat like this, I don't mind going at a designated area on deck, even though one of the nice thing I like on a cruise is to sit on the veranda with a drink, a smoke and my kindle just before going to bed

 

Cheers, Atle

 

Smoking is a subject that arouses the passions of those on Cruise Critic.

 

However, there are designated smoking areas on Seabourn ships and smoking is allowed on your veranda and, I believe, in your suite.