Main Differences Between Seabourn and Silversea

[bahrain_not_dubai!]

Hello everyone, I hope you are having a good day.

 

I have cruised on Seabourn once previously, and had a fantastic, fantastic cruise. Everything was near flawless, from the warm, friendly service to the great food and fine entertaintment. Honestly, as an experienced traveller, it ranked right up there on my list of memorable voyages.

 

This year, I am considiring two options, the Seabourn Quest on a cruise I excpect to be simmialr to the Odyssey in many ways, and the Silver Spirit. Unfortunatly, due to the length of my post/pre land tours I am again only contained to a week's cruise, but the two options both fit me well. My experienced travel agent, a long with many people seem to say that Silversea is currently not as top-notch as Seabourn... I don't know how true this matter really is, but before jumping ship I want your opinion, or for you to tell me what I should excpect from a Silversea cruise. I am paying top dollar, as we all do, when travelling lines of this calibre as such I do excpect a very good, if not excellent experience. I've been told to go on Silversea with lowered excpectations, should this be the case?

 

The price difference between the two cruises is not a factor- my vacation time is important, I look forward to my cruises all year and as such making the best choice for me is important to me. With the Silversea cruise I do get a $800 credit and an included private car/driver/guide excursion, which is always a good value.

 

Both iteneraries have pros and cons, so I rate them equally, althoguh the departure/date/time of the Silversea cruise is a lot more convenient.

 

I merely don't want to be sailing on a line in decline- with not so good food, staff that doesn't go above or beyond, or that doesn't make you feel like the most importrant person on the ship. Neither do I want a ship full of aloof officers and crew. I am not saying these are on SS's ships, but they are all things that have been told to me, so I want to hear the point of view of you SS cruises.

 

One of the other things that have attracted me to SS is the fact that they sail in many places on my ''to-do-lsit'' all at a price more reasonable than Seabourn.

 

How would the lines compare, and what should I realisticly excpect from Silversea? Also, when you check in to SS, are there a line of white gloved people or simmialr to escort you to your suite/take your baggage or do you just board like on any other ship?

 

Thank you and if I am wrong excuse my ignorance !

 

My Thanks and Best Regards to everyone !

[wripro]

The only thing I would say is that if your Silver Spirit 7 day cruise is during the summer months (and this holds true for the larger Seabourn ships as well) be prepared for many more children than normal. All the luxury lines seem to be scheduling seven day cruises during the summer months to develop a younger clientele. If your cruise is during another part of the year (holidays excepted) you should be fine, assuming you don't like a lot of kids on a ship.

 

Both lines are excellent though each has its partisan boosters. I would go for the SS cruise just to try the line and see how it compares for yourself.

[CruisinPashmina]

Gotta jump in! Both Seaborne and Silversea are genuine, luxury lines.

 

We have been on close to 40 Silversea cruises, and one Seaborne cruise. Nothing partisan here!

 

I agree with Wipro, as I usually do. As you have been on a Seaborne voyage, why not give SS a try? There will certainly be a white gloved line of crew to greet you with warm smiles, champagne, and a sincere welcome.

 

We "heart" Silversea!

[mrscrab]

They are so much alike in service, suites, entertainment and food we like them both!! My husband has a very slight preference to SS probably because of the Italian flair. Both are the best so you will have to book one of each but as Wipro mentions - stay away from school holiday times - the little darlings could be a pest! Neither line has much for children to do and they become bored very quickly.

[CASHIPman]

I learned recently that Seabourn (which is a Carnival brand) is now managed from the Holland-America offices. The Silversea folks that were on our recent Whisper cruise seemed to think that this will cause some measure of decline in Seabourn as the H-A folks don't know luxury cruising. It'll be interesting to see how this all pans out.

[wripro]

The management of Seabourn by HAL has resulted mostly in administrative problems more so than any on the ships themselves. At least up to now.

[oregon50]

I learned recently that Seabourn (which is a Carnival brand) is now managed from the Holland-America offices. The Silversea folks that were on our recent Whisper cruise seemed to think that this will cause some measure of decline in Seabourn as the H-A folks don't know luxury cruising. It'll be interesting to see how this all pans out.

 

Surely these idiots were joking. Did you ask them what they knew about luxury cruising?

[wripro]

Idiots? That's a bit harsh. And even though HAL is the titular head of Seabourn now Seabourn still has its own leadership, reservations department and administration. It's not ideal but I'm sure it saves them money to have both combined under one roof, just as Princess and Cunard are.