Questions for Experienced Seabourn Guests

[TV Dad]

I am a long time cruiser on mass market ships, looking for my first upscale sail. I have narrowed down my choices to a Seabourn Legend and a Regent Seven Seas Navigator cruise. I have some questions about Seabourn and your answers may help me with my decision.

 

1. Complimentary wines on board -- do they include champagne? If not what are the upcharges for fine wines and champagnes?

 

2. I'm a Crown Royal drinker. Is that included in the complimentary beverage list, or is there an upcharge for cocktails with premium liquors?

 

3. Many Balconies on Legend appear to be French balconies, with no seating space. Am I reading this wrong, or do Balcony Staterooms really have a balcony?

 

4. I'm thinking about the 7 Day Caribbean Skies itinerary. How often can I expect the water sports deck to be deployed?

 

5. My wife is enchanted with the idea of waiters wading through the water to deliver champagne and caviar. Do they really do that? Where? I'd hate to plan a shore excursion and miss that.

 

6. Speaking of caviar, is it available on board as an appetizer or at any other time? Is there an upcharge?

 

7. We've never been on a ship as small as Legend (10,000 tons). Are the public areas confining?

 

8. Do passengers frequently get invited to dine with officers or cruise staff?

 

9. Is there one WOW factor I'm forgetting to ask about to make me say YES to Seabourn?

 

Thank you so much, in advance for your advice and answers.

[Able Seaman H]

I wouldn't profess to be an experienced Seabourn cruiser but we recently enjoyed our first cruise with Seabourn, 18 nights from Fort Lauderdale to LA via the Panama Canal.

 

The short answer is yes, get it booked ! Our experience was everything the brochure promised and more. We chose one of the larger ships (Sojourn) due to it being newer and a bit more akin to what we were used to on the mainstream lines. In reality we found there was more passenger space on a smaller ship.

 

Champagne is included. As much as you can drink from any bar outlet. If you want champagne whilst playing trivia it will be served. No surcharge.

 

Ditto caviar. If you want caviar as a starter for dinner, as a treat in the hot tub or by the pool, to accompany pre dinner drinks or in the cabin all you have to do is ask. No surcharge.

 

We didn't see the marina during our cruise, you will need to be at anchor and in suitable sea conditions. I imagine the plan is for 1 day but the chance of it being cancelled is quite high. They need very calm seas.

 

I can't specifically answer the Crown Royal question but didn't experience any charges for cocktails. I think you have to be trying quite hard to get a bill at the various bars.

 

We didn't feel the need to pay for wine at any time. I'm not a wine drinking professional and managed to find a couple of wines which I enjoyed. I had what I wanted rather than the "wine of the day" and at no point was that seen as a problem. In fact quite the opposite.

 

Caviar in the surf is planned once during your cruise I believe. When conditions allow it will be done on the beach, otherwise around the pool. Notice is given in the daily news letter.

 

We didn't specifically ask for hosted tables in the dining room but you are welcome to ask either the Maître d or guest services in the square. Invites started to appear once word spread of what great company we were ;) and we had to decline a couple due to pre-arranged dinners with new friends.

 

The Wow factor is the service and the staff. I really enjoyed the food in the main dining room where we ate some stunning dishes but my abiding memory is the friendly and attentive way we were looked after.

 

We will be returning so I guess that's the ultimate confirmation you need to hear.

 

Henry :)

Edited January 28, 2014 by Able Seaman H

[lincslady]

Excellent reply overall - just to add that on the small ships (Legend etc.) all balconies are only what is known as Juliet balconies - a sliding full height double window, with just room to stand outside if your feet are not enormous. Definitely not for sitting on, as they all are on the new big ships.

 

Don't know what Crown Royal is, but pretty well all superior drinks are included - the likes of Grey Goose Vodka, Remy Martin, several good single malt scotches etc.

 

The balconies are nice to have for fresh air and a slightly better view of your surroundings, but if much more expensive, bear in mind that the outdoors is always near to your suite on these small ships.

[Chairsin]

In the Caribbean Seabourn tries to do the Beach BBQ with caviar in the surf in Prickly Pear Island, Mayreau an Isla Domenica. It will be noted on the itinerary but yes, it is dependent on weather. Seabourn does employ the marina one day during most Caribbean and some Med cruises. Again, this will be noted on the itinerary and is weather permitting.Once when it was cancelled the captain made arrangements to pull into a cove with a lovely beach and moved the "toys" on shore so we could still enjoy the "thrill" of being dumped off the banana boat. They really do try to come up with some other fun event if one gets cancelled.

 

I only drink wine but the liquor, Crow Royal included, for better (or worse) is free flowing. The way the beverage waiters keep topping off your glass you would think the staff is paid by how much they pour. And speaking of the staff -- it is seriously non tipping so the wonderful service you receive does not come with an expectation.One of the big WOW factors will be they will remember your name( especially if you look at their name tags and start calling them by their names) AND will remember that your wife likes champagne and you take your Crown Royal neat.

 

Look at the french balconies( only a foot deep) this way. You will then spend less time in your suite and more on deck meeting your hopefully fun and interesting fellow passengers. And unlike the other ships on which you have sailed, no awkward moment figuring out whose turn it is to buy a round.

 

We very much like the Seabourn "big" ships.But for over 10 years we have loved the little ones and are sorry to see them go.I know it sounds vague but the best word that I can come up with to describe the atmosphere is intimate. Regent will always be there == this opportunity will be gone by next spring. If you don't need a dozen dining venue choices, can entertain yourself and want to be pampered in a friendly not obsequious manner Seabourn might be for you.

[Nigella]

 

1. If not what are the upcharges for fine wines and champagnes?

 

 

Nicolas Feuillaté is currently the house champagne. If you like it, it's complimentary all over the ship, as mentioned by previous posters.

The upcharges for other champagnes, and for fine wines depend on the wine you choose, same as it would in hotels/restaurants on land. Some wines are $50 a bottle, others are more expensive. A Batard-Montrachet, for example, is around $400 depending on the vintage, winemaker etc.

If you can let us know which fine wines you like, someone will be able to give you an idea of the approximate current cost.

We usually find the prices to be quite competitive, compared to restaurants at home.

The included wines are often given a hard time here on the board. But we can usually find something that pleases our (demanding) palate.

Edited January 28, 2014 by Nigella

[hoosier74]

Not much to add here except that we've been on the Legend twice (once in the Caribbean) and absolutely love that ship. You will spend more time on deck because you don't have a true balcony (A great place to spend the time is at the whirlpool on deck five). We did find the balcony nice in the Caribbean but didn't get one when we were in the Med.

 

In addition to having the platform, the toys will be out on your Prickly Pear day (banana boats, etc.) which will be your Caviar in the Surf day. It's a great experience.

[T&C Fulham]

Not much more to add other than the fact that bad weather on our first Caviar in the Surf day did not deter them from setting it up in the rain.

 

By noon the sun came out and we were ferried ashore.

 

Oh, another point. As a first time cruiser I was worried about having to queue for tenders. Not so. We never waited for more than ten minutes for a tender in either direction in the whole of our 14 day voyage.

 

Oh, another one. Don't worry about the small balcony. We did not have one at all and it meant we spend more time on deck enjoying company or simply reading on a sun lounger. The advantage of a balcony is being able to open a window and having fresh air instead of aircon. I'd be frightened of spending too much time on a suite balcony in case I missed something on deck - like another snifter!

 

Tony

[Poppy1966]

I have sailed both ships and I think your SB questions have been answered here. We have also sailed Navigator in the caribbean (2008)? so this may help or not.

Our itinerary departed from Miami so we had three sea days, one there and two back via the Atlantic. This ship rocks, rolls, creaks and bangs about at the best of times but in the Atlantic it was unbearable. Didn't get one full nights sleep the entire cruise. Most guests were pretty ill. It is a very noisy ship. I think they may have welded some type of stabilizer to the back of the ship now so not sure if this has rectified the problem.maybe post on the Regent board and ask.

I prefer Regents suites with full balconies to the Legends. I also prefer Regents pool area too. Unless Navigator has had a refit, I wasn't overly impressed with some of the public spaces. Staff were ok, can't remember anyone outstanding, unlike Seabourn. We had a butler, met him at embarkation and never saw him again.

MDR food was good but prefer SB. Occasionally we had to wait (20-30 mins) for a table in the MDR, this has never happened to me on SB. Didn't enjoy the evening Italian alternative restaurant. It was self service, not sure if it still is.

I prefer Seabourns itineraries with embarkation ports in the various caribbean Islands rather than the jaunt to and from Miami.

I don't think I would choose to sail on the Navigator again. Although I prefer their suites, pool to the SB smaller ships, I just didn't enjoy the overall vacation as much as I was looking forward to.

[wripro]

The only thing I will add to the other wonderful replies is that since the Legend carries only 200 passengers you will be amazed at the ease with with you meet others and become fast friends. There is an intimacy that really makes it feel like a yacht as opposed to a ship. Many of us who are long time Seabourn sailors will be very sad to see these small ships go. I don't think you'll ever regret trying one while you still have the chance.

 

As for the Juliet balconies, even though you cannot sit on them you will never be more than a few steps from a lovely outdoor area.

 

Whichever you choose have a great time.

[Mr Luxury]

You really must try the Legend before she is gone.

I have sailed on all six Seabourn ships and she is still my favourite.

You will never see service at this intimate level again.

 

Regent will be there to try another day but beware, after sailing with Seabiourn you will find it very hard to sail with another line again.

[Emperor Norton]

...Regent will be there to try another day but beware, after sailing with Seabiourn you will find it very hard to sail with another line again.

 

IMO the only thing luxury about Regent these days is the price range they've put themselves into (and over).

[nolatravelgirl]

Here is a picture of the patio bar on the Sojourn. These were all complimentary. You can see the Crown on the middle back shelf.

IMG_0928 by nolatravelgirl, on Flickr

 

It would have to be really bad weather for them not to do Caviar in the Surf for a warm weather cruise. It was black and rainy all day and they still managed to pull it off. They don't come out in tuxedos like the photos but they are out there and it is a lot of fun!

 

IMG_0945 by nolatravelgirl, on Flickr

 

IMG_0946 by nolatravelgirl, on Flickr

 

IMG_0943 by nolatravelgirl, on Flickr

 

IMG_0944 by nolatravelgirl, on Flickr

[Chairsin]

Re: canceling Caviar in the Surf -- it does not have to be a bad day for it to be canceled -- one of our two was canceled on the holiday 2012/2103 on the Quest cruise because even though it was a sunny day it was windy and the seas were rough.

[TV Dad]

Thank you for your marvelous replies. May I ask a few more questions?

 

1) Any problem with sea sickness? I realize the rougher the seas, the more pitch and roll. However, this will be our first trip on a smaller vessel. Can you compare it to other ships in terms of comfort?

 

2) What cabin class do you recommend? I'm not sure balconies are such a great deal.

 

3) How about air and shore transfers? Do you recommend going through Seabourn or booking them ourselves?

[lincslady]

TV dad I can only help maybe with question 2 - A1 grade is fine - I would personally recommend 120 to 125, pretty well midships. The suites are all the same size anyway, and over the restaurant is not noisy when we have been in that area.

 

We never get seasick, or really notice weather unless it is really gale force, so can't advise on that one.

[hoosier74]

#1 My husband has been queasy on the Legend, but also queasy on other ships. The roughness of the seas is a big factor and it's hard to judge in the Caribbean. I don't get seasick.

 

#3 99% of the time, we do our own air. However, we got a good deal through Seabourn on our next trip, so I'd at least check into it.

[Able Seaman H]

I know the larger ships are stabilised to take out much of the roll. There will be more pitch than mainstream cruise line giant ships. We experienced 90 mile an hour winds across the deck on 140,000 tonne Independence of the seas. You wouldn't have known we were at sea !

 

Ultimately the smaller the vessel the more it will move around in the water, another reason you might consider one of the larger ships coming from where you are in your cruising history.

 

Again, with the larger ships balconies are available on a more modest budget. We were in the 500's on Sojourn.

 

Price wise we have never found particularly well priced transfers when travelling business class. Arranging things independently also allows you to select particular comfort features on longer flights such as specific sleeping arrangements. If find seeing the information first hand gives me the full selection of flight times versus cost as well.

 

We always allow ourselves plenty of time when meeting the ship so not being covered under the Seabourn umbrella for delays etc. isn't such an issue but you will generally be more protected if Seabourn arrange everything.

 

Finally it depends where you are flying to and from / how well the routes are served by scheduled flights.

 

Henry :)

Edited January 29, 2014 by Able Seaman H

[billichka]

Nicolas Feuillaté is currently the house champagne. If you like it, it's complimentary all over the ship, as mentioned by previous posters.

The upcharges for other champagnes, and for fine wines depend on the wine you choose, same as it would in hotels/restaurants on land. Some wines are $50 a bottle, others are more expensive. A Batard-Montrachet, for example, is around $400 depending on the vintage, winemaker etc.

If you can let us know which fine wines you like, someone will be able to give you an idea of the approximate current cost.

We usually find the prices to be quite competitive, compared to restaurants at home.

The included wines are often given a hard time here on the board. But we can usually find something that pleases our (demanding) palate.

 

Does anyone know if Penfolds Grange is available on board and, if so, how much it would cost? I figure it would be a good way to spend some complimentary cruise credit!

[Mr Luxury]

Does anyone know if Penfolds Grange is available on board and, if so, how much it would cost? I figure it would be a good way to spend some complimentary cruise credit!

 

Yes ,it is usually on the list.

 

I forget how much

 

There are many other great wines also to purchase from the wine list.

[Chairsin]

I don't recall seeing Grange but they do usually have St Henry's at about $100.

[Emperor Norton]

I don't recall seeing Grange but they do usually have St Henry's at about $100.

 

Is that the bottle that sits by itself in the display case between the casino and the bar on the Pride?

[Chairsin]

Ha,ha -- if it was one of those magnums or jeroboam's it certainly wasn't priced at $100. Frankly I have never looked closely at those bottles and always wondered if they were real or not.Anyone have a clue? Anyway if it was a real bottle of some grand wine that would be terrible way to store it.

[Able Seaman H]

Large display bottles tend to be empty, supplied by the producer specifically for the purpose.

 

Henry :)

[Emperor Norton]

Large display bottles tend to be empty, supplied by the producer specifically for the purpose.

 

Henry :)

 

That's the odd thing. I'm fairly certain the bottle I'm thinking of is a single 750. I never could figure out why it was alone in that display case and why near the casino rather than either restaurant.

[TV Dad]

Thank you Seabourn cruisers. Your insightful answers have convinced me it's time to spend some of my child's inheritance on a luxurious Seabourn Cruise. We have chosen a seven day Caribbean cruise aboard the Legend in November.:D