SeaDream Very Competent / Excellent

[Luxury Traveler]

It has really been getting to me to keep seeing the prior Thread heading stating SeaDream's incompetence when it is really not typical of the Service and Experiences that I have ever had on my last 4 voyages with them. After many years of Luxury crusing, I have been bumped 2 times on Seabourn, once on Silverseas and Radission because of Charters. As a matter of fact the last Radsson bumping was very close in to our sailing date because of some movie opportunity.

Let's be real, these lines are not our "Private" pieces of merchandise as they are in business too, which is why it is important that they be profitable so they could be around for us to enjoy in the future. (Anyone remember Royal Viking Line??)

Listen, Don't get mad, get even by chartering the whole ship...I have tried to Charter the SeaDreams twice for my company but was told that it was not possible as it was to close in to the sailing dates with paid guests.

It is funny because the gentleman who I once chartered a Seabourn ship with, is now at SeaDream and mentioned he was very concerned about the disruption a charter can make with the regular guests. That is why I know that SeaDream's management does look over the ramifications of a charter, so I am now looking to charter in 2007/8 which is a good non disruptive lead time.

It seems that we are all very spoiled to be in a position to think that our vacations are the only things that count..But then again if we can afford the SeaDream's or Seaboun's or Silverseas I guess we want to be spoiled..

I feel better getting this off my chest after seeing some bashing of a good small company and product that does seem to care and provides a truely EXCELLENT product.

:)

Regards

LUX

[Sunshine11]

Hi Lux,

I can understand being dissapointed when you are excited about a trip and then you are asked to re-schedule. But your points are logical and probably very accurate as a business person. I love SeaDream and have heard about some of the charters they have done. I heard of one man chartering for his wife's birthday, fireworks and all! I only wish I had 100 close friends to celebrate a birthday that way. Charters or no charters, SeaDream offers an exceptional experience:D. Let me know if you need any new friends to join you on your 2007/8 charter;)

[DreamBoatAnnie]

Luxury Traveler,

 

Thank you for your post. It has bothered me to see the "Incompetent" thread, as well. I've never sailed on SeaDream but hope to in 2006 or 2007 (saving those nickels and dimes). I've been reading the boards to glean information about SeaDream. In reading the posts and in viewing SeaDream's website, I feel that SD is just what we're looking for. I look forward to the opportunity to sail her.

 

When I reviewed SeaDream's website I, of course, read the fine print (the contract). Stated in the contract is the following:

 

6. CANCELLATION PRIOR TO EMBARKATION(A) Refunds for Guest cancellations are limited by the terms of Carrier's cancellation policy. Guests are advised to consult Carrier's cruise brochure or its web-site at http://www.seadreamyachtclub.com for the terms of Carrier's cancellation policy.

(B) Carrier may for any reason whatsoever cancel, postpone or advance any sailing or terminate the Yacht Ticket Contract at any time before departure and the Carrier's only liability will be to refund to the Guest the amount received for the Yacht Ticket Contract.

 

****************

 

Although it is an inconvenience to passengers to cancel, SeaDream, in reality, owes the Guest nothing above and beyond a refund, and in no way should they be considered "incompetent." What could be considered incompetent is not reading the contract (especially if one has sailed on SeaDream several times). I mean no disrespect to anyone when I say that; I'm only stating the facts.

 

I wish all cruisers who have been inconvenienced the best in their travels. How lucky we are to have such a dilemma as the choice of which luxury line we want to cruise with.

 

Happy sailing!

Annie

[Sea-hawk]

What many people responding to the criticisms seem to be missing isn't the fact that the ships can be chartered, or itineraries changed, rather it is that the people in the Sea Dream office are a bit “off: when it comes to communication and customer service. If you go back to the OP, you will see that these people have sailed SD a number of times, and have been happy with their experiences. What they are upset about is not being notified about changes to an upcoming cruise, and the lack of proper service in dealing with them.

We too love the service once aboard, but have had a few problems involving the land based employees.

Sea-Hawk

[Luxury Traveler]

Sea-Hawk, I thank you for your comments of which I fully agree with as we all should understand that the way a situation is handled by the office or onboard is a key factor to their success. I know that my next door neighbor was also booked on the same voyage that has been referred too, and he was overjoyed with the offer made by the SeaDream Office and thought it was handled very well.

My neighbors are now going on 2 SeaDream voyages back to back and using some of the credits that was offered them.

For some reason it seems that the case we are all talking about a good repeat guest was never contacted ,which just seems so odd as they must of had a telephone number or address on file. I do think that SeaDream will try to be helpful to find a solution as they have with me over the years. Something just does not sound right here. I have gone on 4 voyages and always felt that this company really cared about their guests and proved it each voyage that I have been on. I have also had correspondence with the SeaDream top management and found them to always be fair and business like, which I have too respect.

Enough, Now let's go Crusing..as we all know, it is great experience.

LUX:)

 

 

 

 

LUX

[schmidlapp]

funny how something that is supposed to be so good, seadream,

can disappoint because of high expectations.. that is what my wife and i

experienced in 2003, st thomas/st thomas...we did come on board with high expectations,(based on ratings) most was good (not great), food was the very disappointing aspect. new chef on board, almost everything was tasteless. presentation was fantastic, service very good to excellent, but much of crew had a stuffy air about them...not to mention stuffy passengers...

crew exception was tomasz and martin, they were genuinely concered about

passengers happiness.

bottom line, we are booked on windstar this winter 1wk, and spring med,

2 weeks looking forward to good food and smiling down to earth crew... not to mention genuine people as passangers.....

[surfklutz]

Wow - and I thought the opposite. When I went in the Med in 2003 I expected good service and cuisine ( based on reviews ) and I was blown away at how excellent they both were. I found the food to be the best on any cruise and love eating topside overlooking some great picturesque ports. The service was incredible - who can hate being spritzed with icewater on the Balinese beds? I came away thinking that it can't get much better than what I experienced.

[cburger100]

Dear all:

 

We were Radisson fans from the beginning. Been on all their ships a few times. Loved it, and thought this was it. Then we tried Seabourn, after a QE2, and some other cruises. While we were on board Seabourn, a passenger mentioned SD. We had never heard of SD. (This actually surprised me, because we are such cruise freaks.)

We sailed last Feb, in the Caribbean, and we did not want to leave. The service, the staff, the amenities such as the Bulgari, sheets, etc. Everything was wonderful. Then we sailed on SD in June (I am very blessed with a generous husband) from Venice to Rome. It was awesome. We stopped in Croatia and Montenegro, which I highly recommend, but we also stopped in Albania. This port was a maiden stop from what I understand, and after all passengers reboarded the yacht, the Captain, came out casually and annouced no one would be paying for their shore excursions - and that we were leaving and going "play the rest of the day" out at sea. It is this type of flexibleness and casualness, which gives you the feeling of really "yachting". When we returned from an absolutely flawless and fantastic trip, we received a letter in the mail offering $500.00 off our next sailing because of the stop in Albania.

It is this type of service, that keeps me coming back. I have never noticed any of the staff being stuck up, in fact, the opposite. So this surprises me. I could take Christophe home with me - the staff and so great and helpful.

Although I really do like Andrew, Jesse, and the rest of the crew on land, I do agree that sometimes they seem overwhelmed, and things can be miscommunicated. I think they probably receive a lot of wild requests and demands, and they are just following rules, as best they can, while trying to be accomodating to all.

Overall, I rate SD a 10. I am looking forward to another vacation on SD, in a few weeks, and will file a report here. Merry Christmas!

[schmidlapp]

funny thing, our neighbors just got back from a thanksgiving run on seadream, without first expressing our opinions, and asking what they thought of the trip, they said they will go back to seabourn next year...????

also noticed in condnast last month, their ratings have slipped a bit???

please don't take me too wrong and i know a lot of people love seadream,

but with the ratings they carry they need to deliver all of the time not just

most of the time... we have been on 5 different cruise lines,

my ratings are , #1 radisson in tahiti, #2 windstar, #3 seadream,

#4 celebrity, #5 the now defunct commodore line...

yes, seadream is "all inclusive" but you pay for that upfront. when you look at what windstar does for the price, you can't drink $200.00 per day

per couple on windstar and make up the difference in price to seadream

and service on windstar is = . food is superior, better casino, entertainment even though it is very limited is much better..

all in all windstar is just a better product...

[Luxury Traveler]

Hi Schnidlapp

It seems that whatever experience you had on a SeaDream was just not the normal experience that many of us have had. Or your tastes are quite a bit different that others for you to say that the food on Windstar was far superior to that of SeaDream....That is why they make Chevys and Mercedes...Our tastes are different but it really seems that your experience did not measure up to your expectations. I have been quite fortunate on my last 4 SeaDream voyages, and after 2 Windstar cruises I can say that these products are not even close...Two very good, but completly different experiences.

Hey, I hope you have better luck if there is a next time...But either way there is still no better vacation than a luxury cruise..

Regards,

LUX :)

[dewla]

I have been on tons of cruises. The only one which came close to SeaDream is the Paul Gauguin in Tahiti by Radisson. (Food better on Paul Gauguin).

 

LOVED Seadream. Would love to go on it every year.

[travelchik]

funny how everyone can have a different opinion about the same experience. we sailed the Paul Gauguin last year and did not enjoy it at all. the staff was bitter about making the same route month after month and i was yelled at for eating a piece of cake near the pool area, and for not being adequately clothed when i went in for tea to retrieve a cookie to take back to my room and eat. by the way i did have on a swimsuit and coverup. but apparently it was not enough to go in and get my cookie. so that and a bunch of other minor mishaps like relentless rain during the "dry" season made for not a nice trip.

 

this was my second time on seadream and i have no complaints. period.

[hottie]

my favorite is still seabourn, which sd strives to be a more casual and personal version of. nothng beats the food, service, amenities and suites on seabourn-

sd is a poor imitation, yet has some really good attributes. food is not as good, needs a little more activity options, we always danced and sang all night on seabourn in the piano bar, sd does not really have any after dinner activity

gaugin in tahiti is great because of the venue. the ship is nothing special, the food is good but not always great, bar drinks are extra, but the staff is nice. definitely the only way to do tahiti/polynesia

windstar is the lowest on list. she's a great ship because of the sailing, but the food is mediocre at best, the cabins very small and plain, all drinks are extra. that being said, we enjoyed our cruises, but had not experienced rssc or seabourn yet.

we have never had a stuffy trip because we are not stuffy. if you are only interested in the other passengers, travel with friends or try carnival for socializing

our biggest issues are the lack of itinerary options at the times we want to travel and that we cannot do longer then 7-10 day cruises

btw, what's the problem with jewelry and fox trot? don't you have any bling bling, and can't you dance?

[surfklutz]

I disagree with you about SeaDream being a poor immitation of Seabourn - I don't believe SeaDream tries to be like anything else. The owner of SeaDream were the owners of Seabourn before they sold to Carnival Corporation. They set out to create something different from anything that is offered currently - and they do a great job of it.

 

I find the food to be superior on SeaDream - and the topside dining experience just can't be beat. As far as dancing and singing at the Piano bar - why couldn't you do that on the SeaDream yacht. We did - and had a blast. I also found the service on SeaDream to be consistantly better than on Seabourn - especially the waitstaff and the adorable room stewardess. That is not to say that Seabourne doesn't also have great service - I just find SeaDream more personalized and consistant.

 

I agree with you on your assessment of Windstar - pay a bit extra for something else!

[frequent traveler]

On board, Sea Dream is the absolute best. Unfortunately, I've been cancelled twice and had to find a replacement. The communication skills of Miami are non-existent. Yes, I understand business reality -- but when someone can t' connect to an Atlantic crosssing and you don't have any suggestions --- then welll, we'll think of something else.

 

FT

[Luxury Traveler]

On board, Sea Dream is the absolute best. Unfortunately, I've been cancelled twice and had to find a replacement. The communication skills of Miami are non-existent. Yes, I understand business reality -- but when someone can t' connect to an Atlantic crosssing and you don't have any suggestions --- then welll, we'll think of something else.

 

FT

 

Hi FT,

I have read over the many positings that you have had about your great support of SeaDream to the point that I thought you may have been on their payroll....It also seemed that you could have been the "Poster Child" for them, but it really disappointments me to see some type of personal vendetta that you have at the moment with their office management. I have cruised for many years with all of the top Luxury lines and could not disagree with you more. As a matter of fact if you can find another company as responsive to SeaDream, I like to know about them and give them a shot.

Maybe you should speak to one of the SeaDream exectutives as I did when I thought I had a situation. This is the only company that I have ever called and asked to speak to the Owner or President with a problem or suggestion and was put right thru to him directly. That experience really put into prespective for me, how different this small company is and how it reacts to their customers needs and observations.

I really find it hard to believe that some one from their top management has not contacted you to try to listen and /or try to make you happy....I feel that if nobody from SeaDream has contacted you to be of help, then that it may be a sign for you to move on to another line. I am a firm believer that Karma sure rubs off on people and it seems that you always get more with Honey than Vinegar.

Hey, Give SeaDream a call and straignten out whatever is bugging you, as life is to short to let a problem like this get under your skin...You seem to love this product as I do, so get to know someone at SeaDream as every person I have ever talked to has been super helpful. By the way, I have crusied only 4 times on SeaDream so far and my first experience was on a charter that I was invited on which I am sure displaced some guests, thus I am sympathic to what happened to you but I am sure it was a proper business decision. If this is the only problem you have that makes you a very lucky person...Think about it.

Smile,:)

LUX

[loving life]

hi dewla and travel chick... the tan is definitely gone, harsh canadian winter, but the brilliant memories shine on. mk and i had a most wonderful time, really, it could not have been better. now that i know what we would be missing if a future cruise got canceled i would be crushed... but there are worse things that could happen, we would cope. dreaming of future cruises...

[travelchik]

Hi Loving Life, miss you guys! My tan is gone too, however i am still trying to work off those grand marnier souffles. hope to see you again one of these days....maybe on a seadream cruise in the med????

 

sounds good huh!

[dewla]

Having withdrawal for the SD as well! Although the weather has been warm here in TX, it is not the SD!

Hoping to do a Med cruise as well!

Hope all of you are doing great!

 

Dewla