When was your a-ha or wow moment

[snuggarelli]

Just got off of Regent, and we never got our “a-ha” moment where we said- yes this is why this cruise is a luxury cruise, nor a moment where we felt “wow’ed.”

 

On your first Seaborne Cruise, what prompted your “a-ha” moment and when were you “wow’ed”?

 

I’m trying to figure out what cruise line to do next.

[mraven]

In Mykonos. Came back from town to a half-full ship. Put my camera down on a lounger in 5-aft, which was completely empty. Went to our cabin to change and when we returned, there were 2 glasses of wine by the lounge. I was sure someone else had claimed the lounge, so we moved over. A few minutes later, server Anthony came by and indicated the wine was for us. We asked how he knew we were sitting there and he said he recognized my camera. Totally blew me away.

 

Saw him again 3 years later after he'd been promoted to Sommelier (he remembered us!) and we again asked about the camera (which we no longer had) and he told us his parents had the same unit.

[snuggarelli]

33 minutes ago, mraven said:

In Mykonos. Came back from town to a half-full ship. Put my camera down on a lounger in 5-aft, which was completely empty. Went to our cabin to change and when we returned, there were 2 glasses of wine by the lounge. I was sure someone else had claimed the lounge, so we moved over. A few minutes later, server Anthony came by and indicated the wine was for us. We asked how he knew we were sitting there and he said he recognized my camera. Totally blew me away.

 

Saw him again 3 years later after he'd been promoted to Sommelier (he remembered us!) and we again asked about the camera (which we no longer had) and he told us his parents had the same unit.

Thank you mraven.  That sounds like spectacular service!

[SLSD]

This is just a funny story.  Last year, we took a SB Baltic cruise.  We seldom if ever dine in the Colonnade, but one morning my husband decided to go to the lower deck of the Colonnade (Ovation) to get a smoothie.  I followed several minutes later and as I was walking through the Colonnade to go down to the lower deck, a crew member that I had never seen before (not a waiter, but perhaps a kitchen helper/cook ) passed by  me and said, "Good Morning Mrs. Daniel."  He saw the somewhat shocked look on my face and laughed.  I think perhaps the crew had been having a contest using our photos to recognize us and this crew member was particularly good at the game.  

[3418ahl]

In Myanmar...after returning to Yangon after an overnight to Bagan, we all wanted to fit the Schwedagon Pagoda into our day, so the ship had a bus pick us up at the airport at about 5 pm to take us to the Pagoda.  We found drinks and sandwiches on the bus, which I thought was thoughtful.  We returned to the ship at about 10 pm to find all the crew standing there applauding us and low and behold they led us to the dining room (about 25-30 of us), where they seated us and served a beautiful three course dinner.  That was definitely my "ah-hah" moment!

[margbem]

Walking into the Restaurant on our first time on the Odyssey after numerous cruises on the Legend, to be welcomed by Eddie - seasoned Seabourn sailors will all remember Eddie- with the words "Welcome home Mrs Berry!"  and a big hug. Lovely!

[dalliowner]

Years ago we were in Venice awaiting to board the Spirit for our second cruise , three years after our first. We were early so were strolling along the canal  when coming the other way were a couple of Seabourn Crew ,when one of them  (Stephanie) came up to us and said you are sailing  with us again ?? As we  had not checked in yet I could not believe she had remembered us from three year previous , we were sold .

[Isklaar]

1 hour ago, dalliowner said:

Years ago we were in Venice awaiting to board the Spirit for our second cruise , three years after our first. We were early so were strolling along the canal  when coming the other way were a couple of Seabourn Crew ,when one of them  (Stephanie) came up to us and said you are sailing  with us again ?? As we  had not checked in yet I could not believe she had remembered us from three year previous , we were sold .

 

We had a similar experience in a shopping mall in Cape Town when Sojourn had arrived for an overnight the day before our embarkation day.

It had been at least two years since we'd been on a ship with the crew member but he recognised us before we did him. He remembered our favourite pre-dinner drinks and promised to have them ready for us in the Obs bar at 6pm on embarkation day. 

 

Seabourn crew are amazing and for me are what make SB so special. 

[snuggarelli]

5 hours ago, SLSD said:

This is just a funny story.  Last year, we took a SB Baltic cruise.  We seldom if ever dine in the Colonnade, but one morning my husband decided to go to the lower deck of the Colonnade (Ovation) to get a smoothie.  I followed several minutes later and as I was walking through the Colonnade to go down to the lower deck, a crew member that I had never seen before (not a waiter, but perhaps a kitchen helper/cook ) passed by  me and said, "Good Morning Mrs. Daniel."  He saw the somewhat shocked look on my face and laughed.  I think perhaps the crew had been having a contest using our photos to recognize us and this crew member was particularly good at the game.  

Thank you SLSD!  That’s pretty incredible, especially since I thought the ships carried quite a large passenger capacity (I’m not sure here as I’ve never looked it up)?

[snuggarelli]

4 hours ago, 3418ahl said:

In Myanmar...after returning to Yangon after an overnight to Bagan, we all wanted to fit the Schwedagon Pagoda into our day, so the ship had a bus pick us up at the airport at about 5 pm to take us to the Pagoda.  We found drinks and sandwiches on the bus, which I thought was thoughtful.  We returned to the ship at about 10 pm to find all the crew standing there applauding us and low and behold they led us to the dining room (about 25-30 of us), where they seated us and served a beautiful three course dinner.  That was definitely my "ah-hah" moment!

Thank you 3418ahl!  Wow!  That sounds wonderful.  Is that the norm?

[snuggarelli]

3 hours ago, margbem said:

Walking into the Restaurant on our first time on the Odyssey after numerous cruises on the Legend, to be welcomed by Eddie - seasoned Seabourn sailors will all remember Eddie- with the words "Welcome home Mrs Berry!"  and a big hug. Lovely!

Thank you Marybem!  I’m glad they keep on their crew.

[snuggarelli]

2 hours ago, dalliowner said:

Years ago we were in Venice awaiting to board the Spirit for our second cruise , three years after our first. We were early so were strolling along the canal  when coming the other way were a couple of Seabourn Crew ,when one of them  (Stephanie) came up to us and said you are sailing  with us again ?? As we  had not checked in yet I could not believe she had remembered us from three year previous , we were sold .

Thanks Dalliowner!  I can’t even remember someone’s name a minute after they tell me, lol.  They must go through some sort of training for that.

[snuggarelli]

1 hour ago, Isklaar said:

 

We had a similar experience in a shopping mall in Cape Town when Sojourn had arrived for an overnight the day before our embarkation day.

It had been at least two years since we'd been on a ship with the crew member but he recognised us before we did him. He remembered our favourite pre-dinner drinks and promised to have them ready for us in the Obs bar at 6pm on embarkation day. 

 

Seabourn crew are amazing and for me are what make SB so special. 

Thanks Isklaar!  I think that in a lot of cases it can make or break a trip if the crew has a good attitude or not.  To remember you from many years past sounds very special indeed.

[SLSD]

1 hour ago, snuggarelli said:

Thank you SLSD!  That’s pretty incredible, especially since I thought the ships carried quite a large passenger capacity (I’m not sure here as I’ve never looked it up)?

The Ovation can carry 600 passengers.  We don't think there were 600 passengers on our Baltic itinerary---somewhat less--and the ship never felt crowded to us.  

[SKP946]

Our first ever cruise with Seabourn, 10 days on the Pride in May 2010 from the port for Beijing to Hong Kong.

The Chinese authorities were being difficult and wouldn’t let anybody board until 5pm.

Once onboard and walking into the restaurant at 7pm, a waiter came towards us and said,

“Good evening, Mr. and Mrs P. may I show you to a table”

We were blown away, and intrigued how could he know our name when we had only been onboard for two hours !

(we eventually solved the puzzle, from our boarding ship’s ID card photo)

 

First cruise on the (then) larger ships, the Quest in 2012.

I casually mentioned to Guest Services that the crew were not as quick to learn our names as on the smaller ships. 

The next day (and for the rest of the 25 day cruise) every crew member that I went past (including deck crew) called me by name, so much so it became embarrassing.

I found out later that my embarkation photo had been blown up to poster size and put in a prominent position in the crew section with the words, “ make sure you call Mr. P by name” !

I never did that again.

[snuggarelli]

1 hour ago, SKP946 said:

Our first ever cruise with Seabourn, 10 days on the Pride in May 2010 from the port for Beijing to Hong Kong.

The Chinese authorities were being difficult and wouldn’t let anybody board until 5pm.

Once onboard and walking into the restaurant at 7pm, a waiter came towards us and said,

“Good evening, Mr. and Mrs P. may I show you to a table”

We were blown away, and intrigued how could he know our name when we had only been onboard for two hours !

(we eventually solved the puzzle, from our boarding ship’s ID card photo)

 

First cruise on the (then) larger ships, the Quest in 2012.

I casually mentioned to Guest Services that the crew were not as quick to learn our names as on the smaller ships. 

The next day (and for the rest of the 25 day cruise) every crew member that I went past (including deck crew) called me by name, so much so it became embarrassing.

I found out later that my embarkation photo had been blown up to poster size and put in a prominent position in the crew section with the words, “ make sure you call Mr. P by name” !

I never did that again.

That is a hilarious story!  But they did ensure that they knew who you were.  Thank you for sharing your “a-ha” moment!

[wesport]

Having the Thomas Keller ribs in the Colonnade outside and watching the sun set while sailing out of Rhodes on the Odyssey in July 2018 with six of our closest friends. I thought, it doesn't get much better than  this. 

[SLSD]

Another special moment was when we arrived at an on the deck evening party during our Baltic cruise last summer (on the Ovation).  As soon as we found a seat, the Cruise Director Handre came running over with two blankets for us.  He didn't just hand them to us, he tucked them around us.  He treated us like we were guests at his home.  I can only imagine how many times he has done this, but each time, he does it with a genuine smile and such personal attention.  I was so surprised at this level of effort and care.  

Edited July 4, 2019 by SLSD

[Hanoverian]

I remember something similar, SLSD.  We set sail from Miami for the Caribbean on one of the Sisters in January, cannot remember which ship and what year as this was prior to 2010, on a cloudy and bitterly cold day.  Sail Away party was looking pretty miserable until staff quickly and unannounced wrapped everyone on deck in a blanket and served hot chocolate and Baileys.  That certainly impressed all of us and got the party rolling.       

[raphael360]

This is a fun one to answer:  We did a14  St. Martin - St. Martin cruise last year and our non-stop flight out of Miami was 5 hours late taking off.  The ship was scheduled to leave at 11PM but all guests were requested to board by 9PM.  We finally landed at 10PM, went through immigration, picked up our bags, went through customs and found the private airport to ship driver (that we scheduled through Seabourn).  It was 10:45PM when we reached the ship fully expecting to be denied boarding.  But no, SB had kept all of the local security staff, baggage handlers and port staff waiting for us.  The hotel manager met us personally at the gangway and 2 SB staff escorted us to Seabourn Square where we were handed glasses of Champlain while we checked in and our luggage was x-rayed and loaded. A-ha, I love this cruise line.

[Cru Doll]

On the second day of our first cruise on one of the Little Sisters, my DH was  personally presented (by his name) with a glass of champagne in the hot tub.  When  he looked surprised he was  told  “I remembered that you like champagne”.   

 

Another occurred on our second Little Sister Cruise.  We were welcomed aboard in Lisbon with a number of the crew lined up at the gangway to greet us as we walked aboard. Nice touch.  

 

Also on both of our Little Sister cruises, every evening I was escorted to our table by one of the dinning staff or Maitre D’ .  On the Encore in August, 2018, this occurred on formal nights in the MDR.  I attributed the difference to the larger ship. All of the other personal attention touches were still evident.  We’re looking forward to sailing on the Ovation in September/October this year.  

 

[SLSD]

I was always escorted to a table in the MDR on the Ovation and Encore by a dining staff member---so it is not just on the smaller ships.  Personally, I don't love being escorted (arm in arm) but don't turn it down as I don't want to appear rude. 

[SKP946]

 

2 hours ago, Cru Doll said:

Another occurred on our second Little Sister Cruise.  We were welcomed aboard in Lisbon with a number of the crew lined up at the gangway to greet us as we walked aboard. Nice touch.  

 

Cru Doll: 

Was this the moment ? 🤔

Seabourn Pride. Lisbon, May 2011

 

[SKP946]

Another Seabourn moment for us was in Antarctica.

We were on Deck 11 above the Obs Lounge admiring the spectacular scenery, when Stephen and Zoltan appeared with hot waffles and hot chicken pies to warm us up

Edited July 4, 2019 by SKP946

[Cru Doll]

Skp946,

Ours was on the Pride in 2012.  Your picture captures the moment perfectly.  

Thanks for sharing.