Live from the Sojourn

[MomC]

Always nice to come back to a Seabourn ship, in the case the Sojourn.  First of all, very happy crew.  A sure sign that ship management is doing their job.  Two differences that are not to my liking: the new ‘filtered’ water.  As my daughter said, it TASTES like filtered water.  My water consumption will be way down this cruise.  Guess that means I will be taking my pills with a tasty alcoholic beverage.  I know why this policy was implemented and one can’t argue with the change, but it’s a fact: the water is now a lowlight. Second, I see cutbacks from previous sailings.  Example: the # and type of shrimp in the appetizer shrimp cocktail.  Instead of 4 jumbo shrimp, there are now 3 medium shrimp served on a plate with just a dab of cocktail sauce. Same item at the Colonnade for lunch.  They always used to have nice medium sized shrimp with cocktail sauce in a big bowl.  Now they have a salad with tiny shrimp and no peel and eat shrimp.  Now I am not fixated with shrimp, but it was always something I enjoyed since I live in a land-locked State.  It’s a cost saving measure I’m sure.  OK that’s my first 24 hour observations.  Not an unhappy cruiser, just one who sees changes.

[jozi]

2 hours ago, MomC said:

Always nice to come back to a Seabourn ship, in the case the Sojourn.  First of all, very happy crew.  A sure sign that ship management is doing their job.  Two differences that are not to my liking: the new ‘filtered’ water.  As my daughter said, it TASTES like filtered water.  My water consumption will be way down this cruise.  Guess that means I will be taking my pills with a tasty alcoholic beverage.  I know why this policy was implemented and one can’t argue with the change, but it’s a fact: the water is now a lowlight. Second, I see cutbacks from previous sailings.  Example: the # and type of shrimp in the appetizer shrimp cocktail.  Instead of 4 jumbo shrimp, there are now 3 medium shrimp served on a plate with just a dab of cocktail sauce. Same item at the Colonnade for lunch.  They always used to have nice medium sized shrimp with cocktail sauce in a big bowl.  Now they have a salad with tiny shrimp and no peel and eat shrimp.  Now I am not fixated with shrimp, but it was always something I enjoyed since I live in a land-locked State.  It’s a cost saving measure I’m sure.  OK that’s my first 24 hour observations.  Not an unhappy cruiser, just one who sees changes.

You could ask for a double portion. 🙂  I do recall that the shrimp in TK are larger btw.

[Fletcher]

3 hours ago, MomC said:

Now I am not fixated with shrimp, but it was always something I enjoyed since I live in a land-locked State.  

Frozen shrimps in a land-locked state and on a Seabourn ship - what's the difference?

Edited November 29, 2019 by Fletcher

[Covepointcruiser]

As to the filtered water, we will all be making many sacrifices because of climate changes.   Do they still have Evian, or Pellegrino water available?   There is no need to take medications with alcohol as they, hopefully, still have iced tea and many other non alcoholic beverages.   I prefer V-8 or tomato juice.

[saminina]

How dare you come on here and cite diminishing standards.  How do you like the bathroom paper products?

[MomC]

Not sure that I have no right to judge diminishing standards,  Samina, but I notice no changes in the bathroom paper products.  TP is TP and tissues serve the purpose.   Having cruised on over 100 cruises, I am a certified cruise specialist taught to judge cruise lines and ships in numerous categories.  And you?.

 

I forgot to mention that three of our five desserts had no taste whatsoever the first night, but  the ice cream with chocolate sauce was great as always! We do not have sparkling water in our cabin,  but it is still available on board.

 

Just saw the show with the singers and dancers tonight (formal night).  One of the best shows I have ever seen in my 35 years of cruising.  Great talent, great music and fabulous choreography.

 

i find great advice on this site.  I look forward  to answering any questions you might have, as well as sharing my observations!

 

Mom C

[twodjs]

Mom C, I concur with you on many points. We were on Sojourn for our first Seabourn cruise a few weeks ago - loved it! The crew was great. The production singers were very talented and the two dancers - perfection! Sounds like we have similar tastes in water...I really liked the concept of the containers of water they offered, but it doesn't taste as refreshing as one of the better waters with a truly low level of impurities. Hopefully that will improve as time goes on. Just my opinion, but with 20 years experience in the water purification industry, I'm a pretty good water taste-tester. 

[saminina]

MomC.....I enjoy reading what you write.  It's refreshing to read posts that are a bit more objective.   It also brings home the fact that you cannot please everyone.   Swallowing the ice cream served on Seabourn is not something I would do.   And if putting a cheap chocolate topping on it influences you into thinking there is any quality to the ice cream, I am happy for you.

 

I'm just a person in the early stages of experiencing what you have for 35 years.  If nothing has changed with the bathroom paper products, that is good news.

 

 

[purpleally]

On 11/29/2019 at 3:28 PM, MomC said:

Always nice to come back to a Seabourn ship, in the case the Sojourn.  First of all, very happy crew.  A sure sign that ship management is doing their job.  Two differences that are not to my liking: the new ‘filtered’ water.  As my daughter said, it TASTES like filtered water.  My water consumption will be way down this cruise.  Guess that means I will be taking my pills with a tasty alcoholic beverage.  I know why this policy was implemented and one can’t argue with the change, but it’s a fact: the water is now a lowlight. Second, I see cutbacks from previous sailings.  Example: the # and type of shrimp in the appetizer shrimp cocktail.  Instead of 4 jumbo shrimp, there are now 3 medium shrimp served on a plate with just a dab of cocktail sauce. Same item at the Colonnade for lunch.  They always used to have nice medium sized shrimp with cocktail sauce in a big bowl.  Now they have a salad with tiny shrimp and no peel and eat shrimp.  Now I am not fixated with shrimp, but it was always something I enjoyed since I live in a land-locked State.  It’s a cost saving measure I’m sure.  OK that’s my first 24 hour observations.  Not an unhappy cruiser, just one who sees changes.

Hope you made it to collanade yesterday for lunch. Peel and eat shrimp were huge and plentiful 

[rl787]

Hi saminina.......... i am not sure when you last tasted the Ice Cream or Gelato on board but I believe Seabourn have upgraded the ice cream by purchasing Carpigiani Ice Cream/Gelato makers. This is a top of the range manufacturer and many experts do rate their equipment. Of course it is each guests individual taste that counts but I do not feel we can accuse Seabourn of trying to get in some low grade product. If you have not tried it maybe next time you cruise with Seabourn you can see what you think.

[saminina]

Thanks for the tip, will sample soon.   For at least three years they have been serving San Bernardo brand ice cream, at least for the most popular flavors.  It is truly trash, IMO.  My guess is that this has not changed and they are producing lower volume flavors on board.   I'll add to my list of things to do.  Like counting visible tattoos on passengers and crew.

[Covepointcruiser]

Is Seabourn providing sugar free and/or fat free ice cream and gelato?   We only enjoy certain flavors but have never enjoyed the fat free or sugar free options.

[SLSD]

3 hours ago, saminina said:

Thanks for the tip, will sample soon.   For at least three years they have been serving San Bernardo brand ice cream, at least for the most popular flavors.  It is truly trash, IMO.  My guess is that this has not changed and they are producing lower volume flavors on board.   I'll add to my list of things to do.  Like counting visible tattoos on passengers and crew.

You make me laugh---the counting the visible tattoos on passengers and crew.  I would prefer to avert my eyes.  

 

I am not a consumer of ice cream, but I do remember reading that the ice cream was being made on board.  My husband pronounced it good.  That is not enough to make me try it as I prefer to reserve my calories for real food.  

[markham]

When we were recently on Odyssey I did notice that some crew have small arm and/or leg tattoos that were not covered with bandages or whatever they were expected to use in the past. So what. These are the same dedicated young and younger people who make our cruise so pleasurable and successful, and I like their warmth and enthusiasm. I am glad they are not wasting their time applying them and glad they are not making more garbage.

 

To head off possible questions, Seabourn, in my experience, does not hire staff with tattoos show violent or vulgar content and intent. 
 

Does this help?

 

Happy and healthy sailing!

[Mapu]

On 11/29/2019 at 6:58 PM, Covepointcruiser said:

As to the filtered water, we will all be making many sacrifices because of climate changes.   Do they still have Evian, or Pellegrino water available?   There is no need to take medications with alcohol as they, hopefully, still have iced tea and many other non alcoholic beverages.   I prefer V-8 or tomato juice.

We asked for Perrier which was in glass bottles and replenished when needed. 

[Mapu]

On 12/9/2019 at 10:41 AM, purpleally said:

Hope you made it to collanade yesterday for lunch. Peel and eat shrimp were huge and plentiful 

On another day the chef was making Caesar salad and had really large shrimp available to add.

[M&PGermany]

Will be joining the Sojourn again in April (after having done Odyssey and Encore this year) and can't wait to experience the excellent service by these hard working guys and gals once more! I don't mind their tattoos - actually, would love to even see the hidden ones of some of them ;-))

 

I just watched a video on the "services" of the new Norwegian Encore (... I wonder where they got this name from?!).

Almost everything is to pay for - what a total turn off.

 

I'm sure if you tell the F&B that you don't like the shrimp he will send someone diving for bigger ones.

 

That's just what SB is all about. Kudos to them!

[Emperor Norton]

On 12/10/2019 at 4:17 AM, markham said:

When we were recently on Odyssey I did notice that some crew have small arm and/or leg tattoos that were not covered with bandages or whatever they were expected to use in the past. So what. These are the same dedicated young and younger people who make our cruise so pleasurable and successful, and I like their warmth and enthusiasm. I am glad they are not wasting their time applying them and glad they are not making more garbage.

 

To head off possible questions, Seabourn, in my experience, does not hire staff with tattoos show violent or vulgar content and intent. 
 

Does this help?

 

Happy and healthy sailing!

They don't seem to mind cultural appropriation.  Not sure if serious.

 

Edit: When I was on Sojourn last week they seemed to have a surplus of those bay shrimp.  I'm surprised they didn't end up in random dishes as surprise ingredients.

Edited December 13, 2019 by Emperor Norton

[Videopark]

1 hour ago, Emperor Norton said:

They don't seem to mind cultural appropriation.  Not sure if serious.

 

Edit: When I was on Sojourn last week they seemed to have a surplus of those bay shrimp.  I'm surprised they didn't end up in random dishes as surprise ingredients.

 

I like to add the Bay shrimp to a salad. Or make a shrimp cocktail with the small shrimp.

[islandchick]

We were on the Sojourn in November and found that there was plentiful shrimp. I remember even commenting to my husband about the large quantity of shrimp I had eaten over the 12 days, as well as the amount of gelato.( I don't normally eat a lot of ice cream on cruises but the gelato they made on the ship was of high standard with interesting flavors)