Best Upcoming Itineraries---Seabourn (or luxury competitor)

[SLSD]

7 minutes ago, frantic36 said:

 

I did this cruise as my first cruise on Seabourn in 2010 on Seabourn Pride and did a similar itinerary in January 2019 on Ovation. 

 

Hong Kong was an amazing place to visit but I haven't been back since China reclaimed it. On a small group tour we did 1.5 weeks ago a couple from Hong Kong was there and they reassured us there was no problems for them and they worked very high up in the Corporate world. We did things like a red sailed junk tour of the harbour, a helicopter flight, taking the tour to Victoria Peak which was amazing for the views. 

 

Halong Bay we did a junk tour, explored a large well lighted cave and a kayak. We didn't do the kayak on our second visit but our friends did and enjoyed it. 

 

Da Nang you can either visit Hoi An or Hue. We have visited Hoi An both times and enjoyed the historic old town. 

 

Laem Chabang the bigger ships can't get right up the river like the smaller ships. We didn't want to take the long bus ride into Bangkok as we had visited previously. We went to visit The Sanctuary of Truth a large Wooden Temple about 20 minutes drive away set in a park which we enjoyed. Others did the long bus ride and enjoyed what they saw. 

 

Sihanoukville, Cambodia has sadly became very dusty and not great to visit due to the multiple building projects of resorts and casinos for the Chinese tourism. We hired a car to go out of town but I would seriously consider making it a sea day.

 

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Viet Nam is fascinating and lots to visit and we love the food there. We even did a cooking class last time.

 

Ko Kood as mentioned earlier is a great Seabourn beach day. 

 

Agree also that Singapore is a wonderful place to visit. We always enjoy it and even visit it just as land trip. Changi Airport, especially with the new renovations to the business class lounge is a tour stop in itself. 

 

Julie

Thank you for your comments.  Very helpful. 

[jozi]

4 hours ago, SLSD said:

That's an idea, but how pathetic that the SB website does not work.  We will be booking through a travel agent once we find our itinerary.  

Try this? (Scroll to the list at the bottom.) Interesting how the different segments are shown. https://www.cruisemapper.com/ships/Seabourn-Ovation-1165

[SLSD]

16 minutes ago, jozi said:

Try this? (Scroll to the list at the bottom.) Interesting how the different segments are shown. https://www.cruisemapper.com/ships/Seabourn-Ovation-1165

  I'll try that.  

[mieu]

10 hours ago, SLSD said:

I have always been reluctant to book a segment(s) on a WC or a Grand Voyage.  I don't like to be those passengers that the long haulers are looking at with disdain.  Talk me down from that--if you can.  

Why do you feel you would be viewed with disdain? We were recently on a 30 day segment of Sojourn’s January 2024 World Cruise, and found the “long haulers” to be extremely gracious and welcoming.

[mieu]

7 hours ago, SLSD said:

I've spent a good bit of time today looking at itineraries on Seabourn--and on Silversea, Regent, and the new Crystal.  

 

Thank you to 2seabourn sailors for suggesting I look at Vacations to Go to ferret out the itineraries since the Seabourn website is so painful to use.  I've looked at Vacations to Go in the past, but since I would never book through them (should we?  ever?) I had not looked at the site recently.  

 

One of our friends, who doesn't cruise now due to age, has been urging Mr. SLSD to book an Asian cruise during the winter.  We had looked at those and I had dismissed the idea, perhaps prematurely.  

 

I went back  to the Seabourn website today after looking at the whole panoply of choices on Vacations to Go.  January is a very good time for us to cruise.  Christmas with the family will be behind us, and our next domestic trip will not be until April. 

 

We're looking at a January 20th 14 days cruise from Hong Kong to Singapore.  I wish it was longer, but it is what it is.  We have not been to Hong Kong (have been to mainland China and do not consider it a vacation spot).  I know Hong Kong is changed now due to being part of mainland China now. 

 

Here are the ports which are nicely space among sea days.  I really like sea days sprinkled in among ports--never more than one sea day at a time. 

 

Hong Kong

Halong Bay, Viet Nam

Da Nang (Hue) Viet Nam

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Viet Nam

Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Ko Kood, Thailand

Laem Chabag (Bangkok) Thailand

Singapore

 

My questions concern the ports.  Are they good ports in terms of things to see and do?  Or, are some of them a long way from things to see and do.  Have any of you experienced this itinerary? 

Why do you not consider mainland China a vacation spot? We’re Seabourn diamond members, and love to travel the world looking for new cultural experiences.

[Tallante]

Hi Julie

 

HK to Bangkok was our first trip on the Pride also That trip got us hooked on Seabourn. Our 2nd was Singapore to Singapore.  I can’t remember which cruise we met you on along with Carolyn and Paul from Newcastle, Caroline and Pete from the UK and Brian and ?. Can’t remember her name. I can remember it was the Pride though.  Good times i seem to remember!

[Khareef]

I like the pacific itineraries of the Pursuit, I might hit the trigger on the Santiago-Sidney through Polynesia.

[Reef Knot]

I lived in Madagascar for 4 years and whilst I wouldn't recommend the capital Antananarivo I would without hesitation endorse a visit to the rest of the island. 

Ponant have some interesting intineries in that region for the dates and duration that you are looking for. Choices of a circumnavigation of Madagascar or mixing it up with visits to Zanzibar and Mauritius 

https://en.ponant.com/africa-middle-east-indian-ocean-adventure-in-madagascar-ec130124-9

 

 

 

[CruiserfaeFife]

Hong Kong to Singapore on Ovation was our introduction to Seabourn, in January 2020, just before the big nasty descended. We enjoyed the mix of shore and sea days. Ports were the same as @SLSD has listed, some thoughts:

 

Hong Kong - we stayed on HK island for a couple of nights pre-cruise. Enjoyed walking around but we were conscious of increased security presence (this was at the time of the protests). 
 

Halong Bay - you should do the cruise round the bay - spectacular islands - rather than visit Hanoi which is some distance away so long coach trip

 

Da Nang - interesting visit to Hoi An which is an old town worth walking around at your own pace

 

Ho Chi Minh City - Ovation docked at the port in the centre of Saigon and we overnighted there. In hindsight we should have been more adventurous - one couple did an evening food tour on the back of scooters, which sounded great fun - but coming from the UK we learned a lot about what locals refer to as the “American War”. 
 

Sihanoukville - best treated as a “sea day”. Only makes sense as a collection point for those who’ve done the overnight land tour to Angkor Wat. 
 

Ko Kood - beach barbeque, idyllic beach, need I say more?
 

Leam Chabang - our first visit to Bangkok so worth it for us but the port is a 2 hour bus tour away from the city and traffic was dreadful so careful if you book your own tour!

 

and finally…

 

Singapore - great city to spend a couple of nights afterwards. 
 

Our next outing is NYC to Montreal in September 2024 - perhaps less exciting for North Americans but for us a mix of familiar (NYC, Boston) and new so can’t wait. 

 

 

[frantic36]

4 minutes ago, Reef Knot said:

I lived in Madagascar for 4 years and whilst I wouldn't recommend the capital Antananarivo I would without hesitation endorse a visit to the rest of the island. 

Ponant have some interesting intineries in that region for the dates and duration that you are looking for. Choices of a circumnavigation of Madagascar or mixing it up with visits to Zanzibar and Mauritius 

https://en.ponant.com/africa-middle-east-indian-ocean-adventure-in-madagascar-ec130124-9

 

 

 

 

I'm curious as to the likelihood of cyclones at that time of January. We were due to stop in Madagascar and Reunion in January 2015 but we had to skip them to bypass two cyclones/hurricanes that were in that region. I really would like to visit Madagascar and would love to know the best time to go?

[Khareef]

7 minutes ago, Reef Knot said:

I lived in Madagascar for 4 years and whilst I wouldn't recommend the capital Antananarivo I would without hesitation endorse a visit to the rest of the island. 

Ponant have some interesting intineries in that region for the dates and duration that you are looking for. Choices of a circumnavigation of Madagascar or mixing it up with visits to Zanzibar and Mauritius 

https://en.ponant.com/africa-middle-east-indian-ocean-adventure-in-madagascar-ec130124-9

 

 

 

Ponant really seems to have the most interesting innovative itineraries. Cabins look very small though and the "French first" culture is what keep preventing me from booking with them.

[frantic36]

2 hours ago, Tallante said:

Brian and ?.

It was Brian and Susan. He was/is a real comedian with a wicked sense of humour 😅.

[Reef Knot]

30 minutes ago, frantic36 said:

 

I'm curious as to the likelihood of cyclones at that time of January. We were due to stop in Madagascar and Reunion in January 2015 but we had to skip them to bypass two cyclones/hurricanes that were in that region. I really would like to visit Madagascar and would love to know the best time to go?

It's true that cyclones do hit the island from Dec through to Feb/March although generally on the east coast. Being such a large country the weather does vary by region (the west coast is less affected by cyclones) but the general consensus is March/April through to Nov/Dec. 

Well worth a visit and certainly pretty much unspoilt by mass tourism.

[Reef Knot]

38 minutes ago, Khareef said:

Ponant really seems to have the most interesting innovative itineraries. Cabins look very small though and the "French first" culture is what keep preventing me from booking with them.

Yup can't really argue with that, and I would think some knowledge of the French language would be useful 

[jdk-atlga]

Morning All:

We are booked on SB Venture for April 28, 2024: from Edinburgh to Greenwich. As far as I know, it is the only itinerary that goes along the "wild" Atlantic side of Ireland as well as unique Scotland stops, and does nearly all excursions by zodiac as it is an expedition trip. We have also been able to get some really great airfare (part of the current Sale) that really sets it up well.

Best, jdk

[Mr Luxury]

2 hours ago, Khareef said:

Ponant really seems to have the most interesting innovative itineraries. Cabins look very small though and the "French first" culture is what keep preventing me from booking with them.

Best left alone

[Khareef]

4 minutes ago, Mr Luxury said:

Best left alone

Any bad experience?

[Mr Luxury]

Just now, Khareef said:

Any bad experience?

Qui

[Khareef]

2 minutes ago, Mr Luxury said:

Qui

Care to give a few details?

[Mr Luxury]

1 minute ago, Khareef said:

Care to give a few details?

Just poor service and a filthy ship.

Glad I was only on for a short trip.

Ticked that box now.

[Khareef]

I need to look for something at Xmas time, anyone done any Xmas cruises that they would heartily recommend? 

[SLSD]

6 hours ago, mieu said:

Why do you feel you would be viewed with disdain? We were recently on a 30 day segment of Sojourn’s January 2024 World Cruise, and found the “long haulers” to be extremely gracious and welcoming.

Because of comments they often make about people joining to shorter segments.  

[SLSD]

6 hours ago, mieu said:

Why do you not consider mainland China a vacation spot? We’re Seabourn diamond members, and love to travel the world looking for new cultural experiences.

New cultural experiences are always what we are looking for  and we saw amazing things in China.  I just don't need to return.  One of our sons lived there for several years and I think we got our fill of China.  

Edited July 12, 2023 by SLSD

[Mr Luxury]

35 minutes ago, Khareef said:

I need to look for something at Xmas time, anyone done any Xmas cruises that they would heartily recommend? 

Xmas Caribbean on any Seabourn ship is always a great experience.

I'm in Madeira for Xmas and New year this year but will be at sea next Xmas.

[Tallante]

6 hours ago, frantic36 said:

 

I'm curious as to the likelihood of cyclones at that time of January. We were due to stop in Madagascar and Reunion in January 2015 but we had to skip them to bypass two cyclones/hurricanes that were in that region. I really would like to visit Madagascar and would love to know the best time to go?

We did Capetown to Singapore in January on the Sojourn.  Reunión and Madagascar very good but then onto Mauritius where we were supposed to overnight but when we arrived back after our tour of the south of the island, we then had to leave at 11.00pm that evening to avoid a major cyclone.  It was just a little bumpy en route to the Maldives!