Seabourn v Silversea

[markham]

May I add my own 2 cents as an aside. For us it is the space and spacing of tables in the MDRs of Encore and Ovation, and as Mr L highlighted. I mean, really, and this is old news, these 2 DRs are the same size as those on the O ships but there are 150 more punters. The Colonnade and TKG won’t handle this number. Ok, maybe they would and everyone would accept the MDRs as fabulous if these were HAL ships. But they are not branded that way. Which begs the question of who/which cost cutter designed their deck plans anyway?

 

We have 2 weeks on Encore in Aug., 2024, BTBs and so with the chance of the dreaded industry/incentive groups taking over the rhythms of the ship to suit themselves. At our expense. But the itinerary is very good, and so was the net price. About the dining choices we have already planned to have most lunches on shore and for shipboard dinners we will scrounge and scrap to our best advantage. Obviously the MDR is out! But does not have to happen and does not on other ships. Too bad.

Happy and healthy sailing!

 

[Isklaar]

34 minutes ago, markham said:

May I add my own 2 cents as an aside. For us it is the space and spacing of tables in the MDRs of Encore and Ovation, and as Mr L highlighted. I mean, really, and this is old news, these 2 DRs are the same size as those on the O ships but there are 150 more punters. The Colonnade and TKG won’t handle this number. Ok, maybe they would and everyone would accept the MDRs as fabulous if these were HAL ships. But they are not branded that way. Which begs the question of who/which cost cutter designed their deck plans anyway?

 

We have 2 weeks on Encore in Aug., 2024, BTBs and so with the chance of the dreaded industry/incentive groups taking over the rhythms of the ship to suit themselves. At our expense. But the itinerary is very good, and so was the net price. About the dining choices we have already planned to have most lunches on shore and for shipboard dinners we will scrounge and scrap to our best advantage. Obviously the MDR is out! But does not have to happen and does not on other ships. Too bad.

Happy and healthy sailing!

 

 

Indeed, for us too noisy and crowded because far too small.  The MDR was just one item in a list of my dislikes about Ovation. Not a luxury experience to be turned away on formal night (Christmas Eve) because it was full. 

Edited August 24, 2023 by Isklaar

[toseaornottosea]

Seabourn fan. Regent fan. On first Silversea cruise. Silver Nova. Initial observations. Beautiful ship. 54000gt 728 pax capacity so very spacious.  Standard veranda suite roughly same sq ftg but seems smaller. Don’t have a tape measure but I’ll bet they’re longer but not as wide as SB or R.   Best bathroom at sea in veranda suite in my experience. Pool staff dressed in dark outfits.  Why?  It’s very hot and they’re dripping wet. Pool deck great but not close enough to Grill. Can of course order at pool and pool staff will deliver to you. Grill food mediocre.  Grill waitstaff dressed in dark shirts dark pants with suspenders.  Look like hotel maintenance workers and they too dripping wet. Service and food in Atlantide good. La Terrazza seems extremely understaffed and food not so good at least so far. Yet to try other restaurants. Don’t like included excursions as use and using almost 100% private guides. Love Seabourn Square.  Silversea version, Arts Cafe/Reception area on this ship pales in comparison. So far staff and crew don’t seem as warm as on SB and R. So, so far mixed opinion.  

[markham]

Please keep your observations coming. They are most welcome, and I hope that staffing issues improve as more training/familiarity with you and their routines kick in, hopefully sooner rather than later.

 

The videos of the ship are so impressive and spacious. No lack of seats or crowding with excessive noise for the number of passengers, I trust, as there are on the Encore class ships.

 

If you try SALT, La Dame and Kaiseki please give your views. I am particularly interested in how they compare to the Muse/Moon/Dawn restaurants. 
 

Happy and healthy sailing!

[texanaust]

2 hours ago, texanaust said:

 

Did Chef Mike serve you the 'French Toast' appetizer?  That was the best part of our off menu TK experience with him on Ovation a few weeks ago.  

 

Actually it wasn't french toast.  French toast is what I had for breakfast this morning...It was a grilled cheese made with Parker House rolls, truffles, caviar and bernaise.  

[SLSD]

6 hours ago, markham said:

SLSD,

 

Dinner at Earth and Ocean is OK for what it is: 3 choices of appetizers, 3 mains and 3 desserts, but for very very few people, only those who can grab tables. (Wouldn’t it make sense to have a reservations system as TKG does to manage the space better and more fairly?)

 

And you are right: Seabourn has too few dining options, and when those that are offered and either not offered (MDR breakfasts and lunch on many cruises without prior notice on some rational basis) or what is there is a rugby scrum - the Colonnade - well, that is not luxury, no matter what those who defend the brand will chirp. And then there are the 3/3 limit of choices on the MDR lunch menu (as at E&O) when the place is open. This is just not luxury; it’s farcical and you are on vacation.

 

Sooner or later I trust you will try the newer 4 Silversea ships. We recently left Dawn and enjoyed the deep variety of authentic and deep menus at our different choices for our daily meals. And who doesn’t like Italian food at either La Terrazza or Spaccanapoli? Just tell your husband it’s gonna be a treat- like visiting a new sophisticated European truly 5 star hotel. And about those missing soaps on Seabourn, no problem with Bulgari the house brand and many other choices, and also bath salts etc, something luxury hotels have but Seabourn doesn’t.

 

Try it. We did and not know what we are getting and not getting on Seabourn as we wind down our deposits and rolled up past reservations.

 

Happy and healthy sailing!

Mr. SLSD is resisting booking a Silversea cruise, even though we have sailed with them and enjoyed it at the time.  Perhaps I will find a way to convince him.  It will probably depend on our 28 day cruise on Sojourn next summer.  In the meantime, we have three domestic trips planned, so no time to cruise.  

Edited August 24, 2023 by SLSD

[toseaornottosea]

markham as this is our first on Silversea have no way to compare anything to Muse/Moon/Dawn.  Have no plans to dine in La Dame. Don’t like menu and my wife doesn’t eat Japanese so no Kiaseki. Fortunately for me plenty of sushi and sashimi during lunch in La Terrazza.  Hope to try Salt Kitchen before end of cruise. 

[Isklaar]

32 minutes ago, SLSD said:

Mr. SLSD is resisting booking a Silversea cruise, even though we have sailed with them and enjoyed it at the time.  Perhaps I will find a way to convince him.  It will probably depend on our 28 day cruise on Sojourn next summer.  In the meantime, we have three domestic trips planned, so no time to cruise.  

 

We have a situation such as this in our house too. When/if we are able to travel together again one of us is open to considering SS again (the new ships only), however one of us is not. In the meantime I may be in the market for a solo cruise in late Autumn this year. SB itineraries don't interest me. Will take a look at SS but would prefer a line with more attractive single fares!

Edited August 24, 2023 by Isklaar

[SLSD]

35 minutes ago, Isklaar said:

 

We have a situation such as this in our house too. When/if we are able to travel together again one of us is open to considering SS again (the new ships only), however one of us is not. In the meantime I may be in the market for a solo cruise in late Autumn this year. SB itineraries don't interest me. Will take a look at SS but would prefer a line with more attractive single fares!

Our choice of itinerary for next summer is driven by a need to get out of oppressive heat next summer AND our love of Norway which we discovered this past June. We're adding Iceland this time.   I COULD insist that we sail Silversea--and we would--but I don't like to insist that my husband do what I want to do just as I don't like him to insist.  Like you, I would only consider the new Silversea ships such as Dawn, Muse, Nova, etc.  For some reason, I'm not finding the photos/videos of Nova to be that appealing.  I'm sure it is a beautiful ship.  

Edited August 24, 2023 by SLSD

[markham]

You are extraordinarily patient, IMO. But never mind that… what is wrong with making a thoughtful suggestion/request/demand/whatever if the result is you see for yourself what these 4 ships plus Ray have to offer? You will be outta the heat with a new routine in the cool. It will be good for him. And for you.

 

Happy and healthy sailing!

[Mr Luxury]

5 hours ago, Isklaar said:

 

Mr L, just for sake of clarity, is it specifically MDR on Encore/Ovation that you find dreadful? I found it awful too on Ovation but on O class ships I like it much better. 

 

Very much looking forward to reading your thoughts about Pursuit, as an aside, I have in my head that you are also trying Explora. Or have I made that up? 

Yes Explora is on the horizon.

The Encore/Ovation dining room for me is not a place that I can have dinner in.

Breakfast yes but alas it is rarely open.

The smaller ships have a much better feel in the Restaurant.

It's about time that I got back on Sojourn which has always been a favourite of mine.

Sunday off to Pursuit. 

[SLSD]

1 hour ago, markham said:

You are extraordinarily patient, IMO. But never mind that… what is wrong with making a thoughtful suggestion/request/demand/whatever if the result is you see for yourself what these 4 ships plus Ray have to offer? You will be outta the heat with a new routine in the cool. It will be good for him. And for you.

 

Happy and healthy sailing!

I totally agree Markham and I did all of the above except for the demand.  Actually, he would have sailed Silversea if I had just booked it.  But, we will be celebrating our 48th wedding anniversary during our cruise next summer and we didn't didn't get this far without being patient.  It's a case of one of us liking to experience new things and the other of us enjoying the known.  There were two itineraries that worked for us--one 14 days and the other 28.  In the end, the longer itinerary won out on a day where the temperature reached 109 where we live.  We'll get there I think--on our next cruise.  

[SLSD]

42 minutes ago, Mr Luxury said:

Yes Explora is on the horizon.

The Encore/Ovation dining room for me is not a place that I can have dinner in.

Breakfast yes but alas it is rarely open.

The smaller ships have a much better feel in the Restaurant.

It's about time that I got back on Sojourn which has always been a favourite of mine.

Sunday off to Pursuit. 

I would say you should join us on Sojourn next July/August, but I think it is booked.  At least that is what our TA says and it appears the same on the website.  I do agree that Sojourn's MDR has a much different feel from Ovation/Encore.  I think it also makes a difference where you sit.  This last June on Ovation, our favorite waiter's tables were right in the center of the restaurant.  Not ideal for us.  I felt totally surrounded by people.  We usually prefer to dine on the edges of the dining room--even on Sojourn.  

[Mauzac]

I know people knock the Colonnade, but we had a couple of excellent evening meals there, sat outside with just dimmed candle type lights.  It was lovely.  Not just for the dimmed lights, which I like 😂, but the 3 courses were really very good.  One lamb dish in particular, and I am not a great fan of lamb!  

 

Earth & Ocean I love, unfortunately weather closed it down a few times in Norway.  Once we braved the elements, another time it was wonderful sunshine all night 🌞 

 

I have to be in the mood for the MDR, and we did have some fun there dining with others.  I, too, prefer the MDR on the smaller ships, not sure why.  

[nancygp]

22 minutes ago, SLSD said:

We usually prefer to dine on the edges of the dining room--even on Sojourn.  

 We shall do this with you next year.  We did this on our recent odyssey cruise and had the same table and waitstaff whenever we went to the restaurant.  This worked very well.

 

Nancy

[SLSD]

2 hours ago, Mauzac said:

I know people knock the Colonnade, but we had a couple of excellent evening meals there, sat outside with just dimmed candle type lights.  It was lovely.  Not just for the dimmed lights, which I like 😂, but the 3 courses were really very good.  One lamb dish in particular, and I am not a great fan of lamb!  

 

Earth & Ocean I love, unfortunately weather closed it down a few times in Norway.  Once we braved the elements, another time it was wonderful sunshine all night 🌞 

 

I have to be in the mood for the MDR, and we did have some fun there dining with others.  I, too, prefer the MDR on the smaller ships, not sure why.  

We are going to give the Veranda of the Colonnade a chance on our next cruise.  I have had the evening meal of the TK ribs some years ago in the Colonnade.  The food was good for that particular meal.  

[SLSD]

2 hours ago, nancygp said:

 We shall do this with you next year.  We did this on our recent odyssey cruise and had the same table and waitstaff whenever we went to the restaurant.  This worked very well.

 

Nancy

Let's go for it!  Hopefully we can find a good waiter.  I plan to ask around here and in another forum before the July 27 cruise.  

[Mr Luxury]

6 hours ago, texanaust said:

 

Actually it wasn't french toast.  French toast is what I had for breakfast this morning...It was a grilled cheese made with Parker House rolls, truffles, caviar and bernaise.  

Yes,I have had that on a previous cruise from Michael.

Delicious 

[Mahogany]

I am currently in Southampton on SS Dawn to start the second half of a B2B Copenhagen RT. The last 12 days have been in Norway, and since I was on Ovation for a month in the spring, I feel I can compare the two cruise lines.

Susan, you might appreciate the effort SS has taken in La Terrazza, their breakfast and lunch “buffet” (Italian at dinner). Food is in a separate room with 3 hand washing stations at the entrance and then a staff member hands you a plate. You can’t force passengers to wash, though! 😷

Seabourn Square is a friendlier, more private experience than SS Reception.

SS has a total of 9 food venues, French La Dame and dinner at Kaiseki an up-charge. The MDR Atlantide was open for B & L on port days with few patrons.

The Grill where you can (or not) cook your own meats or fish, has heaters; so does Spaccanapoli, best pizza at sea.

Veranda sizes are the same on both lines. Butler is available but not obtrusive.

Entertainment: Seabourn is better, though we had a guest soloist Christine Andreas who gave 2 excellent performances. Also had 2  very knowledgeable speakers, one a diplomat and the other a destination specialist.

So, which line do I prefer? Honestly, it’s a tossup. I have another Dawn booking this year and Encore next spring, so obviously I like both. And will continue to view itineraries on both and Regent. Just wish Seabourn would build a new classic, not an expedition, ship.

 

[sfvoyage]

7 hours ago, Mahogany said:

 a guest soloist Christine Andreas who gave 2 excellent performances.

I have seen her twice on Seabourn.  Did she do her Piaf show?

[techteach]

To all who have posted, many thanks. We can’t decide which of the two to try and after reading post #169 by @Mahogany I think I’ve decided I won’t decide which of the two, but to just do both. It’s like deciding where to go for dinner: Italian, French, Sushi. For that night I have to choose, but all an option for the future and all are quality.

[Mr Luxury]

I have boarded Pursuit today.

My God what a complete difference from Encore for the last two weeks.

What a wonderfully designed ship.

Crew very friendly.The food in the main dining room tonight you could not get better.

Book this ship you will not be disappointed.

Some old friends that I've known for over twenty years on Seabourn.

Nelson is in the club.

Yes you remember him from the Pride all those years ago.

What a perfect first day.

 

[markham]

You like the Pursuit. So did we like the Venture. Its design and the obviously hand-selected, proud crew make for a big and welcome change over the mainline Seabourn ships. Especially Encore and Ovation that are too compromised on their facilities. Yes, on every count, maybe starting with the deck space per passenger ratio or maybe it’s the comparison of the MDRs and Colonnades relative sizes. Or anything and everything else.

 

So yeah, enjoy yourself!

 

Most of us have the prospect of a classic ship cruise ahead of us, in our case in Feb on Sojourn. I hope by then there are new bed sheets, room towels, deck chairs and some appointments upgrades to the tired old Colonnade there, and that we do not have to bring our own bar soap and bath salts. Our first quarter 2023 experience on Quest was shocking, and I wish those memories would recede already. Our June cruise on the wonderful Venture went some way towards that goal.

 

Just don’t get greedy. OK, Mr L?!

 

Happy and healthy sailing!

Edited August 28, 2023 by markham

[Mr Luxury]

14 minutes ago, markham said:

You like the Pursuit. So did we like the Venture. Its design and the obviously hand-selected, proud crew make for a big and welcome change over the mainline Seabourn ships. Especially Encore and Ovation that are too compromised on their facilities. Yes, on every count, maybe starting with the deck space per passenger ratio or maybe it’s the comparison of the MDRs and Colonnades relative sizes. Or anything and everything else.

 

So yeah, enjoy yourself!

 

Most of us have the prospect of a classic ship cruise ahead of us, in our case in Feb on Sojourn. I hope by then there are new bed sheets, room towels, deck chairs and some appointments upgrades to the tired old Colonnade there, and that we do not have to bring our own bar soap and bath salts. Our first quarter 2023 experience on Quest was shocking, and I wish those memories would recede already. Our June cruise on the wonderful Venture went some way towards that goal.

 

Just don’t get greedy. OK, Mr L?!

 

Happy and healthy sailing!

Thanks Markham.

I must say space is what I noticed immediately when boarding Pursuit.

Unusually for me I went to the Colonnade.

The food was of a far better quality than what we saw the previous week on Encore.

The room is well designed and the colour scheme throughout the ship is very tasteful.

Dinner last night in the restaurant was a great success 

Good old fashioned service from a well oiled team.

The chef on board is turning out excellent food which is more than you could say from Encore dining room experience last week.

We will be dining in the restaurant tonight with Stig Betten who is the Captain at present.

Earth and Ocean alternatives in the Colonnade for dinner with themed dinners on other nights.

The smell of new carpet wafts through the ship.

New linens will excite you Markham

I know what floats you're boat my friend 😉

[SLSD]

4 hours ago, markham said:

You like the Pursuit. So did we like the Venture. Its design and the obviously hand-selected, proud crew make for a big and welcome change over the mainline Seabourn ships. 

Not too long ago (maybe a month ago) we received an offer from one of the discount travel agents for this itinerary on Venture (https://www.seabourn.com/en_US/find-a-cruise/L3P33B/V355A.html). The price was shockingly low--so low we probably would have jumped on it had we not already made domestic travel plans during the dates of the itinerary.  I was a bit surprised that Seabourn was selling blocks of suites to a well known discounter for Venture as the ship holds so few passengers.  

 

One of the unusual things about the offer is that the clients of the discount agent would be boarding in Seattle, whereas the itinerary really begins the day before in Vancouver.  The offer did not include airfare to Seattle (many of the clients likely from the area) but did include airfare returning from Santiago, Chile to wherever in the US you needed to fly. The offer also included a couple of days in Santiago post cruise with hotel included, tours, meals, etc.  I was unfamiliar with a situation where a large group would embark separately from the rest of the passengers and a day later.  

Edited August 28, 2023 by SLSD