The time is coming to add the "add ons"

[EbonyJ]

We took our first cruise on Seabourn (Encore sailing from Singapore Feb 2023) and loved it so much we booked some more!  When we booked the Encore it was very last minute (only 4 weeks from booking to departure) and our TA took care of everything.  We flew with Emirates, stayed in the Valley Wing of the Shangri La in Singapore had private transfers arranged etc etc.  This was the first cruise ship in the Philippines since the pandemic and we were treated like royalty and we also had the opportunity to spend the day in Ko Kood (heaven on earth).    Our next trip with Seabourn is July 2024 Greenwich to New York on The Quest - which will be a very different beast!.  

 

In a couple of weeks, the flights will open to allow us to "add on" and build on the trip.  I would love some input on experienced Seabourners on whether we should consider booking flights / hotels / transfers with Seabourn or independently and also anyone with any knowledge of sailing from Greenwich.  We are based in Scotland - midway between Glasgow / Edinburgh and would love to go to London at least a day or 2 in advance.  We have been to New York several times so would probably fly back the day of disembarkation. Any advice would be appreciated.  

 

.  

[Hlitner]

9 hours ago, EbonyJ said:

We took our first cruise on Seabourn (Encore sailing from Singapore Feb 2023) and loved it so much we booked some more!  When we booked the Encore it was very last minute (only 4 weeks from booking to departure) and our TA took care of everything.  We flew with Emirates, stayed in the Valley Wing of the Shangri La in Singapore had private transfers arranged etc etc.  This was the first cruise ship in the Philippines since the pandemic and we were treated like royalty and we also had the opportunity to spend the day in Ko Kood (heaven on earth).    Our next trip with Seabourn is July 2024 Greenwich to New York on The Quest - which will be a very different beast!.  

 

In a couple of weeks, the flights will open to allow us to "add on" and build on the trip.  I would love some input on experienced Seabourners on whether we should consider booking flights / hotels / transfers with Seabourn or independently and also anyone with any knowledge of sailing from Greenwich.  We are based in Scotland - midway between Glasgow / Edinburgh and would love to go to London at least a day or 2 in advance.  We have been to New York several times so would probably fly back the day of disembarkation. Any advice would be appreciated.  

 

.  

My advice would be to price-out the air options offered by Seabourn and compare to what you can find in the usual online booking engines or directly from the airlines.  Here is the States we can look at the air via the online site (linked from your reservation).  As to hotels and transfers, we are very independent travelers and generally find it about half the price to simply book our own air and deal with the transfers (often by simply using a taxi).  But again, you can look at the Seabourn options and compare it to what you can do on your own...before you book.

 

Hank

[EbonyJ]

Thanks Hank

 

Does anyone happen to know a good hotel near the Greenwich port?  

[markandjie]

12 hours ago, Hlitner said:

As to hotels and transfers, we are very independent travelers and generally find it about half the price to simply book our own air and deal with the transfers

 

Agree completely with this...as long as you're arriving at least a day or two ahead of the cruise. If you're cutting it close then would strongly consider booking through Seabourn just for the peace of mind that they're on the hook if things go sideways.

[Island2Dweller]

12 hours ago, EbonyJ said:

Does anyone happen to know a good hotel near the Greenwich port? 

It depends what you mean by "near".  The only hotel within walking distance (5 minutes fast / 10 minutes relaxed) is the Greenwich Ibis.  There are also a couple of pubs with rooms - I would not choose to stay in those due to noise - the core of historic Greenwich can be lively.

If you're happy to use the DLR (which stops at "Cutty Sark", adjacent to Greenwich Pier) then any hotel on the Isle of Dogs or by Tower Bridge is really convenient.

[Mr Luxury]

Get a taxi and go to Claridges it's about half an hour.

There's nothing else worth staying at.