Another "Is Seabourn for Us?"

[the_dylaness]

I'm sure you're all bored silly with postings such as these, but in case anyone out there isn't, please answer my inquiries!

 

I've been lurking around the "luxury" boards (mostly Crystal and Seabourn) for a few months now. I am considering booking on either one of these lines, as well as Silversea and Regent, for a graduation cruise. (If I'm missing any applicable luxury lines that I should consider, let me know!)

 

As you can tell by my signature, all my past cruises have been on essentially mid-market lines. I am actually looking at a cruise on the Carnival Liberty (a line which I swore I'd never sail) for the future, but only because the person I will be traveling with and I have a very tight schedule in which to work, and their 6 day sailing meets our needs. I have not been overly impressed with either RCCL or Princess, although I will say that I have had a pleasant enough time on these lines and they served the purpose of keeping me in food, drink, and ocean. Not a bad time by any means, but they did leave some things to be desired.

 

I'm considering a luxury line (in this case, Seabourn) because I'd really like to try a vacation where I don't feel like I've landed in the middle of a rodeo. I tire quickly of the rudeness that seems inevitable on these larger ships, and I'm tired of seeing my shipmates fulfill the "ugly American" stereotype in port (and on ship!) with fanny packs, cruise cards on lanyards, baseball caps and denim shorts in every venue. (I realize I sound harsh, and I won't say that I've never appeared every bit the tourist, but I hope you will understand my point.) I am boggled when people post questions about whether khaki shorts are appropriate for formal night. And I could care less if the kids activities are great, since I don't have any and do not particularly wish to spend my vacation with large numbers of them.

 

Now, if you're still reading and haven't closed the thread thinking I'm a haughty so and so, hopefully you know what I am looking for. I want a true vacation- no one hawking Snapple at my dinner table, no posing with garish pirates for photo opportunities on the pier, no shorts at dinner. Sneakers only on the way to and from, and inside the gym. I want to experience serene luxury, excellent food, high quality beverages, and a relaxed and quiet environment. I do not want to purchase gold-by-the-inch in the atrium, ever.

 

The question comes in when I consider what may be the large differences between a luxury line and a mass-market line (besides the obvious price differential.) I don't want it to feel stuffy (I am sure I occasionally use the wrong fork), but rather relaxed and pampering. Sometimes I drink a little too much champagne for breakfast. And I do like to have fun. I do have some concern about seasickness on such a small vessel- never a problem before, but I would hate to find out the hard way.

 

I would like to keep this potential vacation around $4k pp, plus airfare. I've looked at Seabourn prices online and realize that this may be within reason. Is the average tab at the end extremely high? How much can I reasonably expect to spend for 2 people on a 7 night cruise for gratuities and beverages?

 

I have tried to soak up as much information over the last months as I could, and now want to pose my questions to you. I will be posting this same question on Silversea, Crystal, and Regent, so any of you who frequent those boards will surely see this as well. Thanks for your responses- this graduation trip is very important to me (no, it's not this year) and I want to try something truly spectacular.

[Winner]

If you have read Seabourn, Silversea and Regent boards you should know by now that all of these cruise lines include gratuities and all liquid refreshments (with and/or without spirits) in their fares. Crystal charges extra for alcohol and tips but many travel agents will take care of the gratuities for you.

 

Good luck on your comparisons of the smaller upscale lines. I encourage you to dip your tootsies in the ocean where one of them sails--or maybe do a real test by trying all three or four.

[SantaAna,CA]

Dylaness, I can relate to many of the things you are looking for. Seabourn fills alot of the bill, although it may be a little more pp than $4,000, including airfare, for a week. All you need do is go to Seabourn's web page and check out their cruises, or ask for a brochure. You can either figure the price that way, or find a good travel agent to help you.

 

Seabourn will deliver on many of your needs. The cabins are all suites. They have huge windows and bathrooms. Only 208 maximum passengers on the "triplets". The crew is top rate. Service, perfection. They will know, and call you by name, from day one. I have found the passengers on Seabourn to be well traveled, well dressed, and very friendly, not stuffy at all. I also try to avoid large, crowded places, and I try to avoid places that would have a lot of noisy children, too. Never a crowd on Seabourn, and although I've only sailed with them twice, the age demographic was older, not alot of kids (only saw a couple on both cruises).

 

I haven't had alot of experience on other lines. I sailed once on Holland America's Amsterdam, to Alaska, and at 1800 passengers, that was enough to send me running to a smaller, more elegant line. Seabourn feels like home when I'm on it. I love it's roominess, elegance and intimacy. So.....as you can see, I'm counting the days until I can return!

 

Hope you decide to give Seabourn a try!

 

Regards,

 

Jane

[blackbird71]

Never a crowd on Seabourn, and although I've only sailed with them twice, the age demographic was older, not alot of kids (only saw a couple on both cruises).

 

Jane

 

LOL the only "kids" on my Mar 3 cruise were part of an extended Spanish speaking family that were in the two midship owners suites on my deck (6). They were always leaving their doors open and inside one was ye ole playpen. I asked the Hotel Manager if Seabourn had any playpens onboard and he said yes but some families bring their own. :eek:

[Host Dan]

Seabourn for you?

YES! This is whats NOT included.... Corny art auctions, gold by the inch, having to pay for gratuities AND spirits of any type, photographers at every turn, silly tourist types, annoying announcements, and unhappy crew. What IS included... Pure luxury and pampering, flowing wines and spirits, complimentary shore excursion, marina day with watersports off the back of the ship, well-heeled fellow passengers, a lovely appointed suite, smiling faces all around, crew addressing you by name by day #2, intimate spaces and a vacation you will never forget!

 

Host Dan

 

BTW, Unless you live on the internet, your bill at the end of the cruise is usually nada.

[blackbird71]

Host Dan

 

BTW, Unless you live on the internet, your bill at the end of the cruise is usually nada.

 

Right ,with the exception of the Internet, when you receive your shore excursion book, it lists the prices for most excursions, it is easy to predict your final bill by adding up the excursions you plan to order. The only other real add-ons are Spa charges and the Shop onboard charges.

[the_dylaness]

Hmm, if I can find a good price, it sounds like Seabourn may be right up our alley.

 

I don't expect to buy anything in the shops onboard, we don't gamble (do they even have a casino?), and we often plan our own shore excursions when visiting ports. I do spend a little bit of time on the internet just to check e-mail for anything important.

 

Are seabourn shore excursions significantly more expensive than on mass-market lines? We have found the mass-market lines to be quite pricey for what they offer- poor value for usually less than stellar services. I don't mind paying a bit more if it's a good value and I am receiving an excellent product. On our last cruise, we went on a cave tubing excursion for $40 per person... it included everything that the Princess excursion did (for $100) except a humongous crowd of people and cranky guides.

 

We (esp. DH) are worried about seasickness, as we do understand that these vessels are much, much smaller. What itineraries would be the "calmest", do you suppose? I'm guessing we won't be on a TA!

[blackbird71]

Most ppl (in the Caribbean) find the shore excursions to be equal to or less than the mass market lines. Now having said that they do have normally some upscale shore excursions that are pricey. I paid around $49 for my half day tours on my Mar 4 cruise.

 

Yes the sisters have a small casino.

[CruisinMatt]

I agree with blackbird. I have also found Seabourn's shore excursions to be equally or lower priced than the main stream lines and of much better quality.

[the_dylaness]

Wow... nicer shore excursions at a lower price? Am I dreaming? Someone, quick, pinch me!

[blackbird71]

Couple notes on shore excursions. The online page list most excursions but without prices. At around 60 days out you will get a booklet with all the excursions in it with prices. Because it is 60 days out this will allow you to Internet for things that you may want to do in a port but not covered by the Seabourn tours.

[CruisinMatt]

You can also see the shore excursion pricing on the website when you go into your booking. It even allows you to book excursions. I have not done it yet as this seems to be a new feature.

[Iamboatman]

Rather than repeat my answer here, I answered your inquiry on the Regent board.

 

I would add here (so as not to stir things up over there!) that Seabourn is in my opinion a far superior product as compared to Regent when comparing service and food; both of which can be very important.

[blackbird71]

You can also see the shore excursion pricing on the website when you go into your booking. It even allows you to book excursions. I have not done it yet as this seems to be a new feature.

 

That is a new feature and needed. I missed pre-booking like I could on Regent and Silverseas. The only question is do they charge your CC now like the other Carnivale brands or charge it to your ship board account like Regent and Silverseas. I loved going to my suite and having my shore excursions already ticketed and done... Now if they would unpack for me.. :D

 

I wrote Pamela Conover on this after my Nov cruise... She really needs to have somebody reply to letters written to her.

[CruisinMatt]

Here is what it says on that:

 

Q: Do I have to buy the excursions on line?

A: No. Your reservation saves you a space on the tour. Your purchase will be completed automatically and charged to your shipboard account once you embark on your cruise.

 

 

Did you write Pamela about booking excursions online or about the unpacking? :confused: :D

[blackbird71]

 

 

Did you write Pamela about booking excursions online or about the unpacking? :confused: :D

 

I think I said

A suggestion for your Web Site

 

Somehow the first shore excursion form I turned in got lost and I missed doing any excursions in Margarita Island, Venezuela. I really liked on RSSC and Silverseas ordering my excursion online and having the tickets printed and in my suite when I arrive. Could you add this to the “To-Do” list for your computer people?

 

Thanks for your time in these matters.

 

But maybe now I will work on an unpacking suggestion. :D

[the_dylaness]

Get a butler-serviced suite and they will unpack for you, no? (Actually, I think I would hate to have someone unpack for me... rifling through my underwear, wondering why I need 3 kinds of hair gel, putting random things in places I would never find them!) I think I will stick to doing this myself, I actually sort of enjoy it as a vacation ritual.

 

Iamboatman- I am curious about your comment that Seabourn is a much superior product to Regent re: service & food. I was a little curious why the prices on Regent seem to be a bit less, I assumed it was due to sheer volume of customers in comparison to Seabourn. Care to elaborate (here, of course?)

[Iamboatman]

I will preface my remarks by saying that I have cruised, and will cruise, both lines...and sell both lines.

 

Seabourn tends to have more highly trained and more socially astute staff; especially in the service areas of waitstaff and cabin stewardesses. About two years ago Regent went to less expensive Filipino staffing -which in and of itself is fine - except they forgot to make sure they were proficient in English and properly trained. This makes ordering a drink or a meal problematic, to say the least. Even in the suites it can be difficult. An example: I asked for the beer to be removed from my children's suite and put in mine. All the beer was removed from both...and it took 3 days to get it returned, after repeatedly asking. I also found items from the previous occupants in the bathroom.

 

Similarly, Regent didn't train the new staff to interact with the guests even to the extent of being able to explain the menu, give advice as to various dishes, etc. It takes dining with finesse to having your food served with a sometimes smile and nothing more. On Seabourn you get, "Mr. Goldring. Nice to see you. How are you this evening?" If you want more interaction you get it. If you want to limit it, you get that. And your food is delivered promptly and at the same time.

 

Regent also has limitations on what they will do. Last summer, I asked for 4 hamburgers by the pool at about 7:30 pm because we didn't want to dress for dinner and the night was beautiful. Regent refuses to serve room service in public areas. BTW, that is the short version. The long version is worse...much worse. (On Seabourn someone might well offer to bring you something...if it doesn't just show up!)

 

And I would not suggest that for a few dollars difference (and on some similar cruises Regent is more expensive) it is the number of people. I have found better service on certain Celebrity sailings. Service is people; not just the number of people.

 

I am not panning Regent. However four years ago I would have said the service and style was close, after two cruises on the Diamond (now gone), albeit Regent wasn't inclusive then. Since then there is a marked difference. Ironically, on my Regent Navigator cruise last summer, some of the Diamond staff remembered me...from 2004...and was treated by them as I would be on Seabourn. In other words, the quality exists, just not uniformly.

 

Also, I prefer the style of Seabourn. It is just more elegant and convivial.

 

Even for a few dollars more (what I great movie!), I would cruise Seabourn without question.

[blackbird71]

Grrr that's not what I wanted to heard about Regent. I just booked Regent to get away from the problems I have been hearing on the Celebrity board. What you are describing are the food servers on HAL that I have had that I would have to point each item on the menu that I wanted....... Thinking...... Thinking....

 

Sidenote on price. When I was on my Mar cruise I checked the around the Horn on Seabourn and it was full. :( I compared it to the price of Regent and on a per person basis they were the SAME. The only thing that made Seabourn more expensive for me is the single sup on Regent is 135% to 140% vs 150% Run of ship on Seabourn... Regent used to be good but ........ I am wondering now.

[Iamboatman]

BB, that is exactly what I called it when the changeover happened. It became HAL-like.

 

Don't get me wrong, HAL has a very loyal following. I have clients on HAL World Cruises and they would never switch, but it is a decidedly different type of service and interaction.

 

I also took some heat about a year ago when I noticed that Regent was pricing about equal (and sometimes more expensive than) Seabourn and Regent loyalists insisted I was wrong. Now, however, the truth is what it is.

 

In the end, there is no perfect cruise line or cruise ship. Seabourn is the closest I have found. (If I didn't have children, Seabourn would be the best fit for me and my cruising other lines would be more limited.)

[wripro]

One more differrence to add between Seabourn and Regent, and this is only important if you LOVE caviar as I do, but on Seabourn you can order it any time anywhere at no extra cost, whereas on Regent, except for hosted cocktail parties it's $50 a serving. There's nothing like sitting up at the Sky Bar and ordering a double order of caviar and champagne as you gaze out at the water and horizon. Again, this is not important to everyone, but it is a consideration/

[blackbird71]

wripro,

 

While I am not a fish egg eater or real drinker, the fact I could have two bottles in my suite plus all the fish eggs I want, I understand is in the daily rate Seabourn charges. Now that Regent is charging Seabourn prices I am wondering what they offer.

 

Before they changed serve staff, the service on Regent was high just not Seabourn high.

 

When I ordered my Amazon cruise, the then RSSC rate for a single in a veranda suite was only $500 more than the retired Royal Princess veranda cabin. Things have changed. But still I would pay a higher price if the service was up to it.

[CruisinMatt]

BB, have you checked the Seabourn Amazon cruise?

[johnnycruise]

One more differrence to add between Seabourn and Regent, and this is only important if you LOVE caviar as I do, but on Seabourn you can order it any time anywhere at no extra cost, whereas on Regent, except for hosted cocktail parties it's $50 a serving. There's nothing like sitting up at the Sky Bar and ordering a double order of caviar and champagne as you gaze out at the water and horizon. Again, this is not important to everyone, but it is a consideration/

 

The caviar is definitely a selling point! There's nothing better than sharing a double or triple order with new found friends at the Sky Bar around tea time. It's close enough to the Constellation Lounge so you can dash in and grab a little sweet from the high tea spread if you desire a second course.

 

And, since you're talking differences ... Seabourn has at least half a dozen single malt scotches in the Club available for the asking. Many "inclusive" lines charge extra for these premium beverages.

 

johnny

[blackbird71]

LOL, right johnnycruise. About the only thing that gets the bar people running for the old sign here forms is if you ask for a pack of smokes. :p BB is having an Irish Whiskey urge. Maybe it's his just finish reading a Robert Parker's Spenser (for Hire) book. :D Now if I listened to this book on the Legend..... I could see a run to the Club...:D

 

Talked to Pinkie's friend Miss A about cigarettes. I asked her how much she brings on for a 9 month cruise and she said not many, she buys them onboard until the Pride gets to Greece, then she goes ashore and buys some. :eek: