Great review Carolyn Spencer Brown!

[CruisinMatt]

Carolyn,

 

I found your review of the Legend to be quite comprehensive and excellently written! I wish that review would have been available when I was first researching Seabourn. I hope your first Seabourn experience will not be your last! Somehow I think it won't! :D

 

The review can be found here:

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=88

[blackbird71]

She was on my cruise and we had lunch together. Because of her husband's work she spends much of her life flying between the US and Finland.

 

She really did not like the embark process I think her words on it was "It is smoother getting on Carnival than Seabourn".

 

 

We were talking about the islands and she said, I live on St. Thomas for a year but it was toooooo boring... "I'm a Type-A person..." :D

[CruisinMatt]

She really did not like the embark process I think her words on it was "It is smoother getting on Carnival than Seabourn".

 

 

What happened? When I sailed the Legend from St Thomas in 2005, the embarkation was seamless! :confused:

[Daneite]

I too enjoyed the review, but was surprised that she criticised Viva, the duo in the Club. They have always been excellent and we have enjoyed their performances on many occasions, we think they are the best duo we have heard in the Club, I suppose in the end it is down to personal opinions.

Kathryn

[crystal808]

Other than waiting for the "appointed hour", all my embarkations have been "seamless", too! :confused: :D

 

Thanks, Carolyn, for a well-thought out and fair review. In uncovering the "blandness", you also pointed out the "calmness" that seems to pervade each journey on SB, and what brings so many of us back for more! I'll take "bland" and "non-descript" over bowling alleys and surfing pools (and all that those entail) any day! (and somewhat eagerly, too! ;) )

 

Admittedly, once seated in the Dining Room, I have never concerned myself with its decor...only my tablemates, and the excellent staff! :)

 

Paul ;)

[blackbird71]

What happened? When I sailed the Legend from St Thomas in 2005, the embarkation was seamless! :confused:

 

For one the number caller stopped calling numbers before everybody had been processed and at one point there were 3/4 open stations and the number caller was joking with people until somebody pointed out people had not been processed. She was one of the ones that had not been process.

[editor@cruisecritic]

Interesting to hear all of your comments. Hope I didn't offend about Viva -- but I was really...disappointed there. And yes, Blackbird offers the details about embark. In the end, what really was frustrating about the process, aside from the fact that it seemed as if the purser thought it was a hugely hilarious joke that we're still sitting there, ignored, after waiting 45 minutes, was that it just seemed tacky to me on a ship of this size to force people to queue up and hand over their credit cards right off the bat.

I've been on other luxury lines (and come to think of it a few big ship ones, too) and they basically just asked people to stop by within the first few days of the cruise. But in this day and age -- why not ask people to pre-register before they get onboard...like the big ship lines do? I don't recall if that was an option and if it was, I apologize. And I also want to acknowledge that there may have been passport requirements that I am unaware of.

It's also important to note that I didn't arrive until well after the 3 p.m. time that was stated in the brochure; hoping to avoid any semblance of a rush.

So that's the scoop there. Thanks for the feedback, though, I appreciate it.

Carolyn

 

For one the number caller stopped calling numbers before everybody had been processed and at one point there were 3/4 open stations and the number caller was joking with people until somebody pointed out people had not been processed. She was one of the ones that had not been process.

[editor@cruisecritic]

Thanks, Blackbird, for revealing my secret, LOL. Kidding. Yes, I am generally considered to be a type an "a" type of gal and you frankly couldn't do this job if you were otherwise. I admire folks who can kick back and let life go by -- oh, how I admire 'em -- but I wasn't cut from that cloth.

One thing -- and I hope that my comments on the decor didn't come across as negative; I meant them positively (but also felt it was important to paint a clear picture. Someone who wants a trendy looking ship might be disappointed).

I really loved the experience. I was telling Doug Newman (hostdoug) last night that, looking back on the cruise, I've rarely been able to relax so easily. As you probably surmise from my personality secret, it's hard for me to er, do that.

The Seabourn cruise brings to mind another really great travel experience I had; in Seattle I stayed at a Four Seasons that was decked out like my grandmother's house. You know, antiques. Really high bigger-than-twin four poster beds. The whole room reminded me of staying at her house -- and reminded me of how coddled and safe I felt. And this trip had that same feel....

Hope that makes sense.

Carolyn

 

quote=blackbird71;9571057]She was on my cruise and we had lunch together. Because of her husband's work she spends much of her life flying between the US and Finland.

 

She really did not like the embark process I think her words on it was "It is smoother getting on Carnival than Seabourn".

 

 

We were talking about the islands and she said, I live on St. Thomas for a year but it was toooooo boring... "I'm a Type-A person..." :D

[blackbird71]

I've been on other luxury lines (and come to think of it a few big ship ones, too) and they basically just asked people to stop by within the first few days of the cruise. But in this day and age -- why not ask people to pre-register before they get onboard...like the big ship lines do? I don't recall if that was an option and if it was, I apologize. And I also want to acknowledge that there may have been passport requirements that I am unaware of.

 

Carolyn

 

OTOH, I enjoy the Seabourn/RSSC way of doing the credit card thing at check in vs having another MUST DO after check in like on Silverseas. Plus on my Silverseas cruise some people did not reg. their credit cards and they did the old, nobody gets off the ship until Mr Smith from suite xxx goes to the pursers office.

 

Part of the problem is the money the RSSC/Silverseas/Seabourn have in their IT budget for computer systems. I am so that now (after our cruise) you can pre-order your shore excursions online. That was the last thing Seabourn had missing over RSSC/Silverseas.

 

My only negative on check in is waiting for my suite to be ready. They said 2:00 was the start of check in and I was there at 1:00. At 1:30 they allowed us on the ship, but I did not expect the suites to be ready until 2:00 WRONG.. they were not ready until 3:00 and I had an hour to kill that I did not expect to. If I knew the suites were not ready until 3:00, I would have not gone on until 2:30.

 

Enjoyed talking to you after we finally connected. :)

 

Now if Seabourn could find some IT money in their budget to add another field to their cruise itineraries like RSSC,,, call it Dress Code :D

 

http://www.rssc.com/voyage/details.jsp?code=MAR071119 from my New Zealand cruise.... Answers the often asked questions, how many formal nights and when...

[JaneBP]

>""It is smoother getting on Carnival than Seabourn". "

 

That's interesting because we have booked a Carnival Legend (!) cruise from FLL this winter. With 2100 passengers I am quietly manic about queuing.

 

I think the report was quite balanced and spot on. I wonder if my perceptions about Viva are nuanced by knowing them as a couple and looking forward to dining and visiting with them.

[johnnycruise]

Carolyn,

 

Why did you do the tour of Rawlins if the $280 per person price seemed "outrageous at first glance"?

 

johnny

[crystal808]

Carolyn:

 

Thanks for commenting on your embarking process. It seems so "unlike" what I've experienced, and a far cry from the service that SB expounds. I'm sorry that you had the beginning of your cruise start off that way.

 

In fairness to credit card implementation, on the lines I've cruised (only Carnival, Radisson/Regent, SB and HAL) no matter how "fully" I've pre-registered, credit card imprints were necessary before embarking. At least for SB it was in their comfy lounge, and not in an over-heated, crowded cruise terminal. We were also required to turn over our passports at that time, so I assume SB was also following Customs & Immigration requirements. Perhaps it's different on Cunard, Princess, or Celebrity, but to date, that's been my experience.

 

Thank you again for your comments, and hope you find the opportunity to "relax" again on Seabourn!

 

Paul

[wripro]

Carolyn,

 

I couldn't agree with you more about Viva. Not only were they off key but they were so LOUD sometimes it was impossible to hold a conversation. I don't know why they think they need all this digital orchestral accompaniment when just the piano would be so much more appropriate for a club the size of Seabourn's. I remember every night praying it would soon be time for their break.

[jsiegel]

Great review Carolyn,

 

We completed our first Seabourn cruise the week after you. Couldn't have agreed with you more on our experience.

 

About the service, we went to the forward hot tub one day and within five minutes of our arrival, there was Ian asking if we'd like anything.

 

Earlier in the cruise I was on the bridge (invited there by the Chief Officer because I was sticking my head against the window like a kid looking into a candy store) and checked to see what view they had of the hot tub. You have to be standing just so and kind of hunch down to look through the staircase to see if anyone is there. Which begs the question, how does the bar staff know someone is out there?

 

Jackie

[blackbird71]

Which begs the question, how does the bar staff know someone is out there?

 

Jackie

 

I am thinking Mini-Cam :) Also on my Nov cruise, security showed up with a towel to escort a guest back to his suite for clothes.

 

Question is: Is the Mini-Cam on the Bridge or at the Sky Bar. :)

 

On the foward hot tub, when I was on the Legend, I liked the Seabourn touch of having cold drinks (water and cokes) next to the loungers.

[editor@cruisecritic]

It's so funny that you mentioned that! One of the points I wanted to make (and ultimately didn't, not wanting to swamp the review) was the intuitive experience I had at the hot tub. We were in St. Croix, it was deliciously hot, and I'd spent the morning bustling about Fredericksted for an update to our outdated port profile (alas, sorry, type A rears its ugly head once again, LOL). So I came back to the ship and, with an afternoon free (the type Z of my personality yelping), I wandered up to the famed hot tub in the aft part of the ship.

First: the strange and yet lovely shape of the hull reminded me of being inside a gorgeous shell. Like the Hollywood Bowl. And, just as I was looking at the assortment of drinks laid out -- beer and sodas -- and thinking "I'd love to have a pina colada" Ian (or perhaps Stephen, my next favorite guy, but really it was Ian) saying "what can I get you?" And then he ran up three or four flights of steps to get my drink.

Bliss. Not only because I got what I wished for almost without saying so but also because...he took so much joy in making people (in this case me) happy).

I used to work, in college, in retail. A book store (I read a lot). I loved to help people choose books and I remember a woman who came back from her vacation and stopped in to say that the book I'd recommended had made her trip. I felt...wonderful. So to say that crew members like Ian and Stephen made my trip...well in a sense it reminded me of the pleasure I felt in helping others feel good.

Thanks, Jackie and thanks to you too, Matt, for your comments. One thing about writing this review in particular was that it was such a pleasure to relive the moments....

Carolyn

Great review Carolyn,

 

We completed our first Seabourn cruise the week after you. Couldn't have agreed with you more on our experience.

 

About the service, we went to the forward hot tub one day and within five minutes of our arrival, there was Ian asking if we'd like anything.

 

Earlier in the cruise I was on the bridge (invited there by the Chief Officer because I was sticking my head against the window like a kid looking into a candy store) and checked to see what view they had of the hot tub. You have to be standing just so and kind of hunch down to look through the staircase to see if anyone is there. Which begs the question, how does the bar staff know someone is out there?

 

Jackie

[editor@cruisecritic]

Hi, Johnny. Good question!

First, I was intrigued by the tour itself; it was more personal and special sounding than the usual St. Kitts' big ship excursion. So that was 90 percent of the motivation.

The other ten percent was the fact that Seabourn, as a line catering to a smaller passenger base at a higher fare level, would offer more unique opportunities to experience ports of call.

And I adored the idea of a day at a plantation resort and wouldn't be remiss in thinking that if I enjoyed a day trip there -- a special way for a cruise traveler to experience St. Kitts -- that I might come back for a longer stay.

The $280 fee, for a relatively simplistic experience, gave me the aforementioned pause.

In then end, the experience was lovely and I'd happily do it again (though frankly I don't think I'd carry it so far as to say I'd do a Rawlins/St. Kitts land-only vacation; for more details drop me a note at editor@cruisecritic.com).

Value for money, though, I wasn't alone in thinking the day misleading, to some extent (the inn's owners seemed fairly desperate about generating income); groups from the St. Kitts' Marriott were also regulars and the day was over-priced. One of the other tour participants from Seabourn Legend, an Scotsman who was a dedicated Seabourn traveler, worked out the actual cost of the tour vs. the price charged. He was extremely displeased.

My point though is that Seabourn is a boutique line, known for fantastic service, and that service should not end the second you leave the ship. Shore excursions should also reflect the high ideal and, frankly, in this case, it didn't.

Carolyn

 

Carolyn,

 

Why did you do the tour of Rawlins if the $280 per person price seemed "outrageous at first glance"?

 

johnny

[Iamboatman]

It is always a wonderful feeling when a critical and knowledgeable person gets wow'ed. I've taken heat from loyalist of other lines claiming the service on those other lines has to be as good as Seabourn. But there is just something about Seabourn you have to experience...and let yourself experience...to believe it.

 

Of course, no cruise is perfect and it sounds like the excursion was a dud, but one thing you know is that Seabourn tries to upscale each port and if it misses the mark, Seabourn will find a better alternative without much of a delay. I would happily risk a possibly disappointing (and overpriced) excursion of a few hours for a week or two of intuitive service by staff and crew that enjoy making you go "Wow. How'd they know to do that and do it when they did?!"

 

And Carolyn if you remember any other little moments you want to relive, we are all here waiting to enjoy them with you. Thanks.

[norm2002]

Carolyn

Great and balanced review. One suggestion, if I may, for the review where you mention gratuities. One well-kept secret - because they really do not want to encourage gratuities - is the Crew Welfare Fund. I found out about this on my third cruise from a fellow passenger. If a guest wants to recognise the fantastic service but is uncomfortable about giving to one or two people - after all they all go above and beyond the call of duty, including those we don't see on a day to day basis - a donation to the Crew Welfare Fund made at the Pursers Desk is used for activities and the like for the whole crew.

PS I also thought you were great on the Travel Channel programme about the perils of the sea, where I was also interviewed.

[blackbird71]

OK Blackbird is weird :D One of my things I like to do is shop for Thank You cards. For my Mar cruise I had this great Thank You card that had pop up animals on it. :p. I give my donation to the Crew Fund in the morning of the last full day before getting off. By that night you will receive a thank you letter from the Crew Purser listing your donation amount. On my Nov cruise, I had two people in the restaurant stop by my table and thank me after seeing my Thank You card in the crew mess. :)

 

I also bring one for my room stewardess. Because I barred the RS from my suite in Nov, I used that card on my great room stewardess on my Mar cruise.

[editor@cruisecritic]

I promise, Eric, there's more heartening stuff -- I'm working on a Come Aboard feature on the trip that goes into more detail, for instance, on the Virgin Gorda experience (so lovely).... But I hope (and I haven't read beyond here so don't know what briqbats are waiting for me from y'all) -- that I'm being honest, and I hope you agree, fair, and bringing in my experience on other luxury lines.

As I said in the Seabourn review and this should tell you everything, beyond my quibbles (and any line that charges a fairly high per diem is subject to quibbles) that it felt like a dream and I was glad it wasn't. Perfection doesn't come much stronger than that...but everyone, including all of us at Cruise Critic and -- I'll wager a bet -- every cruise line in the land -- can always find some way in which to improve!

Of course you know I'm a type A and so...I can't help myself, LOL.

Carolyn

 

It is always a wonderful feeling when a critical and knowledgeable person gets wow'ed. I've taken heat from loyalist of other lines claiming the service on those other lines has to be as good as Seabourn. But there is just something about Seabourn you have to experience...and let yourself experience...to believe it.

 

Of course, no cruise is perfect and it sounds like the excursion was a dud, but one thing you know is that Seabourn tries to upscale each port and if it misses the mark, Seabourn will find a better alternative without much of a delay. I would happily risk a possibly disappointing (and overpriced) excursion of a few hours for a week or two of intuitive service by staff and crew that enjoy making you go "Wow. How'd they know to do that and do it when they did?!"

 

And Carolyn if you remember any other little moments you want to relive, we are all here waiting to enjoy them with you. Thanks.

[editor@cruisecritic]

Norm, how do you go about asking how to donate? Never heard of this (one thing I love, after a decade-plus of covering the cruise industry for a living, is that I keep learning from y'all). Is this an industry-wide thing? If so, perhaps we should do a news item or include the info in one of our tipping stories. It's a fanastic thought.

Thanks for your nice words about the Travel Channel; which one was you (your cruise critic name might be different, LOL)?

Carolyn

 

 

Carolyn

 

Great and balanced review. One suggestion, if I may, for the review where you mention gratuities. One well-kept secret - because they really do not want to encourage gratuities - is the Crew Welfare Fund. I found out about this on my third cruise from a fellow passenger. If a guest wants to recognise the fantastic service but is uncomfortable about giving to one or two people - after all they all go above and beyond the call of duty, including those we don't see on a day to day basis - a donation to the Crew Welfare Fund made at the Pursers Desk is used for activities and the like for the whole crew.

 

PS I also thought you were great on the Travel Channel programme about the perils of the sea, where I was also interviewed.

[blackbird71]

Thanks for your nice words about the Travel Channel; which one was you (your cruise critic name might be different, LOL)?

 

Carolyn

 

Norm is our local pirate photographer :)

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=5081459&postcount=51

 

On tipping the story I love is of the Seabourn sailor that brought some fishing polls for the crew.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=6438281&postcount=7

 

[Iamboatman]

Carolyn:

 

Don't get me wrong. I thoroughly enjoyed and respect your review.

 

I have actually referred people that are doing some marketing for a Seabourn group cruise I have put together with a James Beard/Gourmet Magazine/Wine Spectator Awards winning chef and restaurateur, so that they can have a really good understanding of what Seabourn is about...from a very critical eye.

 

You are correct. Nothing is perfect and every cruise has its moments. I think you not only expressed how wonderful Seabourn was for you, but that there are hiccups and they are but that: hiccups.

 

Thanks!:)

[Iamboatman]

Norm, how do you go about asking how to donate? Never heard of this (one thing I love, after a decade-plus of covering the cruise industry for a living, is that I keep learning from y'all). Is this an industry-wide thing? If so, perhaps we should do a news item or include the info in one of our tipping stories. It's a fantastic thought.

 

Thanks for your nice words about the Travel Channel; which one was you (your cruise critic name might be different, LOL)?

 

Carolyn

 

I actually make donations to the Crew Fund on both Seabourn and Regent. I also, should there be any left;), donate my unopened liquor from my suite for the crew's next party.

 

I know slipping a $20 is done, but it can undercut the no tipping policy's purpose with the crew. Also, in practical terms for the crew, that donation with a nice note is known about...right back to the home office. And that means more to the crew's position with the line than the undeclared $20.

 

The Crew Fund necessarily is word of mouth. If it wasn't, they the line would be suggesting tips...wouldn't it. Let's get the word out!