Just returned from Seabourn cruise
 

We've just gotten back from a cruise on Seabourn Pride. Expensive? Of course. Worth it? Of course. To compare their ships and service to any other cruise line we've been on in ridiculous. It's more like going to a private house in the country for vacation than a cruise ship or hotel - totally noncommercial and low key. At least for now, drinks and wine (good quality, too) are free though that is changing next year, I hear.

Dick, please tell me more. What other lines have you been on? Would you go back on Seabourn? What did you like? Any flaws? I'm considering Seabourn for one of their five-day caribbean itineraries in Winter 2000 because their itineraries seem fabulous and I figure the five-day trip will be kind of like a little sampler trip that will give us a sense of what they're like without putting out all the $$$ for a longer cruise (since they're more expensive anyway). Appreciate your comments.

Please share with us which cruise you took. They have so many different itineries.

The specific cruise we took was fromLisbon to Madeira and Canary Islands, Morocco, Cadiz, Seville and back to Lisbon. The itinerary, while interesting, was not the primary experience. The ship (and the three are all the same) was lovely and the level of service is very high. After a couple of days, most of the dining room people knew us by name. The quality of food was far and away the best we have ever had (other cruises were with Princess - Yuuch - Celebrity, and NCL). The food all seemed to be cooked to order and they welcomed off-menu items or special requests. You could eat in teh dining room (it's more formal than any other cruise we've been on), the Veranda Cafe which is less formal, or in your suite. Not just a room service menu but anything on the dining room menu. Everything is spotless. Single service dining room so you could eat with whoever you wanted. A short cruise is a good entree - they give good discounts for repeat travelers and on our cruise more than 50% were repeaters. One woman had more than 400 days!

<BR>Hi Dick, <BR> <BR>I am a travel agent and I agree with you concerning the upscale cruise experience. <BR>If you do plan to sail Seabourn, Crystal or Silversea in the future you will have to book very early since the ships fill very quickly (mostly with repeat cruisers). <BR> <BR>I love the above cruise lines but I can only get on board if there is a cancellation (more than likey someone died). <BR> <BR>You are correect about he price BUT there are tremendous price promotions and cashback commission bonuses to travel agents. Agents should pass along quite a bit of these monies to you. Look around. <BR> <BR>Paul <BR>

I was very interested in Pauls comments about getting deals on the 3 lines he mentioned. Will you or anyone who has access to these promos contact me ASAP. I want to take a cruise this summer. I would love to take an Alaskan cruise on one of these lines. <BR>HELP thanks

Anyone travel on Seabourn Spirit from Istanbul to Athens? Would love your feedback. Please post or email directly. ARleen

Last June (2000), we cruised on the Seabourn Spirit from Istanbul to Athens. Having cruised the year prior on the Seabourn Legend around the Italian Riveria, we found the experience very similar.... very interesting people, excellent service and food, fascinating ports of call and tours. We stayed one night prior to the cruise at the Four Seasons in Istanbul and found the location superb!! Have a wonderful trip.

<BR>Hi Nan, <BR> <BR>You are correct stating the Four Seasons in Istanbul is a terrific experience. We will always remember sitting on our balcony at night overlooking the city and listeneing to the chants and also breakfast on the rooftop garden with the Blue Mosque next door. <BR> <BR>Expensive, sure, but well worth it. <BR> <BR>Paul

Dick, I returned to Tx. last week---a cruise in the Caribbean on the Legend! My brother and I have taken our 93 yr. old Mother on the Pride & Legend---of course, Seabourn is a floating 6* Ritz!! This cruise, only 103 pass.'s!!! It was FABULOUS!! We're booking for Nov. 2001---Enjoyed your comments!! <BR> Martha B. Henderson Eldorado, Tx. <BR> [email protected]

We are taking a cruise on Seabourn GoddessII in July. How are the shore excursions? Did you book them before you left or from the ship? Were there any formal nights. Our cruise is a 7 day to France and Italy.

Dick,

We are taking our first Seabourn cruise (Mediterranean) next month. I am concerned about the 2 formal nights as neither my husband nor myself are particularly formal people. In reality, what did the men and women wear for these nights? Do they actually do tuxes and ball gowns? We may opt to stick with the more casual venue on board or do room service depending on your reply. Thanks in advance!

Paul...have I missed you...welcome back..if I've overlooked your posts.

For great advice about Seabourn, visit the Seabourn board on the forums at www.cruisecritic.com. As for dress, my impression was that many, if not most, men wear dinner jackets for formal evenings but for women, cocktail formal is the norm, not full length ball dresses.

Seabourn is wonderful. You will enjoy whichever dining venue you choose - the Verandah, course by sourse service in your room, or the dining room.

Cruised Seabourn Spirit last Sept - Rome to Athens. First time on Seabourn. Been on Princess and Celebtiry cruises in the past.

Pluses:
1. Impeccable ship
2. Incredible room
3. 5-star meals every night
4. Great excursions
5. Relaxing, slow pace
6. Most importantly - 100% all-inclusive. Can't tell you how nice it was to not have to sign receipts the whole cruise.

Minuses:
1. Service at lunch and dinner was a little weak - it was open seating so you never had the same wait staff. While I did like open seating (no hording of the masses at 6 and 9 pm), I did miss the personalized service you get by having the same wait staff for the entire cruise.
2. While the overall service was outstanding, the cruise staff was pretentious at times; they seemed to suck up to &quot;VIPs&quot; on the ship (or at least the ones who acted like VIPs) and ignore some of the more simple folk like my wife and I (who certainly had enough to afford a cruise on Seabourn).
3. I would not recommend the cruise for young couples (at least for non-Caribbean cruises). We were only 1 of about 3 couples in their 30's and felt a little out of place at times.


To respond, &quot;formal&quot; nights at the main dinning room are quite formal - tux or dark suit and formal dresses. The other nights are sport jacket nights. If you don't want to bring a tux or suit for formal nights, then get room service, or eat at the Veranda restaurant.

twodanes:

Your reply was most helpful. We appreciate your assessment of the overall Seabourn experience as well as the dress situation. One more question -assuming you did participate in the formal night, would you recommend it as a must do experience, or was the regular jacket night at the Restaurant just as satisfying?