2SailingNomads

Was not critical of you Julie nor your reasons. I understand your rationale for the timing of your crew fund donation. Cheers, Ed

The fact that the only time we saw the Entertainment Manager was when he was introducing an artist speaks volumes to me about lack of guest interaction unlike on Seabourn or Scenic where they mingle with pax every evening.

Having sailed now 30 times and over 600 days all on luxury lines (Seabourn, Scenic, Ponant - once, Crystal & Explora both again once, and Regent) I really like Regent and have another 46 days booked with Regent. No cruise line unfortunately ticks all the boxes, if could take the best of Explora, Regent, Seabourn and Scenic combined it would be amazing. For the right itinerary I would book Regent before the rest of them.

While we always since #3 of now 20 Seabourn cruises contribute to the crew fund, and usually the last day as we don't want any special attention for our donation, if I got that letter I might think twice. Tacky IMO is this the new Seabourn?

Emporium is IMO the best at sea for a buffet. Simply a brilliant implementation. And all the choices from sushi to al la minute fish and pasta.

I agree that letter is inappropriate. We have contributed to the crew fund ever since we found out about it before our 3rd Seabourn cruise - from posts on this board - but NEVER in 20 cruises received any thing like the OP did. We have many letters thanking us for contributing and personal thanks from various crew but it was always something discreet. Also have contributed on Regent and Scenic (where I was told I didn't need to but they totally appreciated that we knew we could)

Totally agree!

Agree as Diamond members we often find wines at a great value, and knowing the Sommelier can often find you a bottle of 2 or 3 that since low stock they can't put on the list.

Yes we had that list too, although when we tried to order a couple were told last bottle was just sold at Marble when in Yacht club

Food is subjective but in your opinion was it worth the price? We considered it but some of the courses we were not thrilled with.

We had heard there were going to be a large contingent of travel agents for the segment after Vancouver. Maybe TA's and so called influencers are their true market. 😁 I know my TA was on for a 5 day cruise several months ago. Interesting about the 5% discount, we were on for 18 days and never received anything mentioning it. On other lines you usually get, more than once, a note in your suite offering an on-board booking discount. Not sure why they think a loyalty program is a bad idea, I like to obtain perks after spending some amount of $ with a company - unlimited laundry for example on Seabourn. Discounts on revenue wines, etc.

Le Commandant is the ONLY in the world PC2 ice class ship, it can go places no other ship except for Russian ice breakers can go. We went to the geographic North Pole on it. A true expedition ship like no other. It is a totally different experience than being on Explora which is not an expedition ship nor claims to be. Explora was a great ship for warm weather cruises with all the outside bars, deck space. Now if they solve the lack of shaded places it would be even better.

Let me say there is a lot to like about Explora but at the same time... Lots of up charges for certain spirits, not a single decent rum on board even if you wanted to pay for it (and one of the head bartenders agreed and said they have gotten a lot of negative feedback about the limited non-upsell spirits. And totally agreed about rum selections.) Excursion prices absolutely ridiculous, in Kauai where we were only there for 4 hours between ship clearance and all onboard they wanted over 200 Euros to go for a less than 10 minute ride to Gaylords for a rum tasting (Kohola rum, not bad stuff) and train ride and some food. I have had great dinners there multiple times and with a good bottle of wine nowhere 400 Euros for 2. Departure documents claimed a taxi to airport was 80 Euros. Ours cost with tip $42 US.

Menu looks great, looking forward to experiencing it on Encore come August.

And no where capable of going to the same destinations..