12/9 cruise: Seabourn-SeaDream Comparison Part 3: The end

[DisneyJen]

Room Service: DH and I absolutely loved the ability to have a full made-to-order breakfast in our room. As a matter of fact we did this every day! We also enjoyed the pitcher of mimosas that we had delivered each morning with our breakfast.

We also loved the course-by-course dinner in our room. Ryan, the sommelier, also arranged so that we could enjoy a bottle of Jordan from our Silver Package in our room. We so enjoyed dining en suite that we ordered dinner in our suite on our last night … DH ordered off the dining room menu while I enjoyed a Caesar salad and hamburger.

Most times our en suite meals were delivered by Rob from Austria who was outstanding. Rob took excellent care of us with good humor and professionalism. The only issue we had with room service was when my DH tried to order ginger tea for me after a bout with an allergic food reaction. He was told there was none available only to find Lemon Ginger tea on our breakfast tray the next day.

Our verdict: There is no competition … SB wins this category hands downs.

Staff: We found some wonderful crew who took excellent care of us … specifically Ryan the sommelier, Rob from Room Service and Stina our room stewardess. They all made us feel special and cared for while on board.

We were surprised to find some of the staff down right surly. We found it interesting that we heard the word “No” a few times when making requests for things like the drink, Painkiller, which we had the day before. Or for ginger tea and then finding it on the in room breakfast tray the next day. And of course our experience in 2 for dinner.

We had no interaction with officers at all on this trip. I am not sure if this was because this was Capt. Lorentzen’s last sailing.

One of the things that we found very interesting was that one or two crew members actually complained about the work and the hours. Now mind you we weren’t asking leading questions … this was in response to a generic comment from us like “Thank you XX, you sure are everywhere.”

We also felt that we were being rushed off the trip on SB. We received a form on Tuesday asking about our disembarkation plans. We received our color coded baggage tags and the immigration form on Wednesday.

Our verdict: While we appreciated the professionalism of most of the Seabourn crew we can honestly say that this is the first time that we have every heard a crew member (let alone two) complain to a guest. We really missed the interaction with the captain and the hotel manager that we have experienced on SeaDream. On SD we felt like the staff genuinely was glad to see us and wanted us to be happy. So we are going to give this one to SD.

Marina: We were excited that we were going to experience a marina day in Bequia. Around noon time the cruise director announced that we could head down to the marina area. When we arrived we found an area set up with soft drinks and sandwiches. The deck was extended so that you could swim in the caged pool area, which was nice.

The offerings were a banana boat ride or a donut ride. DH and I decided to try the donut ride (think of a tire-like float that is towed behind a speedboat). We didn’t have much success staying on while being towed because it was under inflated. After we gave it three ties we headed back to the marina area and called it quits. The crew member took that float out of service so the only water sport option was the banana boat.

DH was disappointed as he was looking forward to some of the water sports that we have enjoyed on SeaDream … specifically the jet skis, Sunfish sailboat and ride in the Zodiac.

Our verdict: SD wins this category because of the toys they offer as well as the condition of the toys.

Well this concludes my lengthy review. Thanks for wading through it

[xplrcrzn]

My friends who recently returned from the abbreviated Legend cruise said a few crew members complained to them about working hours (18 hour days in some instances) and low pay (because of the falling dollar; crew is paid in dollars). Some of the service issues being encountered on Seabourn lately may be related to this.

[DisneyJen]

I think you are right xplrcrzn that the service issues are related to the falling dollar.

From all that I have read and heard service is the hallmark of a Seabourn cruise. Hopefully the comments made on guest questionnaires are read and shared with those on board AND those on land (upper management).

[ltsally]

Very interesting report, DisneyJen! I enjoyed reading it.

Was surprised by some of your negative experiences (and the chime-ins of a few other posters). It seems like so much that is said about SB here is almost over-the-top laudatory. Perhaps a reality check is a good thing; it will be interesting to judge for ourselves in a couple of months. I found your comments about the plastic deck furniture especially surprising, and it prompted me to haul out the brochure for a close look. Wow - resin chairs. That will be a change from the teak furniture we had on Silversea.

Thanks for the informative report!

[xplrcrzn]

ltsally-For a variety of reasons, some of the "over-the-toppers" haven't been posting here recently, thereby allowing the "Critic" part of Cruise Critic to re-assert itself.

[DisneyJen]

Originally Posted by xplrcrzn

ltsally-For a variety of reasons, some of the "over-the-toppers" haven't been posting here recently, thereby allowing the "Critic" part of Cruise Critic to re-assert itself.

Interesting observation xplrcrzn. I joked with DH and some of my CC friends that I was going to need a flack jacket after posting some negative comments

As always this was our opinion and others mileage may vary

[DisneyJen]

I am sure that you will have an enjoyable time ltsally! I am glad that you found my report informative ... I tried to be fair and balanced (geez I sound like Fox News).

The plastic chairs are so out of space on a luxury line ... but not enough to ruin a trip. It's just one of those things that real struck us as out of place.