Why Seabourn?

Hello,

Seabourn has been suggested by our TA. The line looks lovely, however, I am a bit concerned by the entertainment and port intensive itinerary on the cruises. If we're not on our own boat, I want it all. If we choose a Seabourn cruise and never get off the ship are we OK?

My husband and I own a sailing yacht and are looking for a smaller, yet energetic cruise line. We want to have fun and not worry about "who is steering the boat". I really want to cruise without having to worry about being the "winch wench".

All help is appreciated, thanks so much.

C~~

There is a big difference between a sailboat and a Seabourn cruise. Imagine trying to compare a sailboat to a mega-yacht and then a mega-yacht to a ship. Each is a long way from the other. The comparisons are very difficult because everything is so different...other than both float.

Seabourn is an upscale, generally more formal (but not stuffy) cruise line,which means it will provide you with unparalleled service, excellent food and amenities and the ability to see more, and different, ports than if you were sailing.

While entertainment is not Seabourn's strongest point, there are a large number of Seabournites that seek out cruises with many sea days...just so they don't have their wonderful time "interrupted" by those pesky ports!

It does depend upon what you mean by an"energetic cruise line".

Given the general age demographic,and the small size of the ships,daytime activities are somewhat sedentary.

have you looked at a Windstar cruise? you'd have the sailing experience w/o worrying about the jib - Very nice Very casual. If you want fancy, your TA made a good recommendation. What is it that you want to experience?

I don't know why people call Seabourn "Fancy".

I think "Intimate" would be a better term.

I liken "Fancy" to "Stuffy" and it is far from that.

how 'bout pricey?

Hi,

First, as your screen name implys you are a Clever Girl if you are considering Seabourn. It is not stuffy at all and I have never met such nice people in my life. When I travel by myself it is almost impossible to not be invited to dine with other guests, as everyone is very social. As you are a couple you will meet a lot of other couples to form friendships with if you so desire. If you don't want to dress up you can dine in the Verandah, which is casual at all times or dine in your suite, course by course, a real treat.

I love the port intensive itineraries because everyone is usually off the ship and I stay on and have the ship to myself. Service is amazing whether there is one person or 180 people onboard. (The total capacity, if completely full is 208)

The entertainment is, as many will say, not Seabourn's strongest point but I find hanging out in the Club and talking to the other guests into the evening a lot of fun. Also, depending on the itinerary and time of year I do enjoy Movies under the Stars in the evening. I also enjoy the fun things like "Liar's Club" that they usually have. ON my two cruises this year they had "The Reduced OPera COmpany" and they were amazing. A sporano, a tenor and another gentleman with their pianist who did opera arias.

During a sea day they have Trivia Pursuit, Golf Putting competition, Port and cheese tastings, make you own Ice Cream Sundaes on deck and Wine Tastings. (These all happened on my day at sea on the April Legend from Lisbon to Monte Carlo)

Where ever you go and whatever you decide,

Bon voyage

how 'bout pricey?

Well that depends..

For me as a single traveller it is not. It is actually cheaper than going on Celebrity or HAL or NCL...etc.. :D

Thank you, all, for your responses.

For clarification, I noted our sailboat for size. As in, small boats don't upset me. In any way. Windstar, no. If I'm sailing I want the rails in the water.

As for Opera, no, not my cup of tea, and I prefer violin to piano.

You sound like a charming group to cruise with, I hope to be letting you in on a booking soon. If only I can convince my husband to be away from the office for more then seven days.

C~~

CleverGirl,

While I agree 14 days or more allows you to relax and get into the laid back flow of things if you are concerned as to whether Seabourn is right for you you may want to start by trying a 7 day cruise. And as you implied, we all have different needs and interests, for my own part I like some of the port intensive voyages on Seabourn because the ships go to many unusual places that the big ships don't so as often as not you will not be bethed next to some behemuth vessel disgorging thousands of day trippers. Furthemore, my husband and I are avid hikers and enjoy trekking up hiil, into small towns and checking out the local cuisine. And as others have mentioned if you are looking for a skating rink and a rock climbing wall Seabourn is not for you.If it is movies, lectures, games, the gym ,library, casino, shows, dancing,indulging in spa treatments and of course fine dining that interest you then try Seabourn.

Oh, and not to split hairs, but I would describe Seabourn as civilized -- as in dining whenever you like with whomever, a class free system of all suites, suites that include a dressing table, a bathtub and a walk in closet, and not worriying about whose turn it is to pick up the tab when you join friends for drinks.

.... and not worriying about whose turn it is to pick up the tab when you join friends for drinks.

Probably the part that is the most important to this couple. Even though we could sail other ships, and probably spend less with the bar tab, there is so much value in not having to even THINK about it. Like at your own house, except you do not have to pick up the dishes.

We opted not to get off the boat at one of our 4 stops on a 7 night cruise- and it was great! We had so much fun that day- slept in, ordered room service and watched a movie in bed, got a massage, went to formal dining room for lunch (the only time we did this on our trip) and had a bottle of wine, went to the conservatory and played Scrabble, and then sat by the pool for a little and read our books. AIt was a relaxing and fabulous day getting spoiled on Seabourn.

we are big fans of seabourn we are in our late 40's..ok,when we started sailing on seabourn.now, VERY hip 50 and 52!lol.

but "Iamboatman," for a change,you may want to try seadream. smaller, 55 cabins, very casual but upscale casual. they have raised prices lately and have not been offering many discountsm which is good and bad.

like on any cruise, we have found energetic folks, our last, a very hip energetic 73 year old from canada kept us running in hanoi and saigon.you find those you enjoy and it ends up being great. we are doing montecarlo to istanbul in april '06.

libya is trying to clean up its image.we'll see but have to figure the state dept and seabourn must think it worthwhile to add it to their list.i would have liked what silverseas did which was add beirut to their itinerary which also include tripoli libya.

Garycarla,

Darn .. do you mean that I can't ask all of these house guests I have been having to pick up the dishes---I might as well get back on Seabourn!

I just took the Legend from Monte Carlo to Rome, and for a week I felt like a princess! The bathtub was so wonderful, I refused to get out of my bubble bath for the fire drill!! Fabulous food, and portions not so big that you'd feel like you were overeating...impressive service all the way around.