Comparing the big 4 luxury lines

We have now done the big 4 luxury cruise lines. Here are some thoughts. The Crystal Symphony was our first cruise 5 years ago, so they may have changed some of their policies. Other ships were the Radisson Mariner and Voyager, Seaborne Spirit and SilverSea Silver Shadow.

Crystal had the best afternoon tea and they have the best casino with the only full size craps table on the 4 lines and with proper odds (run by Caesars). I did not like having to sign for everything, even Cokes. With no booze in the room there was a lot of signing for us. Dinner has assigned seating. With almost 1,000 people on board, there were sometimes short lines at the lunch buffet and lines for tendering and disembarking the ship.

Seaborne was such a small ship, it was more like a mega-yacht than a cruise ship. Some people will love that, some won’t. It did not feel crowded, even though there were only a few public spaces. One day they opened up the back of the ship and we swam in the Mediterranean. They had ski boats, banana boats and other toys. They did the best tendering, since they did not use the slow life boats. They had separate speed boats for tendering so it was much more efficient and comfortable. They can also handle very demanding people. One lady we met brought her personal soup recipe and had the chef make some for her every night for dinner. This they did with a smile. The Chef even came to her table a few nights to make sure it was as she liked it. We are not demanding people so some of the available service is lost on us. That makes this line less of a value to us than to some others. It is nice being smothered in service though. The officers on this ship were friendly, ate dinner with passengers almost every night and were seen walking around the ship.

SilverSea was the perfect size ship for me. Big enough to be stable and have lots of public spaces, but not so big that you had a crowd of people. The service, like Seaborne was truly top notch. Again, somewhat lost on us as we are not demanding people. I never saw the officers in the dining room eating with passengers or walking around the ship. They seemed very standoffish. The Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper have serious tendering limitations (don’t know about Cloud and Wind). Can’t tender unless seas are very still.

Of the 4 we feel more comfortable with Radisson. Their passengers seem a touch younger (we’re 45) and it’s a little less expensive than the others. They put 2 bottles of booze in the room and have some wines by the glass included with dinner. You only have to sign for bar drinks (Cokes are included). I wish they would take the next small step to all inclusive. The service level is not quite up to Seaborne or SilverSeas, but it is plenty good for us. The crew on the Voyager was friendly and ate dinner with passengers and were seen around the ship. The Mariner crew was French and only some were friendly. The casinos have a mini craps table but the odds are unacceptable.

Overall if you are demanding and want extra service or really want the all-inclusive style, then Seaborne and SilverSea are the better choice. If you are not as demanding then Radisson is the best value. Crystal is only good if you like the old style of cruising with assigned seating and don’t mind signing for everything.

W/A/M, very, very few people have sailed all four, so, you're not likely to get very many meaningful responses. In fact, probably very few have sailed even three of them.

We've sailed three, not Silverseas, but, have also done a 31 day b-2-b on Oceania, and, feel very comfortable in including them in the luxury group since their food, service, etc. was super excellent, and, far exceeded what we experienced on our 15 day Radisson cruise, a lux. four member.

So, our rankings are as follows:

1) Seabourn by a wide margin;

2) Crystal/Oceania tie.....Crystal's food/lecturer's/entertainment are superior, but, ship size and single dining offset;

4) Silverseas, we just can't imagine them beating out either Crystal or Oceania, but, who knows;

5) Radisson.....very sub-par performance on our 15 day Med-T/A combo last November on the Voyager. I've commented before, only to be blasted by the Rad. diehards!

Anthony, you didn't enjoy my company?

I don't remember you complaining or trying to get problems fixed during the sailing. I thought you and Fran were really enjoying the cruise.

Marc

Sometimes you believe you are as sick as the messenger - that is me - why??? why???? ....Radisson is a fine line - thanks D2 for posting your informative info -

Oceania seems to have a lot of 2 for 1 with air promotions. Can a rational someone fill me in on their level of service and accomodations? What is included? What are room sizes as compared to standard Voyager room? Thanks.

Also, thanks for the comparison of the Silversea, Seabourn, Crystal and Radisson.

I am not a Radisson diehard,and hope that I am objective in assessing them,Silversea,and Seabourn.

I found the officers on the Silver Shadow not merely standoffish,but downright rude.

I have sailed on both the Radisson Diamond,and this April on the Voyager.

Service levels on both were excellent,and in the main restaurant requests for special dishes(24 hours notice) were cheerfully met.

With four restaurants,the dining options are excellent.

Service on Seabourn is superb,and not overpowering.

Even casual comments are noted,and if required,acted upon.

The atmosphere is more like that of an extended family.

For a long cruise,my preference would be for Radisson because of the greater variety of entertainment/activities options.

Darrell, Thanks for such a good comparison review! We've cruised on the Diamond, the Mariner and the Voyager but none of the other 3 luxury lines. I knew that Radisson wins with regard to the cabins but didn't know the strengths and weaknesses in other categories.

My best to you and Peggy!

My husband and I have sailed on Silversea and Seabourn. We are set to do our first Raddison on the Navigator in January.

Seabourn by far would be our first choice. Although we have only sailed 1x - 14 days last year in the Med. The service and food is without question the best on Seabourn. It is the little things - the staff knowing your name within a day and shopping with the chef in Turkey where he asked us if there was anything he could buy for us in the local market and then prepare for us the next night at dinner. What made this even more incredidble is that we were having dinner with the Captain the night he made us our special dinner. No one even questioned us as to why we were having something different. Obviusly this is not unusual. Also they have wonderful exclusive complimentary shore excursions for everyone on board. One night it was Greek dancers at a hotel overlooking the Med and one night it was a private concert in Ephesus. The one drawback was the room. We had a balcony suite. The room was well laid out but I do prefer a separate shower in the bathroom and not a combo.

Silversea would be my next choice. We have sailed Silversea 3x and sail again on the Whisper in November. The rooms are beautiful and service is also excellent. Because we have sailed with them 3x the staff remembers you and for us thats a big deal. We have chosen Silversea over Seabourn for the choice of itineraries and value for your money.

We have chosen Raddison in January strictly based on their itinerary and the fact that they offer Scuba Diving on all their shore excrusions in the Caribbean. My husband and I are in our 30's and are quite active when it comes to excursions expecially anything having to do with the water.

Seabourn and Silversea do not offer any Scuba Diving on any of their itineraries as far as we know. I have heard good things about Radisson and am looking forward to Our trip in January. It would appear that maybe they cater to a younger crowd. Although on all of our sailings we always have a healthy mix of all ages. We never feel out of place.

One other comment about the three lines. Seabourn is by far the most expensive but it is so exclusive - you get what you pay for. Silversea again is expensive but if you book far enough in advance and it is a silver sailing it is a better value than Seabourn. Radisson is just as expensive and in some circumstances more expensive than Silversea even though they do not offer the all inclusive but again its the choice of Diving that is bringing us to them.

Cinbeach, I hope your January cruise is great in all regards especially the diving! You'll need to remember to report back to us.

On the Voyager World Cruise, the chef also bought things in local markets and made us special dinners that only we ate. It was fun! I've never exactly done that on shorter curises although they always say "If we have the ingredients & with 24 hour notice, we'll make you anything you want." and we have had many a special dinner request that came through perfectly! (Gran Manier (sp) souffles, Weinerschnitzel, Dover Sole are a few of those!)

My husband and I have sailed all four cruise lines. We prefer only one: Seabourn. I disagree that is by far the most expensive; has anyone ever paid brochure prices for Seabourn or any other line? Early booking discounts are available on all cruises,on board discount of 5% and Club Savings for past cruisers are always available.

What more could one want besides superb service, creative cuisine and the ambience of fellow cruisers who also love Seabourn? We do not feel "exclusive" nor do I understand what the term means.

I have been on Crystal's Harmony and Radisson's Mariner. Hands down I go with Radisson (the security problem I had was a nit, but there home office problems was not) having said that, the room and dining room service was the best I have had.

I have always from the start with Crystal had a problem of them trying to re-define 6 star cruising to include two meal sittings. I never made it on a Royal Viking Ship :(:(

The Mariner had the BEST air conditioning system of any ship I have been on. But the Harmony's was not that good.

One of my friends just got off Oceania and with one exception loved the ship, ports and food. The one exception is their no charge but reservation only restaurants. They have one whole deck that they call "Concierge Level". The Concierge level and the large suites have "priority reservations" in the top to restaurants. That amounts to 1/2 of the passengers cabins with priority service and the rest get what's left. My friends cabin only could use the top restaurant one night out of 12.

From Lisa's email to me about this

The last night at the small dining room, Polo, we felt like we had just crashed some one's country club. We managed to snag an 8:30p dinner reservation (we tried for three days to get one. It's a lottery for the unwashed masses to get a table) and when we walked in it was like who are these people at our party? I think many of the higher cabin people had made lavish use of their priority reservations ability which would have along with the verandas, special in crowd totes and a scouch more space would have been well worth the extra bucks. We were allowed one reservation in each of the fancy pants rest (not extra cost) then we had to wait while others took their turn. It's only fair. BS!!! And after suitable time had passed you could go to the **** , I mean reservationist, and attempt to book another table. Be there at 7am when she opens. What a joke. Then she would pretend to look at availability.

now I do want to try Silverseas. Meet two ladies from England on the Mariner and they have done 14 cruises on the Silverseas and like them a little better than Radisson... Their major Radisson problem was the safes in the rooms were to small. :rolleyes:

I love reading about these different lines! I'm hoping to try Silversea one of these days! I doubt I'll ever try Crystal because I don't like set dining hours, nor Seabourn because of wanting a balcony, nor Oceania because I do smoke on my balcony and this is a no no on Oceania.

Till I have a chance to try SS, I'm more than content with Radisson although I do wish liquor was included 24/7 and not just at dinner (got spoiled on the World Cruise when it was all inclusive 24/7 and experienced how much it adds to the entire socialization of passengers).

nor Oceania because I do smoke on my balcony and this is a no no on Oceania.

 

Same here, but I did not smoke in the room. As for the drink issue, I do not drink much and nightime would find me after din din on my balcony with my diet coke.

bb71, disagree very much with your friends problem with Oceania's two specialty dining room reservation problem.

We did a b-2-b, 17 days in the "cheap seats", and, then, 14 days in a PH. When in the "cheap seats", we reserved one night each in both restaurants, on the first night. We were able to book two nights in each restaurant later in the cruise......so, 6 of 17 nights, with no problem.

Then, when in a PH, we booked two nights in each restaurant. We later booked an add'l evening at Tuscana.....so, 5 of 14 nights, with never a problem.

Further, never heard of any problems getting reservations in the two specialty restaurants from any pax. Yes, you couldn't always get your preference on short notice, but, that should be expected!

Marc, yes, we did enjoy our cruise, we enjoy ALL our cruises, however, we were very, very, disappointed in Radisson's performance, right from the very beginning, embarkment.

Yes, we registered aboard ship, but, only after standing in line, with two carry-ons, for almost an hour. Yes, we had the champagne flute in hand, but, only too long, nobody came for refills, or, takeaway. At my suggestion, the folks around us gently placed the flutes on the floor, next to the walling. I asked the "hostess" why our carry-ons weren't checked-in, and, why, we weren't seated in the available lounge, only to hear, "that's the way we do check-in".

My other complaints, a sampling, were:

. Terrible clean-up service at the "grill" area; we lunch late, at, or, after 1PM....almost always, we couldn't find a table, most were still laden with dishes from the previous occupants;

. Bar service at the grill and at the inside buffet.....rarely received soft drinks b/4 we finished eating. Usually, we were waving hands trying to get attention;

. Attitude, more than once by the "wait-staff" in Signatures. I noted that you posted similarly on that "other board";

. Specialty restaurant LATITUDES was, with kindness, okay, but, very far from expectations.

. Pool attendants service was pitiful. They minimized set-up, and, then, weren't available when set-ups were occupied. More than once, I did my own thing for the two of us;

. The coffee area for a "quicky" was also pitiful; most of the time the machine was inopperative, not like we're accustomed to elsewhere, even on Celebrity and HAL.

I can add more, but, it's not necessary; we received Celebrity service at Radisson prices. You may recall my saying that one day early during the cruise.

aaannnthony-Celebrity has excellent service, as good as almost any cruiseline.

Anthony thanks. I guess I looked at how I thought you enjoyed the cruise from another view. You research your purchases well. You know the ins and outs of getting a good deal. When you and Fran earned around 75 tokens, but saved over 60 of them, I took that as an indicator that you were looking forward to cruising Radisson again.

Marc

PS Agree about the waitstaff that cruise in Signatures. Of course, that was only one of seven so I can't complain too much.

bb71, disagree very much with your friends problem with Oceania's two specialty dining room reservation problem.

 

All I know is that was their experience on the Insignia which they just got off last Friday. These are freq cruisers and this is their second major cruise this year, the last being Antarctica on the Marco Polo.

I have always thought that Seabourn would probably be lovely in every way, but probably far too stuffy for me. I have come to enjoy dressing up somewhat for a cruise, but in the main, country-club casual suits me better than formal nights. And my husband would balk at having to wear a jacket most nights.

So, until Radisson seriously disappoints me, I'll go with what I feels comfortable and just about right. I've only done 35 days on Radisson, but so far I have enjoyed myself immensely on all 5 of my cruises.

aaannnthony,

I have probably 150+ days on RSSC ships and can honestly say that your experiences are unique and not the norm. The only "less than desired" experience we've had has been in Signatures where our waiter needed an "attitude adjustment". This was reported and when we ate there a couple nights later, we had a different waiter who had the "can do" attitude that RSSC strives for.

It sounds like Blackbird71's friends experience was probably unique for Oceania as well.

Petlover

I agree with you that the problems experienced by some passengers of Raddison and other lines are probably not the norm. Whenever we have encountered a problem the staff always seem very eager to remedy any bad situation.

By the way going back to my comment about Scuba Diving - do you know of anyone you have sailed with who has done any dive trips and also how would you rate their shore excursions. Like I said we like anything to do with the water - so we will take any sailing excursions.

Thanks Cindy

Darryl, what a great review! I have never cruised Seabourn or Crystal. Like petlover, I stay away from them for two reasons only; no balconies on Seabourn and regimented dinner seating on Crystal, but I hear many fine comments on these lines by visiting their boards here on cc. Can't do Oceana, because like petlover, I am a smoker, and while they seem to tolerate us, they are pretty strict in their policies. That is fine. When people select a line, what is good for some is not good for others, very subjective. Best just to read and read and get the general gist of things rather than listening to one disgruntled passenger. After awhile, a frequent poster's likes and dislikes will become apparent.

I guess I am one of those "die-hard" Radisson fans aaannnthony speaks of. I have over 100 days on about 14 cruises on all the ships (never did sail Song of Flower, but had a tour with a friend when we were in the same port), so I feel qualified to rate them (having 3 booked into the future). I have had only one cruise on Silversea, in Asia and I loved it! I felt like I was on a Radisson cruise, except that I didn't have to sign for drinks, ever! Those two lines are the most similar as the ships were built in the same shipyard and have almost the same staterooms (at least the Shadow does).

I can't say that I have a preference for either Radisson or Silversea. I am an early planner, and Radisson seems to make its best offers early on. Silversea drops prices later, and there are many good fares, comparable to Raddison that come out closer to the cruise dates, at least I get e-mails about them all the time. Silversea is much better at communicating with past passengers with mailings, e-mailings, etc. from my experience.

Petlover

 

By the way going back to my comment about Scuba Diving - do you know of anyone you have sailed with who has done any dive trips and also how would you rate their shore excursions. Like I said we like anything to do with the water - so we will take any sailing excursions.

 

Thanks Cindy

On my Amazon cruise in Feb. there were three dive excursions. Two during the day and one night one. These were on St. Barts, Barbados and St. Martinee. The only problems I heard about is the minimum divers requirement. The night dive had a minimum of two divers. At one point there was only 1 diver signed up. :(

While not on Radisson, I was on a cruise and they did not have any dive shore excursions. BUT, I asked the shore excursion office and they gave me the name and number of one. shop. The neat thing was after the dive, the dive boat brought me back to the ship and I had all these ppl on the ship watching me carry my dive bag back to the ship :rolleyes:

Yes, Marc, we have booked another Rad. cruise, however, not on Voyager.

We almost always book a second time with cruise lines, even when not particularly happy with the first perforformance, NCL being the exception.

We were not very happy with Celebrity's first performance, an older ship, but, were extremely happy with our 28 day b-2-b on the Constellation in 2004.

Their overall performance equalled Rad's at much, much less per diem cost, recognizing the cabins were smaller, however, we were in balcony cabins of about 190sf, not including the balcony, so, to us , size differential was no "biggie"!

And, so, for the Rad. diehards, if interested, I'll post a brief summary of my second sailing findings of Rad. versus the other majors we've sailed.

Anthony, which ship, which cruise? Perchance, are you joining us to Asia on Mariner?

Marc