1st time on Seabourn, advice please

[LibraLass41]

Hello
I started cruising for my Silver Wedding Anniversary 4 years ago and have become completely addicted....Have now cruised around 9 times all with P&O, and have also been on a 2n Celebrity Equinox cruise.
Its our 30th Wedding anniversary next year, and I'm looking for something 'extra-special', have seen a nice 7n cruise on Odyssey which is a Greek Island and Dalmatian Coast cruise, can you please tell me about Seabourn cruising in a nutshell...food, other cruisers (are they really posh?) the ship and entertainment.

Are the ships mostly child free?

Ports are Piraeus,(Athens), Santorini,Katakolon,(Olympia) Corfu, Kotor, Dubrovnik, Zadar, Venice. Have been to Venice and Dubrovnik, what are the other places like?

Could we add on a couple of days in Venice before flying home?

Any help really appreciated
Sue

[JaneBP]

Welcome to the Seabourn BB's. I think many will chime in, but I suggest a perusal of the threads and perhaps a Forum Search to get you going. There is plenty of information here.
You can do anything you want after disembarking (and before embarking, too). However, if you are using Seabourn air, then perhaps it's more limited.
Generally, Seabourn is mostly child-free, but a summer, port intensive itinerary might tempt more families. Your itinerary sounds lovely, but then, I am Seabourn-biased.

[LibraLass41]

Thanks so far, this cruise will be mid-May, so out of the summer school holidays, and hopefully still nice weather in Greece.

[wripro]

In mid May you should not have many, if any children. This is a wonderful itinerary. Many of the questions you pose are easily answered by your TA. Ask him or her. As for staying on in Venice a deviation fee (usually $100pp) should allow you to do whatever you want.

[margbem]

You should be able to get cheap flights to Venice from the UK. I would fly in the day before to make sure you are there OK, or even have your 2 or 3 night stay pre rather than post cruise. Go on Tripadvisor for hotel reviews in Venice. You will adore Seabourn. We have sailed with them twice now, having done Holland America and Royal Caribbean before and there really is no comparison. I don't think we would consider another company now. Nothing is too much trouble and the smaller ships make for a more personal service. The food is outstanding and you can ask for something special to be made for you if you like!

If you look back on the Seabourn board you will pick up lots of info. Look on the boards for the ports of call for your ports to get tips on what to do. Corfu and Santorini are both beautiful islands, you will enjoy them!

[LN50]

Hi Sue,

All I can say is try it, you will be hooked on Seabourn!.

Have seen your posts on P&O we have also done P&O, Cunard, Royal Carribbean and NCL. we first went on Seabourn in October 09 on the Spirit. Seabourn wins hands down on service, food and general ambience. We just love it all, you are treated as special and we love the small ship experience. We already have a booking for May this year and are looking for a cruise for September.
However, if you do need glitzy shows they are not available on Seabourn, the entertainment is more low key but still very enjoyable, and still enough to do.
p.s Just returned from weekend on Artemis, a lovely ship.

Happy browsing, Linda

[Pipkins]

We started with Royal C., - found out we liked cruise holidays, but not the size, and tried Crystal. After a few cruises, we thought we would try a smaller line with open dining, and have stayed with Seabourn since, but only on the smaller three yachts. We have loved each one, with small complaints on the last trip, when they were obviously training staff for Odyssey. Posh? ...for the most part not at all .....you always get a few! In the most part, we have met friendly, mainly well travelled cruisers, from all parts of the world, and have some very happy memories. Do try it - I hope like us, you will be hooked. We are trying Sojourn this June from Dover to Dover, and hope it will match the triplets. Give it a try - a wonderful way to celebrate.!

[LibraLass41]

Which ship is your favourite everyone?

[Iceandaslice]

Hi Sue.
How very spooky! Here I am posting for the first time on your normal board of P&O and you are here posting on my usual Seabourn!
You will love Seabourn.
The only reason my next cruise was not with them was purely down to itinery this time.
I have cruised Seabourn twice and really loved the new Oddysey as it had a balcony option which we prefer.
Everyone is different of course but you will not be disappointed by their concept and service.
You are most welcome to e mail me directly if you want any further help on rachel-ohalloran@supanet.com. (Maybe you can help me with some hints and tips with my first Azura trip!)
Oh and one other tip....try and get a referral coupon (see sticky at top) if it is your first visit to seabourn. Offers a great incentive for your first trip and the person who refers you. So sorry I have just given my last one away to my Canadian friends but well worth it if some very kind person can help.
kind regards
Iceandaslice

[LibraLass41]

Thanks Rachel, will email you.

[skandls]

We are mostly main line cruisers. DH wanted to go to Vietnam - I said I would go but wanted a 'comfortable' trip. SE Asia is very hot and humid and I do not like hot or humid. And coming back to the ship after a day of touring was the best of the best. We took our first Seabourn cruise on the Pride. It was a fabulous trip - the service over the top - the cabins very spacious. The food was great - the chef came by one day and asked if there was a special dish that we had missed on the cruise. We could not thing of anything to ask for.

And if they do a BBQ on the Beach it is the best ever.

[johnnycruise]

Originally Posted by LibraLass41

Which ship is your favourite everyone?

Whichever one I am on.