Fact or Fiction: is Seabourn really being compromised by HAL?

[Prunella1]

Good to hear that you had a great time on the Pride as we join her on Sunday for 18 days. I know that it won't have the glamour of the bigger ships but as long as the service and food are good and the wine is passable ( I can always resort to gin) I know that we will be happy.

[Martita B.]

PrunellaI just returned last Sat. (Apr. 7) from the Spirit TA ~
The food was the best I'ver had on Seabourn! Chef Imre was Thorsten's Sous Chef before he joined Viking River Cruises.
Service was outstanding.....we had only 160 guests. Wines were
very good also. I prefer &drink reds from Chile, so I was happy.
Your Pride sailing will be fabulous & so much fun as the 'little white Pride Castle has always been a favorite. She is the prettiest and being the older Sister, has more experience and is wiser!
Do you know who your Captain and Hotel Manager will be~also Cruise Director?
I'm envious of you ~but my being away from the ranch for 2 weeks I'm happy as a clam to be back "on the range!"
Enjoy every minute ~please, if you have time, tell "our Pride family
Howdy from Martha B."
We'll be anxious to hear all about your sailing.
Martita B.

[Prunella1]

Thank you Martita for your best wishes, I know we are going to enjoy it, we also love the little sisters so much more personal than the bigger ships and we haven't been on the Pride for about 9 years.

I believe the cruise director is Jan Stearman but not sure at all about the Captain or Hotel Manager or the Maitre D' for that matter so will be interested to find out. I will let you know how we get on and whether we think things are being compromised now that Hal has taken over. I hope not.

[Chairsin]

Prunella,
Hope you have a great Pride cruise -- we board her on May 17 and were as delighted ( and relieved) as I am sure you are at Sunday Golf's report that all is well on the ship. Bon Voyage! If you have a chance while you are on would you report back to us as to the key crew ?

[Prunella1]

Chairsin,

I will have to let you know when we come back on 3rd May as I have never used the computers on board and believe they are very slow.

I hope that the hot water issue has been solved as my husband has injured his back gardening and a hot bath seems to be a priority for him, especially after an overnight flight to Dubai!

[Chairsin]

Here's hoping that on your upcoming cruise the champagne is cold and the bath water is hot!

[Sunday golf]

When we were on the Captain was Eric Wartenberg. We saw him once not the most visable Captain we have seen but I guess He got us there !! Hotel Manager was Engelbert Wartenberg always about so I guess did his job. Not that helpful After that the team were outstanding. Jan Stearman the best Cruise Director we have ever had. Always about helpful and ran great entertainment. The restaurant Manager Gary Roberts again first class as too was Christophe the RM in Restaurant 2 our favouite. Not to forget the Chef Kurt Timmermans produced excellent food throughout. We would like to mention too Jasmin Katterie who helped us with great trips and informative talks.

[Harvey2442]

Did you mean that both the Captain and Hotman had the same surname? I have never sailed with a Captain of that name is he new to the Pride and to Seabourn?

[Sunday golf]

Must have been sleepy yesterday. The Captain on the Pride was Eric Saabye

[Chairsin]

Oh I do hope Captain Saabye is on in mid May when we board. We were very impressed with him on our Norwegian cruise last August.

[Miss Jet Set]

We left the Pride last Sunday after 18 days of sheer luxury. 10/10 for everything
no problems at all even the weather and the seas lived up to our expectations.
Captain Erik Saabye was on board and was around every day. Of course what is
Seabourn's biggest asset is their wonderful staff who have never let us down with
their professional and friendly attitude to us.
Next time we see the Pride she will be anchored in our waters.

[sananda]

Went on the Sojourn from Rome to Barcelona (April 6-13) for our first Seabourn cruise ever. It was the best cruise we have ever been on and we have sailed Crystal and Silversea. That said, there were a couple things that didn't live up to expectations, or rather, didn't live up to the hype portrayed in the brochure and website.

The most disapointing thing about the cruise was the Seabourn veterans. Everyone we met who was a past cruiser with Seabourn went on and on about how much better things were in the past. Kind of took the wind out of our newbie sails and made us want to hang out with other 1st time Seabourn cruisers. However, we really couldn't because many of the perks / amenities were not advertised and it was the past cruisers who informed us on how to get them. As an example, in between a tirade about the declining quality abord Seabourn we learned how to get caviar sent to the observation lounge only to hear that it used to be beluga "not this mollosal crap". In any case, caviar is not listed on any menu, you just had to know where you could get it.

Another disapointment was restaurant 2. I cannot comment on the food, because we were unable to get in. The website and brochure suggest that everyone will be given an opportunity to dine here and you would only be given a second resevation after everyone else had an opportunity. But by 9:00 P.M. on the second night it was completely booked. What bothers me most was what I learned from other passengers. Each passenger could make one resevation per 7 days and bring along 3 guests. So what happened was that groups of four friends would all call and get 1 reservation each, and invite along the other 3, allowing them to dine up to 4 times each in restaurant 2. The policy should be changed so that each cabin gets 1 reservation with no guests. After everyone has an opportunity to partake, let them fill the remainder of the cruise however they wish.

The brochure describes complimentary on deck massages. I never saw evidence of this. I heard that they were available on some days for about an hour while we were in port. A more detailed schedule of ship's activities would have been appreciated.

Finally, the brochure and reviews here describe over the top personalized service. Although I think the service was quite good, this is not what we received, examples follow. After we checked in, we were told to make our way onto the ship. Someone swiped our ID card, then we walked on board to the elevators. There was no one on board to show us to our stateroom or tell us where anything was. Everyone talks about how they'll know your name, no one knew our names after seven days. Everyone knew our names at the Hotel Arts Barcelona from the moment we arrived. Objectively, maybe we built up our expectations about the service to unreasonable levels, but both our Rome and Barcelona hotels were much better service.

[Host Dan]

Originally Posted by sananda

Went on the Sojourn from Rome to Barcelona (April 6-13) for our first Seabourn cruise ever. It was the best cruise we have ever been on and we have sailed Crystal and Silversea. That said, there were a couple things that didn't live up to expectations, or rather, didn't live up to the hype portrayed in the brochure and website.

The most disapointing thing about the cruise was the Seabourn veterans. Everyone we met who was a past cruiser with Seabourn went on and on about how much better things were in the past. Kind of took the wind out of our newbie sails and made us want to hang out with other 1st time Seabourn cruisers. However, we really couldn't because many of the perks / amenities were not advertised and it was the past cruisers who informed us on how to get them. As an example, in between a tirade about the declining quality abord Seabourn we learned how to get caviar sent to the observation lounge only to hear that it used to be beluga "not this mollosal crap". In any case, caviar is not listed on any menu, you just had to know where you could get it.

Another disapointment was restaurant 2. I cannot comment on the food, because we were unable to get in. The website and brochure suggest that everyone will be given an opportunity to dine here and you would only be given a second resevation after everyone else had an opportunity. But by 9:00 P.M. on the second night it was completely booked. What bothers me most was what I learned from other passengers. Each passenger could make one resevation per 7 days and bring along 3 guests. So what happened was that groups of four friends would all call and get 1 reservation each, and invite along the other 3, allowing them to dine up to 4 times each in restaurant 2. The policy should be changed so that each cabin gets 1 reservation with no guests. After everyone has an opportunity to partake, let them fill the remainder of the cruise however they wish.

The brochure describes complimentary on deck massages. I never saw evidence of this. I heard that they were available on some days for about an hour while we were in port. A more detailed schedule of ship's activities would have been appreciated.

Finally, the brochure and reviews here describe over the top personalized service. Although I think the service was quite good, this is not what we received, examples follow. After we checked in, we were told to make our way onto the ship. Someone swiped our ID card, then we walked on board to the elevators. There was no one on board to show us to our stateroom or tell us where anything was. Everyone talks about how they'll know your name, no one knew our names after seven days. Everyone knew our names at the Hotel Arts Barcelona from the moment we arrived. Objectively, maybe we built up our expectations about the service to unreasonable levels, but both our Rome and Barcelona hotels were much better service.

I'm sorry your experience was not up to your (and others) expectations. Hopefully you let the line know by filling out your comment card.. Thanks for posting.

Host Dan

[Chairsin]

I am glad that you had a wonderful cruise but I am sorry about the shortcomings you noted.In particular please let me apologize for the Seabourn vets you met who seemd to delight in torturing you with "the way is was." It is one thing to note here and there that they used to do this or that but it is a shame these people were one note Johnnies. But as you mentioned, they can often be the key to some of the "hidden Seabourn" features. I was was very grateful when on our first Seabourn cruise when someone who had sailed before let me in on a few insider secrets and I have always tried to pass on a tip or two to newbies whom I meet on board. I hope you next Seabourn cruise is filled with more glass full rather than half full people. And BTW, those pessimists probably did fail to note that what we are paying to cruise now is less than what we paid a few years ago.

[KaraokeQueen]

Originally Posted by sananda

Went on the Sojourn from Rome to Barcelona (April 6-13) for our first Seabourn cruise ever. It was the best cruise we have ever been on and we have sailed Crystal and Silversea. That said, there were a couple things that didn't live up to expectations, or rather, didn't live up to the hype portrayed in the brochure and website.

The most disapointing thing about the cruise was the Seabourn veterans. Everyone we met who was a past cruiser with Seabourn went on and on about how much better things were in the past. Kind of took the wind out of our newbie sails and made us want to hang out with other 1st time Seabourn cruisers. However, we really couldn't because many of the perks / amenities were not advertised and it was the past cruisers who informed us on how to get them. As an example, in between a tirade about the declining quality abord Seabourn we learned how to get caviar sent to the observation lounge only to hear that it used to be beluga "not this mollosal crap". In any case, caviar is not listed on any menu, you just had to know where you could get it.

Another disapointment was restaurant 2. I cannot comment on the food, because we were unable to get in. The website and brochure suggest that everyone will be given an opportunity to dine here and you would only be given a second resevation after everyone else had an opportunity. But by 9:00 P.M. on the second night it was completely booked. What bothers me most was what I learned from other passengers. Each passenger could make one resevation per 7 days and bring along 3 guests. So what happened was that groups of four friends would all call and get 1 reservation each, and invite along the other 3, allowing them to dine up to 4 times each in restaurant 2. The policy should be changed so that each cabin gets 1 reservation with no guests. After everyone has an opportunity to partake, let them fill the remainder of the cruise however they wish.

The brochure describes complimentary on deck massages. I never saw evidence of this. I heard that they were available on some days for about an hour while we were in port. A more detailed schedule of ship's activities would have been appreciated.

Finally, the brochure and reviews here describe over the top personalized service. Although I think the service was quite good, this is not what we received, examples follow. After we checked in, we were told to make our way onto the ship. Someone swiped our ID card, then we walked on board to the elevators. There was no one on board to show us to our stateroom or tell us where anything was. Everyone talks about how they'll know your name, no one knew our names after seven days. Everyone knew our names at the Hotel Arts Barcelona from the moment we arrived. Objectively, maybe we built up our expectations about the service to unreasonable levels, but both our Rome and Barcelona hotels were much better service.

I had a very similar experience, with the exception of Restaurant 2 which we had many opportunities to go to. I was also disappointed that the sport deck wasn't used in a port like Cabo. I really doubt it's ever used. Captain said passenger safety was the reason they couldn't use it in open sea. It should be removed from their brochures. The crew was terrific but like you, most didn't have a clue who we were. It was fine because the service was attentive and they were all pleasant. There were so many regulars eating cavier in the observation lounge
You couldn't miss the availability.

[wripro]

Was there ever Beluga caviar on SB? If so, it was before my time. I do remember Sevruga though.

And anyone who crassly says "none of this malassol stuff" is only showing his/her own ignorance as malassol simply means lightly salted. All good caviar is malassol. The other designations refer to the type of sturgeon and the size and richness of the roe.

[T&T Vikings]

[quote=wripro;33454222]Was there ever Beluga caviar on SB? If so, it was before my time. I do remember Sevruga though.

Yes in the very early days onboard Pride , but that was only on special occations.
Most normal was the Sevruga and Oscietre.

Since 2005 buyers have experienced a dramatic dekline in the availability of wild Caspian Caviar since the quality of wild-sourced types have not been equal to the quality of their farmed counterpart. The unstable quality and the Iranian and Russian pricing policy have led to buyers focus on more sustainable alternatives like the farmed Italian and Californian White SturgionTraditional.

However it is today possible to buy Farmed Beluga (Huso Huso )
at a 100 gr. retail price € 680.00
So do not expect to find that onboard.
T&T

[mariner]

I did notice the caviar on SOJOURN was very good quality. It had the perfect sheen and shape.

As for caviar snobs, I would remind them that Seabourn uses metallic utensils to spoon it out and to eat it.

[Martita B.]

T&T Vikings
I remember enjoying Beluga caviar on the Pride ~at times during our Club parties (these were held in the Constellation Lounge) Beluga was served. Captain Leif Rodahl and Staff Captain Toenis Sorensen loved their caviar and Aquavit~~they were and are true Norge Salty Dog Sailors~ we surely enjoyed those fun parties!
Martita B.

[lincslady]

Seabourn (HAL?) oversold our very recent cruise on Odyssey, in that there were 461 passengers on board. I think this makes a huge difference (compare with Martita's 160 on a small ship recently). The weather was not suitable for eating outdoors at night, which meant a great strain on everyone in the dining room and colonnade, which was also heaving at breakfast time. The staff were excellent, and coped as well as possible, but I know for a fact that they find it difficult and annoying when they cannot serve as well as they would wish.

There were times when it felt more like a 4 star than 6 star experience, and though I may be wrong I put this down to the new management overfilling the ship.