longton

We are thinking of booking a 10 day cruise from Hong Kong to Singapore in August 2015. We have never cruised before.

The ship is Legend of the Seas. It's all a bit overwhelming how to choose cabins and location. Do inside cabins feel very claustrophobic? Is there less movement in the ship in a midship cabin, as opposed to forward and aft cabins? Is Deck number also important to consider?

Thanks for your suggestions and advice.

I make that 411 guests so it's almost an equal number of guests and crew!

My mother's request for me to go on board for lunch has been approved. The approval was made quickly and without fuss. It left us all with positive feelings.

My mother and sister have just boarded the Sojourn in Barcelona (GMT12.00) today, Wednesday 19 November. They're having lunch as I write!

Thanks for the advice and suggestions.

I emailed Seabourn in the UK and had an immediate reply. They asked for my passport copy which I scanned and emailed. I have just received another email telling me that my request and passport copy have been sent to Guest Relations in Seattle. Apparently they will contact the captain and fleet security before contacting me.

Excellent service from Seabourn. It's the first cruise on Seabourn for my mother and sister and they are counting the days, 12 to go!

My mother and sister are taking the Sojourn from Barcelona to Cape Town later this month. They are due to arrive in Cape Town in the morning of 20th December and disembark on 21st. Would I be allowed to have lunch or dinner on board with them on 20th? Of course, I would be happy to pay for that.

What is the policy on shipboard visitors?

We are ready to book two balcony staterooms for this cruise. I have never cruised before and I've been given the task of booking it. The information about types of balcony options (EB, EC, EF, FB, FC etc) and deck numbers is overwhelming.

Would I be right in thinking the higher the deck, and the more expensive the balcony suite, the better it will be. We don't mind paying extra to have a nice position on the ship.

Thanks for your advice.

I've tried to interest them in a tablet but without success. Neither of them are 'into' computers and smart phones. My mother would enjoy sitting on deck and writing letters by hand and posting them in each port of call but that probably isn't an option. Opening an email just doesn't have the mystique of opening an envelope and reading a hand written letter.....

I've suggested they buy a Spanish SIM card in Barcelona since the ship calls at a few ports in Spain and the Canaries. They will be able to receive calls free of charge and send text messages.

Thanks for the replies. I'll pass them onto mum and sister. They will certainly pay for a bag of laundry - I can't see my mother in a launderette, however fancy!

It's nice to see that their location is the same as Flamin' June's.

In November, my mother and sister are taking the Sojourn from Barcelona to Cape Town and it's their first time with Seabourn.

Could you kind folk please answer a few questions?

1. Toiletries - in the information mum has received it says "take your own toiletries". Should they take enough soap, shampoo, toothpaste for the whole journey or are these replenished? I read about a choice of soaps being available but does this also extend to shampoo etc?

2. Seabourn bag - is this something they get? What is it - a shopping bag, laundry bag, handbag...?

3. They have applied for the $400 on board credit voucher. How does that work? Will they receive a voucher in advance of sailing or do they register again for it on board?

4. Laundry. I read somewhere on this forum about passengers on longer cruises being entitled to free weekly laundry. Is this the case?

5. Internet. My mother and sister will only want on board internet for emails. They will probably sign on once a day. Do you advise pay as you go or would an internet package be better? How do I find the prices before they set sail?

6. On ship phone calls. Following the cancellation of stops in Senegal and Gambia they have six full days at sea. We like to keep in touch by phone. Is it possible to phone people on the ship? They will have a UK phone with them. (I suppose they could use Skype.)

On their behalf, I may have more questions later. Thanks for your patience!

You could try and use your Virgin air miles to fly from London to Cape Town to pick up the Sojourn cruise just before Christmas.

No-one can predict the future re instability and disease. My mother and sister are taking Sojourn from Barcelona to Cape Town in November. The ports of call at Dakar, Senegal and Banjul, Gambia have been cancelled and replaced with Malaga and Cadiz. No reasons have been given for these changes but it doesn't take a genius to work out why.

Leesre - my mother and sister are taking their first Seabourn cruise in November, Barcelona to Cape Town. How would they go about getting a referral voucher for onboard credit? They have booked through an agency in the UK.. Thanks.

Thanks for the replies. Mum and sister know how to play whist so they should be able to handle bridge - at least at beginner's level. They are quick learners!

My sister and elderly mother are taking the Sojourn from Barcelona to Cape Town.The ship leaves in mid-November and the cruise is 32 nights.

Whilst on board, they would like to try their hand at painting and learn bridge. Does anyone know if there are classes for art and bridge? Many thanks for your replies.