M&PGermany

18 minutes ago, Fletcher said:

...there isn't a single Venture trip that I haven't already done or want to do.  Especially not at the prices they are asking.

That pricing is ridiculous. They are more expensive than Hapag Lloyd. And usually it's HL who live on a different planet when I look at their regular fares.

Couldn't agree more. It seems to me that Seabourn haven't really made use of the timeout during the pandemic to come up with new and creative ideas. And to be honest, a LOT has changed in travellers' minds.

To be honest, as quite a number of countries which are important for winter season cruise schedules have very strict immigration/quarantine restrictions at the moment, I don't think that this season will be very exciting.

The US (closed for Europeans), Australia, many Asian and Arabic countries... so many restrictions everywhere...

Being a now Silversea from Seabourn-convert 😉 I am keeping an eye on the Athens to Dubai Moon but with Israel AND Oman closed for tourist I don't think that will happen.

Where would YOU go this winter if you were a cruise line?

On 7/15/2021 at 1:22 AM, Ross4356 said:

Is it true that both Steam room and Sauna areas are closed currently on the SilverMoon in Greece?

When I was on the Moon (27Jul-07Aug) the sauna, steam room and outdoor talasso pool were all closed. 

P.S:

I actually discovered there is a whole section dedicated to English speakers on their website.

https://www.hl-*****/social-media/experiencetv

...By the way, that's what I talk about when I talk about a website filled with interesting CONTENT (Seabourn, are you listening?) 😉 

On 8/23/2021 at 3:11 AM, saminina said:

This market segment is exploding with new ships.   

Absolutely. For those who are interested in luxury expeditions may I also suggest Hapag Lloyd's three new HANSEATIC expeditions ships. NATURE, INSPIRATION and SPIRIT. They all look immaculate.

HANSEATIC spirit just started ON TIME (not built in Italy 😉 ) a few days ago with the maiden voyage.

Here's a ship tour vlog and some vids about the Hanseatic class of ships  by a German cruise YouTuber and from the HL site. Just turn off the sound 🙂 ... nice pictures and great ship design. And Hapag is for English speaking customers, too.

cruiseej,

that's a good question. 

When I reflect on my current internet browsing behavior I must say I hardly ever visit the SB website anymore. I hope I won't become a Silversea convert 😱😱😱

20 minutes ago, Solon said:

I suppose over these two years we are now used to cancelling, shifting and moving our holidays.

 

It has now become routine for us! 😄

 

All cruise lines must HATE you 😉🤣

I hope it works out for you this time!

All the best

1 hour ago, Solon said:

I posted this on the roll call,  but thought I would try here as well.

 

With current covid regulations in Barbados, would you recommend flying in on the day of departure or arriving 2 days before and stay in a hotel?  We are fully vaccinated.

Thank you.

 

With the current regulations changing almost every week and even on very short notice I wouldn't consider going on a cruise outside of Europe at all.

I was really worried before our Silver Moon cruise from Athens. Will there be new regulations DURING our trip? Will we test positive before boarding? Will we be put into quarantine in Greece? I wouldn't really want to stress my mind with these thoughts in a country that far away.

Is it too much to ask for BOTH a luxury experience onboard AND shoreside? 😃 

"They" are not reading or answering comments on Twitter either. It's ridiculous.

Well, I guess I'm not spending any money on SB for the time being.

7 hours ago, PrincessCruiser said:

 They performed an updated version of the Tim Rice show that’s been around for a few years.  It was excellent. 

Really. They still hold on to that thing? 😴

But thanks for the update! 😃👍

May I renew my complaint about Seabourn's terrible website?

I was just browsing for cruises and was again BORED TO DEATH by the design and content of Seabourn's website. The photos: the same photos I've seen so many times. Even on Facebook - always the same old stuff. The functions: boring. Description of cruises/itineraries: boring. 

If there is anyone at work in Seattle (or has everybody been furloughed???): Please, at least TRY to be a little more creative.

For example from Hapag Lloyd I receive constant updates on their operation in corona times, what the health protocols are like, how and what their new expedition ship (HANSEATIC spirit) is doing after the introduction cruise, constant updates (loads!) on social media, videos, etc.

From Seabourn: nothing!

1 minute ago, sfvoyage said:

 

Does that mean you wear a baseball cap and sport an American accent while on a Hapag Lloyd ship?! 😁

Oh noes. When on a German ship do as the Germans do. Walk about in your birthday suit. 🥳

P.S.

May I add how much I for myself dislike to holiday with my fellow Germans... 😉

"British people like to holiday in the United States. Fraternising with Americans gives them a great sense of moral and intellectual superiority."  (Little Britain)

ahhh ... how much I loved that show...

54 minutes ago, Gourmet Gal said:

There are so many venues to choose from, not to mention the excellent room service, it must be hard to fit them all in on a short cruise.

Let alone those that you want to visit several times because you liked them so much. And this was only a 10 days cruise. 😄

I hardly ever use room service. Mostly because I don't want to wake up and be "disturbed". Also because I don't like to give the butlers more trouble than really necessary. Last time I had breakfast in the suite was on the EUROPA 2 ... and that was quite something... 😳

5 minutes ago, Gourmet Gal said:

Very helpful.  Thanks for your reply.  I think you could be right about La Dame.  At least visually, it looks the least interesting to me.  Did you also try Kaiseki?

We didn't go to Kaiseki. Cruising in the 40 degrees Greek islands didn't make us feel the urge to have sushi et al. But it was very busy all the time and we will certainly try it next time. 🙃

1 minute ago, Lois R said:

It is all special for me😃.....if I can't find someone to dine with, I just go on my own........intimate evening or not......I have eaten at La Dame on Whisper or Spirit (I cannot recall) but it was on my own.....the wait staff is fabulous as is the menu👍

You are free to invite me for dinner any time you wish, Lois 😉

I'll certainly be there.

La Dame is the perfect spot for a "special", more intimate evening. Everyone needs to decide whether that is worth the extra charge. We enjoyed it very much.

I think they currently rethink the menu. To be honest there was not a huge difference between La Dame and Atlantide. But again, food was excellent all over the ship! 

On 8/12/2021 at 5:04 PM, Gourmet Gal said:

Yes, thanks for the food porn.  Which was your favorite dining venue?  

Sorry, Gourmet Gal, I missed your question.

Well, this time for me it's impossible to pick a favorite dining venue as all the different restaurants were superb. Very European, very light, excellent dishes all over the ship. And that comes from someone who is very selective and fast with critique 😉.

The SALT concept is super modern, creative and a real game changer. That being said it's very hard for La Dame to come up with something that is really better/fancier than what the other restaurants already have to offer.

We didn't even try Hot Rocks because it was simply way too hot to sit outside (40 deg in Greece).

I would also like to mention that the (included) wines all over the ship were very very good. SALT alone has 60 different wines in stock. If there was a wine I didn't like initially I was offered several other choices. The local Greek wines were excellent as were the Italian choices.

Hope that helps.

All the best.

Ahhh, what an entertaining thread this has become 🙃

To fuel the fire:
- I prefer the company of both Brits and Americans on any cruise.

- I would sail on both lines ANY TIME, depending on pricing and schedule.

(I'm a longtime Seabourn fan but after my first Silversea cruise just completed I can only say that I WILL BE BACK!)

- Still, Hapag Lloyd Cruises will always be the "most excellent" luxury product on the cruise market - from the moment you open their internet page to look at cruises ...to the moment after you come home and get a personal feedback on the comments in your cruise survey.

You're all very welcome. 🤗

My thanks go out to the wonderful hardworking people who made this gourmet experience possible: the CREW of the Silver Moon.

My greatest respect 🙏

La Terrazza

La Dame