wildcat68

Thanks for the quick reply.

I cruised with Seabourn in 2011 and the dress was jackets for men in the MDR evenings. Now I look at Seabourn's web site and it indicates jackets not required for men, except formal nights. Can someone tell me for sure if jackets are not required in the MDR except on formal nights? I'm not asking about jeans and shorts, just Jackets!

Also, it indicates the number of formal nights being different on "crossings". How many should I expect on the 12 night Dec 7 Lisbon to FLL?

We are boarding the Odyssey on 7 Dec for the TA to Fort Lauderdale. I know there will be a significant number carrying over from the previous sailing so the ship will not be totally "turning over". My plan is to enjoy the local sites until around 3pm and then board. I do not anticipate a long line and if there is one, I do anticipate drinks!

We did a 16 day Trans-Canal on the Odyssey on deck 4. I cannot remember any strange or loud noises. We have experienced "unusual" noises on some other ships but we were simply thrilled with the Odyssey. Others have complained about a vibration that we never noticed either. Perhaps we were too busy enjoying ourselves to notice? I was very pleased with the cruise, the ship, the crew and most of the passengers.

I have no agenda either way but have cruised both lines once each. I agree with the Ship's Officers seeming more approachable. We were on the Odyssey on Seabourn, trans-canal, and Spirit on a TA with SS. We found the food very tolerable to very good on Silversea. Rooms on both were probably similar with what one lacked was made up for other ways. I agree about the butler probably 98%. He was always willing except when we needed (wanted) something.

Back to the food. The smaller venues did require reservations but they seemed easily obtained. We ate in the extra charge La Champagne once because we had an onboard credit. It was truly magnificent. Not sure I'd pony up the extra $$$ out of pocket though as I felt the MDR was very good as well.

I have booked Seabourn for our next cruise and quite frankly we felt it was the little intangibles that made Seabourn more to our liking. I really like to get up and have some coffee ASAP while my DW sleeps in. Seabourn Square coffee shop worked beautifully for that. Usually the same several people each morning so that clearly isn't a deal breaker for most.

I talked with another couple on SS and they felt the same that Seabourn was their choice also, but, not sure why.

Having said this, I would go on either line without hesitation. I read reviews where there was NO WAY the reviewers were on the same ship as us. One person referred to SS Italian venue as worse than Chef Boyardee. I felt it was superb and so did many others who ate there regularly. The outside casual dining Grill was more to my liking on Seabourn but others would probably vote 50/50 as to which they enjoyed most.

I certainly would not discourage a Seabourn repeater from trying SS. Some are never happy, others are OK with change. The OP probably got on a sailing when the food was sub par. I doubt that is normal for SS.

Just a thought. I once flew into MIA and cruised out of FLL. I rented a car in MIA and dropped it off in FLL with no charge. After dropping it off I took the free shuttle to Port Everglades. Total cost was around $35.

These are reassuring posts as we have booked a V1 Guarantee.

I really don't think there are too many "bad" suites on the Odyssey.

Thanks for the replies. We have booked the trip and look forward to it.

good idea, thanks

Thanks, that is what I assumed but needed verification.

I would like opinions from those who have sailed the Odyssey as to the deck 5 veranda. They are described as having steel part way up and then glass to the handrail. Are these veranda designs obstructing the view whilst sitting out and enjoying the experience as you sail along? In other words, are the deck 6 verandas all that much more user friendly?

Thanks for the reply. That is about what I expected with cooler days at first, then, warming. Of course, you can never accurately predict the seas 5 months out. If I hear you correctly, it will not require parkas and survival blankets! I (male) get into serious trouble if I tell her how it will be---and it isn't, So, I don't.

We are considering the Dec. 7 crossing Lisbon to FLL. Does anyone know the approx. temperatures one can expect during the 12 days? Is it significantly cooler than say, November? My thought is that the seas MAY be calmer on average in early Dec. Experience is always welcomed. Thanks

We just finished this cruise and so I'll comment as to our experience here and previous cruises. We did the Surf a few years ago BTB in the Caribbean. We (and others) were called to claim baggage at the embarkation port, and the two bottles of "carry on" scotch were confiscated to be returned after the cruise. On the Legend this month there was no taking of liquor either at the embarkation port nor other ports of call. We did enjoy some nice single malt in our room in the evening. Be aware that a cruise in Scotland does not lend itself to leisurely sitting out on deck in the evening whilst the ship travels to the next port as in the tropics.

There was no way we would have benefitted from the drinks package on either trip, and, we drank too much to be called "light drinkers". The convenience expressed by some that you don't have to worry about signing for each drink is not valid as they still require a signature for inventory purposes. They also allowed you to run an open tab and settle up as you left the bar area. In my opinion, and it is just that, the drinks package is good for predictably planning expenses only. Most who "get their money's worth" are avoided by many because they drink too much!

Nice, objective, and fair. Thanks for posting both blog and review. What were some of the "proactive" butler traits you were expecting? I would imagine they experience multiple levels of expectation and some wishing to be left alone. Just asking.

After 30 Windstar cruises I can say we have never shared a shore excursion with anyone from another ship. However, at times when other ships are in port the tour operators are not able to handle an additional bus because they are all "taken" by the other ship. So it won't affect what the cruise line has prearranged but they may have limited ability to increase the number of people. But I do have to say that Windstar is pretty good about estimating the number of people who may be interested in an excursion - especially in ports they stop at often.

I think of the several diving excursions I was on with Windsurf. Several other ships involved. My DW went on the sugar train, (broke down) several other ships involved. I haven't been on 30 Windstar cruises so I can only speak of my experience.

We book on board, but don't dawdle because some are very popular once everyone on board starts to check them out.

If it is something you REALLY want to do, then book it ahead. Keep in mind, Windstar ships are small but who knows if a bigger ship(s) are in port that same day. For the most part you are competing for space with other ships as well. Maybe Windstar has some spaces available, or reserved, but these excursion operators are not running their tours exclusively for Windstar. There may be exceptions but rest assured, space is often available, but not guaranteed so if you REALLY want to do it, book it.

For the real skeptics, the Windstar site shows my booking with exactly the amount I paid.

Did you book directly through Windstar or through another agency?? Windstar's policy has been full payment 90 days before cruise. I, also, have never been required to prepay gratuities, they have always been added to my account on board. The only time I was required to make full payment at time of booking was when I booked a cruise only two months out - and I was not required to pay gratuities in advance.

 

Please clarify what happened as this full payment with gratuities so far in advance seems strange.

 

P.S. You'll be getting on as we are getting off!

I booked it through the same agency that I have booked numerous cruises including Windstar. The reason I booked it through them is that they handle the Military Discounts as well as other discounts. Usually when you are booking with a fairly decent discount the cruise line will not offer these directly. I did not try Windstar's site directly. I have never had to pay gratuities up front and it was explained that due to the discount, Windstar required it in advance. I thought this unusual enough that I did not book upon first knowledge but called back several days later to a different representative and he said the same thing.

Many of you (us) use this agency and I have used then enough that I trust them, but I don't believe I'm allowed to give the name on CC.

I thought about the DUB-EDI like you are doing but the availability of cabin choice was more limited. Yes, I'm booking from the US and the confirmation showed the pre-paid gratuities listed separate from the other charges.

We will be on the Pride in Sept. for a Black Sea cruise. This is our first time on Windstar. We have a forward S1 category suite; are they also refurbished? We can't decide whether to upgrade or not as the balcony cabins really aren't balconies. Did you enjoy the food; was there any entertainment?

Thank you

We are on the Legend in Scotland in July. Did not book a balcony for the reasons you mention and information from Seabourn boards. The more frequent comments I found were that a "balcony" was a waste of money on these ships. Maybe it is "sour grapes" but it makes sense.

We booked the Legend from EDI to DUB on July 4th sailing. Windstar required the full payment, with gratuities, to be paid at the time of booking. My question would be that if Windstar requires you to pay something in order to book, then why not just charge more and have the gratuities paid? Seabourn and Silversea include the gratuities in the fare. Supposedly this was required because we got a "deal" on the fare. Last time I was required to pay total cost of a cruise upon booking and well in advance, the cruise line went bankrupt and the money was gone. That scenario really would make you wonder if the staff got the gratuities!

Hope someone can give a definitive answer to this. We are cruising into Dublin after 8 days on Windstar Legend next July. Would like to know the options and value of airport shuttles and taxis from port to airport. Also, what is the time involved, or, what is the earliest flight to book to be safe?

Thanks in advance

Mike

We did a Windstar BTB on the Windsurf and did not purchase the package. My opinion based on the two week experience, we came out much better with individual purchases. It depends a great deal on your drink choices and habits. I had a Scotch on the rocks several times a day including two or three during the evening. We had a bottle of wine once or twice with meal. DW drinks wine by the glass and a couple of Scotch Whiskey drinks. One thing that was really evident on that ship was that the drinks were very heavily poured. You can "nurse" one or two but if you drank very many you felt as if you overdid. I don't remember the actual bill but recall thinking the total for two weeks was significantly less than the package for one week. If the bartenders poured light I may have felt differently. As for the "hate to sign" comments, the drink package folks signed as well, they just weren't charged later.

The carnival coffee reminds me a lot of the Army coffee I used to get when in the field.

As a retired US Army Infantry Officer I will say there is no comparison whatsoever to Army field coffee and the coffee I drank on Carnival, or any other cruise ship, and I have consumed a lot of each.

The coffee on Miracle last month was better than I remembered from previous experience. Tolerable enough that I only bought 1, or 2 cups from the coffee shop and I do consider myself an avid coffee drinker. I was impressed because I expected it to be lousy.