SLSD

What a great day you have had. Slow roasted lamb shanks are the very favorite meal we have ever had on Seabourn--but it was in the MDR. I can't wait to have them again.

Others can tell you more, but from what I have read, you will be provided a jacket which you can layer other clothing under and you can rent boots for going into wet areas. I think you are going to have to bring your own socks, waterproof pants, gloves, hats, etc. etc.

All of this is just one reason that it is a good idea to book your cruise through a very good travel agent.

kjbacon, It sounds like you have enjoyed portions of your Seabourn cruise (excursions with the expedition teams) but not the food. And you are so right, everyone is different in what they are looking for in a cruise. While we have never had any difficulty getting into the TK Grill, and have dined there many times, it is not really our favorite venue. On a cruise of three weeks, we might order steak once or twice during the entire time and I seldom have ordered lobster that was worth writing home about. I don't think I've ever seen fish cakes on the menu. Being from the food industry, I'm sure you are way more focussed on this aspect of your trip. I think I remember you saying that you find Regent fits your expectations more closely than Seabourn. Are all the Regent ships larger than the SB ships? I think that most of them are. Am. I correct about that? Does the size of the ship (number of passengers) factor into what you are looking for? We are trying to figure out if we should try other lines once we resume cruising. So far, we have only sailed with Seabourn and Silversea. For some reason, we had never been tempted to try Regent.

I am not doubting in any way your report, but I just want to say that I don't recall lobster tails being offered frequently on our past SB cruises. They WERE offered several times each itinerary, but not daily. I don't recall crab cakes, but then again, we have them all the time so I might not have noticed. I have never seen porterhouse steaks on a SB menu--perhaps others have. I guess I have never focussed on the variety/choices on SB menus. There has always been a lot to choose from at the MDR, Earth and Ocean, and the Colonnade. Since we don't cruise centered on food, perhaps I have not been observant enough to be a good reporter of pre-pandemic cruising. Perhaps others will chime in on the subject of food variety and choices available. I would be interested to hear if Seabourn has always been behind other luxury lines (Regent, Silversea, Crystal) on this particular issue.

It may just be me, but aside from the enrichment lectures, I don't see a lot of activities of interest. I would enjoy cooking demonstrations, bridge tours by the officers, wine tastings (with included wines and comments), and that sort of thing. I'm not sure nine sea days in a row would be that enjoyable. Please convince me that I am wrong.

We did not do the chartered boat tour of the villages, but we did love the port of Portovenere. It is a delightful village that is fun and easy to walk through--no guide needed.There are narrow old streets, quaint shops with interesting things, ice cream shops, and small cafes. Perhaps you would have time to walk through the village even if you decide to do the chartered boat tour.

Ok. I thought it did not make sense--and what about the self administered tests and the medically supervised (for the vaccinated). Perhaps that was dropped as well? I'm one of those who has not taken the post pandemic plunge yet in booking a cruise. I've been reading and watching carefully. We have young family friends who just returned from a more family friendly mass market cruise--all with Covid upon their return home. They said the experience was stressful. I'm not sure that dropping the vaccination requirement and doing away with the testing requirement for most gives me any added sense of safety. I fully recognize that the virus is here to stay. Just trying to figure out how to enjoy ourselves going foward. I think we need to just plunge in.

Interesting. I read the information in the link. What about those taking Back to Back cruises where the total is more than 16 days? And, I wonder why the unvaccinated can submit a self administered test while the vaccinated on a longer cruise have to have a medically supervised test? I'm sure there is a rationale, I'm just not immediately recognizing it.

I agree that we are moving that direction--but a bit slowly. I think the current issue is this---if guests are not Covid free at the beginning of a cruise, they will certainly expose others. And, as long as those who test positive onboard are quarantined, it is a big deal to be exposed and come down with the virus.

All food on Seabourn is complimentary. All of it--all the time.

This is what keeps us from sailing on Silversea going forward. We have sailed with them (once) and it was some years ago. On that cruise, we sailed with friends and dined with them every night. It was our first cruise ever--so I didn't know any different---but when I think back, the onboard experience was not very exciting. The itinerary (Greek Islands) in April/May was wonderful. The entertainment was more than forgettable, the CD was non existent, the Panorama Bar was usually empty and cavernous. The food was good. I ordered from the "spa menu' every evening and loved it. I hear there is no longer a spa menu. We didn't use our butler much and he was seldom seen. Since discovering Seabourn, we have been sold on the more vibrant social scene--more smiles, more fun, more onboard events. We are not party people, but a convivial atmosphere DOES add to our experience.

Shark B8, You are such a delightful reporter. I wish you just circulated among all the SB ships and could keep up a constant report. You have such a good attitude through all the good and the less than good (still remembering your missing luggage which you had paid dearly to have delivered to the ship). One suggestion: I would love to hear Mrs. Shark B8's view from time to time. I have a feeling she is very fortunate to be traveling with such an upbeat husband. Like others, I am looking forward to reports about your rail trip.

So interesting to see this. Thank you for posting it.

Why don't you start a new topic for this--I am interested as well.

I do have a concern about what would happen if the group met an aggressive polar bear. Perhaps the bear would be shot and killed. Of course that would happen if necessary to protect the people who are present. This is the kind of scenario which makes land visits in these areas controversial. It would ruin a trip for me if I thought I had contributed (by. my presence) to the death of an innocent wild bear. I do love all the photos. I read an article today about how the ice has thawed in the Svalbard area. I think we have seen that in the photos.

I totally agree with you---we are not royalty or entitled. But---tucked in shirts and neat (even if long) haircuts are part of the discipline of an organization. So is adhering to SB's long tradition of friendly, personal service. I don't see these issues as "affronts". Sometimes, though, people DO need guidelines enforced. I would have fun on a SB cruise no matter what--but good service DOES enhance the experience. As I said, we are not demanding picky guests--but I do understand how small lapses build up and eventually erode the experience.

Be sure to give him something in writing---that way he will have it on his desk and, after your meeting can refer to it. As my lawyer husband says--always give them a piece of paper they cannot ignore. If he is from a hotel, he is probably on a steep learning curve himself.

Have you considered handing the Hotel Director a written list of your observations? (I fully recognize that you shouldn't have to do this.)There should be expectations for the crew in terms of dress neatness, haircuts, speaking to guests, trying to call them by name, etc. etc. I'm sure with so many new crew members, it is a challenge for those training them. And, perhaps SB could not be as selective as they were previously. Very occasionally (pre-Covid) in the past, we ran into crew members who were clearly in the wrong line of work. Either they had a poor attitude or an inability to do their job well. But, it was always SUCH a contrast to the typical crew member that it was surprising and really stood out. We are low key undemanding guests but do expect to see the service and style for which SB is known, so I understand your disappointment. One other thought--on one of our SB cruises, we got to know a young crew member from The Netherlands quite well. We chatted about a lot of things and he told us that he found the work he was doing to be quite hard. He said he was surprised at how hard he had to work and how long the hours were. He was cheerful, conscientious, and delivered great service--but was so weary. I think not everyone is cut out for working on a ship and perhaps with so many new crew members, there are a quite a few who just don't belong there.

Your comments are quite reasonable. I think what is keeping some of us from cruising has little to do with masking or not masking--but the specter of being quarantined onboard in our suite for five to ten days. When you look at that risk (and all that you would have to do to try to avoid the virus), going on a land trip looks more appealing for many of us. I don't think anyone is actually afraid of the virus at this point--just not wanting to quarantine onboard.

I agree with you--eliminating masking does suggest that the risk is low. Unfortunately, that is not the case.

Very well said Henry. I can't imagine NOT enjoying a Seabourn cruise no matter if the menus were just to my taste or the service was a bit less than expected. It is the entire experience we are going for--and it has always been special.

I always read your description of the various social vibes with interest.

We also want to return to Alaska.

I think this has been a wonderful cruise for you and your wife. We loved our SB Alaska cruise and I have been reliving it through your posts.