Northernroots

Just landed from a Seabourn Encore cruise (Hong Kong to Singapore) and sailed with Oceania last July I would say each has their own plus points.  SB main restaurant food was outstanding, great range and everything we had was delicious. Their lunch time buffet style (with a short menu of items to order) was not as good as Oceania. We tended to opt for a salad, but SB offered the same cold things (in the main) each day, Oceania’s offering was much more varied. We really enjoyed Oceania’s speciality restaurants, but really didn’t like Thomas Keller at all, no atmosphere and not as good as the main restaurant IMO. One thing I really found disappointing on SB was the quality of the bed linen and rather lumpy pillows. Oceania’s bed sheets and pillows were superb.

Many thanks for all your responses.  Certainly we’ve missed the 15 day online booking window so that answers that.  Answers re search function on CC very helpful as I’m looking for some feedback on excursions. Thankyou all 😁👍

I’m sure this has been asked before, but there doesn’t seem to be a “ search for topic” facility on CC forum?  We start our cruise on 2 March on Encore and have the Source app but when I click on TK under dining it doesn’t offer a booking option? Will I just be given a slot or am I missing something?

Many thanks for your reply, most helpful

Reading UK gov advice I started the application process for a E visa.  Apparently this is not suitable for cruise ship passengers, for those who have cruised with Seabourn do they organise this en masse and charge individually?

Thanks Tony for that great summary, we go on the same itinerary leaving March 2nd. Rather hope they don’t cancel the Da Nang stop as we’ve just paid 50% toward a private transfer to Hoi Ann.

Ah ha - right. I guess I will have to ensure that any bookings I make I get a contact no to ensure we meet in the correct place - or we don’t book anything with a cruise terminal pick up. Very useful to know this, Thankyou.  I guess the tour operators are more familiar with these issues than I am. Our previous cruises have, in the main, been Med or Caribbean, often to small places where there was only one port. I find the Seabourn excursion prices simply ludicrous.

Still researching and I’ve come across an excellent app GetYourGuide.com - trips are really competitively priced and the app is extremely user friendly.

Absolutely perfect CalmSea! Just the website I’ve needed, Thankyou, Thankyou!

Many thanks for all your responses, I’ll investigate port by port. 👍

Yes, I’ve spent 4 fruitless hours googling this today but not getting the specifics. I thought there might be a website that tracked the ports that ships docked in but I haven’t been able to locate one.  I did see a post from one cruiser who had managed to get an answer (after several weeks) from Seabourn expeditions team on the Encore so I’ve got HoChiMinh sorted but not the other stops. I’m going to ring the UK Seabourn team tomorrow

We are on a Seabourn cruise leaving Hong Kong March 2nd to Singapore March 16th. Looking to book some excursions independently but want to be sure of the correct terminal name.  Is there a smart way of doing this please?