Reunionmama

We were also on this Silver Dawn sailing, and would echo most of this review’s comments. 
 

However, for us the poor quality of the meats and much of the fish was striking (trying to remember if we ever contemplated protein quality on another cruise). Every single venue (including La Dame, where 3 out of 4 proteins were substandard), so more a purchasing problem than a chef problem, we think. It was enough for us, first time Silversea cruisers, to relegate SS to backup status in our future cruise portfolio despite adoring the hard product and many of the other capabilities. 
 

A couple of other comments in the YMMV category:

1, We enjoyed Silver Note quite a bit.  Our nights there had live piano 8-9 and the duo from 9 onwards. Service was excellent. 
 

2. Entertainment was fairly weak, but the Nordic Brothers, a guest comedy/instrumental duo, were excellent. 
 

3. Excursion management was crisp and organized.  
 

4. We enjoyed the SALT lab cooking lesson option, finding it a nice counterpoint to the port excursions. 
 

We did this tour today with Local Trips AS. They did an outstanding job - communicated well in advance (including noticing that we docked at an alternative terminal and picking us up), had a great and enthusiastic tour guide, used a spotless new Mercedes van, and were laser focused on getting us back to our ship on time. The closure of Trollstigen was a non- issue for the day - still got the great view, avoiding the gut-wrenching hairpin turns. Very nice opportunity to penetrate beyond the cruise port bubble inland to Norwegian villages and countryside. Highly recommend. 

Would love a report once you have done this. 
 

Sure - Viator trip, "Tour from Alesund to Trollstigen, The Land Of The Trolls".  I don't have any personal knowledge, just operating off of reviews.  Also, the operator proactively reached out to explain that Trollstigen was closed and that they had added two alternative stops. Tour link.  We will be on the tour Aug 5.

We are also on Silver Dawn, but in 2 weeks.  We decided to pass on the ship tour and instead go with a local tour - smaller group, 60% of the cost, slightly shorter, and we could actually look at the post-closure reviews.  Those reviews have largely been positive, so that is our strategy. 

Which ship are you on?  Food quality?

22 minutes ago, les37b said:

 

 

It's interesting that your reply which was the thing which grabbed my attention, was the comparison to Silversea. Did you think it lived up to their standards? I guess the fact you didn't rate it 10/10 suggests you agree it doesn't.

 

Your boarding may have been flawless in Barcelona, but your guest count was half of some of some sailings and think it fair to say went some way to achieving that success and appreciate you haven't called into question everyone else whose experience differered. Before you sailed, I always knew it was going to be the best cruise ever. It just was... Hence the comment.

I would not, before or after the cruise, put Azamara and Silversea in the same category.   We were first time Azamara cruisers, and we looked at the experience without the benefit or detriment of preCovid performance.  We had a very pleasant cruise, with a great itinerary and no major service letdowns. 
 

You are spot on with your comment about capacity. The crew appeared to us to still be a bit green and heavily supervised. They all clearly embraced their service commitment and knew their own job. However, there was limited ability to stretch outside that job (eg waiters not very knowledgeable about the liquor packages, butlers unable to comment on the port being visited) that hampered total crew efficiency a bit. Whether by design or not, a lower complement of guests helped mask this. 
 

Were there elements that could have been improved?  Of course. But we recognize that the Quest crew was working as hard as possible to make the experience enjoyable and, so close to exiting the pandemic, we appreciated that. 

On 6/18/2022 at 11:38 PM, les37b said:

 

When you read everything was perfect and being compared to Silversea, it's a report to be taken with a pinch of salt. 

 

 

 

 

Sorry to be late on response to this, but was also on the same Quest voyage as mdpa.  And while I would not rate the full experience 10/10, the boarding experience in Barcelona was also flawless for us as was the service and responsiveness of the crew.  I would like to give a special shout out to the captain and bridge crew for navigating up the river to Seville instead of docking at Cadiz - a pretty challenging feat for an R class ship through that lock that really enhanced guest experience in that port. 
 

Based on what I read on these boards, I would concur that there is some unevenness in product across the ships. 

Any takers for this cruise?  Points of view on whether France and Italy will allow independent touring?

Also scuba divers, and we have done several SeaDream trips.  Very occasionally they will offer a shore excursion with a diving component, but this is really not their specialty, and it is tough for them to hit their excursion minimums.  We have had more luck contracting separately with dive shops, who are typically very happy to do dock pickups and dropoffs.  This also allows you to research the dive operation ahead of time for safety protocols, etc (we are quite careful).  Obviously, you want to keep an eye on arrival and departure times from a port to ensure you can comfortably make it back to the ship.

Not terribly surprised by this. The return test is a US government requirement, as I understand it, and I believe the 72 hour PCR prior test is an EU requirement? 
 

IF the exchange for the extra antigen testing is a relaxed mask policy on board, then it seems worth it.  Any word on onboard expectations?
 

Your overall statement though is right - cruisers have a lot of testing for a 1 week cruise right now.

Appreciate the update. 

I will be glad when Seadream publishes their guidelines - vaccinations, testing, tours. Heading out in September and there is a lot of fuzziness right now that makes it difficult to plan shore excursions.  
 

and JES - the first SD1 trip I see is Aug 2. 7 weeks doesn’t sound like a lot of time to get the ship ready for passengers and down to the Med. 

Thanks all!

Quick question - I searched the newbie tips and the forum but couldn't find the answer.  When is the earliest that I could book a spa appointment?  I want to be sure to land one for our at sea day.

Just popping in to echo the thanks to Andreas for the posts and the blog. A huge step forward. 

Me, on the other hand?  I AM angry.  Or at least, profoundly disappointed.  
 

I have been on multiple Seadream cruises, and have so many happy memories of the crew and the experience.  We could have/would have been loyal customers for many more years.

This situation is indeed tough for the travel industry, and we all get it.  However, I resent the total absence of communication and transparency by Seadream - regarding cruise scheduling, employee welfare, website updates, and refund timing.  A child could have crafted a better PR strategy on the back of one of their cocktail napkins.

Instead, we have been expected to provide a 90 day interest free loan (hopefully that is all) with no assurance that the money will be forthcoming.  As to the comment up thread regarding tight cash flow - yes, of course.  That is what bank lines of credit are for.  Instead of going to its banks, Seadream has used its clients.
 

I hope that Seadream will survive and rebound after this period.  But, in the meantime, I am letting my credit card company do my talking for me.  Presumably Seadream answers THEIR emails.

JES -  thanks for posting that link, which I think captures the issue very well. Most of us who are on this forum, and fortunate enough to be able to afford a Seadream cruise, have effectively become “loan officers”. Our dog walker who lost 99% of her business and has no health insurance?  Check.  Our favorite local restaurant that is selling gift cards and has committed to 70% of the cash going to employees?  Check.  A vacation cottage supplementing the income of a retired couple?  Check. Our daughter’s wedding photographer (the wedding is postponed indefinitely) who now has zero bookings for peak season?  Check.

Had Seadream been more transparent about how this cash would be used to support its amazing crew, there might have been a Check.  But right now that cash is competing with the needs of many others, including of course food banks and homeless shelters.  Seadream has just not acknowledged that we are all facing choices.

Comments edited.

Actually - capacity is 84/day x 5 days per week x 4 weeks per mo, or 1680 per month. 
 

So, they could refund an entire 2 months of demand in 2 weeks. 
 

If they wanted to.
 

Ditto here. After many Seadream cruises, I am so disappointed by the poor communication and lack of customer focus.  I am out.  Out of our next cruise, and probably out of the franchise forever.

Also getting the 90 days to refund message.  Sounds like a pretty big liquidity problem.  Think carefully about accepting a future cruise credit. 

We are pleased to offer you a 100% voyage credit to be used towards a future sailing through the end of 2021 on SeaDream I or II. 

Wait a minute, what????  They cancel and you only get a voyage credit?  No refund?

Portugal just announced that only Portuguese citizens can disembark from cruise ships.  Going to be a long dry dock for the crew. 

Now both Spain and Italy are completely locked down.
 

While I know the situation is rapidly evolving, I do wish Seadream would be more proactive with their communication to booked passengers. I feel like we are all playing a game of chicken, deciding whether to cancel or waiting for them to cancel.

Smaller companies are supposed to be more nimble, not less.

Thanks to everyone for their comments. I saw the US State Dept just weighed in:

The U.S. State Department and federal health officials have advised U.S. citizens, especially those with underlying health conditions, to avoid traveling on cruise ships. (WSJ)

I agree that the most worrying thing would be to get on and not to be able to get off.  
 

Were I Seadream, I might be tempted to let those ships go into dry dock in Lisbon and stay there, getting the updates I have heard are planned.  It would be nice if they were more proactive at communicating with booked passengers. 

Anyone have any insight into whether these  itineraries will still operate this spring?  A number are out of Italy, which is not looking too great for flying into and out of. 
 

First itinerary is out of Lisbon in May 7 and cancellation windows are rapidly approaching.