Delboy1

Beginning to look at cruises for next year some of the prices for Silverseas, Crystal and Seabourn have doubled. I know we can expect “sales” in the coming months but even so I doubt if they will fall to this year’s prices.

Did 1st July 2018 sailing have a better passage through the Bay than previous cruises ?

Boblerm I only came across quite recently. I read it from the start to the current page and very much enjoyed your gentle but incisive observations. We only once have sailed with Regent: SanFrancisco to Vancouver via of course Alaska. Your health issues resonated with me. We were about to go on a cruise from Barbados to celebrate my wife’s 7x10 event when I was struck down with a life threatening illness so we had to cancel. It has taken me nearly a year to recover sufficiently to go on a cruise last month in the med.

On our recent cruise on Encore out of curiosity I ventured out to see what the retreat had to offer. Much to my surprise no one was using any of the cabanas I would be interested to hear from other Seabourners their experience of using it. Is it the cost that puts people off or the fact it has no sea view ? Perhaps its use needs a major re think ? My suggestion is could it be for topless sun bathing ? :cool:

I am not blaming Seabourn for the cancellation by BA of our flight. Seabourn by the Sunday should of been aware of the possibility of our flight being cancelled. If on the Monday Seabourn had not told us that we would be provided with a day room I would have tried to find one myself. Two other options could have been considered 1. Keeping us on board until 6 pm and then transferring us to airport. 2. Arranging a coach tour of Barcelona in the afternoon before dropping passengers off at the airport.

Just returned from a 12 day cruise on Encore. Cruise was wonderful but how we were treated at the end of the cruise was deplorable. We had a full Seabourn air/transfer package. We were notified by BA that due to French air traffic controllers dispute our 11.40 am flight was cancelled. We spoke to Seabourn adviser who said don’t worry we will make other arrangements and will let you know by letter that evening. After dinner we found the letter which stated we would be on BA 9.40 pm. We clarified by phone that evening that they were finding a hotel with day room. Next morning a message on tannoy from cruise director announced we would be staying on until 1 pm and would have lunch in the Collonade and then transferred to airport. We went to see adviser and asked about the day room that had been promised and was told it was not possible. I disputed that in Barcelona with the large number of hotels that this could not have been arranged. I was told they would record my complaint. This was our 8th cruise with Seabourn on two of the cruises we had evening flights. On one occasion we were taken by taxi to an hotel provided with food voucher and then collected by taxi. On the second occasion we were with a party of 10 taken by coach to an hotel provided with lunch including wine. To add to our misery flight was delayed by 2 hours. As a Carnival shareholder such poor service may reflect badly on Seabourn’s fine reputation.

Just sent suitcases via Luggage Forward for the first time. Yes it is expensive but my wife and I struggle to lift luggage off the carousel and to be able to wiz straight out of the airport after passport control will be a bonus.

We went to Olympia by taxi and arranged for the driver to meet us three hours later. The cost was around half the Seabourn tour. You obviously don’t have a guide but we researched the site before we went. The museum is a must.:cool:

Only one experience on Regent in Alaska, several on Seabourn. Found Regent tours of reasonable standard, entertainment better than Seabourn. Food and service better on Seabourn. Tours expensive on Seabourn so we mainly do our own thing in Europe.

We had booked an O transfer at Bangkok to the airport. I noted there was 9 hours before our flight. I asked which hotel we would be taken to. I was told there had been that option (which no one told us about) but the day rooms were fully booked. I contacted the airport hotel and booked a day room at half the price O would have charged. We went to the airport as per transfer and then got the free hotel shuttle. We got the hotel shuttle back and just had an hour to wait for our flight.

We have done a TA on Seabourn Legend from Miami to Malaga and enjoyed a warm smooth crossing at the same time Odyssey sailed 50 miles to the north of us and experienced rough seas One of their passengers experienced a nasty fall and had to airvac. On a larger ship such as Encore or Ovation should not be a problem. Cruise likely to be half full but will have a lecture programme and exercise classes. Pleanty of reading time !

We have annual travel insurance through my wife’s former employment as a government employee. It covers trips up to 35 days, 10 m medical cover. No requirement to declare any pre-existing medical conditions only that your doctor states you are fit to travel and not terminally ill. Cost for two of us approx $200.

Many thanks for your views. We will give Forward Luggage a go. As to Brits v Yanks. In the late 60s I worked in New Orleans. I was told the ladies in the typing pool loved my English accent ! Over the years one of the main delights of cruising is to meet interesting people from all over the world. In one conversation with an American and Australian I felt a little out of my depth when they mentioned owning their own aircraft !

Not as fit we once were and in particular lifting cases on and off the airport carousal, considering using a courier service recommended by Seabourn. Appreciate feedback as to its reliabity.:cool:

Last night I dreamt I was on a cruise ship that had cows on board for fresh milk and cream ! :p

I have booked cruises via an US travel agent (if it is cheaper) but I understand Australians have to use an Oz travel agent which tend to be a lot dearer !

Concern that O ships have been downgraded from 5 Star to 4.Star plus. The main reason food score. Unless this is put right no guarantee that Encore will be given 5 Stars next year.:confused

We are on the 11th October Boston to Montreal on Quest. We are flying from UK and have esta visa for US. As we arrive in Canada by sea and flying back to UK from Montreal do we need a Canadian visa ? We are UK citizens.

We enjoyed eating in Blu. Food cooked to order in one of the nearby speciality restaurant. Breakfasts were more relaxed than elsewhere. We did eat in all three of the speciality restaurants which were great. Herbal tea in your cabin not quite to our taste but access to the spa area a bonus.

I am sure the cruise industry will keep a careful eye on the situation. Already West Africa ports of call have been cancelled. It is impossible to eradicate all risk and there remains a danger that it could spiral out of control if we don't provide all necessary resources to isolate ebola to West Africa.

Just love sailing out of Harwich and Southampton in UK never tipped the guys there they do not expect it either.

Never seen anyone tip them.

Thats the difference in worldwide tipping cultures.

If we bought a transfer package to and from the ship we don't tip. If doing our own transfers don't tip going on board but getting off would tip a dollar, pound or euro per bag

Having sailed on Seabourn Odyssey this July and reading Members Reviews on other luxury ships the wearing of evening dress on Formal Nights has become less formal with less than half the men complying . Already Seabourn dress code is optional. So should we either do away with formal nights or have it as an option on World or Transatlantic cruises ?

We too have enjoyed sailing on Legend and on Windsurf. I do hope Windstar will adopt the Oceania approach of delivering a high standard of service, good food and in a country casual style at a realistic price. With Star Pride so far they have not delivered. Setting Seabourn prices but not including drinks and tips. I note they are now heavily discounting several of their cruises next year. I will await to read Members reviews on Cruise Critic before booking a cruise.

I note the latest review on Odyssey mentioned having contracted an infection. My wife and I sailed the previous two weeks and both contracted a cold that left us with a chesty cough. Has any one else suffered similar symtoms ?

Just back from two week cruise on Odyssey. Maître D did send back any man not wearing a jacket in MDR for elegantly casual. On resort casual short sleeve shirts were allowed. On formal optional I was in the minority wearing a DJ around 30% of us. I think with a much younger guests sailing with Seabourn we may have to accept that DJs and Tux remain in our wardrobes at home.