chuckncole

On 5/10/2024 at 3:32 AM, Isr45 said:

We were last onboard in January but there are changes in the champagne - once was purely that they ran out of stock - to be fair they enhanced the champagne usually provided.

I have read before that people say they can take the Champagne elsewhere ( we do full cruise Retreat every time). Twice I have seen someone ask to take the champagne and been told no it is for consuming in the Retreat. In January I saw someone put the bottle in their bag and they came over to say couldn’t do that. That one resulted in a semi heated argument where the Hotel Director was called who specifically stated the champagne was for consumption in the Retreat.

I am not saying it has not been done but am saying you can be told no 😀

Actually on Encore they asked where we were having Dinner and offered to send our unopened bottle  we did not drink from our Cabana to our Dinner Restaurant. I noticed if we did not open the bottle after a few days or declined them sending it to our dinner , they stopped having it in an ice bucket in our Cabana each day. I followed up on it and made sure it WAS available each day when ever we wanted. once they sent us 2 as we did not drink it the day before. That was in February on the Encore.

13 hours ago, galeforce9 said:

@chuckncoleFantastic.  Presume you sorted this at Seabourn square?  When were you there? What was the champagne?  Is the champagne by the glass there also premium, in addition to the full bottle, which I understand you can use elsewhere?  Thank you 

Feb 3-17 Champs iin The Retreat was Bollinger. You know,  I do not recall what they poured by the glass as we always took our unopened bottle to our room.  I loved  the Sandhi Santa Rita Hills Chardonnay they poured freely.  so that was my go to. ( 70$ a bottle elsewhere on the ship.) I often drank  Casamigos passionfruit margaritas, They  knew it was my preference and daily got the fresh passionfruit and brought it up to The Retreat. They were awesome!! Junior, Lezme and Nelson brought their A game! 

We return to the Encore in October- Istanbul to Athens and will definitely book The Retreat  FOR the entire time. 

I will say that we had an incredibly relaxing voyage, never having to search for lounge chairs, we had plenty of Shade. our cabana and lounge chairs were ALWAYS waiting for us. My husband and I later recalled that we met less people than usual. Perhaps because we were traveling with a group od 8  family and friend and we were up in the Retreat  most of the time  that we were on the ship.....It was a LOVELY private Oasis!

CURIOUS, do you get Marriott/Ritz points for the money/ days spent on the Ritz YACHTS?

9 hours ago, Isr45 said:

I booked the Retreat online for full cruise last year having forgot about my OBC. My travel agent contacted Seabourn and they refunded it to my credit card.

same, booked entire two weeks ( it was awesome by the way) i was refunded when my obc was applied. And then 700 spa credit was applied at 50$ x 14 days on 1st day of cruise.

Heading to Vancouver from Juneau on the Odyssey at the end of the month and received an email to select my Helly Hansen Jacket size for our cruise. Last year they were a nice Black but not Helly Hansen.  I think by the pictured they will be  darker royal blue. Anyone know for a fact, I am hoping they are not the teal blue and orange cororation like years past! 

I am curious if anyone from Seabourn reads these. If it is plausible...  I see no harm in stating opinions and preferences to the complementary wine list here. ( Beringer Zin is NOT a Fine wine even if people enjoy it). In fact sharing ones opinion about said wine list or an individual wine,  is not a DIG to anyone that enjoys that said wine.

If i were new to Seabourn, I would expect "Fine wines and Spirits" because it is Marketed as such. Seabourn Cruise line is not a "high ration " cruise line. The price per passenger matches their marketing product.  A wine list of  grocery store low shelf wines is not in my book "Fine Wines or Spirits"

My opinion is  Seabourn is doing pretty good on the spirit list. But it should be safe for any of us to say the Comp wine list  is disappointing. For those suggesting we can pay for a fine wine if we do not like the comp list is unfair. ( We DID pay for complementary "Fine wines and Spirits") I think it is stated "premium wines and spirits are not included as complementary" 

It ruffles my feathers a bit and leaves me with an unsettled feeling to see people blasted for sharing their opinion. Perhaps the suggestion box might be a better avenue to voice this concern. But, what IF some or even one staff member from Seabourn really cares about Cruise Critic members opinions? it may evoke a change or 2 before we board the ship.   Am I wishful thinking?

Great news... CCL stock is going up!! good earning report Thursday! 

BTW, we sent in proof of CCL stock ownership Tuesday this week to the Seabourn email and received confirmation within 4 hours of 250$ OBC on our acct.(14 day SE asia feb 3)!

No need to use the Stockperks app

On 12/21/2023 at 10:13 AM, Robisan said:

Qu'ils mangent de la brioche!

Let them eat cake......?

I am not being insensitive. If they have a difficult time finding employees for the given Spa employee contract, they would have to adjust the pay scale of the said contract. The answer is not for the cruise passengers to tip more on a ship that states tips are not required nor expected.

On Seabourn ships that have a restaurant that requires reservations, (TK or SOLIS) you may reserve 1 night per seven days onboard the ship

On 12/19/2023 at 9:47 AM, markham said:

Everyone in employment at a touted luxury line is entitled to a minimum wage. Period.

Minimum wage for what country? 1$usd  does not go far in the UK.  

There is free will involved in employment on Seabourn. If one does not like the pay would they take the job?  I find that the spa employees know very well the pay structure and hours of work prior to signing a contract. 

One should not judge another's  compensation based on their monetary system.  22k a year goes very far in a small village in the Philippines for example...  Most Seabourn employees would not afford to pay for a 2 week cruise on a Seabourn ship.  As a matter of fact,  there are many people i have met who think Seabourn ships are too expensive and cruise with say... Carnival for example.  

Thank you. I will see about saving the referrals for next cruise. As most know , once you experience the Seabourn difference nothing else will do!

55 minutes ago, purpleally said:

56 minutes ago, purpleally said:

Did Seabourn tell you that?  You should be able to refer two friends (in two suites)

 

 

yes. she said...not combinable with existing 300obc

Husband and I are sailing in February. Our second Cruise on Seabourn. I gathered 6 additional friends and family to join who are all new to Seabourn. We are all booked on 2 week Asia Feb3-17. I was told I could not get OBC credit for their referrals nor could they earn OBC because we received OBC of 300 per cabin from our Seabourn Travel advisor.  Does this make sence?  Please advise or expalin what i do not understand. Thank you.

For the most part lunch (with exception of sushi) at each venue looks the same. shrimp cocktail, garden salad hamburger, hotdog, chicken breast, minute steak all with fries... a small addition here or there but basic that is what is served at every venue, They need to get their creative juices flowing for the prep and marketing of the same lunch offered at all venues. its hard to justify walking to deck 5 for the same thing you get by the pool or made to order at the Colonnade. i prefer table service, glassware and my selections coursed out... but its still the same thing prepared at most of the locations.   

13 hours ago, lisa6191 said:

The BLT chop chop salad and club sandwich are delicious, the berry basil drink (forget what it’s called exactly) is delicious, the brownie sundae is delicious, the atmosphere is lovely with a really nice hot tub and attentive staff, and the loungers are super comfortable (and you can be in the sun or the shade as you desire). We were on a warm weather cruise and I did not find it hot or stuffy. I do not care one bit about the champagne or wine. So as always, depends on the person and what they are looking for.

 

And for the person that asked, yes you get $50/day spa credit, so $700 for 14 days.

Thank you very much for the information about the spa credit.  We booked the entire 14 day, feb cruise on the Encore in SE Asia... and are trying to see if it passes the dollar to donuts test!( ha) curious about the stuffy SE Asia humidity.....so honestly  we are on the fence.  I understand the hot button issue about all inclusive  cruise at a premium then having to pay for the retreat on a daily / entire cruise fee. However we are not ones to try and scope out chairs and finding them all Held for others ALL DAY!

My husband  likes his shade... and we enjoy the spa  and nice wine and champagne.....

decisions decisions....

6 hours ago, johng75370 said:

In addition to the menu posted by @Covepointcruiser if your next booking is on Encore then you should be able to access the menu through the Seabourn Source app.  If you click on “view more” for Dining options, you’ll see the lounges listed including the Retreat.  The bar menu you can access there is the full menu, including food and drinks, and does change from time to time.  

6 hours ago, johng75370 said:

In addition to the menu posted by @Covepointcruiser if your next booking is on Encore then you should be able to access the menu through the Seabourn Source app.  If you click on “view more” for Dining options, you’ll see the lounges listed including the Retreat.  The bar menu you can access there is the full menu, including food and drinks, and does change from time to time.  

Thank you So much!   this is so helpful!!!!!

I have another (perhaps silly) question. If we  booked The Retreat for entire cruise, ( 14 days in our case) do you receive 50$ spa credit per day (700$) or Only50$ spa credit regardless how many days you reserve The Retreat. I asked my Seabourn Cruise TA  and she was not sure, but thought only one time 50$ spa credit.  any input on this subject would be greatly appreciated!

Best, Colleen and Carl 

From Carmel by the Sea, California

Hello. Seabourn Cruisers:

Does anyone have a menu for the retreat on the Encore? i am curious about the wine upgrade list? I would love it if  anyone has a copy of the drink menu that is offered in The Retreat. i would like to know about the "upgraded" wines offered.  Thank you

On 10/29/2023 at 2:21 PM, markandjie said:

My only hesitation with V1/2 is if your itinerary involves anchoring at all. That early morning wakeup isn't always desirable. 

Doesnt that depend on where you are on the ship?... Are you saying every v1/v2 cabin hears the anchor? We were in a v1  on the odyssey and NEVER heard the anchor.

Hello. Seabourn Cruisers:

Does anyone have a menu for the retreat on the Encore? i am curious about the wine upgrade list? I would love it if  anyone has a copy of the drink menu that is offered in The Retreat. i would like to know about the "upgraded" wines offered.  Thank you