Sunday golf

Sadly Piraeus is the worst port we have encountered recently. In the last 12 months have experienced it both with Seabourn and Silversea. The transfer is quite long and very disorganised. Once we waited over an hour at the airport for more guests. Both times the coach left as at the port some distance from the port side check in. No help, just get on with it. All I can say is keep calm and expect a long wait. It also seemed to affect the staff onboard as it took a while for them to hit the normal high standards.

Hope the TK Cocktail Bar has better service than on the Encore recently. All bars on our cruise had excellent service but for the TK bar which had staff that didn’t care!

I guess it’s good news although would have been happier if they refresh the menu in the Restaurant first. On our recent Encore Cruise food was very variable. Even in TK! The worst being the restaurant. On a two week cruise, very repetitive, generally cold and lacking flavour. Ironically the best meals were on the patio in the evening.

On a recent Encore cruise. Had our credit back to the card within three days of returning! Did check whilst onboard at Seabourn Square. Possibly that made a difference.

Thanks , agree John and Ross are outstanding. Our favourite is Robert Brandan . He was on our cruise last year. Set the right pitch and was always about .

Does anyone know who is the Cruise Director currently on the Encore

We have always used a TA and over the years have seen the benefits. Recently noticed my cruise on silversea next year had been reduced in price. Emailed my TA and within an hour got quite a substantial discount.

I agree, stick with a local driver. Have had bad experience with Blacklane here in the UK

Thanks for the information

Thinking of booking our first Saga Cruise. Can you easily get tables for two in the main restaurant or in the speciality restaurants or do you tend to be asked to join another couple. Also are there generally two sittings ?

Great trip. The scenery is amazing but found the planned trips probably not as good as other river cruises we have been on. The ship is great , food though not so good and the real downside is the fight to get tables at dinner. The queue for the dining room started well before opening . Hated it ,did tend to put us off river cruising.

Yesterday we were booking our trips and spa treatments on our next cruise on Seabourn. When we booked the spa treatments noticed that they flex the prices according to the itinerary. Have never noticed this on previous cruises. I know they need the money but this seems a bit much. Is this new or have we been oblivious to it in the past.

We were on the Ovation in September. Seabourn was back to its best. All the staff from the captain down were helpful and friendly. Our Cruise Director Robert made sure everything went well. A special mention too for Sean the Bars Manager and of course the Chef who did great barbecues. The food in the main was excellent some mishaps but that is cruising. Our previous cruise was on Silversea good but not nearly as friendly.

Currently on the Ovation having not been on Seabourn for a number of years. It is like being back home. The food, service and especially the entertainment are excellent. Believe much due to the senior staff leading from the front with Captain Cygan much in evidence. Our cruise Director Robert , Kev the Hotel manager, Sean the Bars Manager and of course the Chef all make a great team. They also certainly know how to throw a party, the sail away from Antwerp was memorable. People should not worry about Seabourn. Great to be back

Thanks to all . Most helpful.

The cruise we are looking at has an OB option. Certainly cheaper but what are the pit falls?

We have recently returned from a trip on the Sprit. In fact our second since Covid. Overall thoroughly enjoyed it especially the service except possibly our butler who with 15 rooms was stretched to offer the outstanding service we have had before. Food was generally good and did not notice anything running out. Especially enjoyed Hot rocks and the Pizza restaurant for lunch. Did notice a lack of management supervision especially when things go wrong. This has always been a strength of SS. The real negatives were the transfers to and from airports coupled with the handling of Covid pier side. They certainly have to get the trips organised now that they are included. Long waits, very full tenders made them less enjoyable. As the cruise was in the Mediterranean expected some entertainment on deck, possibly sail away but nothing . Did lack the fun element that we have had before on both SB and SS.

We are long time SB cruisers pre Covid and love their style and informality. Last year went on the silver spirit on a cruise that ended up round the UK. Both the food and service was excellent but there were only about 250 pk on board. Have just returned from a trip on the spirit, somewhat a different story. Transfers and Covid checks were a nightmare. The organisation at the airport and the dock was almost non existent. Even on arrival to the dock because they don’t send out luggage tags anymore it was like a rugby scrum. I guess it showed the worst of tired Brits. Why there are no luggage tags sent is a mystery, I guess cost cutting. We had pre tested and at first seemed to be an advantage. But after the third check on our papers waiting in line for each probably wrong. There is absolutely no feel good factor till you are on board. in general service excellent with food standards variable. Overall enjoyed the cruise. One big negative are the all included trips. SS have not been able to get this working well. Definite lack of organisation and guest care. it was very noticeable that there was a total lack of management around the ship. Every SB cruise we have always felt they were around and help ensuring everything went well. would we go back probably not felt the more open informal style of SB is for us, but of course we are comparing pre and post Covid trips.

It’s interesting. Having run hospitality businesses in many countries of the world over many years, have a slightly differing view. Many companies are reacting more positively to the situation and coming up with solutions. It often depends how close the decision makers are to the front line! Looking at comments on CC on a number of cruise companies some are doing a lot better than others . Unfortunately have found that when dealing with Silversea head office you don’t get such a positive picture as onboard but have read a few concerning reviews recently . Went to a very upscale Italian restaurant in London yesterday. Fantastic as good as ever and the staff pleased to be back.

No we are the 8th June. Hope you have a good trip

We are due to cruise on the Spirit in June following a most enjoyable trip on her last September. Recently have noted service problems on many of the silversea ships. The Dawn, and cloud especially. Are there through out the line major staffing problems as they start to get back to a level of normality or are these reports isolated issues.