La Jolla Lass

Thought this was close to a 6 star line. Guess not. Who still pays for laundry when a ship this size could have complimentary washers/dryers? As a Seabourn and Silversea cruiser, I thought I'd try Oceania this once because I've heard good things. Not starting off well - Why nickel and dime (or pay tokens) for this???:(:(

I have a mantra - "It's where you are going that counts, not the ship that takes you there." I know many people care more about the food, the quality of the service, the level of luxury etc, but these are all secondary to me. I thought Seabourn was pretty average, to be honest, but I fancied just one itinerary and tolerated the limitations of the ship. I'm about to take my first Silversea trip and I'm taking this attitude on board and hope I'll be pleasantly surprised.

After 100 days with Seabourn, I respectfully disagree with this person's comment. Food and service are exceptional. Had a relative back home in last stages of dying and Seabourn geneously offered me phone calls back home (no cost) to check on this person. My husband and I have never been disappointed with the food on SB whether at the Antarctica, India, the Baltic, the Med, or ports in between. Sorry for your experience but for us, luxury cruiseline travel doesn't get any better than SF!

My husband and I have sailed multiple times with Seabourn (99 days). This is our first Silversea cruise and we too are most interested in comparing the 2 cruise lines. We've talked with several former passengers who cruised both lines. Consensus seems to be the differences are of little consequence. We have never been disappointed with Seabourn - staff, service or quality of food. All excellent. On our first day of sailing with SB, the staff knew my name (out of 400+ passengers). More importantly, on a subsequent SB cruise, we had a family medical emergency unfolding back home which proved to be end of life issue. We went to the business office onboard to explain, asking if we could have access to private office to make some intermittent phone calls, not only was office provided, but without any prompting or request from us, we were not charged for any of these ship to shore calls. From that day forward, we have been promoters and cheerleaders for the line. So yes, we are most eager and interested in seeing what this cruise is like and signed up only because of the itinerary as SB does not cruise these ports.

Am coming in really late asking this question. Am hoping someone is doing more conscientious reading/responding than me.. My husband and I are interested in joining an existing private tour to Brugge if any exist with spaces available, please email us at 1janheineken@gmail.com. Thanks for your patience with someone who is technologically challenged.

Thanks.

Rivah

Can you leave earlier in the day for Iguazzu? You need most of that day to see the falls and an earlier flight will facilitate that. Otherwise, you may not wish to travel back from the hotel to see more of the falls the next day. Defintely see the falls! The ship has reliable wi -fi I. All locations so bring an IPAD or some othe device. Alternatively you can go to the computer room but that's a little less convenient. You can stretch your internet time and save $ by taking a device with you at each port as many of the dockside buildings you will walk thru as you go Shore, will be wi-fi connected too and at no cost. Enjoy the cruise a d those marvelous "bucket list" falls!!

Glad you made a decision. You'll love the trip on Seabourn! Would definitely book to Iguazzu and just go thru online travel service. Once there, don't bother going to Brazilian side because Argentinian side is just as spectatular AND you don't have to go to the trouble of getting in expensive Brazilian visa just to visit for the day. The hotel can easily arrange a shuttle bus to drop you off at the falls and you need not have a guide. Just walk around and enjoy - don't miss Devil's Pitchfork trail/ramps. Would not feel obliged to stay in the Sheraton. Just do some internet shopping because what you really care about is seeing the falls and there are many fine hotels. Before you land in Iguazzu, (we took a LAN flight - they are fine), the pilot will make an attempt to fly over both sides (Argentinian and Brazilian) before you land so you will also see that most beautiful sight from a higher view. Suggest you fly in on Day 1, walk around town, have dinner, Day 2 hotel arrange for the shuttle pick up and stay overnight Day 3 fly out the third early in the am to allow yourself lots of time to get to back to BA where you can take a 1/2 day BA tour. I recommend an early flight because a fluke electrical storm came in and grounded all planes so we had to hustle that last day (missing the BA tour) to get back to the ship. Don't miss IGUAZZU!!! Bon Voyage!!

I also found the 90 minute shore excursions fully adequate. Unless you're going further inland, that's plenty of time for local exploration. We loved the trip in 2013 and wouldn't change a thing. You're right to hold out for the visits to Chile.

Would hold out for Orion - a more "traditional" expedition cruise to the Antarctica. From what you have said, one stop per day (perhaps only 2 hrs each - max) will not be satisfying to you. My husband and I were present on Seabourn's inaugural crusie and we loved it. However one of our friends, also on the cruise, continues to be disappointed that they were able to spend such a short time on actual Antarctica landings. So my comments are mixed. The landings were sufficient for us, and Robin West and team are excellent but you must be the judge of how much concentrated time you wish to spend. After all this is probably a once in a lifetime cruise and you can easily take another to South America - there are lots of choices there.

We were on the Inaugural cruise in November-Dec. 2013. Fabulous cruise, particularly the stops on the Antarctica. Weather prevented us from landing on the Falklands at Stanley and this was disappointing. Weather also precluded us from landing once on Antarctica. If I were to do this again, would schedule later in the year (January for instance) because weather is kinder and permits more landings at all destination. Good sailing! This was the best cruise we've ever taken (4th on Seabourn; 3 Celebrity; 1 Holland America) Enjoy what will be a magnificent cruise! What's not to like about penguins??

We had a fun rock and roll time crossing the Drake Passage on a recent Antarctica trip but felt very safe. I emphasize "fun" because usually you feel no motion at all so occasional motion meant to us that we were really sailing! On this trip we saw an array of anti-nausea strategies used - none of which we needed. These included: ginger gum, ginger tablets, wrist bands (some people swear by them), and of course heavy duty meds which often involve unpleasant, debilitating side effects. I saw relax and enjoy:), you're in good hands with SB.

Here are some notes from our 5/12 Sojourn trip to St. P that may be helpful. We had a fabulous private tour. The tour company was thru:

timkruglikov@rambler.ru

The tour manger or owner?? Timofey (above email) arranged for us a former Hermitage licensed guide who studied a lot of art and architecture in order to get the license. Beyond this, she has been a tour guide for 6 years and has a Ph.D. degree from St Petersburg University in 19th and 20th Century American and Russian history. She was fabulous! With 6 people the cost was $300 USD p/p – no meals included

Tour Ticket or Blanket Visa was considered Russian Visa equivalent (check on this, our trip was back in May, 2012). Our guide told us the following and it proved to be correct: “You will pass the border control in St.Petersburg with this document, your passport and photocopy of your passport., a Russian Visa is not required.”

Day 1 - Tues

8-10am city sightseeing

and canal boat

10.30-1.30pm Hermitage

1.30-2pm lunch (at the H) Cost abt $8 per person - soup and sandwich

2-3pm Church of Spilled Blood (Could be 30-40 minutes instead)

3-4pm Peter and Paul fortress

Peter & Paul cathedral

4-4.30 tea and cake break/shopping

4.30-6pm political history museum - would skip this...not well done

Day 2 - Wed

8.30-9.30 city sightseeing

9.30- 10 hydrofoil to Peterhof

10-11.30am Peterhof park/gardens

11.30-12.30 drive to Tsars village

12.30-1.30 lunch

1.30-3pm Catherines palace

3-3.45 drive to St Petersburg

3.45 - 4.45 St Isaacs cathedral

5pm return to ship

All fees, camera passes, admission prices to museums, transportation costs were included. Everything but lunches was included

Hope this helps

My wife and I recently completed the post-cruise surveys which were mailed to us. We both had some detailed praise and criticisms. Has anyone ever received a response from Seabourn to these surveys and, if so, how long did it take for Seabourn to respond? Does anyone have any other indications that Seabourn pays attention to the survey responses.

Don't think we've received responses on post trip surveys but always, staff was very responsive onboard if we left comments at Seabourn Square - positive and negative. Upcoming cruise will be our 4th with Seabourn.

We did the Inaugural Cruise in Nov/Dec., 2013. It was fabulous. Strong winds prevented us from tendering in Falklands but no one can control the weather. Robin West and his Expedition Team were knowledgeable, enthusiastic, helpful and professional. I am envious and would like to go again!

Private Tours: Chacabuco, Ushuia (sorry abt sp), Valparaiso were well worth it. Look at Travel Advisor reviews, then at ToursbyLocals and go for it.

Happy sailing!:)

On a Seabourn cruise I needed some minor hand holding following a fall which turned into a bad sprain. Services were fine. They x-rayed, wrapped the ankle and set me up with ice. Medical officer followed up with a call to my room. Regarding your question, I would inquire what their protocol is for treating acute illnesses/conditions such as stroke, heart attack. Ask them to give you specific names of medical centers they commit to using in the various ports you will visit. Also ask if they can airlift regardless of location of ship. This is important!

This may be redundant but would definitely go Private. We are avid Seabourn cruisers and just as avid Private Tour aficionados. Triangulate your reviews with Trip Advisor and whatever company is advertising the private tour. After 99 days at sea (5 cruises) you will seldom go wrong. Go for it....especially in St. Petersburg where a private tour guide will be able to cut through the lines and save a lot of time. All the best

Have travelled to Ubud, Denpasar, and lots of attractions near ports on 2 different occasions. Strongly suggest you book an independent tour operator who can help you decide what sights you will be happy seeing. My husband and I have used Indy Nyomen on 2 diferent trips and have 2 other cruise friends who have booked him for private full day tours at $75/day. He is conscientious, knowledgeable, very personable. Please contact me for details but he can be reached at: indypuspa@yahoo.com. You'll definiely want him you to take you to Ubud, he cultural capital of Bali for authentic woodworking, batik making, local cultural shopping, but also temples, waterfalls, good places to dine, etc. Enjoy him, e is great.

ese ports prior to final payment so I hope that someone has some interesting experiences or suggestions.

Lembar, port for Lombok, Indonesia

Celukan Bawang, Indonesia

The cruise originates in Benoa, Bali so it's particularly difficult to find things to do in these 2 ports as they appear to be essentially Bali deja vu.

Probolinggo, Java