Laylam

We did the 2023 Christmas cruise in Antarctica.  A transfer from the BA Hotel to the airport is included at the start of the trip.  After landing in BA on the way back you are on your own.  Both our flights to and from BA were at EZE (Ministro Pistarni International Airport) because of storm damage at AEP (Aeroparque) from where they normally fly.

10 hours ago, mbanks1220 said:

Looking forward to hearing from those on the sailing this June and what they see.  We have done research and there is a lot of different information on what you see/do.   As with any wildlife, one never knows.   Was just hoping to get more feedback from those that have actually done it.

 

Happy sailing!

We travelled to Svarlbard July 2023 and saw 2 polar bears, but binoculars were required.  On an earlier cruise to the Canadian Arctic we saw 9 polar bears in Nunavut, which were clearly visible from the ship and close-op from the zodiacs.

5 hours ago, JPH814 said:

without knowing the source, it is difficult to assess what this means.

 

When Michelin  provides a rating, you know what the criteria are and who the judges are.  You still may or may not agree with them, but at least you have a context.

 

I agree.

30 minutes ago, formaggio pantoufle said:

Who even gives out more than five stars?????

Scenic Eclipse.

5 hours ago, Covepointcruiser said:

We were instructed to hang onto the ropes, but this was on a Greenland Expedition.   Is it different in other areas?

This was in the Falkland Islands

21 hours ago, mbanks1220 said:

That is great, however I am looking for more information - Icebergs, land masses, vegetation, wildlife sighting???   We are trying to figure out if this is worth it.   Did Antarctica so will this be a let down?    

 

 

Svalbard is a Norwegian archipelago between mainland Norway and the North Pole. One of the world’s northernmost inhabited areas, it's known for its rugged, remote terrain of glaciers and frozen tundra sheltering polar bears, Svalbard reindeer and Arctic foxes. The Northern Lights are visible during winter, and summer brings the “midnight sun”—sunlight 24 hours a day. ― Google

2 hours ago, mbanks1220 said:

We are thinking of doing the Artic/Svalbard on the Venture and just in that area (round trip from .   No Greenland or Iceland as we have been there before.  We are wondering what we will see in Svalbard?    We of course want the Polar Bears but what about Icebergs, Birds, other wildlife?

 

MB

1 hour ago, johng75370 said:

This is a horrible situation for you to have been put in, and you are right to feel let down by Seabourn.  I’ve never experienced that kind of treatment with Seabourn, and think you are right in asking for a refund for the airport transfer/tour and an apology.   I’m assuming it was a contract person acting as “Destination Dis-Services”.  Seabourn can work with them to make sure it does not happen to someone else.  I would email the office of the ptesident (Natalya Leahy); for this level of issue I would think that is the right place to reach out to.  Officeofthepresident@seabourn.com 

I agree wholeheartedly.  We once had a problem disembarking in Manaus.  Although our circumstances were quite different.  Because of an early morning flight we disembarked at midnight, and were taken, and left, at the gates of the port to wait for the taxi we had requested.  We were immediately surrounded by rough sleepers and felt very unsafe.  I complained to Seabourn so it didn't happen to anyone else.  They were very apologetic and I think we received an OBC on our next cruise.

Singles are well catered for/looked after on Seabourn. You will be invited to hosted tables etc..

13 hours ago, Mauzac said:

As far as I'm concerned, I would not have dreampt taking a baby (or even children!) on a SB cruise. ......................

In defence of the OP, they didn't plan their SB cruise with a baby either.  Their honeymoon cruise was cancelled.  We cruised on the Sojourn last January with a couple in the same situation, their honeymoon cruise was cancelled and now they had a baby.  The baby was a delight and learned to walk during the cruise, much to the delight of approximately 350 surrogate grandparents!!!

On 1/23/2024 at 1:41 AM, jccruiser said:

Does anyone know if Seabourn will be offering excursions for Easter Island during the Pursuit sailings in March and September this year? 

Easter Island/Rapa Nui does not show as a port when I search the Seabourn website for excursions, and phone call to Seabourn couldn't find any information either.

I would be grateful for any information

 

 

The itinerary I looked at had an overnight at Easter Island.  I would expect you do landings by zodiac or tender.

KathyL2537, How have you handled the Drake Passage?

22 hours ago, KathyL2537 said:

 

The bus did a quick stop for photos at the Ushuaia sign then to the pier. We got to the ship around 12:20, cabins were ready before 1.  

 

 

KathyL2537, thank you for taking the time out from your trip to post here.  We are on the next sailing of Venture and so I am VERY interested.  Was the ship docked at the pier or did you have to take a Zodiac/Tender?  Our pre-boarding info suggests that we do and to bring a wind or rain jacket.

Thank you all for your very helpful replies.  I love the photo of the 16 year old, he is either very hardy or the indoor temperatures are quite toasty.

1 hour ago, kej1 said:

Great question.  We were on Quest Dec2017/Jan2018.  On NYE some neighbors had a cocktail gathering before dinner.  The plan was we would all go to dinner together.  My husband never showed up.  I went back to our room and he was sitting on our patio watching 11 orcas following the wake of the ship.  ( we were in PSS on back of ship).  Needless to say we never made it to dinner, ordered room service and watched this special encounter for hours instead.  It was a beautiful sunny evening so chilly but with the right clothes perfect!  It was truly a “ Seabourn moment” thanks to the orcas!

Thank you kej1,  Were the Patio Grill and outside the Colonnade ever opened for dinner?

Whilst I know there are no formal nights, I have a question regarding being "dressed for Dinner" on an expedition cruise.  We are on the Venture over Christmas and New Year, and, on most cruises these would be "very dressy" occasions. 

My dilemma is this, I remove my layers and dress for Dinner, and, with almost 20 hours of daylight, an extraordinary wildlife encounter is announced from the Bridge which I miss because I am inappropriately dressed..

I would like those who have been there/done that to share their experience, please.  Is it possible to stay rugged up and eat outdoors??.

29 minutes ago, hoya68 said:

We are on the Quest in February visit to Falklands and are considering the Seal Bay wildlife encounter and would like others experiences.  The problem is my wife had major back surgery in May. She has recovered very well and is able to walk six miles at a time. How rough is the off road ride? She is game to try but doesn't want to be foolish. Would love other's experiences.  Of course the decision will be up to her. Thank you.

I don't know about Seal Bay, but the Volunteer Point ride is VERY rough over farmland.

1 hour ago, markandjie said:

 

I'd highly recommend you read up on the impact of avian flu in South Georgia. From what we're hearing from expedition staff on the ship they believe it will soon be completely closed to landings. Apparently some sites there are already closed. 

Yes, I am watching closely https://www.swoop-antarctica.com/cruises/south-georgia/avian-flu

We are on the Venture in 3 weeks and have everything crossed.

4 hours ago, KathyL2537 said:

Love this, thank you for reporting on the trip and please keep those updates coming! We are on the Dec 10 sailing and as an Antarctica and Seabourn newbie really appreciate the info. Have been on expedition cruises before and think I overdressed in the evenings so especially interested in any packing tips.

I am curious about evening dress as well.  I know there are no formal nights on the Expedition ships, but as we are on over Christmas and N.Y.E. I am wondering if it's Ugly Christmas Sweaters or something more formal?????

Thank you markandjie for taking the time to share your cruise with us.  We are on the Venture over Christmas and this has proved informative and has added to our excitement.

9 hours ago, sfvoyage said:

Regarding Scenic, I watched a youtube video of its Eclipse expedition ship, and I was truly surprised by its decor:  its over-the-top minimalist, post-industrial-chic, monochromatic grey-meets-grey metallic theme invites neither warmth nor calm of the soothing ocean blues outside. On a grey day, the sobering interior evokes sadness and austerity. In some of the exterior shots, I thought I was looking at a prison row.

 

I would venture to guess that the designer had not designed for ships before. This harks back to the design aesthetics of the 1990s that the W Hotels ushered in: dark, trendy, night-clubbish coolness. I am not a fan of the bland and utilitarian Scandinavian decor on Viking - not that I have sailed on Viking before - but I'd even prefer that over this.

 

Perhaps the ship looks much better in real life, but the video that I watched has really turned me off.

I agree that the decor takes a bit of getting used to, but I have come to like it.  The restaurants have interesting table configurations and we enjoy the choice and comfort of seating.  The light and brightness of the Yacht Club, which is open for breakfast and lunch, is especially appealing.  Nothing about it is "sobering". However it has been redesigned since the first ship, which apparently had a swimming pool within!!!!!!  By contrast the Scenic Lounge is rather dark, but this works as well.  It is a very large space, with plenty of comfortable chairs, sofas and tables allowing groups to gather beyond hearing distance of each other (well almost, the conversations tend to get more raucous as the night wears on).  Many of the crew are ex-Seabourn, and there appears to be a lot more of them than on Seabourn.

The meals have been a highlight.

On 7/15/2023 at 5:43 AM, Mr Luxury said:

Thank you

Not sure about the ten seater or the invitation only.

Could get too clicky.

I can assure you, now that we have experienced it, that this could not be further from the truth.  We were all sat as if around a bar and conversation flowed with ease.  The food on this ship has been amazing, and as much as we LOVE Seabourn, Scenic Eclipse has become a serious contender.  We are diamond members on Seabourn, but the only perk we miss out on is laundry....fast internet & excursions are included, and the complimentary laundry has never been too busy, with only 200 passengers.

On 7/24/2022 at 10:03 AM, 2SailingNomads said:

We recently returned from the Scenic Eclipse - not an expedition cruise, rather Lisbon to Bergen - but it was very good.  Ship is beautiful, and the crew, at least restaurant / bars crew are all some of the best ex-Seabourn and we knew most of them and to say they were glad to see us was an understatement.  Not to mention the head chef and corporate hotel manager.  Service reminded us of from our first cruise on the Legend 400+ sailed days ago - albeit without David E.  Will say the butler was close to retiring and not of much use.  Food was excellent and ALWAYS HOT which has been an issue for years on Seabourn. On Seabourn food is delivered to a station and can sit there for more time than needed depending on where the in-charge people are and by the time it gets there, especially given the kitchen often messes up the order - why is beyond me - warm at best.  

 

I remain a loyal Seabourn cruiser but will return to Scenic in a heartbeat for the right itinerary, especially so long as so many of the ex-SB crew remain with the company.  (I heard more than a few stories as to why they moved over - time will tell if that remains the same)

I have to say we have ended up VERY HAPPY to have been "bumped" by Seabourn.  I agree with all you have to say about Scenic Eclipse 11, it feels like we are back on one of the "Little Sisters" and we have got to sail in Svalbard.  Our next cruise is on the Encore in December, it will be interesting to compare the two.

On 7/15/2023 at 5:39 AM, Mr Luxury said:

Ex staff that have jumped ship and thought the grass was greener will find negativity in an old job when starting out in a new job.

It's human nature.

We wish them well,God speed and bon voyage.

I am not so sure it is sour grapes.  Our stewardess was with Seabourn for eight years and like a lot of us is nostalgic for "The Little Sisters" and this ship, with 200 passengers (228 when full) feels very much like them.

It will be interesting to compare this with the Venture in December.

26 minutes ago, Khareef said:

................................................So maybe the future of CCL ain't that bright with the amount of debt they have, but I would say Seabourn is pretty safe.

I hope so.