Sojourn Review

[3418ahl]

I have been on many cruise lines, and as far as cruising goes, find Seabourn to be head and shoulders above the rest (and I am not a "cheerleader" for any line)! I think cruising is just not for you.

 

I prefer to put away my belongings for a long period of time, enjoy a drink and some appetizers and dinner, while my "floating hotel" moves me to my next destination, in lieu of climbing on a bus, train or driving. I feel I obtain both the benefits of seeing various sites and at the same time totally relaxing.

[wripro]

I could understand the OP's post if this were his first cruise and these were his reactions to the whole concept. But he has taken MANY cruises, has obviously been unhappy with all of them yet continues to take them to be with his friends. imo this disqualifies any credentials to review a cruise line because he knows in advance it will be unsatisfactory.

[markham]

True reinforcement of dstamps thought process. Two events I have never considered attending. It is fun giving the bowl to a worthy crew person.

 

So Oregon50,

 

You don't attend club parties and also somehow earned Seabourn's top sailor gift of a Tiffany crystal bowl which in turn you passed along to a crew member.

 

Forgive me for saying it, but you are quite a character, and magnanimous to a fault.

 

If I were to believe you, that is.

 

Happy sailing!

[oregon50]

Yes markham, I live in a dream world and hope one day to be fortunate to take a cruise on a small ship.

 

dstamps, I find your overall comparison to be pretty accurate based upon reading the different boards. Your Sojourn experience is unfortunate regarding service issues. Not the SB norm, and very much in sync with what I witnessed during first quarter of 2014.

[dstamps]

I could understand the OP's post if this were his first cruise and these were his reactions to the whole concept. But he has taken MANY cruises, has obviously been unhappy with all of them yet continues to take them to be with his friends. imo this disqualifies any credentials to review a cruise line because he knows in advance it will be unsatisfactory.

 

Let me see if I understand your logic by way of a food analogy.

 

When talking about desserts, I have stated that I much prefer chocolate ice cream over vanilla cake for a variety of reasons. Although I can think of many things I would rather have than vanilla cake, it is still a dessert, enjoyable, and after all there are many worse things to eat that I can think of (balut, hakarl, durian, etc.). Nonetheless, I have been to many bakeries to sample vanilla cake because doing so with our friends is fun. But at this point I have let it be known that I would prefer to sample ice cream parlors from now on. So, according to you, this declaration and my stated preference for chocolate ice cream somehow disqualifies any credentials I have to review vanilla cake.

 

I find your reasoning bizarre.

[dstamps]

Jim - Thanks for the kind words. I am afraid you may be right about the trajectory of the cruise experience. I mean Seabourn's newest ship will be their biggest. Maybe it will have a zip line. Hope you thoroughly enjoy your next cruise or other vacation.

[Jim Avery]

Jim - Thanks for the kind words. I am afraid you may be right about the trajectory of the cruise experience. I mean Seabourn's newest ship will be their biggest. Maybe it will have a zip line. Hope you thoroughly enjoy your next cruise or other vacation.

 

As much as I have enjoyed cruising over the years and 3 in the last 6 months, next adventure is a condo at a resort in Maui. Somebody has to do it.:eek::D

[texanaust]

I could understand the OP's post if this were his first cruise and these were his reactions to the whole concept. But he has taken MANY cruises, has obviously been unhappy with all of them yet continues to take them to be with his friends. imo this disqualifies any credentials to review a cruise line because he knows in advance it will be unsatisfactory.

 

I'm sorry, but what you are saying is complete rubbish! Although I really like the Seabourn experience, Dstamps has some very valid points. In addition, he is totally "credentialed" to review a cruise line just like anyone who signs up for this forum. This post is exactly the cheerleading that gives these forums a bad name.

[oregon50]

Dana and Dana.......how is that little girl of yours? Almost all grown up??

And totally agree!

[texanaust]

Dana and Dana.......how is that little girl of yours? Almost all grown up??

And totally agree!

 

13 now! We still cruise all together about twice a year. Mostly Seabourn, but Crystal now has some of our bookings. We find the food slightly better, but the cabins are smaller...

I always have a chuckle when I read your posts! Hopefully we'll catch up one day on the high seas.

[LaPaloma]

After reading these two pages........I say......hurray for the CHEERLEADERS! Isn't the reason for a cruise to have a good time? If you start out knowing that you will not be pleased.........why bother to write about it. There are so many negatives in our world today. Let's embellish the good things with love. You will always find some irritants so vex you.......but you hold on to the good things. Just a thought... Lola

[lincslady]

FlaminJunes post completely describes how most cruisers (particularly the Seabourn types who love smaller ships) feel about cruising, and it either is or is not for you.

 

One rather prosaic point to make is that I would think it likely that for the quality of what you get on a luxury all-inclusive cruise you would almost certainly pay more at a hotel which provided the same amenities, food, drinks, etc., even one without Michelin stars etc. Even if you did not enjoy being in different places each day, sleeping in the same bed and not having to pack and unpack.

[MrsWaldo]

Ok I do both…

 

i love my cruises on SB…

 

I view them as tasters for ports..

 

I have loved some places we have been (like copenhagen and amsterdam) and gone back to stay extra days and hated others (like Helsinki and Mykonos)

 

We rarely do escorted or private tours from ships so for me its just an easy way to get from point to point without packing

 

The comment re inclusive is interesting…. in Aus it is often the case that inclusive are the premium properties , look at the restuarant australia ads and places like Saffire, Southern ocean lodge, Qualia etc … not a promo just a first port of call for me when looking for high standards

 

http://www.luxurylodgesofaustralia.com.au

 

Am i a cheerleader… no….. does seabourn fit my needs, yes,,,,, does cruising suit…. yes, but it is destination dependent…. Would never do it down under, but if there is a series of island or small hard to reach ports… you betcha

[redheadednancy]

+1

 

Thank you Flaming June for putting into words how I feel about cruising. It is being on the sea that I love and the crew.

 

dstamps thank you for taking the time to express your opinion. You are just as entitled to yours as I am to mine. I don't find the crew indifferent but maybe I am one of the people monopolising their time by talking to them and finding out how they are. :o

 

Julie

Julie, I agree with you and Flaming June. By being friendly and kind to the staff, were you really monopolizing. I read his post again. I think he did a jealous stab at "regulars". Unfortunately or fortunately there are regulars on all lines and in hotels too! End of my comments on this thread. I had a curiosity as to what was written on this thread and my curiosity is satisfied. On to other things.

[ravenclaw]

Julie, I agree with you and Flaming June. By being friendly and kind to the staff, were you really monopolizing. I read his post again. I think he did a jealous stab at "regulars". Unfortunately or fortunately there are regulars on all lines and in hotels too! End of my comments on this thread. I had a curiosity as to what was written on this thread and my curiosity is satisfied. On to other things.

 

What's your definition of a "regular" and are you a "regular" ?

 

Making a comment that someone is "jealous" of the "in crowd" and dismissing this thread, comes across as self-centered and juvenile American high school gossip.

[Flamin_June]

What's your definition of a "regular" and are you a "regular" ?

 

Making a comment that someone is "jealous" of the "in crowd" and dismissing this thread, comes across as self-centered and juvenile American high school gossip.

 

 

Bad day at the office ?

[RNBMN]

We just got off the Sojourn on Saturday and found the ship and the service to be very good to excellent.

 

We like to do both land and sea vacations for many of the reasons stated earlier; we get different experiences from the two. For instance, we can argue, or not, if the quality of the food is Michelin worthy, but of all the times I've stayed at FS I've never had the executive chef (as Chef Neal did) take us on a tour of the local markets, buy the most wonderful fresh seafood (squid, monk fish, clams) and specialty hams (a wonderful 4 year old Iberico) and cheeses and then prepare it all that evening in the Colonnade. He was at the meat and cheese station from open to close proudly serving his food and interacting with his guests. It was a very enjoyable meal. He even bought us all ice cream after our shopping at a local gelato stand.

 

Were there minor issues on board? Sure, but I've also had issues at land based hotels and restaurants as well, regardless of the number of stars it has, but they don't diminish the enjoyment I have for both.

[PaulaJK]

I am happy to read this positive update.

[Windstar27]

I am aboard Sojourn now. The ship is in tiptop condition. Service has been outstanding. French market dinner last night in the Colonnade, sourced from the Ajaccio market, was one of the best meals I have ever had at sea. MDR has been open every morning for breakfast. Colonnade coffee is still weak, and MDR dishes are undereseasoned, but ingredients are of good quality. Complimentary wine choices are much better than they were on Odyssey two years ago. The singers/dancers and musicians are quite good. We are on until Monte Carlo, if anyone has a question. Hamish Elliott is the captain.

[PaulaJK]

Good to read of your positive experiences Windstar 27.

 

Noted breakfast in MDR. Is it open for lunch also? Who is the current RM?...and is maître d' Antonio [always a gem] on board?

[Ravenscroft]

I am aboard Sojourn now. The ship is in tiptop condition. Service has been outstanding. French market dinner last night in the Colonnade, sourced from the Ajaccio market, was one of the best meals I have ever had at sea. MDR has been open every morning for breakfast. Colonnade coffee is still weak, and MDR dishes are undereseasoned, but ingredients are of good quality. Complimentary wine choices are much better than they were on Odyssey two years ago. The singers/dancers and musicians are quite good. We are on until Monte Carlo, if anyone has a question. Hamish Elliott is the captain.

 

Very good to hear that Captain Elliott has made a full recovery and is back at the helm.

 

Thanks for sharing your experience and I hope you thoroughly enjoy the rest of the cruise.

[tv24]

This has been a very interesting thread, and I thank Dstamps for getting it started. Dstamps, you have raised some very important issues, and I hope that you have succeeded in reaching some consumers who are evaluating cruising versus other vacation options. I personally have had some issues with those on CC who are uncritical of their favorite lines - and that does not apply just to Seabourn. I spot the same problem with CC threads for Crystal, Azamara, and Cunard, which I follow regularly. I am learning to carefully evaluate the comments made on this forum. I am also learning the right vacation mix for me. Other than the options of cruising or high-level resorts, I find I prefer the option of renting an apartment in a great city (Paris, New York, etc.) and smartly using the internet to put together a terrific stay of quality restaurants, museums, walking tours, etc. This works for me. But I recognize that it won't work for everyone, for lots of reasons. BTW, Flamin' June, I loved your comments on the attractions of life on the sea. I love that as well, but I think crossings are best for me. To sum up, I find CC most valuable when it educates me on my travel options and prepares me for future travel experiences. It does not work when posters wax on about their favorite lines, with no critical distance. Just my opinion.

[Windstar27]

PaulaJK, The RM is Nicholas Botha. I am not sure if Antonio is aboard. MDR has been closed for lunch every day.

[PaulaJK]

Thanks for the answers. I remain very disappointed re: the dining room being closed for lunch. I reviewed the posts here but couldn't discern...are you on a 7 day cruise? Paula

[jdaa]

I too am extremely disappointed to hear that the MDR is closed at lunch. I thought I had read on this board that Seabourn's policy is to have the MDR open for lunch on cruises longer than 7 days. That is one of the reasons we booked a longer cruise. Does anyone know the current policy?

Edited July 17, 2014 by jdaa