Making a Big Leap

[tv24]

Miles: I think it's great that you guys are trying something new. Have fun and enjoy the differences. Our experience was that the passengers on Seabourn were way more lively and outgoing. We made lots of good friends on Seabourn and had some great parties, while we found the crowd on Crystal to be downright unfriendly. I note that you use the fitness center. On Crystal the crowds at the center were often too much, limiting my access to equipment, while on Seabourn, the fitness center, while small, was often quite empty. We loved certain things about Crystal (enrichment, food quality), but I doubt if we will return soon. We are eager to return to Seabourn, just haven't found the right itinerary. Please let the CC community know of your comparative experience. I know your postings from Crystal, so I look forward to your thoughts on Seabourn.

[PSahoy]

I haven't sailed Crystal yet (coming up in Feb)but Crystal offers an exceptional experience across the board.

 

 

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[PSahoy]

Um, make that Seabourn

 

 

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[Fletcher]

For those who don't fancy (or cannot afford) a proper expedition ship to Antarctica, Silversea's refurbished Cloud might be a better bet than the Seabourn Quest -

 

http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2016/11/22/silversea-silver-cloud-cruise/94274876/

[Julise67]

Whoops, I see I neglected to say that we are on Seabourn Sojourn now en route to Dubai. Just terrific food and beverage service and ambience. I cannot crow enough about Captain Tim Roberts and Hotel Director Jason Gelineau. And about crowing and/or gobbling, we all downed 18 turkeys yesterday at our Thanksgiving dinners served in the MDR and Colonnade!

 

 

 

Happy and healthy cruising!

 

 

It is great to hear from you. We join the ship in Dubai and haven't sailed on Seabourn for a number of years, so looking forward to it. Any tips? Elise

 

 

 

 

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[Julise67]

It is great to hear from you. We join the ship in Dubai and haven't sailed on Seabourn for a number of years, so looking forward to it. Any tips? Elise

 

 

 

 

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Sorry meant to say advice!!

 

 

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[markham]

Julise67,

 

A couple of thoughts spring immediately to mind:

 

1- if you have not sailed on Seabourn in a few years you may not know the Ody class ships. My view is that the "new" ships are a big improvement due basically to the space per passenger, balconies, larger bathrooms, ease of access generally and on tenders, and Seabourn Square. But everything is where you remember it as the designs are very similar. Just bigger.

 

2- there are many passengers who joined weeks ago and will stay through and beyond Singapore - so that they will commingle with Encore passengers and crew there at Encore's christening celebration. Why not seek them out around the ship and get to know them. A great group whom I will hope to see at the joint ships' celebration?!?

 

BTW, my assessment of Encore is that is another generation of a big and bigger sister, although possibly more glitzy - this from the few photos Capt Dexter has posted and what the official website show. It's got everything where the earlier ships did except that there is a new 8 deck with the large Thomas Keller restaurant. It's this deck, by my reckoning, that houses about 120 of the additional 150 or so additional passengers relative to the Ody class ships. (As covered elsewhere, of course the Encore is also a larger ship.)

 

Please ask me anything you like - and be as specific as you want - about the beautiful Sojourn and I will revert. We are here for another 9 days.

 

Happy and healthy sailing!

[Julise67]

Julise67,

 

A couple of thoughts spring immediately to mind:

 

1- if you have not sailed on Seabourn in a few years you may not know the Ody class ships. My view is that the "new" ships are a big improvement due basically to the space per passenger, balconies, larger bathrooms, ease of access generally and on tenders, and Seabourn Square. But everything is where you remember it as the designs are very similar. Just bigger.

 

2- there are many passengers who joined weeks ago and will stay through and beyond Singapore - so that they will commingle with Encore passengers and crew there at Encore's christening celebration. Why not seek them out around the ship and get to know them. A great group whom I will hope to see at the joint ships' celebration?!?

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the info. Really looking forward to sailing on Sojourn next week. Shame you won't be there! Elise

 

BTW, my assessment of Encore is that is another generation of a big and bigger sister, although possibly more glitzy - this from the few photos Capt Dexter has posted and what the official website show. It's got everything where the earlier ships did except that there is a new 8 deck with the large Thomas Keller restaurant. It's this deck, by my reckoning, that houses about 120 of the additional 150 or so additional passengers relative to the Ody class ships. (As covered elsewhere, of course the Encore is also a larger ship.)

 

Please ask me anything you like - and be as specific as you want - about the beautiful Sojourn and I will revert. We are here for another 9 days.

 

Happy and healthy sailing!

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the info. Really looking forward to sailing on Sojourn next week. Shame you won't be there! Elise

[Suite Travels]

Lincslady, I hope to meet you onboard a future cruise where we can talk freely without interventions as well as many of you who have been so nice and welcoming us to Seabourn.

 

Have a great weekend.

 

Miles

Edited November 26, 2016 by Suite Travels

[RustyRollock]

Our experiences with Seabourn have been superior to their rivals in several ways but mostly because the people we met were so friendly, unpretentious and approachable. We'd been warned about "Seabourn snobs" but nothing could be further from the truth - we had a ball and are looking forward to our Sydney-Singapore trip on the new Encore next March.

[secoma4]

Miles, we have sailed on all the Seabourn ships, and are joining the new Encore next week in Athens and then again in Singapore in January. Both times we are with friends we have met on previous cruises, one in the laundry room and one couple joined us on a table in open dining. Seabourn ships are very friendly, if you like to meet people. We started on the 'little sisters', which we loved, with only 200 passengers, and then we really enjoyed the facilities and outdoor spaces on the Odyssey ships, especially Seabourn Square. The highlights for us are the friendliness of the staff, with nothing too much trouble to make you comfortable and the ' all inclusive' style of cruising. Look forward to meeting you in the future.

[lincslady]

Lincslady, I hope to meet you onboard a future cruise where we can talk freely without interventions as well as many of you who have been so nice and welcoming us to Seabourn.

 

Have a great weekend.

 

Miles

 

Thanks, Miles. I felt emboldened (I think it is a word) by the fairly strong remarks on the Crystal forum which were allowed to stay, about their new CEO. Plus, what I read of her interview was a bit off-putting to possible new Crystal cruisers if this sets the tone for the line in future.

 

It is always difficult to write what you think without sometimes being politically incorrect, or apparently crossing the line in criticising people!;)

[Emperor Norton]

Funny all the talk about open seating dining. I just finished with Crystals online booking tool. Entering every dinner time/date/party size for the duration of my upcoming cruise. Talk about buzzkill.:mad:

[Les Picantins]

Suite Travels, welcome to Seabourn. I'm sure you'll love it. If you enjoy meeting people, there is a certain conviviality on Seabourn that you just don't have on Crystal. A pre-dinner drink and conversation can be continued into a dinner conversation thanks to the open seating. Enjoy your cruise.

[Les Picantins]

Funny all the talk about open seating dining. I just finished with Crystals online booking tool. Entering every dinner time/date/party size for the duration of my upcoming cruise. Talk about buzzkill.:mad:

 

I hope you took into consideration the show times when making your dinner reservations. I made the mistake last year of dining at 8:00 most evenings when on Crystal. Too late for the early show and too early for the late show. Also, the dining by reservation section in the MDR is in the back of the restaurant with very little space between tables. A lowlight of the cruise.

[Suite Travels]

Suite Travels, welcome to Seabourn. I'm sure you'll love it. If you enjoy meeting people, there is a certain conviviality on Seabourn that you just don't have on Crystal. A pre-dinner drink and conversation can be continued into a dinner conversation thanks to the open seating. Enjoy your cruise.

 

 

I thank you so much and others for the welcome. We are so delighted to try something new outside of Crystal. Our neighbors sail both Crystal and Seabourn and they assured us that we will love it as they know what we like. We are very excited,

[tv24]

Suite Travels, welcome to Seabourn. I'm sure you'll love it. If you enjoy meeting people, there is a certain conviviality on Seabourn that you just don't have on Crystal. A pre-dinner drink and conversation can be continued into a dinner conversation thanks to the open seating. Enjoy your cruise.

 

Moi, je suis d'accord avec Les Picatins.

[Suite Travels]

I have a few questions. May we use our OBC to rent the cabana? We have a credit line on Crystal for the casino what does one do to obtain additional funds if needed on Seabourn?

 

Can we host a cocktail party in our suite? Does Seabourn have luggage concierge for shipping? Can you book private tours with the excursion desk?

 

Sorry for the newbie questions.

[frantic36]

I have a few questions. May we use our OBC to rent the cabana? We have a credit line on Crystal for the casino what does one do to obtain additional funds if needed on Seabourn?

 

Can we host a cocktail party in our suite? Does Seabourn have luggage concierge for shipping? Can you book private tours with the excursion desk?

 

Sorry for the newbie questions.

 

 

When some of us we get on Encore shortly someone can check for you re the Cabana. I am not a casino person so I can't help you there.

 

We have been to and hosted a few cocktail parties. Seabourn are very good with this. We organised a meeting with either the Food and Beverage Manager or Hotel Director and planned out what we wished to serve for canapés and what drinks. If you go to Seabourn Square the staff there can organise this appointment. They will ask for a list of your guests and their cabin numbers.....so they can deliver the invitations. If you aren't sure on cabin numbers they look that up for you if you know the surname. Or in my case last February, very helpful when I forgot a couple of surnames.:o

 

I have friends in the States who frequently use Seabourn's luggage service and they are happy with them. I think it is Luggage Forward.

 

Yes, you can book private excursions at the desk or even online before you go you can at least select booking a private car or for a larger party a private minivan. You can discuss with the shore excursion desk in Seabourn Square your timing for pick, return etc. The thing I like about Seabourn Square is if you have to wait a bit, you can grab a good coffee, tea and some other drinks from the cafe while you wait. Plus on the Odyssey class ships there were comfortable chairs to sit in. I am sure it will be the same on Encore.

 

Julie

[Suite Travels]

Thank you so much for the reply. Can't wait to be Seabournized.

[Bodogbodog]

I have a few questions....

Sorry for the newbie questions.

 

Miles - maybe that "comfy old chair" @ Crystal Cruises wasn't so bad after all :eek:

Just kidding, nothing wrong with checking out the options - it's going to be fun following along with you learning about many of the things we take for granted at Crystal (for the moment at least)

[cpinstein]

Suite Travels, we are also making the big leap. Leaving today for the Sojourn. So excited to try something new. I will report back on my comparison between Seabourn and Crystal.

 

I have to say that precruise help , the advantage is Seabourn.

 

The shore excursion desk is fabulous. I know them all by first name, and they've been wonderful arranging tours. And the phone is answered immediately.

 

The docs are amazing. Fabulous precruise info a few months before. And I love the leather doc case and baggage tags.

 

So wish us luck. Flying Emirates first class on points. Don't know if I'm more excited about that or the cruise.

 

Carole

[Suite Travels]

Suite Travels, we are also making the big leap. Leaving today for the Sojourn. So excited to try something new. I will report back on my comparison between Seabourn and Crystal.

 

I have to say that precruise help , the advantage is Seabourn.

 

The shore excursion desk is fabulous. I know them all by first name, and they've been wonderful arranging tours. And the phone is answered immediately.

 

The docs are amazing. Fabulous precruise info a few months before. And I love the leather doc case and baggage tags.

 

So wish us luck. Flying Emirates first class on points. Don't know if I'm more excited about that or the cruise.

 

Carole

 

 

You will love Emirates first class what a great way to start your cruise. Please report back here. I hope your cruise exceeds your expectations.

 

Bon Voyage

Miles

[Julise67]

Suite Travels, we are also making the big leap. Leaving today for the Sojourn. So excited to try something new. I will report back on my comparison between Seabourn and Crystal.

 

 

 

I have to say that precruise help , the advantage is Seabourn.

 

 

 

The shore excursion desk is fabulous. I know them all by first name, and they've been wonderful arranging tours. And the phone is answered immediately.

 

 

 

The docs are amazing. Fabulous precruise info a few months before. And I love the leather doc case and baggage tags.

 

 

 

So wish us luck. Flying Emirates first class on points. Don't know if I'm more excited about that or the cruise.

 

 

 

Carole

 

 

We are also leaving today through London. Flying to Dubai tomorrow.where are you staying? So looking forward to meeting everyone. Here's to a great cruise!!!! Elise

 

 

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[vistaman]

Suite Travels, we are also making the big leap. Leaving today for the Sojourn. So excited to try something new. I will report back on my comparison between Seabourn and Crystal.

 

I have to say that precruise help , the advantage is Seabourn.

 

The shore excursion desk is fabulous. I know them all by first name, and they've been wonderful arranging tours. And the phone is answered immediately.

 

The docs are amazing. Fabulous precruise info a few months before. And I love the leather doc case and baggage tags.

 

So wish us luck. Flying Emirates first class on points. Don't know if I'm more excited about that or the cruise.

 

Carole

my flights on Emirates both in business as in first are still the very best so far

unfortunately never did Singapore or Cathay so far