Seabourn v Silversea

[saminina]

The downside to such rapid expansion is boarding a ship and not recognizing crew, nor they you.  Of course, you have the same issue with Seabourn for different reasons.   The best crew have jumped ship.   Not a problem on last Endeavor trip, but very noticeable on Sojourn cruise eight months ago.

Edited August 17, 2023 by saminina

[Isklaar]

4 minutes ago, caviarforme said:

I was not aware - I may try them against my regular agent.

 

I have used them for business hotel accommodation. I haven't booked a cruise with them as I'm happy with my luxury cruise specialist TA.  

[Hlitner]

Just now, saminina said:

The downside to such rapid expansion is boarding a ship and not recognizing crew, nor they you.  Of course, you have the same issue with Seabourn for different reasons.   The best crew have jumped ship.   Not a problem on last Endeavor trip, but very noticeable on Sojourn cruise eight months ago.

Must be something wrong with me as we do not attach any importance to recognizing crew.  We simply adjust to the situation onboard.   Am on the Quest (now) where the crew has varied from outstanding to subpar.  Some of the new crew members (on their first or second contracts) have turned out to be amazing.  
 

Speaking of the Quest, for the most part we think it is up to the standards we expect from SB.  
 

Hank

[ak1004]

57 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

Must be something wrong with me as we do not attach any importance to recognizing crew.  We simply adjust to the situation onboard.   Am on the Quest (now) where the crew has varied from outstanding to subpar.  Some of the new crew members (on their first or second contracts) have turned out to be amazing.  
 

Speaking of the Quest, for the most part we think it is up to the standards we expect from SB.  
 

Hank

 

I could never understand the obsession with recognizing crew and they recognizing me.. they are not supposed to be my friends.

[commodoredave]

On 8/16/2023 at 8:43 AM, highplanesdrifters said:

Yes, but you have to give them kickbacks to get it. 😃

I’m not familiar with kickbacks. I’ll have to consult with HB to determine how it works.🤪

[saminina]

1 hour ago, ak1004 said:

 

I could never understand the obsession with recognizing crew and they recognizing me.. they are not supposed to be my friends.

Obsession.....have you read your own posts that contain the word Oceania?

 

Never thought observation could be confused with obsession.  

[ak1004]

46 minutes ago, saminina said:

Obsession.....have you read your own posts that contain the word Oceania?

 

Never thought observation could be confused with obsession.  

Unlike some others, I have no obsessions with any cruise line. Oceania, Silversea, Crystal, Azamara.. loved them all. Itinerary and price are the key for us. 

[Jimmycruiser]

On 8/16/2023 at 1:27 PM, markham said:

I don’t know enough about how these decisions/judgments are made but I have to believe that Silversea gets high marks for 2 reasons:

 

Firstly, despite having a set of older ships which in all likelihood suit many of Silversea’s veteran customers, it is the verve and upgraded facilities deriving from the Muse, Moon, Dawn, and now Endeavour and Nova and soon Ray that make people excited. Incredible options in the layouts and food for starters; and

 

Secondly, how Seabourn has drifted and not for the best. The classic ships have suffered over the past few years so many cutbacks that it is not necessarily considered “luxury”. This needs to be - and apparently is- being addressed by the new president. And, apart from the newly launched expedition ship Pursuit and year old Venture, Seabourn ships are getting old and reveal their design limitations. No new classic ships to get excited about.

 

BTW, the Regent story is more like that of Silversea. Reportedly they have impressive and new ships that sustain the brand. And they can.

 

Why not check out their websites to see.

 

Happy and healthy sailing!

Not sure why you are trying to guess how other people choose a cruise line. Our experience with SS was opposite to yours and like Seabourn for the opposite reasons you prefer SS. A particular ship or cruise line choice is a very personal choice based on many factors and most experienced cruisers know how to research and choose a cruise and cruise line. Our next cruise will be on Crystal which we have cruised with before and much prefer to Regent, SS, or Seabourn. How about that for being different.

[SLSD]

We don't cruise as much as some of you here do, but even we enjoy seeing staff and crew from a previous voyage--especially if they were especially good at their jobs and always cheerful.  We also are interested in the life paths of young crew members and have enjoyed hearing about their home countries, their families there, and their plans and goals for the future.  While they are not our friends, they are people we have met and we do care about them and wish them the very best.  We are cognizant of the fact that while on board, it is important to be polite and considerate--come what may.  The crew are not our servants--they are people doing a job from which we benefit.  

Edited August 17, 2023 by SLSD

[Hlitner]

Just now, Jimmycruiser said:

Not sure why you are trying to guess how other people choose a cruise line. Our experience with SS was opposite to yours and like Seabourn for the opposite reasons you prefer SS. A particular ship or cruise line choice is a very personal choice based on many factors and most experienced cruisers know how to research and choose a cruise and cruise line. Our next cruise will be on Crystal which we have cruised with before and much prefer to Regent, SS, or Seabourn. How about that for being different.

We look forward to seeing some posts about the new Crystal.  That line may be in our near future.

[markham]

Jimmycruiser,

 

Have you seen the video presentation of Silver Nova? If not, please do so. It’s on the Silversea site. Then you too may be as excited as I am by the concept. IMO it is a game changer for many/most people who are looking for excellence in design and a special treat.

 

Happy and healthy sailing!

[ak1004]

50 minutes ago, SLSD said:

We don't cruise as much as some of you here do, but even we enjoy seeing staff and crew from a previous voyage--especially if they were especially good at their jobs and always cheerful.  We also are interested in the life paths of young crew members and have enjoyed hearing about their home countries, their families there, and their plans and goals for the future.  While they are not our friends, they are people we have met and we do care about them and wish them the very best.  We are cognizant of the fact that while on board, it is important to be polite and considerate--come what may.  The crew are not our servants--they are people doing a job from which we benefit.  

 

We feel exactly the same way. They are definitely not our servants. We always enjoy talking to them and learning about their lives, and we appreciate all the hard work they do very much.

 

Yes, it's nice to see familiar faces, but being recognized and called by name was never of any importance to us. Maybe some people need it to boast their ego and self importance, but there are much more important things for us when we select a cruise line. Everyone is different and we should respect other people's choices and not judge them.

[Jimmycruiser]

7 hours ago, Hlitner said:

We look forward to seeing some posts about the new Crystal.  That line may be in our near future.

Have you looked at the Crystal board on cruise critic or the Facebook “Crystal society family”. Not for everyone but it fits us really well.

[SLSD]

2 hours ago, ak1004 said:

 

We feel exactly the same way. They are definitely not our servants. We always enjoy talking to them and learning about their lives, and we appreciate all the hard work they do very much.

 

Yes, it's nice to see familiar faces, but being recognized and called by name was never of any importance to us. Maybe some people need it to boast their ego and self importance, but there are much more important things for us when we select a cruise line. Everyone is different and we should respect other people's choices and not judge them.

Actually, many do call us by our names because they have photos and notes about us.  We were pleasantly surprised and amused at our first meal aboard Ovation in June when  Cristian (whom we had never met before) served us Clarandelle (misspelled) the white wine we prefer among the included wines.  He had notes that this is what we preferred and this is what he served.  What amazed me is that he had not asked our names and just had to look for us--somewhere.  

[Mr Luxury]

4 hours ago, markham said:

Jimmycruiser,

 

Have you seen the video presentation of Silver Nova? If not, please do so. It’s on the Silversea site. Then you too may be as excited as I am by the concept. IMO it is a game changer for many/most people who are looking for excellence in design and a special treat.

 

Happy and healthy sailing!

I have just received forty pictures from our TA who is on board the maiden voyage.

A game changer indeed.

I'm booking when I get off the Encore.

[frantic36]

2 hours ago, SLSD said:

Actually, many do call us by our names because they have photos and notes about us.  We were pleasantly surprised and amused at our first meal aboard Ovation in June when  Cristian (whom we had never met before) served us Clarandelle (misspelled) the white wine we prefer among the included wines.  He had notes that this is what we preferred and this is what he served.  What amazed me is that he had not asked our names and just had to look for us--somewhere.  

Cristian is a gem and will go far but we should enjoy him while we can as his family have roots in hospitality. I know he is getting as much experience as he can. He unfortunately cut his hand badly when on Quest and had to leave a bit earlier then planned but the silver lining was they took a few days to organise for him to go home and we saw him a few times out being a visitor in South American ports. With his lovely smile he was lovely to see.

[SLSD]

15 minutes ago, frantic36 said:

Cristian is a gem and will go far but we should enjoy him while we can as his family have roots in hospitality. I know he is getting as much experience as he can. He unfortunately cut his hand badly when on Quest and had to leave a bit earlier then planned but the silver lining was they took a few days to organise for him to go home and we saw him a few times out being a visitor in South American ports. With his lovely smile he was lovely to see.

I think he cut his hand before our cruise on Ovation and seemed to be ok when we met him.  He told us that he has started a business in Peru--and I am sure he will be successful with that.  And yes, that gorgeous smile.  He will meet his goals in life.  

[Jimmycruiser]

21 hours ago, markham said:

Jimmycruiser,

 

Have you seen the video presentation of Silver Nova? If not, please do so. It’s on the Silversea site. Then you too may be as excited as I am by the concept. IMO it is a game changer for many/most people who are looking for excellence in design and a special treat.

 

Happy and healthy sailing!

If your main criteria is newness it is the latest iteration of design but it is still run by Silversea so why would you expect it to have any better or higher quality food & beverage, or other services. Yes it may have more of the same but also more passengers. I can see Silversea regulars getting excited but those of us that tried SS and prefer Seabourn or Crystal will not be swayed because it is new or swayed by the hype.

[ak1004]

4 hours ago, Jimmycruiser said:

If your main criteria is newness it is the latest iteration of design but it is still run by Silversea so why would you expect it to have any better or higher quality food & beverage, or other services. Yes it may have more of the same but also more passengers. I can see Silversea regulars getting excited but those of us that tried SS and prefer Seabourn or Crystal will not be swayed because it is new or swayed by the hype.

It's 120 more passengers, I doubt anyone will even notice. Also remember that the ship is 35% larger, so much better space to passenger ratio (the highest of all ships except Crystal Serenity).

[Jimmycruiser]

6 hours ago, ak1004 said:

It's 120 more passengers, I doubt anyone will even notice. Also remember that the ship is 35% larger, so much better space to passenger ratio (the highest of all ships except Crystal Serenity).

So? I was not inferring it was not spacious. The point was it was still Silversea so not sure why you would expect it to be a game changer except if you were a SS regular. I was more reacting to a SS fan trying to convince me that my opinion of SS would change because of a new ship.

[ak1004]

1 minute ago, Jimmycruiser said:

So? I was not inferring it was not spacious. The point was it was still Silversea so not sure why you would expect it to be a game changer except if you were a SS regular. I was more reacting to a SS fan trying to convince me that my opinion of SS would change because of a new ship.

 

You mentioned more passengers, so my comment was that you probably won't even feel it. No more no less. 

 

To some people the ship is the destination, so to them the Nova is a game changer. This was also mentioned by some professional experts. But obviously if someone didn't like SS before, the new ship is not going to change it. 

[Mr Luxury]

2 hours ago, ak1004 said:

 

You mentioned more passengers, so my comment was that you probably won't even feel it. No more no less. 

 

To some people the ship is the destination, so to them the Nova is a game changer. This was also mentioned by some professional experts. But obviously if someone didn't like SS before, the new ship is not going to change it. 

How would they know if they weren't prepared to try it.

[Cru Doll]

20 hours ago, SLSD said:

Actually, many do call us by our names because they have photos and notes about us.  We were pleasantly surprised and amused at our first meal aboard Ovation in June when  Cristian (whom we had never met before) served us Clarandelle (misspelled) the white wine we prefer among the included wines.  He had notes that this is what we preferred and this is what he served.  What amazed me is that he had not asked our names and just had to look for us--somewhere.  

We enjoy being greeted by name.  It makes our experience more personal and friendly.  That is one of the reasons we sail with Seabourn.  We are also impressed that they then greet you in other venues by name.  They seem to have amazing memories!  
As for the first visit to a dining room, when you are asked for a suite number, your name appears.  And yes, they always keep a record of your preferences.  

[SLSD]

1 hour ago, Cru Doll said:

We enjoy being greeted by name.  It makes our experience more personal and friendly.  That is one of the reasons we sail with Seabourn.  We are also impressed that they then greet you in other venues by name.  They seem to have amazing memories!  
As for the first visit to a dining room, when you are asked for a suite number, your name appears.  And yes, they always keep a record of your preferences.  

Their memories are helped by computers. 

[lincslady]

19 minutes ago, SLSD said:

Their memories are helped by computers. 

Of course they are - would you be able to remember all the countless passengers you had met over the past few years?  Although they often do remember you when they see you again, and I for one think it is a pleasant thing to do, and am glad that Seabourn does encourage it and give them the help they need.