Not a newbie sails Odyssey August 11, 2023. Alaska: Glaciers, Fjords & Inside Passage

[LMB01]

A few other items, the 5 cruises we have been on post Covid, the Observation bar was always mostly set up by 5:30am daily - most days I saw the F&B manager going up to check about that time (I am also an early riser).

 

The new ships are not ones we would ever go on - the lack of a casino and TK Grill are dealbreakers.  I only mention this as another example of we all don’t value the same things on Seabourn.

[BeNice ToEveryone]

On 8/15/2023 at 4:22 PM, frantic36 said:

 

The breadsticks are still on the table and as mentioned the bread is served and you get offered choices from white roll, baguette slice, wholemeal, wholegrain, rye etc.

The breadsticks on the table saved us on our recent Quest voyage! My mother only dines in the MDR, and we had horrible, disastrous to the point of laughter, inedible meals our first several nights. We resorted to pre-dinner nibbles in  Observation (and those were pretty pitiful as well) and then breadsticks, wine and dessert in the MDR. 

[Mr Luxury]

4 hours ago, BeNice ToEveryone said:

The breadsticks on the table saved us on our recent Quest voyage! My mother only dines in the MDR, and we had horrible, disastrous to the point of laughter, inedible meals our first several nights. We resorted to pre-dinner nibbles in  Observation (and those were pretty pitiful as well) and then breadsticks, wine and dessert in the MDR. 

Did you not have a meeting with the hotel director to rectify the situation rather than go on a crash diet.

[BeNice ToEveryone]

My mother spoke daily with the F&B manager as well as a few times with the hotel director. She is not a newbie - 90 years old and over 1000 days with SB - so the officers were regularly checking on her. I did manage convince her to *just try* E&O, and our final dinners were amazing.  I merely wanted to emphasize that the beloved Seabourn breadsticks are still offered and still fabulous!  

 

Overall, she enjoyed her last voyage on Seabourn, and I'm grateful to have gone along on so many as her companion after my dad was no longer able to travel. She passed peacefully about a month after we disembarked.

 

My husband and I are thrilled to be carrying on the family tradition - we sail in 72 days! and again about 3 months later! 

 

[Mr Luxury]

1 hour ago, BeNice ToEveryone said:

My mother spoke daily with the F&B manager as well as a few times with the hotel director. She is not a newbie - 90 years old and over 1000 days with SB - so the officers were regularly checking on her. I did manage convince her to *just try* E&O, and our final dinners were amazing.  I merely wanted to emphasize that the beloved Seabourn breadsticks are still offered and still fabulous!  

 

Overall, she enjoyed her last voyage on Seabourn, and I'm grateful to have gone along on so many as her companion after my dad was no longer able to travel. She passed peacefully about a month after we disembarked.

 

My husband and I are thrilled to be carrying on the family tradition - we sail in 72 days! and again about 3 months later! 

 

Have a wonderful time and take fond memories of your mother with you.

[BeNice ToEveryone]

Thank you. We shall do so.

[reposado]

On 8/5/2023 at 10:13 AM, jondfk said:

I don't post food porn (I find it rude and distracting when the next table is taking photos of their food) or menus (since these are simple to see on Source).

 

 

Hmm I never knew me taking pictures of my own plate at my own table would bother someone else at another table... 

[jondfk]

29 minutes ago, reposado said:

 

Hmm I never knew me taking pictures of my own plate at my own table would bother someone else at another table... 

it’s not the photo per se it’s the inevitable flash, second attempt, third attempt to frame the perfect shot that I find bothersome.

[reposado]

33 minutes ago, jondfk said:

it’s not the photo per se it’s the inevitable flash, second attempt, third attempt to frame the perfect shot that I find bothersome.

 

I see its a good thing I dont use flash then but I am guilty of sometimes making a few attempts to get a right. 😀

[SLSD]

1 hour ago, jondfk said:

it’s not the photo per se it’s the inevitable flash, second attempt, third attempt to frame the perfect shot that I find bothersome.

I only take a few photos of food--and it is ONLY for people in this group--so they can see what is being served.  I always do it as quickly as possible (and discreetly) and only one shot.  Next time we are on the same cruise, introduce yourself so I will be careful not to do it in your vicinity!  I think having a few photos makes a real time commentary a bit more interesting.  I would find a constant flash and repeated attempts a bit annoying too.  

[cruiseej]

3 hours ago, reposado said:

Hmm I never knew me taking pictures of my own plate at my own table would bother someone else at another table... 

 

If the mere presence or absence of a collar on a man's shirt on the other side of the Restaurant bothers some people, then can you really be surprised that photo activities at a nearby table would bother some? 🤣

[jondfk]

So, a coda, regarding this voyage.  A couple weeks following our sailing our SB booking rep contacted us to ask how the voyage had gone, we expressed our disappointment at the limited operation of the restaurant.  She challenged me to list dates it was closed, instead I gave her the much shorter listed of opening days.  She expressed her understanding that the Restaurant should have been open for all breakfasts and the vast majority of lunches (which is what we experienced on Ovation in June) she quoted from internal correspondence which simply didn’t match our experience.  We were directed towards guest relationships via email.

 

Two weeks passed before a response arrived which included a statement confirming our experience did not meet SB expectations, though no explanation for why was offered.  We were offered a total of $1500 towards a future voyage though the time offered was short, sailing within 12 months.  While we appreciate the gesture we are unlikely to take advantage, there are simply too many other options to risk another disappointment so soon.
 

We may, itinerary and price considered, sail SB again in the future but will likely try SS in addition to our upcoming Viking Oceans voyage before looking this direction again.

 

Jon

[SLSD]

8 hours ago, jondfk said:

So, a coda, regarding this voyage.  A couple weeks following our sailing our SB booking rep contacted us to ask how the voyage had gone, we expressed our disappointment at the limited operation of the restaurant.  She challenged me to list dates it was closed, instead I gave her the much shorter listed of opening days.  She expressed her understanding that the Restaurant should have been open for all breakfasts and the vast majority of lunches (which is what we experienced on Ovation in June) she quoted from internal correspondence which simply didn’t match our experience.  We were directed towards guest relationships via email.

 

Two weeks passed before a response arrived which included a statement confirming our experience did not meet SB expectations, though no explanation for why was offered.  We were offered a total of $1500 towards a future voyage though the time offered was short, sailing within 12 months.  While we appreciate the gesture we are unlikely to take advantage, there are simply too many other options to risk another disappointment so soon.
 

We may, itinerary and price considered, sail SB again in the future but will likely try SS in addition to our upcoming Viking Oceans voyage before looking this direction again.

 

Jon

Jon, I am beginning to think that the opening and/or closure of the Restaurant at breakfast and/or lunch is left up to the staff onboard each ship.  I still remember being told (as I think you were?) that the Restaurant was going to be open ACROSS the FLEET at both breakfast and lunch each day.  Others were told the same and we experienced that on our mutual Ovation cruise last June.  I don't blame you for being disappointed.  Of course I am always soundly criticized here for preferring to dine at breakfast in the Restaurant (lunch on some days as well).  The message you received back from SB seems to imply that they EXPECTED the Restaurant to be open for these meals--or else they were not being honest with you--and just saying empty words.  

Edited October 25, 2023 by SLSD