New to Seabourn

[BrittaniMV]

I had some additional questions I was hoping someone could answer....

 

Do they bring warm/ cold towels while in pool? And sorbet like it says in the brochure?

 

What is typically served for breakfast? Lunch? Does it vary each day?

 

Are there gaming tables in the casino? What kinds?

How many blackjack tables are there? What is the minimum bet?

Are there slot machines?

Baccarat?

 

It says there is a barbecue for lunch on the Sky deck. What's normally served?

 

Thanks !!!

[TLCOhio]

I had some additional questions I was hoping someone could answer....

 

Do they bring warm/ cold towels while in pool? And sorbet like it says in the brochure?

 

What is typically served for breakfast? Lunch? Does it vary each day?

 

Are there gaming tables in the casino? What kinds?

How many blackjack tables are there? What is the minimum bet?

Are there slot machines?

Baccarat?

 

It says there is a barbecue for lunch on the Sky deck. What's normally served?

 

Thanks !!!

 

From our just completed first and only trip on the Seabourn Spirit, June 17-24, Athens-Istanbul, I can answer some questions. Clearly the ports visited and schedule will adjust/affect these answers and what you will actually experience.

 

COLD TOWELS/SORBET: On our trip we only had one day without a port stop. Yes, did see them offering the cold towels. If you want sorbet or some other treats, the staff is very, very good on getting you what you want and need. Just ask!!!!

 

BREAKFAST: Breakfast in your room is wonderful. Did that several days. If you request between 7:30-7:45 am, they generally arrived at 7:28 or 7:29 am. On the back of the boat, they had lots and lots of buffet and order options for breakfast. It would vary some. Both options for place and selections were super wonderful! Never sampled the main dining room downstairs. Why? Either the in-room or back veranda of the boat options were so totally wonderful.

 

CASINO: Didn't make it there. So much else to do! My impression is that these options are fairly small and limited. Good enough to get by if that's what you needed. BUT, the boat is not Vegas.

 

Saw the BBQ at lunch near the sky deck only on the day when we were sailing. The other days we headed to the Veranda and loved that so much. Why bother with the other stuff when the Veranda food, service, company and views are so totally great for lunch.

 

SEABOURN WARNING: This is serious! When it is time to pack up on your last evening, you will go into a funk and suffer major problems realizing that the good times are ending. It is bad! Dire! Try to have a good next stop ahead or something that will help you deal with those post Seabourn withdrawal symptoms. It's a nice kind of problem to have. A good sign of a great experience.

 

Does this help?

 

TLC in Ohio

[LaPaloma]

There are two Black Jack tables...usually full on the trips we take..though I have heard of trips where they are virtually empty. Roulette is usually busy. There is a small slots room...dollars and quarters. Never counted them..but I venture to guess around nine machines. I didn't play Black Jack last trip..but in the past it was high on my agenda..and the lowest wager five dollars and the high one hundred. That could change..as a lot of ships have gone to ten.

 

As to the food...if you don't see it ask..and if possible you will get it.

[joolsb]

On the Spirit in April, the deck service on sea days was fantastic - cold towels, a "spritz" of cold water to cool you down, frozen fruit kebabs, fresh lemonade and other cooling drinks (pineapple and mint, watermelon etc) - and of course some champagne sorbet in the afternoon! All of this was offered round the open decks by staff - of course in addition to this, "normal" service was constantly available for whatever you wanted, whenever you wanted it!

 

Oh dear - this is too depressing to think about, especially since we have no upcoming Seabourn adventure to dream about!

[sue marco]

On the Spirit in April, the deck service on sea days was fantastic - cold towels, a "spritz" of cold water to cool you down, frozen fruit kebabs, fresh lemonade and other cooling drinks (pineapple and mint, watermelon etc) - and of course some champagne sorbet in the afternoon! All of this was offered round the open decks by staff - of course in addition to this, "normal" service was constantly available for whatever you wanted, whenever you wanted it!

 

Oh dear - this is too depressing to think about, especially since we have no upcoming Seabourn adventure to dream about!

 

Joolsb - were we on the Spirit together in April?? We did the Singapore to Dubai leg - lots of lovely sea days to fully appreciate the wonderful deck service. Now if I could only get someone to look after me like that at home!

 

TLC - you are so right to warn of the horrible funk when you pack. I get Seabourn withdrawal all the time that I am not on board, so it's an ongoing thing - but that miserable feeling when you are about to leave and you can just imagine the excited people about to get on and use "your" suite - what a nerve. Seabourn certainly know how to capture us all - hence the fact that the ships are getting so booked up in advance. Roll on November :) . Sue.

[joolsb]

Hi Sue - yes we were on from Singapore to Dubai, although we didn't meet. Amazingly, after "dining out" with so many people, we really felt we must have met everyone - but of course on looking at the Guest List, we were nowhere near!

 

Enjoy November - I am very jealous! We have a Christmas and New Year Caribbean cruise booked (whisper - with another line!:eek: ) but are taking our 3 boys this time, so Seabourn will have to wait!

 

J

[GrannyLorr]

Singapore to Dubai eh? I just bet I have a pic of you with an orange life vest around your neck, with lovely black sky above! :D

[joolsb]

I wondered if anyone was taking pictures (from the comfort of the Sky Bar and a Singapore Sling;) ) of the collection of "drowned rats" braving the rain in lifejackets! The crew were very kind though and got through the drill as quickly as they could, so we didn't get too wet!

 

J

[blackbird71]

Silly newbie question, where is the lifeboat drill held?

 

Because of it size it could be done this way, but one of the very few high marks I can give Sliverseas was for thier lifeboat drill. At the bells you went to your outside muster station and they pointed out your lifeboat, then they walked you into the main lounge and did all the talk about the life vests etc. I liked that. I do not think it is real world to have the whole drill in a lounge like a couple lines do. OTOH standing out side during the whole talk is also a pain especially in bad weather.

 

I LOVE LIFEBOAT DRILL... My cruise has started.... :) [/color]

[SantaAna,CA]

Blackbird, on the Legend, (and I suspect the two other Seabourn ships as well, since they are the same), the lifeboat drill is held on the deck that holds the lifeboats, deck 7.

 

P.S. About the Seabourn warning above...it is the truth. I had joked that we should have hired a psychologist to ride with us from the airport back home....to get adjusted to the "real world" again. I wasn't far off. It was several months before I could deal with the fact that I was truly having to work for a living again...instead of being served by white gloved waiters morning, noon and night.....truth be told, I felt as if I were going cold turkey off some exotic drug!!!

 

Jane :)

[PeaSea8ch]

About the Seabourn warning above...it is the truth. I had joked that we should have hired a psychologist to ride with us from the airport back home....to get adjusted to the "real world" again. I wasn't far off. It was several months before I could deal with the fact that I was truly having to work for a living again...instead of being served by white gloved waiters morning, noon and night.....truth be told, I felt as if I were going cold turkey off some exotic drug!!!

 

Jane :)

Just like the rest of us, you too have become addicted to Seabourn. It is a nice affliction to have! :rolleyes: :D

[CeeJay11]

We too have experienced the terrible withdrawal symptoms of leaving a Seabourn ship - and the only way you can possibly handle it is to have at least one if not more Seabourn cruises booked before you leave! It really does help the horrible pain of leaving!! We have 3 booked so we're reasonably happy :) Can't wait 'til November. 16 glorious days!!

[blackbird71]

P.S. About the Seabourn warning above...it is the truth. I had joked that we should have hired a psychologist to ride with us from the airport back home....to get adjusted to the "real world" again. I wasn't far off. It was several months before I could deal with the fact that I was truly having to work for a living again...instead of being served by white gloved waiters morning, noon and night.....truth be told, I felt as if I were going cold turkey off some exotic drug!!!

 

Jane :)

You have to wonder what it is like for people like GrannyLorr after 59 (As I recall) days of that service. I noticed a big difference between my last two cruises and a lot amounts to the number of days. My Silverseas cruise was only 4 days and you do not get into the rhythm as with a 12 day cruise. In part because it was only 4 days and the staff did not take the service seriously, within two days on the RSSC Mariner the morning waiter in the buffet restaurant knew my name and my wants.... The longer I was on the more comfortable the old shoe was :p

 

And to think about the GrannyLorrs that have spent much more time on a Seabourn cruise, I can only think that the come down is very hard.

[thulewx]

My least objectionable was on Princess Ocean - it was held in the main theater, no roll call, and your steward would point out the info card and let you know how to get to your station. HAL was ok,, but insisted that, even if you were on B2B, you had to do it both times. And why some take roll call and some don't, I don't understand.:confused:

[blackbird71]

LOL my worst Lifeboat Drill was on the old Regency cruise line. The drill sgts lined us up on the deck at the front of the ship. Women and children first then the men. Next they marched us to our lifeboat stations for the talk. Again they formed us up woman and children in front men in back....

 

 

Oh long Seabourn sailors, ;) does Seabourn make the passengers on B2B or multi-segments redo the drill for each segment.

[PeaSea8ch]

Oh long Seabourn sailors, ;) does Seabourn make the passengers on B2B or multi-segments redo the drill for each segment.

On Seabourn, one lifeboat drill suffices for all B2B segments, so we just hang over the rail from the Sky Bar and gawk (not really, just chuckle to ourselves) at the newly embarked passengers while sipping our favorite libation. Of course, I am scanning the passengers looking for intellectual types as potential Trivia team members! :D :D

[loungeboy]

On Seabourn, one lifeboat drill suffices for all B2B segments, so we just hang over the rail from the Sky Bar and gawk (not really, just chuckle to ourselves) at the newly embarked passengers while sipping our favorite libation. Of course, I am scanning the passengers looking for intellectual types as potential Trivia team members! :D :D

 

I heard you were a "brain man", Paul!:D

 

(a little humor from a total stranger!)

[PeaSea8ch]

I heard you were a "brain man", Paul!:D

(a little humor from a total stranger!)

Hi Loungeboy, If the truth be known, I am about as stupid as a stump in Trivia. :eek: I do not have a clue as to the correct answers of about 99.9 percent of the Trivia questions asked. :confused: I have been most fortunate to be the scribe of teams that have had an eclectic mix of passengers with different interests. :) This, I feel is the best Trivia team. Good-natured humor from anybody is always welcome by me. :D

[Two4Sea]

Brittani, in our drooling we forgot breakfast. The dining room has a fixed menu but I can’t think of a traditional item that wasn’t on it, a simple little card but it named everything. Lunch is like dinner, many daily choices plus a back up of “always available” items. The Sky Bar lunch had a bit of salad with a BBQ feature changing amongst one of beef, fish, fowl, hot dogs, hamburgers and a few ethnic themes. If you don’t want to get out of your swimsuit it is convenient and if you like the menu in the daily news then make a point of calling. The Sky Bar is tied in with room service so custom orders at their seating area or on deck are easy.

 

Bill

[GrannyLorr]

You have to wonder what it is like for people like GrannyLorr after 59 (As I recall) days of that service.

And to think about the GrannyLorrs that have spent much more time on a Seabourn cruise, I can only think that the come down is very hard.

 

 

It was only 55 days blackbird....how am I going to manage after my next cruise....72 days!!

 

[blackbird71]

Yes GrannyLorr they will have to pry your hands from the hand rails. :D as you scream No NO do not take me away.... :eek:

 

Down under question. In your 55 days on the Sprirt, was there any food items that you missed not having?

[PeaSea8ch]

It was only 55 days blackbird....how am I going to manage after my next cruise....72 days!!

Hi GranyLorr, the only thing better than a 55 day cruise on Seabourn is a 72 day cruise on Seabourn! :D I will be green with envy while you are on that circumnavigation of South America! I also hope you continue with your excellent travelogue and with a few pictures sprinkled in.

[GrannyLorr]

There may be something better than a 55 day or a 72 day in the future....Vitor ~mentioned~ something about WORLD CRUISES with the new ships! (Not that I would be able to afford that anyway :( )

I will certainly be taking my trusty old laptop with me next time, just cant help myself when it comes to gloating about my trips! Have to start saving now though to pay for all the internet use.......

Blackbird, they had to pry my fingers from the rails on the last trip...will be worse next time. They wouldnt even let me move into the crew quarters and do dishes, even though one of the waiters agreed to share his room with me!

I cant think of a thing in the food department that I missed....I certainly miss the food on the ship, especially now that I have to cook and clean!

When the ship was in Australia they bought lots of seafood which lasted a long time....I have bragged to people that every one of the 55 days, I ate either shrimp or lobster...in the Verandah at lunch, almost every day there was a platter of shrimp, or a hot dish with shrimp. One thing I wasnt really happy with was the "carvery" at lunchtime...for me the meat was always much too rare.......I just love roast lamb, but could never eat it as it was still "baaa ing"...hubby likes it that way, and I suppose most people do...just me who had to miss out!

There were times when we felt we had just "had enough" of all the good food, so a burger or hot dog in the Sky Grill was just what we needed...something simple for a change.

[blackbird71]

GL

Talk about crying,, I will be on Celebrity going between NZ and AU and IMHO I will be lucky just to see AU/NZ lobster on that cruise more than twice in 14 days and they may be imported from the US. :(

 

Did somebody say World Cruise :D After my bad experience on Silverseas I would NEVER recommend it to anybody. But in 2007 they are having their first World Cruise. In doing pricing between Seabourn and Silverseas they are pretty much in the same ballpark. So you may want to look at the SS WC for pricing ideas. Also there are specials for full cruise passengers. In addition there are gifts the cruise lines give their WC passengers.

 

From Grumpy's 2005 WC on HAL Princendam...

Pillow Gifts? Well, actually they were on the foot of the bed, so technically they weren't pillow gifts...

 

Holland America white canvas shopping bag

 

Blue Nylon zippered shoulder bag

Leather day planner/calender

Leather credit card wallet

Leather document wallet

Leather key wallet

Leather luggage tags

Luggage straps

House slippers

dual time zone alarm clock

designer coffee mug

Rectangular ceramic tray with map of voyage on it

6x6 framed tile with a map of each segment (4 total)

4inch Prinsendam tile

Ballistic Nylon wheeled duffle bag

Faces of Africa coffee table book

Blue Nylon hooded jacket

Folding cane/monopod seat with zipper case

ceramic elephant with 50gm tea from Sri Lanka

stuffed lion about the size of a beanie baby

magnifying glass in a slide in case

long shoe horn

gold medallion in a wooden chest (only for full voyage after dinner with captain)

Chocolate Heart box with truffles inside for Valentines day

Chocolate basket with chocolate eggs for easter

 

I think that about covers it. All items were per person, so we have two of everything.

ah the things dreams are made of....

[GrannyLorr]

I read all of Grumpys journal...actually it is all his fault that I decided on such a long "first cruise"......after reading that journal, there was no way I could just do a 2 week cruise!

And as for the Pillow gifts...well we got some things similar

white shopping bag

luggage tags

document folder

house slippers

luggage straps (won them at trivia)

rabbits and eggs at easter...oh and jelly beans.....and REAL eggs.