Tell me about seabourn

Chewbacca, my husband said almost the exact same thing, you said Seabourn was a step up, he said it was overall a bit better all around. (and like you we never got to try Restaurant 2-- the days I liked the menu they were full and then some days the menu just didn't appeal, so I didn't even try for reservations).

But as I said in my post, on AZ one needs a Club Continent Suite for it to be comparable to Seabourn, having an AZ veranda cabin isn't enough (as you correctly note the tiny bathrooms). We booked a Club Continent Site on AZ for both our Christmas/New Year's 2014-15 and our upcoming Christmas/New Year's 2016-17 cruises, so we could have a bathtub, which is essential to us as we will frequently walk around in port or private excursions for 7+ hours, following which we (and our tired feet) want to relax/loll in a tub and not stand up in a shower. My husband likes showers for the morning, though. Any AZ future Club Continent Suite booker should be aware that after the re-furb, the bathrooms either have a quite large, walk-in shower or the typical tub with showerhead over the tub arrangement. One very nice feature of Seabourn is that there is a separate shower and bathtub, so two people can get clean at the same time. And I agree with you that depending on timing and itinerary, we're happy to be on either AZ or Seabourn!

Lastly, in reference to not being the person that says X line is so much better, I meant when on an actual cruise on line Y-- here on CC, hopefully everyone feels free to post their honest opinions!

Even with a club continent suite and all the bells and whistles SB is far better. In terms of service and quality there is no comparison. Having tried Az there would have to be a very good case for me to go on it again. Much better itineraries though.

As I have said previously, if you book a Club Continent suite on AZ most of the time you are saying Seabourn prices. So unless it's strictly an itinerary driven decision it's a no brainer imo to book SB.

As I have said previously, if you book a Club Continent suite on AZ most of the time you are saying Seabourn prices. So unless it's strictly an itinerary driven decision it's a no brainer imo to book SB.

I absolutely agree, but for research purposes, and an excuse for another cruise, it had to be tried! ;)

When we cruised Azamara we had thie whole ship for the group we were a part of it was an awards trip and we had a club continent suite with a butler it was my first cruise and it was fabulous to say the least. Our last three have been on celebrity and we always stay in a concierge class room, I'd love to stay in a suite but I can't justify the cost for the little we are in the room. Even though we get 50% off 8 nights with my John Hancock vitality benefits. I am in my late 30s and the hubs is 40 we have no kids and we are usually the younger on the ship which is fine...I'm not much for entertainment I find it cheesy and the hubs gambles in the casino most nights. I a a bit of a foodie and we do like wine I am just looking at my options and SB, Azamara, and Crystal all qualify under the vitality discount outside of celebrity and RC (which I won't sail).

We were booked to go to carnival this February on celebrity but hubs was concerned with safety so we are back to square 1 with vacation next year....

We have cruised 10 times with Azamara and 8 with Seabourn

Will be on Seabourn Odyssey for 18 days starting 29th of October (Athens to Monte Carlo)

Then on the Azamara Journey from 23th December for 14 days (Singapore to Singapore)

One nice feature on Azamara is a hosted Seniors Officers CruiseCritic cocktail party

This is called Meet and Mingle and normally takes place shortly after muster on the first day

Great way meet fellow guests on the first day

https://secure.azamaraclubcruises.com/cruisecritic/getBooking.do

Also the Roll Call is very popular for Azamara Cruise guests - Arrange small group private tours

Ask quests about the ports, hotels and transfers

http://www.cruisecritic.com.au/rollcalls/?cruise_line_id=104

So Baytraller, you're on our AZ Journey December 23, 2016 cruise and unless you're using a different name, you haven't checked into the Roll Call for that cruise yet? Hope to see you on our Roll Call, we've got 7 pages of discussion and 25 members on it. Cheers!

P.S. We have also sailed Seabourn. Seabourn and AZ our our favorite two lines.

So Baytraller, you're on our AZ Journey December 23, 2016 cruise and unless you're using a different name, you haven't checked into the Roll Call for that cruise yet? Hope to see you on our Roll Call, we've got 7 pages of discussion and 25 members on it. Cheers!

P.S. We have also sailed Seabourn. Seabourn and AZ our our favorite two lines.

Hi pvkatmom,

My other half or should I say my better half is Baynanno1

Trish handles the Roll Call she loves excursions, photos and trivia

Maybe we could form a Trivia team - but best left to the Roll Call

Cheers,

Peter and Trish

We have cruised 10 times with Azamara and 8 with Seabourn

 

Will be on Seabourn Odyssey for 18 days starting 29th of October (Athens to Monte Carlo)

I'll be on this sailing and look forward to meeting you. I'd love to pick your brain over a cocktail as I'll have my first Azamara sailing over the New Years holiday and I'm still trying to figure out the logistics of a few things (booking specialty dining, how some of the events work, etc.)

I know your wife has checked in on the Roll Call already so hopefully we connect!

What are the differences between Holland America and Seabourn

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What are the differences between Holland America and Seabourn

 

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Sorta like the difference between coach and business class.

I have been on Holland America as well as Seabourn.

Your assessment is not at all fair! Look, you can pay Seabourn prices and get a suite on HAL. And nothing else WITH that suite that's comparable to Seabourn's product.

No, Seabourn is not business class on an airline. It is first class. HAL at the suite level or thereabouts is the walk-up fare for economy.

A review of what's displayed on seabourn.com will tall you all you need to know. No nickel and diming, no lines, and SPACE.

No kidding.

Happy and healthy sailing!

ps- BTW, the Seabourn loyalty program puts all other lines to shame.

I think Tilly's review of Azamara on the Azamara board sums it up perfectly. I enjoy both lines for different reasons and will continue to sail both lines - but always book at least a Club Continent Suite when sailing Azamara. I've got a 57 night cruise on Seabourn coming up in 2017 and the Azamara World Cruise in 2018. Enough said :)

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And, Floris, you have the AZ December 23, 2016 14 day cruise with baytraller, baynanno1 (Peter and Trish) and me and my husband (Victoria and Steve). Looking forward to meeting you all at the Meet and Mingle. :)

What are the differences between Holland America and Seabourn

 

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HA is an upper mainstream line, whereas SB is a luxury line (in the ratings like Berlitz and similar).

All the rooms on SB are outside suites, bigger than the base HA balcony cabins, and every passenger is officially supposed to be treated the same way with full access to the ship's facilities, whereas HA has price-based classes for access to some things.

SB has small ships, HA ships are 1900 or more people, so there are longer lines to get on and off the ship at ports (though usually not too bad).

I sailed HA last summer to Alaska on a group cruise I wanted to attend, with some anticipatory dread, and so being used to the luxury lines, just in case, I booked a Neptune Suite which was very nice --750 square feet with balcony, private lounge with nice snacks all day long, great concierge service for excursions and airline issue resolution assistance, comfortable bed and couch, luggage was sent from my door straight to my home airport. I was pleasantly surprised, and even the food in the dining rooms (not the Lido) was decent, though not SB luxury. I paid extra for wine, whereas on SB and other luxury lines you have some base wines and liquor included in the fare price and only pay for special wines.

Because it has bigger ships, shows are more numerous, more options.

Because it is cheaper, per passenger space is less and because there are more kids due to less price, the pool was full of kids.

Neptune Suite on HA is as close as you can come to getting suite service like on SB, and for comparable price a bigger suite, but it will not spare you from having to mingle with the bigger crowds getting on and off (though you get priority as a Neptuner). HA is a good alternative for people who want to save a bit of money, and cruise long distances with people from all walks of life, in relative comfort, especially if they are not heavy drinkers and do not care about the included drinks.

I would consider HA again for a group cruise, or if my budget declined, but for cruising with DH, and no group theme, I prefer the luxury lines.

And, Floris, you have the AZ December 23, 2016 14 day cruise with baytraller, baynanno1 (Peter and Trish) and me and my husband (Victoria and Steve). Looking forward to meeting you all at the Meet and Mingle. :)

Really looking forward to it :) 2 weeks in Indonesia, what's not to like?!

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Am very interested in cruising on Seabourn. Can you tell me what travel assistance (reduced or included airfare specifically) that SB offers? I see where they offer to help me make my arrangements, but having air fare, even coach, included is a big help in cruises starting/ending on another continent.

By the way, I am finding this Azamara/Seabourn comparison very interesting as we had looked at AZ and then moved on to SB. Might make us reopen the book.

SB does not include air in its fares. That's why they are usually cheaper than Regent which does. Nothing is "free," only "included," and you pay for what's included.

Am very interested in cruising on Seabourn. Can you tell me what travel assistance (reduced or included airfare specifically) that SB offers? I see where they offer to help me make my arrangements, but having air fare, even coach, included is a big help in cruises starting/ending on another continent.

 

By the way, I am finding this Azamara/Seabourn comparison very interesting as we had looked at AZ and then moved on to SB. Might make us reopen the book.

Upon proper payment, they will also arrange for pre/post-cruise stays and transfers.

Upon proper payment, they will also arrange for pre/post-cruise stays and transfers.

Another word for proper is exorbitant.

Another word for proper is exorbitant.

And the hotels used are often not quite the quality I'd expect from SB.

SB does not include air in its fares. That's why they are usually cheaper than Regent which does. Nothing is "free," only "included," and you pay for what's included.

Which is why I've written off Regent - I find their prices, well, stupid. I'm booked on an Oceania T/A for $6,000 less than Regent for the same size cabin and essentially same itinerary. And that includes an upgrade to business class for the flight to Barcelona. "Included" is only a bargain if you would make use of the "included" items.

Thanks for the info on SB. Looking at a T/A and it's still on the list. I can arrange airfare but just wanted to know if SB offered any help on the cost.

You can get your plane ticket through Seabourn, though it's additional cost. After booking your cruise, you talk to the air program folks and they will tell you how much they will charge to add the airfare from your gateway city to and/or from the cruise. You can opt for one way or round trip, Business or Coach. They seem willing to adjust things like carrier, routes and dates of travel. Sometimes their price is higher than you can get for yourself, and sometimes less. If you do add it, then I believe it's automatically included in the trip insurance, if you buy that from SB. And transfers to/from airport and ship are included. In summary, I think it's worth checking out. For me, getting the air from SB cuts down on the cost of antacid tablets. Even so, I always go one day early and add an hour to their suggested connection time in CDG. Belts and suspenders.

Re: air fares. It really depends on where you are going and how long the flights are. For flights up to a couple of hours, I have no problem flying in coach/economy. Longer flights we always use business class and there are plenty of choices. With the Amex Platinum card we have found the two for one deal in business class works very well on some flights but not for others. If flying to Europe, where you are going to have to make a connection anyway, look at places like Dublin as the European entry point. They can be quite a lot cheaper than connecting through London or Paris. For our next cruise, we are flying wth Aer Lingus and it is several thousand dollars cheaper than British, American or United.

Re: hotels. Ask your TA which hotels Seabourn is using and get a price comparison. It is usually - though not always - much cheaper to book the same hotel direct than to use Seabourn. Then just get a taxi to the ship.

Even with a club continent suite and all the bells and whistles SB is far better. In terms of service and quality there is no comparison. Having tried Az there would have to be a very good case for me to go on it again. Much better itineraries though.

Tilly, I have followed your postings on the Azamara page for quite some time with great interest. We are currently booked on an Oceania cruise from Cape Town to Singapore in February-March of 2018 that we are going to cancel because the particular itinerary for the cruise will not allow for a visit to the Taj Majal, which is a dealbreaker for us (especially my wife! :rolleyes:). I've now found a similar cruise on Seabourn, departing just 3 days later, and, primarily due to your postings, we're looking at it seriously. But I went to look at the Roll Call for the cruise, wanting to see what private tours might be in the works, and NO ONE has even started a Roll Call. :eek: Is that normal? Will activity pick up significantly in the coming months? Or will this be a DIY cruise in terms of tours?