First time British/American cruisers, first time Seabourn - a thank you to you all

Hello,

We have been lurking in the forums as we have been planning a dream honeymoon. Want to thank everyone on the forums for being so helpful- the wealth of information from people is amazing and so thoughtful.

We have just had a wonderful reception in Oxfordshire and will be going on a (slightly delayed by a few weeks), honeymoon on the 17 Oct, 17 day cruise of the Med departing Barcelona on Sojourn.

We are both in our early 40s, British & American gay couple, and really looking forward to this trip.

Have a few quick questions for the group if you don't mind:

1) Few people mentioned needing to pre-book TK online, however I can't seem to find the reservation tool. Either there is no TK restaurant on our ship, or I am not looking in the right place. Any thoughts?

2) As first time cruisers, we have booked a few excursions (specifically the wine tasting ones- we do love our Chardonnay and Viognier) - however do you think its reasonable to disembark and wander on our own? What is the disembarkation process like when you just wander the city? Pretty straightforward I hope.

3) We are planning on purchasing WIFI, but don't see any pre-purchasing options, assuming you can just buy this on the boat? This is a must have isn't it? Are there any places onboard with Free WIFI?

4) Since this is our first time cruising, we don't have any idea on how socialising with other guests works. We are a very outgoing couple and don't mind talking/drinking with strangers but don't know anyone and I didn't see anything on the roll call for our specific cruise. Any tips for us on making friends or some well established etiquette or advice?

Thank you in advance for your advice and help!

:)

Hello,

 

We have been lurking in the forums as we have been planning a dream honeymoon. Want to thank everyone on the forums for being so helpful- the wealth of information from people is amazing and so thoughtful.

 

We have just had a wonderful reception in Oxfordshire and will be going on a (slightly delayed by a few weeks), honeymoon on the 17 Oct, 17 day cruise of the Med departing Barcelona on Sojourn.

 

We are both in our early 40s, British & American gay couple, and really looking forward to this trip.

 

Have a few quick questions for the group if you don't mind:

 

1) Few people mentioned needing to pre-book TK online, however I can't seem to find the reservation tool. Either there is no TK restaurant on our ship, or I am not looking in the right place. Any thoughts?

 

There is no dedicated TK restaurant on Sojourn yet. This is due to happen in Drydock late in 2017. They will convert Restaurant 2 to TK Grill then. Restaurant 2 is a small plate tasting menu currently. We like it but not all do. You can ask for an example of menus at guest services in Seabourn Square. Booking is on board and it has changed it used to be not two till two days before but again just ask at reception. We have been lucky at times and been to sometimes walked up on the night and got a booking, but not always.

 

2) As first time cruisers, we have booked a few excursions (specifically the wine tasting ones- we do love our Chardonnay and Viognier) - however do you think its reasonable to disembark and wander on our own? What is the disembarkation process like when you just wander the city? Pretty straightforward I hope.

 

Absolutely you can wander around on your own and we often do. Some of your ports require a tender so you will have to catch that to the dock. Last tender is usually half an hour before the ship sails. Otherwise just walk of the ship after showing your sea pass and have fun.

 

Not sure what you are doing in Sete but we did a private food walking tour. We discovered in the market around 11am quite often local people will go to the fresh oyster shucking places toward the back of the market and sit down with a small carafe of house wine and some freshly shucked oysters. The place we were taken to was Huitres-Bouzigues.Com and they were delicious and very reasonable prices depending on size. They sold other food as well.

 

 

 

3) We are planning on purchasing WIFI, but don't see any pre-purchasing options, assuming you can just buy this on the boat? This is a must have isn't it? Are there any places onboard with Free WIFI?

 

You can't pre-purchase WiFi as far as I know, just on the first day when you board. This is the most awkward day with regards people getting signed up for WiFi, excursions and any restaurant 2 bookings. Luckily the coffee place is there as well and comfortable chairs scattered around. Wifi set up this July on Sojourn was quick.

 

4) Since this is our first time cruising, we don't have any idea on how socialising with other guests works. We are a very outgoing couple and don't mind talking/drinking with strangers but don't know anyone and I didn't see anything on the roll call for our specific cruise. Any tips for us on making friends or some well established etiquette or advice?

 

At Sail Away on your first day if there are spare chairs at a table just ask if you can join. Letting guest services know you are happy to join hosted tables, chatting to people on tours, being happy to share a table in the MDR rather then a table for two. At the various bars such as Sky Bar on Deck 9, Observation Bar on Deck 10 and the club on Deck 5 for pre and post dinner drinks. I don't know how but we find meeting people seems to just happen.

 

Thank you in advance for your advice and help!

 

:)

Congratulations on your marriage and enjoy your honeymoon.

My replies in red above and I am sure others will have good tips or corrections.:)

Julie

Thank you Julie for taking the time to write us! We are even more excited now.

I think we will take your advice and try a combination of a few excursions but just do research on the other ports, and make up our own journey for the other stops. 17 days is such a luxury for us so we may make use of day times to explore then later afternoon evenings to indulge in the ships' amenities.

From research on past threads it seems like there will be a mixture of guests on Seabourn, slightly older than us, European and others. We really enjoy conversation with new friends so we hope we will fit in as a 40 something gay couple!

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Congratulations and welcome to Seabourn - I am sure you will have an amazing honeymoon (make sure Seabourn know as there are some nice little touches for special occasions). If you haven't had onboard credit from Seabourn there is a sticky at the top of this board to get $400 onboard credit if you are referred by an existing cruiser - lots of offers and I think you should just make it. You can then use your credit for wifi, nice bottles of wine, spa treatments, shopping on board etc.

Sharing a table is the best way to meet people we found.

Have fun :):)

You will be in the younger age group but age is just a number. We have met some who are old before their time and others who are young at heart. One of our Seabourn friends turns 80 next year but she dances up a storm at the Rock the Boat on deck party. She is always one of the last to leave. We are so looking forward to catching up with her at the end of the year.

By the way try not to miss the Rock the Boat or Dancing on Deck. It's lots of fun.

Julie

Thanks Techno! Yes we've seen the referral credit bit however we booked through Amex Travel and our Platinum card got us 300 credit but was told after booking that this couldn't be used w the referral which is a bit of a bummer as its a tad more. Either way we are super excited!!!

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You made a great decision wit Seabourn. Fabulous friendly passengers and crew. The most convivial atmosphere is fueled by the open bar. No worries about who picks up the tab. I've recommended Seabourn to a couple of our gay friends, they haven't sailed yet but I'm sure they will. Have a great life together.

Congratulations! We'll be joining you on this cruise! We are older than you but very active (me..Margaret, 64, my husband Bob, 70). We have also prebooked several excursions but are very interested in some of the hiking ones early in the trip....waiting to book to make sure nothing is amiss in the next 2 weeks. We will be visiting with family for a few days before sailing but are staying at the Claris the evening before embarkation. Or if you'd like to meet up at sailaway, we can set something up (red rose in the buttonhole?). We've been remodeling our house and are really looking forward to a break.

This will be our fourth Seabourn cruise. We've met some of the most wonderful folks on Seabourn. You picked a great way to honeymoon!

Congratulations on your marriage... you've picked a fabulous way to celebrate.

If you enjoy dining with others, ask to share a table when being seated in the Restaurant. The Seabourn staff does a great job of trying to match up folks who would enjoy talking to one another. That's how I met Roxburgh and his lovely wife (who will both be on your sailing)!

Wandering in port is what you'll find many doing. For those who like organized tours, Seabourn does a great job but many like the freedom to spend more time in port. In almost all ports, a local representative will set up in Seabourn Square with walking maps and information on things to do. We often just grab a map and ask for a couple of restaurant recommendations.

Wifi is onboard but most ports have spots with free wifi. If I don't have to stay connected, I sometimes forgo the ship wifi save for a small package and instead just check in while in port. If you don't do an unlimited package onboard, try to log on, download, log off, then upload again when you log back on. You can stretch a package out well that way!

Seabourn is very friendly and social so you'll have no trouble meeting others if you are open. There is usually a Friends of Dorothy/LGBT reception one evening early in the cruise and there are usually several couples and advocate friends there if you are looking to meet other couples. There are a few LGBT crew members/entertainers across the fleet and they are good at playing host. I've also found that among the younger demographic on board, there are many in the family.

Let me add my congrats as well.

All great advice from the other posters. We have cruised all over the world on Seabourn but the Med is still our favorite place to cruise. One of the reasons is that there is little reason to take an excursion at all. Most of the ports are interesting places where you can wander on your own, enjoy a leisurely lunch in a seaside cafe and amble back to the ship.

As to ship advice one thing I often hear from new passengers toward the end of the cruise is " I wish I had known that there were more options than the red and white wine offered each night at dinner." Seabourn will have a selection of about 20 house wines so if what they feature on a particular night is not to your liking you can say " That sounds lovely but I wonder if there is a Chardonnay available " or " Is there any more of the lively Sancerre I had the other night.?" It might take a few minutes but they will be happy to get it for you.

And let me tell you what has always made Seabourn special for us is the crew. They work so hard trying to provide all passengers with warm and efficient service. But if you treat them with courtesy, learn their names and call them by such and smile they will spoil you rotten. (the only downside with this is at some point you do have to disembark ).

And as to the Referral credit -- simply pass on your Amex credit and take the $400 referral credit. That $400 will buy you Internet for the entire cruise or a few bottle of special wine (perhaps a nice Comtes de Tattinger to toast you nuptials?)

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Also congratulations!

We will also be on this cruise. Arriving in Barcelona on the Saturday and staying at the Hesperia Presidente on the Diagonal.

The only tour we have booked is on disembarkation in Monaco as we have a late flight. Otherwise, our plans are just to wander around the different ports which is what we often do in the med.

Charles & Susan

Congratulations on your marriage... you've picked a fabulous way to celebrate.

 

 

 

If you enjoy dining with others, ask to share a table when being seated in the Restaurant. The Seabourn staff does a great job of trying to match up folks who would enjoy talking to one another. That's how I met Roxburgh and his lovely wife (who will both be on your sailing)!

 

 

 

Wandering in port is what you'll find many doing. For those who like organized tours, Seabourn does a great job but many like the freedom to spend more time in port. In almost all ports, a local representative will set up in Seabourn Square with walking maps and information on things to do. We often just grab a map and ask for a couple of restaurant recommendations.

 

 

 

Wifi is onboard but most ports have spots with free wifi. If I don't have to stay connected, I sometimes forgo the ship wifi save for a small package and instead just check in while in port. If you don't do an unlimited package onboard, try to log on, download, log off, then upload again when you log back on. You can stretch a package out well that way!

 

 

 

Seabourn is very friendly and social so you'll have no trouble meeting others if you are open. There is usually a Friends of Dorothy/LGBT reception one evening early in the cruise and there are usually several couples and advocate friends there if you are looking to meet other couples. There are a few LGBT crew members/entertainers across the fleet and they are good at playing host. I've also found that among the younger demographic on board, there are many in the family.

Jeni-

What fantastic insight. Thank you. We didn't know about a FoD reception, that will be a nice thing to do. Truth told we don't need to socialise with other gay couples it's just nice to meet all sorts of different people.

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Let me add my congrats as well.

 

All great advice from the other posters. We have cruised all over the world on Seabourn but the Med is still our favorite place to cruise. One of the reasons is that there is little reason to take an excursion at all. Most of the ports are interesting places where you can wander on your own, enjoy a leisurely lunch in a seaside cafe and amble back to the ship.

 

As to ship advice one thing I often hear from new passengers toward the end of the cruise is " I wish I had known that there were more options than the red and white wine offered each night at dinner." Seabourn will have a selection of about 20 house wines so if what they feature on a particular night is not to your liking you can say " That sounds lovely but I wonder if there is a Chardonnay available " or " Is there any more of the lively Sancerre I had the other night.?" It might take a few minutes but they will be happy to get it for you.

 

And let me tell you what has always made Seabourn special for us is the crew. They work so hard trying to provide all passengers with warm and efficient service. But if you treat them with courtesy, learn their names and call them by such and smile they will spoil you rotten. (the only downside with this is at some point you do have to disembark ).

 

 

And as to the Referral credit -- simply pass on your Amex credit and take the $400 referral credit. That $400 will buy you Internet for the entire cruise or a few bottle of special wine (perhaps a nice Comtes de Tattinger to toast you nuptials?)

 

 

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C,

We will definitely take your advice on the wine, cheers for that. I didn't know we could pass on the Amex credit. Will look into that!

Great advice on hanging out in port, I noticed a few articles on CC on these so we will investigate. I am more and more excited as we learn more!

I love all your tips everyone! We are very appreciative.

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Also congratulations!

 

We will also be on this cruise. Arriving in Barcelona on the Saturday and staying at the Hesperia Presidente on the Diagonal.

 

The only tour we have booked is on disembarkation in Monaco as we have a late flight. Otherwise, our plans are just to wander around the different ports which is what we often do in the med.

 

Charles & Susan

Fantastic! Great to meet you!

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Congratulations! We'll be joining you on this cruise! We are older than you but very active (me..Margaret, 64, my husband Bob, 70). We have also prebooked several excursions but are very interested in some of the hiking ones early in the trip....waiting to book to make sure nothing is amiss in the next 2 weeks. We will be visiting with family for a few days before sailing but are staying at the Claris the evening before embarkation. Or if you'd like to meet up at sailaway, we can set something up (red rose in the buttonhole?). We've been remodeling our house and are really looking forward to a break.

 

 

 

This will be our fourth Seabourn cruise. We've met some of the most wonderful folks on Seabourn. You picked a great way to honeymoon!

Fantastic! Great to e-meet you!

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Thanks Techno! Yes we've seen the referral credit bit however we booked through Amex Travel and our Platinum card got us 300 credit but was told after booking that this couldn't be used w the referral which is a bit of a bummer as its a tad more. Either way we are super excited!!!

 

 

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If you have 100 shares in Carnival (CCL) you get $250 on-board credit every time you sail (14 days or more).

And they pay a dividend.

C,

I didn't know we could pass on the Amex credit. Will look into that!

If you do, I am offering one in the coupon thread!

marazul167@gmail.com

C,

 

We will definitely take your advice on the wine, cheers for that. I didn't know we could pass on the Amex credit. Will look into that!

 

Great advice on hanging out in port, I noticed a few articles on CC on these so we will investigate. I am more and more excited as we learn more!

 

I love all your tips everyone! We are very appreciative.

 

 

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On two occasions when other on-board credit was worth more than the Amex credit we have passed on it. Both times, Amex agreed to credit my Platinum account with the $300. So we got the best of both worlds.

... I think we will take your advice and try a combination of a few excursions but just do research on the other ports, and make up our own journey for the other stops. 17 days is such a luxury for us so we may make use of day times to explore then later afternoon evenings to indulge in the ships' amenities.

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Here is a link to a website that we often times use to gain a bit of insight on the ports we will be visiting: http://www.whatsinport.com/

Enjoy your honeymoon on Seabourn - I am sure it will be wonderful!

Here is a link to a website that we often times use to gain a bit of insight on the ports we will be visiting: http://www.whatsinport.com/

 

 

 

Enjoy your honeymoon on Seabourn - I am sure it will be wonderful!

What a great resource, thank you! Embarrassing to say we don't know how the tender system works but we will find out when we board and disembark for the first time. Part of the adventure I suppose!

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Often we have found we can just show up at the tender station (usually deck three accessed via stairs at the back of the Restaurant on four) and wait in a short queue for the next tender. If numerous tours are going out early you might want to wait a bit to let them get off first. The nice thing about Seabourn is the tenders hold a fair number of people so you usually don't have much of a wait. The tender takes you to a dock where you disembark. There is usually a Seabourn tent set up with cold drinks and wet towels. You go back to this same location when you are ready to return to the ship. The Seabourn tenders usually run on a continuous basis so again not usually much of a wait on your return. I prefer to dock but Seabourn's tendering does often allow you to get into the heart of a town and alleviate the need for a shuttle bus (which they will run free of charge if they have to dock a distance from town).

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Often we have found we can just show up at the tender station (usually deck three accessed via stairs at the back of the Restaurant on four) and wait in a short queue for the next tender. If numerous tours are going out early you might want to wait a bit to let them get off first. The nice thing about Seabourn is the tenders hold a fair number of people so you usually don't have much of a wait. The tender takes you to a dock where you disembark. There is usually a Seabourn tent set up with cold drinks and wet towels. You go back to this same location when you are ready to return to the ship. The Seabourn tenders usually run on a continuous basis so again not usually much of a wait on your return. I prefer to dock but Seabourn's tendering does often allow you to get into the heart of a town and alleviate the need for a shuttle bus (which they will run free of charge if they have to dock a distance from town).

 

 

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Amazing! Thank you for the insight. Sounds like a lovely, easy service.

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on your choice of each other and of your honeymoon cruise! I recently sailed Barcelona-Monte Carlo on Sojourn--calm seas, gorgeous weather and super companions, both ship's staff and passengers.

Your Captain should be Hamish Elliott (British), your CD Sophie (Iranian-American), asst. CD Ashley (American)--both ladies are fabulous singers, as you will discover. A lot of other nationalities will be aboard behind the scenes as well as on the passenger list. It is always fun to see old friends and make new ones. The Club on deck 5 is a great meeting place. Juan will invent drinks for you and Sophie and Ashley will host Team Trivia games as often as possible.

One excursion I highly recommend is Splendido Olive Oil (SM2001) from the port of Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy; it is an olive oil tasting and wonderful lunch with fabulous Med views from a famed hotel. It books early so go on line and reserve tomorrow!!

As you can tell I wish I were travelling with you. Give my best to Captain Elliott and his entire crew; they will make this a most memorable honeymoon for you.

 

your CD Sophie (Iranian-American),

 

Sophie is British.

Well we're a British / American couple, so either way we will get along splendidly.

Through all this excitement and encouragement, we are actually contemplating taking a helicopter as a transfer between Monte Carlo and Nice.

It sounds romantic (and terrifying!). Has anyone by chance done this? Flight time is 7 minutes and they depart every 30.

We need to catch a flight out of Nice Airport at noon, so this would get us there in a jiffy.