johng75370

Thanks for hitting the nail on the head! They have an email list from the open deposit program which is the same as a list of their most interested/excited pent-up-demand-filled future customers - yet no contact other than confirmation of the deposit. Sharing some of the design details (arch drawings, for example) would be a good first step to fill the awkward silence. Happy we did the open booking and looking forward to the relaunch - just surprised about this part of it,

I have not seen SWTC offered since they restarted last year, including our Caribbean voyages last month and last year. Hoping they bring it back. In terms of the Herald, not sure exactly when it’s available the night before but the cabin attendant would leave it during the evening service.

From our recent Seabourn experiences (11 days on Sojourn earlier this month, and 3 voyages last year) I would agree that the overall experience and food is comparable to pre-pandemic. Staff was as great as ever. However we did feel on this last voyage that something was off when it came to provisions. There was no strawberry jam the entire voyage (neither for breakfast or for afternoon tea to go with the scones), which on previous sailings would have been corrected quickly by the ship staff getting it at one of the stops (or making some) - instead, we bought some a few days in after we realized the ship was not going to despite it being requested. Likewise we made a special request ahead of time for kombucha which previously was taken care of but not this time. The small “gifts” that would appear occasionally at turndown before now were just once at the end (the gold bookmark). All relatively minor, but taken together left us a sense of cutbacks and cost savings. We had a great time as always, and made a future cruise deposit while onboard, but with the glowing reviews of friends on Silversea and Regent, the return next year of Crystal, and other new lines launching, it seems like Seabourn is not trying to remain competitive at a time when they need to be. That may be because Carnival has already decided not to compete in the luxury space and is making Seabourn’s financials look better to a prospective buyer by cutting wherever they can. Another small nit: they used to list upcoming speakers on the website under “Seabourn Conversations”; now they only have a few listed. Is it that they are not booking speakers, or is there no one managing the program well enough to be bothered posting them? Seeing these cutbacks but not seeing any corresponding additions makes it feel like cost-cutting, pure and simple.

If you zoom in on the picture and look below-and-to-the-left of the HAL funnels it says “Noordam”. I checked on marine traffic and it shows HAL Noordam in Auckland. Nice picture!

There is Molton Brown bar soap provided, and instead of the choice of other soap (which I really liked) they now have multiple types of Molton Brown shower gel to choose from (I think 4 types). I used to like the sea loofa one, and since they stopped providing it I’ve bought it on Amazon and taken it with me onboard (if you’re looking for some it’s listed on Amazon as “Baudelaire Exfoliating Soap, Sea Loofa Bath Soap & Body Soap”).

I’ll second that…we tried Cunard (and Queen’s Grill) for the first time this year and were blown away with how great the dining experience was. As to Seabourn we’ve not seen a huge change from pre-pandemic, except that we think the amount of salt varies too much depending on the chef in charge. Last year on Seabourn we found most meals to be way too salty for our taste, but on a recent sailing had no such issues. Perhaps what we found last year with the salt was also that they were not making meals to order, and/or using too many components prepared ahead of time, because the kitchen was unable to provide us with lower salt on request except if we ordered the day before.

Yes, to me there is a clear trend towards less focus on what you wear in public on a cruise. But I think it is tied to the “other trend” where people (for many good reasons) don’t want the hassle of bringing significant amounts of luggage with them. Can’t count anymore how many people we’ve met onboard who are proud of only bringing a roller bag each, or sharing one suitcase. We struggle and bring usually too much luggage, but it gives us a chance to dress each night as we like to on a cruise; couldn’t do it with minimal luggage.

Could mean the Vintage Room, assuming they bring it back.

I think the issue is they marked the deposit as "New Guest" regardless of whether you were a Crystal Society member. No doubt they will have a way to reconcile if you were a CS member and therefore due the full $500 per cabin.

I was hoping to get a low numbered deposit, but apparently Keith grabbed the first 1700 or so 🤔

Was relieved to see my favorite shipboard dog is still on Sojourn.

Currently on Sojourn in Caribbean, and on formal night was pleasantly surprised to see a good mix of tuxs and suits. The only change (if I recall correctly) is that formal dress is now ONLY required in The Restaurant; I believe before it applied to other areas.

FWIW, we are on the current Sojourn voyage and enjoyed lunch in the restaurant last two days st sea. Yesterday was quite busy - 15+ tables occupied!

Unlike most ports I was not able to find a schedule for Miami with details like which terminal. I did find the website for the pilots they use in Miami, and that shows docking location: https://bbpilots.com For example, tomorrow’s Sojourn arrival and departure from Miami looks like it is terminal D (they have the location listed as “PD”).

Just like reports of cigar smoking on Venture, if Seabourn relaxes animal policies for “special customers” that’s a serious issue given its impact on both health and the cruise experience for the other passengers. Unlike other issues I’ve heard raised about Seabourn, this one really does deserve being addressed head-on by the company because of how much of a trust issue it represents. However, those who were onboard did not seem harmed or outraged (more “meh”), so hard for those of us at home to be either. Can’t speak for them, but that’s the impression I’ve gotten. Was waiting for reports of people onboard discreetly looking at the bottom of their shoes with curious looks on their faces, but that didn’t happen. I’ll be on Sojourn in 11 days - roller lint/hair brush already packed 🙂

100% agree; didn't mean to suggest that this is acceptable - it is not if the dog isn't a proper service animal. Otherwise we'd end up with meeting fellow passengers like this at formal night:

Here is the picture you're referring to; nice looking dog:

We were first timers in Queens Grill last month on QV, and felt it deserved the reputation of being the best restaurant at sea. And yes, the Crepes Suzette were amazing. Don’t hold back on breakfast though; we were able to get our smoked salmon Benedict with caviar on top, and also a great shirred egg, as off-menu requests. Enjoy!

Same here! Ditto!

TK Fried Chicken night in Colonnade on the smaller ships (for some reason Ovation/Encore lack the fryer needed for it, or so we heard). Indian Market Night in the Colonnade Eggs Benedict Royale with caviar (smoked salmon with a caviar topping) for breakfast TK special appetizers and amuse bouche; especially a small maple custard topped with caviar The half sandwiches at Colonnade at lunch (the three smaller ships); the speck sandwich (and others) at Seabourn Square We’ve never had them, but as mentioned above was blown away how good looking (and tasty according to them) our neighbor’s gluten free Parker House Rolls were at TK Grill on a cruise last year.

We were recently on Queen Victoria as first-timers on Cunard, and are 59 and 55. We thought the theater was physically great - a real theater with boxes. The shows there were equally as good, and better in many ways than other shows we’ve seen at sea. We also liked the ballroom (Queens Room), especially on formal night - almost the whole ship came out in formal wear, and many very good ballroom dancers; made for a special and elegant evening. Others will have more details and examples, but we came away impressed with the entertainment experience on Cunard. PS: gratuities are added per person/per day to your bill, and it’s based on cabin category (not sure the exact amounts, but Grill passengers pay more in gratuities).

I would go for it….we were recently on QV in Queens Grill for a 4 night voyage in an aft cabin (8181), and were delighted by the extra cabin space, the stocked bar, champagne welcome bottle, and especially the Queens Grill restaurant itself. No question we would have been happy with Princess Grill, but at that amount for an upgrade I would do it.

As a lurker here at The Cooler, just had to share this. Was shopping in London recently, saw this, thought of @zqtchas and took this picture. Yes, The Cooler has made me look at things differently and see the humor in them 🙂

We are too, but typically by having a waiter first present themselves and asking what we'd like (as is in Queens Room). If we ever do tea in Grills again we'll follow your lead and let them know ASAP without any introductions or typical etiquette.

To be clear, we had no problem getting the Earl Grey we asked for…it was just a surprise that they poured something random without asking; when we said we wanted “not that” it was no problem getting it.