russianrex

Just a question regarding acceptable women's pants for after 6pm. As a first time Seabourn cruiser (Antarctica and Patagonia) I am feeling a little apprehensive regarding dress standards. I read that pants are acceptable, but does that include "regular" black pants, or do they need to be "evening" style black pants? Also, are 7/8 pants and heels acceptable? Or do they need to be full length? I really just want to fit in!

Just one more (silly) question. I read that the Seabourn parka and inner jacket will be delivered to your room when you board the ship. As we are beginning the cruise in Lima, rather than Santiago, will this be delivered only at the start of the Antarctic leg? or in Lima? (I am just trying to minimise "doubling up" of clothing!) Thanks.

On 10/22/2018 at 2:58 AM, maryogreen said:

It's the most wonderful journey, and you're sure to have a fabulous time!
Mary

Travel Blog: www.themodernpostcard.com

Thank you so much for the link. Very helpful. 

1 hour ago, Fletcher said:

NB: The waterproof over-trousers are really vital for wet-landings and you also get hosed down when you get back on the ship.

Oh my goodness! I wasn't aware of a "hose down"! I better make sure my overpants are heavy duty. LOL

15 minutes ago, tv24 said:

Hello:  We will be traveling with you, having boarded in Miami. 

Looking forward to travelling with you tv24. 😊 We have booked a kayak trip for one of our Antarctic days, and have rented our boots and parka. The waterproof overpants are on the list too. I think my luggage will be bursting at the seams packing for both summer and winter! 

Hi. We will heading off on our first ever Seabourn cruise in just a few weeks. It's the 31 night Patagonia and Antarctica cruise departing Lima on November 19.

We have read some blogs from previous Antarctic cruisers and have been in contact with others who have previously done this sailing. However, we would be most appreciative of any advice/tips to make this adventure smooth sailing. 😊

Any must see/do activities in port? Any packing insights? (have I overlooked anything????!)

Any guidance gratefully appreciated. Thank you.

It doesn't matter what the refund was from (e.g. excursions, spa treatment, etc.); it only matters if the remaining OBC is redeemable or not. All redeemable OBC can be cashed out (i.e. credited back to your credit card, or cash refund). All non-redeemable OBC is forfeited at the end of the cruise.

How do I know what is "redeemable"?

Please forgive my ignorance if this seems like a silly question. It's just that we received contradictory advice after speaking with 2 different Seabourn representatives via telephone.

We will be taking our first ever Seabourn cruise to Antarctica later this year. After reading various forums, we were wishing to pre-book a kayak excursion whilst in Antarctic waters. However, many people have warned us that a large percentage of these trips are cancelled by the cruise line due to inclement weather conditions. For this reason we were contemplating booking more than one excursion in the hope of increasing our chances of success.

My question is: If the cruiseline cancels the excursion, we were told the amount will be credited to our on board account. As we we then only have 1 or 2 ports before we disembark, we may end up with a substantial OBC and nowhere to spend it.

Will Seabourn refund this OBC amount back to our credit card? (One operator said yes, the other said no!) Or does it need to be used prior to the end of the cruise?

Thanks.

P.S I understand that "included" OBC is forfeited if not used at the end of the cruise. I am just interested in OBC from refunded /cancelled excursions.

I've had pretty good luck finding open washers and dryers at lunch time. We tend to eat lunch late (2 or so), and between 12 and 1:30 tends to be a slow time in the laundry.

Thanks for the extra info. Most appreciated. :)

Thank you so much for providing this excellent resource. You have given great insight into so many aspects of our upcoming cruise. :)

We are very much looking forward to our Antarctic adventure departing Lima in November.

A picture definitely does tell a thousand words! Thank you. :)

You could also check out our Antartica blog with some photos - and daily diary entries at http://www.johnanddawn.com/?page_id=11&order=asc

Thank you so much for the link to your blog. A great read! :D

Thank you so much John (TravelHop) for taking the time to provide such a detailed response. Our cruise actually begins in Lima, so it is 31 nights all up. I know it is still a long way off, but I stress about packing at the best of times, and the added pressure of being a first timer on a premium line is leaving me feeling very apprehensive. Thanks for all your information. :)

Can anyone explain resort style attire? I am definitely a jeans, khaki's and capri's type girl. But also like the comfort of active wear. But, I'd prefer not to be the talk of the town.

I understand the need to adhere to a dress code of an evening. I am more concerned about the expectations of day wear. I like to feel comfortable, but am concerned that my usual cruise attire may be seen as not dressy enough for daytime.

Please forgive me for the barrage of questions of late , but I am still feeling quite apprehensive regarding our first ever sailing on a premium cruiseline.

I have read today, (on a Seabourn Facebook page), a post regarding attire being worn aboard Sojourn at this moment. Other guests were being admonished for wearing jeans and gym gear (during the day I believe) in public areas of the ship. There was a running commentary on the degradation of the line (especially dress standards) and the suggestion that these cruisers should have taken a Carnival cruise instead. I must admit, I was taken aback, as I hoped my fellow cruisers would not be so judgemental.

I realise that there are certain dress codes which need to be adhered to after 6pm, but was hoping that comfortable clothes were still allowed during the day (especially in Antarctica)

If anyone could give some advice on what is acceptable (and more importantly, NOT acceptable) I would very much appreciate it.

I am used to mainstream cruiselines, where everyone is VERY casual during the day (and a lot a little too casual in the evening).

Any suggestions/advice welcome.

P.S I really just want to "fit it" without causing a stir or committing some sort of faux pas!

Thank you everyone for your help. Much appreciated

Here is a comprehensive photo album of Quest's launderette: https://www.cruisecritic.com/photos/ships/seabourn-quest-596/launderette-387741/

 

I agree that you need to be strategic about timing. I believe I did mine after dinner and just hung out in the Club down the hall on Deck 5. No matter what time you go, someone else always seems to be waiting for a free washer or dryer. I want to say the dryers took a long time to dry (or perhaps we overstuffed them).

Thanks for the link. Much appreciated.

Thank you all for the information. I really appreciate you sharing your hints and tips.

There are 2 laundries opposite each other on deck 5.

From memory 2 washers and 2 dryers in each, plus a trough and ironing boards.

Early morning is the best time to access the laundry as they can become very busy.

Some people take a chair outside, read a book and have champagne delivered while they're waiting, (true)

Nothing to do with peasants, some of the wealthiest people use the laundry as they won't trust their expensive clothes to the ship's laundry

I miss my times in the laundry, I've made some lovely friends over the years, my wife would ask "Who's that attractive lady I saw you chatting to ? and I'd reply "Oh, that's xyz, we met in the laundry yesterday"

The paid laundry is $50 a bag, (no charge once you've cruised a bit with Seabourn.) I used to be able to stuff a weeks wear of my clothes (shirts, socks, undies, slacks numbering about 43 items total in the bag; I think that the record on here (CC) is over 50 items

Laundry etiquette. (I'll probably be "flamed" for this)

If a machine has finished and the person hasn't appeared in say 5 minutes, it's OK to take their items out and put them in a basket.

DO NOT do as someone did to me once, took my clothes out of the washer before it had finished and put them in the dryer on high heat, they still had the detergent in them !

BTW. the detergent is supplied

Thanks for the detailed reply. Much appreciated. Perhaps I shall make it my goal to try and top the record of 50 items in a bag! ;p

We have booked our first cruise on Seabourn for November this year (Patagonia and Antarctica). We have only sailed mainstream cruise lines previously (predominantly Royal Caribbean and Holland America).

I was happy to note that there was a laundry on board which I would like to make use of. Bewilderingly, I also read elsewhere that it was a bit of a fight to access it!

Having never sailed with Seabourn before, I was under the impression that most people would pay for private laundry service, and that I might be the only "peasant" using these facilities. :p

Are these facilities packed to the brim? Or are they easy to access any time of the day/night? Any tips/laundry etiquette advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

russianrex its not that cold at Antarctica so do not go over thinking being that cold .

I think the coldest temp we had early Jan 2014 when we were there was -6

Some of the Americans had come from -20 or something like that from where they live :)

We had lunch most days at the Patio Grill around the pool at Antarctica

Seabourn supplies jackets which are very good

Roxburgh wrote a great blog of our cruise which may help you

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1966337

Thanks so much for the blog link - great reading!

The scenery in that thread is awesome! I can't wait to experience it all. Thanks for your help Thecat123.

russianrex its not that cold at Antarctica so do not go over thinking being that cold .

I think the coldest temp we had early Jan 2014 when we were there was -6

Some of the Americans had come from -20 or something like that from where they live :)

We had lunch most days at the Patio Grill around the pool at Antarctica

Seabourn supplies jackets which are very good

So, can you just wear casual warm weather gear (layers) on board the ship during the day? I don't want everyone rolling their eyes at me for not adhering to the appropriate dress code. I just want to be warm and comfy. :)

Thank you RustyRollock and Thecat123 for your reassurance. This trip will be for a milestone birthday, so it will be a very special one. I hope that I feel comfortable on board, and I do hope that fellow guests will be accepting of us. I am already feeling apprehensive packing for an Antarctic cruise (departing from Lima, so 31 cruise nights), but now feel the added burden of having to "dress to impress" at dinner. But, after hearing your replies, I am feeling a little more at ease.