SLSD

I did have to laugh a bit at your post Lincslandy. I've always thought that ordering a special dinner just for yourselves or group is a bit indulgent. Talk about causing extra work! And, like Catlover, we have never ordered cocktails brought to our suite. We also don't ask for special celebrations for our birthdays or anniversaries. I've always thought those kinds of things could be seen as in imposition on the hardworking crew. In other words, when is enough enough? Initially we were very reluctant cruisers as we don't like crowds or. noise or (did I mention Hawaiians shirts)? And yes, we like lunch in a serene restaurant that is not a buffet and has more on the menu than grilled salmon everyday. Perhaps Seabourn will not be for us going forward.

I don't think I communicated very clearly. I've lived in Texas all my life (and frequently travel to New Mexico). We have great huevos rancheros in both places and make them ourselves. This is the reason I am unlikely to look for the dishes OR order them on a Seabourn ship wherever it might be. While there are chefs who might make the best version ever, I think it is unlikely. By the the same token, I'm not looking for fried chicken (even Keller's) on a ship. We have access to some of the best where we live. We know it when we taste it. Fried chicken is just not a luxury or a big deal to us. We have some of the best in the south four blocks from our hosue. Basically, I want Seabourn to offer whatever they think they can do best--not necessarily what I am used to or what I can have any day of the week at home. This does not equate with having low expectations. While I do ask for iced tea on board, I'm generally open to their offerings. I've been looking at Regent's offerings even though I had never considered them as a cruise line in the past. I see that they have more restaurants--as well as more passengers. Since we don't cruise with cuisine being our focal point, it would take some figuring to compare apples to oranges. I am NOT saying that Seabourn is perfect or even optimal at this time. What I am trying to say is that if you cruise wanting a broad panoply of whatever you think every ship SHOULD offer and they DON'T offer your expected dishes, you are going to be disappointed. Since we are satisfied with what they think they do best, we ARE satisfied. At the same time, I do have concerns that SB (and Carnival as a whole) are on the ropes financially. I am not being a cheerleader here, but just saying that our expectations are not all about food. There is also the ambience of the ship and other intangibles. I totally understand that SB is not for you and why. It does not deliver what you are looking for--not in perks in a top echelon suite or in cuisine. Those things are important to you--they are not to us. Perhaps we will try Regent when we return to cruising, but I am not entirely convinced yet that we would like it as well as we like Seabourn. (Our favorite SB ships are Ovation and Encore). By the way, this is not an argument, just an attempt to explain that others may have a different perspective.

That makes me laugh. But, of course, I'm in the 5% that loves lunch in the MDR on some days--not every day.

Usually on Sea Days.

Interesting. Being from Texas, I make huevos rancheros and migas often. It would not occur to me to look for them on a SB ship. And since I never eat deli meats of any kind, I would not even notice what is or is not offered in that vein. And, I'm usually not disappointed if certain things are not available as I have so many other choices. I do always ask for ice tea with lunch and I am sometimes amused when they bring me a TINY glass of it, not realizing that ice tea is often consumed in copious quantities. What I am seeing is a difference in expectations and I think having certain expectations which are not met can certain color how you see a cruise line.

That happens. I find it is usually worth taking a chance. We've had all kinds of experiences.

I am curious. What would have liked to see on the MDR breakfast menu that was not there? I always found quite a few choices. My objection to the Colonnade is that we don't do buffets. We had eggs cooked various ways and the choice of other items if we wished. Since we haven't cruised post pandemic, I haven't had the opportunity to do the patio breakfast yet. I'm looking forward to it. Pre-pandemic, on the level right. down a flight of stairs from the Colonnade, there were some healthy offerings--smoothies and some other things that I don't recall in detail at this point. My husband enjoyed that venue for breakfast. As for me, I am always looking for ambience and like serene.

We were also abandoned by our longtime agent--not over an air itinerary--but because we booked our own private guide In Kyoto--after her suggestions had been over the top expensive. She went radio silent after I told her that we had found a satisfactory guide. We have not looked back. Who needs an agent who can't deliver what you need? We are easy to please people--but I am appalled that your agent would not help you get home. I guess there was no profit in it for her.

I am envious of those of you who enjoy sushi. While not a picky eater, I don't sushi. It would be great to have a small restaurant like that, open for lunch, that served another kind of food .

This is just one of the reasons we are not cruising right now. Flying to Europe is tedious, expensive, and fraught with annoyances right now. To come down with Covid on the ship after all of that would make for a really frustrating holiday. If we lived in the UK which is closer to many of the embarkation ports that interest us, we might do it. As it is, we just don't need the possible aggravation which would ensue.

We have done the same. I've had the grilled salmon a zillion times outside at the Colonnade. And I am well aware that most people do not dine in the MDR for lunch even when it is open. I've been thee, eaten there, and seen that. I've even had people tell me that "nothing is going on there". I get that. And yes, we always have room service breakfast when we are leaving the ship early. I guess I am a bit of a ranter today---unusual for me, but the Hawaiian shirt casual thing going down a buffet line is definitely not our thing. We always have a great time on our cruises. We find things to eat and quiet places to be.

Who said anything about martinis or any alcohol at lunch? I'm merely saying that a crowded buffet is not my cup of tea. I've always been a bit grossed out by buffets. Ok--I get it. I'm not a typical cruiser. I understand that. But, I am a potential cruiser who can afford to take luxury cruises, but I'm choosing not to right now. I'm the kind of customer SB needs right now. Not opening the MDR at lunch on sea days is just one thing. And who wants set dining times? NO ONE has asked for that. Nor are many asking for required formal attire (SB included). I would be fine with formal nights going away. Most don't dress for them anyway. (We try to meet all dress code standards). Some of us as asking for something other than loud piped pop music, apps to know what is going on, and more choices for dining. Casual is fine. Just not buffet or hot dogs, pizza, burgers and that's all. What about signature salads that are not part of of a buffet? I realize that I am ranting about this--but I am not really an ancient dinosaur (yet). Some of what SB does IS outdated! For example, the songs that the entertainers sing. I enjoy their voices, but roll my eyes a bit at the song choices. There needs to something for everyone and don't really think I am alone in what I am looking for in a cruise. Another question--does SB want to please the guests they have? Or, do they want to try and please guests they don't have yet. Just some things to think about.

I know that. That doesn't change the fact that business decisions are being made by those not on the ship. They need to listen to those interfacing with guests. Just our opinion. They appear to more concerned about cost savings and slim staff numbers. We'll see how that works out. According to one of the posters here, Venture only has 150 guests (when capacity is 264) right now. I'm just not encouraged to book a cruise yet---and I am waiting for reasons to be encouraged. All of us see this differently. There are those who want to be on a ship no matter what and others who want certain things to be in line first. I am not at all impressed with having to use the SB App while on board. Yes, I know you can get a printed version--but who wants to beg and argue. For me, that is not a pleasant vacation activity.

We agree. My bankruptcy lawyer husband says this is a bad model for a distressed company. You need to trust your people about what is best for the business.

What a great report. If you meet our friends Bill and Barb on the ship, please give them our best regards. Bill takes great photos and might be willing to share some of them with you.

We have not tried the new ships. But, on Silversea I will miss fun cruise directors like Ross and the better entertainment SB has. While I am far from being a party person, I do attend all the deck parties on SB and enjoy them. I don't think SS has many deck events. But, we will probably try the newer SS ships in due time. My husband is more anxious to try them than I am.

Calover, I will miss the MDR as a lunch venue on sea days as well. It really suits us. We don't cruise to hear piped in Pop music or eat from a buffet in a crowded venue. If lunch in the MDR has gone away permanently, I will be very very disappointed. Like you, we could always find something we liked on the menu--anything from Steak Diane to Fish and Chips. Sigh. We have a lot of time to think right now about our next cruising experience. I'm not seeing a perfect fit. I'm not sure that the somewhat staid Silversea is for us (we have tried it)--or the larger Regent ships which are more inclusive that we require.

I like how you think Catlover. We're not cruising right now--waiting for things to calm down---the airports, luggage handling, Covid..., But, in my spare time I've spent some time thinking about how to pack for an entire cruise (whatever the length) in a bag that can be carried on the flight. No one loves boring wardrobes, but that's what it might be to carry this off.

We also enjoy a sit down white tablecloth setting for lunch--not every day---but often. Unfortunately, Seabourn only appears to open the The Restaurant for lunch on sea days.

I live in your state and the ignorance about Covid was breathtaking. And I agree--we are not all the same just because we live in Texas! Best wishes to everyone on the cruise and I hope all evade Covid.

I am terribly sorry you had the fall and were so injured. I have witnessed before the fact that the ship's medical staff will not come to the aid of a passenger. I saw it in St. Petersburg. Finally, the man who fell made it (with a lot of help from others) to the ship. I was so relieved he was not left in Russia. Please update us about what happens in Bar Harbor and the care you receive.

Julie, I think it is the nature of an online community to be much quicker to criticize than to praise. That's why I take what I read online with a grain of salt. I have no doubt that the Quest is having issues but I am assuming there are many onboard who are just having a great time.

I understand that some enjoy the "ship within a ship" concept on the mass market lines. That concept holds no interest for us--even if the experience might exude luxury and exclusivity. We much prefer a smaller ship and fewer passengers. I think the attempt to compare cruise lines almost always becomes an apples and oranges proposition. And, while some people love having a butler, we prefer to have the fewest people possible knocking on our door.

Just a suggestion, but why not arrange this on your own without putting Seabourn in the middle. A good travel agent can help you book a car and a private guide.

Can you explain?