SLSD

I don't even know what this sentence means. "Done it's course"?

Yes, I've seen the map. Hopefully, the cruising ports will not be affected at all.

I just read that the strongest storm in decades is expected to hit the Alaska coast this weekend. I checked--and SB is still cruising there. Just a heads up. I hope all will go well. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/16/us/alaska-storm-typhoon-merbok.html

The roll calls for SB are always very sparse. It doesn't mean anything. First, most SB cruisers do not post here and most who post here don't sign up for a roll call.

We loved Mdina. We will definitely be going back to that magical place.

We saw the pre-history site (and museum) as well as so much more. Malta remains one of our favorite places--and a place we would have never gone except on a ship. Off topic, but still Seabourn--another favorite SB experience was on the Kamchatka Peninsula in far eastern Russia. We took an excursion there which remains memorable. It was billed as an "exotic picnic with a herbalist". An eccentric Russian man (who spoke no English) treated the group to an unusual feast of grilled Coho salmon and other dishes gleaned from the forest. Vodka was included as well as folk music performances by the same man. Much of this took place in a yurt. About half the group could not wait to get back to the ship while the rest of us were mesmerized. It's our favorite SB excursion ever. But like Malta, it evidently wasn't for everyone.

We loved Malta. On our SB cruise, we stopped both at the main island and at Gogo. Both were interesting. There were passengers on our ship who said that Malta was "just a pile of rocks". I could not disagree more.

I can also attest that being next to an elevator is not an issue in terms of noise. We were next to one in 621 on Sojourn. it was our favorite suite ever.

I think crossing oceans can be quite different from other cruises. We crossed the Bering Sea on Sojourn. The doors to decks were chained and locked. It was rocky. We brought provisions for seasickness (as we do on every cruise) and we used them. But, my husband did not use them soon enough. Its important to use them just as soon as you get an inkling that the sea may be really rough. Usually the captain or other officers will give a warning about that. My husband was a bit too macho and didn't think he would need to take anything. He regretted that later. I tried to tell him....

Cancel your cruise if you can. You are not going to be happy as you have started out with some disappointments here that you will probably not forget. I think it may color your experience from here on out.

I think this is most definitely affecting a variety of businesses. Everywhere we go we are seeing "We're Hiring" or "Help Wanted" signs--even at the U. S. Post Office. It does not surprise me that cruise lines are struggling to get and retain enough staff. Add to that, some who might ordinarily be interested in a cruise line career may be hesitant because of Covid.

You will have a fabulous time!

Very off topic and I am probably going to get into trouble for saying it---but the more I have read, the more I see her as an opportunist. I liked her ok in the beginning, but not now.

IF you decide on Quest, our very favorite suite of the Verandas on this size ship is 621. We loved the location. It is next to an elevator (absolutely no noise there) and convenient for getting around the ship. We would choose it again if on Quest, Sojourn or Odyssey.

I understand. I do think that Mr. Mrs. Ms. titles are becoming used less frequently in the United States. You still see it, but a lot of mail arrives with just a first and last name. And, if I was sending a letter to a friend, I would address it with just a first and last name. Changing culture. No comment if that is a good or bad thing. I am not surprised that SB would go for the title--especially if they think their guests would like that. Such a small point really. I'm really sorry if I sounded hostile toward it. I'm not. Just noting that titles seem to be especially important in the UK. I probably noticed because I've been reading several books about facets of UK society lately.

It's all ok, just very different from how it is done in the United States. We do not address the head of a department (a professor) or the head of a scientific lab at a university with a PhD (our daughter in law) as professor even though they are that. Their student's might do that and it might be done on university campuses, but not in regular society socially, or on a cruise ship. There may be some who would LIKE to be addressed that way--but it is considered a bit pretentious outside of their own academic circles. I recognize that there are differences and it is ok. It DOES sound very snooty to some of us in the United States because we don't have a more rigid class system with royalty, aristocracy, dukes, earls, etc. At the same time, I do find it interesting as a part of the social history of both countries. If and when SB resumes the guest list, I will pay attention. I didn't mean to sound as strident as I did--it is just a difference that stands out to me.

I get it. But, can't imagine Professors using that title on a list of passengers. Our daughter in law is a professor, but would never put that on a general listing of names. It's only pertinent in academia. Doctors usually do put that before their name--but not always socially. They often just go by their first and last name in a casual setting. And of course we have no Sirs or Ladies in the United States and have some difficulty with that kind of thing. I

Titles? Seriously? I would miss the lists of guests as it was always interesting to see how many places everyone was from.

KJbacon, As I recall, you and your husband have been given future cruise credits for the days you were quarantined. Do I have that right? If so, I suggest that. you try Ovation. There is a Sushi restaurant, a much larger TK Grill and a lovely bar outside of the TK Grill. This will be a bit more variety for you. I prefer Ovation and Encore to the smaller ships.

Exactly, I think Mr. SLSD and I want to be on a cruise with Shark b8. No matter what happens, he'll be able to put a positive spin on things. What a great trait to have! I'm working on it!

I read your report carefully as we are constantly assessing when we might resume cruising. We prefer Ovation and Encore (unlike many others), but still have concerns about getting quarantined for Covid and understaffing and the issues that brings. We'll probably stick our toes back in the water in 2023. I enjoyed your report, recognizing that you have some priorities which we don't have--and we probably have some which are not on your radar screen.

kjbacon, I did read the entire thread and saw all of your positive comments as well. It appears that it was cuisine and service concerning food that was sub standard while most other aspects of your Seabourn experience were positive.

I would be quite interested in the answer to your questions. Is it possible that SB is behind the eight ball in training new crew and that other luxury or premium cruise lines have done a batter job? I think guest capacity may be a factor--but everyone does expect the full SB experience no matter the numbers on board. I think this is a tough time--and perhaps an uneven time depending on where you find yourself. We don't have side by side real times comparisons, and even if we did, we would be comparing different circumstances. I know what all of us hope for is a return to all SB ships giving top quality service and cuisine as well as stellar entertainment all of the time. One thing I have noticed is the expectation for variety in cuisine. Since I am not someone who would be considered food-centric, I will have to depend on others to clue me in as to whether SB has ever measured up when it comes to cuisine. Also, does it matter if a ship is 400+ or 700+ passengers? Should both be held to the same standard when it comes to variety of food offered? I don't know the answer to this question. I am just asking.

kjbacon, Thank you for all your real time reports up to this point. I think tomorrow is the day you disembark? Safe travels home whenever that might be. I totally understand the way that understaffing and incomplete staff training has marred your cruise on the Quest. Hopefully Seabourn will be correcting that, but of course it will not be in time for you. I have also gleaned from your reports that you really do like a lot of variety in the cuisine that is offered. I've never noticed a lack of variety on our Seabourn cruises, but I think you expect more in variety than we do. After all, I am content to have a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast each morning along with a small bowl of fruit. I also frequently order the "always available" entrees in the MDR and I am happy, especially if there is an interesting soup starter. I ordered dessert only twice on a 20+ day cruise. I've enjoyed quite a few very serene breakfasts and lunches in the MDR on sea days and while crossing. Though the menu was not long, it suited us just fine. Maybe this is why SB is our cruise line. I AM curious about all that Regent has to offer, but not sure I want to sail on their older ships and not at all sure I want to sail with 700+ others. Perhaps it would be worth it if I was dissatisfied with SB's cuisine. About the white asparagus. Don't order it! That is the dish we had to send back in the MDR! Thank you again for your detailed reports and all the great photos!

Thank you Highplainsdrifer for all of your great reporting. I wonder if the noisy hotel is a Scandanavian thing? We've had the wonderful smorgasbord at The Grand Hotel Stockholm and always thought it would be a good place to stay for a couple of days. Drunks in the hallway there too? Most finer American hotels would not allow that for long.