SLSD

I totally agree with you Frantic. I would only dine on Indian food once a cruise--if that. Same with Asian.

As I recall, caviar was available upon request before there was a TK Grill. Who eats a 72 oz steak? What are they thinking? We're 4oz steak people--when we eat steak! That being said, I am happy about the new restaurant concept. The menu we saw was a sample menu and not all that Solis will be offering. We like the idea of Mediterranean cuisine and have no interest in Indian and little interest in Asian. I think it is important to please as many people as possible. We might eat one Indian meal a year and that is enough for us.

I've never heard of the 5% returning customer discount. We always do the furture cruise deposit and get 5% there. Are people thinking these are two different things when they are the same thing? I am a bit confused about that.

I think an issue with the TK Grill has been inconsistency. The caesar salad we were served was inedible. We were so disappointed and were afraid to ever order it again. We've had both the TK Napa Burger and the regular Seabourn burger and have always been great. I could deal with the loss of the Napa Burger even though we have enjoyed it. I don't think Seabourn needs to be paying for a name brand celebrity chef at this point in time. Instead, I would like to see them spend money on quality ingredients and the brain power to achieve innovation and great food. As an American, I am used to high end steak houses, but they are not the kind of restaurant we would want to frequent often--too heavy, too caloric, too dense. Give me lighter far any day. I look forward to this.

They would have to be careful---but fried chicken is everywhere. It would not be difficult to come up with a great new fried chicken recipe. Same with ribs.

I saw a sample menu which was posted in a Facebook group. It looked appealing to me.

I know the restaurant area on Quest and Sojourn will be small---but we have found it pleasant to be able to dine in a small cozy area. I do think additional outdoor dining will enhance the experience on Ovation and Encore. I wonder if new decor is in the mix? Did I see a drawing of the smaller restaurant area with a new look? I don't mind the look of the TK Grill on the larger ships. Will they be changing that too?

I'm happy to hear about this change. I do hope it is light cuisine and includes healthy dishes. I'm excited about the prospect for more outdoor dining. I like the looks of the sample menu too.

We have never taken a Caribbean cruise (and probably never will) but I have seen many photos of a signature SB event on those cruises. I THINK it is called Caviar on the Beach, but it is more than that--it includes a meal served on the beach. Is it lobster?

I follow what is happening on Silversea ships and quite honestly I find all the reservation making to be off putting. I'm not anxious to sail with them for that reason. I KNOW we could always go to their main dining room. It just seems like a lot is going on. I don't want to have to make a lot of reservations for a cruise. Ever. I know others love the variety, so that is great for them.

Jeni, I think you and your mom will have a wonderful time. I am so sorry to hear that your husband died. My sincere condolences.

That is good news. We finally took our first post pandemic cruise last June and and are booked for this coming July. Domestic travel before then. I am with you on the nonalcoholic offerings. I think Seabourn is coming late to this game.

Good to see you posting JeniDallas!

I think it is important for Seabourn to quickly offer this on every cruise. We drink alcohol, but try to limit it to a reasonable amount each day. It would be great to be able to extend an evening with nonalcoholic offerings.

I have come to appreciate his humor and his good will.

I agree with you. I guess you could ask for the refund through your credit card and perhaps receive it more quickly.

Linda, This thread is such a good idea!! I think it will be very very helpful to Seabourn cruisers. I will try to go back and rate some of the excursions in Norway we took last summer. We are returning to some of the same ports this summer on our 28 days Iceland/Norway itinerary. I may not get to rating them for a few days.

I think you will have to try it to know for sure if it is worth it for you. One thing you need to know before you sign up is that there is not a view of the sea from The Retreat. Many Seabourn cruisers do not applaud The Retreat because it goes against the idea of Seabourn as an all inclusive cruise line. I have read reports that others love it. Do you love champagne? The Retreat offers an upgrade from the champagne served complimentary around the ship. There might also be a different lunch served there. You will also have your own cabana with a TV and lounging opportunities. Only you will be able to determine (after you have tried it) if it is worth it for you. In our particular case, we want to support the all inclusive idea for Seabourn. Also, we would not want to spend a cruise day without a view of the sea. We don't drink much champagne and don't watch any TV while cruising. Try The Retreat for one day and then you will know if it is right for you. It will be money well spent.

For some it's not about coming from a late dinner country or an early dinner country. I know in the case of my late mother, her doctor advised her to have dinner as early as possible due to issues such as heartburn and reflux. Not something many want to talk about, but we accommodated my mother's needs for years by having dinner extra early when she was dining with us. I'm sure some of the early diners are dining early for medical reasons. Let's give them some grace.

We have always received excellent service as well. I agree with all that you have said here.

I think you have hit the nail on the head with both of your points. While tipping is not required or expected on Seabourn cruises, I have no issue with those who choose to tip at the end of a cruise as a thank you for great service. Donation to the Crew Fund is also a very good idea. But, as you say, if the beginning of the cruise tippers DO expect preferential service, it may mean that others will not get the same service. I get the feeling that the beginning of the cruise tippers think they deserve better service because they are willing to pay extra for it. Personally, I would be embarrassed to tip at the beginning of a cruise, because I would not want others (including the crew) to see me as pushy, elitist, or demanding. Let's face it, any of us who choose to cruise Seabourn can afford to pass out $100 bills if we choose. Does that mean we all should? I think it would affect the atmosphere of the cruise and would not lead to a pleasant experience. What if all of us were plying the maitre d with large bills at the beginning of the cruise? Could she please all of us, or would there be a bidding war for the "best" tables. Personally, I find that kind of tipping to be distasteful and not respectful of what Seabourn has tried to achieve for ALL of their passengers.

We did not receive a Seabourn tote bag on our June cruise aboard Ovation. No explanation was given. I had not taken one of our SB tote bags and regretted it. I will tuck one into our bag next time just in case as they do come in handy.

I am familiar with this laundry room as I was on Ovation last June. I went down to iron an item for the first evening. I found the laundry room in a bit of need of housekeeping. It wasn't that clean and it appeared the machines could have used a bit of upkeep. For example, there was dried up detergent in some of the units. It was a bit off putting and it discouraged me from using the washers. I've never heard anyone else mention this--and I wonder if anyone else has made this observation.

I want to make it clear that while tipping after service is a way of llfe in the United States--mainly because service workers (like waiters, bartenders, etc) are not paid a wage high enough to live well without tips, tipping BEFORE service is NOT a part of American culture. Of course we don't frequent Las Vegas (by choice)so I don't know what goes on in that corner of the country, and don't tip bartenders before we are served in a land based bar or on a cruise ship . Not all citizens of the US are alike and not all have the same culture.

Great idea to use a large mesh bag. I didn't do laundry myself on our last cruise as it was just 14 days and I didn't need to, but our next cruise is 28 days, and I know it will be necessary. We do use Seabourn's laundry perk for many/most things, but like you have found, some things need a delicate cold wash and no ironing. I did put a note on our laundry bag last time asking that our things not be dried on HOT--and my knit top came back not shrunken and I was happy.