Isr45

Unfortunately you cannot compare Seabourn and Cunard for the term suites. Seabourn advertises as all suite ships - they say this as the size of a basic cabin is similar to suites on other lines- they are not suites. Their ocean view suite which you are referring to is a cabin without a balcony ( only found on the older two ships now I think) - this is the size you are referring to above. The next up is a verandah cabin ( 300 sq and 65 sq balcony) and not a suite. The smallest suite is actually the Penthouse (440sq and 100 sq balcony) - this would equate to a QG starter suite. There are an additional 5 higher suites: only the top 4 categories are classed as premium suites on Seabourn - these give transport to and from ship and various other things.

We are not looking to switch from Seabourn - we currently have four 28 - 31 night bookings - it is a product we spend many months a year on and love it - yes we spend silly money but have never questioned the value. We have always accepted on Seabourn that you pay highly for the best suite 😀 However, on Seabourn we have had a few people tell us we should give a Q1 Cunard a go. We are young retirees who are lucky to have the freedom to do however many holidays we want and would just view this as an experience.

Response to last few posts 😀 This there is a misunderstanding here - each cabana has its own tv and Bluetooth headphones in case you wish to relax in shade and watch a movie/listen to a music chanel. You can open the back doors of the cabana and lie and watch the sea if you wish 😀 There is no large screen and no noise - Retreat is extremely peaceful. Retreat is its own deck and is not claustrophobic in any way. I enjoy having the option of sun/shade next to each other as husband is a true sunbather and I also like shade. As regards cost: if you are booking one day your prices are correct. I book a full cruise: this is priced at $100 a day BUT you receive $50 dollars a rebate a day to spend in the spa ( when and however you wish) - my husband is a spa person so easily spends this on massages etc. In addition you receive an upgraded bottle of champagne each day ( roughly £40 to buy in UK supermarket. As husband also loves champagne we find the deal a no brainier for us. Re laying on our own balcony - Wintergarden suite on Seabourn contains two balconies ( one open with sunbeds and table/chairs and one all enclosed glass with a jacuzzi and sunbeds. Although this is very nice - is is not the same as the Retreat where you are constantly asked what you want and immediately provided with it.

Seabourn Retreat has 15 cabanas ( 2 people per cabana) with 5 staff. They are constantly providing drink/food/ice cream etc. Each cabana has 2 thickly padded sunloungers plus a dining table outside. Inside, if don’t want to be in the sun, is a large comfy settee to relax on, coffee table, large tv screen, slippers, rug, dressing gown and headphones - and of course your chilled bottle of champagne. What I have seen online and read of the Queen Victoria grills terrace suggests there will be no comparison. However, we are looking forward to the suite and the restaurant 😀

We are diamond (250 plus days) on Seabourn and love the Ovation and Encore size ( approx 600 passengers) but wanted to try QG. We expect to love the suite and the food but accept the Terrace won’t compare to the Retreat on Seabourn where we book for the full cruise. We view this as a different experience but probably a one off but are fine to try 😀

You are obviously correct as my usual travel agent has warned me that overall experience will not compare. We have heard many comments on QG restaurant and have wanted to try it for many years - seemed like fate when we saw a cruise departing from our arrival port. Our travel agent also thinks it is a bad idea to disembark a 30 day Seabourn cruise and immediately embark the Cunard cruise 😀

Yes on Victoria deck 7 😀 Will be interested to compare as usually have best suite on Seabourn.

First time trying Cunard - booked Q1 - £200 discount. Not found any agent giving more. Think I will stick with Seabourn in future 😀

Hi Can anyone tell me who is the current Maitre D of the Restaurant on Ovation and when due to leave? Thanks in advance of any response.

Don’t think it is the same each year; Booked November 22 for November 24 on release for Transatlantic Booked March 23 for June 24 on release for med

I don’t think they will price themselves out of the market as they will still compare favourably to many luxury land based holidays - I really do believe cruise prices have been too cheap in this market for the last few years 😀

Similar comments to these on the Seabourn board re the massive increases - this is not just Silversea.

I get 10-11 % on Seabourn - shock when told £200

Asked 3 main UK cruise agents - all say £200 - that is why I was asking 😀

Hi just called to UK Cunard and advised £50 pp. If you paid $50 pp then usual rip off when booking in UK. Now thinking I should only book return when board as presumably that will be in dollars 😀

What TA gives a 5% discount on Cunard? Thanks

I have a large onboard credit and wish to purchase the drinks packages. Can I book online to obtain the 10% discount and then have the payment reversed and charged to my OBC once onboard? Used to doing this on Seabourn for services booked in advance 😀

Just stating this is not in T&Cs as you stated 😀

That is not true re T & C, they state Seabourn may allow you to rebook to another cruise of higher value. Many examples on this board where Seabourn has refused a rebooking of same cruise and not offered a reprice.

Not simple to rebook if live in UK as lose deposit.

Assuming you do realise these are error fares and are eventually picked up and corrected online by Seabourn - good thing is if you have booked it you are fine 😀

Unfortunately it is the time consuming task of deciding areas/ship you like and checking each itinerary. Occasionally it is on this board ie when the 25 day Istanbul to Dubai November 25 was mentioned and the November 25 transatlantic crossing on Ovation.

Winter 25 launched late Jan 24. I booked this summer when it launched in March 23.

I wouldn’t say it wouldn’t be repeated - odd fares do come up - particularly when new season is launched 😀 I have a 30 day med cruise this summer in a Penthouse Spa for £9999 per person before travel agent and FCD discounts booked on launch day. Within 3 days of booking it went to £25000 a person, which is the more realistic price. I also found a 14 day Penthouse Spa in Far East for February 24 for £4999 a person ( before discounts) which I booked. Only took a day on that one to move to £11200 a person.

The cruise you refer to was the one discussed on the boards that was offered at a ridiculously low price for the Penthouse when first advertised. The pricing now is the more realistic price that it would have been expected to be advertised at. I have booked this type of bargain in the past - it invariably increases and corrects in price later. Be glad you have a bargain on your V3 😀