SKP946

15 minutes ago, rols said:

Except some of the deaths in mainland China were foreigners, and in fact all deaths outside mainland China have been Chinese apart from one. So you can't use the country where people died to infer whether they were Chinese or of Chinese descent which was the question asked (although I don't know why it was asked come to that). 

The reason I asked was that I was told that so far only Chinese had died and I was wondering if this was factual or not.

Does anyone know how many people who are NOT Chinese or of Chinese descent have died from this virus ?

53 minutes ago, Reef Knot said:

Wow, tough on the ones with no certificate.

 

Yes, we had no prior knowledge of this and we were so pleased that we had had all the shots.

It was fortunate that we hadn’t relied on the over 70 excuse, it wasn’t being accepted apparently.😳

BTW. I had the YF shot when I was 18 (over 50 years ago) but couldn’t find my Vaccination book,

my wife hadn’t  had it previously, so we both had all the shots, with no ill effects.

We both had ourYellow Fever shots when we went on safari inTanzania 16 months ago, with no ill effects (we are both in our early 70’s). 

We were pleased that we did as we had to show our Yellow Books at the bottom of the stairs from the plane, (that was parked way out on the apron) No YF stamp, straight back on the plane !

We had SWTC on the first day of our two days in Mumbai, it was one of the best of the 12 or so SWTC we have done.

11 minutes ago, rl787 said:

I do understand what people are saying and I am sure the comments are fair criticism. I was on Seabourn recently after a 4 year break and I accept some bits were "missing" but I still felt that it is a luxury product. Every cruise line, at all levels are cost cutting as they all try to remain profitable. The one thing I feel needs to be said is that the cost of cruising of this standard has never been lower, there is over capacity in the luxary sector and that means prices have to be competitive. Before I booked our recent cruise I found that prices are generally quite a bit less today than 4 years ago. We all understand that the price of staff, food, alcohol, security and general overhead has risen over the years. The only way the cruise lines can do this is by cost cutting across the board. Maybe I am wrong but if Seabourn suddenly change back all the cost cutting items and put up prices, yes many of us here will be happy to pay more, but not all of us. This will mean that the ships will be sailing with less occupancy and in time the line will cease to exist. To my mind we all need the global economy to improve so there is more demand, prices will firm up and then the companies will have to be more competitive with their product offering which I feel will mean standards will improve again as the passenger will demand it when paying a premium.

I feel this has to be taken into account....................

I can’t agree with your statement “the prices have never been lower” 

In actual dollar terms we paid three times more per night for our May cruise than we paid 6 years ago, for the same level suite.

Most of the current future prices are four to five times per night dearer than 6 years ago.

What annoys me is that Seabourn then discounts the cruises drastically at the last minute to fill their ships with the “Interline” system.

Why not offer a better than the 5% discount  on some cruises to their loyal clients e.g say every 100 days sailed gives you an even larger discount rate.

I’m a bit of weather nerd and always take a thermometer with me.

The guest areas on all Seabourn ships (even on Quest in Antarctica) are kept at  21 to 22c  (70 to 72 f)

with the Lounge and MDR slightly cooler (for performer and waiter comfort.)

On 10/22/2019 at 10:14 PM, MsMermaid said:

Are there no house wines offered at TK Grill?  Or only the up-sales as shown on this menu?

 

House wines are available at the TK Grill.

On 10/22/2019 at 11:36 PM, texswamper said:

This will be our first cruise on Seabourn & although it's almost a year out, there aren't many suites left to choose from.  We are holding 659 and 661 V5's but after looking at the deck plans, I'm concerned about deck 5 below.  It is very close to the tenders that will be used frequently.  I always book cabins between other cabin decks and try to avoid being above or below public spaces.  On the deck plan there is a blank/white area directly below these cabins.  I can see on photos that it is indeed an open walkway underneath the tenders but know that there has to be something else inside that would be underneath these suites.  The only other suites available are near the forward 622, 625 and 621.  Our other choices are 658, 659 & 661.  I would really appreciate any personal insight before we make the final choice.  This is for 17 days, so I'm hoping to make the right choice. 🙂  TIA

The white areas on Deck 5 below the suite numbers you mentioned are offices; 661 is above the Hotel Director’s and Cruise Director’s offices;  I don’t think that you’ll be hearing any noise from them; nor from the Lifeboats being used as Tenders. 

(Are there a lot of Tender ports on your cruise ?)

I would prefer that location to being forward in 622, 625 or 621 as 661 is about the pivot point of the ship, i.e. least motion.

2 hours ago, Joc123 said:

Sorry photos didn’t post - I’ll try again 

Chair Hogs should be Keelhauled, naked 🤔Perhaps too horrible to witness, maybe Keelhaul them dressed🙄

2 hours ago, florisdekort said:

We did this last year. I was in shorts, a t-shirt and sneakers as it was 35 degrees. Others covered up because they were afraid of sunburn. I didn’t get wet.

Kimanjo, 35 C, that’s about 95f for the USA (about time USA changed, as we did in OZ 40+ years ago🙄😀🤣)

I’m old enough to be fairly conversant in both🤔

2 hours ago, cuddles115 said:

This is the price of doing business.  No ship wants to sail with empty cabins and lose money.. They don't care if you are annoyed or not.

That A$3,999 price was probably the “interline” price that us ordinary.mortals don’t have access to🤔🙄😡

8 hours ago, Kate-AHF said:

Another vote for Earth and Ocean being the best dining venue on board.  We were on an Arctic circle cruise this May on Quest, and the rain and cold was not conducive to dining outside so we only had the chance to eat there twice.  When we talked to the Hotel Manager, he said that steps were being taken to have permanent heaters installed for that venue.

 

Heaters or no, I still wish that this venue was not held hostage to the elements.

 

 

Strange, when we were in Antarctica on Quest in December 2014 the heaters were there. We ate outside ever day, my wife preferred it (even though she normally hates the cold) as she said the Champagne  didn’t become warm.

Years ago on a Seabourn cruise I looked at  the BJ table from the doorway as I walked past. The unoccupied croupier came up to me and asked if I would like to play, I answered “No thanks, my daughter-in-law is a croupier at an Australian Casino, I know the odds” she smiled and walked away.

Need I say any more🙄😀

We have been to HK many times over the years. Friends who have lived there and who go back annually recommended Hotel Icon https://www.hotel-icon.com/?utm_source=google-local&utm_medium=organic last time we were there (for a Seabourn cruise). It was so wonderful that we looked forward to returning there after our HK to HK cruise via Japan, South Korea and China cruise on Sojourn.

Book a Club Room as the evening “Drinks and Nibbles” meant we didn't need dinner, Also the Alcohol Drinks in the mini-bar were inclusive. 

Nice shopping Centre opposite..

1 minute ago, islandchick said:

Well to each his own I suppose because I don't get it either. I love to dress up but If I want to grab a drink and sit outside on deck at 11 or 12 I would prefer to be more comfortable. My question still stands.

Why wouldn’t `you just order a drink from Room Service or your suite Bar/Fridge and sit on your Veranda, you can even go naked then if that’s your desire.

I have a Referral Coupon available for a first timer, you can email me “SKP946 at gmail dot com” (change the “at” and the “dot” of course)

Lizzie, if this is your first Seabourn cruise you can apply for a Referral Coupon (see top of Topic Listing page) It gives you a US$400 On Board Credit if you are eligible.

In the Falklands (Port Stanley) we went on the King Penguin excursion. It’s a great day with some interesting cross country driving.

I booked direct with Nyree whose family owns the property where the King’s rookery is situated (she’s the one that organizes all the locals with their 4WD to transport the passengers. nyree@estancia-excursions.com.) 

It was about half the price of doing the same tour via Seabourn.

i would book sooner rather than later as it appears there are 4 ships due in that day😳

5 hours ago, AlexsDogPound said:

It is not counter to my desires or really important to me. I am inquiring as I have not seen any posts that cover the public areas of the ship during the evening outside of the restaurants. For instance if we choose to dine in our cabins, then see a show, will it be frowned upon. I now know that the answer is yes and I will pack accordingly.

Something you need to be mindful of  AlexsDogPound is that the interior of the ship is kept at around 21c -22c (70f -72f) whether in the Med in mid-summer or in Antarctica, and the restaurants are even  cooler, as the wait-staff are wearing jackets and they are constantly on the move.

The theatre is also cooler because of the energetic action of most of the performers.

Of course you can have your Suite at any temperature you wish.

I wear a jacket each night just to be comfortable.

4 hours ago, Charlie57 said:

 .. but just as with craft beer Seabourn is somewhat unadventurous...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not always, on our “Route of the Vikings” from Dover to Montreal on Quest in Aug/Sept 2016 we had a lovely selection of beer.

The previous 16 day cruise had been around the British Isles and the Bar Manager had collected a variety of beer types from different ports.

I had a lovely time sampling them (I have a friend who is a Brewer and an international beer judge so have developed a keen interest)

One afternoon our suite doorbell rang and a waiter was standing there with a tray loaded with different beer bottles. 

He said they were running low on some types and I might like to have some on hand ! 😀 

5 hours ago, travel4adventure said:

We would love a referral coupon for our upcoming initial sailing , if anyone has one to share. Thanks in advance!

Perhaps give your email (with “at” instead of “@“ etc) and someone will send you the details required. (The Referral Coupon is mailed directly to Seabourn by the proposer with your details)

This was the (wonderful) team back in May this year, most seem to stay with one ship, except when on leave. (4 months on, 2 months off)

The Captains work on a 70 days on /70 days off rotation

6 hours ago, BUgrad said:

Our friend’s changed airports and got it down to $7500 per person.  That is more than our mid ship deck 7 cabin is for a 15 day cruise.

We did “Route of the Vikings” and on to Boston, on Quest in 2016. It cost us less to fly home to Melbourne with our usual airline (Qatar) in Business via Doha, than to fly via LAX with any other airline (and the elapsed time was less)

MEL - LHR;   BOS- MEL  US$4,000 each. (Full flat seats all the way)

8 hours ago, BUgrad said:

Bare in mind that the flight was booked with Seabourn and there was a$1000 air credit.

Aah, thanks, now that makes sense.😀

Did Seabourn give you a price on Business, or was that the $8,000 that you mentioned ?