Isklaar

Thank you so much Ovener for posting your comparison. It's been a very interesting and informative read.

Apologies SLSD, it was intended to be a light hearted, sometimes things don't come across so well in text. And of course, everyone should know that Norwegian meatballs are far superior to Swedish versions!

Can we have less of the Scandi bashing please?😀

Disclaimer: my experience is all pre-Covid so who knows if still relevant. We have often taken a guarantee allocation and the timeline for suite number has been anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 days before departure. Even on completely sold out holiday cruises, for example, allocation would show just a few days before departure. As this is your first SB, can I just ask if you have checked in your online account. There were times when my TA hadn't received notification but it was in my online booking details. I hope you have a wonderful cruise.

Julie I was just about to write a response but you've expressed it much better than I could. Great post, thank you.

People should of course be able to write what they choose to write, within CC guidelines. But that has to work both ways, meaning that the negative posters should allow others to discuss their positive experiences.

One reason they may not honour the booking is the consumer protection law offered to EU citizens. It does go both ways, sometimes a cruise is far less expensive in the US than the fare offered in UK or Australia or the EU. Ask them to show you 'the legals' !

We certainly experienced noise in the Wintergarden Suite. For some reason it was worse on Sojourn than on the other O class ships. Perhaps crew and guests were more heavy footed on that ship 😀. We spoke to guest services and our experience was like yours, a definite improvement. The outdoor evening events were noisy though. All of that said, we have a regular contributor here at CC who reports no noise issues in the WG.

Is it possible to opt out of that chat function?(Asking for a friend 😉)

Yes, can confirm we received it via email on our last SB cruise which was December 2019.

I agree. For me, I have enjoyed reading the posts from kjbacon, especially as they're new to Seabourn but for the actual experience, very disappointed for them. We have looked at Regent but I already know that the ships (except Navigator)are too big for me, and yes, too glitzy. I guess I could get past the decor but ship size is a major stumbling block. It does show that although there are many similarities between Seabourn, Regent and Silversea, there are important differences too.

Is this The Route of the Vikings cruise? If so it's always a sell out well in advance (we have tried to book it several times in the past) and it's always one of the more expensive itineraries. As you say, it would appear that the understaffing was unexpected. Clearly, I'm not onboard, but it seems that there are provisioning problems also.

It could be staffing, it could be a local decision (i.e. onboard management), it could be a fleet-wide new strategy. I've been so disappointed for you, it's clear to me that you've been trying to make the best of this cruise.

Just to chime in about excursions, in the past Seabourn has kept a dining venue open longer if needed to accommodate late returning excursions. It's usually been the Colonnade. I wonder if new policy is in place or if this issue is affecting Quest only on this particular itinerary . kjbacon, thanks for continuing to post. I am enjoying reading your perspective.

+1 Very well said robertmartha!

Sorry to read that you tested positive. Wishing you both a speedy recovery.

Yes, first course then second course. But they are happy for you to mix it up. Portion sizes were rather too generous!

About the spelling. Yes in British English a tv show is a programme, but I believe program is used here as the correct spelling for a computer program. As ever, I'm happy to be corrected by those who have British English as their first language. John is not a typical SB CD. The Regent Explorer series on Channel 5 went under the title 'The World's Most Expensive Cruise Ship'. It may be on YouTube. The whole series was tacky IMO, all about the price of items onboard the ship, cost of the cruise etc. But interesting to see the Regent ship nonetheless. Apologies to kjbacon for the off topic posts!

Looking at the rock just to his/her right it looks as if it was perhaps the second salmon of the day.

An accurate assessment. In our house we are divided. I'm a fan of John (although I don't think that series of programmes about Regent on UK channel 5 did him any favours). My better half is not a fan. It's around ten years though so we last sailed with John, I wonder if his time with Regent has changed him.

We tend to have dinner around 8,30pm. We have always managed to be seated at E&O, but usually there has been a short wait at the bar. We try to arrive by 8.15 if we're wanting a table at E&O. I should add that our experience was on O and E class ships but pre-Covid. Perhaps it has changed recently...

Interested to learn the reply about the TK menus in MDR as they had already gone, on Sojourn at least, when we last cruised in December 2019. We wondered if they would reappear in the future. The TK fried chicken is my favourite in the Colonnade for the same reason it's your least favourite! We just can't get anything like it in the area we live so it's a special treat. Especially the grits.

Good morning kjbacon. Sorry to read that you are still positive. I thought you had another day in Bordeaux today and had hoped that you may make it off the ship. Your view of La Rochelle does it no favours! It's actually a very pleasant town, but I must say it can be like a zoo in July and August. Where is your next port?

kjbacon, it looks from pics that you are in my favourite suite - I guess the one positive to your onboard quarantine is that you have plenty of space. I have been enjoying your food photos very much. I do hope that you are both negative tomorrow and are free to enjoy Bordeaux.

Interesting post. Brandy Alexander is my go-to after dinner drink. I would regularly order one in the Grand Salon for the show, or OB if not going to the show. After a few years I found that the taste and quality of it had changed, and not for the better. I think it happened around 2016. I changed to ordering it very occasionally and didn't try it at all on our last cruise in 2019 as it was no longer enjoyable, irrespective of which bar I ordered it from. It is of course a very indulgent drink, especially after a rich meal so it has to be perfect and enjoyed in ordernto justify the calories.