Winner

No way! I am--umm-- of a certain age and I still want my beef just "walked by the broiler", thank you! The redder the better.

Why didn't the OP just ask while aboard ship? Surely the waiter could find the answer quicker than CC posters.

I agree with both Harvey and Henry: Spirit was in top Seabourn condition for her last crossing. Shouldn't Windstar have made all (supposed) repairs in dry dock before the maiden Breeze sailing?

:)

 

 

Seabourn had small ships with small staterooms. They ultimately sold them.

 

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The suites on Seabourn's small (208 passengers, 10,0000 ton) ships were 277 sq. ft. or more.

Yes, they ships were sold, after 25+ years of service.

What has this to do with Regent/Oceania?

I have sailed the Caribbean many times on several ships. The only luxury ship I will repeat a Caribbean cruise is Seabourn, for its Caviar in the Surf day (and for the ship and the group of friends with whom I travel).

Obviously I sail the Caribbean for the ship, not for the ports of call, many of which are interchangeable. If you are cruising the area for weather, beaches and islands any ship will do.

When my husband and I were on a B2B we approached the taxi drivers and found one, happily, who became our guide du jour. We spent the better part of the day, including a just-caught seafood lunch, in Piraeus, enjoying the local scene and fresh on-shore breezes, strolling the docks and having a relaxing Greek day. Piraeus is delightful on its own; we enjoyed interacting with the seamen there. (My husband was an avid fisherman which probably enhanced our visit).

I do love Hotel d'Angleterre, which sometimes has "lower" rates; check Tripadvisor, etc.

When it was being refurbished a few years ago, I stayed at Hotel Phoenix, located near Nyhavn. Do some more research and you will find other small hotels along Nyhavn.

Wherever you stay Copenhagen has so much to offer and is so easy to navigate the hotel becomes just a place to sleep

A nicer gesture, as Wripro has suggested, is to cancel the ports before final payment is due. Passengers then have an option.

Dry cleaning was available when Legend was a Seabourn ship; it either still is or the facility was removed in the refurbishment process.

I believe Aapreciate and her mother are touring on their own before their cruise.

Do you have a U.K. address and passport? Curious as to how you booked in the U.K. unless you are a dual citizen with residency in both countries.

I only have a U.S. passport and address. Fellow cruisers told me about the UK agency and I simply e-mailed them. All our correspondence was via the internet and I received documents well in advance of cruises. Although I now use a U.S-based TA, I still keep in touch with the UK one--in case of a good deal.

Have two wonderful cruises. I have done both itineraries, the Baltic actually twice, but all on Regent. We love Silversea, but have never cruised on seabourn due to their smoking policy. I will be interested in hearing about that. I simply could not deal with a room where residual smoke odors might be.

Smoking is not allowed in "rooms" on Seabourn.

For a few years I used a well regarded UK agent for my cruises. At the time two brochures were printed, one in US dollars and one in pounds sterling. The exchange rate fluctuated closer to sailing dates, making it advantageous for Americans to use a UK agent, saving hundreds of dollars by booking early.

Today the exchange rate is not as favorable and I use American agents. (I can't comment on cancellation penalties since I didn't cancel any cruises booked in the UK.)

Thank you for the effort; the photographs, however, are illegible.

Costco now sells prime beef, as well as choice. Since Regent advertises prime beef in Prime 7, Costco would seem to be better than the current supplier--and the beef would be as advertised.

Thank you, Jeff, for the remembrances of VE Day. It s not widely (almost rarely) observed here. I remember it well, as my mother tearfully--albeit overjoyed--told us Daddy would now be home soon.

Hello Jeff,

I also miss Denyse, aka bldsd. Although we never met I think we were kindred spirits who appreciated both Silversea and Seabourn and often shared memories and experiences.

On my latest cruise, Seabourn Spirit and her last crossing, Americans (26) were in the definite minority; the largest nationality (more than 80) was British, of which many were Scot. I disembarked with more knowledge--and VERY varied points of view--of your upcoming election. The SNP was definitely thoroughly discussed. How I wish we could have the blessedly brief pre-election period you have. We are already inundated with politicians and their speeches in preparation for an election 18 months in the future! Time for some Armagnac.

The many changes simply make Breeze Windstar, not Seabourn. Now it has an identity many loyal Windstar cruisers found lacking in the Pride conversion: more deck space and more outdoor dining. Perhaps Windstar will focus on warm-weather cruising with their new ships, as it does with it's sailing ships. The focus on so many outdoor amenities won't work as well in, for instance, northern Scandinavia sailings.

I agree with others that it is the officers and the entire crew that make Seabourn Seabourn. The decrease in personnel and lack of inclusiveness do not translate into Windstar's pricing. No matter how you dress her up, Breeze and her sisters won't ever be competitors to Seabourn.

I am glad Windstar has implemented all the changes. Breeze has a new identity and does not resemble Spirit. I will live with my "little sister" Seabourn memories knowing they have indeed sailed into the sunset.

In terms of the Seabourn recommendation, we would have tried them based on reviews. However, the fact that you can smoke on balconies seems to be drawing smokers to their ships (makes sense since all other luxury cruise lines have strict smoking policies that do not include smoking on your balcony). If you read the Seabourn board, there are many recent complaints about smoking.

 

Please share the source of your information that Seabourn is drawing smokers to their ships. I have yet to meet anyone new to Seabourn because of the balcony smoking allowance.

Jeff, I admire your clear (and accurate) responses. I, as many Americans are, am a confirmed Anglophile and as such agree with much of what you have written.

Charles and Camilla visited California several years ago; Charles especially wanted to visit one of our Farmers' Markets, most of which are certified organic; they did and were treated with the respect and warmth they deserve. BOTH of them left lasting impressions of being very involved in our mutual interest in organic, sustainable farming practices.

Since most Americans know very little about Camilla, we hardly have a basis to dislike her. It is true that, thanks to People magazine, many put Diana on an impossible goddess pedestal. By comparison, People now puts the like of Kim Kardashian on that same pedestal.

That irony seems lost on some.

America is not Britain nor do we have any right to preach to you about your present and/or future Royals. Those that do should be more involved in electing our own leaders since our voting records are woefully small.

Perhaps what I am saying is: mind your (our)own business, Americans. England has a long Royal history and knows better than we how to live with it. (1776 and all that!)

And congratulations to you all on the birth of the newest Royal!

Mea culpa! I should have said refundable, not non-refundable credit may be donated to the Crew Fund. Seabourn has indeed decided that non-refundable credit may NOT be donated.

Sorry for the confusion.

What some cruisers do is contribute any/all of their non-refundable credit to the ship's crew fund. When you "cash out" on debarkation the desk will be happy to help you.

Regent is very generous with sightseeing before departure from Southampton! Is the flight to and from Rome included??

From personal experience I have found a walker easier to handle than crutches; there is no problem taking one on airplanes and aboard ship and it tends to "clear the way" when moving about, as well as being more stable than crutches on a moving vessel. If you don't want to travel with a walker the doctor's office may be able to loan you one during your cruise.

You will also find that the officers and crew will be wonderfully accommodating and attentive to you both. Their empathy is beyond bounds.

Have a wonderful cruise. Staying aboard can be delightful, either on your own veranda or on Deck 5 forward with a swimming pool and whirlpools and wonderfully comfortable chaises in the shade. (And the Club bar is just steps away should you become thirsty!)

Best wishes on your wedding and honeymoon; I cannot imagine a better beginning than on Seabourn.

Winnie

Please read other reviews of Star Pride; I sailed many cruises on Seabourn Pride and never saw portholes, only large windows. The main dining room can accommodate all cruisers for dinner; there should be tables for two available.

Windstar has only advertised Star Pride as "new to Windstar", not as a brand new ship. Perhaps the reviewers had unrealistic expectations.