JPH814

How much does “brand loyalty” perks influence travel decisions? As you can see from my signature, I have pretty much settled on Seabourn for ocean cruises ( and Uniworld for river cruises.) From what I read, there might be minimal differences/advantages of SS or other lines at similar price points. But discounts on cruises, OBC and other perks offered to me as a guest and stockholder are enough to keep me from “jumping ship”. and - a second point - i know seabourn. I am familiar with the ships.the routines and what to expect. I am at the point of my life that I do not want surprises or uncertainty during my trips away from home. And it seems the differences noted in this thread are not enough to take the risk.

We used George’s Taxi for a tour and also a transfer from hotel to airport. Fabulous.

In US. I have been using the same on-line agency for over 20 years. Depending on the cruise line and the length /price of the cruise I will usually get a discount and also an on board credit or a “loyalty bonus” ( a check sent to me after the cruise.).

…except that you can order from a waiter anything on the buffet.

SWTC is something that is offered on some cruises but not on others. We have done it on 2 of our lseabourn cruises - both pre-Covid. it is not an excursion and is not published prior to the cruise It is announced in the Herald and you sign up in Seabourn Square. No charge. The two we did were in Talin Estonia in 2013 and Montreal in 206. ( it was not done on our more recent Canada cruise in 2022). They were both a lot of fun.

Anyone remember Emily Latella? nevermind.

What does not make sense to me is that Beef Wellington does not (usually) have mushrooms or gravy. Beef Bourguignon maybe.

Closed for lunch and dinner?

relax. I think I answered her questions rather factually as best I could. See my subsequent post for additional information. Having been on the Queen Mary I could have replied that Seabourn is no where close to Cunard in terms of dress expectations. If she had asked about how friendly people were on Seabourn, I would have answered in glowing terms. But she really did not ask about that, did she? She asked about dress code on formal night. You can interpret her "above themselves" comment any way you want.

here is a cut and paste from my review of our cruise in October of 2022 regarding formal night: "Men’s attire is easier to classify. Maybe 3-4% true formal - meaning out of 100 men in the restaurant, there were 3 or 4 in tuxes or formal dinner jackets. Men in suits and ties, about 20%. Jacket and ties- 30%. Jackets no ties. 30%. The rest -15% or so - were just pants and shirts. "

First of all - I had one cruise on Azamara. Seabourn and Azamara are similar in clientele and the level of "formality" vs casualness. Seabourn ships have a some what smaller passenger capacity. As for the "formal night", the majority of men in the main dining room will be wearing a jacket, either a sport jacket or as part of a suit. Many will have a tie. A few will even be wearing formal dinner jackets or full blown tuxedos. (I guess I m one of the ones who you call "above themselves". My wife and I enjoy getting dressed up so I bring formal wear.) That will be one night out of 7 maybe 2 on a 14 day cruise. After dinner some may keep the dressier attire, but things generally return to casual. On those "formal" nights, the Colonade restaurant is more casual. I am not sure about the Steakhouse. And there is always room service if you really want to avoid those who are "above themselves". No tickets are required for tenders. It is first come first served. I have never had to wait more than a few minutes to board. The Steakhouse (TK) is the only venue that requires reservations. You can usually reserve one dinner before you board. Once you are on board, you can often get one or more additional reservations (depending on the length of the cruise.

You ordered pizza in the restaurant and the colonade?

Did you order it from room service?

Did you order it from room service?

...now we are straying way off my topic. But... What is patently unhygienic about a person in a bathing suite? The outside buffet is next to the pool. Not sure I would have a problem with that. Maybe put on a shirt.

To us - specifically my seasick prone wife - suites being on a higher floor is a big negative. For once an inconvenience works in our favor financially. And the basic cabin is more than adequate

No

Agreed. I was being conservative

Difference between a v 1 and a v 4 is $78 per day per person. Or 15 percent more. suites change the entire calculus.

F and b is more like $344.

I would not “lower the expectations for food quality” based on this. On the contrary, I would conclude the food is quite a bargain considering the high quality of the food. I more am responding to those who feel they deserve some Michelin star dining experience because they are on a. “Luxury” cruise line. If that is what you expect, you may be disappointed.

I started this exercise after hearing people complain about the quality of the meals on board Seabourn. After all, it is billed as a luxury cruise line and we should expect high quality luxury meals. Sit down breakfast and lunch every day – or at least a buffet with quality offerings and variety. High quality offerings at dinner – either in the steakhouse, colonnade or the dining room. I am a believer that you should expect to get what you are paying for. So what are we getting for our cruise fare? Cruise Cost $994 Room 300 Transportation 200 Entertainment 50 alcohol 180 Breakfast 36 Lunch 48 Dinner 180 total $994 My cost is from my upcoming cruise in veranda suit deck 5 for 2 people. Not including port fees and taxes. I estimate a hotel room or suite of this size with a balcony would be at least $250. I added 20% gratuity. Your gratuity might be less. The room might certainly be more - especially one on the water. Transportation: The ship takes two people to a new port each day. I am estimating this is worth $100 per person per day. Imagine the cost for a train, car or air from one port to the next. Some maybe more, some maybe less. I think this is a good – even conservative – average. Entertainment – this is a tough one. $25 per person per day for the shows? Lectures? Use of the gym? Who knows…but I had to include something. Alcohol. Here is potential variable. I assumed 5 drinks per person at $15 per drink plus 20% gratuity. 3 glasses of wines at diner. One or 2 at lunch. Pre-dinner cocktail. Post dinner in the lounge. Booze in my room. Drinks around the pool. I think 5 per person per day is conservative for us. Now the food Breakfast – I assumed $15 per person per day plus 20%. I think conservative. A full buffet breakfast at a land restaurant would be at least $15. A sit down breakfast a Denny's would be at least $15 and I am sure we can agree this beats Denny's Lunch – I assume a little more here. $20 per person per day plus 20%. I know I have spent a lot more than that for a full buffet lunch. I cheesesteak, fries and soda in Philadelphia costs at least $15. For a sit down lunch, it has to be more than $20. Again, I am being conservative. So if you accept my accounting above, what does that leave for dinner out of our $994 per day? $180 per couple. $75 per person plus 20% What do you get for $75? Every night, a choice of salmon, Dover Sole, New Your Strip. Each night a revolving menu of pastas, meats, seafood. (As for me not occasionally more than one entrée.) Or the steakhouse with lobster thermidor, and other specialties. Or sushi. At least three courses – appetizers, salads, soup, a cheese course, dessert. Coffee teas. Or any of this served via room service. (Checked the price of hotel room service lately?) Alcohol not included here because I accounted for that earlier. I know I have missed some things (like Seabourn Square, caviar,) that would eat further into the $994. So I ask l you, do you think the dinners are worth $75 per person per night? Do you believe you could get higher quality meals for less than $75 per person?

Has anyone ever ordered Pizza from Room Service either for lunch or dinner?

I have been on several seabourn cruises and always make a point to note “formal or elegant” night attire. This is my reporti from my last cruise to Canada and New England: Women’s attire much harder to classify. But many long dresses /skirts. Lots of sequins Clearly a cut above even “dressy” category. While not all would be what is usually considered “formal”, there were very few that I would consider under dressed for the “formal” standard. men’s attire is easier to classify. Maybe 3-4% true formal - meaning out of 100 men in the restaurant, there were 3 or 4 in tuxes or formal dinner jackets. Men in suits and ties, about 20%. Jacket and ties- 30%. Jackets no ties. 30%. The rest -15% or so - were just pants and shirts. I saw no jeans in the restaurant on formal night. fwiw - I was one of the “formal” ones: white dinner jacket and black Bow tie.

I would not assume that. When the article referenced over 100 ships, it would have to include the river ships.