skincruisers

John is currently aboard Seabourn Odyssey. They are today at Moreton Island

Thanks. We'll probably see you at the airport!!

We are booked on a Seabourn Pursuit cruise to Antarctica -- our third trip to the great white land. We arrive at 3am in Manaus by air. Seabourn are quoting USD$360 to transfer us 12 km to our hotel (Quality Hotel). Is there a better/cheaper way that anyone else has used at about this time?

We are thinking of getting back onto our favourite cruise line towards the end of this year. We are both triple vaccinated.

Our concern is whether the policies (which sound fabulous) on Seabourn are working - or not. We know there will always be an odd infection with a passenger or two, but I hope recent cruisers can tell us that so far everything is going well.

What is the medical protocol onboard? Does the medical facility charge like a wounded bull for "services" relating to Covid?

A big issue for us that, so far we've not been able to find insurance that will cover anything related to Covid

Help please

We've travelled on both lines, but I have to say I do prefer Seabourn.

To us, there was a vitally important issue on Silverseas a number of years ago, when our cruise was largely occupied by 3 or 4 large groups/conference attendees. Our issue was that Silverseas provided special services to these attendees -- such as a relaxed smoking policy and one group were given all of the chairs on one side of the pool. I understand why--but it wasn't fair on other guests.

The biggest issue for us with Silverseas was that they take reservations for dinner. No reservation and therefore no attend on that night. We were asked to join a group 4 for dinner. They had a reservation but we did not. In the end it was only the intervention of the captain that got us a seat at the table.

On Seabourn the dinner service is not organised around the staff. On Seabourn if more turn up at one restaurant then the staff gets moved (quickly).

I should note that Seabourn do take reservations for groups BUT (and I have this from head office) they do not allow them any special priledges which might affect other guests

Does anyone know who this might be?

My wife and I have done 2 Antarctic cruises aboard the Seabourn Quest. Both were fantastic. We'll do a third. You will have a great time.

Do not stress about the day time wear on board.

First up, jeans and smart casual are perfectly OK.

Second up, while gym gear would never be allowed, the standard in the Observation Lounge would be best described as "warm, smart casual" as everyone is usually running in and out to the deck to get photographs.

The Observation Lounge takes on a sort of "jumble sale" look about it because you do need to have much more gear, like your camera with you -- even if you're just trying to get a drink.

You will always have your ultra smart Seabourn Orange jacket about your person somewhere. Going out on deck without this, or the lighter undergarment (also provided by Seabourn) is a must. It does make a group of "Seabourners" look like a Hari Krishna conference.

The provided beanie is also a must.

What I'm trying to say is that for the Antarctic part of the cruise, everyone looks the same and what is worn comes a very long second to the view outside. Usually, any formal nights are cancelled for the Antarctic part as everyone is too busy getting on or off the ice.

Remember, you are in an area of almost constant light. From our experience our best photo's were taken at 2 or 3 AM or at 11PM!!

Feel free to contact us if you need any other information.

We are off on the Seabourn Quest cruise doing Northern Europe. Departing and arriving Dover. Does anyone know what hotel options Seabourn has in London?

Does anyone know who the cruise director will be to take Quest to Antarctica this season 2016/17?

The real reason you can't take the boots into the ship proper is that at the end of each Antarctic day they are each individually disinfected. There are no diseases on the 7th continent and Seaboard don't want to be the first to do so. We start our Antarctic cruise for this year tomorrow -- from Montreal

We're off to Antarctica again. This time cruising from Montreal to Santiago. We've been on two Seaboard cruises where the fabulous Mr Handre Potgieter was the Cruise Director. Does anyone know where he is currently plying his trade? We'd be over the moon if he was going back to the great white continent

I'm reading that Seaboard are closing the MDR for breakfast and lunch. Is this a every day thing or do they just do it on port days

Dear Roscoe Is the Pub free at lunchtime? The Cunard website talks of it being for a fee.

Do you know the normal showtimes on QV?

Skincruisers

Thank you to all of those who helped out with my query.

Final questions: What are the show times on QV? My in-laws are at early dinner.

Where is a good lounge where they can just sit and watch the sea pass by?

Sincruiser

We've just bought my in-laws a short cruise on the Queen Victoria from Auckland to Sydney. They have never been on a cruise before. I've had trouble deciphering the Cunard web page regarding dining options.

I know their restaurant (Brittania) is the fall back position AND that there are various speciality options for which there is a charge.

My specific query relates to the informal dining options for which there is no additional charge. The website indicates that the Lido is an informal dining option and the evening buffet is complimentary; but then lists 3 dining options for which there is a charge. It says nothing about lunch.

What real options do they have?

Skincruiser

We are experienced cruisers but we've bought our in laws (mid 70's) a short cruise on the QM2 in late February.They have never been on a ship before.

Does anyone have any practical tips?

From what we hear, the MDR can be closed for breakfast and lunch on some days; although this seems to be at the whim of the F and B Manager and possibly only occurs on European cruises. Does anyone have any feedback as to whether these closures occur outside of these short hop cruises?

I meant that the MDR might be closed for Lunch and breakfast.

We are seasoned Seaboard cruisers and are thinking of undertaking the Sojourn journey from HKG to Monte Carlo in April--52 days

We are a little concerned that the MDR might be closed for breakfast and dinner. That would cause us to change cruise line.

Does anyone have a thought?

What are these referral onboard credits of which you speak? We've travelled Seabourn on 3 other occasions (well over 70 nights of cruising) and have never been offered one or heard of one. Is this something for you poor folk who live north of the dotted line around the world?

We are travelling from Monte Carlo to Cape Town from 12th November?

How do I get or use one of these referrals if I've already paid

We are due aboard the Seabourn Soujourn in November. We fly into Nice. We have the option of staying a night in Nice and then getting to MC for the cruise or staying a night in Monte Carlo. Any thoughts on the best way to get from Nice to Monte Carlo?

Dear Grumpy We spend a lot of time in NZ. In Wellington there is a fabulous museum. Normally we're not great "museum people" but this one is really good. It's also a good city to go for a walk. If you are more adventurous could I suggest you hire a car and drive through the Hutt Valley to the Martinborough wine area. In my view their wines are better than Marlborough.

When you get to Tauranga you'll be in one of the nicest places in NZ. If you want to go to Rotorua, I suggest you hire a car.

Good luck. You'll have a great time.

Dear Grumpy (great name); We've been on Seabourn Quest twice for 30+ days and we did 2 back to back 7 day cruises on Silver Whisper last year.

Like you, we are not overly particular about food, although we like a good meal with friends. To us it was more the overall experience -- staff, ambiance, quality of ship etc.

To us, Seabourn was way ahead. In fact there was no comparison; to the extent that we wouldn't bother with Silverseas again. We felt Silverseas was probably 5.5 stars --- not 6.

As was said in "The Castle" (you'll know the movie I mean) .... it was "the vibe"

Silver Whisper had taken two large groups on the first 7 day cruise which effectively ruined that one for us. The second 7 days was much better, but still not as good as Seabourn.

An example: One thing that really got under our collars was that on Silverseas the restaurants required bookings---even on the outdoor deck. It was impossible to get bookings for restaurants at short notice (like 1 day out). What was galling was that, for example the Italian restaurant, was often only half full. Even our butler who was supposed to be able to fix everything couldn't get an increase in a table size from 2 to 4 so we could join friends. In the end the Restaurant Manager agreed that the restaurant was only partially filled for "staffing reasons". in other words the restaurant was being run for the staff --- not the customers.

To us this was symptomatic of the Silverseas approach to a lot of things.

You will miss the Seabourn Square.

The ships are almost identical; built in the same yard.

skincruisers

Dear Markham, You at least get the point.

It's not about ethnic groups, frat groups or any other sort of mob.

It's just that on a small cruise ship such a group can (and I don't mean will) cause discomfort to other passengers for a whole host of reasons. It's not really an issue for bigger ships as there are motte facilities available to lessen any intrusion.

On our Silver Whisper cruise last year it was that they ran a conference in the main theatre area and the main bar. That meant the other pax were relegated to another bar. All normal passenger functions (tour advice lectures, trivia etc) were relegated to the pool area or the remaining bar; or were not held. The staff kept apologising but there was nothing they could really do. Having large areas of the ship turned into smoking zones for this cruise only were an added distraction. Being turned away from the Italian restaurant because the group had booked it out for 3 out of 7 nights was also a negative. After that sort of trip we felt we had a right to tell Silverseas we were not happy. They couldn't have cared less.

Based on such an experience all I'd like Seabourn to do is tell me if they are running a conference on board or have a large group. If they won't I'm OK with that ----- at least I know it is their policy and I can use that fact if (heaven forbid) we happened to get onto a cruise like our journey on the Silver Whisper.

Dear Grumpy Wombat. I'm not seeking that the CEO change policy and disallow group bookings. I well understand that he's running a business. All I'd like to know is that if there is a group of (say) greater than 30 or 40 passengers then I can't see why intending passengers can't be told --- but only if we specifically ask. I guess its because he can take our booking and deal with any difficulties we have later!!

To me it's a bit like going to an adults only island to find that they have allowed children for a specific period because a large group (including children) took over 60% of the available accommodation.