pdx13

There is definitely an expectation that almost everyone on board will change after 6 pm. I've been known to linger out at the Patio Grill past 6 pm and then change later for a late dinner but even then I've been in smart casual.

Thanks. That is sorta what I thought. Want to be respectful of the expectations.

Boarded in Monte Carlo, fresh carpets, beds. Great staff, R2 closed for re modeling. no TK this week, tomorrow they will have a special menu, does not look appealing. Took picture of note to all that it will not open yet, and we all get $50 credit for our inconvence. So far great cruise, staff perfect. Menu great, have not had bad meal. Weather very rough. More to come with the pictures, once I have Internet.

I would much rather the restaurant be open next week when we board, than the $50, but at this point I really don't care all that much. Sounds like they made some other good improvements and that service, food, etc all top notch.

As first time Seabourn clients next week we chose the cruise primarily for the itinerary. Our benchmark is Crystal, which we love, and we are not caviar fans, nor do we drink much alcohol. So we are subsidizing those who do take advantage of just a couple of things that some find attractive about lines at this level. However, for us the decision to choose Seabourn, aside from the itinerary, is the reputation for serving fine cuisine, the ships are smaller, the suites larger, and above all, the service from staff who enjoy their work. Let you know if we will return.

Deck 5 was my go-to place to sit and relax in the sun on a lounger at the furthest point facing out, and there was one particular couple who would walk forward as far as they could on deck 5, right to the back end of the ship by the railings in front of the row of sunbeds. Then turn around and come back. Then repeat. And repeat again and again... maybe about 50-100 times!

 

It was most distracting to have this shadow passing in front of me every few minutes!

If I were to run outside it would be early enough not to disturb people relaxing on deck. I watched a guy in the airport the other day walking back and forth from one end of the waiting area about 50 times the other morning and it drove me crazy. Treadmills are fine in a pinch but would much prefer to be outside.

If it is "not a big deal" wear non-denim pants and enjoy the ambiance of Seabourn.

That is why I made the inquiry, so as not to commit a fashion "faux pas". I intend to abide by the expectations, or code, or suggestion, or whatever it is called. Just didn't want to return to the ship and head for one of the casual dining environs after 6Pm in jeans if there is an expectation that attire changes everywhere on board at 6PM.

Looks like we will do our walks on 9 and I can jog in the gym. Figured that going in, not a game changer. Thanks for the replies.

I was told "yes" recently on Quest. I personally m not brave enough to try it.

Not a big deal, but the way the dress code reads is confusing. I know on Crystal, after 6PM the attire throughout the ship was what was appropriate for the MDR, so no jeans, etc. Just wondered if Seabourn's evening dress is expected to be worn in all public areas.

Looking at the Quest deck plan it does not appear as though there is any suitable area outside to jog or walk around the ship. Am I missing something?

Are jeans acceptable attire aside from MDR after 6PM?

We just received our suite assignment and got a nice bump up. Now let's hope our neighbors are not smokers.

We are neither big cocktail or wine drinkers, not do we eat caviar, but good to know the new menu is being well received. Occasionally it is fun to try something new. I just prefer to save my calories for ice cream and frosting!!

We are looking forward to meeting Tk (or, at least, a TK sighting) and being among the first to sample the fare in the grill. I am a bit concerned about the difficulty of getting a reservation for this new restaurant 2. Will report back in late May.

I imagine TK will be busy with getting his operation launched but it would be nice to do an introduction for passengers. I was under the impression that passengers are guaranteed at least one reservation per segment in the new restaurant? Will be interesting to see how difficult the reservations are to snag.

This all sounds significantly more reassuring. I wonder if it would have worked better if guests were told that the full TK experience would be delivered on X date - in the meantime, they would like their loyal and discerning guest's opinions on the dishes that could be offered at this time rather than everyone panicking that this was going to be 'it'

Who knows what challenges presented themselves during this transition. We were on board Crystal a few years ago when they introduced a "modern" cuisine, and I recall some degree of angst, but it seemed to work fairly seamlessly. However, Seabourn bit off a much bigger chunk with the TK program as it impacts several different venues and reflects the philosophy of a well known chef. It seems the TK program roll out has been rather "chunky" and I think communication from Seabourn could have been much better. But I am very excited about being on board when they should be at the top of their game if in fact TK and his people will be aboard.

Well, if TK and his staff are actually on board the Quest in early May we should be in for a treat. By all accounts he is fanatically fastidious when it comes to the quality and presentation of his product.

Sometimes it seems to be getting harder to post on here without people getting up in arms and defensive. That can be a problem with written word rather then face to face........things don't always coming across in the right context.

 

Now I am lucky enough to know both medroots and Chairsin and both are open minded and supportive of change. That doesn't mean they have to like every change, but they are willing to try new things. Chairsin was the one who educated me about the Ad Hoc concept and Humboldt Fog cheese and I know she is looking forward to trying out the TK menus in June.

 

For myself there were some good things about TK and some I didn't care for. I think it can depend on the night as well. For example we had the prime rib meal one night and loved it but then we had it a few weeks later and it wasn't as good. I thought the meat was okay but not very tender.

 

I personally don't worry if people have multiple days on Seabourn or if it is their first time, whether they are young or old. It is more about the person and their attitude to life. Luckily, for the most part, I have met many wonderful people on board.

 

Julie

Julie,

Amen! This is exactly what we are hoping for as we look forward to our first of what I hope will be more cruises aboard Seabourn. We have been booked for about 18 months and now it is within our grasp! This is not something we have the luxury of doing every year, so a month of travel with an incredible itinerary on this cruise line is going to be a very special experience for us.

What is ad hoc? At first I thought it was a typo, but it keeps being repeated. Please educate me.

It is Thomas Keller's bistro style/casual restaurant in Napa. Check out Jenidallas' excellent review.

In Suite Dining Menu......

 

STARTERS

Prosciutto & Melon

Chilled Shrimp Cocktail

Chicken Consomme (with fresh vegetables)

Roasted Tomato Soup

 

MAINS

Penne Pasta (with sauce marinara)

Caesar Salad (with choice of grilled chicken)

Pan Sauteed Salmon Fillet

Rosemary Rosted Chicken Breast

Grilled New York Cut Sirloin

Club Sandwich (grilled chicken, smoked bacon, boiled egg, coleslaw, chips)

Hamburger/Cheeseburger (with coleslaw, chips)

American Beef Hot Dog (with coleslaw, chips)

 

DESSERTS

Strawberry New York Cheese Cake

Chocolate Pot De Crème (chocolate florentines)

Vanilla, Chocolate or Strawberry ice Cream

Home Made Cookies

Fresh Fruits

Selection of Cheese

Thanks for posting this.

It was $300 for two people on the 16 night crossing. I gathered that it is less ($199?!) on shorter sailings.

Thanks much.

They have been on every one of my sailings so far. I'm hoping to continue my streak in two weeks.

Jen,

Did you follow through with the spa access? Jost wondering what the flat rate is currently.

thanks

I just went back and read the latest promotional materials from Seabourn regarding the new restaurant (The Grill(, which they describe as a chophouse. Not sure how this relates to Keller's land based products, certainly not TFL themed. Sounds more like a Morton's or Ruth Chris type place. The materials indicated the menu would be available this spring. They also mention that the themed meals with continue to be part of the Colonnade offerings. Wonder is some of the other TK interpretations will be available in the MDR?

I have never dinied in the Colonnade at night but on my upcoming cruise I will be tempted to at least try one TK night just to see for myself. I very much appreciate all of the detailed reports on TK from posters on recent cruises, especially Jenidallas's we'll be balanced, detailed posts. Of course the bottom line is it does not matter what others liked and did not like of the TK dinners, but rather what my DH and I think as everyone's tastes are different. So I will go into the whole thing well armed with a substantial amount of valuable information and an open mind. And if for some reason there is something not to our taste I will be sure not to shot the messenger. I have often been truly embarrassed on a few cruises to witness the poor behavior of a fellow passenger berate the waiter for a problem with the food.

 

As to Seabourn's TK endeavor I have to say while I applaud them for not sitting in their laurels and trying to find ways to enhance the cruise experience (ok, the cynic in me will also say and to try to entice new passengers) I am surprised by this. By most accounts the Charlie Palmer was a miserable failure -- and a costly one at that . I was never so happy as when that partnership ended. So either SB management is suffering from amnesia or they have a slew of new managers who were not around when the Charlie Palmer dining was introduced and removed. It seems to me that there are areas where the reported large sums of money could more effectively have been employed. I am a big TK fan, but as others have stated have concerns about transferring what makes dining in his dining in restaurants wonderful to the world of cruise ship dining. Nonetheless, I am very much looking forward to trying it on our June cruise. And if nothing else I will be thrilled there is a supply of Humboldt Fog cheese on board and will try to commandeer some for my cheese plate.[emoji4][emoji893]

We begin our first Seabourn cruise on the 30th, shortly after the conversion, and are anxious to experience everything on Seabourn, including the TK menu, although I am not so interested in the AdHoc items (except for the cheese). We also are TK fans, but based only on experience at TFL. Nonetheless,we will have open minds, fully expecting that there will be many more hits than misses at the end of the day.

makes sense that the new restaurant would serve TFL, Per Se type of menu (experience) rather than the casual Ad Hoc fare. Will be interesting to see how it is finally rolled out.

I agree. We weren't sure whether to be shocked or amused last night at dinner when the gentleman next to us began repeatedly beating the handle of his knife against the table (like an angry toddler) to get the waiters attention. He was very angry that they had been seated for less than 15 minutes and yet his steak (or his wife's TWO large bowls of off-menu pasta) had failed to materialize.

 

I do wonder how Seabourn finds these customers....

I wish I could find this type of boorish behavior hard to believe, but having witnessed it too often myself I am convinced that money doesn't buy class, and sometimes the sense of entitlement is way out of proportion to reality. It is embarrassing to witness this type of behavior and I always feel so sorry for the poor recipient.

The daily fruit is still available in suites each day. We were asked if we wanted it or not (so it sounds like it's a matter of a quick word with one's suite stewardess).

 

Salads have been easily available - perhaps not highlighted on the menu with special accoutrements de jour but merely asking has worked.

 

Afternoon tea accompaniments are actually broader now under the passed tray program which I much prefer to the uncovered buffet that was often inappropriately touched by others.

 

The only disenchantment for me is the evening nibbles in the Observation Bar. I don't mind the presentation - it's the selection itself that isn't doing it for me.

 

PS - a general note about commentary about the things we don't like versus the things we do. I was told by a trustworthy source that one reason the Little Sisters vanished was that guests filled in tons of complaints about them on comment cards but those who loved them so never took the time to relay all the positive things they loved about them. Perhaps it's a lesson to us all to not just be "cruise critics" but also to celebrate the things we love. When I first started sailing Seabourn and posting on this forum, I was snowballed by all the positive things I read and that many of the regulars shared with me. Perusing the Seabourn forum today, the line sounds positively dreadful. It's no wonder corporate keeps making changes to try to please our insufferable group.

I really doubt that corporate pays any attention to cruise critic, nor do the people who post or follow these boards represent more than a very small fraction of the Seabourn clientele. Nothing has been more criticized here than the smoking policy and yet there have been no changes. I think the comment cards have some value as they represent a broader section of the customer base, but I would not operate under the illusion that Seabourn caters to the "insufferable group" on CC.

Just booked a cruise on the Quest including three days in St Petersburg. Understand that Mr. Putin wants me to buy a Russian visa unless I participate only on Seabuorn tours. Do most passengers stick with the tours or apply for visas?

We are booked on an upcoming cruise and arranged for a three day tour with SPB. Downloaded all docs already. Seems like all of the major tour companies offer a comparable product.