First time on Seabourn, a few questions

Hi, We have a hold on the Oct 20 sailing on the Odyssey. And have a few questions.

Are there any time limits on when to transfer the booking to a travel agent? Before we do the initial deposit? Before final payment? Since we booked an Oceanview suite, do travel agents typically offer anything extra?

What is included? What might one use OBC for?

Does anyone tip beyond the included amount?

What features of the spa are included and what is an extra charge?

We typically enjoy wine more than cocktails. Saw an list of included wines from 2016, is there a newer one or wine list posted or described somewhere? Is there ever a corkage fee for carryon wine? I am sure we will be pleased just like to know what to expect.

Any other advice will be welcome. Thanks in advance!

Hi, We have a hold on the Oct 20 sailing on the Odyssey. And have a few questions.

 

Are there any time limits on when to transfer the booking to a travel agent? Before we do the initial deposit? Before final payment? Since we booked an Oceanview suite, do travel agents typically offer anything extra?

 

What is included? What might one use OBC for?

 

Does anyone tip beyond the included amount?

 

What features of the spa are included and what is an extra charge?

 

We typically enjoy wine more than cocktails. Saw an list of included wines from 2016, is there a newer one or wine list posted or described somewhere? Is there ever a corkage fee for carryon wine? I am sure we will be pleased just like to know what to expect.

 

Any other advice will be welcome. Thanks in advance!

Hi cruzer, I will try to answer some of your questions.

I know there is a time limit to transfer to a TA, shortly after your initial deposit. This is probably best checked with Seabourn. Though someone on this board might have done a transfer recently.

It will depend on the Travel Agency what extras they offer.

Alcohol is included but premium wines, champagne and spirits are extra. At dinner if the suggested wine is not to your taste you can ask for a different wine. If you liked something from a previous night or suggest a grape varietal, your waiter can help with choices.

The wine list you saw I don't think has changed much. However what is available can vary on different sailings due to accessibility. Sometimes they will also add in wines from a region if they are in a wine area ie South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

There is no corkage for wine you bring on. We have brought on wine from various regions with no extra charge.

Gratuities are not expected. We do give some money to Guest Services for the Crew Welfare Fund which is then shared by all crew for special events like crew parties. I know crew ave mentioned enjoying these events held during the day and evening, as it helps break up the routine.

You can use OBC for shore excursions, purchasing things in the boutique and buying premium wines. It can't be used for donating to the Crew Welfare Fund, used as a deposit for a future cruise. I also don't think it can be used in the casino but as I don't use the casino I am sure someone else can correct me if I'm wrong.

I'm not really a Spa person so I can't help you there. I do know treatments such as hair, nails and massages are all extra. This is also the only place tips are expected as it is a seperate company.

I hope this helps.

Julie

You can use the fitness equipment at the spa for no charge. I think they might offer some fitness classes, but I am too lazy to check them out.

No treatments are included at the spa. However, the spa offers "demo" events that inevitably try to sign you up for something or sell you something.

You can use OBC for any treatments in the Spa, that works very well. But definitely not useable for the Casino!

Thank you for the replies; they are very helpful. I did find several lists of the included wine which were helpful.

Regarding the spa, is there an area that has showers, sauna, or steamroom for passenger use? We do exercise on treadmills, elipticals, etc. The itinerary is very port intensive, do they schedule any classes on the port days? Early and/or late?

How is the dining organized? Shared tables? Are there many tables for two? Is anytime more popular that may have a wait to be seated?

Again, thanks to everyone for helping a new to Seabourn cruiser.

You come to eat in the MDR when you choose.

You can opt in that night to share a table with others if you feel social, or eat alone.

You are more likely to get a table for two if you come early, right when they open, or late, between 8:30 and 9.

Dinner at 7-8 is a bad time to try and find a table for two in the MDR unless the cruise is not sold out, which is uncommon.

The Colonnade is crowded at breakfast before excursions and lunch after excursions, especially outside if a nice day.

Make your specialty reservation in the TK Grill online as soon as they open. On board, for dinner you need to make Colonnade reservations and the Patio Grill if you want a spot assured, but sometimes you can just walk in.

DH used the gym a lot for free, and just came back to the suite to shower as the ship is small, short walk, but I think there are showers near the gym too.

I believe there is a sauna but not sure if free.

Lectures were usually when people were likely to be back from port or at sea times, but it varies. In popular ports when docked, I saw no lectures at prime excursion times.

No need to tip beyond the included gratuities, If you feel like the service is excellent you can go to Seabourn Square and make a donation to the Crew Welfare Fund. This is used to fund parties and amenities for the entire crew who work so hard, not just for the ones with whom you come into contact.

"On board, for dinner you need to make Colonnade reservations and the Patio Grill if you want a spot assured, but sometimes you can just walk in."

Not sure where this is coming from. I believe reservations are recommended in the Colonnade on TK theme nights only. We often dine at the Patio Grill and have never made a reservation. If the weather is iffy, sometimes they don't even know if they will open or not until shortly before serving. On one Canadian cruise they might have served dinner three nights out of ten.

It is coming from the fact that on 3/4 of our SB cruises, all during nice weather, we could not get a table at the Patio Grill and had to wait between 30 and 45 minutes and we were chided for not having a reservation. On the other one, when it was cold outside, we were the only customers.

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My wife and I use the spa area quite a bit. The ladies and gents changing rooms have single sex steam rooms and saunas, showers, toilets and toiletries. The gym is quite good and there’s a separate room for classes. All treatments are extra and are expensive, with an 18% gratuity added / included. You will also be subject to up selling and may be encouraged to offer an additional gratuity, which can make one fell embarrassed.

We find the wines adequate but a little disappointing. Most spirits are included as is house champagne.

We love Seabourn and always feel at home, though I wonder if they are cutting back on some items and may price themselves out of the mass market.

I also have a spa question. In looking at photos of SB Quest, it looks as though there are stone beds in the spa. Are these beds heated and is there an extra charge? Thanks!

I also have a spa question. In looking at photos of SB Quest, it looks as though there are stone beds in the spa. Are these beds heated and is there an extra charge? Thanks!

Yes and yes. We pay for a cruise pass to that area. The price varies. There is also an additional sauna, a steam room and a special scented shower with a fog and mist function.

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I thought Odyssey class ships only had sauna in the (well, at least ladies) locker room, no steam. The little sisters had both. Do the bigger ships now have both again? Those heated loungers were nice but last trip i only used before/after massages. The Kniepp pool was broken.

My wife and I use the spa area quite a bit. The ladies and gents changing rooms have single sex steam rooms and saunas, showers, toilets and toiletries. The gym is quite good and there’s a separate room for classes. All treatments are extra and are expensive, with an 18% gratuity added / included. You will also be subject to up selling and may be encouraged to offer an additional gratuity, which can make one fell embarrassed.

 

We find the wines adequate but a little disappointing. Most spirits are included as is house champagne.

 

We love Seabourn and always feel at home, though I wonder if they are cutting back on some items and may price themselves out of the mass market.

Thank you so much for letting me know about the cruise pass needed to access the area. I have been looking everywhere for this info. Cruise critic comes through again!I will see the cost when I get onboard. I have been on many cruises but this is my first on seabourn. I am very excited!

Another question (for now :) ). Do the Seabourn excursions typically use a larger bus vs. a van that holds less than 10? At Amalfi in particular. Thank you.

We have just returned from a cruise (Saturday)

In answer to you your question, we had a zip line experience in Antigua, there was only 7 of us on the Seabourn trip, consequently we had a van, it really all depends how many you are on the excursion.

Another question (for now :) ). Do the Seabourn excursions typically use a larger bus vs. a van that holds less than 10? At Amalfi in particular. Thank you.

July last year, We ended up doing the bus tour to Amalfi due to rough weather preventing the boat tour.

The buses used were a smaller bus (they would need to be due to traffic on those narrow roads). There were about 5 buses with probably 15-20 on each bus. Tip: if you do this, get a seat on the ocean side of the bus for the best view.

Not sure about that recommendation. If you are of even a slightly nervous disposition, you are better not looking over the sheer drops! If nervous, sit on the aisle seat on the LH side of the bus going up and the RH side going down.

Another question (for now :) ). Do the Seabourn excursions typically use a larger bus vs. a van that holds less than 10? At Amalfi in particular. Thank you.

When they use a larger bus they only fill half of it. About 25 passengers. They add more buses if required.

At least, that has been our experience over many SB cruises.

Hello. We have booked this cruise as well. I loved the new ports the ship will visit. We have never been disappointed with a Seabourn excursion, but often we join up with others we meet on cruise critic for private tours.

Looking forward to meeting you on board.

Linda and Phil

Sorry, I'm a little confused. If you suggest reservations in the Colonnade on theme nights, how do you know prior to boarding what are the theme nights??

Sorry, I'm a little confused. If you suggest reservations in the Colonnade on theme nights, how do you know prior to boarding what are the theme nights??

Did not know you could reserve tha Colonnade online?

Sorry, I'm a little confused. If you suggest reservations in the Colonnade on theme nights, how do you know prior to boarding what are the theme nights??

Did not know you could reserve tha Colonnade online?

I do not believe it is possible to reserve a table at the Colonnade online.

Dinners at that venue do not require reservations, except for Ad Hoc-themed nights. You do so after boarding and finding out when such nights take place, usually once or twice a week. Most of the time reservations are not even necessary, as they are not ordinarily that popular.

Other themed nights, e.g. Japanese, French Market, Scandinavian, Indian, etc. do not require reservations. I've heard that the French one tends to be popular, so you may want to ask about reserving a table in advance - you can ask the hostess in advance or wait till you find out the night before via the Herald. BTW, none of the Asian theme nights are any good, except for possibly the Indian and Filipino nights. In particular, the Chinese and Japanese ones are an embarrassment to the Seabourn brand.

Thank you for the clarification