Full Review Legend Trans-Atlantic

[howndder]

I have been asked to write a fuller review of my experiences on our last crossing. This was my third time on the Legend and it was really wonderful to meet up with some of the staff that I had met on earlier sailings. One of the truly best things about Seabourn is its' staff. They do everything humanly possible to see that you have a great time. Also wonderful was sailing again with Capt. Anderssen. He is such a hands on fellow and really mixes with his passengers. Plus an excellent sense of humor. For this crossing I shared cabin number 207, which is fairly close to the front of the ship and since this crossing had "good sized swells", the pitch was a bit more noticeable than my previous cruises. I don't usually ever get sea sick, but did feel it somewhat. My room-mates mother, who was in the cabin next door and is 92 and uses a walker, really notcied it. But all she really wanted was to take her sons' arm and be escorted to the club for cocktails before dinner. What a trooper.

 

There were 162 passengers on board incuding many of the regular crossers and great fun seeing them again. Too many to mention here. There were also a few missing faces from past cruises, which is a shame, but they probably were on the Odyssey. Since Seabourn has such a nice single occupancy surcharge, every cabin was full. Of course, some of the "full" cabins were occupied by "academy" members in training. Possible future Seabourn employees. I can definitely say that "Daisy" and "Colin" are in like flint. They were terribly impressive for new employees. I also want to single out "Julia" at reception. Wow. Thank you. It would be totally impossible to mention all of the drew that I came into contact with, that did wonderful things for me and my friends.

The food was as expected, prefect, except for a very few and minor over peppering of some dishes, which was corrected by the third day. "Thurston", was also very out and about througout the cruise and always asking your opinion on tis dish or that. We ordered off the menu only once andit was a Roast Duck, that my table mates raved over. I personally don't like duck, but everyone else was enraptured with the duck. Assistan Maitre D', "Ryan", carved the duck to perfection. He told us that, "he had to cut a duck in order to pass his exam and receive his diploma in "Culinary Arts School". The Veranda, was as always wonderful and even though I didn't have any dinner meals there, breakfast and lunch was superb. What fabulous service.

Before this gets too long, the entertainment was also excellent. With 2 speakers, Dr. Don Behnke and Mr. Nigel West MP and classical pianist and showman and now comedian Elliot Finkel, We couldn't have asked for much more but we had the wonderful show put on by "Eric DeGray", our super funny Cruise Director and his newest and wonderful assistant "Diana". There was of course the usual daily trivia crowd, which I must say, was a tad too boisterous in their booing of other teams scores. Not very Seabourn, folks! The "Liars Club" was hilarious as always.

Except for the angst and fear of being stranded in Europe that most of the passengers were feeling. And, wondering how if ever they were to get to there next destination, the cruise was as I expected. Fantastic. Charl and Claudio as well as many others were on the phones daily to Seabourn in Miami as to what they could offer the existing passengers upon arrival in Lisbon. Actually, there wasn't anything except for the people that they had arranged for at the port and airport in Lisbon. It amazes me to think that when we arrived, airspace all over Europe was opening and that we all arrived at our destinations at appoximately the scheduled hour.

It must have been a teriffic cruise because I booked the return from Europe on the Legend as they couldn't have been nicer. I hope I have the pleasure of meeting all the wonderful new friends and the renewing of old friends, that I met on this trip.

Howard

[Constance331]

It was wonderful to read your review, Howard. I wish I'd been onboard - I would have enjoyed another spin on the dance floor with you.;) I hope to do just that on a future sailing. Until we meet again...

 

Best,

Roxanne

[lifelover]

Great review Howard! Except that "all arrived at our destinations at appoximately the scheduled hour" isn't quite correct. About eight Seabourn guests tried to depart on the British Air flight in the gate right next to yours. The pilot and his crew had been stranded in Lisbon for almost a week due to the volcanic ashe problems. Everyone was quite ecstatic when we boarded the plane. But four hours later we were still on the ground with a mechanic working on the engine. Because the plane engine hadn't been started for almost a week, a computer problem occurred and we were bussed back to the terminal. Fortunately, the EU has a law that protects passengers (unlike the United States) and we were taken to the Lisbon Marriott and given a lovely dinner with wine and a very nice breakfast. They even provided for a free international call.

I do think one British couple, Oliver and Pat, were put on an evening flight because of their physical limitations. So they got home on the planned day.

Paul and I received a message via our room television that BA were putting us on an 11:25 flight direct to Prague. For us, it worked out all right, other than missing a touring day in Prague.

We look forward to seeing you in November on the Legend crossing!

 

Ginger

[Seabourn-nail]

It was great to read your full and very pleasant review of the crossing we were originally booked on as well, Howard. I must say I missed you all a lot and in my "dreams" I was sailing along with you... But of course you can't have it all. I am very "blessed" already (in many ways).

So kind of you to mention some of the outstanding (new) crew members and so good of you to remember all of them.

Regards to all of the above!

Marja

[lifelover]

We missed you and Rene so much, Marja! In fact, one day Ralph de Klijn made the appetizer, "bitteballen" for us. I requested it as a tribute to you and Rene. He brought it up to the Sky Bar and shared it with all the guests there. Paul and I enjoyed them very much! Howard liked them too.

 

Ginger

[JaneBP]

Was there a 'tug-of-war' on the Crossing? Who won?

[sovereigncruiser]

I find your comment "Seabourn has such a nice single occupancy surcharge" very puzzling. Having travelled on Seabourn on my own for a number of years, I find the current sole occupancy surcharges (usually 175% or 200%) quite horrendous. Because of this, in November I will be sailing on Silver Seas for the first time. I am only paying a 25% surcharge for sole occupancy.

I was on the Legend crossing as well & I thoroughly enjoyed it as always. The staff are fantastic.

[crystal808]

I find your comment "Seabourn has such a nice single occupancy surcharge" very puzzling. Having travelled on Seabourn on my own for a number of years, I find the current sole occupancy surcharges (usually 175% or 200%) quite horrendous.

 

It's all a "numbers" game, and the surcharge is directly tied to how early you book.

 

Congratulations on your SS booking!

[howndder]

Hi Ginger and Paul and et al, I am so sorry you had to wait an extra day, know how much you were looking forward to Prague. I didn't know you were at the next gate??? We left with empty seats. Was your flight full?

Marja, you were def missed. I also second the "bittenballen", excellent.

Sovereigncruiser, I think in the states they give a better discount as opposed to SS who give it to the "Brits", either way, Hope you have a lovely crossing.

Jane, there was indeed a tug-of-war, but alas, I did not attend. I did notice however, that most of the staff were wearing gloves the next couple of days.

We did not get the outdoor Bar-B-Que and Rock the Boat Show as the weather was not co-operating, but The Rock The Boat Show was done in the club on a subsequent night.

All in all, your usual hum drum Seabourn Cruise.

Howard

[scm]

...Fortunately, the EU has a law that protects passengers (unlike the United States) and we were taken to the Lisbon Marriott and given a lovely dinner with wine and a very nice breakfast. ...

 

Not completely accurate. Every US carrier has a provision in their contract of carriage that provides for exactly the same compensation you received under similar circumstances -- a mechanical delay. Yes -- if a US carrier cancels your flight due to "force majure", including weather, you are on your own. Same provision in EU law -- carriers are not required to provide accommodations if the delay was due to "extraordinary circumstances".

 

Like volcanic ash.

[lifelover]

Thank you for the correct information about flight delays and compensation. I hope I won't have to use it in the future, but it's good to know.

 

Ginger