SeaDream or Seabourn

[MBP&O2/O]

That's a good title for a Seabourn forum :)

 

For some time I have been considering an all-inclusive cruise to celebrate / commiserate a ‘milestone’ birthday. It’s one of those birthdays when you feel your age may have overtaken your IQ.

Self and Mrs B are not beach bunnies or pool hounds or ones for ‘enforced entertainment’, and neither of us are that bothered for water sports. We would rather have good food, good wine, decent accommodations, and when we go ashore we like to explore and see life outside the port area. A simple life which errs on the side of ‘quality’ rather than ‘quantity’. We are looking at the Caribbean for early 2015.

Research has brought us a shortlist of two companies, namely SeaDream and Seabourn, so I am seeking opinions / comparisons between these two. What doesn’t it mention in the brochure? What ‘hidden charges’ are there to watch out for?

As an aside, the two other companies which were looked at were RSSC (too much time ‘at sea’) and Silversea (the itineraries are not to our taste, which was a shame).

I have left the question rather vague so as to give the opportunity for a range of opinions, but two things which do bother me are(1) the chance of a ‘corporate booking’, when 50 or 60 people arrive as a group and have the potential to cause disruption, and (2) access to a port using a tender.

Thanks

Mike

[hoosier74]

I've not been on SeaDream so I can't compare but I can speak to the tender issue. Because Seabourn goes to some smaller ports, many require a tender. But many ports in the Caribbean require tenders for all cruise ships. SeaDream's ships are a bit smaller I think and MAY be able to access some ports without tender. In any case the tenders are fine, there are not long lines and there will be a station set up on shore with drinks if you have to wait.

 

The food, drink, and accommodation are all good or better on Seabourn in my experience. We've not been on with a group but I wouldn't want to either.

[lincslady]

I would suggest that you also put this question on the Seadream forum, and ideally say that you would like to hear from those who have cruised both lines.

 

A couple of points initially - there are no 'hidden' charges with either line, but if you enjoy good quality single malts or cognacs there is virtually no choice included on Seadream, but quite a few on Seabourn. Also, with wines, Seabourn are willing to give you something other than the ones on offer at that particular meal, which we found impossible on Seadream. Rarely are there large groups on either, but if you read the Seadream forum you will see that sometimes there are groups of families who are friends, with children, which can cause some aggravation - this is less likely on Seabourn, where in any case there is more room for everyone. We have never found tenders a problem on either line. It is so subjective as to what one enjoys on a cruise, particularly the overall atmosphere, and as rather quiet and probably staid Brits. we do prefer the general atmosphere and interaction with other passengers on Seabourn, finding Seadream to be more attractive to what could be described as rather more 'entitled' and slightly younger people. You do not say what age group you are, but possibly if around 60 rather than 50 Seabourn might be more your thing, unless you like being physically very active, enjoying hikes and mountain biking etc., which is more the Seadream thing.

 

There is far more choice of eating venues on Seabourn, naturally, as they are larger ships with more passengers; this also applies to bars and lounges.

 

You will gets lots more advice, I am sure. Do ask other specific questions of everyone, as it is difficult to visualise exactly what you value most otherwise.

[grouchotoo]

We have sailed on both SeaDream and Seabourn (both Sojourn and the sisters). We prefer Seabourn as the cabins were larger and food choices more diverse. The alcohol choices were also better as was the overall service. There is also more public space on Seabourn, especially the larger ships.

Also, we did have some 'problems' with groups on SeaDream twice. The first time the ship was chartered out from under us. SeaDream was accommadating in that they covered all charges we had already paid including airfare and helped us rebook another cruise later at a significant savings. This was however disrupting to our schedules.

When we did take the SeaDream cruise there was a group of 15-16 younger folks (late 20's to early 30's) who tended to be a bit loud at times, drink a bit too much, and take up areas. This on a smaller ship that has 110 passengers.

SeaDream is more casual than Seabourn which can be a plus especially in the Caribbean.

In general I think SeaDream is more for the younger crowd and Seabourn for the more mature of us.

-Barry

[surfersgirl]

We have just had one of our cruises on the Spirit for 14 cancelled due to a charter but I wished they had done that for our cruise on The Pride from Lisbon to Monaco.

It was the first time that we hadn't really enjoyed a cruise on SB. There was a group of over 90 golfers on board which meant that the veranda was open for breakfast from 7am to 9.30am (gobble & go), lunch boxes etc. were being supplied which was more work for the galley, people were wandering around the public rooms in shorts until 10pm and sadly going straight from the golf course to sky bar to the restaurant without even changing their clothes. They were extremely demanding of the crew and tended to take over wherever they were.

very few of the ships tours were sold because there was only 90 other passengers to participate and of course the golfers were not interested in booking another cruise. I have nothing against golfers in fact my husband is one but then it wouldn't really have mattered what type of group it was - it should have been a charter!!.

J

[Keith1010]

I would highly recommend that you look closely at both ships because the major difference is the size of the ships and what each one can offer.

 

SeaDream is going to get to some ports that very few other passenger ships get to in the Caribbean and is going to offer a very intimate cruising experience and certainly will be very luxurious.

 

Seabourn is also going to offer a very luxurious experience as well but will not be quite as intimate.

 

The trade-off will be that the focus of your evening activities on SeaDream is going to be dinner and there is far less to do on the ship than say on Seabourn.

 

It's all about what your interests and desires are.

 

But do study the ships very closely so you know exactly what amenities are offered on each ship and also study the diagrams of the rooms as well so you can see what the different in their size is so you are not surprised.

 

Keith

[lincslady]

Surfersgirl - I would say you had been very unlucky with the charter and group problem; in over 200 days on Seabourn it has not happened to us. I too would have been annoyed to find half the passengers were one large group.

 

Having said that, Seadream does quite a few charters (especially as it holds so many fewer passengers) and I believe sometimes charters after offering the cruise as a regular one; also annoying.

 

I keep thinking of points of comparison - one in particular is the difference in the cabins (or suites). Both large and small Seabourn ships have fairly large suites, 277 sq ft or more, while those on Seadream are I think just under 200 sq ft, with the bed under the window rather than the sitting area, and an absolutely minute bathroom and far less storage space for clothes. Whilst we have enjoyed spending some time other than sleeping in our Seabourn suite, this did not apply to Seadream. Oh, another is that you can have the restaurant dinner delivered to your suite on Seabourn, and I am fairly sure that the room service on Seadream is pretty limited in choice, and certainly does not allow course by course dining in the cabin. (Others please correct me if I am wrong)

[Mr Luxury]

Yes,the room service on SD is a little basic.It's all about the dinner upstairs on these ships.

I will never forget the difficulty of sitting on the loo on a SD ship.

 

I can think of many a cruiser that would not fit.:eek:

[Jim Avery]

Hi Mike.

Good advice from all here. I too was Merchant Navy but on the US side of the pond. People always found it strange that when I would get off a ship after several months at sea, I would get on a cruise ship for fun. Busman's Holiday and all that.:eek: Having sailed both SeaDream and Seabourn, I prefer SeaDream for the Caribbean. They truly do the Caribbean better than anyone else (IMHO). The caveat is that they are prone to "partial charters" as mentioned above. With a max passenger load of 112, this can make a huge difference in the onboard experience. Also, they tend to attract/allow more children. Read the threads over at the SeaDream board to get an idea what troubles that causes. I was once onboard SeaDream with 30 kids out of a total passenger load of 101!:eek: Misery. The only reason we ever went back is because our trips prior to that were as perfect as it gets. It is an expensive roll of the dice but they will tell you, if you ask, if there are children or groups onboard. In the Caribbean, SeaDream goes to small places like Jost van Dyke, Necker Island, etc. The outdoor spaces on SeaDream are perfect for the Caribbean climate. If the weather turns, SeaDream has very limited indoor spaces and becomes quite confining. So, now that you have tons of information, I am sure it is as clear as mud.:D Seriously though, we have enjoyed both lines very much. Have fun.

[Miss Jet Set]

Yes to Seabourn sailing with them many years and never encountered large groups

Seadream - definitely we renamed it SEA NIGHTMARE. Never again - nothing

luxurious about it.

[surfersgirl]

we had missed the group of about 30 from the same organization earlier in the year when we driving around Sweden; we just would have appreciated the courtesy of being advised of such a semi charter. we have already noted when the same company will be on the legend next year and we have made other arrangements.

J

[lincslady]

MBP - I agree that Seadream is at its best in the Caribbean, you really need warm sunny weather on these ships. You did say that pools and beach life were not really for you, but I suppose you have chosen the Caribbean because of birthday/anniversary dates?? Otherwise, I would have recommended the Med. in say May or September, for enjoyable strolling round ports.

 

Hope these ideas from various people are helpful - do come back and let us know.

[MBP&O2/O]

Thanks for all the advice everyone.

I was deliberately vague as to age etc so as to allow a cross section of answers with no pre-conceived idea but it is a 65th birthday ........ away from an English winter! We did consider the Med in summer but found it to be just as expensive with a lesser guarantee of decent weather.

There are some interesting points raised - some of which hadn't crossed my mind so we all live and learn!

It seems to me as if it is very much swings and roundabouts and you pays your money and you takes your choice!

Decisions decisions:confused:

[Jim Avery]

If you search the SeaDream Cruise Critic board, there is lots of information, good and bad. You will also find many detailed reviews with loads of tips which could help you decide what is right for you. :D

[Jim Avery]

Yes,the room service on SD is a little basic.It's all about the dinner upstairs on these ships.

I will never forget the difficulty of sitting on the loo on a SD ship.

 

I can think of many a cruiser that would not fit.:eek:

 

Look at it as a chance to do some "multi tasking".:eek::D

[Smartcookie]

I would look closely at the itineraries and time/overnights in port and then decide what's more important to you, the ship, or the ports. I'm going on my 3rd and possibly last Seabourn cruise soon. I love the cruiseline, but Seabourn seems to spend the shortest time in port, seems like every day is spent rushing - they need to consider spending more time in ports and doing more overnights, IMHO.

Edited November 19, 2013 by Smartcookie

[frantic36]

I would look closely at the itineraries and time/overnights in port and then decide what's more important to you, the ship, or the ports. I'm going on my 3rd and possibly last Seabourn cruise soon. I love the cruiseline, but Seabourn seems to spend the shortest time in port, seems like every day is spent rushing - they need to consider spending more time in ports and doing more overnights, IMHO.

 

 

You obviously have encountered this on your cruises but this is not always the case. On the cruises I have done we have had overnights in Ho Chi Min, Singapore, Cairns, Bali and Melbourne, two nights in Bangkok. With our upcoming 14 night Caribbean cruise we have two stops where we will stay until 2300 & 2200. But maybe we were just lucky.

 

Julie

[Mr Luxury]

Yes agree Julie,

if you want overnights then just pick a trip that suits that has overnights.

 

Overnights are increasing on some lines like Crystal and Oceania too.

[Chairsin]

I agree, Seabourn does have a number of cruises with overnight port stops. In addition to the SE Asian one which Julie mentioned( where we overnighted in Saigon, Bangkok and Hanoi) we have "overnighted" in St Petersburg for two nights on our Baltic Cruise.On our Harbours of Western Europe cruise 18 months ago we spent the night in Bordeaux City and Le Havre. On a similar trip we have booked for next September we will spend the night in Sevilla and Bordeaux City.And we are about to book a trip for next June with an overnight stay in Venice. So you don't really have to look that hard to find trips with an extended stop.

[Mr Luxury]

Not forgetting overnights in Venice,Barcelona and Monte Carlo.all of which I have done this summer.

 

Personally I hate overnights and want to get to sea as soon as possible.

Edited November 19, 2013 by Mr Luxury

[Chairsin]

Mr. Luxury,

Do believe I mentioned Venice but happy to have you reinforce the fact that yes there are many overnight options on SB -- love them or not!

[MBP&O2/O]

Back again ......

I was asked to come back and let people know my decision, which is ...

neither.

Reasons:

SeaDream: At the time we want to go SeaDream do not have an itinerary that we would want, and being a tight Yorkshireman I am not going to pay for what I don't want.

Seabourn: I emailed them with a query and they never bothered replying. Three weeks later I chased them up and asked what was happening. Again they never replied. If that is the sort of customer service they give before they take six months of my pension then I am not interested.

Silversea entered the equation for a short while but again the itinerary's were not to our liking.

Having said that - thanks to all for your advice and opinions.

Mike

[Chairsin]

Mike,

I am not going to make excuses for Seabourn but trust me there is a big difference between Seabourn's onshore service an on ship service.Even before operations moved from Florida to Washington the shoreside responsiveness was problematic. What you need is a good UK TA. I just booked another cruise with my TA in the UK -- have been using them for years. I always get a response back within hours. Do consider that route if there is an itinerary that interests you.Oh, and as a frugal person you might like to know that in addition to providing great service our TA also usually discounts the cruise fare 10%.

[Mr Luxury]

Mike,when all is said and done you still have your money which you can spend in Bettys tea rooms in Harrogate.:)

[lincslady]

Mike - I have found UK Seabourn in particular pretty useless to deal with, but the way to go is to go to a good cruise travel agent, who specialises in luxury lines if possible, and get them to do your enquiries and then booking if you decide to go; you will certainly get a good discount on the brochure price, and they will do all the telephoning etc.

 

I am not allowed to give you names, but if you look for Seabourn on the website you will find one of them, and another is based in Bournemouth (This may get deleted!) I do not work for either of them, by the way, just use them as a customer. If you prefer to keep as much of your hard earned pension in your pocket as poss., you will find SB cheaper per diem than the others.