Offers to hold women's arms when being escorted into dining venues

[secoma4]

We have always enjoyed being escorted to our table in the Main Dining Room, for myself with either a male or female staff member, and my husband, frequently with one of the young ladies. It is always a great chance to engage with the crew, in anticipation of a great evening. I particularly like to be seated, and having my chair drawn for me, as I would expect as a courtesy in any good restaurant. We have been sailing with Seabourn since our mid fifties in age, age has nothing to do with this practice, it is a example of mannered service.

You could compare this greeting with our recent experience on a Ponant ship, where there was no staff member at the door and you were left to wander around the restaurant looking for a table without a 'Reserved' sign, and were then treated as if you were invisible to staff.

[Joc123]

Sorry, but I really don't like it. I'm not a "touchy feely" person so prefer not to have to touch someone I don't know or have them touch me (that's why I never have a massage).

As for a chance to have a conversation - I can do without having to answer the generic question "How has your day been?". When an arm is offered, I always accept (it would be rude not too) but it makes me feel very awkward and embarrassed. I would much rather be shown to the table with my husband by my side.

Offering to carry my plate to the table is something I do decline or though at times it has almost ended up like a tug of war! Mind you, our last cruise on Sojourn, you were lucky to find a waiter to offer to carry your plate!

[Hobar]

Sorry, but I really don't like it. I'm not a "touchy feely" person so prefer not to have to touch someone I don't know or have them touch me (that's why I never have a massage).

 

As for a chance to have a conversation - I can do without having to answer the generic question "How has your day been?". When an arm is offered, I always accept (it would be rude not too) but it makes me feel very awkward and embarrassed. I would much rather be shown to the table with my husband by my side.

 

Offering to carry my plate to the table is something I do decline or though at times it has almost ended up like a tug of war! Mind you, our last cruise on Sojourn, you were lucky to find a waiter to offer to carry your plate!

 

 

 

It's so lovely. Too many posters are over-analyzing. Just decline if you don't like it, and move on. Life's too short to waste time being aggravated so easily.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Chairsin]

Yes, Joc, by all means if it makes you feel uncomfortable just decline. Simply smile, say thank you and that you would prefer to follow them to your table. No harm done.

[Mr Luxury]

Yes, Joc, by all means if it makes you feel uncomfortable just decline. Simply smile, say thank you and that you would prefer to follow them to your table. No harm done.

 

 

Yes,No Arm done

[wripro]

I am constantly surprised on these boards by what people find to complain about.

[wdpmd]

It's being made mandatory when duck is served.

 

No arm, no fowl.

[markham]

How very dare you!

 

Now I'm offended.

 

Happy and healthy sailing!

[jenidallas]

I am constantly surprised on these boards by what people find to complain about.

 

Another travel forum I participate in had a long-running "What is the least substantive thing you can complain about?" thread.

 

I've often thought that would be a wonderful addition to the Seaborn forum. I am quite certain we could find a host of new topics to explore now that smoking is less of an issue.

[jozi]

Another travel forum I participate in had a long-running "What is the least substantive thing you can complain about?" thread.

 

I've often thought that would be a wonderful addition to the Seaborn forum. I am quite certain we could find a host of new topics to explore now that smoking is less of an issue.

 

How about towel animals?🙂

[Joc123]

I am constantly surprised on these boards by what people find to complain about.

 

I am not complaining, just making a comment. It seems that if there is something we don't like about Seabourn we are instantly classed as a whingers. That is not always true. I didn't like it the 1st time we sailed, after 10 cruises I still don't like it. I don't refuse the the offer because it is obviously their policy. I don't make a fuss nor do we complain onboard about the way they do things. However, we have decided to have a break from Seabourn because of their very obvious cost cutting - ready to flamed!

[Silver Sweethearts]

I am not complaining, just making a comment. It seems that if there is something we don't like about Seabourn we are instantly classed as a whingers. That is not always true. I didn't like it the 1st time we sailed, after 10 cruises I still don't like it. I don't refuse the the offer because it is obviously their policy. I don't make a fuss nor do we complain onboard about the way they do things. However, we have decided to have a break from Seabourn because of their very obvious cost cutting - ready to flamed!

 

The very obvious question here is why have you taken ten cruises with Seabourn if they seem to make you unhappy??

Edited August 10, 2016 by Silver Sweethearts

[Joc123]

They haven't made me unhappy. It's just that each cruise is not quite as good as the previous. I still think they are as good as you can get. Maybe we have had enough of cruising and are looking for something different but I will stick by my comment that they are cost cutting and they are hoping nobody notices. That is my opinion, it may not be yours.

[ravenclaw]

..... but I will stick by my comment that they are cost cutting and they are hoping nobody notices. ...

 

Exactly...as pricing has steadily increased over the past two years or so.

[fudge]

They haven't made me unhappy. It's just that each cruise is not quite as good as the previous. I still think they are as good as you can get. Maybe we have had enough of cruising and are looking for something different but I will stick by my comment that they are cost cutting and they are hoping nobody notices. That is my opinion, it may not be yours.

 

You have a point, we cruised with Seabourn for the first time last year, we have just returned from a 14 day cruise in the med, it was not a patch on last year, we will be returning to a rival company in future.

[lincslady]

I just think that this topic might have been better mentioned in a general review, and did not deserve a thread of its own, which does make it sound a bit 'fussy'.

 

I can't say I have noticed a drop in standards recently (last cruise this spring), but it is possible that eagle eyes have noticed things I have not. However, I feel sure that the TK enterprise has cost a great deal, perhaps more than its current worth. Which might account for it, if there is one.

[Able Seaman H]

I do find the title of the thread and the question of what is the escorting to the dinner table all about a little unusual as it is obvious why it is done.

It is good manners,courteous and a bit of good old fashioned Seabourn theatre.

Long may it remain.

 

Absolutely.

 

Will the food taste better? No

Is it done for safety? No

Is it sexist? I don't think so.

 

As Mr L says, good old fashioned SB theatre.

 

Besides, with our wives safely escorted Mr L & I can wander into the dining room arm in arm soaking up the admiring glances.

 

Henry :)

[Mr Luxury]

They get so jealous don't they [emoji172]

[wripro]

They haven't made me unhappy. It's just that each cruise is not quite as good as the previous. I still think they are as good as you can get. Maybe we have had enough of cruising and are looking for something different but I will stick by my comment that they are cost cutting and they are hoping nobody notices. That is my opinion, it may not be yours.

 

Every cruise line is cost cutting. Read the other boards and you will notice similar complaints.

[divsec]

You have a point, we cruised with Seabourn for the first time last year, we have just returned from a 14 day cruise in the med, it was not a patch on last year, we will be returning to a rival company in future.

So sad you didn't enjoy your cruise, but with all the changes you had to endure it is not surprising. Difficult to enjoy something you didn't order. I bet you are far more annoyed with land based mismanagement than the onboard experience.

[Host Dan]

I am not complaining, just making a comment. It seems that if there is something we don't like about Seabourn we are instantly classed as a whingers. That is not always true. I didn't like it the 1st time we sailed, after 10 cruises I still don't like it. I don't refuse the the offer because it is obviously their policy. I don't make a fuss nor do we complain onboard about the way they do things. However, we have decided to have a break from Seabourn because of their very obvious cost cutting - ready to flamed!

I know, why don't you have your husband escort you in! This would solve all issues, and would make your husband look like quite the gentleman!

[MightyQuinn]

This practice is not exclusive to Seabourn. I've been escorted into the GDR on both Regent and Oceania but it was hit or miss. Sometimes there was a waiting arm and sometimes there wasn't. But Seabourn takes it to another level with a row of escorts lined up at the entrance waiting. I love it and always accept!

[Mauzac]

I love it too! I think it's sort of sweet and reminds me of a bygone era! (not that I lived in a bygone era - just what I imagine!)

 

(and after my favourite White Lady cocktail in the Observation Bar, an escorting arm is always welcome! :))

[writer100]

You have a point, we cruised with Seabourn for the first time last year, we have just returned from a 14 day cruise in the med, it was not a patch on last year, we will be returning to a rival company in future.

Sir: I am interested in what you observed that reflected cost cutting. Not arguing with your statement--which i agree with--but merely wondering what signs you saw. For myself, I found the wait staff in the mdr had been reduced in number, with near catastrophic consequences, particularly during the now (infamous) introduction of the TK menu.

Alas, I suspect that similar "efficiencies" and "economies of scale" have been introduced elsewhere, so quite probably SB retains its position as at least on par with other luxury lines.

As to the arm leaning, it is a bit of an antique. In my conversational experience on SB, many younger women who have careers find the practice less than charming. On plate carrying, I always decline, as I don't want anyone's hands --gloved or not--on my plate.

[fudge]

I was not the poster who talked about cost cutting however we thought this cruise did not meet our expectations on this occasion.

 

One of the posters said " it was probably Seabourn land staff which caused the problem more than the ship" He/she was right in some respects. Because the itinerary had changed so much it was no longer the cruise we wanted however, with less than 16hrs notice of change we felt we had to go ahead and sail.

 

Once on board we decided to dine "in suite", a complete disaster. Our first course was changed without notice to food we do not eat, it all arrived at once instead of in stages, the waiter "forgot" the drinks, when the wine did arrive later it was sat on the table for us to open, white wine with no cooler.

 

The pool grill was mostly uninspiring, on one day apart from the usual pizza the choice was sausages, sausages or sausages, very odd. In the Colonnade on at least three nights we waited what seemed for ever for our main course.

 

Whether it was the time of year and this cruise, but I have never seen so many children on board, not a child lover by any means but it was different with so many on board.

 

On the positive side the staff were fantastic for the most part, very friendly and warming. One last point, the dress code if there is one was hardly adhered to, on one evening in the Colonnade one guy had a football kit on with trainers, no one batted an eye lid.

 

One last point, there were people on board allowed to smoke the vapour cigarettes around the pool, we moved twice, to add injury to insult they also used them at lunch on the pool deck, we moved again.

 

Before anyone asks the question, did you complain, yes we did. I received no reply from Seabourn in Seattle however, the cruise hotel director did speak with me and apologised for the poor service.

 

So, there you go, not for us i'm afraid, back to our old favourite cruise line.

Edited August 11, 2016 by fudge