Complimentary wines

[marazul]

16 hours ago, Vineyard View said:

Has anyone else heard back from emails that they sent into SB regarding the wines? 
I responded to my cut and paste email - quite a while back - and have not heard another word. Maybe this direct email for Natalya is a better avenue than the ‘office of the president’ address?

I did write again and got a long five paragraph answer telling me that my concerns are taken seriously, that customer satisfaction is their main concern, and that my comments were shared with the Director of  Culinary Operations.

We shall see...

[marazul]

8 minutes ago, SFTraveler53 said:

Complimentary wine list currently on Venture. So far we’ve enjoyed them.

That seems to be an improvement.🤞

Edited October 1 by marazul

[Tony UK]

On 10/1/2024 at 7:13 PM, SFTraveler53 said:

Complimentary wine list currently on Venture. So far we’ve enjoyed them.

That is SO much better than the Ovation list we had. Some listed werent available either. 

[Tony UK]

On 10/1/2024 at 7:13 PM, SFTraveler53 said:

Complimentary wine list currently on Venture. So far we’ve enjoyed them.

That is SO much better than the Ovation list we had. Some listed werent available either. 

[Tony UK]

It just seems that there is no consistency at all in terms of quality, or availability between the different ships. It is so very frustrating. No chardonnay at all listed on our sailing on Ovation. Very poor listing overall. This looks better, but how do we know if other ships will be offered the same?

[brittany12]

Let's not disregard how much more expensive the expedition cruises are to book. Higher prices quickly turns into extra revenue and maybe gets those lucky passengers a better wine product.

[nancygp]

11 minutes ago, Tony UK said:

It just seems that there is no consistency at all in terms of quality, or availability between the different ships. It is so very frustrating. No chardonnay at all listed on our sailing on Ovation. Very poor listing overall. This looks better, but how do we know if other ships will be offered the same?

I was on the sojourn recently.  From what I recall, many of the wines were similar.  I’m a Chardonnay drinker and the Flanagan chard was available all the time as well as the other ones.  I really like the Flanagan chardonnay.  After a few days, the crew knew to bring this to me without asking! 😄

I am sailing on another SB ocean ship in the near future so I will see if there’s consistency.

 

Nancy

Edited October 2 by nancygp

[Tony UK]

On 9/30/2024 at 5:51 PM, margbem said:

Tony UK - reach out directly to Natalya Leahy: NLeahy@hollandamericagroup.com

 

We had an unresolved issue that we were very unhappy with so we contacted her direct. She acted speedily to rectify matters. We were very impressed with her.

Thank you so very much for your advice. Our issues have been validated and taken extremely seriously, including at last sorting out the errors on our account. We have received a full apology for all that went on. The CEO office, the UK office and the ship have been involved. I hope my comments help all of you have a much improved cruise experience in the future...including amongst other things the wine! 

I did call out some of the team and suggested some reassignment or training but also heaped praise on others.

The team are keen for us to sail Seabourn again, however we are not so sure!

Anyway, thank you very much for your assistance. 

[brittany12]

Your comments Tony UK about your issue(s) and then contact with the CEO office, UK Office and ship are very cryptic. Were you complaining about your anniversary issue and flowers or the lousy wine? if not, what. What do you mean your "issues have been validated and taken extremely seriously?"

[Tony UK]

1 hour ago, brittany12 said:

Your comments Tony UK about your issue(s) and then contact with the CEO office, UK Office and ship are very cryptic. Were you complaining about your anniversary issue and flowers or the lousy wine? if not, what. What do you mean your "issues have been validated and taken extremely seriously?"

My post was intended to say thank you for the advice on who to contact. It is working well for us.

I cant, and woulnt go into the detail here as things are not yet fully resolved, There wasnt an issue with flowers, my husband purchase them and they were beautiful.  Things do go wrong, I understand and accept that. It is how they are resolved which shows the quality of the service and delivery. Sadly that didnt happen on our cruise, however Seabourn are all last showing their worth.

I hope you understand.

[2SailingNomads]

I will say, after now 22 SB cruises, things like recognition of a special occasion are no longer the same.  Years ago we had some very special amenities that I will not disclose here for a birthday or anniversary we spent on a ship. Last time instead we got a card.... Gee thanks I got a card from Regent when at home for my recent birthday, wineries that I belong to offer me discounts and I've spent no where the $$$ I have on Seabourn.  No expensive bottle from the revenue list sent to our suite like we used to get, no - cost SB $0,00 - towel people who scared the heck out of us one night when we came back to someone (towel man) sitting in the chair with a beer, no cake that we sent to the crew mess, etc.  It's a different Seabourn from what we spent over 450 days and 22 cruises on these days. I hope those of you new folks and those who think SB can do no wrong continue enjoy it.  But it has changed and not IMO for the best since we started sailing 13 years ago.  The comments in the above posts show a general sense of disappointment - save the cheer leaders - and after out last experience when they ran out of the CHEAP "fine wines" and other things I have documented elsewhere on this site SB is no longer my first choice, and very disappointed with the new President who promised to return SB to it former self.  YMMV mine doesn't 

 

[Vineyard View]

I am curious 2SailingNomads who now is your first choice. Not having your history with Seabourn, but with other lines, I am reading some similar ‘downgrades’. It makes me wonder if your new first choice long time customers have seen similar ‘downgrades’ within that line. 
 

Given all the competition, and new ships coming along in the premium/luxury segment, I sincerely hope that SB steps it back up somewhat for those who truly know the difference. That said, based on what I am reading here, we may notice a difference next year. If that is so, and it impacts our experience (wines, etc) to a noticeable degree, we may go back to ‘looking’ harder. 

[Tony UK]

On 9/30/2024 at 8:54 PM, docmark said:

Whatever happened to the TOPIC of this thread? Am I the only one who is "bothered" by this amazing change of discussion/posts not related to topic? 

if it had been just that we would have been delighted!

[Tony UK]

1 minute ago, Tony UK said:

if it had been just that we would have been delighted!

sorry replied to wrong post!

[Tony UK]

I did comment to the CEO about the quality and selection of wines. We took ours on board with us in the end. 

I do hope the situation improves for all of you in the future. Keep commenting on negatives as well as positives. Constructive feedback drives up standards.

[Tony UK]

On 9/30/2024 at 4:23 AM, lincslady said:

Tony UK - I  imagine you had actually asked for special recognition of your anniversary?  

Yes, and it was on Embarkation they told us they had special surprises for us and a cake in the restaurant. It was a seabourn moment but not a good one sadly.

[Tony UK]

On 9/30/2024 at 8:26 AM, SLSD said:

It sounds like you had a series of unfortunate events.  I don't think that is usual.  I think the reservations in Solis can seem a bit haphazard at times--with no real rhyme or reason for how it is being done.  Was this your first Seabourn cruise?

Yes it was....

[Tony UK]

On 9/30/2024 at 3:19 PM, SLSD said:

Wow,  I'm sure the account mess really made all the other smaller things seem worse.  As far as anniversaries go, the gesture on the part of Sojourn for our 48th anniversary was minimal.  It was  a dessert on a plate that said Happy Anniversary--not a huge gesture--but a nice one.  There was also a plain white card in our suite that said Happy Annniversary.  So--it appears that you didn't miss out on a great deal.  

As you say it is the sense of occasion that was missing

[Tony UK]

On 9/30/2024 at 8:54 PM, docmark said:

Whatever happened to the TOPIC of this thread? Am I the only one who is "bothered" by this amazing change of discussion/posts not related to topic? 

Sorry, i guess it was me. People kept asking questions, and making comments I felt I needed to respond to. I tried to close it off by me post explaining that the CEOs office had accepted my comments and responded to me. 

Time to move on,

[Hlitner]

17 minutes ago, Tony UK said:

I did comment to the CEO about the quality and selection of wines. We took ours on board with us in the end. 

I do hope the situation improves for all of you in the future. Keep commenting on negatives as well as positives. Constructive feedback drives up standards.

Interesing, about you bringing aboard your own wines.  About half way through our 21 days on the Encore, I truly considered buying a decent bottle of Cognac (the only complementary cognacs were Hardy or Courvoisier VS) and a few decent bottles of wine (to take in the Restaurant!  Not wanting to create any "issues" we ultimately settled for the inferior stuff being served onboard.

 

I pointed out, in another post, that we did have the opportunity to speak with a home office representative (who was on our cruise) and express our displeasure with the wines and cognacs.  Whether anyone in Seattle listens and responds, with some future changes, is a question.

 

Hank

[Tony UK]

7 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

Interesing, about you bringing aboard your own wines.  About half way through our 21 days on the Encore, I truly considered buying a decent bottle of Cognac (the only complementary cognacs were Hardy or Courvoisier VS) and a few decent bottles of wine (to take in the Restaurant!  Not wanting to create any "issues" we ultimately settled for the inferior stuff being served onboard.

 

I pointed out, in another post, that we did have the opportunity to speak with a home office representative (who was on our cruise) and express our displeasure with the wines and cognacs.  Whether anyone in Seattle listens and responds, with some future changes, is a question.

 

Hank

We asked and were told no corkage fee. We took our own Champagne and wine into Solis and other restaurants with No issues. We did take them down in advance and had a word with the desk and the Sommelier. I guess its actually financially to their benefit if we dont drink the included wine! 

[Lilly55]

3 hours ago, Tony UK said:

We asked and were told no corkage fee. We took our own Champagne and wine into Solis and other restaurants with No issues. We did take them down in advance and had a word with the desk and the Sommelier. I guess its actually financially to their benefit if we dont drink the included wine! 

Never heard anyone say they had been charged a corkage fee - only complaint sometimes is that they would not allow own wines to be served in revenue wine glasses 😀

[Tony UK]

10 hours ago, Lilly55 said:

Never heard anyone say they had been charged a corkage fee - only complaint sometimes is that they would not allow own wines to be served in revenue wine glasses 😀

We didnt have a problem! Whether it was included wines or our own we'd still use a glass!

[Isklaar]

1 hour ago, Tony UK said:

We didnt have a problem! Whether it was included wines or our own we'd still use a glass!

 

The point is about using the revenue glasses, they are better quality than the standard glasses used for pours of the included wines. We have frequently taken a bottle or two of very good wine onboard and have never had a problem with it not being served in an appropriate glass, but it would seem that others have! 

On occasion when we have brought a more unusual wine, or a particularly good vintage we would offer the Head Sommelier to taste it. This always established a good relationship  with him or her!

[Vineyard View]

4 hours ago, Isklaar said:

 

On occasion when we have brought a more unusual wine, or a particularly good vintage we would offer the Head Sommelier to taste it. This always established a good relationship  with him or her!

Agree with this. Both on ship and higher end restaurants.