Bon Voyage Blackbird !!

[JaneBP]

>"As a sidenote: I will not be returning to the small Seabourn ships. They do not offer a dining option for single me like RSSC does. During my first cruise I did not do hosted tables and ate alone. I really do not like eating alone."

 

But surely you knew this from your first cruise and I think that if you had spoken to the Maitre d' the first time and then again, speaking to him early on, I bet you could have had a nicer dining experience. If I don't do a hosted table, it seems that there are always other diners to join, arranged by the Maitre d'. I agree that the hosted tables do involve a lot of time. I suspect that you weren't pro-active enough. It's too bad you have not enjoyed this experience. But then, there is a cruise ship for everyone.

[PeaSea8ch]

I somewhat understand BB's point about the hosted tables although my viewpoint is the exact oposite. A friend of mine ( a referral, actually) tried Seabourn solo recently and loved everything except hosted table dining. He felt it was too rigid (he preferred to linger in the Club and enjoy a couple of drinks until 8 PM or so & hosted tables always start at 7:30 or 7:45 PM). And he felt the dinners dragged on too long, often forcing him to miss the evening's entertainment. So he decided to dress appropriately for cocktails, go to his suite and "order in" for dinner and then hit the decks again for show, casino or whatever. It worked for him. I, on the other hand, look forward to the hosted dinner since it allows/forces me to meet other passengers and (usually) have a good time. Since I don't care for the post-dinner shows it doesn't matter if we sit around all night drinking and talking. Different strokes...

I too enjoy dining at the hosted tables. Only once, I was was in agony due to boredom at a hosted table. With the majority of the passengers arriving for dinner between 7:30 and 7:50 pm, the service in the restaurant can be a little slow. I am not faulting the hard-working chefs and wait staff, but I suspect this is due to having to prepare, plate and deliver so many dinners in a relatively short time window is the reason the hosted table dinners can last for so long. The waiters do make certain that there are plenty of breadsticks and the "butter du jour" on your table! However, I noticed tables for 4 and 6 seemed to get in and out more quickly.

 

Perhaps I should suggest on my comment card to stagger the arival time of the hosted dinner tables to 7:30, 7:45 and 8:00 pm to help reduce conjestion in the kitchen.

 

I have never had a problem politely excusing myself from a hosted table to go to the evening entertainment venues. During my last cruise, there were times I practically ran into the lounge either at or a few minutes after showtime and the band was playing and quite often, passengers were dancing. The shows did not start until almost 15 minutes after the published showtime. Delaying the shows until the restaurant is almost empty is a peeve that I have. Barring unforseen circumstances, the shows should start at the published time in the Herald.

[xplrcrzn]

I don't quite understand Regent's arrangement for solo diners that BB referred to. Do they have one large table where solo and other diners can choose to arrive "whenever" or are these tables (for solos) arranged on an ad hoc basis throughout the dinner hour? Anyone "been there and done that"?

[blackbird71]

I don't quite understand Regent's arrangement for solo diners that BB referred to. Do they have one large table where solo and other diners can choose to arrive "whenever" or are these tables (for solos) arranged on an ad hoc basis throughout the dinner hour? Anyone "been there and done that"?

 

 

they have a lot of tables for 6 and 2. When you go down for dinner they will ask you to you want to sit alone or join a group. They take the next 5/6 people that want to join a group and sit them at one of the tables for 6. Once a table is formed, dinner begins. Dinner runs around 1 1/2 hours. Sometimes shorter.

[LaPaloma]

they have a lot of tables for 6 and 2. When you go down for dinner they will ask you to you want to sit alone or join a group. They take the next 5/6 people that want to join a group and sit them at one of the tables for 6. Once a table is formed, dinner begins. Dinner runs around 1 1/2 hours. Sometimes shorter.

 

SB will also ask you if you would prefer to eat alone or join a group. If you prefer to endure troubles...they will happen..no matter where you are!

[xplrcrzn]

But under the Regent system it would appear that you have to wait until a table is formed before you order dinner. It could be quick...or not.

[Iamboatman]

Actually I have found that Regent has been very uneven with its seating and, in fact, my cruise last summer on the Navigator was an absolute disaster! We had evenings when we had to wait over an hour for a table and then were seated next to a waiter station or, my favorite, with a lovely view of the galley.

 

The claimed reason: So many singles and couples came in as the doors opened and asked to sit alone, they had to seat them at 4 and 6 seat tables...and then they couldn't turn the tables over.

 

It is true that on the "old" Radisson you would be asked if you would like to dine with someone else or alone, but now it has become much more of "find me a seat" if you wish to dine later. (Even on the lovely Diamond I have had evenings when I had to enjoy a cocktail before an opening came free.)

 

I've cruised both lines more than once (you might say!) and there is no comparison: Seabourn is far, far, far superior...in my opinion.

[johnnycruise]

BBird,

 

You take many of the shore excursions so why don't you talk up your fellow shipmate excursionists and arrange a dinner table? Or, go to the Club during the "cocktail hour" and chit-chat until you meet someone with similar interests.

 

I also don't think you should feel "confined" when seated at a hosted table. As Jane of PHL once said about SkyBar pre-lifeboat drill meetings (and this is not a direct quote), you're not joined at the hip! Get up and go if you're ready to boogie! SkyBar - Hosted Tables, you're on a cruise.

 

I'm also a bit curious. You're quite complimentary of RSSC, which is a good thing. Since I have never taken them I cannot compare (although their staterooms in the brochure photos look quite spacious!), but why did you decide to give a competitor (SB) a go?

 

johnny

I hope you gave the Banana Boat a try! Your photos make me envious of the tropical weather.

[Seabourn-nail]

I´m sorry to hear that your "bon voyage" turned out to be not too "bon"!

My husband and I like long dinners (like most Europeans) and most of the time we dine together. Just the two of us, rather late. But sometimes we meet people who we like and together with them we will form a table of 4, 6 or even 10 people! Sometimes when we are having a drink in the Club before dinner and some people are already returning from their dinner, we talk to somebody at the bar who is alone (sometimes a guest speaker) and we invite him or her to join us.

I´m sure there would have been more possibilities for you Blackbird.

Don´t give up on Seabourn (triplets) yet!

[blackbird71]

Ok some points: I can only talk about the 12 day cruise I did on RSSC. I never had to wait to be seated, and max of 10 minutes for my table for 6 to be filled. But RSSC have larger ships and I was looking for smaller ships. I am also looking for lines that travel the world. So I knew I would return to RSSC I looked for another line I liked. The best overall for me would have been Silverseas with their 4 ships. Until I found out their service and food was below NCL. Yes they did the group tables well like RSSC but that is where the comparison stops. Wine Stewards at tables were optional. Empty wine glasses were the norm. So I cancelled my second booked Silversea's cruise and booked Seabourn. With the exception of the seating for singles, the service and food are great. You have to understand I am basic non-drinker. LOL, outside of wine with dinner, I have yet to have any other booze on this cruise. So meeting ppl at the Club is not me. I can not remember the last "Captain's Welcome" party I did, and no I will not be going to Club, I find things like that boring. Call me strange, but I like going to interesting places, having a good cabin and watching the sea from my window/veranda and good service and food. The rest is for other ppl.

 

Dinner @ 2 was great last night, but I was the only person inside the Veranda. The rest eat outside. LOL I wonder where they found all the strange dishes they service their food in. But I had a good time with the waiters.

[blackbird71]

Grrr today is St. Croix and all the Seabourn Evil Doers have to meet with the St. Croix bureaucrats before we can go ashore. Boring and stupid. I meet the "Senator" from St. Croix in Charlotte and will write him about his bureaucrats sorry US Immigrations.... ...

 

And I forgot to post I really like my Crocs.. :)

[CruisinMatt]

And I forgot to post I really like my Crocs.. :)

 

I was going to ask!! I'm glad to hear that! :D

[SantaAna,CA]

BB, I can't figure what you're referring to. Do you mean the assembling in the lounge for passport clearance before being able to disembark (when and if we have to do this)? I remember only doing that a couple of times....and it's immensely easier having them come to me on the ship than having to stand in some line on shore! So I guess I'm not understanding why it's such a hassle.

 

I'm really sorry you didn't like the hosted tables. As a solo traveler, this is one of the main reasons that I am returning to Seabourn. I love being invited to a table every night, and only once or twice did the "mix" of people not work so well! But even then, I absolutely love meeting new people! For the most part, my tablemates kept me in stitches with all their stories and conversation.

 

Sorry I won't see you on Seabourn someday! I wish you the best in your future travels.

 

Jane :)

[blackbird71]

BB, I can't figure what you're referring to. Do you mean the assembling in the lounge for passport clearance before being able to disembark (when and if we have to do this)? I remember only doing that a couple of times....and it's immensely easier having them come to me on the ship than having to stand in some line on shore! So I guess I'm not understanding why it's such a hassle.

 

Jane :)

 

Right this is a US Virgin Island and under today's stupid rules, you have to present yourself to the local bureaucrats before you can get off the ship to go on tour. There was 10 bureaucrats and each had their official US govt cars, so there was 10 cars/trucks outside the ship. Tours were to start at 9:00 but did start until 9:15 because the bureaucrats would not clear the ship.

 

While I have always wanted to see, St. Croix, been there done that, do not want to return. It is tooooo American. Reminds me of small town Florida in dry season... Boring..... OK we did see one of the worlds largest oil refineries.

[CASHIPman]

What a beautiful seaplane! How fun would that be to do a short tour :D. The sight of the Legend must be incredible from the cockpit of a seaplane :rolleyes:. Ummmmm....I wonder if we can arrange that before we board the Pride in December?

 

Looks like you're off to a grand start. Looking forward to the continued posts throughout your trip if you've got time :rolleyes:.

 

Here's an aerial view of the Legend in Panama.

[tennisbunny]

How beautiful! The reason I love small planes is because you can fly lower and get gorgeous views such as this :rolleyes:. I always look for excursions that include aerial tours...sadly, not many are offered.

 

Thank you!

[CASHIPman]

How beautiful! The reason I love small planes is because you can fly lower and get gorgeous views such as this :rolleyes:. I always look for excursions that include aerial tours...sadly, not many are offered.

 

Thank you!

 

These pics are from a helicopter tour over the canal. We've also done a helo tour over Rio and small plane tours over Sitka and Ketchikan.

 

We book these on our own in advance of our trips and they've always been great!!

[Iamboatman]

Anytime you enter a US port there is close scrutiny because once you are in the US Virgin Islands you are in the U.S., so no passport is needed to travel to the mainland. If it was a weak link it would be an easy access point for illegal entry. It is nothing different than happens on any other cruise.

 

Can't tell you the number of times my DW had to get up especially early because she used to travel on her British passport and Immigration wanted to see non-US passengers first. (Not a reason, but a benefit of, her now being a US citizen.)

 

It is a pain, but blame the bad guys not the guys trying to keep us safe.

[Grace Smith]

As the Seabourn ppl on here will say again and again.. "Prepared to be Pampered" I have only done one Seabourn cruise, but after 16 others one of the things that hit me right off was being addressed by my last name by the crew from the first day.

 

One of the things I enjoy is with the small number of passengers there is a bonding amoung passengers. I have tried "tea time" on other ships but I really enjoyed it on Seabourn and seating with other interesting passengers and talking.

 

Hi, Blackbird!

I couldn't help but look back on some of your old posts! Afterall, your encouraging words made me get past (if only temporarily) my fear of seasickness so that I could finally book a Cruise!

I'm so sorry that this trip didn't live up to your expectations. I think I speak for the entire board when I say that we all look forward to your posts. Your wit & wisdom are priceless.

From the moment this trip began for you...even before you embarked on the Cruise, a little black cloud seemed to be hovering. Remember your "two words"? Spring Break? Remember the flannel shirt in the heat. This just didn't start out right.

So I have three words, "Get Over It"!

We all want to see you on Seabourn again! These Boards have been a bit boring lately without you!

Wishing you the best, of course!

Gracie

[adolfo2]

 

Can't tell you the number of times my DW had to get up especially early because she used to travel on her British passport and Immigration wanted to see non-US passengers first.

 

 

Oh, that must have gone over well :rolleyes:

[editor@cruisecritic]

Yes, Matt, sorry to say -- you'll have to wait! The good news is my internal (i.e. it's in my head and on the schedule; now all will depend on whether I get to work on it this week while at Seatrade) plan is to launch it a week from Tuesday, not too far away. If not then, definitely March 20th, no later.

Will say one thing: I hated to go. I felt so...cossetted. One thing different from other luxury lines I've been on (and this is going to sound pathetic) but even top notch staffs can't seem to wait to get rid of you on that last day. To me, it felt like any other morning on Seabourn Legend. i.e. good.

And then to the indiginities of the Marriott, where I showed up at 4:30 and was snippily told (after waiting in line for 20 minutes) by a reservations, er, agent that my room was not ready yet and I would just have to wait. Check in is 4 p.m. No apology, nothing.

And the place -- it's a madhouse mess. It took a request for the manager (who to her credit handled it as well as she could of, accepting responsibility and deducting $100 from my room rate -- IT WAS NOT CHEAP) but never, ever again. And I encourage anyone sailing out of St. Thomas to avoid the Marriott like the plague.

If you have money to burn and more than one overnight in STT, go to St. John's Caneel Bay. Just one night and still got money? The Ritz Carlton. And if you've only got a night or two and think $200 is enough to spend -- I discovered the loveliest new b&b in the hills above downtown. It's called At Home in the Tropics, is a refurbished one-time historic barracks, and is run by a delightful couple from Maine -- inside, the place is both elegant Caribbean and down-home, cozy, comfy Maine coast.

A true find. I actually tried to get back there for my one night post-stay and Pam was booked. If she's a secret now (and not really, alas) she won't be for long. I'm going to be adding a hotel section to our St. Thomas port profile (since the smaller ships do embark from there); let me know if you want more info in the meantime.

Carolyn

 

Carolyn - I am anxious to hear your impressions of Seabourn. Do we have to wait to read your complete review when it's published? :confused: :D :)

[editor@cruisecritic]

Hi, Blackbird (er, Bill)! It was nice to meet you....

The Nevis/Marina day was a bit of a disaster. The tender was so slow (long wait going to Nevis, super long wait coming back) that by the time I returned it was 3:55 and they were firm about closing at 4 p.m. Nevis was worth it -- we'll have a nicely updated port profile and met some fun and wacky folks from Windjammer's Polynesia on the tender dock. But still...

Have to say that was a disappointment. If the captain had been able to announce earlier I could have made other plans....

Carolyn

 

After lunch update. :)

 

Have lunch with the nice editor@cruisecritic.. :) Because of the flat seas, the Captain is going to open up the Marina from 2-4...

 

Forced I tell you Forced was I to do the dinner @ 2 tonight. :D A waiter twisted my arm until I said yes....

 

Poor editor,,, she wants to do both a quick trip into Nevis and a Marina......

[editor@cruisecritic]

I also traveled solo on this cruise and beyond the hosted tables (which are really nice if you feel like participating -- I went three times, I think -- and not a problem if you don't) I think Seabourn is more of a couples' type of experience. I met a lot of really interesting people and maybe it's because I'm inherently shy, but never was invited to share a dinner.

It didn't bother me (alas, I'm perfectly happy with a good book as my companion if my husband's stuck in stone-cold-and-snowy New Jersey, LOL) but it did seem easier to bond with others if it was a couple-to-couple match up.

I thought Tastings @2 was fun; in general, the Verandah was my favorite spot for any meal on board, whatever the theme or time of day.

Oops. I slipped. Okay, a tidbit from the review...just for Matt.

Carolyn

 

 

Ok some points: I can only talk about the 12 day cruise I did on RSSC. I never had to wait to be seated, and max of 10 minutes for my table for 6 to be filled. But RSSC have larger ships and I was looking for smaller ships. I am also looking for lines that travel the world. So I knew I would return to RSSC I looked for another line I liked. The best overall for me would have been Silverseas with their 4 ships. Until I found out their service and food was below NCL. Yes they did the group tables well like RSSC but that is where the comparison stops. Wine Stewards at tables were optional. Empty wine glasses were the norm. So I cancelled my second booked Silversea's cruise and booked Seabourn. With the exception of the seating for singles, the service and food are great. You have to understand I am basic non-drinker. LOL, outside of wine with dinner, I have yet to have any other booze on this cruise. So meeting ppl at the Club is not me. I can not remember the last "Captain's Welcome" party I did, and no I will not be going to Club, I find things like that boring. Call me strange, but I like going to interesting places, having a good cabin and watching the sea from my window/veranda and good service and food. The rest is for other ppl.

 

Dinner @ 2 was great last night, but I was the only person inside the Veranda. The rest eat outside. LOL I wonder where they found all the strange dishes they service their food in. But I had a good time with the waiters.

[CruisinMatt]

Thanks Carolyn! I can't wait to read it! :D

 

Also thanks for the heads up on the Marriott in St Thomas.

[blackbird71]

It is almost midnight and I am HOME.... Long day.. Stopped by an saw the group at the Mafolie. LOL Paul was up at 9:00.... For some silly reason everybody was at the restaurant watching the Legend.. :p

 

Well I am on battery power now, I will write more when I get on AC... :)