A Silversea Sailor Does Seabourn - Some thoughts

[ltsally]

We are just back from Seabourn's westbound Passage to Portugal, a 12-day crossing out of Ft. Lauderdale to Lisbon. Keeping in mind that overall we had a grand time on SB - and that our Silversea voyages (which we also enjoyed hugely) were 19 months ago (Whisper - eastbound TA, S'hampton-Boston, 8/05) and 8 months ago (Shadow - Alaska, VCR to SF, 7/06) - I wanted to share some of our thoughts/reactions to the two lines.

 

Here is where we thought Silversea kept an edge:

 

Embarkation - both times, this was handled very smoothly and efficiently on SS. Our SB embarkation from Ft. Lauderdale last month seemed a bit....clumsy (perhaps we just arrived too early, too much a 'part of the crush?') However, after being warmly greeted, we were led to a holding pen seating area and left to sit for more than half an hour while passengers were chosen in small groups to board. Once on board, the champagne began to flow and service was excellent, but it wasn't a really pleasant way to get started.

 

Room layout - Very similar on both lines. However, I really liked the effect of an entry foyer on SS thanks to that little hallway. On SB, the door just opened on to the bed, basically. Room sizes/furnishings were very similar.

 

Bath - Well! No comparison!! None whatsoever. Oh, how I loved those SS bathrooms!! And that separate shower!! SB is smaller, with a more cramped double vanity area and just the tub/shower combo. Given our first four days of very rough weather and the deep tub one had to step in/out of, I longed for the security of SS's shower stall where no amount of bobbling about could have interrupted my shower. (After all, there's nowhere to fall, is there?) I had to wonder, given the age/mobility of some of the SB passengers whether they managed to bathe at all the first four days.

 

Terrace (ok, verandah) - Again, No comparison. As has been pretty well addressed in various posts here. We were fortunate to get a complimentary upgrade from a SB window suite to a "terrace" suite - and it was nice, once the sea settled, to be able to have the doors open and hear the ocean and peer up at the night sky. But given the premium SB charges for these cabins (well over $1,000 - per person), I would never consider paying for the privilege.

 

Terrace Cafe on SS (breakfast/lunch) - I very much preferred SS's buffet choices for these meals. In comparison, SB's daytime dining venue is quite small and the choice fairly limited. OTOH, SB's Sky Bar runs kind of neck 'n' neck with SS's Pool Grille.

 

Food - Spouse felt SB was a tad ahead on the quality; I didn't agree at first, perhaps by the end of the voyage I was persuaded. Overall, however, I've enjoyed our meals on both lines. But................

 

Desserts - Well, again - no comparison (if it hasn't changed since we were aboard SS). I recall SS dinner menus offering 4-5-6 tempting dessert choices. SB had two each evening, plus a range of ice cream/sherbet/yogurts and a cheese plate. A couple of the SB desserts were memorable, but I still liked the array and quality of what we had on SS.

 

Tea - Felt SS had a wider variety and better quality every day.

 

Bedtime chocolates - Well, now we've reached the really critical things, right? SS gave us a variety....some nights, just the little square, one night a box of four Godiva and I think, one night a box of six. Excellent!!

On SB, we received the same little dinky square every single night (well, obviously it was a different little square...but the same size) and it's sure not Godiva. Didn't even like the taste and that's going some for me.

 

Disembarking - On both our SS cruises, we were escorted down the gangplank and to our waiting luggage (and after our Alaska cruise, a little stewardess just thisbig insisted on schlepping both our heavy carry-ons for us). SB did not even have anyone at the door bidding farewell. Tag colors were called and it was adios, amigo. We headed down the gangplank, in a light mist, with no assistance, just a person at the foot of the gangplank pointing out various bus options (for tour/airport, etc). Luggage terminal was about a block and a half hike. It was an ignominious end to an otherwise very enjoyable experience.

 

Oh, and the really trivial "Trivial" - Personally, I prefer SS's scheduling in the afternoon as opposed to SB's noon-hour game.

 

Overall - Despite the foregoing elements, it may be that SB has an almost-edge, just because of the smaller ship size and the quality of the staff. We thought all the staff that we encountered on Silversea were terrific. That said, however, SB's people just seem to take it up a notch. Also, SB includes a complimentary excursion on every voyage and the 3.5 hour Azores tour we were treated to was very enjoyable, capped by a pierside welcome back, complete with band playing, a 15 foot Welcome Home sign held aloft by more than a dozen room stewardesses and champagne and canapes being passed about. A real moment to remember.

 

Be happy to try to answer any questions...hope this is helpful. (And spouse and I certainly keep in mind that having the job of choosing between two such outstanding travel/vacation choices:confused: ....sure isn't anything to complain about now, is it?) ;)

[meow!]

Thank you for such an interesting report. It is nice to read this detailed comparison, though I guess situations can vary from voyage to voyage for both lines depending on the circumstances!

[NJBelle]

What a nice review and comparison. Thanks, Itsally for taking the time to share your thoughts. My family and I have more Crystal and Regent cruises under our belts, but are about to take our second SS cruise this Christmas/NYs. We may hold off on SB for a bit since we travel with our 12 year old daughter, but we are definitely interested. We love have several lines to choose from!

 

Best, NJBelle

[Leonid]

Been on SB 5 times & SS once...much prefer SS. SB got to be too small. Also, SB is not well suited to people who travel in wheelchairs as does my DW...the front elevator is the pits. Also, try getting to the Veranda Lounge with a door that will not stay open from the back elevator...no help from the front desk on fixing the problem.

The one main issue with SB is SMOKING. On our TA from London to NY in late summer 2005, the Constellation Lounge was inhabited with 4 chain smokers from 9:00 am on. The Hotel Mgr., Vitor Alves, would not do anything. All I asked was that they increase the ventilation. All I got was a ridiculous letter stating that he would do nothing...kicked it upstairs for others to handle. Since then, we have not cruised with SB and do not plan to do so until they clean up their act. SS, on the other hand, controlled smoking to where it was not a bother.

The suites on SS are preferably as is the food. Service on SB excels. SS can't match it.

Our embarkation/ disembarkation experience with SB was exceptional. With SS it was not pleasant. Then again, the latter was in San Francisco, which should explain everything. A UNION thing!

[ltsally]

Thanks, Meow and NJBelle!

 

Leonid - You bring up a good point. Yes, I was more aware of the smokers on SB than we had been on SS. And the Constellation Lounge has not changed - there were complaints from folks who felt the ventilation was not sufficient and you could smell cigarette smoke as soon as you enetered, it seemed. One of the pax asked (had to request several times) if the person in charge wouldn't request a brief hiatus during Trivial. Teams in question flat out refused. Pretty un-classy, I thought.

 

And ditto the elevator! First time those doors opened, I was aghast and refused to enter (have some claustrophobia issues). I managed to get over it and did take the itty bitty lift a few times.

 

Also, forgot to mention in original post, but I was surprised by the casual dress on this SB crossing. VERY casual; even in the evening, sometimes, which frankly I thought was a bit over-the-line. As has been noted in these posts on many occasions, if you're going to sail a line like SS or SB, why not observe the dress guidelines?

[Leonid]

On our SS sailing, men were "allowed" to wear a jacket with or without a tie to La Terrazza for formal nights. No one ever said anything.