Help, please!

[cotto22]

We must be indecisive people, because we cannot seem to decide between the Seabourn Pride 7 day Caribbean 11/10, the RSSC Voyager western Caribbean 11/30, and a week at the Royal Plantation in Jamaica (all inclusive royal treatment) in September, although that time is definitely flexible. We have cruised several times with Radisson, and this would be our first Seabourn. Our TA has a complimentary hold on the Seabourn cabin, but the price she originally quoted is a lot less than what it is now, since the cheaper cabins are now waitlisted.

Can an experienced persuasive someone give me some guidance? I have made a spreadsheet with pluses and minuses, but am still waffling!

TIA.

[LaPaloma]

How can anyone make a decision for you. All we can tell you is that once a Seabourn Psgr....always a Seabourn Psgr. I defy any one to find better crew and staff anywhere! The food is great...the Psgrs. friendly...We all keep repeating..so I think that speaks for itself...most have traveled the world forever. Lola

[cotto22]

Clearly, we will be making the final decision! Unfortunately, I have not been able to get input from someone who is a past passenger on both lines. (The odds are astronomical at finding someone who has cruised on both lines AND stayed at the resort in question, so I am leaving that out of the equation for the time being.)

What makes Seabourn superior to Radisson, and worth the extra $?

[james j feller]

COTTO,

 

While we never cruised with REGENT formally RADISON, we would highly recommend SEABOURN to anyone, i think that SEABOURN has cheaper rates then RADISON based on what i have seen on the their web site.

 

We have cruised with a lot of different cruise lines and so far SEABOURN has been the BEST.

 

I realize that they have small ships compared to REGENCY and SILVERSEAS but as the old saying goes,size doesn't matter.

 

We would not hesitate to go on another SEABOURN cruise ever and after your first cruise with SEABOURN you are in their "club" and they have a lot of future cruises for 50% off.

 

JIM

[dd@sea]

Cotto,

You may want to visit the Regent board. There is a thread on Regent vs. Seabourn that I think will help with some of the answers you are wanting for your questions. I have done both as stated on that board and both are great products. With me, Seabourn takes the edge for many reasons as stated previously, small size, service exemplar, friendly passengers, accessiblity to smaller ports etc.

[Seabourn-nail]

I've sailed with Radisson/Regent only once - it was nice. I've sailed with Seabourn 268 days - a few more booked - what do you think?

[MeetingMaid]

We did RSSC Navigator last year and Seabourn's Legend this year. Can't beat the balconies on Regent but cannot beat the service and food on Seabourn. I may never go back to Regent as I like the smaller size ship (read: less passengers) as well as that awesome marina off the back.

 

Been to All-inclusives in Jamaica. While the service was great and the food terrific (Ciboney in Ocho Rios) I have now become hooked on cruising. Nothing beats a sail-away party and sunset at sea.

[cotto22]

Thanks, I just read the dialogue on the Regent site. Someone mentioned that Seabourn will be adding some new ships. Does anyone know if this is true?

[james j feller]

COTTO,

 

Go on SEABOURN'S web site and you can read all about their new ships.

 

JIM

[cotto22]

Thanks. Looks like they will be adding more balconies.

[Iamboatman]

I have cruised on both lines a number of times. While Regent is a good product, there really isn't much of a comparison if service and food are truly important to you. Also, the "feel" of the ships and the guests (Seabourn does not have "passengers"!) is far more intimate and cordial.

 

Yes, there are those who will say Regent's food is excellent, but you will see quite a number eventually comment on it being quite uneven. (The food in Restaurant X wasn't as good. Food was better last cruise. etc.) Also, it depends upon what standard you are basing the opinion. Having spent over a month on Regent on three different ships, I can tell you my opinion is Seabourn's food is far superior.

 

As for service, it isn't even close. While Regent does have some staff who are excellent, the dining room experience has been on my last two cruises was close to inept. Long waits, waiters who don't know and can't explain the dishes, forgotten dishes, desserts that just never come...and wine service that was, to be kind, shocking.

 

Also on service, the Seabourn staff will quickly know your name, what you drink, etc. Regent has a few who can do the same, but there is a seamlessness and understated elegance that Seabourn has which Regent just can't achieve. (To be fair, there is also a big difference serving 200 vs. 700.)

 

Now, does the Voyager gave more facilities? Yep. Are they nice. Yep. But is a nicer pool or balconies (a Seabourn weakness) or larger casino, or more elaborate (though not elaborate) shows more important to you? Only you can answer that. Seabourn is more about being social and taking in being where you are.

 

To keep my comments in perspective, I cruise both lines (I will be on the Regent Paul Gauguin in August and the Seabourn Legend in September) and I sell both lines. I, personally, think Regent is more akin to what you receive on Holland America or Celebrity (on an off day).

 

Finally, as to the new ships, the first one will be cruising in June 2009. I would not wait until then to try Seabourn - especially in the Caribbean - because the initial demand will be high...and I don't think the new ship will be in the Caribbean.

 

Hope this helps.

[crystal808]

Cotto:

 

I sailed on the Voyager in 12/05 (my only RSSC cruise), and have been on SB 3 times since, with two transatlantics planned in '08 & '09.

 

The balcony is nice on RSSC, but it's not really as necessary, as the SB ships are quite conveniently "smaller", and it only takes a couple of minutes to find a place on-deck.

 

It's extremely difficult to overstate that the size difference between the two lines makes SB that much more desireable, for me. Just as RSSC is more "intimate" as opposed to the mass-market "mega" ships, SB is even moreso, and, IMO, that much "more" special!

 

You should try it. I can't imagine you could be disappointed! However, you WILL likely be spoiled. ;) :)

 

Paul

 

P.S. Eric's above post is far more descriptive than mine! And couldn't be truer....!!

[cotto22]

Thanks, Eric. My husband has left the decision to me, and I have realized that I am getting more indecisive in middle age. I guess I am also trying to decide what he wants! I know I would prefer the Seabourn, since this cruise is a good value even though it is more than we had planned on spending. Maybe if I promise to cut back on my shopping ..:)

A couple of quick questions. Is there a formal night on the Seabourn Caribbean? Looks like Radisson is informal and country club casual (?). Also, what do the non- helicopter type shore excursions run on Seabourn? I am thinking of boat/van type tours or excursions arranged through the ship.

Thanks for the expertise everyone.

[Iamboatman]

Seabourn will probably have one formal night (which I always look forward to), but if that is a negative, there is alternative dining and, and this is good, dining in your suite - course by course.

 

Excursions are modestly priced, probably more so than Regent of late. (That was always a good plus with Regent, but its prices for tours have risen as noticeably as its prices.) Either way, that wouldn't be a determinative factor for me as it isn't that much of a difference.

[cotto22]

I love getting dressed up, so formal is good. Thanks once more for the quick response. I thought a few of the shore excursions we took in Alaska on Mariner were a little pricey for what we received. The prices for Seabourn's are not online at the moment for comparison. Our complimentary hold expires in 90 minutes, I had better give myself a push. I have ruled out the Radisson (at least one decision!) and now have to decide if I want to splurge on the Seabourn or spend the week at the Royal Plantation in Jamaica. Thanks for all the help.

[Host Dan]

As much as I enjoyed cruising on Radisson/Regent, my interpretation was that Regent (Radisson) is a Seabourn wanna-be.

 

Host Dan

[Iamboatman]

A couple of things:

 

Don't panick. If your booking expires you can get another booking. There is availability.

 

Remember no matter how nice a hotel may seem, every morning you wake up in the same place and every day you stare out at the sea. On Seabourn you will find yourself in a new place everyday, letting the sea take you there.

 

Just a little somthin' to think about!:)

[Iamboatman]

Paul:

 

I just read your comment. That was very nice. Thanks!

[crystal808]

Remember no matter how nice a hotel may seem, every morning you wake up in the same place and every day you stare out at the sea. On Seabourn you will find yourself in a new place everyday, letting the sea take you there.

 

Just a little somthin' to think about!:)

 

Oh, my, yes! :D

I just read your comment. That was very nice. Thanks!

 

Thank you, Eric, for all of the info you provide. I always enjoy reading your posts. (And I enjoyed seeing you on the video on your website!) Sorry, that would be "off-topic"! ;)

 

Let's hope Cotto was able to make a decision that she will be comfortable with (back on topic, thank you), and she comes back to tell us.....

 

Paul

[crystal808]

As much as I enjoyed cruising on Radisson/Regent, my interpretation was that Regent (Radisson) is a Seabourn wanna-be.

 

Oh, yeah...and who says that "size" doesn't matter!! :eek: ;)

 

That was my impression as soon as I sailed on SB...I, too, enjoyed my Voyager cruise, but was blown away by my first SB cruise....

 

Well, enough of the cheerleading here!

 

Paul

living proof of being spoiled by SB...aw, shucks

[MarciAnn]

I am a newbie to the board but have been reading other's posts and respect them all. I have sailed both Regent (when it was Radisson) and Seabourn and while I enjoyed my RSSC cruise (particularly the balcony) I am returning to Seabourn for my European cruise this summer. I bring another perspective though. Personally, the Carribean is not my favorite place to sail. If you like the beach and golf and scuba etc. (as I do when I take that kind of vacation) I would opt for the resort in Jamaica. While I love to cruise to sight seeing destinations, the Carribean for me, is somewhere where I like to open my patio doors to the beach and walk out and be there or play golf or tennis whenever I please. You can't do that from a boat, whether it is SB or RSSC.

 

If you are set on cruising then I think both lines would provide you with a great experience. Probably more options for the nightlife on Regent and I would guess a slightly younger crowd.

[MarciAnn]

Oops! Just noticed that you were talking about Jamaica in September. Not the best time to visit-- very hot and humid. If you are set on September for your resort destination visit, I would opt for one of the cruises in November.

[minxtabb]

We have sailed with Seabourn, Silversea and Regent.

We much prefer Seabourn to Regent, it really is in a different league. The service is wonderful and consistent (so many times on our Regent cruise it was not), the food on Seabourn is very good (Silversea wins on food for us, Regent is pretty patchy) and the intimacy of being a small ship is much nicer (even comparing Regent's Paul Gaugin).

 

But whichever you choose, you will have a wonderful vacation as everyone has different values and things that are important. Don't worry about it too much!

 

Roz

[cotto22]

For all of you who gave me such helpful advice, thank you! I was able to get the complimentary hold extended a day, and this morning I placed the deposit--so we are set (except for the airfare) for the 11/10 Seabourn Pride Caribbean cruise out of Barbados. My TA said that her agency requires a $50 per ticket fee for international airline tickets, and advised me to make my own. Seabourn quoted us $1400 pp RT from Houston, which was a lot more than the AA website. That is my next chore.

I also got an email from Seabourn which said,

Should a past guest send in a Seabourn Referral Coupon and the first-time guest referred books and deposit a cruise, a $400 shipboard credit is sent to both the past guests and the new guest which is then applied to the record.

 

I am not sure how this works, but if someone wants to try, let me know!

I know I have plenty of time, but guess I will start looking at the itinerary and learning about the islands. Maybe practice my French?

Thanks again to everyone who helped with both facts and opinions.

Cathy

[minxtabb]

Cathy

Congratulations on making the booking, you REALLY will not be disappointed!

I have a referral coupon, if you let me know your email address then we can fill it out.

 

cheers,

 

Roz