Report from Camp Seabourn-Lite

[JaneBP]

Greetings from chilly Philly and the recently disembarked from the Carnival Legend. Now, that ship is really a camp, we had color wars! (I was on the red team, but never found out if we won.)

 

I was most pleasantly surprised at many things:

The embarkation for 2145 of us in Tampa was smooth as silk (we had e-docs) and from getting out of the cab to the Lido with a drink in my hand, was 45 minutes. We couldn't go to our stateroom until 1:30 which made sense. But we were fed and entertained quite admirably. Disembarkation was equally swift, but finding the luggage took a bit longer, obviously.

 

The stateroom was not as spacious as Seabourn, but we had a nice balcony and there was more cabinet storage but less hanging space. We didn't use the overdoor shoe hanger although it had been suggested to bring one. The bed was comfy and the linens equal to Seabourn.And I could stretch out on the sofa, unlike you-know-where. The only drawback was the location, right below the Lido 'fun' deck and it was quite horrid, often so loud that we couldn't use the balcony. Also, Martita, we had two, count 'em 2! doorstops.

 

I found the service of all the staff equal, yes, equal to that of Seabourn, although naturally, only our steward and evening dining crew knew our names. I was amazed at their solicitous service, especially when dealing of all of us. The ship is kept clean and tip-top. We paid $70/pp a week for 'tips'. (OK there was one surly Purser who commented that it didn't matter that my Harry Potter movie cut off before the end because 'everyone knows he lives, but that was just one person.)

 

Speaking of the ship, the layout design was good, the interiour decoration was horrendous. Way too dark and gloomy. The theme was 'Legends' and that ranged from the Unicorn Cafe to Satchmo's Lounge. It was worse than a low-rate casino. Nearly every surface was covered with some image. The decoration of the dining room was after the Royal Copenhagen 'Florica Danica' pattern, which was very nice, until they added flashing red ceiling lights and very wierd chandeliers which looked like Chiluly on speed.

 

Food was average, plentiful, and menu choices were varied. We found the beef products very tough, but there was a lot to eat. I did grab the sauceboat from the waiter when he was ready to put a 'dab' of Bearnaise on my prime rib. He seemed to think his job might be in jeopardy! We sat in a booth with one other couple, a little grim, but we were fine with the 8:15 seating. It seemed to much to bother to switch, but a few evenings we had room service dinner (not Seabourn-style). We couldn't see paying $30/pp for the upscale 'supper club' but heard it was very good. The room service menu was available 24 hours, but did not include any hot items. Makes sense, imho.

 

I never went to a show, but heard they were a bit 'hokey' although they had good turn outs. There was a lot to do, but I drew the line at the family water wars and the 'hairy chest competition'! It was great fun, something for everyone; and all seemed to be having a great time. I did do Trivia a few times, there were, for example, musical themes and sports questions. We avoided the ubiquitous photographers, but they had facilities for downloading and printing one's own pics and making cards, calendars, etc.

 

There were lots of shore exursions, but since I had just been in Belize and Roatan and never fancied a sting-ray sucking on my shoulder, I stayed onboard. As on the sisters, it's lovely when everyone else is ashore. I did get off in Cozumel to attend a quirky cooking lession and learned the perfect Margarita recipe. I got a diploma in toritlla making, too. That was fun, there were just 3 of us and it was non-hype and low-key.

 

This is way too much information, I suppose, but I would take another Carnival cruise for the ports and price. I figured we woud have a good time, no matter what, but found that the 'what' was surprisingly good.

 

Now, on to the Pride in SA!

[Martita B.]

Jane,

Happy to read your review ~~I too enjoyed my Esctasy cruise last Sept. No, it is not Seabourn, but I had a terrific time sailing with 8 friends from West Texas. I enjoyed the food and thought the service, excellent! I loved the warm chocolate fudge cake ~~ordered it every evening ~~as the cruise was only 5 days, it was a fun, "try me" cruise. Flying to Houston, then a transfer to Galveston was a real treat! I may just plan a return~~but will stay aboard for a back-to-back.

It's bitter brrrr cold here too.....keeping my fingers X'ed that ice

doesn't come in with the rain later today.

Thanks for your review!:p

MB

[CruisinMatt]

I went on the Imagination in September and it was bearable, but pretty awful, especially the food.

 

Glad you had a nice time Jane!

[PeaSea8ch]

Jane,

Thank you for bringing us into the loop and glad you had a nice time, in spite of the "Lido Beat" curtailing your quality balcony time. You may want to consider editing "Seabourn" from your post and posting the revised version over on Carnival's forum.

[JaneBP]

Thanks, Paul. But I don't think it stands as written without the Seabourn comparison. There are enough Carnival reviews and I wanted to share my experiences with all those here who warned me not to expect too much.

[LaPaloma]

Jane, thanks for the peek into your trip! Glad that you had an enjoyable time..and as usual...enjoyed your wit. It is grey and dismal here today...I think that I could take a cruise on a garbage truck right now and be happy! Oh well, February will come...and we will REALLY be ready! Lola

[GrannyLorr]

That was great to read Jane.....one day we will probably try another line too....there are itineraries we would like to do on ~other~ ships. I must say I dont think I would like the same seating for dinner every night, I love to meet different people all the time....and the set dining time would be a pain.....I like to eat when I am hungry, not when the clock tells me I have too. Otherwise I am sure we would survive!:rolleyes:

Great to hear about all the cold weather over there, we are cooking here but will only be 15 days till we leave home!! :D

[JaneBP]

>" I must say I dont think I would like the same seating for dinner every night, I love to meet different people all the time....and the set dining time would be a pain....."

 

I think most people would prefer this. There was a survey on the Carnival BB ad it asked what cruisers would change. Most would opt for free-style dining in the formal room. I had expected a table of 6/8 and we were quite disappointed. I imagine our dining partners were also disappointed in us, too. Particularly when we told them we had sushi nd M&M's for dinner in our stateroom. Ok, it was the chili dogs we had with cocktails at 6 that dulled our appetites.

 

I never had the molten chocolate cake, but others had it every night. And you could get seconds and thirds. I opted for the cheese plate and it was as attractive and delicious as Seabourn's. I bought a bottle of Riesling and it lasted all week. It was always on the table, ready ahd chilled.

[PittsburghJack]

We've experienced free style dining twice before on mass market cruises. The idea was fine, but the attire of some diners in the evening was deplorable. One gentleman even prsented himself at our table shoeless!

When I made my concerns known to the dining room captain he just shrugged his shoulders.

As Mrs. Jack would say "Hmmmmmmmmm, maybe we need a change of venue." Jack

[johnnycruise]

Jane,

 

Sounds like you had a great time and I certainly enjoyed the positive focus of your review. While Seabourn is the best, it's nice to check out the competition as someone once told me.

 

My whole clan is taking the Mickey Boat next week. We'll have sun (Olga, keep your distance!) and fun and no, I won't be expecting le grand souris to serve caviar in the surf.

 

johnny

[JaneBP]

>"The idea was fine, but the attire of some diners in the evening was deplorable. One gentleman even prsented himself at our table shoeless!"

 

I can understand that happening. I must admit that on the forma nights there was the mix of men in tuxes, dark suits, and shirts with ties and no jackets. (I kept looing at ties to see if any might meet Miss M's 'Ugly Tie Contest'. I think as long as the standards are printed and adhered to and monitored by the Maitre 'd, then it's ok. I would have been tempted to spill some water on the shoeless diner, for sure!

 

Carnival had two classes, formal and casual. Never shorts for dinner and I never saw any. There were other places to eat, so I guess it wasn't a problem, for I did see others in shorts during dinner times. But perhaps they ate early and then changed to party.

 

On this Legend, men could send in measurements and rent a tux for the duration of the cruise, and I thinksome did. The women were more formally dressed, lots of 'bridesmaid's gowns' I think.

 

One thing with the families, and I did see many dressed up, was that there were many opportunities for formal photos and that woud serve well for the Christmas card. I know Jane mentioned the lack of these opportunities on Seabourn.

 

I think the Disney and larger ships are great for families, and the price is certainly right. The activities for children of many age groups was amazing, including a 'slumber party' til 3 AM every night for partying parents.

[Martita B.]

Jane,

When I agreed to join my friends on the Carnival Ecstasy cruise (Galveston) I had no expectations~~we were simply going to celebrate my best friend's (Miss Betty Z.) cancer remission. I was most pleasantly surprised!!:p Upon arrival in my "cabin" I was excited and pleased to see a bottle of gift wrapped Bailey's Irish Creme, from "our Pam" ~~and a bottle of Stolie, from Bob Dickenson! What thoughtful/nice Bon Voyage gifts ~~as I booked late I was unable to secure a balcony suite but my small cabin was fine ~~it was actually fun as all of our cabins were together. I met some wonderful, fun sailor's ~~4 are planning Seabourn sailings ~~they were all from Houston and sail on the Ecstasy because it's a mere hour's drive to the cruise pier. As our group dined together and we all "dressed" each evening I didn't notice any "tacky neckties" in the dining room ~~:eek: The Captain, Pier P. Scala and his adorable wife, Chloe (she is the Hotel Director) were visable everyday! Captain Scala is a cigar smoker and he host informal "cigar smokin'" parties each cruise a'round the pool bar. Chloe and I became friends and we lunched ~~they make a terrific team! The Captain sponsors an orphanage in Merida, Mexico ~~the Esctasy officers, staff, crew and guests have been a great help for these 50 children. Also Captain Scala brings the children aboard the ship for swimming & hamburgers parties monthly. He bus's them ~~

Johnny, I think the secret of sailing on an "X-brand" ship is to go with friends! I'm not sure if I would have enjoyed the Carnival experience solo ~~(well, I would have never thought of booking a cruise by myself~~afterall, it was not a Seabourn cruise!:confused: )

We all had a great time and perhaps I will go again someday ~~but for now I'll look forward to my bookings on the Seabourn Sisters.

MB

[JaneBP]

Ah, Martita,

 

I suspect there are very few who get the welcomes that you do! Even with sailing Seabourn an average of 5 weeks a year, I managed to slip in unannounced.But you are our Pearl Mesta!

[Martita B.]

Jane,

No, no, I'm just a "wanta be Ms. Mesta!" Thank goodness I never desired to be Amy Vanderbilt! ~~too many rules, codes and protocols! :confused:

MB