What do YOU enjoy most on a Seabourn Cruise?

[Proper Lady]

In an effort to move into a new topic, thought some posters may comment on what they like or love or most enjoy about cruising on Seabourn. For our part it is all about the ports and the size of the ship being small enough to pull into ports rather easily. That, and also for us, the variety of passengers. Love hearing the different languagues and meeting people from other countries and sharing our common ground. So exciting when you first come aboard and are waiting to be "processed" and folks are all looking about, sometimes a bit apprehensive, sometimes blase, but there is that element of happiness in the air. What about YOU???

[Host Dan]

In an effort to move into a new topic, thought some posters may comment on what they like or love or most enjoy about cruising on Seabourn. For our part it is all about the ports and the size of the ship being small enough to pull into ports rather easily. That, and also for us, the variety of passengers. Love hearing the different languagues and meeting people from other countries and sharing our common ground. So exciting when you first come aboard and are waiting to be "processed" and folks are all looking about, sometimes a bit apprehensive, sometimes blase, but there is that element of happiness in the air. What about YOU???

I couldn't have said it better! :) :D

 

Host Dan

[PeaSea8ch]

I too agree and well said René. My only embellishments are being in close proximity to sailors that share my passion for the sea and I enjoy being pampered. :) I always have an intense feeling of joy and happy anticipation when I walk up the gangway for embarkation and check-in and always looking for friends that I knew and did not know would be on that particular cruise. :)

[tayl]

Ditto on everything mentioned so far.

In three weeks we will be in Alaska on HAL. We have already been chatting about the increased amount of pedestrian traffic on and off these larger ships.

Of course the service on Seabourn. As we personally found out. Being able to arrange a meal not on the menu, and if Seabourn can make your request for anything happen.... they will.

The staff on Seabourn are so wondeful.

Oh how I wished Seabourn sailed to alaska!

[Proper Lady]

Denise, that is exactly how we came to find Seabourn - we had originally wanted a cruise to Alaska and had never even been on a cruise ship before two years ago - so did a little homework on small ships and booked our first one in May of 2006 - a 7 day cruise from Rome to Athens and could not believe we were sad to get off. We were so very impressed by how they make everything just right - and on an individual basis. Everyone has their own agenda, what they like, want, need, etc., and although we are not "high maintenance" individuals, we still came onboard with our own set of wishes - all met and exceeded. It is really amazing because we are not foodies, do not drink wine at all, get up early, exercise like nuts and go to sleep early, so why the heck do we just smile even thinking about how much fun we have on a cruise? I cannot answer that except to say that obviously they attempt to please every guest on a very personal level. What is most interesting to us, having as we do, one foot on each side of the ocean, is that somehow they can please the American market and the European one, which are two very, very different perspectives. Maybe someday Seabourn will put one of the ships on the Alaska route. Would be so lovely. Rene'

[tayl]

I know exactly what you mean Rene' (smiling back).

[GrannyLorr]

Proper Lady, you probably boarded in Rome, just as we were being evicted from our very first cruise. What do I enjoy the most? Well pampering never hurts anyone.....love not having to cook and clean (still havent managed to do much in the two weeks we have been home.....I forget how and dont want to remember!) I particularly love the crew, and of course the itinerary is what makes me choose in the first place......I just love it all! :D

[Proper Lady]

"I just love it all"...... Lorraine, anyone who has read your posts over these past few years, knows that is true! R'

[JaneBP]

>"What about YOU???"

 

The breadsticks and anything that CDC Ricky Franco prepares and oh yes, Chef Markus' Twice Baked Gruyere Cheese Souffle, and the pastas that Luca will prepare on special request. And my favorite breakfst drink, the BBC. I love being greeted in the DR or Veranda by such wonderful staff who are so kind and generous to me. And I love sitting outside in the Veranda after lunch with a glass of ice tea and a good book, although I am often no longer alone; it's becoming more popular. The round tables are

great for card playing.

 

BTW, loved Luca's Highlight in the Herald and also that of Carol Frey. That's another thing I appreciate, the port private arrangements that the Travel Specialists design for me.

[Proper Lady]

Jane, so glad you responded, this is why I love hearing from past guests about their experiences, it enriches us all. Now will ask for "special pasta" from Luca and guess who I will say told me about that! Thanks so much. R'

[CruisePhan]

Service, Service and Service! This is where Seabourn really excels. How do you feel when you're greeted by the staff and they know your name? How wonderful is it when your cabin attendant asks for your preferences for beverages, soaps, etc.? How do you feel when the waiters know your favorite wines? How do you describe a Seabourn Experience excursion? How about Marina Day? Seabourn is in a class by itself (in my opinion) when it comes to anticipating customers' needs and exceeding their expectations.

[JaneBP]

Jane, so glad you responded, this is why I love hearing from past guests about their experiences, it enriches us all. Now will ask for "special pasta" from Luca and guess who I will say told me about that! Thanks so much. R'

 

Please do! I love the pasta carbonara the best.

[tulip 1]

We have now been on Seabourn for approx. 7 cruises.

All the above are excellent reasons to enjoy Seabourn.

I would like to add the word 'anticipation' but applied to the crew.

Allthe crew throughout the ship, from dekhand to captain, anticipate your wishes. From the moment you approach the ship, they 'anticipate' your wishes, needs and requirements.

They think of what you are about to think, and action this before you have even thought about it.

They keep an eye out for you all the time, without intruding, and always deliver with a smile.

All crew members are true professionals and they make you feel as if they have known you all your life and know how to make your cruise special.

All this combined with good food, good wines and good fellow passengers, who never seem to impose themselves on you, is what makes Seabourn so very special for us.

This is more than pampering it is just brilliant!!!!

[Host Dan]

What about the "sinful" goat cheese souffle?!

 

Host Dan

[Proper Lady]

And how many have room service early in the morning BEFORE the actual breakfast - (coffee only for us, extra strong, please) and then sit on the verendah in the lovely sunshine and it is as though you are on your own private yacht, so casual, so private inasmuch as most people are quietly just enjoying this time of the morning. It is a fine way to start a morning! Reminded of this as I sit here with my dryer humming behind me and all of the activity of a Friday morning going on, holding my second cup of coffee and thinking of our upcoming cruise. Enjoy your morning... Rene'

[JaneBP]

>"What about the "sinful" goat cheese souffle?!

"

 

Trust me, the Gruyere variety is MUCH better.

[GrannyLorr]

the seafood souffle wasnt too bad either! Must admit to having a "couple" of BBC's after meeting Jane......I am sure they are really just banana milkshakes, and not one calorie in them :D How about the chocolate coated ice cream balls served after dinner? I made some last week....took them camping....they were a big hit, but only about half worked! I started with about 30 but only ended up with about 15....the icecream kept falling off into the chocolate, then the chocolate got too cold to coat so I had to eat it all!! I think Chef Markus has left out one little detail in his instructions.......next camping trip it will be bananas foster...."Camping the Seabourn way!"

[O2BatSea]

Having just come off my first Regent cruise, I must admit it was fabulous, but I did so miss the 'little attention to details' that Seabourn is so well known for.... The hosted tables for dinner; Wallah, the ice cream balls and triple chocloate creme brulee on formal night; MORE than one formal night!; marina day with champagne delivered in the surf (OK, I WAS on a transatlantic, so that would have been a bit difficult :rolleyes:) , how they carry your plate to the table for you at breakfast (OH, can I please take the crew HOME with me???), how they hurry to open the door for you; everyone remembers your name, even a year later; passengers that are not stuffy; No long lines for anything; Eating with whoever, when and where I want; and yes, I ditto the comments of Tulip 1 on how they always try to anticipate your every need.

 

On Regent, I asked Chef if he could make Eggs Sardou, and explained the ingredients when he wasn't familiar with it. The next day, the staff called and I had to explain it again. On Seabourn, it would have been ready and waiting for me at breakfast the next morning!

 

Would any of these things NOT DONE make or break a cruise - NO WAY, but added up - Seabourn always seems to make it feel like the BEST cruise I have ever been on, because it always is!

 

But the #1 BEST reason to keep cruising on SB, other than it is the only known cure for cruise addiction? A Free cruise after 140 days! And I am sooooo close!!

 

Leslie

[GrannyLorr]

I am already there!!! :D :D :D

[Cruising Princess]

Any other comments or feedback on what makes Seabourn so great???!!!!

[SantaAna,CA]

The beautiful cabins with the little window seats where I can sit and look out at the ocean and write in my diary. The jacuzzi on the bow, where I can stand at the very front of the ship, and soak in the beauty of God's creation. The friendly passengers on the ship. Dinner at hosted tables, and nice invitations on my door every evening inviting me to one. The sweet stewardess, friendly crew, handsome waiters. On formal evenings, the romance of coming down the spiral staircase with the train of my gown trailing behind me. The intimate, joyful spirit that permeates the ship because everyone aboard is having the time of their lives. Those things are worth waiting 11 months (my usual time between cruises) for!!

 

Jane

[SeabournGirl]

Dinner at hosted tables, and nice invitations on my door every evening inviting me to one.

 

Just to make sure that new passengers traveling as a couple are not disappointed - SOLO travelers are invited most evenings to hosted tables, as SB does take very good care of us solo travelers. Couples are also included at hosted tables as well but not EVERY night! I didn't want the expectation to be set for everyone to expect an invitation to dinner every night! One of the best features of Seabourn is the ability to dine at a table for 2, 4, 6 8 or 10 any night.

 

You can also arrange your own hosted table by inviting other people you have met to dine with you, or simply play dining roulette and ask the Maitre D' to seat the next few couples to join your table. They are exceptional at matching up the passengers for an entertaining evening!

 

Cruising Princess - you don't need anymore than what has already been said to confirm how wonderful your experience on Seabourn will be. Take the leap of faith, book the cruise and join the rest of us loyal sailors that won't go on any other cruise line again! Seabourn is like trying to eat just one potato chip - you'll want more....

[Chairsin]

Jane,

You are so right about the formal nights -- I know there has been alot of heated discussion about them but they are such a big part of the Seabourn allure for us.Something happens when a person puts on formal attire -- women are more beautiful and men stand up taller and everyone is so gay.Even the crew seem to really enjoy formal nights. But watch out with your train trailing down the stairs -- one of these nights a crew member is going to come along and carry it for you and Queen Jane will be ruined forever!

 

I agree with so much of what has been said about Seabourn -- the service, the intimate environment, the spacious, well thought out,suites and the addition of out of the way ports of call.In addition, for us, there have been many magic moments. One was when we were in Santorini and we had been anchored all day in the caldera. It was evening and the crew had been setting up for the deck bar-b-que; to include lowering the canvas "curtains" all of the way around the deck so you could not see out (presumably this was to keep out the wind).As darkness fell and the ships motors reved up

we were all seated on deck and it seemed like we were under power cruising off to our next port. Suddenly, with a Seabourn flourish, the deck hands simulataneously raised the canvas curtains and you could see that we were still anchored and were surrounded by a semi-circle of high cliffs topped with twinking white lights like a string of pearls. There was a an ovation of "oohs' from all of the passengers as our breaths were literally taken away. It was a magic moment I will forever remember. So well thought out and so beautifully choreographed.

[Host Dan]

One thing I always look forward to is having an afternoon of drinks and conversation with a fellow sailor(s) at the Sky Bar. (see my avitar) The hours go by so fast, and ready for the nap-before-dinner!

 

Host Dan

[Martita B.]

New Year's Eve spent in the harbor of Gustavia, St. Bart's on a Seabourn ship is so special! A hundred or so private yacht's floating around~~many decorated with twinkling lights. Beautiful sight ~~

Captain Geir-Arne reminded us one NY's eve that "our yacht is THE biggest!";)

Martita B.