Yachts of Seabourn cruises

SEABOURN SOJOURN CRUISE 15TH APRIL 2011 TO 27TH APRIL, 2011. SEGMENT SIX OF THE WORLD CRUISE This was to be our very first cruise with Seabourn and from the word go everything was handled very professionally. We received our tickets, and like other cruise lines use to be, they were in a leather wallet complete with four leather luggage labels. We arrived at the dock, Civitavecchia, Italy, a little early, but this did not deter them one bit. We were shown to the check in desks and our pictures duly taken, we were given a leather wallet, yet again, with our cruise cards in. We were then asked to go and take a seat as our suite was not yet ready. White gloved waiters appeared with either hot chocolate or champagne, complete with rugs for your knees if you were cold. We were soon onboard and shown to our suite, and to our surprise we had been upgraded to Penthouse deck, we had only booked a guarantee suite. The suite was beautiful, we had a bedroom complete with a living area with settee and chair, on one wall was a full length cupboard which housed our fridge, which had been stocked with 2 x 1 litre bottles of spirits and all the mixers and beers. The mixers and beers were replenished as we drank them through the cruise. On further inspection we found that we had a bottle of champagne on ice just to wish us a very enjoyable cruise. Not long after our arrival in the suite our Stewardess, Agnes, rang the bell to introduce herself, complete with canapés and a selection of soaps that we could choose for the bathroom. The bathroom consisted of two wash hand basins in marble and a shower, the suite we had been allocated was a wheelchair friendly suite so therefore no bath. We then went to sail away and you could have whatever drinks you required, the whole cruise was open bars throughout the ship. Both wines for lunch and dinner were also freely available, and no sooner had you half emptied your glass then a wine waiter was asking it you required a refill. We have to say that the staffs in all venues were exceptional; they even addressed you by name after the second day. This really foxed us, as we had not given our names to members of staff. I then asked one waiter how he knew; he just said that it was a trade secret of Seabourn. It transpired that they were shown photos of the passengers and given their names, they were told to try and memorise as many as possible. Now on to the food. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner could be taken in the Colonnade, this was the buffet restaurant, not like anything we have seen on other cruise lines, and we have been on quite a few. You were asked if you wanted to be seated with other passengers or to dine just the two of you. There were so many things to choose from, also an open kitchen where the Chef prepared specials of the day. Also we had the Main Dining Room, again Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner could be had here. Also on deck there was the Grill, this was normally open for Lunch and casual Dinners. This was Sojourn’s Segment Six of her World cruise and so we were treated to a free shore excursion and this was to the Cava Region in Barcelona Spain. We were taken by coach to a very large Wine Cellar, called Codorniu, here we were treated to a tour around the cellars and then Flamenco dancing in a Grand Hall complete with tastings and food. Overall a very good excursion. I cannot say how much we enjoyed this cruise; my only disappointment was the fact that the food in the main dining room was often, what I call, Cruise Temperature. It was not as hot as I would have liked, even after speaking to the Maître many times. I really think that if Seabourn are going to advertise their cruises as six stars, then they should take note of their passenger’s wishes. I am sure that this will not be the last cruise with Seabourn. Ports visited. Civitavecchia. Barcelona, Valencia, Cartagena, Lisbon, Bordeaux, Southampton.

We had a wonderful cruise on the slightly long in the tooth Seabourn Spirit (built 1989) which internally is immaculate if a little bland, but out on deck comfort levels are a little 3 star. Food and service are 5 star, the marina a welcome change on a cruise where we only sailed about 1000 miles in a week. The free wine is in general rubbish and the wine list of "superior" wines is priced at a silly level. I.e $82 for a bottle of Gavi (£7 at Sainsburys). Disembarkation in Venice was difficult I.e vacate your suite at 8am leave the ship at 9:15 am to catch a flight some 10 hours later..... not customer friendly, so we bought a easyjet flight 6 hours earlier at our own expense.