Summary:
Nov 24 2019 Yes, this was luxury cruising. Verandah suite is a very large balcony cabin with marble fitted bathroom with twin sinks and a shower too. Top fittings everywhere. Excellent minibar service by cabin staff. Attentive without asking. No tipping sought, either here or anywhere. Dining was just lovely everywhere. The buffet was like a quiet restaurant on other cruises. Spacious with tables always available. Wine choices very good and varied, and readily served. All food requests prepared quickly and with lovely lively staff. Few used the restaurant for breakfast and this was the only let down on the whole 12 day trip. Comedy value was high though. We began counting the number of staff who inspected a food item coming out and trying to decide who it was to go to. With only about twelve tables in use there were plenty of staff and I counted six deciding who got the oatmeal. . Some management needed here, but food was great though. After two days of this fun we retired to the buffet and were just amazed at the quality, calm, and efficient experience. Evening restaurant dining was top quality also. Choices and service were great and the frequent opportunities to join a hosted table gave us many social evenings too. With only 400 guests we were often alone on corridors, lifts and in quiet bars. The afternoon tea was wonderful with food choices better than Cunard and the service was more attentive and personal. Many nice touches everywhere. The Square with daily newspapers, in full, available printed. fresh macarons every evening, wonderful coffee almost anytime. Staff to sort out your wifi problems and remembering your name for the rest of the cruise. Lovely lovely trip. Carambola beach with champagne and caviar in the surf - magic. The banana boat only a bit less so, though apart from the embarrassment of trying to get back in to the towboat, that was very jolly too. We met several people for whom this was their first cruise and they will struggle to appreciate others. We had been on about 10 cruise lines before, and Seabourn was in a different league. Yes it was expensive, but I will remember all of it fondly, and I do think it was worth the money. I would go again without hesitation. Saving already and I think we may cut down on lesser trips.