Gems Of The Swahili Coast from Victoria (Mahe) to Cape Town, 10 April 2023 (17 nights)

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.

Thankyou for all your help with booking this amazing trip. The ship was outstanding in every way the crew were wonderful too so we have been spoilt to bits and looking forward to booking another cruise with Seabourn hopefully early next year. Thankyou very much Regards Denise Page and Company

Excellent cruise in excellent (apart from Ketchican) weather. Well looked after. Very small matter not good - wife ill one evening - we asked for hot milk and toast to cabin - milk barely tepid and toast soft/damp. Main disappointment is flights home - if Iglu responsible, read on - if Seabourn responsible, please forward! We were routed from Anchorage to Denver to Toronto to Glasgow. Anchorage to Denver on United Airlines, old and very cramped plane, uncomfortable seats. Long wait in Denver. Then reasonable plane Air Canada, to Toronto, but 1 x hour late in leaving. Still long wait in Toronto, then reasonable flight Air Canada Rouge to Glasgow. However, no cases arriving at Glasgow, and still no cases 28 hours later! Not happy - spoiled any good feelings about cruise.

Nice friendly ship but the biggest let down is the inconsistency of service and the quality and temperature of the food being served. When asked for meat to be “well done “ you do not expect blood in excess to be coming from the meat. This happened on several occasions. Food was often served warm on a red hot plate which still doesn’t make the food hot. All of this was brought the the ships attention but continued over the course of the cruise Hand towel on one occasion had holes in. Plus side of ship, great coffee and fantastic service in the square, entertainment better than some top London shows. Suites very large and comfortable. Fantastic complimentary room service. The Thomas Keller Grill served excellent food.