Cruise Help- UPDATE: Booked on Seabourn Encore! Any tips or experiences welcomed!

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Alright time to go to DISers for some help.

We've been all over the place on our cruise endeavors with only one commonality of being in the Mediterranean primary focus of Greece. We will be intending to fly in a day before the cruise and at the moment plan on converting credit card miles to points for airfare (that is the initial idea).

We've narrowed down the choices although I wouldn’t put it past us to up and decide to look at another cruise line.

• Holland America
  • Ship
    • Oosterdam
  • Room category
    • Neptune Suite Have it All Package
• Seabourn
  • Ship
    • Encore
  • Room category
    • Veranda Suite (all rooms are veranda)
• Virgin Voyages
  • Ship
    • Resilient Lady
  • Room category
    • Seriously Suite

All three of these are quite different in experiences. Price difference is negligible between the three with exception that Holland America would have additional dining cost for more than 1 specialty dining per cruise for the length of cruise we would be taking.



Our original plan was for late summer early fall time period due to tourist season and temperature with viewing October/November as too late however Seabourn would have us be in July hitting more of the tourist season and slightly higher temps. This is mostly due to uptick in costs if going in August/September (same costs in October/November as July though).



Holland America Greek Enchantment August 19th 2023- August 26th 2023

Trieste (Venice), Italy

Split, Croatia

Korcula, Croatia

Thira (Santorini), Greece

Rhodes, Greece

Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey

Piraeus (Athens), Greece





At the moment Seabourn Encore is the one we're heavily leaning towards. SilverSea (very comparable to Seabourn) was also one we considered but ultimately nixed that.

For Seabourn there would be a choice between

Greece & Dalmatian Delights July 9th 2023- July 16th 2023

Piraeus (Athens), Greece

Monemvasia, Greece

Katakolon (Olympia), Greece

Nydri, Nisos Lefkada, Greece

Brindisi (Lecce), Italy

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Zadar, Croatia

Venice, Italy

OR

Adriatic & Greek Treasures July 16th 2023- July 23rd 2023

Venice, Italy

Vodice (Sibenik), Croatia

Kotor, Montenegro

Scenic Cruising Bay Of Kotor

Kerkira, Nisos Kerkira (Corfu), Greece

Sami, Cephalonia, Greece

Pylos, Greece

Nafplion, Greece

Piraeus (Athens), Greece

With these two itineraries they are basically a round trip sort of thing where the first one starts in Athens and ends in Venice and then the next cruise picks up right there with going back to Venice stopping at slightly different ports along the way so that is why both are a choice. The downside with Seabourn were relatively few that would work for us would go round trip and that round trip aspect does not appear to be a main feature of the brand unless on long cruises.



For Virgin Voyages Adriatic Sea & Greek Gems September 3th 2023-September 10 2023

Piraeus (Athens)

Split (Croatia)

Dubrovnik

Kotor

Corfu

Piraeus (Athens)



We’ve perused Cruise Critic a little bit, watched YouTube videos but are now looking for more reviews. Primarily wanting to know experiences people have had with Seabourn as that is one that there’s not nearly as much reviews but would also appreciate Holland America and Virgin Voyages.



Would also like if anyone has gone to any of the ports even if not with one of the three cruise lines mentioned what it was like and any tips you think would be good to know. Also we are not travel agent type of people but my husband has requested me to ask if people have found working with a travel agent for cruises has netted benefits, an enjoyable experience, etc.

 

[Turn the Page]

I haven't been to any of those port yet.....but catch me in about 6 weeks and I will be able to report on several of them.

I have, however, been on several Holland America cruises.

Of all the lines you are considering, HAL would be the most mainstream, so to speak. It does cater to an older demographic (I'm not sure of your age, just throwing it out there) but I started sailing with them when I was in high school and never felt out of place in any way. You are going to find more in the way of classical music via a partnership with Lincoln Center and a bit more entrichment type programing than you will on the other mainstream lines.

Virgin Voyages, from what I understand, will be very much not that. I think you can get a tattoo on one of the Virgin ships if that's your thing. I don't know anything at all about the activities on that line but I think it caters more to the young 20 something type. I don't think they allow kids on those ships yet.

The other lines you mentioned are more luxury lines than either HAL or Virgin.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I haven't been to any of those port yet.....but catch me in about 6 weeks and I will be able to report on several of them.

We should hopefully be picking our cruise by then but if you remember this thread please stop back on by and let me know how they went I would love to hear it!

It does cater to an older demographic (I'm not sure of your age, just throwing it out there)

We're in our 30s and all the lines we've looked at do skew older on average but we're really not wanting party cruise and have struggled with the idea of a very large ship which would normally skew lower in overall age. We like large ship for options of things to do but want a line with less kids and less crowds and have found the higher end ones sorta appealing to us more presently. Virgin is wanting the 20s and 30s but as of yet it still pulling more 50s and up from what I've been hearing and yes you're correct they presently are 18+ cruise line.

You are going to find more in the way of classical music via a partnership with Lincoln Center and a bit more entrichment type programing than you will on the other mainstream lines.

That's good to know, it sounded like Seabourn did have some of this but not maybe as much as HAL? I do like programs like that so something to keep in mind, if we're going to these places it's nice to get that attention to them in that way.

Virgin Voyages, from what I understand, will be very much not that.

Yes Virgin is like way out there. From our choices HAL is premium but more your normal style. Virgin anything but normal lol and Seabourn luxury/ultra luxury. Initially I was really looking into Virgin for that more out there type of cruising but then got pulled back into other ones. It's still a big consideration though. I did notice that Virgin's ports were slightly lower in numbers than others but more time spent at them (like some being 12+ hours)

 

[Deb]

I'm really surprised you are seeing Seaborne in the same price range as the other two

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I'm really surprised you are seeing Seaborne in the same price range as the other two

lol yeah. With the room categories chosen with the sailing dates they are but that's comparing those particular room categories in order to get as look at the lines with what they give you, don't give you, etc such as dining options, ship access, balcony/veranda, etc and comparable room quality (well as best as you can get between the different types of lines).

You could do Virgin Voyages and HAL for cheaper for sure if you want, a note on our comparables is we want a balcony so inside rooms and ones with portholes or only windows are out regardless of line. Seabourn on some ships do have rooms with just picture windows, it just happens that the Encore which sails to the parts of the Med we would want is a ship where the lowest category is veranda because all rooms have them.

 

[Turn the Page]

lol yeah. With the room categories chosen with the sailing dates they are but that's comparing those particular room categories in order to get as look at the lines with what they give you, don't give you, etc such as dining options, ship access, balcony/veranda, etc and comparable room quality (well as best as you can get between the different types of lines).

You could do Virgin Voyages and HAL for cheaper for sure if you want, a note on our comparables is we want a balcony so inside rooms and ones with portholes or only windows are out regardless of line. Seabourn on some ships do have rooms with just picture windows, it just happens that the Encore which sails to the parts of the Med we would want is a ship where the lowest category is veranda because all rooms have them.

Even so, I was also surprised you could get Seabourn anywhere close to HAL or Virgin, barring the owner's suit on the Niew Statendam of course.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Even so, I was also surprised you could get Seabourn anywhere close to HAL or Virgin, barring the owner's suit on the Niew Statendam of course.

Seabourn Veranda=$7,398
HAL Neptune Suite Have It All Package: $7,288 (a slight discount running but also allowing them to choose, if you choose then it's $7,758)
Virgin Voyages Seriously Suite: $7,314.50 (larger discount than HAL as original price is $8,101)

 

[Turn the Page]

Nifty.

If it were me, and I say this having never sailed on Seabourn (though I'd like to someday) and having sailed on HAL several times and enjoyed my voyages immensely.....if I'm paying the same price I'm going for a luxury line.

I personally have no use for the amenities offered in suites. So long as I have a comfy bed and a decent bathroom I'm happy. If it were me I would either save some cash on HAL and downgrade to a balcony stateroom or go all out and do Seabourn. All other things being equalish of course. But that's just me.

Our upcoming cruise is an 11 day on NCL to Greece and Italy. We have a balcony for the first time and I am SO excited. I don't think NCL is going to be the best fit for us. I actually think we would really like Celebrity or I am really salivating over some Viking itineraries. But, NCL had the best itinerary for us and it's an 11 day cruise with a grand total of 1 sea day so, in this case, itinerary won out. Since we're in port every day we won't be on the ship to do much more than shower and sleep so I don't imagine the fact that the activities on board don't interest us will matter much.

While browsing options I mentioned the Haven to DH and I said I just don't get it. If I'm paying that kind of money for a vacation it sure as heck isn't going to be on NCL. I'm not fundamentally opposed to paying $5,000 per person for a cruise (assuming we have it to pay in cash of course) but if I do that it will be on Seabourn or Viking or some other luxury line that offers the type of activities we want. It isn't going to be NCL.

But, to each their own.

 

[SirDuff]

If you’re looking to avoid party cruises, I‘m really surprised that you’re considering Virgin.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

If you’re looking to avoid party cruises, I‘m really surprised that you’re considering Virgin.

Virgin Voyages is definitely billed as a lively cruise line but not Carnival-esque which is more what I thinking for that reference. We're absolutely fine with the more adult centered content and are looking for a focus on adults. There's I guess to us a different approach to the atmosphere with an adult only line in terms of activities and overall mood as opposed to a more budget line fitting in a bunch of adults trying to entertain them and be careful with kids around in terms of that. We wouldn't say go to the nightclub for instance but would do a drag show or burlesque. And we do like the options available for fitness from the track to the classes to spa stuff too. The appeal to us is non- traditional there.

I would imagine if you did a quick 3 or 4 day Bimini one you might get more party style although wouldn't mind seeing Diplo lol.

Like I said though all 3 are very different experiences. Seabourn is way different than Virgin for sure lol

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

If it were me I would either save some cash on HAL and downgrade to a balcony stateroom

That is a viable option absolutely.

As an odd part for us contrary to vast majority of our vacations where we typically look for cost savings while still getting a good vacation we're willing to spend more money for a luxury cruise experience than we ordinarily would even think about. If you had asked me pre-pandemic I'm fairly certain Silversea and Seabourn were just pipe dreams to wistfully to think about for somewhere years and years down the line. I mean I remember looking at Silversea in late 2019/early 2020 when we had originally been planning for a cruise (and you know how that all panned out) and thinking well that would be amazing if only... And now here we are looking at cruise options and room categories that we would have unlikely even gave a glance at before. Clearly the pandemic had an effect on how we view things ones I don't think we realized until we got serious about looking for cruises next year.

But that doesn't mean we have to just because we're more comfortable with doing so for sure. And even with looking at luxury/ultra luxury lines we have a point where we were not seeing spending that much. Silversea was just too costly in the end this time around even with having a butler we would not be able to have a balcony and the cost would end up being $2K or so more than Seabourn although with Silversea it would have been a round trip cruise which can be easier for flights and all.

I appreciate your viewpoint on cost to value.

We have a balcony for the first time and I am SO excited.

Aww I'm excited for you! What are you most looking forward to with having it?

I don't think NCL is going to be the best fit for us.

May I ask why? We have a DISer friend that aside from DCL has done NCL and she liked it but there are slight variances in how her and her husband would cruise and how my husband and I would cruise. When we looked at NCL the ship I believe we would have been on would have been the Jade.

While browsing options I mentioned the Haven to DH and I said I just don't get it.

Yeah I get you there. The Haven is just too much for us both in cost and for what you get for that cost.

 

[Turn the Page]

That is a viable option absolutely.

As an odd part for us contrary to vast majority of our vacations where we typically look for cost savings while still getting a good vacation we're willing to spend more money for a luxury cruise experience than we ordinarily would even think about. If you had asked me pre-pandemic I'm fairly certain Silversea and Seabourn were just pipe dreams to wistfully to think about for somewhere years and years down the line. I mean I remember looking at Silversea in late 2019/early 2020 when we had originally been planning for a cruise (and you know how that all panned out) and thinking well that would be amazing if only... And now here we are looking at cruise options and room categories that we would have unlikely even gave a glance at before. Clearly the pandemic had an effect on how we view things ones I don't think we realized until we got serious about looking for cruises next year.

But that doesn't mean we have to just because we're more comfortable with doing so for sure. And even with looking at luxury/ultra luxury lines we have a point where we were not seeing spending that much. Silversea was just too costly in the end this time around even with having a butler we would not be able to have a balcony and the cost would end up being $2K or so more than Seabourn although with Silversea it would have been a round trip cruise which can be easier for flights and all.

I appreciate your viewpoint on cost to value.



Aww I'm excited for you! What are you most looking forward to with having it?



May I ask why? We have a DISer friend that aside from DCL has done NCL and she liked it but there are slight variances in how her and her husband would cruise and how my husband and I would cruise. When we looked at NCL the ship I believe we would have been on would have been the Jade.

Yeah I get you there. The Haven is just too much for us both in cost and for what you get for that cost.

I am really looking forward to sitting on my balcony with a glass of wine or coffee depending on the time of day and watching the world go by away from the hubub of the party at the main pool.

I think ultimately, I am not actually a "cruiser" per se. I don't view the ship as the destination that happens to travel around. I view it as a fun mode of transportation to multiple destinations. If the kids are with us it is different but as far as DH and I are concerned we want great food, enrichment programs like history and culture lectures about the places we are going, wine tastings, etc. We do not care a hoot about water slides, ice skating rinks, go cart tracks, belly flop competitions, and dance parties, etc. etc. I would much rather have a smaller ship to a bigger one.

But, like I said, ultimately itinerary wins out and quite frankly, we plan on spending almost all our time in port and honestly I can see us running to the buffet for food and bringing it back to our cabin to enjoy on the balcony more often than not.

I think I'm getting snobby.

 

[Darcy03231]

I haven't sailed them myself, but from looking at reviews and videos, it looks like the cabins on Virgin are very minimalistic and there is a lack of storage space, if that's something that matters to you. DH and I tend to be very light packers and are interested in potentially booking a Virgin cruise so we've been watching/readings reviews.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I haven't sailed them myself, but from looking at reviews and videos, it looks like the cabins on Virgin are very minimalistic and there is a lack of storage space, if that's something that matters to you. DH and I tend to be very light packers and are interested in potentially booking a Virgin cruise so we've been watching/readings reviews.

Hmm storage is a very good point. We briefly glanced at that particular part but didn't really really think about it.

You're right Virgin Voyages has that look and utilization of the space. Looking at it the Seriously Suite would have enough space with the wardrobe and it helps that the cruise line is more casual in attire

Holland America if doing the Neptune Suite would work for storage and could fit a nicer outfit or two

Seabourn has an ample walk in closet and I think that is more needed there due to the attire being more dressy. Hanging for dresses and a suit for my husband and such is more important the the two other lines.

Thanks for mentioning that!

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I am really looking forward to sitting on my balcony with a glass of wine or coffee depending on the time of day and watching the world go by away from the hubub of the party at the main pool.

Sounds so lovely! I know we would do the coffee and just sit and chill zoning out

bringing it back to our cabin to enjoy on the balcony more often than not.

I think we might do that too for a meal or so, it's a great idea. Watch the ocean just in peace of the balcony.

We do not care a hoot about water slides, ice skating rinks, go cart tracks, belly flop competitions, and dance parties, etc. etc.

Funny enough when my husband first mentioned cruise he was thinking Royal Caribbean Oasis sized ships. It admittedly is neat to think about tracks around the ship and some other big features.

However we were actually the honeymoon couple in our mid-20s who when we went to Sandals in Saint Lucia purposefully chose the low-key resort that normally gets 40s,50s+ rather than the busier locations. I mean it's not as if we didn't look at those but I think we ultimately thought just too many people and not all the activities were all that important to us like you are saying here but we knew then we could and did visit the other Sandals resorts.

For a cruise we did want to have places to explore and stuff that would entertain us but maybe not so much 6,000 passenger style in the end.

I think I'm getting snobby.

I slightly laughed at this because I don't think we are necessarily that but at least in our cruise searching our normal vacation behaviors were not there once we got serious about it. I told my husband we should have done a cruise together when we were in our early 20s because then we would have done some less fancy, less expensive, etc cruises without a second thought opting just to prioritize a balcony if monetarily possible.

 

[dvcgirl67]

Oh, Seabourn, no question about it. We have friends who only take luxury vacations...and they've cruised in Europe on Seabourn at least three times that I know of and they rave about it. I'm surprised that it's even comparable with a line like Holland America. The only thing I've heard about Virgin is....party boat.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Oh, Seabourn, no question about it. We have friends who only take luxury vacations...and they've cruised in Europe on Seabourn at least three times that I know of and they rave about it. I'm surprised that it's even comparable with a line like Holland America. The only thing I've heard about Virgin is....party boat.

I'm glad to hear they are repeat cruisers on that line and that they speak highly of it.

Seabourn for sure isn't comparable to HAL but I think we sorta broke it down to 1 cruise line in the luxury that we were comfortable spending, 1 in the premium category and then well Virgin is just out there lol.

I've heard it said from travel agents that book Virgin Voyages that for first timers or relative newbies they say be careful booking it because it's hard to go back to a more traditional line although that is said with a half jest, Virgin was the line I more threw out there but my husband was def. on board. I must say I fear if we do Seabourn we'll end up like that where going too many levels down OR going on a much larger cruise ship may end up seeming to be more unappealing that in the past to us.

Unbeknownst to me my husband had contacted a few travel agents about Seabourn over the weekend and yesterday so that's my indication that's likely his pick. I'm not opposed

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

So we've determined we're going with Seabourn Encore with the itinerary of Adriatic & Greek Treasures July 16th 2023- July 23rd 2023



The price I had mentioned was with Seabourn's present discount of a 2 room category upgrade (for us a V3 for the price of a V1). We've booked with a travel agent and selected our room on Deck 6 (travel agent was able to get us an additional discount on top of what Seabourn was offering giving us) with little under $300 off Seabourn's price in addition a $225 on board credit for the cabin.

We've booked our flights home from Athens (on British Airways) at this time for July 25th which gives us a little bit of time there. On the way there we're planning on booking a flight that will arrive in Venice on July 15th presently speaking with a hotel stay that night in Venice. Husband went and booked this one arriving in Venice on July 14th now with Air France.

We're super super excited

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

If anyone has any Seabourn experience please chime in if you feel like it

 

[kdonnel]

The only things I know about Seabourn, I learned from Speed 2: Cruise Control.

If you see Sandra Bullock boarding, don't get on!

Looking up the Seabourn Encore, the lines ships have grown considerably. I was thinking you would be on a 15,000 GT ship but I see they are now nearly 42000 GT.

All I can add is have a good time!