I need sone help and info on Seaborn Pride. We're looking at their trip along the Med in llate March. We've been on many cruises on RCL, Carnival, and Holland and liked them all but would like to try an upscale trip.

Any thoughts. Is it worth the extra bucks.


Bo

Yes! Huge cabin, no lines, great food and great service. Many times, once you throw in the extras you get on a luxury line, the cost isn't all that much more.

Try it, you will like it. I guarantee.

Tom

Bo, Seabourn is a lot more formal than the cruise lines you mentioned, and a lot more sedate than Royal Caribbean and Carnival. The evening dress is dressier; even the casual nights had men in sports jackets and ties.

The Seabourn experience is unique. Very upscale, pampered to the max, beautiful surroundings. The ships are small as cruise ships go, so don't expect huge casinos or glitz production numbers. But do expect very personalized service, awesome food, and a staff who lives to please.

Enjoy!

Sandy

Tom makes an excellent point. Many things that are extra charges on most cruise lines are included in the cruise fare with Seabourn, so the cost delta between a cruise with, say, Celebrity and Seabourn can not be as large as one might think.

quote:

Many things that are extra charges on most cruise lines are included in the cruise fare with Seabourn, so the cost delta between a cruise with, say, Celebrity and Seabourn can not be as large as one might think.

Dave, I'm not so sure about that. Seabourn is really quite a bit more expensive than premium cruise lines such as Celebrity.

Perhaps there isn't as much of a price difference between Crystal and Seabourn.

Sandy

I just took a quick look at a 7-day cruise to the Caribbean in March on both Celebrity and Seabourn. Celebrity's Century prices start at around $650 per person for an ocean view room, not including airfare or tax ($600 per person for an inside room). Seabourn starts at about $3000 per person.

Not to say it's not worth the extra money to sail Seabourn, since the room and all the amenities and inclusions may well be worth it to people. In fact, I'm sure it is since Seabourn has a high load factor on its ships!

Sandy

Sandy, I am sure that you are correct on the Caribbean cruise, but I just took a look at the Millennium cruise that I am going on mid-February and the nearest Seabourn cruise in South America. The Millennium cruise has a $258 per diem, while the Seabourn cruise has a $351 per diem. Given the additional inclusions with Seabourn, it brings the price quite close given the differences.

I am not suggesting that both ships cater to the same clientele or that they offer the same itineraries, but the pricing (when adjusted for the amenities on international cruises) tends to balance out.

Tom

Tom, thanks for the info on Seabourn's South America cruise. I must say I'm surprised that the per diem is only $351, and that it's only $100 more than Celebrity. I've seen Seabourn per diems in the $800 range. Given what you've found out, there seems to be no price differential between the two!

As you know, the Celebrity and Seabourn ships are very different, but those prices make the ship experience the difference, not the price.

Sandy

Thanks to all for the comments. We're thinking about it.

Bo, let us know what you decide.

Sandy