Silversea or Seabourn- What is the absolute best?
#2
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Manhattan NV
Programs: Hilton LTD, Hyatt Glob, Marriott LTTE, AA LTP, Avis PC, National EE, Seabourn DE
Posts: 3,030
Neither. Both. SB. SS.
Your question is worded in such a way that it makes no sense to me. There are plenty of companies sailing the Med that offer something better than SB and SS. What is better for me, maybe not so better for you.
Your question is worded in such a way that it makes no sense to me. There are plenty of companies sailing the Med that offer something better than SB and SS. What is better for me, maybe not so better for you.
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: May 1999
Location: New York,NY USA
Posts: 1,481
So what do you suggest?
#5
FDW
#6
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 1,782
I've done 3 cruises with Silversea and loved each one. First was ATH-IST, second BCN-VCE, and third was 18 days around British Isles and Iceland.
We started on Silversea because the itinerary was the best for the time period we had.
I don't think you can really go wrong. I'd talk to a travel agent that specializes in luxury cruises and they can tell you the difference between the lines. We have one we love and have gotten great service and pricing.
What part of the Med are you looking at?
As usual, FDW is correct. Go for the smaller ship. We did the Spirit twice and then the Cloud. Nothing worse than seeing a huge ship pull into Santorini...I'm talking those monster Royal Carib etc.
We started on Silversea because the itinerary was the best for the time period we had.
I don't think you can really go wrong. I'd talk to a travel agent that specializes in luxury cruises and they can tell you the difference between the lines. We have one we love and have gotten great service and pricing.
What part of the Med are you looking at?
As usual, FDW is correct. Go for the smaller ship. We did the Spirit twice and then the Cloud. Nothing worse than seeing a huge ship pull into Santorini...I'm talking those monster Royal Carib etc.
#7
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Manhattan NV
Programs: Hilton LTD, Hyatt Glob, Marriott LTTE, AA LTP, Avis PC, National EE, Seabourn DE
Posts: 3,030
I would not post this question on cruise critic. A similar question is asked about every fifteen days, so just scroll around and read some good stuff.
This question brings out the cheerleaders for each line so you might end up with a headache. BTW, a luxury cruise line does not staff from India and Philippines for front line service personnel.
This question brings out the cheerleaders for each line so you might end up with a headache. BTW, a luxury cruise line does not staff from India and Philippines for front line service personnel.
#8
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 111
Seabourn/ Silversea
My wife and I have 72 days on Silversea and 136 days on Seabourn. We have also traveled on Oceania and Celebrity.
Seabourn and Silversea are ---in our opinion---the 2 best cruise lines. We slightly prefer Seabourn because of the "personal touch"---remembering your name and drink--and their food is slightly better.
I think you would have an outstanding cruise on either line---I would choose base on the itinerary.
One other thing to note---unless you book a suite all the cabins are the same size---so you pay a lot more for higher decks
Seabourn and Silversea are ---in our opinion---the 2 best cruise lines. We slightly prefer Seabourn because of the "personal touch"---remembering your name and drink--and their food is slightly better.
I think you would have an outstanding cruise on either line---I would choose base on the itinerary.
One other thing to note---unless you book a suite all the cabins are the same size---so you pay a lot more for higher decks
#9
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Be aware Seabourn sold Seabourn Pride, Legend and Spirit (10,000 Gross Tonnage, 106 suites / 208 passengers) - Pride began service with Windstar Cruises 5 May 2014, the other two began in April and May 2015, respectively. So if smaller ships are your reason, Seabourn will be bringing in at least one larger ship to replace the Pride-class ships in 2016 (Letter Of Intent with Fincantieri to bring on another Odyssey size ship).
If you're thinking way back, the Sea Goddess I and II (4,250 GT) were transferred to SeaDream Yacht Club~2001. C
SeaDream Yacht Club (85 passengers in 44 suites
Noble Caledonia offers some very interesting trips with a lot of free land excursions and lecturers included. They might be a bit too "educational" for some; they usually include airfare ex-U. K. In particular, they operate two very nice ships (all suites), M. V. Island Sky and Caledonian Sky. Each has 57 suites (114 passengers) and each is quite nice. (One thing we found - the 254-262 suites midships on the lowest deck are the cheapest, largest due to the shape of the vessel, and most stable - with easiest access to the main restaurant.)
If you're thinking way back, the Sea Goddess I and II (4,250 GT) were transferred to SeaDream Yacht Club~2001. C
SeaDream Yacht Club (85 passengers in 44 suites
Noble Caledonia offers some very interesting trips with a lot of free land excursions and lecturers included. They might be a bit too "educational" for some; they usually include airfare ex-U. K. In particular, they operate two very nice ships (all suites), M. V. Island Sky and Caledonian Sky. Each has 57 suites (114 passengers) and each is quite nice. (One thing we found - the 254-262 suites midships on the lowest deck are the cheapest, largest due to the shape of the vessel, and most stable - with easiest access to the main restaurant.)
Last edited by JDiver; Apr 7, 2016 at 3:43 pm Reason: Update
#10
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 336
JDiver - I always enjoy your posts. I will be on the Island Sky next week. The cruise is being operated by Zegrahm and we will be cruising Belize-Panama-Costa Rica. Coincidentally, our cabin number is 260. Looking forward to all the snorkeling opportunities we will have and of course all else nature has to offer.
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
Noble Caledonia offers some very interesting trips with a lot of free land excursions and lecturers included. They might be a bit too "educational" for some; they usually include airfare ex-U. K. In particular, they operate two very nice ships (all suites), M. V. Island Sky and Caledonian Sky. Each has 57 suites (114 passengers) and each is quite nice. (One thing we found - the 254-262 suites midships on the lowest deck are the cheapest, largest due to the shape of the vessel, and most stable - with easiest access to the main restaurant.)
Thank you for this.
I have note heard of Noble Caledonia, but now I am really interested in the nuclear powered ice breaker "Fifty Years of Victory". It looks like the only tour this year is for The North Pole..
#12
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
I think a cruise on 50 Let Pobedy would be truly epic!
People I;ve known who have taken the "nukes" to the Arctic say one should take ear plugs - the icebreaking is continuous and noisy.
People I;ve known who have taken the "nukes" to the Arctic say one should take ear plugs - the icebreaking is continuous and noisy.
And, I thought you were just good with advice on the AA forum
Thank you for this.
I have note heard of Noble Caledonia, but now I am really interested in the nuclear powered ice breaker "Fifty Years of Victory". It looks like the only tour this year is for The North Pole..
Thank you for this.
I have note heard of Noble Caledonia, but now I am really interested in the nuclear powered ice breaker "Fifty Years of Victory". It looks like the only tour this year is for The North Pole..
#13
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Tampa
Programs: Delta Gold, Hilton Honors Gold, All on my own dime.
Posts: 5,182
I, too, would give an edge to Seabourn over Silversea as Silversea's food quality can be an issue. However, if you have the opportunity, don't rule out Crystal. Crystal has bigger ships over the other two and now offer an all-inclusive cruise (the other two always offered it). You can't go wrong with any of the three, with the slight caveat of Silversea's food.
#15
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: EDI/BAH
Programs: BAEC Gold, Falconflyer Gold, The Ritz-Carlton Silver
Posts: 163
In my opinion, Seabourn is the best.
Their ships are, in my opinion, perfectly designed- beautiful, with bounds of space yet very intimate and upscale all at the same time. I'd rate the food higher than that on Silversea, although we are splitting hairs... but that is what one must do when you are looking at the ultra-luxury cruise market. Seabourn is more modern, the decor on Silversea more traditional. I also found what made the difference with Seabourn is the personal touch, that of the crew- them remembering your name, the stories you tell them, and they manage to genuinely make you feel that their service is coming from the heart. In my personal experience, the crew on Silversea, while going through all the necessary 'motions' did feel a tad aloof or uninterested at times.
Please do remember that by the time you shall set sail the final of Seabourn's original, timelessly classic triplets would have been retired, and as such all the above comments are in regards to the Odyssey class of ships. Silversea maintains a far more diverse fleet, from the 16,000 GRT Cloud to the 540 passenger Spirit.
I don't know if this would factor in to your equation at all, but I do tend to enjoy Seabourn's marina when it is lowered- you can swim straight into the sea or engage in a number of watersports in port, weather depending naturally.
I don't necessarily know what kind of experience you are after, but if an intimate, ultra-luxury vacation of the simple pleasures of great food, wine and destinations is to your taste, I would also suggest looking at SeaDream Yacht Club. They run two ships, the SeaDream I and SeaDream II that originally launched the ultra-luxury cruising category way back in 1984. They are a delightful pair, and are perfect for romantic, relatively active getaways. Either way, I'd pop onto their website and check them out.
Their ships are, in my opinion, perfectly designed- beautiful, with bounds of space yet very intimate and upscale all at the same time. I'd rate the food higher than that on Silversea, although we are splitting hairs... but that is what one must do when you are looking at the ultra-luxury cruise market. Seabourn is more modern, the decor on Silversea more traditional. I also found what made the difference with Seabourn is the personal touch, that of the crew- them remembering your name, the stories you tell them, and they manage to genuinely make you feel that their service is coming from the heart. In my personal experience, the crew on Silversea, while going through all the necessary 'motions' did feel a tad aloof or uninterested at times.
Please do remember that by the time you shall set sail the final of Seabourn's original, timelessly classic triplets would have been retired, and as such all the above comments are in regards to the Odyssey class of ships. Silversea maintains a far more diverse fleet, from the 16,000 GRT Cloud to the 540 passenger Spirit.
I don't know if this would factor in to your equation at all, but I do tend to enjoy Seabourn's marina when it is lowered- you can swim straight into the sea or engage in a number of watersports in port, weather depending naturally.
I don't necessarily know what kind of experience you are after, but if an intimate, ultra-luxury vacation of the simple pleasures of great food, wine and destinations is to your taste, I would also suggest looking at SeaDream Yacht Club. They run two ships, the SeaDream I and SeaDream II that originally launched the ultra-luxury cruising category way back in 1984. They are a delightful pair, and are perfect for romantic, relatively active getaways. Either way, I'd pop onto their website and check them out.