Silversea or Seabourn- What is the absolute best?
Feb 13, 2014, 6:01 pm
#16
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Naples, Florida
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, Hyatt Platinum,Marriott Silver,Hilton Honors Gold
Posts: 593
After 134 cruises taken since 1971, here is my ranking of the luxury cruise lines.
1. Seabourn
2. Regent
3. Crystal
4. Silversea
Crystal, while I rank better than Silversea, is different than the other three in that their customer base loves to dress to the hilt, flash their jewels, and be led by the hand morning, noon, and night.
Worldspan
1. Seabourn
2. Regent
3. Crystal
4. Silversea
Crystal, while I rank better than Silversea, is different than the other three in that their customer base loves to dress to the hilt, flash their jewels, and be led by the hand morning, noon, and night.
Worldspan
Feb 14, 2014, 1:14 pm
#17
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Lake Oswego, Oregon or Costa Alegre take your pick
Programs: AS MVPG,
Posts: 1,066
I firmly disagree with the above poster. We wear nice clothes but shop at Costco. We are independent travelers. If in doubt look at our Madagascar trip report on FT. We also love Crstal minus any jewels or flash. Crystal is more a thinking person's cruise line. I have not experienced snobbery or elitism at all. I think Seaborn has much more the rep for snobbery.
In reality there are good and bad everywhere. Think for yourself and go where your heart and pocketbook allow.
YMMV
In reality there are good and bad everywhere. Think for yourself and go where your heart and pocketbook allow.
YMMV
Feb 14, 2014, 3:57 pm
#18
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: NYC, USA
Programs: AA PLT, 3MM, DL Plat, Hertz PC, SPG Gold
Posts: 601
I am a Seabourn fan...have never sailed on Silversea.
My sense is that both lines are wonderful.
People who have sailed both lines have told me that Silversea is a tad more formal.
My sense is that both lines are wonderful.
People who have sailed both lines have told me that Silversea is a tad more formal.
Feb 14, 2014, 5:22 pm
#19
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 190
For the luxury cruise lines, I would consult a travel agent. We have had good advice for cruises provided by Cruise Specialists (they specialize in world cruises), www.cruisespecialists.com and All Aboard Travel (www.allaboardtravel.com) whose client is luxury oriented/older.
There is a helpful website that compares cruiselines: http://www.cruisedeals.com/ships/ Click the luxury section.
There is a helpful website that compares cruiselines: http://www.cruisedeals.com/ships/ Click the luxury section.
Feb 14, 2014, 5:30 pm
#20
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 never do Regent. Crystal once and unlikely to repeat.
Typing from a Seabourn ship and I wish these companies would quit using the word ultra in front of luxury. IMO, it does not exist today. You have to find the line that provides a comfortable fit.
Feb 20, 2014, 11:29 am
#21
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,432
Seabourn the best for a ship less than 500 people (the 3 newest ships have 450 guests) and Crystal for a ship more than 500 people.
Crystal still has formal nights and when I was on in August I was stunned at how dressy and blingy everyone got. Seabourn does not have formal nights on 7 day or less cruises (it's black tie optional) and is more more elegant casual which I prefer. I love both lines for different aspects of their products.
Crystal still has formal nights and when I was on in August I was stunned at how dressy and blingy everyone got. Seabourn does not have formal nights on 7 day or less cruises (it's black tie optional) and is more more elegant casual which I prefer. I love both lines for different aspects of their products.
Feb 23, 2014, 11:13 pm
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
i probably only got 'good' service from two people - one filipino staff and one european officer
an indian sommelier had a background with One&Only Resorts
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Feb 24, 2014 at 2:28 am
Feb 24, 2014, 3:37 am
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
on seabourn in 2006 i heard a number of pax say seadream had better F&B, and heard one pax say europa had better service
Dieter Müller is currently scheduled to be on 14 of the next 28 itineraries through mar 2015. the restaurant seats 26.
just noticed >
http://www.hl-cruises.com/finder/eur1490/
A selection of our top chefs: Chef de Cuisine MS EUROPA; Dieter Müller, owner of the eponymous restaurant; Karlheinz Hauser (2 Michelin stars, 3 Gault Millau toques); Thomas Martin (2 stars, 3 toques); Heinz O. Wehmann (1 star, 2 toques); Christoph Rüffer (2 stars, 3 toques); Ali Güngörmüs (1 star, 2 toques)
http://www.latecruisenews.com/2013/1...ven-new-names/
new europa 2 gets five star plus along with europa
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Feb 24, 2014 at 3:49 am
Feb 24, 2014, 5:11 am
#25
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: BNE/FRA
Posts: 720
I can't really compare to Seabourn or Silversea since I have only sailed Hapag Lloyd (Europa and Hanseatic).
The food is really good though (unless it's Asian which is fairly lackluster).
Dieter Müller is a dream. I don't think he was actually on board for my last three cruises (but will be on the next) but the food was divine every time.
The food is really good though (unless it's Asian which is fairly lackluster).
Dieter Müller is a dream. I don't think he was actually on board for my last three cruises (but will be on the next) but the food was divine every time.
Feb 24, 2014, 10:15 pm
#27
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: LHR / IAD
Programs: BA/AA/UA
Posts: 2,955
What's the better car, BMW or Mercedes?
Neither SS nor Seabourn spend enough time in port imho.
Azamara has led the effort toward more late-night and overnight stays but they're all too oriented toward getting to the next port at 7am.
Really ruins cruising for me
Azamara has led the effort toward more late-night and overnight stays but they're all too oriented toward getting to the next port at 7am.
Really ruins cruising for me
Feb 24, 2014, 11:48 pm
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
you would like residensea's port time. not sure how booking works now.
Feb 25, 2014, 8:14 am
#29
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: BNE/FRA
Posts: 720
Actually the Laksa they had for lunch once was amazing but the Asian night at Lido can be skipped. They switched cooks though and supposedly the Asian food is now better.
Officially, you can make one reservation at Dieter Mueller. We never tried it but were told you can go more than once if they are not full.
Officially, you can make one reservation at Dieter Mueller. We never tried it but were told you can go more than once if they are not full.
Jun 6, 2014, 7:54 pm
#30
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 39
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.