A Symphony in Bland

We chose this cruise as we have been meaning to try Seaborn for some time and the itinerary offered some different islands, (even more after the changes because of the hurricanes.) We may well go with Seabourn again, for the right itinerary, but we are by no means 100% converted!

We had already notched up over 20 cruises on nine different lines, mostly in the Caribbean and the Med. I can honestly say that we have never had a bad cruise: there have been one or two indifferent experiences, but the majority have been good, and a few, truly great. For us the difference between a good cruise and a great one is the buzz or energy aboard when everything “gels”. Unfortunately, this was lacking on the Odyssey.

To give Seabourn credit, there are some things they do exceptionally well and we appreciated these - but as we read in other reviews, there are gaps.

The pre- and post- cruise arrangements were almost faultless, but the welcome aboard was non-existent.

The cabin/stateroom/suite was about 50 % larger than we are used to, but the engine noise. vibration and “rocking and rolling” was much more marked than on the larger ships.

The service was mostly excellent, but there were exceptions – for example, no crew members on the pier to assist guests with mobility problems board or leave the ship.

The food was good but not outstanding and the choice of dining venues quite limited for most of the week. No meal or dish stands out as having been exceptional.

We liked the sense of space around the pool, but the ship was very quiet while in port with virtually no music or activities.

We were certainly not looking for party central, but the whole atmosphere aboard seemed muted, the incidental music very samey and middle of the road, and a feeling that Seabourn took pains to keep everything, from the décor to the general ambience, very low key. Bland is the best word to sum it up. (Reminiscent of my father’s golf club in the 1970s.)

We have asked ourselves, If Seabourn and Celebrity were to offer a similar itinerary at a similar total cost, which would we choose? Sorry, Seabourn, it wouldn’t be you!