How to be Spoiled |
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Reviewed By: Siegel, Coral Gables on 13th Feb 2009
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| Cruise Line: Seabourn |
Times cruised before: 6-10 |
| Cruise Ship: Seabourn Legend |
Sailed:
December,
2008 |
| Destination: Panama Canal |
Age: 65+ |
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Sailed on Seabourn Legend's Panama, Belize and Costa Rica two week cruise. Flew from Miami to San Juan, Costa Rica. Because it was a late booking, allowed Seabourn to arrange air and ground transport from Miami to the port of Caldera in Costa Rico. While the transportation worked like clockwork, it also cost about 3 times as much as it would of cost if booked independently.
The itinerary was interesting. Starting from Caldera, we visited San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua, Puerto Quepos, Costa Rica, Fuerte Amador, Panama, transitted the Panama Canal, then visited Puerto Moin, Costa Rico (now on the Atlantic side), Isla De Roatan, Hounuras, Hunting Caye, Belize (Seabourn's "private island"), Belize City, and then ended in Fort Lauderdale. With the exception of Fuerte Amador, which is just outside Panama City, you really have to take an excursion at the other ports of call since there is really nothing at the port.
Having sailed previously on various mass market lines, sailing on Seabourn is an entirely different level of luxury cruising. It is like staying at a five star hotel and eating in a five star restaurant each day. It is an all-inclusive ship (no tipping and no charge for drinks, soft or hard). What I really appreciated was the absence of the constant attempt to sell something, whether it be photos (there was no photographer on board), drinks, art, or what have you. Unlike the mass market lines, when you went ashore, the ship provided bottled water without charge.
The ship is small, a max of 208 passengers. But, within the small size was an interesting mix of age, interests, and nationalities, making it easy to make friends and enjoy the ambiance of the ship. This is not a 3000 passenger ship, so activities and entertainment is limited, but surprisingly good. There was a lecturer who provided interesting information about the various countries and ports we were visiting. The entertainment included the Cruise Director and Assistant Cruise Director who doubled as vocalists, several other singers and musicians, as well as a classical pianist and a comedienne-magician.
The ship is small. So, if the sea is rough, and it was one day, some will find the conditions uncomfortable.
The level of service can be overwhelming. But, if you just want to curl up in a lounge chair and read a book, nobody will bother you.
Seabourn is expensive. If its within your budget, I would certainly recommend it to anybody.
17 Wednesday AT SEA Arrive:
18 Thursday AT SEA Arrive:
19 Friday FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA
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| Quality of Food |  |
| Breakfast and lunch in the alternative restaurant, a semi-buffet (some items on the buffet, many more to order, with waiters bringing everything to your table.
Dinner generally in the main dining room.
Beside an extensive menu, with a little advance notice, you could basically have anything you wanted. | | Entertainment |  |
| Given the small size of the ship, the entertainment qualified as very good. The two outside entertainers were truly excellent. While the singers will not be on Broadway, they were good and were fun. | | Shore Excursions | |
| The Gamboa Resort Monkey Island trip out of Fuerte Amador was my least favorite trip, primarily because it was too rushed -- and much too expensive for its content. The Manuel Antonio National Park and Beach Break excursion out of Puerto Quepos would have been a great trip if it were two hours longer. As it was, there really wasn;t time to see the Park's wildlife and also take advantage of the beach.
The best trip we took was to MOMBACHO VOLCANO AND COLONIAL GRANADA. It was an all day trip, which allowed time to see both the volcano and the historic city of Granada. | | Staff | |
| If you have complaints about the staff, I think it is your fault. | | Children's Facilities | n/a |
| The ship has no childrens' facilities. | | Onboard Activities | |
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| | Overall Rating | |
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