Mercedes-class cruises

My wife, Sandra, and I were fortunate to experience two great cruises in 2005: one on Seabourn Cruise Line’s Seabourn Pride from Fort Lauderdale to Istanbul, March 15-May 6 (Category B3 suite at $17,394 per person), and the other one on Radisson (Regent) Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Mariner from Vancouver to Hong Kong, Sept. 7-Oct. 10 (Category G suite at $11,456 each). Both cruises were booked via Sharon Whiting at Cruise Specialists (Seattle, WA; 800/544-2469 or www.csiseattle.com).

The itineraries of both cruises were outstanding. The purpose of this article is to present a comparative overview of the two ships, including their physical differences as well as their cultural ones. Of course, it’s like comparing two classy Mercedes automobiles of different models.

Seabourn Pride would be the sports car, 1988 model. This sleek yacht cruises at 16 knots and carries 208 passengers and a crew of 160, including (usually) Norwegian officers, all of whom spend a great deal of time with their cruising guests. The Standard suite measures 277 square feet, with larger Owner and Classic suites available. Our B3 suite had double sliding doors and a step-out balcony.

In comparison, the Seven Seas Mariner is more the sedan, 2001 model. It cruises at 20 knots, can accommodate up to 700 guests and has a friendly cadre of multinational officers and support staff, such as a concierge and public relations crew. Deluxe suites are each 252 square feet plus a 49-square-foot balcony. Larger suites are available in significant numbers.

The ship has a great deal of square footage per person and feels very roomy. We had rough seas on the Mariner, but the ship held its own. (We have been spared that experience on the smaller Seabourn ships.)

Both ships have all of the expected amenities, including lounges, casinos, overpriced boutiques and spas, excursion offices offering pricey side trips, invited lecturers and evening entertainment (with the Mariner’s productions presented on a scale of grandeur).

The fitness center on the Mariner is roomy, with numerous up-to-date machines and a large area for classes. The centers on Seabourn Pride are small but adequate, unless you are as tall as I am, which means you hit your head on the ceiling while using the treadmill.

But fitness buffs aboard the Pride have the opportunity to participate in watersports from the deck which can be lowered to the water’s surface in appropriate ports of call. In addition, the smaller Seabourn yachts can maneuver into small tributaries, helping guests avoid long bus rides for excursions as we were able to do by docking in Seville as opposed to Cádiz, Spain.

In our opinion, the food, as well as beverage services, on both ships was outstanding. The Mariner has large public areas, many of them offering coffee, pastries and fruit throughout the day, but one never goes hungry on either ship, with room service available all day. The most significant difference is that on the Pride there is an open bar 24/7, while on the Mariner complimentary wines are served only with dinner. The wine selections on both ships are excellent.

As a special treat on the Pride, we enjoyed going shopping with the chef for provisions in Sicily. On the Mariner, they offered a Cordon Bleu cooking school. My wife is sorry she missed out on that opportunity. Chefs on both ships were always amenable to preparing special orders. Servers were always gracious with unusual requests and worked very hard to make passengers feel special.

On both ships, my wife’s penchant for chocolate-dipped nuts (and strawberries) was well satisfied. She was continuously impressed at the ability of staff members to find her regardless of where we were dining.

On the Seabourn ships, we never hear the word “No” to any request, regardless of how audacious it might be. For example, on a cruise on the Pride around South America, four of us asked to have our dinner served outside at the Skybar. Sure enough, we had a formally set table with each course served as though we were in the dining room. . . but under a full moon!

The Mariner ranks high in this area also. It just took us longer to start making the requests. Crew members are trained to please on both ships, and they do an excellent job.

Both wait staffs are well trained, with the Pride’s staff being mostly European and the Mariner’s being multinational with an emphasis on the Philippines. We found it interesting that the Pride’s staff members were required to know our names within two days of our boarding. That touch really makes passengers feel special.

Boarding procedures on both ships were exemplary, which we would expect of the 208-passenger Pride and at which we marveled aboard the 700-passenger Mariner.

Initial cabin service was better on the Pride, with Molton Brown lagniappes and very personable stewardesses who greeted us with champagne when we embarked. Language was a bit of a problem on the lower decks of the Mariner, and we did not meet our cabin stewardess until day two, though her work was above reproach.

On the Seabourn yachts, we love the gratis 10-minute massages on deck and the frequent visits of crew members offering cool towels, cool drinks and water spritzers on hot days. We also enjoy the opportunity to interact and have meals with the officers and multitalented cruise staff, and we enjoy the charm of the European staff. Also, the Exclusively Seabourn gratis excursions are always superb.

But the Mariner is no slacker, by any means. Remember, it is 3_ times larger than the Mercedes Sports model. Well, in Beijing, as a special treat, the Mariner sponsored an overnight land tour for all 600-plus passengers, including complimentary hotel lodging and meals. Passengers were split into two groups, and ours stayed at one of the most outstanding hotels that Sandra and I have ever visited, the China World Hotel.

And, since four of us had already seen the major sights in Beijing, we were provided a chauffeured and guided tour by private car to go to alternate sites. That was first-class treatment!

We have experienced almost 300 days’ cruising on ships of the Seabourn fleet (of which 14 days were gratis after accumulating 140 paid days) and 37 days on Radisson ships. Now we can choose between two great lines with outstanding ships. What a great problem to have!

Daytona Beach, FL