My Seabourn experience was first on the Spirit from Bali to Singapore in 1998 and then on a Sea Goddess ship (now Seadream) to the Turquoise Coast in 2000. I'll just comment on the Spirit.

The Cruise to Indonesia/Malaysia was just an amazing itinerary with onboard lecturer/host Lawrence Blair who spent 10 years in the 60's on a journey with his brother through remote islands and exotic cultures. Their journeys are documented in a book "Ring of Fire" and also in a documentary (available on video).

The shore excursions were all included - they don't still do that - including river rafting on Bali, visiting Komodo Island & seeing a few dragons, attending a Torajaland funeral on Sulawesi where we arrived carrying a live pig, visiting an orangatan rehab center on Borneo and on and on. Just fabulous. Very port intensive and a truly unique journey.

I was most impressed that on the first morning virtually every staff member we encountered, even just passing in the halls, greeted us by name.

I agree that the absence of verandahs is about the only negative. We are booked on a December cruise to Thailand and Burma and are trying a french balcony suite - but I doubt it's worth the extra $$. Since we are past passengers it is a 2 for 1 so I'm justifying it that way ;)

Looking forward to trying Radisson on ROAR, if not before.

Leslie