Sphynxie

I am so sorry that daring option did not transpire. I would love at least to jump into the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, merely because I may not have that chance again. I am sure our crossing will include further rehab after emerging from drydock; so the swim also may not be possible. Flippers crossed that it will happen!

How perfect that sounds right now!  The splash stop is not listed on our crossing itinerary. To compensate, I would love to convince our captain to anchor for a time at St. Barth, my childhood stomping grounds I miss so much; but I realize I’m asking for a lot. 

Were you able to swim in the middle of the Atlantic on your journey?

Thank you very much!  It is far easier to pack warm weather clothing in my limited luggage than items to keep me warm.   Although I run warmer than the average individual, I have wondered about the cooler moist sea breeze.  I shall bring aboard my Kindle, along with my gregarious nature, and now I plan to enjoy the respite from the constant daily outside interference of the internet, emails, and texts.  May you settle back into real life with ease....

Welcome back, floridaag!  I’m so happy it went well for you and you were able to dine outdoors so often.  I am excited to be sailing the next crossing on SDI November 18th from Lisbon and have been wondering how your adventure went. Do you have any advice for a transatlantic journey as opposed to a more excursion-filled cruise?  Anything you would have done or packed differently?

I perked up each time my email inbox alerted me to another possible installment of your freighter trip. What fun it has been to read. Thank you for both the excellent descriptions & photos. I wish you many more adventures in the future!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I hope you find your 15-foot waves! [emoji3] I’m still enjoying every day of your journey across the Atlantic. Thank you for posting each segment.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

You have decreased my trepidation of traveling solo on such a couples-friendly small ship, mcpepe! I love people but sometimes I also need some quiet time. Thank you!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Crew setting up wooden platforms to chip paint and prime the container stacking guides. Crew was using pneumatic hammers and hand-held hammers to chip paint.

 

 

 

Thanks for adding all the details. I feel as if I am there with you!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Great photos! Thank you for continuing to post the details. I truly enjoy reading them.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I inquired about dry dock and the only information I was able to elicit was “general maintenance & repairs”. I can report what I find after boarding on 11/18; however I’d love to know any details if anyone has more specifics.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Thank you, BeignetBoy! You have convinced me to keep cabin 211. Traveling solo, I occasionally have my escape-to-solitude moments during the day; but there should not be much commotion on a ship with so few passengers aboard. Thanks again!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

If SeaDream reads these posts, I truly hope USB ports are included in the drydock scheduled for November of this year on SeaDream I. This is great news, TrapperZimmy! I cannot wait to hear the rest of your adventure.

Does anyone have a preference for a stateroom on a certain side of the ship and why? It will be the November crossing and I'll be on Deck 2 of SeaDream I, headed from Europe to the Caribbean. I figure the port(hole)s do not open; so I am wondering if the port side of the ship gets warmer than the starboard side, because of the SW to SE position of the sun at that time. I'm never cold but I certainly can get too warm.

Presently, I am booked in 211, but 216 opened up and I was wondering if anyone likes the port side better. I love the motion of the ocean and am halfway tempted to ask for a room change, with 216 being a bit farther forward.

We only will have one stop along the way, so docking side of the ship may not be an issue for me.

Thank you!

McPepe, I am so happy to hear about the good, warm weather & especially your inclination to rewear outfits at dinner. Forced to carry only one small piece of luggage, I’ve decided I will do the same thing. So be it. Deep down, I realize no one will notice or care.

And I apologize to my fellow passengers for hoping it’ll be a bit rocky for the November crossing. It’s always smooth as glass when I step foot on an oceangoing vessel; and I certainly enjoy the sensation of the sea in any more apparent form.

I hope you & Beignet Boy rediscover one another soon!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Thank you for the B&B recommendation, BeignetBoy! It looks so beautiful! Traveling solo this time, I have decided to simplify my few days in Lisbon. I find an inexpensive pension/pensao-type place that offers a free breakfast surpasses any luxury when I venture somewhere alone. This way, I can share that first meal of the day with other folks and I somehow feel less alone in a strange land.

Plus, I've decided to spend my saved pennies on a quick roundtrip flight to St. Barth once we disembark in Marigot, St. Martin. Long before the paparazzi arrived, I was fortunate to savor many vacations there as a child with my parents; and I would love to see the rebuilding project after last September's Hurricane Irma nearly decimated my paradise. Of course, I'd rather stay on Seadream, since I believe St. Barth is the first island stop after I leave the ship. Someday....:)

For now, I shall dream of the sound of water splashing me to deep sleep come November. Thanks again for all the great tips and information. If you think of any other insights, please let me know!(y)

:') It's the opposite situation over here: my whippet-shaped husband can fill a backpack and spend the entire two-week trip wearing a different set of clothes each day that never seem to arrive wrinkled. I am so envious. It must be the shoes. He only needs one or two pairs of them and I require far more...along with all the hair appliances, cosmetics/toiletries, etc. :o

And, like you often do, I get to the embarkation point (Lisbon) three days early, before boarding for the 13 nights. Fingers crossed for warmer November weather to fit all these items in my one bag(yn). However, I also plan to place my small purse in another (gym-type) bag and continue filling that one, too. It should all work.

I read I may be able to hear the water sloshing against the ship from my deck 2 cabin? I hope it's true! Sleep is always so perfect when I can hear the sounds of the ocean.

Thanks for making me chuckle, BeignetBoy

I definitely will stop at Whole Foods soon, then. Thank you very much, knotheadusc! Yum!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

knotheadusc, would it be possible to obtain the name of that farm, if Cruise Critic permits such things? The grits I find here in the Pacific NW just aren’t the same consistency & flavor as I also once enjoyed in South Carolina.

I apologize for going off topic.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I no longer live in the South and I am quite excited about the possibility of grits on board. Amazing! I am learning so much from all your information. Thank you!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Thank you very much, BeignetBoy! I heard autumn crossings may enjoy higher temperatures & calmer waters than spring trips, due to the ocean warming throughout summertime. I hope that is the case, but I will not be banking on it. Your excellent words have helped me to realize I should expand my vision of the cooler weather section of that small bag.

It's good to know others may be in the same carry-on boat & the (semi-in)formality does not change per what I've read about SeaDream evenings. I keep awakening from nightmarish dreams about showing up for dinner on the ship wearing very casual items, which is far out of character for me. Last Tuesday, I vowed to show up to the neighborhood picnic in something less elaborate this time and left the house wearing a summer dress and heels. Aaugh! :rolleyes: However, at the end, I declined neighbors' invitations to drive me & ran all the way home, feeling ridculous yet unencumbered by the potluck items I brought to the park. Heels schmeels. I'm going to try to avoid heels on anything maritime, though. I'll try...:)

I very much envy all the luggage you get to bring! If only my husband would place his two feet on a boat, we could do the same. Once on board, I'll realize everyone is human and kind, as they always are, and I will be fine. I can be quite the clotheshorse and today I feel a bit mortified by the thought of repeating any outfits; although I applaud other people who pack lightly and then admire them wearing the same thing throughout a journey. Obviously, I need to apply this thinking to myself. As you mentioned, I am certain to make use of both my tiny sink and the laundry services.

Thanks again and enjoy your crossing in October!

Please add Day 8 when you have a moment. Our small port receives two ships per week and I stare out my windows, wondering what life is like on board. I truly am enjoying your writing!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Has anyone who has taken a TA on SeaDream noticed whether people dress more casually or more formally at night than on sailings with multi-port stops? With only a carry-on for my future crossing, I need to fill it as efficiently as possible.

Also, what percentage of your luggage is packed for cooler weather on these trips? After all, SD is structured to enjoy the outdoors.

It will be the 13-night November 18th, 2018 Lisbon to St. Martin leg, stopping for one day in the Canary Islands. I’m not a person who feels the cold as much as most folks; but I also do not want to bring only warm-weather clothing if it will be quite cool at night or even during the day with the sea breezes.

I appreciate any tips or what-I-will-do-differently-next-time thoughts and I am excited to embark on this adventure in a few months.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

This is wonderful reporting! Please continue....

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Then we will not meet. But we will do our best to share our experiences when we return so that you will be able to see what is in store for you. I am assuming that we will have no phone/text/internet while in Cuba.

Hi Zimmy,

When I visit countries with Internet/email censorship issues, I use a VPN app to get around any issues. It works very well. The app I use begins with the word ‘Express’ and it performs best when choosing the routing through Los Angeles. Please let me know if you need any help setting it up or have any questions.

Btw, your TrapperZ’s kind words answering my questions regarding solo travel on SeaDream compelled me to take the leap and book a cabin on the November 2018 TA. Please convey my gratitude. I’m excited to enjoy the open seas, no matter the amount of continued renovations straight out of dry dock. I figure as long as I am on the water, eating good food, and able to be outdoors, I’m pretty easy to please.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Oh good! That is so funny, Vandrefalk! I think if I was held up at needlepoint ;), I would need some very patient folks around me to create something nice. I only have the genes to appreciate artistic endeavors.

Thank you for your kind words that are helping me get underway to determine my flights and book the crossing.

Cheers!