loving life

Hi Folks,

Can someone confirm if in fact Seadream I and II both now have true High Speed Internet?  Log on, Send, Receive, with Ease??

Thanks

Well folks my trip was a total bust.  We had one very nice night at the Brazilian Court in Palm Beach and then worked through all the Covid protocols to get on board the following day, but did so with a full blown gallbladder attack that lasted 18 hours.  We had to get off less than 24 hours later in Nassau, have a brief shore excursion to the local hospital and then fly back to Canada for ERCP and gallbladder removal surgery.

Two years of waiting, dreaming of Bahamian Cays, Covid baloney, and then this.   Sigh... I spent a full week, fully recovered, sitting at my desk thinking about my newly renovated cabin, floating empty without us.  I kind of still can't believe it.  The good news is we're packing our bags, and heading to the Turks on Saturday.    Til next time Seadream...   

11 hours ago, Zimmy said:

We think that because the charter just prior to our cruise infected a lot of people. I heard that there were about 16 who tested positive during the cruise, and they infected a lot of the staff. That is why the spa was closed - the spa ladies had covid. 

While we were in St. Thomas prior to the cruise Trapper checked to see where the ship was, and discovered that it had already returned to St Thomas on Thursday or Friday when it was not supposed to return there until Sunday or Monday. That is when we began to suspect trouble. The cruise returned to St Thomas early, I assume because of the Covid situation.

Ah, yikes, makes sense!  The sooner it goes through the team the better, not that getting covid is good, but the omicron strain is clearly as highly transmissible as any cold virus, and nowhere near as virulent.  I feel it would be too great a risk to travel without having had it yet as it's a 50/50 chance in my mind.  Now, having had it 3 weeks ago it will be almost impossible to get it again next week and we aren't contagious, so it's the best case scenario for us and the boat... for now.  We are totally ready to go with the flow and know that extreme flexibility is the best approach.  Bahamas is way more appealing than Toronto in January, so bring it on!!  We booked this one 2 years ago and had to cancel our first Med, and last January so it felt simply too tragic to cancel #3.   

1 hour ago, TrapperZimmy said:

I am aware that there were a couple of positive tests on the second leg, as well.  It is my understanding that they quarantined, just as the couple on the first leg did.  I have no basis for thinking they were put off the ship before Palm Beach, where everyone disembarked because the yacht is now on a charter.  I only hope this week's charter doesn't ruin it for next week's cruise.

Trapper, why do you think the charter could ruin next weeks cruise?  I ask because I am on it.   Wouldn't they disembark in WPB regardless of their Covid Status, and have to quarantine on land instead?  Omicron is a total crap shoot, and if you haven't had it yet, you technically can have no idea if and when you're going to get it.  I think we would have cancelled had we not got it 3 weeks ago... Now we have awesome antibodies, so we can't get it and won't spread it!  Best case scenario for us and our fellow passengers.   

12 hours ago, Analog187 said:

I guess what I'm trying to ask is how does the boat movement compare to a regular cruise ship in normal conditions.  Her concern is that smaller boat = more movement.  

 

As a boater my whole life, that makes sense to me but I  also know that most itineraries including the one I'm looking at involves island hopping and the waves aren't as bad closer to land.  

 

So I'm looking for an average to see if this makes sense for us.  I'm dying to go but don't want her to have a bad time 

OK, then I am not the best replier as I have only every sailed Seadream, for the last 17 years.  I was on Royal Caribbean once in 2006 and out in open rough water that tossed us around one afternoon, and I never experienced anything like that on Seadream.  Most of the time you are incredibly protected, rarely in open water and actually rarely "cruising".  We do go "out and in" through the night and it generally feels like a hammock sway. 

Loll... I laugh because I would have said No, we're pretty tough... But with CLIMATE CHANGE, things are changing.  Jan 2020, just before Covid, we were trying to leave San Juan, the yacht that is.  We were eating dinner outside and the yacht could NOT leave on its own accord, the wind was insane, they attempted to leave the pier with a single Tugboat first, then needed an additional one to get us going, from a Protected pier!!!  Soon after we were finished dinner and in open, CHOPPY, water.  I took a pill, but a bit too late and lay there rocking back and forth in bed thinking, "Oh God, please not this amazing dinner"... After about 60 minutes it was face down in the porcelain.  First time for me after 15 cruises, on Seadream, in the Caribbean.  Anyone could get sick, at anytime - no guarantees.  The winds and waves are much different than they were pre CLIMATE CHANGE.  You just have to try.  I don't think it would last either way, even if you did have a rough night.  The Seadream Crew is really good and keeping everyone comfortable, if they can 🙂.  

A lot has happened over the last couple weeks with the new variant.  My husband gave me C for Xmas and we have recovered.  We are both double vaxxed as per Seadream requirements and for ourselves, that didn't do much to prevent it, we recovered easily.  Obstacle #1 is getting a negative PCR test within 24 hours of flying from Canada to the US.  Once recovered there is an extremely high likelihood of testing positive, with this type of test, for months, which we are prepared for, so with the proper documentation - i.e. a Dr's note explaining previous positive illness date and recovery - we should be good to fly.  This remains to be seen...  Obstacle #2 is if we make it to Florida, the following day we will be at the Pier with luggage hoping that we test negative with the Rapid Test (again, hope is all we have), I'd love to be able to try one now, but there is not a Rapid Test left in Canada...  After some comments made on Seadream's Instagram yesterday that SDI had positive cases on board last week, including both passengers and staff, I am left to wonder if and how SDII will be able to continue for the next 10+ days unscathed.  With this incredibly high rate of spread it seems impossible.  Surely they need to have a certain number of staff to operate the ship from both a hospitality and safety perspective.  What number of ill staff tips the ability for us to go?  Will they cancel and postpone our trip or allow us to board and treat us as if we are staying in WPB for 2 weeks?  There are so many unknowns and zero information from SD.  My husband and I are game for any adventure, and we can appreciate the challenges they are dealing with, but the whole thing seems a bit surreal.  How are the rest of you handling it?  Any good recommendations for a place to stay for 2 weeks in Florida?  I have a feeling we will all be standing there wondering what's next.  I wish us all the best and hope it works out, fingers crossed.

On 12/7/2021 at 3:50 PM, cabosal1 said:

Mitch and Ira; Sallie and Rick here.  Sorry we wont be onboard with you this time.  We sail 01/23/22 of SDI out of SXM.  So happy to be back with SD.  Hope you guys are well. 

Hey you guys.  I thought I had replied, we with you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and are sorry we will miss you, but are sure we will see you in the near future!  Love Ira and Mitch

Hi Folks,

As usual I like to jump into the forum a few weeks before our cruise.  Mitch and I will be on our 15th sailing, like many of you, serial repeat offenders.  Our last cruise was 2 weeks in January 2020, with our August 2020 Venice cancelled, and then our 2021 Caribbean also cancelled.  This will be our first cruise in 2 years.    RJM1, I too find the complete cancellation of an itinerary planned, posted and advertised for 3 years, being completely changed for "our benefit" BS.  Something else is up, and we don't get to know, but to date this line has never let me down and I always come back.  I am game for anything they throw at us - it's the Bahamas... I'm in.  The Sandals at Emerald Bay is not a mega hotel as noted, but an older hotel, bought and refurbished by Sandals.  This brand is loved and marketed to many Canadians, my friend Candice is there right now.  Mitch and I have friends that own a house on Exuma, and Canada has always had daily flights direct from Toronto to Exuma - mostly because of Sandals.  Our American family had a much trickier time getting there from Colorado and New Mexico, when we rented their house a few years ago.  The one thing we found on Exuma was that it was a quiet, cottage style island with very few amenities, but some of the nicest beaches in the world.  If you can afford to stay on the island, you must also be able to eat there!  We found that the house rental was a great price, but then quickly realized the cost of food would be more than the rental - lettuce $15 wilted.  Nuts in a jar, $40.  Yup!!  $200 went nowhere.  It's experiences like this that always make me appreciate Seadream and what they do for my dollar.   We found out today that the US will now require a negative Covid test, in addition to our vaccines.  We are of course flying to Florida so to ensure we are negative, I have a strict self-isolation rule for myself and Mitch from New Year's Day on...   Well we see, things are changing daily... maybe none of us will be going....    Look forward to seeing you all soon...  Ira and Mitch 

What a fabulous itinerary with the bonus extra day!  We will be on  SD1 Jan 11-24 keeping a good eye on it for you.  Pre-hurricane we spent a day at Cheval Blanc, chairs and lunch, on St. Barth's to switch it up from the usual St. Jean or Shell Beach. https://www.chevalblanc.com/en/maison/st-barth-isle-de-france/  I would recommend, but don't know how it looks after the fix up.  When we do excursions we enjoy going with other Seadreamers as it is like fancy camp and way more fun together.  You get to know people better and share in the same experience, however a cab works too!

I will be on Seadream I this time next Saturday, for 2 weeks.  Absolutely can't wait, and haven't missed a year in over 15.

We are also booked for our first Med in August.  We received notification, a couple weeks ago, that our trip was being cancelled due to a charter, the first time that has happened to us, knowing it could have always been a possibility.  We switched ships, same dates, same embarkation city, but new departure town.  Our flights had been booked and we needed to have those changed.  We were flexible, and Seadream went out of their way to ensure we were satisfied.  The cost for changes was almost immediately wired to us.  I am extremely pleased with how this was handled and do not feel slighted in any way.  We are very much looking forward to our 3 weeks on board in 2020.  Thank-you Seadream and see you soon!

On 1/17/2019 at 4:13 PM, Zimmy said:

Loving Life, I looked at your past posts, and it looks like you were on the initial Costa Rica back to back from Barbados. So were we - we must know you! Or at least recognize each other, since we were 14 day on the same small ship. 

 

 

Yes, with a busted engine 🙂

On 1/8/2019 at 10:45 PM, loving life said:

Where are the posts on the Cuba cruises?  Any of you Americans up for it?  Don't want to sail alone 😞

OK Zimmy , see you there.  I wanted to do both weeks and originally booked both when they said they were 7 days each, but then found out 9 and 7 and the husband said "Do you want me to get fired"...  so we are just doing Cuba.  This will be a first where the Canadian Dollar is King.  We can change them with ease, without paying 10% because we're American.  We leave on the 30th to Havana, staying at the Kempinski until the 4th.  Air Canada has the strangest flights, and only 1 option... Fly 9pm arrive midnight, leave 7am arrive Toronto 10am???  Anyhow, super excited, jealous you get to do both.  Enjoy!  See you soon.

Where are the posts on the Cuba cruises?  Any of you Americans up for it?  Don't want to sail alone 😞

Hi! Mitch and I will be joining you from Toronto. We are ready to go! I came down with a cold New Year's Eve and it has pretty much knocked me out since then. I am just sitting here trying to decide if I'm feeling better, but don't want to get ahead of myself. If anything I'm hoping the sun will chase the last of my potential lingering cough away on the the first 4 days we spend on Antigua. I plan to be good as new on the 18th and refuse to pack Neo Citran, Tylenol Cold and Kleenex softened with Aloe!

What I envision instead is a warm breeze, the setting sun and a cool glass of champagne in hand. This last 3 weeks has been a relentless blast of a Canadian Winter we haven't seen for several years. Tonight I'm wearing an old wool sweater knit by family back in the 80's, these things never get old when it's -25 out! We will be at CocoBay before the cruise. See you soon!

Can't wait to be going to Cuba and enjoying being Canadian today for more than just this Cuba trip! :D

Several years ago I bought a house. I thought it was just the nicest thing ever. I was so proud of my "little castle". Then, some time after, I was invited to a 45 million dollar summer cottage on Lake Rosseau. Every possible surface was finished, even the ceilings had Siberian Birch Bark. When I got back to my beautiful house, I could not believe how plain, bland and incredibly poor it appeared. My God, you could see drywall, albeit it was painted.

OK, so I believe with respect to SD, it is perspective, the ships will appear to you, relative to all the other things you have experienced. My husband and I are not very picky and so are generally easy to please. The first time we were on Seadream I was simply in awe. I have never been on any other luxury ship, and only once ever on a Royal Caribbean ship. In fact, I remember once, on a bathroom break from the pool area, I found myself distracted by the azure blue sparkle in the marble floor forgetting where I was just for a moment.

However, that being said, over the 10 years we have cruised, there have been a couple things that have stood out that I feel could be updated. The cabins' carpets and cabinets have obvious wear, they certainly do not feel fresh and new, and the pool deck feels desperately worn with curved and splintery boards.

There are other areas though that I think are "perfect". The library stands out, the dining room, the lobby, the main salon, the Spa and gym... In fact I love it all but would love to see a brand new pool deck.

The staff on board do a phenomenal job of "putting lipstick on a pig" if that's what the age of these ships suggests. They work tirelessly, always with a smile, polishing, cleaning, running about with buckets, vacuums, cleaning cloths. It is incredible how gracious and hard working the cleaning staff are. Anything that can be attended to, is.

The hot tube has always worked, the water flowed, and the toilets flushed (sometimes you might have to wait 10 minutes for a new CO2 Cartridge). I often wonder how on a ship that size I can take such a long comfortable hot shower, and still have water left for my husband.

Perhaps there are newer fancier vessels abound, and I suspect in my case ignorance is bliss, but one thing is certain, I have had a perfect vacation for the last 10 years and am looking forward to another in 2 weeks time.

fpebbles, what other cruises are you on? Mitch and I are hopping on Seadream II, Jan 17 for 2 blissful weeks. :D

My husband and I have been cruising on Seadream for over 10 years. We are 43. 10 Years ago we were the youngest on board. In all the years we have cruised we have seen very few children. There was once a baby that barely came out of the cabin, another year there was a 3 generation family with 2 teenagers, another year there were 2 twenty-somethings from Brazil, and other years there were complete families with 1 or 2 early 20's. I've only ever seen the young add a little energy and fun, mostly on the water sports platform.

Funny, I was on a cruise once where things got a little out of control with a senior lady travelling alone and we had to stop to have her evicted from the ship... You never can tell who is going to cause the trouble :)

I welcome teens.

Hi CKF, There are a bunch of folks on this thread who will be doing B2B (back to back) Barbados through the Panama Canal, and the first CR, including my husband Mitch and I.

We are coming with our friends Lisa and Andrew and will also be on Deck 2. Mitch and I were trying to remember how many SeaDream trips we've done and we have lost count, about 9 we think. We will be interested to meet you and hear about Azmara, SeaDream will speak for itself the moment you arrive. We're so excited to come that I can't fall asleep at night anymore :) Lot's of work to do before we leave though, so I am trying to stay focused. We we staying overnight at the Fairmont on Friday... ooh and dinner at The Cliff Friday night. It's our 3rd visit to Barbados and happily so because it's a direct flight from Toronto, God Save the Queen! :)

We look forward to meeting you, travel safe.

Ira (pronounced Earah) and Mitch

Hi Folks,

Mitch, Lisa, Andrew and I (Ira) will be boarding Nov.9 Barbados and sticking around until the 23rd.

The Canadians are coming!

See you soon, we are super excited, this is an entirely new destination for all of us!

Ira

I have to say blowing off every other possible vacation on the planet, for over a decade, just to get back on Sea Dream within 12 months!!!