cabosal

We understand what Barbados and Sea Dream wants us to do. Our problem is they  want us to have covid test 24-72 hours before we board the boat.

Problem is we have to leave at least 48 hours before ship time,  so that means we have to get test before we leave our home town and get results which we find takes 1-2 days , so it leaves no time for us to do test , fly to Barbados, , we have to stay over night on Friday in Charlotte , so we can get AM flight to get to, boarding . Flight doesn't arrive until 3 pm on Saturday

Anybody can give us clue on getting test and get to boat and still have test results valid so we can board Sea Dream

THANK YOU

22 hours ago, Naveron said:

Still waiting for my refund after 75 days...

I guess to get a prompt REFUND you have to be in and/or from Norway.

Yes, after all the hoopla regarding the new ship; it's many amenities (planes, helicopters), destinations, cruise lengths and costs, etc., to just up and cancel the ship with, apparently, only an anticlimactic "oh well" from SD, does seem curious and/or suspicious (even for SD).    

Just wondering what, if any, compensation was offered to those who had booked a Cuba trip? Looks like SDI is doing the usual Caribbean route as replacement.  I'd hope that those booked for Cuba were offered a "good deal" at least.

We had booked an earlier than desired B2B on SDI only because we did NOT want to go to Cuba. Now we will probably change to a later week, thereby losing our on-board discount for week 1.     

I know you've already booked SDI but I'll still give my 2 cents worth... We've been to all the places you mentioned so do have some insight.

Saba is a straight up mountain.  Really interesting tour regarding the history and road construction, airport, lace making, etc.  NO beaches here and SD often can't get in due to water conditions. 

Anguilla is gorgeous with the most beautiful, uncrowded beaches, many great beach bars (Elvis', Ray's,) restaurants (Straw Hat), and super pricey resorts (Cap Juluca, Four Seasons, Quisinart, Zemi). Definitely a favorite place and I always wish SD would stay here longer. (I'm so sick of St. Bart's).

Soper's Hole in Tortola was pretty devastated by the hurricanes and I don't know if it's back yet.  SD did an off-road vehicle type tour which was rough but gorgeous.  Stopped at a lovely beach (Brewers maybe?) for swimming and drinks and the views were spectacular. Loved this tour and have done it twice (with same driver, too). Other than that Soper's is a marina with shops and a Pusser's Rum bar that is fun for people watching.

Nevis has a very historic Caribbean town that you will land at and be inundated with taxi drivers.  The tour of Nevis was very informative and worth the time if you like to get an island perspective.  We usually just grab one of the cabs and head  to Sunshine's Bar.  There you will find only beach bars (5 or 6 and a nice beach). Sunshine's is the most famous (Or infamous? Get a Killer Bee here), but Lime and Turtle Time are great, too and less crowded.  Great fish at both of these and Lime has an owner who plays Sinatra music.  When we went last year SD arranged a tour bus to take people here (free).

We only go on SDI and only to the Caribbean, so maybe we'll see you there. (We are currently trying to decide on whether we should cancel our current booking , a B2B in early 2020, and pick up one of the latter weeks opened up by the Cuba cancellation.)        

I agree that both boats are probably physically the same and only the crew and itinerary makes the difference.  We have only been on SDI so I guess I can't compare ships.  However, we have been on SDI 11 times, only in the Caribbean, so I guess that says something about our priority... As a newbie you will be happy with either. 

We only do the Caribbean cruises (yearly) so I am wondering what this "global cruise" IS and how it might effect our itineraries? Does it have anything to do with these B2B, European extended cruises that SD started touting in February (4 in 2019, 20 in 2020)? 

(I also heard that SD3 (if materialized) would possibly be for charter groups.)    

Thanks Trapper for the info on Doramus.  We've missed him so much and now it looks like we will see him on our upcoming January 26th B2B.  Yipee!!! 

We got off the ship on Saturday, and I'm still trying to catch up on things, but will be doing a more detailed review in a couple of days. In the meantime, I wanted to say that both yachts were in Corsica on Thursday, and Zimmy and I went to have lunch on SDI. We were thrilled to find that Doramas was aboard. It was his first week back, and we had a wonderful reunion.

 

 

 

 

 

SDII looked good and I noticed something new. There are now two USB ports by the electric outlets. More later.

So HAPPY to hear that Doramus is back! Hope he will be on our Caribbean cruise in January. We've missed him.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Does anyone have any info on what happened? Nichola was always such a joy and full of life. We missed him when he went to SDII , but learned to love Tomaslav as well. So sorry for his wife and baby.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I have occasionally requested other wines than those offered at dinner and have never been charged. My husband has also never been charged for the Courvoisier stingers that he likes, Skye or Ketal One vodkas. We have done 10 SD cruises and never been charged for liquors ever. (Don't know if being such dedicated SeaDreamers as we are helps.)

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

As I recall, there were satisfactory wine options available-more than just one red and white option. A wine list was presented at meal times. Beyond the presentation of the wine list, there was never an attempt to up sell. The sommelier was always available to advise, suggest parings from the wines included in the fare. If you wanted to try a bottle of one of the premium labels, he was quite knowledgeable. Yes-the 1L bottle of scotch(Glenlivet 12yo) was purchased on board and was reserved for my wife. It was just right for our 7 day cruise. The savings were not huge, maybe 15% over single order pricing. However, since we're both scotch drinkers, we felt we couldn't go wrong saving a few bucks. But the real benefit was no matter where we were on board, the staff always anticipated her order-always at the ready. Nice touch!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Would anyone have any pictures of menus they experienced on the SD and also a bar menu/wine list?

What dates in March are you thinking of? This sounds like a group I wouldn't want to miss!![emoji56]

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We, too, are doing our first B to B next year on SDI and will be interested to hear your responses.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[i don’t know if anyone is reading this, but I’ll keep posting nonetheless.]

 

 

 

Yesterday started out cloudy and went downhill from there. As the day progressed the temperature dropped, the wind picked up and the swell increased. By lunch it was a bit chilly. The Deck BBQ was supposed to be last night but due to the weather conditions they decided to move it indoors. They cleverly improvised and made it a “Market” type event: guests wandered through the Galley and the food was set up like you would find in an open air market. Lots of fun. One of the ship’s entertainers sang and after they had line dancing in which the crew participated, adding to the festivities. The dancing continued in the Compass Rose.

 

 

 

After the warnings for potentially rough seas which didn’t materialize we awoke to sunny skies and cooler temperatures. On deck it’s lovely and we’re sure as the day progresses it will only improve.

Keep up the posts. Very informative. Feel like I'm there too. Weather still holding?

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

All the lines you mention cross the Southern Atlantic which if far calmer and warmer than the Northern Atlantic, the area ocean liners traditionally crossed in the good old days. Therefore it shouldn't be much of a problem, I have done many crossings on Seabourn and Silversea and rarely had a problem. Sure, once in a while you'll encounter a rougher day but that can happen on any cruise.

If you go to the Windstar forum there is a current TA posting from someone onboard (I think it's) Star Pride. He is giving daily info on the crossing that is pretty informative. Wish someone on SD would do same.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Tiki, are you doing a back-to-back? We are booked for one next year. Do you recommend?

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

You are absolutely right, Mrs. Tiki. Bon voyage.

Exactly right, Tiki's. Have a fabulous time!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Good afternoon everyone - not long now so please forgive the questions ;)

 

Anyone have a suggestion for St Barts post hurricane ? Our day on St Barts is my birthday so looking for beach (possibly) with a nice lunch (or just a great lunch restaurant suggestion)

 

I have only been twice before but both times off season and after Irma I am not sure what might be open. I did read (I think) that Cheval Blanc Hotel is open - does anyone know if they allow non guests for the day or is there a better option ?

 

Thank you for any recommendations and for any others recommendations/suggestions you might have for our other ports of call - Jost (don't need recommendations for Jost as I am there often LOL) Nevis, Iles Des Saintes, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Bequia.

On Nevis try and hit Sunshines (Killer Bee) and Lime beach bars for real Caribbean atmosphere. On Bequia walk on down to Whalebone Bar. Hope you have good weather.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Cover-ups are fine for lunch — yoga pants as well, I think. Daytime dress is pretty casual. Nice of you to sk!

 

Vandrefalk

BTW : if you don't want to leave the pool area they are happy to serve you poolside, too. And you can get the lunch menu or the bar menu. No cover up required ( We've done this often. Once started, others will follow).

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Hi Piaa,

 

 

 

As recently as a year ago yoga was offered every morning. Have a great trip!

 

 

 

Cindy

They have yoga every morning in the area off the library. (We were onboard in January).

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Smart, but “immigration” was not the reason given in the report, it was “Regulation and administrative issues” (a useful, non-specific term. If it were immigration, why didn’t the Captain just say that ?)

 

Isn’t the real reason pretty obvious ?

 

Worryingly, there has been a growing list of recent issues and events that casts doubt on some of what we are told by the company and the way it is being run. So, always use a TA.

I guess I'm being dense so please tell me what the"real reason" for the SJ situation was. What with jets flying people to or from Tortola, etc. it sounded pretty chaotic to me.

I agree that SD seems to be having problems recently that can't all be blamed on hurricanes. Our recent 9 day cruise itinerary was changed only days prior to departure, entirely eliminating the BVIs. The only explanation I received was that those islands "weren't ready yet", however previous AND preceding cruises went there.

Also, when checking out 2019 cruises with Gareth some of those we were interested in had new itineraries. We were told to "check the website for accurate info." Apparently if you've booked or already paid for a future trip you'll need to "check the website" to see if your trip has had any changes as SD will not be notifying you. Pretty poor customer service I'd say, especially bad for long time SDreamers.

(I'd like to stress that this criticism applies to management only, as all of the staff and crew on our recent cruise were exemplary, as always).

Note to SD: This problem needs fixing ASAP!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Itinerary changes seem to be handled very poorly by SD. Our January 18th cruise eliminated the BVIs (Jost Van Dyke, Tortola, Norman Island) a few days prior and we only knew of it from CC. No notice by SD. No phone call or email. (And the BVIs were our favorite destinations.)

When we questioned SD personnel we were told that the BVIs "weren't ready yet" ( hurricane damage) however the cruises prior to ours AND following ours went there. Very disappointed in SD for lack of customer concern.

Also, be forewarned:

When we were checking out future cruises with Gareth, the 2019 itineraries had also been changed from those in the brochure, again eliminating some of BVIs. We were told to "check the SD website " for accurate and updated itineraries. I guess that is how we get informed of changes. SD needs to work on customer communication especially those who've already booked .

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I would think that for those who have done the BVI/St. Bart's/St. Martin run a number of times over the years, the revised itinerary would be a nice change of pace.

 

 

 

On the other hand, for those who booked SD this winter specifically to visit the BVI's this would at least at the outset be disappointing, depending of course on how the new itineraries work out. Having visited Salt Island in the BVI once, I am curious to know what in the heck SD had planned for the afternoon visit there. I guess we'll have to wait to find out.

Having specifically picked this cruise for the BVI destinations we are not happy at all. We have been to Il de St too many times and never go in to St Bart's anymore, so, NO, this is not a "nice change of pace". And why the previous and post cruises have/are hitting the BVIs has not been explained by SeaDream at all. Not happy !!![emoji35]

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

This is a Fantastic itinerary for the Caribbean and Sea Dream will not disappoint. They do the Caribbean like others wish they could. The smallness of the ship allows SD to get into ports that many of the larger ships can't. Understand that there will be no bingo playing, no broadway reviews and no cultural lectures. Also, no kids or kids programs. Just quiet nights under the stars, stellar meals, and personal attention second to none. Also, the TOY bar! We are doing our 10th SD cruise, all have been in the Caribbean and each one has been our favorite. Go for it!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums