SLSD

Good news. We also applaud Seabourn's decision to open The Restaurant for lunch everyday--whether it is a sea or port day. We enjoyed this on our recent June cruise on Ovation and it made all the difference for me. We also enjoyed a printed Herald and printed menus for each dining venue each day. I DID use the Seabourn Source App as well to complement the printed material. I applaud new dinner recipes being rolled out for The Restaurant. I think who the executive chef is on any particular voyage DOES make a difference as well. I am especially excited about the idea of upgraded excursions. I am sure they will come with upgraded pricing as well. I think it is time for more innovative and "special" experiences for those who prefer the ease of Seabourn planned excursions. I also have enjoyed the officer and guest lists in the past. Of course this is voluntary for guests and anyone can choose not to be included. The fancy soaps are not that important to me--but I know they are to others--just as opening The Restaurant is important to me.

We would be happy to explore, but there are some elderly cruisers that this would not work for. I do understand that times are given to make the boarding process run more smoothly.

I didn't realize that they no longer have goose down pillows. I think many people are allergic to down, so it is probably easier to have synthetic pillows. The pillows on our recent cruise were perfect for us--and I loved having six of them.

The Herald is back in print and we had a fluffy bath mat. I have to say that I found the Seabourn Ap easy to use. But, I did notice, that no one is asked to show their "ticket" on the Ap for excursions. Instead, they have a list of names with suite numbers and check you off the list.

I agree with you on everything here.

Yes, and she told this story for years afterwards. She was a sweetheart and a very good lawyer.

What a great description of our recent trip! Mr. SLSD also agrees that the North Cape was a highlight of the itinerary. This surprised both of us--that special feeling we had being at that location. A close second for me was sailing into the North Fjord beginning at 3am. Truly memorable. I enjoyed reading on your blog about your trip to Berlin prior to the cruise. It was fun meeting you and Herb and yes, the service at our dinner at the TK Grill was intrusive. Like you though, we travel to see stuff--and we saw it on this cruise!

We actually live in that area so I know exactly what you are talking about. We moved to Dallas in the summer of 1986. I remember one story. My husband's law firm was having a summer party to entertain summer law clerks from the law schools. The printed invitation said dress would be casual. We experienced Dallasites knew that casual (back then) meant heels and pretty summer dresses. One of the young women clerks arrived in blue jeans and a t-shirt--typical casual dress for a college student. I remember her telling this story over and over again and how embarrassed she was. Times HAVE changed and I wager that at this summer's parties for law students, casual dress DOES mean jeans and (nice) t-shirts.

Love the knee socks...

Mr. SLSD and I packed in carry ons totally conforming with the specifications of SAS airlines--some of the smallest dimensions in the industry. We arrived early at the port as our transportation had been pre-arranged by others and could not be changed by us. Perhaps it was the only time transport could be arranged. I have read that taxis were in short supply on embarkation day in some areas. We would have waited for our time if asked to do so at the terminal. EVERYONE in the terminal was boarded and it was not an issue for anyone. No one was inconvenienced. Arriving later would not have been an issue for us. But sometimes it is an issue for others--if the check out time at their hotel is something like 11am and there they are with a lot of luggage and no where to go. You are welcome to stick with your stated arrival time. I'm sure your embarkation will be equally easy. It probably does depend on the port. I've read that embarking in Vancouver can be a lengthy process.

The irony is that most country clubs are in cities--and in the middle of them at that! I grew up in a fairly small town that had two country clubs. They were actually out from town a bit, but these days are well within the city's limits. There are a few country clubs in rural areas (near very small towns) and their dress code is more casual than the country clubs in the city from what I have observed. In the US, a country club usually includes a golf course, tennis courts, swimming pools, and a couple of restaurant venues and facilities for weddings and large similar gatherings.

Ha! That never occurred to me! They probably wear Hawaiian shirts in Bermuda along with their Bermuda shorts!!

I am familiar with the words. It actually means a person of little substance. No offense taken. About people in rural areas. I was not being critical--just saying that there is a different culture and what smart casual means to someone who lives in the city is often different from what it means to those who live in rural areas. As a case in point, we met people on our recent cruise who were from a rural area and were indeed farmers. They had brought denim jackets on the cruise (Norway) as their warmest layer. They expressed concern about what people would be wearing. They ended up buying down jackets at one of the ports. Smart casual in a rural area is not the same as smart casual in the city. Obviously, this may not be the same for people who have retired to a rural area from the city--but for people who have lived and worked in a rural area all their lives, there is a different culture. People are going to interpret a dress code based on what they are familiar with. So, it's a cultural thing. Add to that the fact that mode of dress is not important to everyone and they may be stymied by what is expected of them on a luxury cruise. I've seen it!

No cases in Bermuda.

I'm ready for that. My comments about attire were in response to others comments. I said it is a cultural issue--and not likely to change. I'm fine with it.

People love to make fun of Texas--all for different reasons which cannot even be discussed here. I'm sure all of you recognize that there is no generic Texan. Texans are even split politically at about 52%/48%. No more comment on that topic.

We stayed in the Copenhagen Marriott on June 6th and 7th. At that time, there did not seem to be construction work going on in the reception area. The reception desk is a small area with a large entry way adjacent to it. Lines did form there from time to time. It is a large hotel with a small reception desk area. Has construction begun since then? The hotel looks quite fresh and new and not a place slated for renovation. We only had breakfast in the main dining area--a buffet, and while not my favorite way to be served/serve yourself a meal, it was a very good breakfast. No complaints. We had one meal in the small dining area next to the bar one night. It was ok. Service was a bit slow, but nothing worth noting. I DID appreciate that on Saturday night, the hotel gave priority to hotel guests for seating in the bar area over people who were not guests who were enjoying the canal side patio of the hotel. How did they do this? They put a reserved sign on every table. At first I was puzzled, but then asked if the reserved tables were for hotel guests. They were indeed--so we were able to sit and have a glass of wine after returning from the Tivioli Gardens around 9pm. I would love to see US hotels reserve space for hotel guests. Several times, while staying at the Four Seasons in Austin, Texas, we could not enjoy their lovely bar due to non hotel guests who arrive only for the bar. It is a bit annoying to be a guest at a hotel with no place to sit. So, I applaud the Copenhagen Marriott for this.

We are recently home from a Seabourn cruise and embarked in Copenhagen. Our stated boarding time was 2pm. Our transportation was arranged for around 11:30 am--and was out of our hands. We boarded at noon and no one asked or cared what anyone's boarding time was. Everyone who was in the terminal was boarded at more or less the same time. There did not seem to be priority for anyone. It was quick and easy for everyone. I would say you should plan your transportation to arrive at an optimal time for you.

I agree. I always take my own bar of soap, just to be safe after having allergies to SB provided soaps in the past.

I did learn that cotton wool is what we call cotton balls. I think some of the cut and paste evaporated.

These are the kinds of photos I've been seeing from our friends on Ovation--and some a bit more interesting--but nothing like the friends on the private tour. They will return soon and I will ask.

I went back to look. My friend says: "Day 4 on the ship we arrived in Reykjavik, Iceland where we had a 12 hr tour including Gullfoss, Skogafoss, & Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, Thingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area, Reynisfjara black beach, & village Vik, stopped for lunch at Smidjan Brugghus"

We've done private guides as well--in Italy, Greece, Turkey. We haven't done it lately on a cruise as we have not been traveling with friends and have been reluctant to join with people we do not know. We have done it in embarkation/disembarkation cities. The photos I saw from Iceland were extraordinary--and I've seen a lot of photos from Iceland. I will find out for sure who the company/guide were and report back. It WAS a large group and a very long excursion.

I don't even know what cotton wool is! I did find this: People also ask Is cotton wool same as cotton balls? cotton is obtained from the cotton plant while wool is obtained from the sheep. But cotton is obtained in the form of fluffy cotton balls hence, it is also known as 'cotton wool'.

A former neighbor is cruising with a group of 12 family and friends right now in Iceland. They are on a Royal Caribbean ship, but hired a private tour out of the capital city on their own small bus. She posted photos of that day and it is incredible. We have other friends on Ovation in Iceland right now. This friend is a crack photographer--and nothing he has posted can compare with what our friends on Royal Caribbean have seen on their private tour. Perhaps it would take a group of 12 to make such a tour more economical---but the difference in phenomenal. I'll be asking when they return for information.