SLSD

This is the reason we never do buffets----anywhere, anytime. The very idea of it just totally grosses me out. Also, doe anyone know if when you order from your table at breakfast in the Colonnade if your waiter just grabs your selections from the buffet? Or, are there other items (not on the buffet) that you can order. If the former, I could not do that either! Obviously, I have not had breakfast in the Colonnade---since we don't do buffets.

What we do know is that the latest variants of the Covid virus are extremely transmissible---even more transmissible than the Omicron variant. I think that is what we are seeing.

First, I am so sorry to hear that you have tested positive. I really wanted you to have a fabulous cruise and while you still can (after testing negative again), this is certainly a setback. Like others, I am truly alarmed at your report. The irresponsibility of the obviously sick woman is shocking. Some people just don't care about others. I know we see that all the time, but one would hope that our well educated erudite Seabourn passengers would be a cut above----obviously they are not. I want to say that I have really admired all the determined cruisers since ships started sailing again during this pandemic. Mr. SLSD and I have been too cautious to sail, so we have just been observing from the sidelines--living vicariously through the rest of you. We haven't even traveled yet--planning our first significant domestic trip for early October---driving and renting a private casita in Santa Fe, NM. I hope your quarantine experience is relatively pleasant and you are well taken care of, have the mildest of symptoms, and are back enjoying the cruise sooner than you think.

The same with us. We have only experienced the wine upselling in the TK Grill on Sojourn--no where else on a SB ship. I hope this is not a new norm. We are not wine people We try to find a palatable included wine and go on from there--requesting it at most meals.

I really enjoy your commentary, so I welcome the fact that you are sailing again--new adventures, new adversities. I have to ask--did you send your luggage ahead? Or, did you decide to take it with you this time. Both options are precarious!

The Colonnade has a short menu at lunch from which you can order if you don't want to go through a buffet line. We don't do buffets either--and enjoy ordering a small piece of grilled salmon for lunch along with some vegetables. We haven't sailed since the pandemic, but am guessing these menu options at lunch are still available.

I hope you have a wonderful cruise! I look forward to hearing how the dinner serving times work out for you. I see you have availed yourself of the appetizer in the Observation Lounge--always a fun place to be. Hopefully, the two items that needed to be fixed have been done by now.

So glad to hear that you are negative now. Hopefully Keith will be the same tomorrow. I admire your upbeat attitude. You two are troopers!

You two look really good for having been in your suite for days now. I'll be hoping your test is negative.

We love deck 6 (even more than 7 and 8). Our favorite suite (don't remember the number) is on deck 6 right next to the elevator. There was NO noise! We will always request deck 6.

Deployment changes---they are choosing to use their ships in a different way--for different itineraries. This is probably due to delay of the completion of Pursuit and due to issues resulting from the war in Ukraine. No one is sailing through waters controlled by Russia until further notice--maybe never. This fact changes plans going forward. No one likes it I am sure, but it is what it is.

Wow! Didn't know about that suite.

The one time we elected to book an OB we were given a suite on Deck 6. We loved it! Previously, we had selected decks 7 and 8 and I can honestly say we liked 6 better. We were close to an elevator and didn't have to constantly traverse a narrow hallway. So, I would do an OB again

Yes, we have a farm in the eastern part of Texas and we try to live there half of the time. We are headed there on Monday. We are back to wearing masks in public here and mostly staying out of public places. We yearn to cruise on Seabourn again, but every time we think about booking, the virus rears its ugly head again. I'm hoping that your cruise is wonderful in spite of this setback!!

I am so sorry to hear that you have come down with Covid in spite of being so careful---even more careful than many others. The new variant that is going around is extremely transmissible I've read. Dallas is back to Code Red after being Green just a week or two ago. It is so frustrating! I hope your symptoms remain mild and that you are negative very soon.

It sounds to me like two things are happening when it come to the Seattle office: 1. They are being very hard nosed as they are under financial constraints and 2. They have a shortage of employees to handle business.

Are any of you who are booked on this cruise using a Travel Agent? If so, have they gotten any response from SB?

This is going to sound ugly---but WHO wears a button down shirt with a tie and no jacket? I've never seen that particular combination as a mode of dress anywhere I have ever been (outside of junior high school) . I can see a guy doing that in his own office with no one around if he wears a jacket and tie to work. But certainly not to an occasion.

OK. I've never said Yuk about the TK Grill. I have asked for smaller portions sometimes and have been told it could not be done because of Thomas Keller's requirements! I asked them if they could turn down the music a couple of times--and they have done that--but have told me that Thomas Keller has chosen the music and the volume.

The coldest we ever were was out on the deck of the ship when we were approaching the Hubbard Glacier. We did take warm gloves and hats as well. The jacket worked very well with layers underneath it.

I am just discussing this with my husband right now. The jacket has a layer of insulation in it--and is quite effective. For really cold weather, you DO need to layer under it. Think- Patagonia Capilene, long sleeved top, down sweater, etc We never had to add the Capilene, but did wear a long sleeved top and down sweater. My down sweater is just a simple Uniqlo light down jacket (very thin). We were quite comfortable even early in the season. My husband wore this jacket out at our farm during the Polar Vortex of 2021 here in Texas. I've just gone and fetched one of our jackets from a coat closet. So, here it is. It has a fleece lining and an interlining. I do think it is important to size it large enough for layering underneath. But, as I have said, we never needed more than a long sleeved top and a light down sweater. My husband wore a long sleeved shirt and a light wool sweater underneath. There is the outer layer, the fleecy layer and another layer in between---something like thinsulate. It is a warm jacket--especially when you layer.

Yes, this is the jacket. And, as I said, we layered under it---a down sweater over whatever long sleeved item we were wearing. We did also take Patagonia long sleeved tops (Capilene) which are meant to be a first layer. We never had to wear them. For us, in May and early June in Alaska, this was more than enough with the SB jacket on top. We are Texans, so certainly not used to cold weather. Of course others may not find it sufficient--but I would be surprised. The weather in Alaska is all over the map in the summertime.

I hear you. We did not find dining wrapped in blankets to be comfortable. The food was great---but it was too cold. Of course this varies by itinerary!

It is not a thin windbreaker. You can change sizes once you are on the ship. Easily.

Yes, that is true. But I did post that CC was unavailable after we mentioned it to an iterim CD. I just wanted to be clear that I had posted that. You would have to go back and read the post. I'm not gong to go over that again. It's a small point. I don't think this is a serious issue. I do resent CC not being available after we mentioned that we were posting--but there was a workaround. Evidently Host Dan had this issue recently. We do hope to cruise in the coming months.