commander courageous

Thanks for the clarification.

As you are aware, the owner of Sea Dream monitors this site from time to time,

and am quite certain he will be interested in your comments as to the way 

your reservations were handled.

Hopefully, as the spread of Covid abates worldwide, cruising will return to

some normalcy making these various (and confusing) policies obsolete.

Not totally unsympathetic to your plight,  but don’t think it is SeaDream’s responsibility to

determine whether or not you comply with the various government edicts with respect

to Covid and entry.

The ship did presumably leave as per your contract.  Cannot put the onus on SD to

ferret out what conceivably could be 100+ different nationalities on board, and

the governs pertaining to each.

Right you are Hum, but they JUST changed yet again.

Will bet that by the date of your scheduled cruise, it will open up 

as millions being lost in tourism revenues.

Love and kisses

Completely understand and agree with your comments re testing, etc.

However, think we will all have to accept these procedures as the new

norm, well into the months ahead.

Guess each of us will have to carefully weigh the pros, cons and angst

of travel under these circumstances, as you have.  For us, after

eighteen months of virtual isolation, for the moment, we’ll through

caution to the wind.

Sorry, Hum, but my reading of the Italian entry requirements for Brits (effective May 16),

makes no mention of quarantine for fully vaccinated citizens. Same for Greece.

Of course, pre and post arrival tests are de rigueur BUT, to be expected in light of

ever emerging variants.

As Winnie use to say, “soldier on”, Hum.  Kisses to Blondie.

Ditto Little Arches.

For more upscale, try The House.

Travelling on Sea Dream and staying at the Hilton, no thanks!
 

Right now, citizens from the US, United Kingdom and Canada can NOT enter

Italy, and many other countries that can, are required to quarantine for up

to TEN DAYS.

Yea, this may all change ... Italy may allow tourists BUT still very uncertain

with respect to quarantine requirements in the future.

We are booked to depart Rome on September 11 for Venice.

At present, Italy os CLOSED to travel from our country of origin.

While SD has said that IF Italy did not reopen, they would credit

the funds we have paid to another cruise ... as it would be

impossible for us to enter Italy to board the ship.  That is more

than fair on the part of SD.

BUT, should Italy reopen, we assume we would have to quarantine in Rome

for 14 days in a hotel BEFORE embarking on SD, as visitors

now permitted entry to Italy must do.

We love Rome, but can’t envision spending fourteen days in

a hotel BEFORE we can embark on the ship ... and this policy

has nothing to do with Sea Dream and one would assume if

you want to take the cruise, you would have to comply.

We have brought this to the attention of SD management,
who are investigating options that might be available

We have a Rome to Venice cruise booked for September 11.

At the moment, we are not permitted entry to Italy, though SD has indicated the

Government has said  that in all likelihood the ban will be lifted by early

summer.

What is not clear, however, is what quarantine requirements if any, will be

required on arrival, prior to boarding Sea Dream.  At this writing, some visitors

must self quarantine for 10 days in a government approved hotel.  No fun!

Now, if the travel ban is not lifted, SD has indicated we can transfer funds 

already paid to a future booking, which is welcome news.  BUT, if the

ban is lifted, the uncertainty with respect to what quarantine might be in

effect gives one pause, and doubt SD would be amenable to transferring 

monies paid if we didn’t want to quarantine ... and we don’t blame them.

Those travelling to Italy should look carefully to the ever changing

entry rules and government  papers to be submitted on arrival.

Saw a young man at the market this morning wearing a “hoodie” that said

”sh#$t happens”. Seems quite apropos of the current situation aboard Sea Dream.

Feel said for the crew, many of whom work so hard to support their

families in foreign lands ... and are away from them for extended periods.  
I think SD did everything possible to assure the safety of passengers and

crew but this pandemic doesn’t differentiate.  

Lets hope the promise of the vaccine on the horizon materializes quickly

and other mitigating medicines get wide distribution so we can soon

all return to a sense of normalcy ... and once again be with our friends

aboard our favorite yachts.

Well Jim, old boy,we too have opted for something new

in the Caribbean for winter 2018. We've booked on

the Oceania Riviera for 10-nights RT Miami in February.

SD itins didn't work for us and using San Juan and

St Thomas for embarkations raises havoc for air flights

to and from Canada. Oceania gets very good reviews,

especially for foodies and though 1200 paxs will be

a somewhat new experience save QE's, we are looking

forward to the experience.

Hope you enjoy your trip and we'll be back on the

crossing in November, if not earlier.

I believe it was you who asked for information about attire on board.

I, along with others, was simply attempting to provide info to assure

you would not feel uncomfortabe in attire you might have brought with

you. Also mentioned that it was unlikely anyone from SD would

make an issue of your dress.

Really don't care what you wear to dinner and am happy you enjoyed

your time aboard.

Certainly agree, but hope you would admit most post along these lines

are done "tongue and cheek" to elicit comedic comment on the part of

some of our more verbose writers (they know who they are).

That said, your admonition is duly noted.

Sorry, I don't agree with previous posts here.

While jackets for men are not de rigueur, my experience is that long sleeve

dress shirts are the norm. Would one usually wear a short sleeve polo

shirt to a five-star restaurant in New York or LA? Usually not.

When invited to dine with the Captain, I am happy to don my jacket, as

he is normally in his dress whites and I do it out of respect for his effort.

No one on staff will ever chastise you for your dress, but don't this a long

sleeve shirt is too much.

You'll be able to disembark around 10AM.

Then it is only about 10 minutes to the Emerald Beach Hotel (adjacent to

the airport) that does afford a day room rate.

The hotel is not grand but it is on the beach and they do have a restaurant

and bar. Our day room rate in November was $197 US.

Hope this helps.

Dearest Portofino, you little mynx!

T-Rex .... I fancied you more the Mike Pompeo type. Strong military

bearing and the ability to hold secrets. Just the type of guy you'll

need if Mrs. Tillerson learns of your romantic interests.

Don't worry, I won't spill the beans when I next run into him at

Augusta National.

Well, WRIPRO, I thought it was you (not me) who said "If it were me I'd

cancel. If a group has booked an entire deck chances they will take over all

the public spaces too." And, "Groups tend to think they own the whole ship

and act accordingly". Sounds like a mall at Christmas to me!

What I was trying to infer was that if a FEW passengers tend to rankle your

feathers, you can always find a little corner on SD to escape to. As I

said, on over two-dozen voyages on SD we have never experienced

what you obviously have to lead to your conclusions. Are you certain you

are not confusing Carnival with Sea Dream?

We have sailed on both Windstar and Wind Spirit and more than two-dozen times on Sea Dream ... a few comparisons:

Cabins similar, food far superior on SD, outside deck space SD wins hands down,

crew, again SD wins.

All in all, and we've done Royal Clipper, Azamara, Windstar and a few of the larger

ships, the nod in most categories goes to Sea Dream.

I will concede that a large group on a small ship can be disruptive but have always

found a place to escape the madding crowd on Sea Dream. You will not be

disappointed. :)

Well, GCMC and Ho Hum, just what article/s of curiosity might you be referencing?

As the Don said, "I assure you I have no problem in that area"!

Have we sunk to a new low of insults here? :mad:

Got the number of passengers right BUT the wrong line!

Yes, Muse is apparently a new SilverSeas ship and Flying Clipper,

the new Clipper line vessel.

Sorry for my mistake. :confused:

Like many here, we are frequent SD cruisers.

Last November, on our trans-atlantic crossing, we tried to book a cruise

for late 2017 only to be told that entire deck three was occupied.

A few weeks ago, in calling to make yet another reservation, we found out

that space had now become available and we were able to secure our

desired accommodations. Voila!

Can't explain what happened BUT, be patient. I do agree, however, that

large groups can (an often do) change the tenor of a cruise ... more

often than not for the worse.

Still, much rather cruise with 102 passengers and an engaging crew than

with 8,600+ passengers on Allure of the Seas.

SD has posted their 2018 itineraries on-line.

None really "jump out" as new and exciting (have focused on the winter ones) but for us from the North, a couple of departures to and from

Barbados on SD II will sure make air arrangements easier.

Most departures are from either San Juan or St. Thomas, probably good

for the Yanks, but difficult for most everyone else. Anyway, it is what it is!

As an aside, just read where Royal Clipper will launch in 2018 their new

300+ passenger sailing ship, Muse. We did the Royal a few years back in

one of their premier cabins and enjoyed the experience. Food was just

so-so and most outdoor space relegated to the sail paraphernalia, but

for sailing aficionados, an interesting ride.

Less than a month before we embark ... counting the hours!

Yes, Hum, we too enjoyed the week in the villa followed by yet another on Sea Dream. A little different experience which we may want to do again.

Looking forward to St. Barths on the 5th of February and again on our second leg. You are spot on re Nikki Beach ... not putting it down, but its an age thing you know. We are more than content with Cheval Blanc and our new little find, La Gloriette in Grand Cul-de-Sac ... our feet in the sand, good wine and grilled lobster, followed by a dip on their beach in front of the restaurant. Tony, at Le Guanahani always takes good care of us, too.

Get a table near the water and he'll put a chaise aside for you to relax in

after lunch.

So disappointed that our ships won't cross paths this year, unless you can

pull some sway. We're going over to St. Vincents from Bequia to visit old

friends of ours who have a beautiful home on the water. Will make a nice diversion.

Anyway, we'll talk and text across the bows in Febraury. We can't wait!

Love to the Mrs.

The Vice Admiral (thought I would skip over a rank) :)

While the hoi polloi sip Andres, Mr. Hum sequesters himself with the likes of

Mick Jagger and Bon Jovi on the deck of Nikki Beach and $1000 bottles of

DP, then has the unmitigated gall to complain there are no Ubers in sight and

he is forced to walk back to the tender dock. Can't you just hear the tears

now!

Here in the tundra, we'll be celebrating with some of the local aristocracy,

making snow angels as the "ball falls" and wondering why in hell we are

not in St. Barths. All the best to you, the ever so beautiful and patient

Blondie, the rest of the cast and crew aboard ship, and loyal readers to

this drivel from the Commander (soon in line for promotion to Rear

Admiral ... forget it Hum, we've already heard all the jokes) and his

aide de camp, Ensign Pulver.

To the legions of Idle Chat followers around the world, the best of holiday

wishes to you and yours.

May the New Year bring health and happiness and find good friends

gathered around the Toy Bar enjoying life aboard the best small ship

afloat.

Ho Ho Ho!