Dunnedg

Not English!

Thanks. I understood that Ovation and Encore were the first and only ships with self service laundry. Clearly wrong. It is simply for some smalls and quickly iron a shirt or two. As you say we could afford to pay but we are only in that position because we haven't wasted money through life on things that are free. We enjoy luxury now but ‘look after the pennies and the pounds will after themselves’.

Thanks Nancy. I heard they were being installed on a refit last last year.

Can recent guests confirm that the Quest now has self service laundry facilities?

We were booked to do a cruise from Barbados in March this year. Loads of port changes and stories of covid lockdowns resulted in us pulling out. Horse riding available in Barbados. Another thing to consider heading for an early morning beach visit to see the race horses have a dip.

Visited ‘*****’ville in 2019 on Seabourn Ovation and they sorted all visas. I wish had not bothered there is not much good to say about this port.

Perhaps ‘Caviar in Surf’ day.

Gold Cup is a great day out but it wont make that much difference to traffic. Might be a bit busier at start and finish but not significantly. You do go past the race course from Cruise Port to Airport. Would suggest its worth a visit but same issue, what to do with luggage. Tickets on Gold Cup day are also like gold dust.

Coral Mist is a nice hotel right on the beach but doubt very much if they will provide a day stay. Interested to hear how you get on.

Message Copacabana or the Boatyard, both on the beach at Carlisle Bay in Barbados. They offer full facilities, beach beds, umbrella, restaurant, showers etc. Sure they would store your cases safely as you finish your holiday relaxing on the beach. They are a short taxi drive from the Cruise Port and no more the 30 minutes to the airport.

Or just take some empty bottles with you and fill them up😂. Radisson Edwardian Hotels in central London are using large pump bottles (good quality stuff my wife tells me). Sure Sofitel was the same last month at Heathrow.

Agree.

Still had the small bottles on Encore last week. Some may call it penny pinching but even the top hotels are moving away from small bottles and instead are installing pump bottles in the shower/bath. It makes sense, reducing waste and tons of plastic going to landfill.

We disembarked in TDI Sarayburnu. It is a small port very close to the main ferry port and the Galata Bridge. It is effectively in the area known as the Sultanahmet and perfect for visiting Hagia Sofia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Cisterns, Grand Bazar etc

I just finished this cruise in Istanbul. As the Queen once said, “recollections may vary”. We had a fantastic cruise, no issues with water, wine, food, situation in the restaurant or service. I can categorically confirm that at no time did I receive or indeed see tonic water or any other mixer come from a tap. I will say the choice of tonic is average (mainly Royal Club) requested Schweppes and asked them not to put too much in the glass.

Weather was ok. Perhaps not as warm as we had hoped. It seemed that in each port weather was better day before and day after than we had which was a bit frustrating. I wore shorts and tee shirts every day however. The main problem was wind. Quite choppy a couple of nights and there were issues with the tenders on two days but we did get ashore at every port.

Hi Shyla We are home and loved the Cruise. The service on Encore was excellent. Ship was not full (approx 430 guests) and there was a lot of staff under training but with experienced crew with them all the way so no service issues. Some of the guest entertainment in the Grand Salon was iffy but the regular singers/dancers etc were very good as was all entertainment in the bars etc. The stops were good although the last 2 Skiathos and Bozcaado were pretty much closed for the season. Food was excellent and no issues with slow wine service I had heard on other threads. We started in Athens and boarding was perfect. The place the ship docked in Istanbul was well positioned also. We stayed on a couple of nights in a hotel in the Sultanahmet, where all the top sights are situated. It turned out that this small port is effectively in the Sultanahmet and we were only 5 minutes in a taxi. Beware however. The first driver quoted 880 TL (45 euros). When I insisted on the Taxi meter it was the 3 driver before we were accepted. When we got in the 3rd cab he ignored the request to put on the taxi meter saying the hotel is very close. When we arrived he charged 5 Euros, effectively 100TL. He got a good tip and would have been able to go back to the port and get another pick up. We had a pre-booked taxi to the Airport which was excellent. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Hi Shyla Will let you know how we get on when we get back (if I remember😀). I have been told there are lots of official yellow taxis available at the port.

Going on Encore next week which ends in Istanbul. The information we have is that the ship is docking in TDI Sarayburnu. I understand that this is not the main cruise port and have been told it is quite a ‘grotty’ area. Anyone been on Encore this season starting or ending in Istanbul with any info/experiences? Particularly interested in the availability of taxis to take us to our hotel.

It is. Busiest on a Friday night but open every night for great fresh fish fry up.

Hi. I would say it is perhaps slightly higher than you should expect but not much. Probably fair including a tip but Barbados feeling same inflation as rest of the world at the moment. Most taxis/drivers in Barbados are very fair and honest but it is always best to ask for a price before you get in. Make sure you know which currency you are being quoted, Barbados $ or US$. Its 2BDS to 1US give or take a cent. I have stayed in Coral Mist for a couple of days and is well situated on a beach and close to good restaurants. Champers is very nice but expensive. Mojos, just across the road is reasonable and tasty. You right on the beach but a short walk takes you to Rockley (akna Accra) beach. Tiki Bar on Rockley beach is good for a sundowner and a snack and more food options across the road and a bit further West.

Some of the suggestions I have made are not ‘Seabourn’ standard but are clean and well maintained. Its only one night and you will be in and out before you know it. Happy to make other suggestions. (Barbados is our second home😁)

Hilton definitely does single nights. Also try Accra Beach or Courtyard by Marriot, Coconut Court or Coral Mist. Fairmont Royal Pavilion is absolutely fabulous but when you are travelling as you have seen is not cheap.

Is the post night in Barbados and are you only staying one night? The problem you have is it is peak season in Barbados and most hotels offer only a minimum stay of 3 nights. If you are only staying one night your best bet is probably the Hilton.

Just received info from Seabourn about our upcoming cruise. In order to meet health & safety protocols, please arrive at the terminal at your assigned check-in time. Your assigned check-in time is located on page 3 of your cruise documents and at the top of your electronic boarding pass available in Seabourn Source. For the health and safety of all, guests arriving to the terminal prior to their assigned check-in time will be asked to return at their designated time.