secoma4

And new iPad web design. Good maps but difficult to navigate. And limited pricing. Seems to be a work in progress

We have sailed on the Encore three times, and on the maiden Ovation extended voyage. We never miss the show, as my husband loves live entertainment. We usually go to the late show after dining on a hosted or shared table, and the theatre is nearly always pretty full, so I assumed that the early show must be less well attended. Occasionally we will go to the early show if we have dined at the Sushi Bar or Earth and Ocean early, and just the two of us.

They certainly fixed the Club Bar on Ovation. As to The Retreat there a probably structural and access issues with reconfiguring this space eg having to have “house” and other staff cover this area would be an issue.

Been on Seabourn Ovation for 21 days and internet was excellent. Better than other ships in the fleet.

Perhaps those complaining should try it first!

$399 unlimited is the best option for anything over a week or 2 (although we don't have to pay that). And bear in mind that this becomes an important part of the rewards program.

The issue for ships is that unlimited wifi means users never log off or become heavy down load users, affecting everyone.

Having travelled through Dubai Airport yesterday on our way home from the Ovation in Lisbon, my concern would be less about the time to get to the airport, and more about how long it will take you to be checked in by the airline, clear security, which is extremely vigilant in Dubai and get to the gate, to have yet another security search. The gate could be as far as Number 42, and it could take some time to walk there. The terminals are immense, and crowded. Dubai is one of the busiest airport in the world. All this is assuming you are taking your own luggage. On disembarking the Ovation, the luggage wasn’t all of the ship until after 8.45am.

We have just finished our cruise on the Ovation. On the first leg there was a little boy about 2 years old with an extended family group. He was perfectly behaved every where and a great favourite with the crew. In fact, it was a joy to see him. On the second leg, a little girl about 7 was with her mother in the pool. She was also perfectly behaved.

I agree with Joc 123 that Earth & Ocean is also a favourite of ours, having eaten there 3 times since Venice. It is a restaurant in its own right, specifically designed, with new uniforms for the staff, linen placemats and seviettes, hand made pottery plates and bowls, which keep hot dishes hot, and even new brushed, stainless steel cutlery. The food is full of flavour, fresh, and contemporary, and the menu changes nightly, apart from the appetizer, which is a loaf of wholegrain, crusty bread to be eaten with both olive and sun dried tapenade and duck confit, which is brought to the table in a small smoking cabinet. Last night surrounded by the lights of Tangiers, we shared a Cavatappi Pasta, with Toscana Linguica Sausage and olives, Lamb Shank with Truffled Polenta and mushrooms and Roasted White Asparagus with Roasted Tomatoes and Pea Purée. My husband also fell for the Baked Apple with Calvados Gelato. All delicious and served by young enthusiastic staff. There were other menu choices as well.

How can this compare with the grilled meat with the same old ratatouille and mashed potato; the pizza, prawn or salmon appetizers served by yourself? How many times have we had this in the past? How simple was it to prepare that food?

Any suggestions that this new venue is a cost cutting proposal by HAL is not founded, considering the array of ingredients used, and the specialized preparation of the dishes.

I appreciate the choice of new eating venues, such as this and the Sushi restaurant, especially when Thomas Keller is served several times a week in the Colonnade, reservation required. Surely more choice is welcomed.

Well, Trivia, of course!

We have been on the Ovation since Venice, and I believe that afternoon tea has been served in the Observation Lounge every day. I have just checked The Herald, today in Gibraltar, and it states, Afternoon Tea in the Observation Lounge at 4pm, Trivea in The Club at 4.15pm.

We have sailed with Seabourn many times in the past ten years. We were lucky to take our very first cruise with the line and have not strayed very far, because we love the helpful, friendly staff and the relaxed atmosphere on the ships. It is not stuffy or overtly formal. We have made friends from around the world, and have taken other holidays with them. We are fairly unassuming, and we usually are happy to join shared tables both in the Main Dining Room and the Colonnade. On the Encore recently we had a great team for Trivia, just assembled randomly, and had a lot of fun.

In the evenings I wear black or navy pants wit various tops or jackets.

Don’t worry too much; I’m sure you will have a wonderful cruise.

Bill and Mary Ann, you did some serious walking in your day, especially from The Rocks to Darling Harbour, after the Botanical Garden. Sydney is very undulating, which can be challenging in hot, humid weather. No wonder you were feeling weary back on board.

I always enjoy reading of your travels.

I am on the Encore now. The clothesline over the bathtub is about 2 metres long. The laundry on level5 has two ironing boards with excellent Philips steam irons plus a steamer.

I realize I haven’t addressed the ‘alternative ports should be offered’ thread. In both of these circumstances of pea soup fogbound, and wild storm missed ports, I can’t see where the ship could have safely called along the coast of New Zealand. Our first port in NZ was in Oman on Stanley Island, a tender off a tiny hamlet with a small pier. At Lyttelton, the port for Christchurch, it was 30 degrees Celcius at 10pm for a lively Blue Moon deck dance party, and we watched the ship pull out from a very basic, small pier and turn around; very tricky manoevre, the only other ship in port an old Chinese ship loading logs. The captain announced the coming storm then. Often, there aren’t many alternatives available. Here in Wellington, the Capital of NZ, the port has facilities, and we are berthed beside a new Viking ship. We are due in Picton tomorrow and then Tauranga (Rotorua) on the 5th. Hope for the best.

We are on the Encore, berthed at Wellington today. Port Chalmers, the port for Dunedin was closed by the harbour authorities, completely fogbound. The ship’s fog horn was sounding for most of the day, as well as the aft bells. Yesterday we missed Kaikoura, a tender port, due to the extreme winds, and up to an eight metre swells. The ship was very stable, and handled it well. We have to balance the missed ports with safety, and the fact that we had the calmest three day crossing of the Tasman Sea, although very foggy. The highlight was the sail into Milford Sound in full sunlight and calm, and the serene sail through the fiordland in the evening in twilight sun, as we ate on the patio. The food and service have been excellent. Many staff still here on the Encore from our sailings a year ago. New Zealand is beautiful. We’re happy.

Thank you Henry. I enjoy your videos very much. Lovely to hear the wonderful Katy singing again, and getting a taste of the Game of Thrones theme played by the energetic Heart of Spades. We are on the Encore again in two weeks. Hope to catch up with you again on Seabourn again one day.

90 metres per lap was my rough count. That’s about 12 laps / km or 19 laps / mile

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No. Unless you sit by the pool at the stern - outside the Club. Good shade and lounges there.

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Tender ports are often the most interesting. And smaller ships anchor in closer and a tender time of more than 10 minutes has, from our experience, been rare.

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In Gozo we also caught the Hop on Hop off bus and were really pleasantly surprised. The bus goes all over the island, and the driver was very obliging, stopping at key sites. Coming from Australia, we were very chuffed to see several Australian symbols, like kangaroos, on the houses, assuming that the occupants had migrated from Malta to Australia p, post WW2, and had returned to Gozo to retire. The balconies on many of the buildings are very interesting.

Henry, we were on the Quest for three weeks on the first cruise after the refit from R2 to The Thomas Keller Grill in April last year. It didn't open in that time. This was the first ship to change to TK. Mr Keller was onboard and wasn't satisfied with what had been done in the refit, and they ripped out and redid parts of the kitchen during this cruise. There were several Seabourn 'suits' rushing about looking very stressed. We had been lead to believe that the restaurant would be open and were offered some compensation, but it did mean that the ship was sailing with one restaurant down. I'm sure that they have the conversion process down pat by now.

We were on the new Encore with you, and enjoyed the Thomas Keller Grill and bar very much. Now, if only they could clone the lovely Katy for all the ships!

Tendering in small ports is a frequent occurrence. Something experienced on most Seabourn cruises at some point. Unless the ship is anchored a long way from the harbour it's not an issue with usually at least 2 tenders running every 10-15 minutes. Usually mean you disembark in the centre of the town, or at least close to facilities etc.

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It's the same anywhere in the world - except for the wine! Suggest Mt Etna for a different experience. Be prepared for cool/cold weather. Or get a taxi to Taormina and walk around - Roman ruins, great views, nice picturesque small town. Plenty of taxis available there to get back.

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Agreed. Rome Cabs seem to be the best option and you can book online.

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Unless you get very heavy seas, when everyone is affected, it's smooth sailing!

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No particular schedule, although formal night is usually a sea day. But if you are on 7 day segments they often don't have a sea day. As for TK in Colonnade, there is usually no big demand (and you wouldn't be missing much!).

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