my crow's nest

Do you all really think that every penny you spend in Russia goes just to the government? What about those in the tourist industry that depend your support. Isn't it possible that there might be a gay tour guide or hotel clerk or a wait person who needs your help to make a living. What kind of message does it send to the gay population when they see you abandoning them. Your presence might just give them some hope.

I agree that a simple No Thank You is the best method. Remember that the therapists work very long contracts with long hours and little free time. I've been told by a therapist I have used that the management also sets quotas for them. And should they meet that quota they are given some extra time off. And of course they also make some extra money. So they are just trying to survive. Please, always remember that they are people trying to do their job and deserve to be treated with respect. By the way, some of the best treatments I've ever had have been aboard cruise ships.

I just wonder how many Seabourn guests have actually dined in one of Mr Keller's restaurants?

How can you visit San Francisco without enjoying the most fantastic Deem Sum at Yank Sing?! It's really a treat. 49 Stevenson St. 415-541-4949.

Hello Rick,

When we have a pre-show dinner we try to choose a restaurant that is close to the theatre. "Kinky Boots" is at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on 45th St @ 8th Avenue. May I suggest the Blue Fin located on 7th Ave @ 47th St? ( http://www.bluefinnyc.com ) It's part of a chain including the Atlantic Grill and the Ocean Grill and Blue Water Grill. Attractive space, good food and servers who will get you to the theatre on time. It gets a diverse clientele and sometimes you can even see a celeb. Check out the menu which as the name indicates, is mostly seafood. If you book, request a table upstairs overlooking the staircase which is great for people watching. And it's a five minute walk to your theatre. We've also enjoyed Ca Va, Todd English's located 44th St @ 8th Ave. I don't recall when you will be here, but it's Restaurant Week which is a great bargain. Whatever you decide, enjoy the dinner and show and have a wonderful cruise,

Best regards, Joe

Your photos were a treat! Thanks for the link.

My favorite cruise is always the one I'm on!

Hi Tom,

I sailed by myself on the Gem last December. Unfortunately, the specialty restaurants do not arrange shared tables. Since I don't mind eating by myself I had no problem. I did participate in the Chef's Table which was the best meal I had on the ship. It was well worth the cost. Out of the 12 guests, 3 were "family". The NCL Roll Calls are quite active and I have no doubt that you will make some contacts prior to sailing. Have a great time,

Joe

Adventurans,

Hello Again. Just thought you might like to know that Blythe Danner is the Godmother of the Quest and Twiggy is the Godmother of the Sojourn.

Markham,

Hi, we were typing at the same time!

Hello Adenturans,

When a new ship is launched the line selects a Godmother to christen the ship at the opening ceremonies. For instance, we were on the Inaugural sailing of the Crystal Serenity and it was Julie Andrews who was the Godmother. When the Odyssey was launched, Pamela Conover was the President of Seabourn and she declared that it should be all of the passengers sailing on the Maiden Voyage who should be the Godparents of the new ship. I apologize if I sounded snobbish to you. It's just that the Odyssey is a special ship to me. And by the way, there is a plaque near the Seabourn Square listing all of the passengers so next time you're onboard, have a look.

Hello Absolutboy20!

Being Godparents of the Odyssey, we are delighted that you enjoyed the trip and appreciate your favorable review. And we are happy that you would like to sail with Seabourn again. Don't wait for an Atlantis Charter - try sailing on a regular voyage. You won't be disappointed and you might even like it more! I think that saying it was all of the little things that made the trip special is right on. Although we have many days on Seabourn, the only Atlantis trip we did was the first one done on the Quest. We've stayed in 1019 on the Sojourn and liked it very much. On our last voyage we used Luc whom I think is one of the best masseurs on land or sea! Was he your therapist? By the way, who was the "special" entertainer? Thanks again,

Joe

Being Godparents of the Odyssey, we assure you that you'll have a great time!

Brian & Joe

Turtles06,

First, thank you for your well written in depth chronicle of your expedition. It was such a pleasure to read. Secondly, your advice was right on the mark. Like you, we were fortunate and did a 21 day itinerary on A&K's Little Red Boat that included The Peninsula, South Georgia and the Falklands.

sej67,

If your budget allows you to do an expedition cruise like the one that turtles06 did, don't hesitate. It truly is a trip of a lifetime. I know many people who have cruised on larger ships, like Crystal and they loved it, but they only saw, you'll pardon the pun, the tip of the iceberg!

At the Captain's Welcome Aboard Party onboard the Radisson Seven Seas Voyager we spoke to Captain Dag whom we had met on the Song of Flower. He's a great guy. A few days later we were having a drink and Captain Dag passed by, stopped to chat and accepted our invitation to have a drink with us. Then the three of us sat down to a wonderful dinner, during which he invited us to join him at his table for the next formal night. While cruising on the Seabourn Quest in August 2013 we were invited to dine with Captain Geir-Arne Thue-Nilsen, but unlike Host Dan, I was not asked to taste the wine! Two examples of lines that are "family" friendly.

Perhaps none of us know enough about the marketing approach to potential gay Dutch and German cruisers?

Does anyone remember Royal Viking? The Skoal toasts got louder with each glass, but that didn't seem to offend anyone, perhaps because many of the officers participated. And how about Carnival Night when everyone donned a costume. That didn't seem to offend anyone either. Yes, the Australians were a bit rowdy, but they did have a good time. And they were friendly and outgoing. No attitude at all. So they bothered some people a little, big deal. Regarding the children aboard: they were well behaved and better dressed then many of the adult passengers. Old timers, get used to the changes and you'll have a much better time! Off the subject, but related to other posts I would like to know exactly what are considered inappropriate jeans? Does it refer to blue denim, like Levi 501's or Wranglers? Or does it also include jeans made of other fabrics and in other colors? On this cruise I wore read jeans, a red & white stripped shirt with a white linen blazer. I also wore white cotton jeans with a blue & white shirt with a blue blazer. A lot of other men also dressed this way and we all looked great!

Hello Kruzngrl (s),

We sailed from Athens to Barcelona which was sold as either a 20 day cruise or two 10 day segments and there there were several gay couples onboard, some from Athens to Monte Carlo, some from Monte Carlo to Barcelona and a few from Athens to Barcelona. Yes, you are right in that most stayed to themselves. We did because we were traveling with our "children" and wanted to spend the time with them. I did speak with several people, all of whom were most friendly, especially the Australians. And we did receive nice greetings from passengers we had seen on previous cruises. As far as the staff and crew are concerned they couldn't have been nicer. I didn't hear of a "FOD" meeting. Was it published in the daily program? If not, how would the line know whom to contact? Curious. I can't recall a "FOD" gathering on any Seabourn cruise, except on last year's Atlantis charter! Did you post on the Roll Call that you'd be sailing? I hope you try another Seabourn cruise and if we're onboard I will make a point of meeting you - with or without the "kids".

I think it was $20 per day.

Tom, We talked about Crystal some time ago. At that time I said that I thought you'd enjoy it. Still do. If you sail with Seabourn I think you would be happier on one of the newer ships. We also sailed on the Sun and the only thing it had to do with Seabourn was the name. Gary, we too enjoyed the Atlantis Charter on the Quest which basically was just like a regular sailing in most respects like food and service. We did the Charter to experience an Atlantis Event for the first time. Tom, you'll have a good time on either line. Just an aside, on the CC Crystal blog there are four guys who have posted videos from their "Cruise of a Lifetime" which you might find interesting.

40+ cruises on Crystal

Platinum members on Seabourn

Isn't the menu the same there every night?

Yes, but there was enough variety for us. The food was much better then that in the main dining room and the service more refined. It's also quiet and more personal. We liked it a lot and would do it again.

Since you say you prefer a higher quality culinary experience may I suggest you dine in the Pinnacle Grill. On our last HAL cruise we used it for breakfast, lunch and dinner almost everyday and it did make it more special.

Thank you for the facebook info. Although we weren't friends, she was always pleasant on the cruises we shared. She had that special something that made her stand out. Condolences to the family.

JaneBP, Could you kindly tell me how to find Marja's Facebook page? I would very much like to see it. Many thanks, Joe

Dan, We always book longer sessions and we used the Signature Massage perk as a credit to upgrade to the session we wanted. I don't know if this is a standard procedure or if it depends on the Spa Manager, how booked they are, etc. But, even 30 minutes is better then none! Enjoy whatever treatment you choose,

Joe

I noticed that the original post was done awhile back. The Symphony did an over night here in New York last week and we were invited for dinner and to see the new renovations. First, the food was beautifully presented and tasted even better then it looked. The house wine that was served was quite good also. The service was outstanding, as it always has been. And the ship is quite beautiful. We were given a warm welcome from the Hotel Manager, the Maitre d', several waiters, some of the entertainers and even some passengers booked on the sailing with whom we have cruised before. I guess what I want say is that it is still a wonderful line which is well worth trying.