TravelHop

We have enjoyed the PH Spa suites on both the Odyssey and Encore class ships. We love them all. We actually like the location as much as the suites themselves. Very easily central to most of what happens on the ship. The O and E class Spa Suites are quite different and having elevator access on the E class could be important for some. The spiral staircase beside the water feature in the spa on the O class is very very nice. On the O class the 2 inside suites have a bigger balcony and the way the closet works is (IMO) a little more functional. But the outside suites have the lovely (and pretty large) window in the bedroom. We have stayed in both and slightly prefer the outside because of the window and being able to see better off to the side of the ship. On the E class we have only stayed in an outside (corner) suite. With these new suites the balcony actually wraps around so you can really get a good look forward if you go clear around the balcony. I think this makes the corner balconies larger than the three inside suites. The inside suites themselves are slightly larger because of the curve taken out of the living room in the outside suites. This makes NO difference to me as all of these suites are just huge. The other large difference between O and E class is that the older O class suites have a full wall of windows facing aft and on the newer E class ones there is "only" the door with a side window - much much less window than the O class.  I hope this helps some. Having done all of these we would always choose a corner suite if available but love any of the spa suites. 

Here is a link to some fantastic photos of the corner spa suite on Ovation (Encore class):

https://www.cruisecritic.com/photos/ships/seabourn-ovation-1051/penthouse-spa-suite-415128/

…John

What a great review!! Well done Jeni! We were also on this cruise and it was our first Encore class also. We LOVED the small yachts and have done about 1/2 of our 10 Seabourn cruises on the little sisters. Now that choice has left us we sailed a few sailings on the Quest and Odyssey which we enjoyed but wanted to try out the almost brand new Ovation and this itenerary was also interesting as we had not been to many of these places including Venice. We stayed in Venice from Sunday night to Friday when we boarded Ovation right though the highest water in 52 years on Monday! It was an exciting time and we really did love it but we were relieved to be on board the ship! 

We also really LOVE the Thomas Keller Grille on both the Odyssey class and now on the Ovation. I like the extra size on Ovation but must say I love the little "train car" feel on the Odyssey class. We would dine in the TK Grille more often if we could. We also really loved the new Earth and Ocean on the patio. E&O might have been our "best" meals on the ship. 

There was a bridge tour but we did not do it. And there was a Galley Tour which we did - Chef Jes was fantastic as always! Then a few days after the galley tour there was a shopping with the Chef in Brindisi which we did for the first time ever. It was wonderful. Jes is so excited and engaging we did buy enough fruit and veggies and even some amazing beans that made it to the dinner special a couple of days later. We had that meal in our suite and loved the food and the memory. There were enough of the fresh Clementine oranges to be out on the breakfast buffet for several days. 

Our experiences on the ship were absolutely fantastic and we ended up enjoying the new ship (even though it's larger and we like anything smaller normally) more than the Odyssey class - perhaps the newness but I think the overall design is more cohesive - it just "feels good" - the art - the hallways - the public spaces and the suites all just feel so comfortable. More outlets everywhere with multiple plug types and even the USB jacks by the bed all just made for a very very comfortable experience for us.  

We enjoyed the Little Arches Boutique Hotel very much but we generally like small boutique hotels.

And we really LOVED Hunte's Gardens - Spectacular!!!

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Can anyone explain resort style attire? I am definitely a jeans, khaki's and capri's type girl. But also like the comfort of active wear. But, I'd prefer not to be the talk of the town.

Hi Russianrex - We did Valparaiso to Buenos Aires last Feb (last cruise of the season) and LOVED EVERY MINUTE. We have been on a number of Seabourn cruises so did know what to expect in general. We are late 50s and pretty casual people that enjoy dressing up every once in a while. Because of being on for 3 weeks with several formal nights, I did take a tux (that I normally wear about once per year) and my wife took a couple of pretty dresses. Most men were in dark suits (about 1/2 with ties) on the few FORMAL nights only down in the restaurant. Even on formal nights there were men with "just" a blazer and slacks. Women wore anything from dark pants with a blouse to cocktail dresses to fancy formal dresses. It is also REALLY easy to eat in the Colonnade or TK Grille or Room Service (which is so so so nice) - or even in Antartica, we ate outside on the patio many nights, sometimes with our parkas on. During the day - all day long, LOTS of people were around in comfy clothes - I wore sweat pants and a comfortable shirt a lot. My wife wore tights that she sometimes wears jogging and a sweatshirt. I would probably not wear my "workout" clothes from the gym all over the ship or to tea, etc. but often wore comfortable cotton pants and a T-shirt up until 6:00pm pretty much anywhere. After that, some kakis (dockers) and a collared shirt for me and a pair of pants or skirt and normal shirt/blouse for my wife were really fine. About one "formal" night per week were the only times that "needed" a bit more dressed up. But it would be very very easy to make that comfortable with just a dark suit/blazer for your husband and a pair of dark pants and cute blouse for you. It really is easy. Don't worry about the few people making a fuss. I am sure you will fit right in. We fit in wonderfully on our first Seabourn cruise about 25 years ago when we were barely 30. You could also check out our Antartica blog with some photos - and daily diary entries at http://www.johnanddawn.com/?page_id=11&order=asc

Oh and by the way - resort wear is often kakis with polo shirts - possibly Tommy Bahama stuff or similar sun dresses, capri's and so on. Right where you are comfortable!! Have fun!

Thanks for such fantastic daily comments!! We are traveling on 4/7 for a Caribbean and continuing the Trans Atlantic. We are really looking forward to hearing about the second half of your trip which is almost identical to our 7 days in the Caribbean! If it were possible, I’d love seeing photos of the daily Herald and even the daily menu <G>. But that could be too much trouble. Thanks again!!

Hi CruiseZen, I’d love to ask you a question/favor offline. We did the same Feb cruise last year - it was amazing!!! Would you mind communicating with me in email?

JohnUNDERSCOREhopkinsATsweetwaterDOTcom

Using CAPS to possibly fool the spambots scraping public sites <G>

Thanks!

John

We did an upgrade to a Spa Suite in Antarctica last year and loved every minute of it!!! There is something cool about the size - the view the amazing veranda and best the proximity to the real “core” of the ship along the circular stair!! No idea what “worth” the money is to any individual.

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I encourage you to go - it is the most amazing experience and the staff really do make everything very easy. We had some people on our cruise who never went ashore but loved being there and some who just went ashore and sat among the penguins for the entire time. Others hiked up to the top of hills. You really can exert as much or as little as you want. There is really no better or easier way to see this amazing place. Doing it on an extended trip that includes the Panama canal and getting your sea legs long before the Drake sounds fabulous!! Don't let your husband talk you (or himself) out of it!! <G>

Almost certainly Dag Dvergastein- and he whispered to me that his 'aquavit' was actually apple juice.

And it would be just like Dag to send a poem with the photo! Our favorite Captain!

Just thinking the same thing....when people ask us what has been our favorite/best cruise travel experience - onboard the Seabourn Quest to Antarctica is always our answer!

Fabulous photos!!! We are close - our best ever was the Legend up Norway and into the polar ice cap - a perfect trip with amazing weather and stunning scenery. But Antartica on the Quest in Feb this year is a close second. Both trips shared the wonderful Captain Dag as the Master. Such wonderful experiences!

We were also on the February 2017 trip and at the end we stored our bags (we packed heavily!) at our BA hotel and took an overnight bag to the falls. It was an easy flight and the main “local” thing we did but had no problems. We stayed at the Sheraton at the falls and highly recommend that! We only stayed one night and agree that a second or third would have been nice. All that said, the falls were one of the highlights of our entire month-long trip!! Not to be missed!

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My vote is with Yankee Lobster 300 Northern Ave - Just simple amazing seafood -GREAT lobster rolls!

My wife and I did this trip in February 2017. We stayed a couple of days at the Marriott in Santiago (had a great time even with the forest fires that were going on at the time) and just wanted "easy" after the long flight. Then had a wonderful driver/guide take us to the Casa Galos Hotel and Lofts in Valpo for a couple of nights before we embarked. We felt totally safe - walked a LOT up and down hills and really enjoyed it! It is a very boutique hotel but also very "local". It was an easy transfer to the ship when we left. As we toured around Valpo and Vina - I would also have been very happy with an oceanfront room at the Sheraton (for "easy again") it looked like a lovely hotel from the outside and very close to everything. We are not a fan of casino hotels so this was one reason we stayed away. We loved our choice but you can't go wrong!! Have a great trip!

We almost always ate at tables for two on all our Seabourn cruises. Never a reservation in the MDR, only reservations (recommended) on speciality nights in the Colonnade. Normally no need to reserve at night on the patio (and we loved dinner there) - but TK needs a reservation. We loved TK also and reserved our quota but then had our name on a wait list and often have been thrilled to find an opening at the last moment. Don't forget to do in-room or on Veranda dining also! You will LOVE it!

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Agreed, can't wait to hear more as we are joining the Quest at the beginning of Feb! Would love to know if you find out if Captian Dag will remain on for the last Antarctica cruise as we would love to see him again!! Safe travels!

We were so blessed to have Speedy and Christina on ALL of our little sister cruises from 2009-2015 and will really miss them on the "new" Seabourn!! We were with Jan on the Quest earlier this year and she said she would be doing Antarctica this winter.

We sailed with Captain Dag on the last "little sister" cruise to the North Cape and Polar Ice Cap in June 2014. I think it was one of Dag's last Seabourn cruises. We just absolutely LOVED him!! Now we are really hoping he will stay for all the Antarctica cruises as we are on the last one in February 2017!

If it does not work out with sbtraveler, I am happy to help you out with a referral coupon. Just email at hopkins@mac.com.

I have a coupon - please email me at

hopkins@mac.com - would love to share with you - we did Norway fjords last year - best cruise ever!!!

Good news for us on the last of the little sisters cruise to have Oasis and Speedy and Christiana as a Swan Song!! We have been fortunate to cruise with them on EACH of our Seabourn cruises the last several years and we love them!! Great musicians and entertainers. I will have to go and join the roll call - Look forward to meeting the fine folks on board!

…John

Thanks for your updates on the Legend! Would you ask if Speedy and Christina will be staying with the Legend all the way to the turnover in Rome? We are on the last cruise from Barcelona to Rome and would love to see them again. We will also message corporate advocating for them to be offered positions on the larger ships.

Thanks much!

They were having fun on one of the Pride's final cruises in the Caribbean in February 2014. Not sure where they went after that.

I don't think I have ever gotten a referral coupon. Sailed on Seabourn twice in the last 5 years. How soon after a cruise are you supposed to get these coupons?

Thanks!

…John

My wife and I were on a Seabourn cruise in 1992!! We loved it but have not had a chance to do another. However, we are planing on doing one of the November Transatlantic trips this year. Since we cruised with them so long ago but are still "in the club" I wonder about referral coupons. I don't remember ever getting any but now am wondering if there is an opportunity here - either to ask forum members for one (but I am not really a "new" customer) or to get one to give another forum member. Any thoughts?

...John

first time poster