salbags

Holy Roller

Just wondering if you have been told yet whether we are going through the old or new canal?

Also do you or anyone else have any idea what the weather is likely to be going down the columbian and equator coast after the hot steamy Cartagena and Panama.  Just wondering if some warmer clothes will be necessary?   Lima says 20c and cloudy but its generally cooler out at sea?

Holy Roller thanks for the info so far.

Can I ask if you have any more updates on how it works to get a booking at the Chef's table, Lumiere and Tepanyaki?

Is there a preference given to rooms and if you have journeyed with Scenic before? or just a bun fight and get in there quick?

Also would be interested to hear that now you are in warmer climes if there is outdoor eating?

And are the hot tubs and pools now all up and running with loungers on decks to enjoy the sun?

13 hours ago, Cabanabelle said:

Yes quite agree and that was why Carol started this thread.

He was getting quite abusive in the end and tiresome. All the good reviews must be killing him 😁.

There was another very positive article in the Sunday Telegraph from one of the many travel writers who were on the leg from New York.  Has there been many pop up in the US?

27 days and counting 😁

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And you were soooo sure, eh? Not so vocal anymore I see. 

Thanks so much for all your exhaustive information especially the last one regarding evening attire. Whilst we do not subscribe to ball gowns and tiaras we do like to dress smartly for dinner and to be quite honest do not appreciate it when people pitch up at an expensive restaurant (be it on a cruise ship or not) in trainers, baggy jeans etc as this totally ruins the ambiance and experience. We shall be boarding in a few weeks and will certainly update on our experience 

RockyandMoose

Really appreciate all the information and time you are taking to pass this over especially with regard to booking the restaurants and cooking classes.  

I did note on the video that there is obviously still a problem with hot tubs and pool as empty, but I also noted that there didn't seem to be any sun loungers or much outside seating and eating?  Is your cruise full as it seemed like there was no one around? Finally is the use of sauna and spa complimentary apart from treatments?

Many thanks once again

Hi

I'm looking at this cruise and were wondering if this itinerary has been done before and if anyone has insites into how good the ports of call are especially Phillipino ones.

Many thanks in advance

There is a good article in Times today by travel writer who boarded her in Rotterdam. He did comment on there was still a fair amount to be completed re artwork and finished furnishings but commented on how sleek she was. The sub is $250 for 20 mins and helicopter is $350 for 20 mins.

Love the sound of the restaurants. Can’t wait 😊 

We went on a river cruise with Scenic a few years ago and they were then and now really bad with customer communication etc.  However their onboard experience was excellent and hence why we have opted to go with them on the Eclipse despite the delay by 1 year.  I'm feeling quite confident now that it will sail and hopefully a great experience will be had by all 🤞.  The outside looks as sleek and magnificent as advertised but just wish we could now get a view of the inside.

BTW we will be on the Cartagena to Lima leg so see you onboard hopefully

All looking good for launch but I wish they would give us some inside/onboard shots 🤷‍♀️

Totally agree with you Carol.  There were one or two  who were particularly getting on my nerves with their almost hysterical ranting!  We were supposed to sail on the original Panama Canal cruise last year, but we received our monies back in full and a discount on another cruise so we decided to book again for this year 29th October 2019.  It is now looking like we will be going and I'm sure this ship is going to be amazing 😃

https://www.scenic.co.uk/news/2019/04/scenic-eclipse-progress-report

Sounds like despite all the naysayers there is a good chance this ship will sail 😝

14 hours ago, PAULINELESLEY said:

Thank you to everyone with your comments and advice regarding missing the cruise, I have asked Virgin about going one or two days before but they are nearly full therefore the cost is horrendous, the other problem is the test series is on in Bridgetown so all the hotels are full, so it has become a nightmare, but thank you, we will keep our fingers crossed.

FYI our friends are on the BA flight that arrives 15:15 so they will be in same boat as you if things go pear shaped.

Dare I say weather forecast is looking ok, no snow or fog so that shouldn't impact on flights.

If you buy the cruise fly option, Seabourn's flight arrive at the same time and day as the poster of this thread advertises ! They don't come in 1 day before.

Thanks for the link Isklaar, looks absolutely fine although did like the walk in wardrobe on the normal veranda suites, but being high should give us a fine view as we are on Deck 9.

Looking forward to a week of sunshine, good food and drink whats not good about that 😁.

So is it smaller than the normal veranda suite?  Not worried about the bath but will miss the walk in wardrobe.  Looking at deck plans it would seem we are first cabin, so wondering if that is good or bad for using the veranda?

Thanks

We have just been assigned our OB cabin on Odyssey as V6913 which is a wheelchair access room. Is this bad?!

Our friends were quoted only yesterday $80 which is ridiculous!  Just get a taxi outside as its not that far to the port and The Odyssey can't be that hard to find?

2 hours ago, johng75370 said:

 

How true, well put!

Great perspective, and good to keep in mind!

 

Any winds of change blowing through Seabourn are a threat to the great prior experiences we've had with them.  Our concern with TK Grill is it is (or will) lead to more of a two-tiered dining experience.  If that happens (or caviar becomes restricted) we'd be a lot less loyal to Seabourn.   

 

Really looking forward to Earth & Ocean on Odyssey!

 

We will be on the Odyssey on 1st December, is the Earth & Ocean up and running?

If the shipyard (Uljanik) is sent into bankruptcy and the Eclipse is caught up in that process, then it could be a very long time before the ship sees the light of day, if ever.

In fact it could also push Scenic into a very tight situation, and I certainly do not want to even think about that, as we could all lose a lot of money!!!

Just maybe, that is why we are not hearing anything directly from Scenic about the current situation?

The big question is, will the EU be willing to bail out a private Company that has already received huge funds from the government. And all that is to prop up a facility that is old and inefficient.

Only time will tell, but then that may not help Scenic.

I think this is the most worrying point in that if the shipyard goes into receivership then anything within that shipyard specifically to us Scenic Eclipse will be the property of the liquidators!!!!

I did not get my airport tax or fuel duty from Scenic but have had to apply to airline to reimburse me for that (still waiting for that refund!). Can't understand how they are using different criteria for reimbursing each individual?! Not very professional.

Just to let you know that we have now received confirmation that our flights and precruise accommodation costs have been approved and paid to our TA and who are now passing it on to us. Once we receive the airport tax and fuel duty from our cancelled flights we will have been reimbursed in full which is a relief. I think that they have not handled this process particularly well and the rebooking 25% discount is not good enough. I will think long and hard about rebooking with Scenic

I

Hi

Would anyone happen to know where we would be having the beach barbecue as it doesn't come up on the itinerary.

Also my husband would like to do some fishing but would prefer his own charter for just for a couple of hours. Any suggestions on where this would be best and any contacts for arranging this independently would be great.

Finally having looked at booking the Thomas Keller restaurant I am only seeing ridiculously early times of 6 to 7. What is the latest booking options for this restaurant please as I would presume they have already been booked?

Any other tips or suggestions for this cruise and excursions would be much appreciated.

Many thanks

https://cruisepassenger.com.au/couples-100000-holiday-ruined-by-scenic-eclipse-delay/

This illustrates what we feared. I’m now thinking I may not get my independently booked flights and hotel costs now.

I was thinking before I saw this article that I probably would get what I considered “reasonable associated costs” back and that I would rebook as I didn’t want to “cut of my nose to spite my face” . Not so sure now .

If anyone does get any additional costs back please let us know

Friends of ours who booked flights and cruise direct with Scenic on the Panama Canal cruise in November 2018 have now received their refund in full. Our separately booked flights and pre cruise accommodation costs are still being looked in to :confused:

Does your travel insurance not cover anything Scenic will not reimburse?

No contacted them at the start and its all down to the holiday supplier if they cancel.

One asks oneself at these times, "what is the point of insure"!!!!

And this was a good travel insurance, not some Micky Mouse cheap one