sparklplenty

Wonderful review...thank you!  We board SDI for our first SeaDream voyage on the 21st and absolutely cannot wait; your review made it that much harder 😉  

On 11/19/2019 at 4:52 AM, Piaa said:

I would make a day of it on St John for sure .. depending when you are there I would try to rent a car (a car for 1 day is not possible to reserve you just need to call the morning you wish to reserve - maybe the day before) then drive the island and head to Francis - you will need to take your own cooler as there is nothing there.  Stop by Trunk (the most famous beach) and go around 4pm as the crowds will be less (and it will be free to get in)  Hit one of the happy hours in Cruz Bay - Cruz Bay Landing is great and then have a great dinner at Extra Virgin (make a reservation) and then get the ferry back to STT (last one leaves at 11pm)  or ... change your reservation and just stay over here LOL

 

Have fun 

Thank you SO much!  Now I wish we could change our reservation, but sadly we can't.  Next time!

On 11/13/2019 at 5:45 AM, Piaa said:

Definitely try eating at Gladys' in St Thomas and do take a day to visit St John (I live there) a very short ferry ride away (they run on the hour) and eat at many of our fabulous restaurants.

Thank you, Piaa!  We definitely will try St. Gladys on St.T  Any beach or restaurant recommendations for St. John?

A few weeks ago, I contacted SeaDream to inform them we would be leaving Seattle a week before our cruise in December, and to inquire if there would be sufficient time for us to get our boarding documents prior to our departure.  What a fabulous surprise it was to come home today and find a mysterious box from SeaDream on the front step.  Much glee ensued as I carefully unwrapped each layer to discover a beautifully packaged SeaDream box filled with suitcase straps, luggage tags, and all sorts of helpful materials.  SeaDream, you know how to do things right!  Counting the (too many) days until we embark!

On 11/1/2019 at 6:34 AM, TrapperZimmy said:

Welcome aboard!  We sailed out of St. Thomas January 2018, right after the hurricane.  The island was pretty devastated and we were forced to change our plan from staying there a couple of days pre-sail to flying in the morning of sailing.  Hopefully, much has been restored.  One thing we enjoyed and know is still in business is Captain Max.  She has a beautiful sailboat for snorkeling trips.  If that is something you enjoy, I highly recommend it.  She has a website and I would advise booking in advance because of her popularity.

Thanks for the welcome and for the tip!  We love to snorkel and dive, so this sounds perfect. Can't wait to experience the SeaDream life 😁🍸🥂😎

On 10/31/2019 at 12:52 PM, JSADesigns said:

You’re going to love SeaDream!! When we were precruise on St Thomas we had a great time night kayaking. The kayaks light the dark waters and you see the big tarpon and other fish. I think the kayaks have clear bottoms if I remember correctly. They offer it thru Frenchman’s Reef but I’m pretty sure you don’t have to stay there to buy the event.  

Thanks for this tip, JSADesigns!  Night kayaking sounds incredible!  Folks do it up here in the Pacific NorthWest for the bioluminescence, but to be able to actually look down and see all the critters would be amazing.  I know how we're spending one evening now!

Hi!

My husband and I will be spending 3 days on St. Thomas (Sapphire Bay) prior to boarding SDI on our first SeaDream voyage. We're pretty laid back, outdoorsy folks who'd rather walk a beach or go diving than go shopping.  We've lived abroad and love finding local-frequented, hole-in-the-wall places to eat.  Plus, we figure we'll be getting crazy fabulous fine dining aboard ship 😁🍾🥂🍸, so we're hoping for some laid back local cuisine on the island. Any suggestions for places we should see or great little places we should eat in St. Thomas?   

Many thanks in advance!

On 9/30/2019 at 8:20 AM, JES4845 said:

While understandable you want to stay away from tourist mobs, it will be your first time in Rome and there is much to see in and near the Centro Storico major tourist area.  One alternative to staying away from the areas you will want to visit anyway is to stay within them but in your own oasis, so to speak.  

 

We employed the same strategy as JES4845 on a first-time visit to Rome 2 years ago, staying directly on the Piazza Navona at a gorgeous 8-room boutique hotel called Lifestyle Suites.  Absolutely magical to be able to walk through the crowds mid day and step through the huge 15th century doors into a charming oasis of calm complete with rooftop bar. And mornings sipping a cappuccino on your tiny balcony overlooking the Four Rivers Fountain while watching the Piazza wake up is priceless.  The rooms are luxurious and the location is perfect.  We popped out to the Coliseum and then back for a rest and snack, out to the Spanish Steps with a return to change for dinner, all without a taxi, bus, or train.  Same thing the next few days - walking to all the sights, including the Vatican, returning whenever we wanted to recharge.  Speaking of the Vatican, HIGHLY recommend booking a "Be the first in the Sistine Chapel" tour. Yes, it's an early start, but we had 30 minutes in the Chapel with only 20 other people. Amazing!  Normally, you'd be packed in like sardines, sharing it with hundreds.

We were in Venice for the overnight transition on a BTB Eastern Med cruise on the StarBreeze.  Loved it!  I must admit, as Mr. Avery did, to indulging in that most touristy of activities - hiring a gondola...and it was magical.  Why? A few reasons - we went at night (full moon, no less!), just the two of us (no shared ride with photo-snapping chatty tourists), around 9pm, from a little wharf found down a stone-covered alley off the far-side of the Square rather than from the huge stable of gondoliers right off of St. Mark's.  Truly magical - delightful glimpses into restaurants and hotels, glimmering lights of the Grand Canal, moonlight shimmering everywhere.  Worth every penny.

Also, I second Torcello.  A glimpse of a Venice that few get to see with the added benefit of fantastic food and service!

That sounds wonderful, Katbird!  Thanks for the update.

Thanks Mr.Avery, pirate, and ronrick!  We're booked on the noon flight...

Hello again!

How long would you schedule between a leisurely disembarkation and a same day flight out of SJ?  We've got options of 10:45am, 12pm, and 4pm.  I'm leaning towards the 12, but don't want to be stuck dawdling at the airport...that is, unless there's a nice bar for some bubbles or rum before boarding 😉

Thanks!

On 2/3/2019 at 7:19 AM, Mrs_Tiki said:

I have enjoyed the aromatherapy and deep tissue massages, but would not repeat the traditional Thai massage.  My fault for not knowing what it entailed - the therapist climbed on my back and used her knees (and feet too, I think!) to work on my back.  For me, it crossed the line to pain, and I almost asked her to stop.  

Wow...I'd no idea about the Thai massage!  I know my back couldn't handle that, so that one's crossed off the list. My back thanks you for the info!

Such a lovely research task this is ...😉

Thanks so much, piratelooksat45!  I'll eagerly await your update.  Have a fantastic voyage!

...so little time 😉

Yes, it's only January and I'm already anticipating our December cruise (first time on SD!), but who can blame me?

Whilst perusing the spa menu, the sheer variety of massage options overwhelmed....help!  Any advice from more seasoned SD folks about which massage services you absolutely loved would be much appreciated.

Many thanks!

On 12/21/2018 at 7:50 AM, SchnauzerPup said:

My DW and I have done a SD Christmas cruise about 4 years ago and LOVED it.  In fact we are already signed up for the Dec 21 2019 St Thomas to PR cruise (I can't wait).

 

We can only get away with it infrequently because family puts up a fuss "don't you want to be here for all of the activity" they will say ( answer is on rare occasions "no" it is nice to get away for some quiet and relaxation 😉

 

Hi SchnauzerPup!  Thanks for the insights about Christmas cruising.  We're sneaking away for much the same reasons as you 🙂 

It sounds like we'll be on the same cruise (SD I), too.  We're getting in a few days early to both increase our chill time and to gingerly reacquaint our Seattle skin (fish-belly white) to the sun.😂  Any tips for fun things to do on St. Thomas?

Thank you, all, for the excellent (and varied!) insights into Holiday voyages.  Our primary goal for this trip is to chill, lounge, sip bubbly, and chill even more.  Our schedules were fairly limited, so we are booked on SDI for the Dec 21-28th cruise...hurray!

Given that we are dedicated, one might even say professional, loungers who are epically laid back, except in regard to aforementioned bubbly, ...given all that... we're hoping to make the best of whatever situation comes our way.  Plus we are finally sailing with SeaDream!!!

My husband and I are new to Sea Dream, having worked our way from HAL to Windstar to now SeaDream.  We are considering a Christmas cruise next year to get out of rainy Seattle and would love any and all insights (both positive and not) to cruising with SeaDream over Christmas.  Many thanks in advance.

After a year of planning, plotting, scheduling, perusing, hashing, and rehashing a bjilliion details, we leave for our 5 weeks in Europe in less than 48 hours! Two weeks on land (Zurich, Alps, Milan, Tuscany, Rome), and then we board the Star Breeze in Rome for B2B Rome-Venice-Athens. Hard to believe the time is actually upon us, but I wanted to say a HUGE Thank You to everyone on the WS forums for all your patient advice and insights. Couldn't have planned this without you all!

Hello!

We'll be on the Star Breeze July 27th Classic Italy and Dalmation Coast cruise, and I'm wondering about WS excursions. Specifically has anyone ever done the kayaking around the city walls? Worth the $$? Other excursions you'd suggest?

Many thanks in advance!

Thanks for the great idea of the Chorus Pass, Milepig! We love the authenticity of churches and, to quote Strenz, "Art where it was painted to be."

So me help here, as newbie to B2B cruises, is this issue simply in regard to OBC? So if one were to either limit their OBC or spend it in the first half, then there wouldn't be an issue? Again, no insult intended; truly am asking from a place of very little knowledge... For this cruise we have a modest 200pp OBC, but it's for the 2nd half of the cruise. Should I make a point to spend it as soon as possible into the 2nd half?

Strenz, thank you so much for these detailed suggestions! It sounds like you and exactly the sort of traveller we are. We adore art as well, but refuse to struggle cheek-to-jowl for a glimpse of xxx. Would much rather find a little church with some forgotten masterpiece. BTW, I just made reservations for lunch at Locanda Cipriani...so excited! Love the idea of being away from the crowds. Thank you thank you thank you!

We're doing a B2B this summer, Rome-Venice-Athens, on the Star Breeze. We arrive Venice early on Aug 4 and leave the following day. I'm wondering what the procedures/requirements are for disembarkation day even though we'll be staying aboard for the next cruise. Specifically:

Do we have to get off the ship by a certain time?

Can we stay aboard as long as we'd like?

If we can get off, can we get back aboard before official boarding time?

Why the questions? I know Venice is going to be hot as blue blazes in August, plus packed with people. DH and I were hoping to get up early, wander around in the early (cooler) hours, and then be back aboard around 11am to lounge away the heat & crowds. Feasible?

Thank you all for the excellent clarifications! Tonight I'll go on ncl and do a mock booking to check availability and prices. Many thanks!