kej1

The good news is it is a relatively short flight from Athens to Istanbul!  I think about 1 1/2 hours.  It’s worth a visit but too bad the cruise changed.  I’ve been a number of times by land and it’s one of my favorite cities to visit!  

3 hours ago, markandjie said:

Does Seabourn rent hiking poles?

We rented one pair when we were on quest dec2017-Jan 2018.  It was done through the company they recommended.  As I mentioned I used them twice when the walks were longer and mostly uphill but husband did not use at all.  In retrospect I had nit used before and likely didn’t need them but they were helpful.  
if you have them and they fold up and fit in your luggage nit bad to bring.  Or rent one pair as we did.  Just depends on if you want something to lean on while wandering around on shore or to help walking.

I suggest bringing them or if you don’t want to pack when we went (2017/2018) they could be rented and left in your room for a modest amount if money,  I  used them once or twice for longer hikes.  My husband did not use them at all.  The expedition staff did clear walking pathways so they were not necessary but I did use them on occasion when the path was a bit steep or longer.  

Thank you Commodore Dave!

When we did this trip a number of years ago the ship docked at the inner city dock which was very convenient.  Private guides were not allowed in the locked gate area but would meet you right outside the gate.  

Does Pursuit open the MDR for lunch?  On sea days and port days?  
is there an option to order table side in the Colunnade or on the patio?

Looking forward to our cruise in April.

When we were on the quest ( dec 2017/jan 2018) the Antarctica/South Georgia islands trip started in Santiago and ended in Buenos Aires.  I do recall eating on the patio not only during warmer parts of the trip but also sometimes in Antarctica as we had in general good weather and the overhead heaters worked well especially when one had on warm clothing.  
I don’t recall eating dinner there at night as I don’t think they had started with the E&O concept yet ( I could be wrong), and we aren’t big Colunnade people so don’t recall if people ate outside there in the evening.  I imagine on nice nights yes, but I’m sure it was weather dependent.  
 

On that trip the MDR was open for lunch every day, not sure about breakfast as we don’t eat much and often use room service for that meal, but I assume it was open for breakfast as well.

i can say that when we were in Alaska summer of 2019 we ate at E&O a number of times so despite some cold weather it was open and full as I recall.

So I think you might have better feedback from those who have taken the new ships to Antarctica!  Have a great trip!

Great question.  We were on Quest Dec2017/Jan2018.  On NYE some neighbors had a cocktail gathering before dinner.  The plan was we would all go to dinner together.  My husband never showed up.  I went back to our room and he was sitting on our patio watching 11 orcas following the wake of the ship.  ( we were in PSS on back of ship).  Needless to say we never made it to dinner, ordered room service and watched this special encounter for hours instead.  It was a beautiful sunny evening so chilly but with the right clothes perfect!  It was truly a “ Seabourn moment” thanks to the orcas!

We also strongly dislike and don’t eat buffets.  We tend to have room service breakfast, but prefer to eat lunch in the MDR.  A patio burger ( if freshly made) is ok on occasion ( we will miss the Thomas Keller burger), and if in ports with restaurants will eat off the ship if time, but Colunnade is a no for lunch for us.  We strongly believe a luxury line should have the MDR open as an alternative every day.  I know we’ve all said this before and hope Seabourn is listening.

Thank you for the feedback on the Pursuit.  It is really appreciated. 
 

We will be on Pursuit for 30 days starting April 14th from Papeete to Guam.  We are very excited to visit many places that are hard to get to by land  without lots of crazy flights if at all.

We so look forward to snorkeling, seeing the way people live, experiencing the submarine, etc.   we also understand the ship is beautiful thanks to the many comments.  As this will be our first cruise since Feb of 2020 we are concerned about the comments made on poor service and the food.  
 

Although we love good food and seek great restaurants when traveling by land, we don’t expect Michelin stars on the ship.  However we do expect good food as having nice meals is important to us.   Yes we’ve had some disappointments on Seabourn in the past but overall the food has been good.  We have done more travel on land but when cruising we have primarily cruised on Seabourn.  We look forward to cruising more in the future so have high expectations for the Pursuit.  
 

We don’t like buffets.  Just our personal preference.  Have always avoided them at all costs.  Big question:    Is the MDR open at lunch on the Pursuit?  We are happy to eat off the ship in port when it’s possible but where we will be stopping most places this will not be possible per my research. 
 

We are happy to order a burger or something on the patio, but not every day. We don’t eat in the Columnade for example.   Just don’t like the buffet and cafeteria look and feel.  The outdoor space is nice but only go at dinner when table service and  on the rare occasion when we can arrive early and get a nice outdoor table. 

I also would love to hear from anyone who has stayed in a signature suite.  We love the rear facing rooms with large patios ( love the penthouse spa suites on the O class), and booking this category that was  the appeal.  I am wondering if there is a problem being right beneath the “club” with noise.  Motion doesn’t bother us at all but noise would.

I would appreciate feedback from those of you who have been on Pursuit.  I just want to set expectations.  Thank you!

kej 

PS. I’m happy to provide feedback on this cruise once we get going!

View is nice from the terrace on Encore and Ovation.    The views from the suite are not as nice as there is not the same wall of windows.  Just a door and relatively narrow window.  So if in bad weather you don’t have the views looking out from inside the PSS suites on the encore and ovation.  We much prefer the PSS on Odyssey, quest, and Sojourn.

I’m sure you will enjoy it!

Penthouse spa suites
 

We have also typically booked Penthouse Spa Suites since they were introduced.  We love them on the O class ships.  Don’t mind the staircase.  Love the views and the large outdoor area.  When we went to Antarctica on Quest 2017/2018 (over the holiday) we had a bit of a rough crossing the first night.  My husband and I don’t get seasick and in fact the rocking kind of helps me sleep.  But one of the couples on our floor was pretty unhappy so if one is bothered by motion and you are going to a place where that could be an issue it’s not likely a good choice.  But otherwise assuming you are ok with stairs ( we have never seen someone use the chair) they are lovely suites.  
 

Be aware that on the larger ships - Ovation and Encore - unfortunately the design is different.  You have an elevator but the view from the suite is minimal.  Instead of floor to glass windows across the entire back of the suite there is just the door and a narrow but long window.  Great views if you are outside but if it’s cold and rainy or hot and humid you can’t really enjoy the views from the suite like you can on the O class ships.  In fact we moved the furniture around to have a comfortable place to see out the glass that was there.  Still a lovely suite but we missed the views and prefer sailing on the smaller ships anyway.

In terms of service we’ve had no problems.  We have room service breakfast often and housekeeping while not there all the time became accustomed to our schedule and was great at reading our notes for requests.  Only caveat is we haven’t been on a cruise since the first leg of the world cruise in 2020.  We’ve been traveling by land.  But have an upcoming trip on Pursuit in one of their signature suites - also on a high floor in the back of the ship so hoping we enjoy it as much as the PSS.  
 

I’m happy to answer any questions should anyone have them but I think there is a good bit of information here from others as well!  I hope this is helpful.

I am currently in our home in SF looking at beautiful Seabourn Odessey docked and lit up lit up at 10:30 pm!  She’s been here since this morning.  My husband and I are wishing we could jump right on!  What a lovely visitor!

Will miss the delicious Caesar salad in TK.  So many are now made with what I’d call “fake” Caesar dressing ( creamy vs the original real thing).  I will miss the TK burger as well as we thought much better than the regular Seabourn burger.  Quality of meat and cheese just seemed so much better but hopefully that can continue without the “TK”.  Also would be great if Seabourn could do a real Caesar salad as that in the real world is not just a Thomas Keller thing although you see it less today. 
 

The new menu looks ok for a change  - not fabulous or earth shattering but fine.  We are always happy to try something new and different.   I’m wondering if some of these dishes can be offered on the Pursuit and Venture even though there is not a separate dining room.  Would be nice and since it seems possible since there is no celebrity chef involved.  

Yes.  We live in San Francisco and it’s for the whales.  

Route 1

We have done both.  Very different.  I found Antarctica much more majestic.  But loved both. 

5 hours ago, kjbacon said:

There’s a saying that Iceland should be called Greenland and Greenland should be called Iceland; we found that to be true. We enjoyed both but found Greenland to be the more scenic and more untouched. Our zodiac tour through prince Christian sound was spectacular.

 

Ditto.  Preferred Greenland to Iceland for scenery and it’s quite remote comparatively. 

Can’t thank you enough for your amazing photos and commentary.  

10 hours ago, carefreecruise said:

the prices are cheep for a reason. When things go wrong and you end up in a remote hospital you will not be calling the shoots and getting your loved one home. It will only happen if the treating doctor has determined they can not receive proper treatment at their location. After that they will check with their staff to determined if you would receive better treatment at your home hospital. This could take many days before they get to point of suggesting you get airlifted home. Most likely it will only be a commercial airline with a nurse accompanying you home. 

Im curious which of these emergency evacuation insurance companies you are referring to - I don’t know but as I understand it with the std travel insurance emergency evac they take you to the closest location.  I had thought with medjet or the others they will not take you off a ship but will fly you home or to a hospital of your choice. So regular travel insurance takes you off the ship and a medjet policy will take you where you want to go?  It’s a question!  If you can clarify that would be much appreciated!  Thank you

10 hours ago, Mr Luxury said:

Who is the captain,who is the Hotel Director,how many launderettes are there,how many times has the marina been used this cruise.

How many TK Grill bookings have you had.

How many hangars do you have in your closet.

That's all for now

Enjoy the cruise 😀

😉

I hate to bring this up but it’s important to some of us - is the MDR open for lunch?🤞

Haven’t been on nova but usually take aft suites on Seabourn.  Love them.  They do “rock and roll” sometimes but it doesn’t bother  my husband and I.  We don’t get seasick.  In fact when we have on occasion had to take everything off shelves and put toiletries in the sink with a towel over them I sleep like a baby ( I’m a terribly light sleeper).  So if that doesn’t bother you it’s a great view from your terrace.  We are anxious to try nova or ray especially with their aft suites.

We have never received what requested when we first enter our suite on a Seabourn cruise.  However we just tell our steward and by the time we return from dinner ( or sometimes before) everything is there we requested.  It’s really not a problem.  I do laugh as I have wondered why we are asked but it doesn’t bother us at all as it’s fixed in no time.