koalapanda

 Wonderful experiences Shopping with the Chef's over the years.

Glad to hear that you are out and about again Julie. Reading your informatve thread makes me think there is a case for carrying anti virals in our Kit when travelling. Presently the availability is easing and hopefully one day like Tamiflu we will have a ready prescription.

It is nice to be reminded of the beautiful Cities you are visiting. Your words evoke lovely memories for me.  

I retire from this post  disappointed not to hear more happy instances of Celebrity kindness. 

14 hours ago, ORV said:

They sent this to your house? Or was this on the last cruise you took? Boy that's been a while huh? 

Xmas 2018 , and very nice it was too, thanks for asking.

21 hours ago, emmas gran said:

Puzzling as from OP profile they cruise Seabourn🤥

No puzzle we have cruised with Celebrity and Azamara mostly that is why we are in the highest Captains Club level. 

In this year of current world chaos  small kindnesses are everything to us.  

Thank you Celebrity Cruises for acknowledging our loyalty. We appreciate the good will shown and will enjoy the bottle of Shiraz kindly gifted to us. We will return when it safe to enjoy more happy Cruises.

From memory on Encore same layout I think this is a housekeeping area.

5 hours ago, Paulchili said:

I imagine that the great majority of the staff will jump at the opportunity to return. I am pretty certain that they make a lot more in salary on SB than they might at home - if they can even find a job.f they can even find a job. Why else would they be willing to stay away from their families and children for many months at a time if they could make the same living at home. They certainly don't come to SB because they miss us - although many are happy to see familiar faces.

Not to mention that most of them live in a much cleaner and safer environment on SB than at home.

JMO.

Seabourn Staff and Crew I love you all, it is my dearest hope to see you again.

Unemployment??? Is this not the state of the World presently?

Sacrifice - Many of the staff and crew come from countries where family is everything and duty is even stronger. Enduring long stints away is a heartache. However they look to the future, their love and duty is the encouragement. That they and their families and the future generations can look foward to a more prosperous future.

Safer environment -  At this time we have all sorts of anomolies threatening us all.

I am just glad you added it was YHO. It certainly is not MHO.

Seabourn Staff and Crew I love you all, it is my dearest hope to see you again.

I think we all have to be patient for itineraries to be decided and posted for cruising. Currently we are in a huge reset. There will be a multitude of changes until "the virus" is under control. Australia and New Zealand are taking a very slow and steady approach as we have so far succesful at keeping infection numbers low. Some Australian States have not yet opened their borders to their adjacent  neighbouring States. 

We cannot help re the original question of comparing hotels, however for an impressive alternative:- ahh Venezia, bellisimo.

On our visits to Venice we have stayed at Palazzo Abadessa in Canareggio. The building formerly housed the Hungarian Embassy . A small elegant Hotel which has a Canal front with a pier for the Water Taxi and a lovely garden at it's rear to take tea, coffee or breakfast . A big plus is it's quiet location , yet close to the action. Palazzo Abadessa is in walkable distance to popular sites. There is an abundance of restaurants close by to tickle your taste buds. Concierge staff are magnificentand truly make your stay most enjoyable.

https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/amsrd-renaissance-amsterdam-hotel/?scid=bb1a189a-fec3-4d19-a255-54ba596febe2

Renaissance Hotel, convenienty situated in a pretty quiet area tucked away close to Canal. Wonderful breakfast and fantastic Concierge . This comfortable Hotel has a Boutique feel which we prefer and we make it our home whenever we travel to Amsterdam.  Restaurants abound in easy walking distance .

33 minutes ago, robertmartha said:

Would that be Jose on the Odyssey?

Hi robertmartha, we did first meet Jose on Odyssey. Then to our delight our next few cruises on Encore we were so happy to see him again. There may be more than one Jose waiting on Seabourn. This happy chappy is of short stocky stature with a wicked sense of humour. He knows your every desire and is a true professional. Many of Seabourn's staff and crew have given us much joy and wonderful memories over the past years. More food we are salivating in memorial about are risotto and Ghanaian prawns in the Colonnade.

 it is so refreshing to read  your positive thoughts "robertmartha". We also choose  😉  a long languid brekky with anyone who cares to join us. For it is these times we have met the most delightful people. As you said, "many cups of coffee later and yet another Croissant " we rise with new friends. Speaking of the food, one such friend was crazy about the lamb chops for breakfast. On the Colonnade outside deck we have had the happiest experiences being looked after by our favourite waiter and much loved character is Jose.

Thank you " rkaCruiser " for you kind comments. 

By the way I realised after posting my favourite eggs should have read "en cocotte".

These delicious eggs often sat unoticed on the corner of the hot buffet items.

This crisis has shocked every nation.

We must maintain hope, whilst the height of the Virus is lessening in some parts of the world. It will be new medical advice, break through treatment,  plus our patience,  diligence and heightened awareness that will carry us closer to consideration of wether to cruise again. We all will require this positivitivity and confidence before making any future responsible decisions. 

In the meantime I would like to read more about your gastronomic delights enjoyed in the Colonnade.

Quote:" My favorite was the lingonberry Swedish pancakes but there was never a bad morning".

Thanks for the memories Kauaijim.

Following the theme of your post , my favourites at the Colonnade breakfast are the coddled eggs, beautiful fruit , yogurt and decious pastries. To be accompanied by many espresso coffees and lots of hot water and lemon. 

Lunch in the Colonnade , delicious salads, but most of all the many fish dishes from the Menu washed down with a glass of Prosecco or any delicious vino and sparkling water.

Dinner in the Colonnade, Indian night is usually amazing or Thai Cuisine if Chef Jez is on board. French evening if Chef Frank is cooking. His Bouillabase is to die for.

Let us hope for a vaccine in the near future , and or , sucessful treatments for this mysterious and life changing dilema. That the world will be a kinder more humane place to live in future. It is MHO this is our wake up call to reset our world. My wish is that you and your families and friends keep safe and in good health for these are biggest treasures.

For more room why not use the shower over the bath. Personally we do not find the shower uncomfortable or claustrophobic . It is more than adequate for the average size frame.

This is our experience in the verandah suite.

Same deal 506 to 509 they are identical forward cabins 9 an upside down 6 . 

Disney we always say in our humble opinion all Suites are good on Seabourn ships .

My first thoughts on this topic were if you have not sailed with Seabourn previously you are not au fait with the "Suites". Yes, all all Seabourn staterooms are Suites. 

509 is a standard Suite, deck 5 has it's advantages of The Club, the small pool and serviced covered sun lounge area. It is only one floor up from the Dining Room and two floors down from Seabourn Square to lounge, drink great coffee and delicious Gelato or a snack.

Other than deck 5,  I love deck 10 but it would be a rare chance to be upgraded so many levels.

I must say allocation early for OB or GTY is not the usual for Seabourn.  I admire your optimismn of Cruising at this moment in time.

4 hours ago, ab21au said:

Personally I think in AUS and USA we are told everything is fine, we know what we are doing etc just so that we will keep faith in them. Countries like Singapore, South Korea are doing what is necessary but then they have a different culture; different leaders, different people. 

Likewise this a personal comment, not relative fact to this thread.

So sorry to hear of your cruise being cancelled Flamin_June . I hope you get resolution and compensation as you would wish for. Koala

Julie, heres a  thought Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne before the Tasman. 😉

Just a shell fish thought, by late April/May I might just get approval to travel hands free. 

Quite honestly we have given up speculating on 2020 travel for the moment. Good News is our Melbourne scientist are up to a testing poin with a nasal spray that basically tells the immune system to attack and kill the virus. All we can do is wait on all fronts .....patiently. That is for us with no current bookings. Fingers crossed and all the very best for good outcomes for those who do have bookings.

🐨🐼

Thank you  Julie you are most kind.

Look forward to meeting some  day

Jenny

"Flamin June" thank you for your new thread. It is much appreciated by many  in a quandry for our 2020 Seabourn Cruise plans . 

On 10/25/2019 at 4:00 PM, koalapanda said:

We have just received our new copy of the HERALD. One of the interesting articles is headed as "New Wave No Alcohol Cocktails. New distilled no alcohol spirits, it is a most intriguing article. Whilst I enjoy a tipple the description of taste and enjoyment of these new bevarages sound very appealing.

Have any recent Seabourn Cruisers tasted these cocktails?

Now 3.5 months later there has been much interest in this topic. Some Seabourn friends have now tasted and enjoyed these new distilled non alcoholic brews on shore. As far as I have read there has still been no distilled non alcoholic drinks served on Seabourn ships despite advertising this would be so in the Herald.

I am afraid "mocktails" do not set my taste buds soaring . 

I would be interested if anyone has requested pre cruise Seed Lip etc for their Suite Bar as there definitely seems to be an interest in these drinks.