BasandSyb

I don’t think you can go too wrong with either. We did Dover to Boston which included Reykjavik, Heimaey, Isafjordor and another port I can’t recall at the moment. We did a private Golden Circle tour which was about 6-7 hours so didn’t see much of Reykjavik, ship tour at Heimaey, walked around the other place and hired a car in Isafjordor which was delivered to the dock. It was a superb day of magnificent scenery and would highly recommend. We will certainly go back for more.

It’s available in all bars on Odyssey.

The highlight was a slice of an apple cake from Mamsens while waiting for trivia. I don’t do desserts (and definitely not at 11:00) but it was stunning. It looked like cake but was wholly apple with spices and fresh cream on top. The strudel you have, when not. I will follow as I want to understand my opinion in another context. Thanks

Actually much better than we have on board at the moment. They re-stocked in Cairns.

I posted a reply weeks ago, but it seems it was sucked into the cyberspace vacuum. We did 14 days Cairns to Singapore and Bangkok in November 2022. It was last minute availability as they had significant itinerary changes due to COVID country lockouts and this became a sampler cruise. We 6 Seabourners had been curious for some time to try the product. We pretty much concurred with the following post cruise thoughts - in brief: Capacity 900, guests 300 and fewer after Darwin and Bali when travel agents doing familiarisations departed. We had seemingly lots of space, but meal times were quite busy. Ship - beautiful and well maintained. Lots of light and open space. Room - much smaller than Seabourn verandah. No walk in robe. Cupboard alongside the bed for hanging clothes. Extreme nuisance for access to clothes, coat hangers knocked against the door all night. About 1/3 less storage space than Seabourn - wouldn’t want to do a longer trip. Bathroom - no tub (Yeah!). Large practical shower. One sink, not two, but large for washing if needed. Very little storage. Crew - predominantly Filipino and Indonesian. A few European MDs. Food - less than ordinary. 6 of us concurred. We had a couple of nights that were particularly problematic and management organised 2 special dinners in a private room - these also ended up with issues and poor quality meals. Pools - 2. One in the middle of the alfresco eating area - couldn’t think of anything worse for a swimmer or diner. The main pool has a sliding roof. Our cruise was a warm (hot/humid constant 32C +) every time it sprinkled rain the roof would be closed. The indoor temp around the pool would have been near 38-40C with 90% oppressive humidity. Very unpleasant and I recall the whole area had minimal use as the water was also too warm. There is limited seating/loungers outdoors. I cannot fathom how 900 people would use this area on a warm Med cruise. Entertainment - we normally go to a few shows. We did not go to one. I cannot recall why, but assume lack of interest. I recall a magician and a pianist. The CD was virtually non-existent. If you didn’t do trivia you would never have seen him. Very disengaged 10 questions in 10 minutes and left the room as quickly as possible. The A/CD did a better more personable job, but 10 quick questions is hardly worth bothering about. There was a group of lecturers on board travelling from the cruise start in the US. They won everyday as many questions were on repeat. Not a great experience. We had a drinks package. Every time we ordered a drink. We were asked our room numbers to the extent we thought it would be easier to have them tattooed on our foreheads. The bar staff seemed to do endless paperwork on drinks consumed and the amount of liquor in bottles remaining. They are either operating under a highly bureaucratic manual system, or had a theft issue, such was the scrutiny. If a bottle ran out it could be up to 48 hours to be replaced. The elusive store room key! There was a more intimate whiskey bar come nightclub. About 2/3 the size of the Seabourn O class. A very good band and an excellent singer who could belt out anything (Filipino group). The room was too small for this entertainment for 300 guests. Could not imagine the experience with 900 mulling around looking for an elusive seat. Would we go again? No. We initially thought if there is an interesting and different itinerary. We have subsequently found a couple, but then agreed the on ship wouldn’t we worth it despite the cheaper price. Ultimately, thoughts of a full ship and how it would service passengers scared the heck out of us. I understand it does have a strong Australian following. I hope this is helpful.

And the truth will out. Subterfuge always ends with red faces. In cricket parlance - always best to play a straight bat (unless you are HQ engaged in conspiracy theories about where the next demand for a cruise credit is going to come from) 🙈🙉🙊

Fabulous. Enjoy. We have done the Paul Gauguin cruise line in this area 8 times and when staying on land always hit the Carrefour - pate, cheese, baguettes at 1/5th the price of home! Forget the cholesterol for a few days. The wine is also great although more expensive given import duties. Can’t go too wrong. so jealous. Have a great time in Moorea.

Be afraid, be very afraid!

FJ, we are enjoying your blog very much and don’t want to divert this onto a side issue in what otherwise is an annoying grain of sand in a pearl of a trip. A couple of brief comments. Agree with the paint stripper analogy for the whites and that Raymond is one of very few in our opinion drinkable reds - when available. The continuing issue is that as soon as you are poured a glass of something you consider okay you are then advised it’s finished. The products to our taste ended day 1. Then struggling to find something else a stray bottle of something passable gets pulled out and you are told there’s only one or two left then it’s gone. Since day one we’ve been asking for a list to get some idea of what is/was at some point available. Two things seem to be occurring. We have a ship stock of random lot ends and the various products that are on board seem to be lurking in bits and pieces at different bars or in cupboards to be found days later. Find this very puzzling, when stock monitoring and tracking systems are so advanced these days. We have crew disappearing between bars, searching out product which is a waste of their time, particularly as it appears there are considerable staff shortages at the moment. Final comments on this topic - poor product choices, previous porting in Australia doesn’t seem to have been taken advantage of, staff have also been confused and frustrated, as mentioned we have given up and purchased our own and acknowledge the difficulties the ship has in securing supplementary product in this part of the world from small islands. It’s just getting a bit tedious having the same conversations each night at dinner to find something, mind you, it’s also been the most common conversation starter with new acquaintances.

That was in part tongue in cheek, but we generally like stronger wines - doesn’t matter where from although I think Sth Africa and Australia have some affinity here - and as Robert Parker has confirmed, the older the palate the greater need for stronger wines as our taste buds “dull”. That said, love a rose or great Pinot or even Beaujolais in the afternoon, mad about a good barolo. Can drink rubbish occasionally like anyone and put a smiley face on it, but we aren’t doing the $5 meal deal at McDonalds here 😇and don’t expect to be treated as such.

So, can the whole lot of them get out of head office and onto a ship and try and order a complimentary wine and enjoy it. A down home experience is always good. Our ship missed its supplies 2 weeks ago (diverted to Sojourn by mistake - we got their bathrobes which BTW are crazy for a hot climate! - they got our wine) and by the time bureaucratic Seattle finally gave permission for off shore purchases not much is available on small Pacific Islands - who would have thought? No Shiraz, little to no Cab Sav on board despite being in Australian waters for two weeks prior to our cruise. Do they look at their demographic and nationality make up for bookings or just use their buying power for export/auction stock of French and Californian wines? Yeah ok first world problem and wine is a personal preference - but we aren’t fussy or discerning the 20+ people we know of remarking on this. Food is great, but many on board are scratching for a decent bold red to compliment the dining experience. Even the pay list is light weight. Have taken to buying in port where we can. Not enhancing the luxury inclusive feel lugging bottles back to ship, in fact it makes you feel like someone with an alcohol problem. A COVERT fact finding mission is always helpful in a new job.

I think it’s about time they removed the seats around the observation bar and made everyone sit down. We normally go to the OB but haven’t for a week or so given the spread. A week in your room isn’t terribly appealing. COVID is life, but let’s just minimise the risks for staff and cruisers!

For the cases on board it will be a few weeks to come through. I’m sure there will be terms and conditions. At this stage it’s written advice of a forthcoming credit.

Quick note - the FCC applies regardless of the worry free etc. if isolation is required.

Yes the number of affected passengers has remained fairly constant for the last 2 weeks. Upon identification it is been 7 days of isolation. If partners have tested negative they may still more about the ship. However, most have restricted themselves and masked up. Partners are tested day 5. From conversations most have had the mildest of initial symptoms, self identified and kept to quarters and been generally ok. The staff have been outstanding in their responses for room service and comfort support. Given the change over today of people who were aware, it will be interesting to see how long it takes the newbies to pick up on health issues and avoid the spread, or if it extends. Have been pleased the way the captain has acknowledged this is life, rather than keeping it under wraps.

Still enjoying every moment on board. Gratuitous pic of Lifou, just because I have one or three.

We live in a hot weather climate and dress rules around business attire has certainly (and thankfully) changed over the years. If jackets are required, open neck shirts are fine in the most official of occasions. Rarely are jackets worn when dining out and then in the cooler months. We enjoy dressing up occasionally, but not every night. Elegant casual is perfect. On nights when we really don’t want to bother too much we go to the patio. I think the dress changes are generally reflecting how people live and work these days. There is less formality. Long cruises also reflect people on holidays gradually winding down and relaxing. We are Odyssey at the moment and it hasn’t missed a beat (or beets which we have thoroughly enjoyed every offering😇). Food has been some of the best we have had and crew are outstanding. Available wine is the only low point with limited variety whites and poor quality reds. We were concerned after our last 35 days pre COVID experience which was less than ordinary on Sojourn and also from the CC posts. Very happy so far.

We will do the mad dash on Tuesday. Haven’t packed yet despite all good intentions and feel terribly disorganised. Will see you “out and about”.

It’s a slow ship to turn around. It took Seabourn until 2014 to move away from performances of Sara Lee. Good grief that was awful. 😱 Tim Rice was an improvement, but always brought with it the problems of $ investment in rights, staging and training guaranteed to be locked in ad nauseum. (Same as TK Grill which we dislike, but many don’t). We made those comments when we first saw the show - that it would be with us for several years and this was potentially our last night out at the grand salon for a while, which has proved correct in a way. COVID aside we tend to travel 2-3 times a year for 5-8 weeks at a time and were less than thrilled to see Seabourn continue with the production shows which seen once is enough. Agree also with the same tired comedians and magicians who do the circuits with every cruise line. It’s probably great if you cruise infrequently for 7-14 days, but for frequent customers on their home away from home it’s worse than the repeats on TV we are escaping. Once we went direct from Seabourn to a Regent and got the same very nice chap doing card tricks, memory recall and wrist watch lifting. We have found many outstanding musicians in the club - yes most are pulled together into a “band” and are so professional in their flexibility. Some have their own groups within the band eg a duo or trio. If they were allowed to do their own show (songs) in the club this would add some variety and spontaneity away from the formulaic pre and post evening standards. In some cases the club singer is more talented than the production singers and is better placed to headline the sail away parties - but this rarely happens. Perhaps it fundamentally falls with the CD? To pull together/apart teams to make the best of the talent on board, recognise and show case it? We would not miss the production numbers (and Disney style performers) and enjoy most genres of music in their place. The observation bar is a place for background music only - in observation of its other purpose.

While we have found Seabourn speakers to be generally ok with a couple who have been very good, it is a mixed bag. We try everyone once. Having an area of interest (or a political/diplomatic career) and sending in your resume to cruise lines for a free cruise (with sometimes a paying spouse) to sing for your supper, doesn’t guarantee an interesting outcome. Sometimes my toes have curled thinking that people in the audience would have greater academic knowledge and practical expertise in the subject area or tried to stop the eye roll and sit still for 50 mins and listen to boorish anecdotes and name droppers. That said, those with the gift of the gab can get away with nonsense with an entertaining presentation and be forgiven. Our most incredulous experience was on a Regent Caribbean cruise - a 20s something high school (secondary) science teacher had been engaged and given a topic on pirates - he had not indicated a specialty subject, but rather the ability to pull anything together. He did in a basic historical slideshow which would pass muster as wiki pirates - not what we would have expected as guest speaker. He and his wife were utterly charming and enjoyed their 14 day free cruise. Have looked at presenters for our next cruise and it will be … interesting. Fingers crossed.

Good to hear this was quickly clarified. I too do all the trip planning, organisation and phone calls to Seabourn and am primary contact - Basil turns up on the required date. We each have different email addresses with Seabourn as part of the registration process as the system can’t handle the same email x 2. Yet every itinerary change, account update, vax notice, boarding time notification goes to him solely. Happy International Women’s Day!

It’s not a burger without beetroot. Apparently it’s now a superfood! Note the buns are also different - never a sweet brioche style. Try a Balter XPA beer while in Australian waters - shouldn’t be hard to find one, it’s on tap in most places. Keep enjoying the new experiences!

Just catching up on your posts FJ. Have also been following Sharkb8 with much interest, given the similar ports. Thankfully, the most disturbing thing we’ve seen so far is the change in house champagne😳, let’s hope it’s all a storm in a flute. We fly in the day of the cruise (hopefully!). It’s been fun to read the parallels in your to do list - extra meds etc. yup we’ve done the same runs. The suitcases are out and packing will start this week. We also moved a year ago to retire but escaped the hedges and gardens that were becoming too much, even with Manuel and Polly. Renovations have started and will continue when we get back. It is great to just switch off all appliances and walk out the door and not bother family with regular checks. Safe travels - the spare set of clothes is always good for a shower in the lounge at Singapore to freshen up. See you on our home away from home.

Mauzac - Last blast of 30s+ summer here and we will be chasing it when we embark Odyssey in 17days in Sydney, so have been following the recent world and grand voyages with interest to whet the appetite. Can’t wait. Would be nice to know who our CD is.

Mauzac we haven’t experienced Ian and his partner, but he sounds wonderful. Have often wondered if you were able to ascertain who was CD, particularly on the smaller ships if there would be a particular “following”. It would certainly tip our decision to jump in if we knew our favourites were on board. It can make such a different to the ship culture and vibe. Loving your posts Shark b8. The Barron Falls are certainly magnificent. They are linked to a hydro system so the water releases are timed for the train etc. However, you were lucky enough to see them with a bit more water given the recent rains. This in no way is anything near their original power. Occasionally in flooding situations it comes close (but not fully). They were magnificent. Sky rail is a great experience.