Vineyard View

We have been in Venice this week prior to our Seabourn embarkation today. I have to say that leading up to this journey their customer service has been excellent. We booked through our TA and she was able to secure exactly what we requested in the beginning. Since then I have called their customer service a few times with questions and they have been delightful to work with - no hesitation to assist me or requirement to go through my TA. We will now see how the onboard experience is.

We are in Venice this week. Boarding tomorrow. Taking water taxi to cruise terminal in order to check in and get on the bus to the ship. One note is that once you are on the ship, you cannot just walk off as it is in an I dustrial port so make sure you do not feel the need to pick up anything nor explore after getting to the terminal.

Currently staying at Locanda Vilvadi. Really like the Jr Suite with private patio. It’s close enough to everything yet not too close!

Our first SB. In Venice this week and boarding tomorrow. We are off hwy 12 -up Los Alamos Great area to live so you are thinking in good locations.

We are in Venice this week. Boarding Quest on Saturday. We purchased 4 nice bottles from a great little wine shop yesterday. After seeing these updates, we may need to wander back to pick up a couple more to bring on board. The problem of course is space for carrying more. With the transfers being done in Venice via bus -! and No getting back off the ship in Fusina to purchase more. Croatia is upcoming, however their strong suit from what I am reading is more white than bigger reds. Oh well. It will all work out. Regarding natural and organic wines. I live in a fairly lovely wine region. While there are some of these to be had, most wineries in our refion are not marketing these nuances as much as growing, and producing sustainable practices from ground to bottle. For us, most of the wineries do the right thing for the most part, so our focus is the actual flavor profile. What works for us, which is not to say it will work for all. These wine lists are not what we would consider fine wines.

Thank you. We board Saturday. Looks like weather will be a bit dicey, depending on what hour of the day you check weather forecasts. We only booked two excursions for this trip as we really prefer DIY. One is a boat that I would think would be cancelled by Seabourn if the weather is bad? The other unfortunately is likely a bus in the port of Koper, which does not appear to hold much to do for a full or semi full day.

I will do that. We board Seabourn on Saturday. It has been confirmed multiple times by them that this is the case. Exactly as Azamara has stated to you. I know that when Viking used the industrial port last year this was the case then as well. You cannot just walk around an industrial port for safety reasons, so it is a controlled entry and exit.

We are sailing out of Fusina as well. Next week. This is the information that we have been given. This is not a port location that you can just get off and on the ship. It is in the industrial port of Venice. The only way you can transfer from Venice to Fusina and back will be busses used by your cruise line. The busses will meet you at the old cruise terminal in Venice. From there the travel time is said to be approx 20 minutes You may want to clarify all this via your travel agent or cruise line.

2 ships under 1500 pax 4 ships under 2000 pax 2 ships approx 2100 pax 3 ships under 2700 pax

HAL has three different sizes of ships. Too bad they sold off their smallest, but there are two still with just under 1500 pax.

Ferry boats are an easy and beautiful way to get to Capri. We’ve done is a few times from land tri- to crom cruise ship. Definitely not worth an excursion price nor crowd. Agree with Anacapri. Be sure to wander away from the square and explore the other side of the island. There is a great restaurant on the far side that is up a narrow walkway. We’ve been twice but cannot remember the name. It has great views and good food away from the crowds.

I would agree with flying across the pond first. We have had very good experiences with AF/KLM out of SFO multiple times. Booked them for an upcoming trip. Would take them over UA out of SFO unless it was codeshare with Lufthansa. JMHO -

We are wanting to diy from Vodice, where we port, to Sibenik for the day. Is public bus transportation frequent or is it better to grab a taxi? Or Uber? Thank you

I am not sure that the 25% applies to us being first time sailing on Seabourn. I will look at the collector pack anyways, as well as wine lists. So thank you Can’t wait either! First cruise since C. Flight from SFO on Monday, sail next Saturday. Woohoo!

I will do that! I likely will bring wine on board plus purchase quite often based on this. Rayburn is most promising red IMHO

Thank you for posting. Hoping for a bit different on Quest in 10 days. Reds are pretty meh but it’s a good wine region itinerary so we will figure it out!

I very much appreciated the time you took, and pictures you posted. We head out to this area next week. We are taking a small boat from Vis Island to Hvar. It sounds like you really enjoyed that island. I knew from past time in Dubrovnik that lace and needlework is quite lovely in Croatia (I have a wonderful piece from there) but I was not aware that lace making is a symbol of Hvar. We stop in Koper as well. Our plan is to take a bus or taxi to Piran. Probably explore, have lunch, and decide when it’s time to return. I am happy to hear that you enjoyed this little town as well. ‘thank you again!

I absolutely will come back here!

With what seems to be a larger group of passengers sailing these smaller ships, the price points just keep multiplying. So to me, if this higher price point translates into what we individually perceive as the correct level of service, ambience, food, wine…whatever it is that we set as our bar, we will continue to sail on that line. For us, our top priority is now itinerary and preferably 1200 max passengers, but given the right itinerary - 1500 pax. Food and wine are also at the top of our list. I have stretched my focus back to that higher number because on those ships still sailing with that passenger count, one can find pretty wonderful suites with lovely perks -.in the specialty restaurants etc, at a similar cost to the balcony or small suites on the smaller ships sailing. Those choices of ship size are few, and we haven’t sailed on this size ship in a number of years, but the right itinerary maybe, in a high end suite with a lovely large balcony. I honestly don’t know….but it is now ‘maybe’.

Thank you for these further options. We are flying our Monday and sailing next Saturday - -after this long wait! And of course I am scrambling! ha! I think we will likely take a bus or taxi. That way we have the option to stay longer or leave earlier. I appreciate all this feedback

Nothing is perfect. Something always happens on our trips - by land or by sea! It’s part of the experience. Letting the smaller stuff go is important for us. So I agree with you. That said, having followed Andy for several years, I believe 100% that this was not small stuff.

I have been wondering the same thing so thank you for posting this. Pulling out clothes starting tomorrow. Leave Monday! Also, I know Seabourn will press clothes when we board, but for suit jackets will they steam them?

Thank you. I really appreciate your responding. Does anyone know if that difference is dependent on itinerary?

I called Seabourn this morning with a couple questions. Long range weather forecasts are a little dicey for a boat excursion in a port we booked. I asked when it would need to be cancelled and was informed that the policy is three days beforehand for a full refund. I do not know if this was itinerary specific.

I received an email over the weekend from Seabourn that our boarding time is 1:00. I called this morning to see how that works with being bussed from Venice Cruise terminal to the ship. I was advised to be at the terminal at 12:30 unless we wanted to stay in Venice a bit later So just FYI for those sailing from Venice with ship at Fusina