Seabourn Sojourn Path of Vikings -On My Way!

[Bluewatercruizer]

Just a note to say I hope to send some notes/pix during the trip -- not committing to a full trip report but will do my best (Granny Lorr and Bristol Golfer really set the standards there!)

 

I am just waiting to leave for the airport shortly and will be spending 5 glorious days exploring London after a long absence from that city.

 

The highlight, of course, will be meeting up with Jane BP and all the CCers who will be onboard.

 

The wait is over, the anticipation has built and finally, the journey begins.

 

:D:D:D:D:D

Marga

[cwn]

Can't wait to hear what you have to say......we will be doing the viking cruise next year on the Sojourn!

 

 

Have a good time!

[OrpingtonT]

Best of luck, Bluewatercruiser. Hope you enjoy your time in London and have a wonderful cruise. I look forward to you reports and pictures. Try to include some of your fellow CC ers.

[Seabourn-nail]

I hope you and Jane will have a great time in London and on the Sojourn Marga (together with all others for that matter)!

Marja

[JaneBP]

Think we have a group of at least 24 from CC. Can't wait to meet everyone. Checking my lists and finishing packing. Sun is rising after grim hurricane and earthquake.

[dd@sea]

Jane, so happy to hear that you 'weathered the storm'. Have a safe trip along with the others and will see you all next Saturday as we board and for sure on September 4th. I still haven't made up my mind on the excursion and I am so sorry to put you on hold. I came down this last week with a horrible fever, aches and now a cough that sounds as if the inner earth is exploding. I am working on getting well by the time we leave. Fortunately, we are packed, tagged, and ready to go. Each day is feeling better with no worries of weather, flights etc.

[JaneBP]

It's ok, I am going and if you want to go, you can make the decision any time. It does include lunch and no bathing suits.

[Seabourn-nail]

It's ok, I am going and if you want to go, you can make the decision any time. It does include lunch and no bathing suits.

Great.... no bathing suits!

I always liked to read Ovidius.... was easy to translate;)!

Marja

[JaneBP]

>"was easy to translate!"

 

For you, maybe!

[Bluewatercruizer]

Looking forward to meeting the Cruise Critic Class of 2011 aboard Sojourn -- 24! Jane, that ought to net you plenty of trivia players.

 

After a frantic week due to a last-minute business trip and feeling a bit discombulated with all the things to be done before being away for nearly a month, at last the day arrived -- 3 months of countdown calendars, reading reviews and watching iTube videos are over!

 

Had a bit of a drama at the airport when my driver dropped me off and unloaded the vast amount of luggage I always seem to take on cruises (I know -- someday I will try luggage forwarding!). Went off to get a cart. When I returned, my luggage was there but not the driver nor my laptop bag. RISING PANIC. Quick call to the service had him returning to the airport and all was well. Then I couldn't remember if I had packed my camera (I had). Well, it has just been one of those weeks. Couldn't imagine going to Greenland and Heimey Island without a proper camera. Besides, how could I snap pix of Club CC onboard Sojourn without a camera? :eek:

 

I am not usually this distracted -- I even have my entire week in London scheduled on an Excel spreadsheet (the look on the hotel Concierge's face when he saw this was priceless :)). You could just hear him thinking, "Yanks!"

 

After a perfectly uneventful direct flight from Phoenix on a BA 747, arrived to a coolish (61 deg f) weather but no rain (the driver said they had terrible weather yesterday). BTW -- the food and especially the coffee on BA ranged from not impressive to perfectly dreadful.

 

Also informed that the Nottingham Carnival is going on and there was a bank holiday today so many people out on the road.

 

Arrived at the Marriott Park Lane to a warm welcome - a beautifully situated property just across from Speaker's Corner at Hyde Park. I did learn something new (albeit unverified) -- that you can speak about anything you want there so long as you don't speak against the Queen. BUT if you do wish to say something negative, you have to speak while standing on something as the ground beneath you is/was owned by the Queen (this, according to my driver). Hence the term -- standing on your soapbox.

 

This hotel took some criticism as I recall on Trip Advisor about the front desk staff not being welcoming - well, I can assure you that is completely untrue based on my experience. The front desk manager escorted me to my room, my bags were swept away instantly and everyone has gone out of their way to be helpful. I stay in a lot of Marriotts stateside for business and they have not been nearly this welcoming.

 

My room, while lacking much of a view, is enormous by London standards, and best of all, very quiet. It shall be home for the next 5 days.

 

The location is ideal for exploring. I had grand plans of getting out there today but didn't arrive until nearly 4 pm so had a quick nap and then trundled downstairs for some tea. Then I was feeling a bit "peckish" so had a lovely salmon, crab and advocado salad. So far, I have been in London for 3 hours and have resisted all scones, pastries and other goodies. As this is unlikely to remain for long, I need to trumpet my strongly wavering resistance to temptation while I can.

 

Booking reservations at some highly touted restaurants this week-- Oslo Court and Ledbury, perhaps Le Gavroche. Tomorrow I am off to the Palace to see the Faberge collection and St. James park and perhaps a little shopping on Charing Cross Rd. for books. Might take in a matinee show, according to my spreadsheet ;).

 

More soon from the currently dry-docked Bluewatercruizer.

 

Marga