NA Cruise 2011

[Menelaus]

I am suprised that no one who was on this cruise has mentioned it. I would have thought than at least one of the passengers would have written a review, or was it just a virtual cruise?

[JaneBP]

Can you be more specific? I think you mean the Sojourn, with the NA note, could be North Atlantic or North America. But which itinerary?

[Menelaus]

The path of the Vikings or similar name

[JaneBP]

If you mean the cruise from Dover to Quebec and on to NYC, I was on that one as were several CC members. Not sure if there was a specific long critique, but there have been many posts including the one about 'slippage' which moved into discussions of CDs. I found the ports interesting, loving Iceland and Lerwick. I didn't get off on several of them, having vacationed as a child in the Maritimes and Quebec. (Father was a fisherman,)

It was bouncy, most port days were good, food was good, and I for one, didn't have much to comment on because I did not see a show, quit Trivia, ate most of my meals in my suite, did like the lectures, never visited the spa, boutique, casino, the Sky Grille at night, or Restaurant 2. Do you have any specific questions?

[Menelaus]

Thanks Jane its' just there is so much twaddle re. soap, wine etc It would be so nice to hear about the good things. I hope to be on the similar one next year and mostly wanted to know how she rode in all the bad weather. Also what lectures? If you stay in your cabin a lot does that mean you know what the selecton of dvd's is like HWMBO is a real TV addict!

From your posts you seem to spend a lot of time on the sea.

[JaneBP]

I did post another brief comment or two but forget in what thread. I am no surprised that the next years's TA might pique you interest since it ends in Montreal. I found the bounciness tolerable because I don't get seasick. But some did, of course. Occasionally a chair, plate, or passenger went head-over-teacup. We were battling two hurricanes. I found that with the need to walk with a cane, the back entrance to the Dining Room was quite unnavigable, because there are no hand rails, just art. However, if I called the Pursers, someone was sent to walk me to where I needed to go. Nothing iike a firm arm. Occasionally I needed a wheelchair, and that was provided too. We did miss one stop in Newfoundland because the tenders couldn't operate. But there was not much to see, just a Viking village excavation.

I have said before, I tossed more on the QM2 than any time on a Seabourn ship.

There were many selections on the in-room movie viewing, but I found most of them not to my interest. I did watch a few that I had seen before, and enjoyed again. But there were a lot of them. I had my Kindle and on sea days could just stay put and snug. Easier to get to the loo in my suite, naturally.

Lecturers were on many British topics, and then there was a Viking expert as well. I do miss the port lectures by the Travel Consultant, because one can ask questions. I find the booklets that are now given out worthless. But most times there was a local member of the tourist Authority onboard the morning in port.

I had signed up for next years TA but cancelled it in favor of another itinerary I have always wanted to do. Hope this helps, ask away.

[JaneBP]

I have a great tour company for Iceland and the Faroe Islands, let me know if you want that information.

[dd@sea]

We were on this one with Jane. (Hi Jane, so enjoyed meeting you and our indian dinner - hope our paths cross again) I thought the cruise was great. In fact I was surprised to see the comment about slippage - chocolates, bath amenities etc. We did not experience any of that. But then we are not high maintenance people. Oh yes one thing, they ran out of Glen Morangie scotch about two thirds the way through. My husband switched to the other brands and was fine with that. The ports were great and with the one canceled port a substitute one was used and I really liked that one - it was a 'blessing in disguise for me. As Jane said, it was bouncy, in fact I called it the thump thump ride for a couple of days, but we got through it. In our cabin, one of the thump nights, the partition between our neighbors completely broke off on on one sideand slapped back and forth loudly. Fixed immediately in the morning. I would highy recommend this course for next year, although there are a few changes.

 

Service was good, MDR was opened very day and because of the weather, the daily lunch and dinner on the patio grill (Eddie's diner - I renamed it because Eddie who had been with us on the Pride in June had just started on the Sojourn when we boarded. What a most pleasant surprise to be welcomed by him as we embarked) was often closed. When opened it was great.

 

Loved the trip. You will enjoy. Only suggestion, I wished I had taken a turtle neck sweater for warmth but managed with layering. Be sure to take a warm hat, gloves and a scarf. I also took my silk under top and did use it a couple of day.

[JaneBP]

Deanna, it was delightful to meet you too! I enjoyed meeting Eddie and eating at his diner

on some sunny occasions when we were in ports, so it was not too bouncy to navigate! Speaking of warm clothes I am now re-packing for the Spirit in December, in the Caribbean!

[socalguy2010]

I was also on this cruise. (I met Jane, Marja, et al at the Grip 'n Grin hosted by Jane on the first morning out of Dover.) I loved this cruise. The Shetlands were beautiful (superb weather that day) as was Saguenay in Quebec (the stop we made instead of Newfoundland). The seas were rough at times (I think the Captain said 30+ foot waves and wind gusts to almost 90 mph), but since I (apparently) don't get sea sick, this didn't really bother me. My favorite part of the cruise was cruising Port Christian Sound; the weather and scenery were fantastic. The whole cruise was fascinating. DW had more problems (some nausea) than I did with the rough seas, but not to the point of taking any medication (which a number of passengers did take, or so I heard). True the bars did run out of single malt scotch near the end of the cruise, but when I inquired after the stop in Saguenay (the first stop, other Qaqortoq, Greenland, after Iceland), they were able to rustle up a wee dram of Glenmorangie. Overall, an excellent cruise. :)

 

I keep intending to write a review, but I've just now finished going through the 700+ photos I took, and that takes precedence. (We stayed on in Quebec for two days after disembarking the Sojourn. I sat outside the Chateau Frontenac when the Sojourn sailed and got some very good photos and video of the ship as it sailed. Sigh.)

Don

[Seabourn-nail]

I was also on this cruise. (I met Jane, Marja, et al at the Grip 'n Grin hosted by Jane on the first morning out of Dover.) I loved this cruise. The Shetlands were beautiful (superb weather that day) as was Saguenay in Quebec (the stop we made instead of Newfoundland). The seas were rough at times (I think the Captain said 30+ foot waves and wind gusts to almost 90 mph), but since I (apparently) don't get sea sick, this didn't really bother me. My favorite part of the cruise was cruising Port Christian Sound; the weather and scenery were fantastic. The whole cruise was fascinating. DW had more problems (some nausea) than I did with the rough seas, but not to the point of taking any medication (which a number of passengers did take, or so I heard). True the bars did run out of single malt scotch near the end of the cruise, but when I inquired after the stop in Saguenay (the first stop, other Qaqortoq, Greenland, after Iceland), they were able to rustle up a wee dram of Glenmorangie. Overall, an excellent cruise. :)

 

I keep intending to write a review, but I've just now finished going through the 700+ photos I took, and that takes precedence. (We stayed on in Quebec for two days after disembarking the Sojourn. I sat outside the Chateau Frontenac when the Sojourn sailed and got some very good photos and video of the ship as it sailed. Sigh.)

Don

It wasn't ME.... probably MARGA?

Marja

[socalguy2010]

Likely so. She identified herself as Blue Water Cruiser, I think. We used screen names more than real names (or is socalguy my real name and Don my screen name - I get confused sometimes).

[JaneBP]

Don, Speaking of getting confused sometimes, I think I remember that I promised to send you the information on a wonderful polo ranch outside of Buenos Aires? At the time of the 'G&G' I had not had a BBC yet, either. If so, it is the Estancia el Rocio and the stay was arranged by Seabourn as part of the land package I took on my Pride South American cruise. It was deliciously decadent and a lovely spot. The best part was learning to make empanadas and watching all those gauchos in their boots and hip daggers!

Looking forward to your photos. I too loved the Shetland Islands, but perhaps it was enhanced by my friend who married a man from Lerwick and lives there. I want to spend some time there in a B&B with an ocean view and a pub next door!

[socalguy2010]

Thanks for the info about the polo ranch.