Live from Seabourn Encore

[margbem]

Thank you Able Seaman H, for your time and trouble. Fantastic to see the new ship. Have a great holiday!

 

 

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[wripro]

Thank you so much for these great photos, Henry. They are certainly whetting my appetite on many levels.

 

Henry

[lincslady]

Host Dan - on second thoughts, it is good to have both Henry and ?Kevin having their own threads, which I guess they prefer. Two slightly different points of view for us to see. And Henry's photos are brilliant, really bring the ship to life for everyone.

[Mr Luxury]

Henry,many thanks for your time and effort with the piccies.

I like the restaurant and its chapel like ceiling and really love the feel and quality of the rear entrance to the restaurant,Encore really is streets ahead in quality and finish from the Odyssey class ships.

Hope Sharon is well and that you are both enjoying your break.

 

 

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[eliana]

Is the reason for two showtimes because the theatre cannot hold all the guests?

[Mr Luxury]

An officer in reflective thought

 

 

 

Looking for icebergs

 

 

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[eliana]

No, I think it's man overboard. Maybe it's TK as the officer does not seem too concerned.

[Able Seaman H]

Host Dan - on second thoughts, it is good to have both Henry and ?Kevin having their own threads, which I guess they prefer. Two slightly different points of view for us to see. And Henry's photos are brilliant, really bring the ship to life for everyone.

 

It would be extremely rude to hijack someone else's thread and post my thoughts. We are two different people each with our own agenda and that's great, it allows viewers to see two views and make their own mind up. Inevitably there will be cross over but you have to let us express ourselves.

 

There is a significant investment in time to post.

 

Henry :)

[Able Seaman H]

Henry,many thanks for your time and effort with the piccies.

I like the restaurant and its chapel like ceiling and really love the feel and quality of the rear entrance to the restaurant,Encore really is streets ahead in quality and finish from the Odyssey class ships.

Hope Sharon is well and that you are both enjoying your break.

 

 

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The restaurant works well. A very different feel. Actually quite hard to photograph, I haven't managed to take a perfect picture yet.

 

I have passed on your kind words to Mrs Able Seaman H :)

[sfvoyage]

It would be extremely rude to hijack someone else's thread and post my thoughts. We are two different people each with our own agenda and that's great, it allows viewers to see two views and make their own mind up. Inevitably there will be cross over but you have to let us express ourselves.

 

There is a significant investment in time to post.

 

Henry :)

 

I agree wholeheartedly. While it makes sense to combine some minor and misc. related threads, auteur-level threads with personal stories and photos, such as yours, should not be tampered with.

 

BTW, are you a champagne drinker? Is Nicolas Feuillatte still being poured on Encore? (A while back there were some threads about its replacement by Bollinger, effective with the Encore rollout. I had since been told, recently on board the Quest, that Bollinger is not happening, but Taittinger will be the replacement. However, friends currently on the Quest are reporting that Taittinger contract has not been signed, and no decision has been made about the replacement - when and what with...)

Edited December 7, 2016 by sfvoyage

[koalapanda]

Thank you Henry, beautiful photography. Seeing familiar faces is so nice. The Dining room is much improved. Your photos are very enticing. Chairsin I agree totally, having Jes as the Chef onboard who wouldn't be lured.

Enjoy your Cruise Henry.

Edited December 8, 2016 by koalapanda
hiccup

[Able Seaman H]

BTW, are you a champagne drinker? Is Nicolas Feuillatte still being poured on Encore? (A while back there were some threads about its replacement by Bollinger, effective with the Encore rollout. I had since been told, recently on board the Quest, that Bollinger is not happening, but Taittinger will be the replacement. However, friends currently on the Quest are reporting that Taittinger contract has not been signed, and no decision has been made about the replacement - when and what with...)

 

 

I can confirm that Feuillatte is still the inclusive champagne served. I find it a bit acidic for my taste but as a non champagne drinker my views shouldn't be taken too seriously.

 

What I did try last night in the TK Grill was a lovely 2013 Californian Chardonnay called Vine Cliff . A large glass set me back $7, about half what you would pay on Royal Caribbean for a glass of plonk. Wanting to go the extra mile for you guys I invested in a second glass just to make sure there was consistency across the cellar.

 

Henry :)

[Able Seaman H]

Thomas Keller on Seabourn

 

Having read so much on here about TK I was almost dreading setting foot in the Grill restaurant. If all the posts were to be believed we were in for a night of horror.

 

The setting is lovely, I'll post up some more photos throughout the cruise but for now a shot of the bar.

 

 

Drinks at the bar were lovely and the whole ambience conducive to a pleasant evening. We ended up inviting people we had met previously to join us as they had struggled to get a table - actually they turned up on the wrong night.

 

I ordered the crab cake. Unfortunately it was so good I forgot to photograph it until it was too late....

 

 

For main course we opted for the rack of lamb between two people.

 

 

Simply superb accompanied with a selection of vegetables.

 

In invested 7 of my American dollars in a generous sized glass of Vine Cliff Chardonnay. A wonderful buttery wine and dare I say it good value. So much so that one glass became two.

 

 

For desert the chocolate layer cake attracted my attention

 

 

It didn't disappoint.

 

Given my experience with the truly superb TK lobster in the main restaurant the night before I'm going to have to question the somewhat negative way in which Thomas Keller food has been received on here. I'm sure there have teething problems as the project was developed but now here in all its glory with a dedicated restaurant I have nothing but positive words to say. I haven't experienced family dining in the Colonnade yet but am looking forward to.

 

This forum offers great help and advice but I fear there are times where any change is seen in a dim light and people look too hard for fault. For me Thomas Keller is a great addition to the fleet.

 

Henry :)

[oregon50]

Great photos!

 

Versus Quest TK Grill, Encore room and food look like a gigantic step up. SB could not have come up with better photos to sell the ship.

[ct-andy]

Great photos!

Can't wait to board in Sydney.

[Able Seaman H]

I believe someone asked about the forward sun loungers on deck 12

 

 

Also notice the "wing" lounging areas either side of the Atrium glass on deck 11

 

 

Lounging pads forward of the main pool

 

 

I have some better shots of the Retreat area including the menus of inclusive products which I will post up when I have a moment.

 

Pre-dinner drinks beckon....

 

Henry :)

[bradtarga34]

Thomas Keller on Seabourn

 

Having read so much on here about TK I was almost dreading setting foot in the Grill restaurant. If all the posts were to be believed we were in for a night of horror.

 

The setting is lovely, I'll post up some more photos throughout the cruise but for now a shot of the bar.

 

 

Drinks at the bar were lovely and the whole ambience conducive to a pleasant evening. We ended up inviting people we had met previously to join us as they had struggled to get a table - actually they turned up on the wrong night.

 

I ordered the crab cake. Unfortunately it was so good I forgot to photograph it until it was too late....

 

 

For main course we opted for the rack of lamb between two people.

 

 

Simply superb accompanied with a selection of vegetables.

 

In invested 7 of my American dollars in a generous sized glass of Vine Cliff Chardonnay. A wonderful buttery wine and dare I say it good value. So much so that one glass became two.

 

 

For desert the chocolate layer cake attracted my attention

 

 

It didn't disappoint.

 

Given my experience with the truly superb TK lobster in the main restaurant the night before I'm going to have to question the somewhat negative way in which Thomas Keller food has been received on here. I'm sure there have teething problems as the project was developed but now here in all its glory with a dedicated restaurant I have nothing but positive words to say. I haven't experienced family dining in the Colonnade yet but am looking forward to.

 

This forum offers great help and advice but I fear there are times where any change is seen in a dim light and people look too hard for fault. For me Thomas Keller is a great addition to the fleet.

 

Henry :)

 

Can you just get a drink at the Bar if you don't have a dinner reservation, thinking it might be an option for The Club as they seem to be struggling a bit with the new setup, and it also looks really nice?

[eliana]

Another question for AbleSeaman. Is the Colonnade open in the evening for dinner other than the Ed hoc family ones.

[Mr Luxury]

Thanks Henry

Your dinner date looks rather nice perched on the bar stall.

I thought that it was only you and me that improved with age [emoji6]

 

 

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[Hanoverian]

Henry, thanks so much for your pictures and information. The Encore looks to be as beautiful as promised. I can hardly wait to set sail on her.

[Able Seaman H]

Yes, you can use the TK bar for drinks. There is a very talented singer / pianist Katy Shotter (I think) who plays pre dinner and then again as service draws to an end.

 

Colonnade, patio and Sushi all available for evening dinner (Patio weather permitting).

 

It would seem we have competition Mr L.

 

Henry :)

[Able Seaman H]

As promised a bit more information on the retreat.

 

Cost of entry is $350 per suite per day.

 

One of the cabanas

 

Looking across to the bar

 

The bar

 

A general overview

 

Retreat cocktails menu

Retreat food menu

 

 

Time will tell how many people pay to play. I suspect there will be a number of complimentary passes use for loyal customers or to placate customers who have had problems.

 

Henry

[Able Seaman H]

Drinks list, previous post had too many images

 

[Suite Travels]

Ok, I'm sold. This is where our OBC will be spent on sea days with a nice video or a good book or just listening to my music in a quiet zone. Our TA is very generous with OBC but we have a hard time spending it. We do our own tours and really never buy anything from the shops so this would be an added luxury to spend those credits.

[Suite Travels]

As promised a bit more information on the retreat.

 

Cost of entry is $350 per suite per day.

 

One of the cabanas

 

Looking across to the bar

 

The bar

 

A general overview

 

Retreat cocktails menu

Retreat food menu

 

 

Time will tell how many people pay to play. I suspect there will be a number of complimentary passes use for loyal customers or to placate customers who have had problems.

 

Henry

 

Do you think we are able to order Caviar? Are the appetizer's the only food option on the menu?