Live from Seabourn Encore

[sfvoyage]

3- Cabins of the usual variety and have a large screen TV but are a bit narrower and are deeper which makes the bureau opposite the bed very shallow...

 

Thanks for your report. Where is the TV, still to the side inside the cabinet? Or mounted on the wall directly facing the foot of the bed?

[markham]

The large screen tv is free standing on a cabinet that is 1.5 times or so as wide as on the Ody class ships and with storage above and below, and on the side.

 

Another location: the area around the pool is probably the same although wider. Sky Bar and Patio Bar are same size Dancing at Rock the Boat was on the starboard side of the pool while the band was at the aft end of the pool (towards the new Grill location).

 

Happy and healthy sailing!

[marama]

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 :)

 

Thats very disappointing. I was so looking forward to the Bollinger as I agree with your view on the NF. I thought it sounded too good to be true.

[eliana]

More about Encore:

 

In case you were wondering about how Encore will accommodate 150 more passengers across the dining venues and entertainment events, the MDR and Colonnade open at 18:45 until 20:45, the Patio is 19:30 to 21:00, and TK is 18:00 to 21:00. Sushi is 18:00 to 20:45. There are 2 showtimes - at 20:30 and 22:00.

 

Happy and healthy sailing!

 

Thanks Markham. Two questions. Do any of the restaurants require advance reservations in the evening? Are there two showtimes as the theatre cannot hold all the passengers when the ship is full?

[Corony]

Markham do you need to be booked into the Keller grill or is the piano lounge open to all passengers regardless of whether or not they are dining at TK?

[markham]

One needs to reserve a table for TK dinners and Ad Hoc TK dinners at the Colonnade and also for tables of 6+ in the MDR.

 

I believe that the 2 shows idea gives people more choice on their own timings for shows. Of course many people seem to prefer early shows and dining. The Grand Salon certainly would not accommodate 600 people.

 

Yes, one can have a couple of drinks at the TK lounge freely, whether or not dinner follows. Easy peasy.

 

We like the big and beautful Obs Bar pre and post dinner with singer Darlene and her husband on piano and also the TK lounge pre-dinner.

 

Happy and healthy sailing!

[Able Seaman H]

As Markham has said there seem to be a few cruise critic people on board including lots of "lurkers".

 

Feel free to keep saying hello.

 

To correct Markham on the wood finish I think it's cherry wood for wall panels and something called Wenge for the darker striped wood used on the ceilings rather than mahogany. I only know because they offer similar finishes when buying British built motor yachts.

 

If you're into your private yachts "A" was astern of us at Dubai. If someone bought that as a souvenir it tops my humble 8 foot marble Buddha. Last I heard the asking price was US$ 300 million though I should be able to get you a bit of discount if interested.

 

Abu Dhabi was another interesting port of call, I'm liking the UAE as a cruise destination. Also liking the late departure which allowed me to wander round with a camera as the sun retreated for the day.

 

Despite the pose and balance of a leaping Gazelle I failed to negotiate the floating stepping stones.

 

 

Lunch at the Emirates Palace

 

 

 

 

The Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. A late departure meant I was able to time my visit to accommodate sunset. At night you can see why they call it the blue Mosque.

 

 

 

 

Got some nice video of the Mosque as well. The fun police at the Emirates palace weren't happy with my tripod so they don't fare so well. Their credit card machine was broken so hopefully Buddha will fine them the cost of our lunch. Karma is a funny old thing !!

 

Henry

[Able Seaman H]

Purely for the purpose of reporting back to the avid viewers of cruise critic I might have had a couple of goodies from the various offerings around the ship.

 

I can assure you I got no pleasure. :)

 

 

 

Henry :)

[DUHCAR]

I am curious as to the fate of the goodies that are all wrapped up.....

[galeforce9]

They look ready to be devoured!!

 

 

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[koalapanda]

We are looking forward to a detailed description of Xmas day fare, please

[Mr Luxury]

I usually relocate some of the larger chocolate Santas to outside the suite doors of friends onboard.

It is a surprise for them especially if I have decorated their door as well.[emoji14]

 

 

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[Mr Luxury]

Able seaman H was going to have the train and track outside his door this Christmas with a couple of Santas going around on it but he is lucky that I can't be on the Encore as my plans had changed.

 

 

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[Able Seaman H]

I feel that we maintained your honour finally retiring at 02.30hrs. A warm up for New Years Eve.

 

The 2 of you have been remembered several times during the cruise. When people know I have broken bread with the legend that is Mr Luxury they understandably want to know more. Rest assured your true identity remains a closely guarded secret although I still think wearing your underpants outside your trousers on formal nights gives the game away !

 

Henry :)

[findacruise]

Thanks for all the information and the video. Very much looking forward to boarding Encore in Auckland on February 18 for our second Seabourn cruise. I already know where I want to have my first cocktail - the TK lounge - after your description!

[shefinch]

Able seaman H was going to have the train and track outside his door this Christmas with a couple of Santas going around on it but he is lucky that I can't be on the Encore as my plans had changed.

 

 

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Sorry to hear that John. We were looking forward to meeting up in Singapore at the Inaugural ceremony!

[Able Seaman H]

Thanks for all the information and the video. Very much looking forward to boarding Encore in Auckland on February 18 for our second Seabourn cruise. I already know where I want to have my first cocktail - the TK lounge - after your description!

 

 

Not a bad choice at all. Give Katy a hug from us !!

 

Henry :)

[Able Seaman H]

I had always assumed Seabourn planned their ports of call via a team of experts in the field. It turns out they have a huge map of the world on the office wall, get p1ssed up on a Friday afternoon, close their eyes then shove pins in it.

 

Had to retire inside to avoid the pollution coming from a huge tower directly up-wind from us.

 

Coal dust, noise, smoke, pollution, the port of Mangalore has it all. What drugs were you on when you decided to bring guests here Seabourn?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Departure can't come soon enough......

 

Henry

[comas]

That is grim!! Hope you are not staying there overnight !!!

 

 

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[shefinch]

It's because it's cheap Henry. Call me cynical but that seems to be how Seabourn chose their ports!!

[Mr Luxury]

Very similar to a couple of ports on the South Africa Sojourn 2014 Christmas cruise.

Maputo and one other that I can't remember.

We docked right next to works that spewed out pollution.

Henry don't forget to get everyone to put their thoughts on the comment form.

 

 

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[cruising kirby]

That port looks horrible! Were there incredible shore excursions on offer to justify a visit there?

[Isklaar]

Very similar to a couple of ports on the South Africa Sojourn 2014 Christmas cruise.

Maputo and one other that I can't remember.

We docked right next to works that spewed out pollution.

Henry don't forget to get everyone to put their thoughts on the comment form.

 

 

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Reminded me of the SA cruise also. Are you thinking of Richards Bay? That was the one with the largest coal terminal in the world right on the port side of Sojourn. Overnight too!

Edited December 29, 2016 by Isklaar

[Suite Travels]

Seems like many cruise lines use working ports.

[Corony]

Also reminiscent of some of their Indonesian ports on Java. Couldn't figure out their port choices for the life of us except that they must have saved them money.