New Seabourn Cruisers Review of the ODY 10/20 Greek and Italy Jewels

[happy cruzer]

I would like to thank everyone who answered my numerous questions about Seabourn and the ports before our cruise including new cruiser OBC, grilled fish at lunch, dining times, wine selection, gratuities, and Seabourn Excursions.  Your answers helped so much!

 

GaleForce has done a great review with pictures of the cruise.  I have submitted our review to Cruise Critic and it may take awhile to appear over in the review section.  I will put it in the next post of this tread in case it has some information that might help.  May be waste of time since GaleForce did such an excellent job.

 

Did not mention in the review that all the cruisers we meet on Seabourn were very friendly and a joy to spend time with.  I don't think anyone who has not been on Seabourn could comprehend how much that adds, I know I would not have until I actually experienced it :).

 

Again, thanks for all the help - Happy Cruzer

[happy cruzer]

7 Night Greek and Italian Jewels on Seabourn Odyssey

Perspective:  This was our 30^th cruise.  We were first time cruisers with Seabourn and received the first time OBC of $400, thanks to the Cruise Critic Seabourn Board.  This cruise had a port of call each day so we did not get to enjoy all that Seabourn offers.  But they did take very good care of us.

Pre-Cruise:  We booked airfare through Seabourn.  They are a Carnival Corp line, so there was significant savings doing cruise air.  We were booked on Delta with flights operated by Air France and Alitalia.  The Air France flight used a Boeing 767, which had the least space of any economy seat we have ever experienced.  Later, the Alitalia Boeing 777 economy class was fine, but the Air France 767 was miserably cramped.  Will avoid the 767 in the future, just to be sure.  On a positive note, there was no air deviation fee to book additional days before or after the cruise.

 

We arrived in Athens 3 days before our cruise.  Used a taxi to hotel because of luggage.  Enjoyed sightseeing and dining in Athens.  Started early and ended at about dusk.  Fall is less crowded, so was able to keep a distance for safety.  Never felt unsafe, but as in all tourist cities, DH always kept a death grip on his wallet and phone.  Purchased the Unified Ticket to visit Acropolis and additional sites.

 

Embarkation;

 

We again used a taxi to the port to help with luggage.  Arrived at port around 11:30.  Seabourn waiting area was not open to passengers.  Waited in the port area.  At about 12, we were allowed into the Seabourn area where there was cold water available.  Check-in started shortly before 1:00 and went quickly.  Went onboard to the back area of the Colonnade for lunch.  Rooms available at 2.

 

Cabin:  Cabin was an ocean view suite.  Was setup with one requested liquor and cold Champagne.  Was missing one liquor and sodas requested.  Since we never drank any alcohol in cabin, we did not note the problem.  We only drank bottled water in cabin.

 

On arrival to cabin, safe was not working and there was leak under one sink in the bathroom.  Both fixed by dinner.  Cabin service was excellent. 

 

Even on short port intensive cruise the extra space in the suite was very nice.  Room service breakfast was setup nicely with plenty of room to enjoy.  Room to dress for dinner was excellent – makeup area, large closet, and room for two to sit, walk or stand throughout suite.

 

Food:

Beverages - We never purchased a beverage because the included options were excellent.

 

We normally carry on wine to insure our favorites.  Research on Cruise Critic revealed that the included wines by the glass would meet our needs, which they did.  Wine service was prompt and thoughtful including finding our favorites and opening new bottles of the included wines from previous nights.  Never had to wait on wine service.

 

Enjoyed the cocktail service in the bars and on deck.  Staff made sure to offer Thomas Keller cocktail the night we dined there.  Observation Lounge seemed to be place for those who really are into mixed drinks.  Bartender even visited tables to get feedback about drinks.  Specially prepared cocktails were brought to the Patio and pool area in the afternoon, which were very hard to resist.  Even had beverage service at the hot tub on the front of the ship.

 

Coffee was excellent.  Enjoyed espressos and cappuccinos in dining areas.  The

Seabourn Square provided barista prepared specialties as good as any coffee house.  Also served light bites.

For Breakfast, we used room service most days since we needed to be off the ship around 8.  The Restaurant and Colonnade opened at 8am and 7am.  Used door hanger to order.  All our choices were present.  Food delivered on time, warm, and setup nicely.  Best room service ever experienced.  Did one breakfast in The Restaurant which was perfect.  Two breakfasts in the outdoor area of the Colonnade, used a mix of ordering from wait staff and buffet, perfect as well.

 

For lunch, we were never back on ship by 2 so the choice was the Patio or room service.  We ate every lunch at The Patio, always freshly grilled fish and comfort treat like slice of pizza or burger.  Excellent table service for wine and food ordering.  When they were crowded, they setup more tables.

 

Dinners were elegant affairs for us.  We dressed elegant to formal each night.

 

We had Thomas Keller reservations the first night as it was the only reservation available ahead of time before 9pm.  It was a good choice for the first night.  Best meal on the cruise for our tastes.  An officer had recommended the lamb and was correct.  Lobster as the appetizer followed by lamb was one meal.    Salad and New York Strip for the other meal.  Cocktail and wine service was thoughtful and encouraged.  Food was paced nicely.  Waiter recommended the Coconut Cake and the Chocolate Cake, was served half a slice of each presented on two plates.   Another night a couple tried to add us to their reservation and were told the restaurant was totally booked; so reservations can be tight.

 

Two dinners at Earth and Ocean. – Quiet and casual.  Portions are small and options are creative.  Great choice for a lighter meal.

 

Remaining meals at The Restaurant. – Ate 4 meals here.  All were excellent.  Service was slow one night; staff team seemed a bit new. Went to one hosted dinner which was very enjoyable.  The only drawback was that the area in the middle of the dining room made it difficult to hear at this large table of 8.  Table was hosted by two of the entertainers who were very social and made the evening special.  Regarding the menu in The Restaurant, the descriptions and choices as read on the menu do not do justice to the wonderful food.  The actual items served were very well prepared and presented.

 

Entertainment:

 

We did not participate in many activities since we were in port each day.  Can not comment on any of the daily items such as lectures and trivia.  We did go two shows, one was a fairly typical cruise ship style show and the Tim Rice show was fantastic.

 

 

The lounges at night had very good music.  The deck dance party had to be moved indoors to The Club.  We enjoyed the music and dancing with the entertainment staff.  Volume of the music was at a nice level for dancing and yet one could get farther away and converse over the music.  Staff and officers were very friendly and mingled.

 

The gym is nice.  Good variety of equipment.

 

 On the Odyssey there is no charge for the locker/changing room, showers, steam room and sauna.  They were very nice and clean.  My one visit, I was the only one in the area.  The hot tubs and pool usually only had a few users.

 

Did not use the internet or casino.  The one blackjack table was 6/5 BJ, even though multi-deck.

Seabourn Squareis very nice with the library and sitting areas.  Middle area for excursion staff offices.

 

Disembarkation; Prepaid for a shared shuttle to hotel in Rome, approx. 38 euros each.  Left ship at 8:45, shuttle arrived at the exact time agreed 9am.  Arrived at hotel at 10:45am.  Lunch then Vatican Museum tour at 1pm.  Stayed an extra day for the Borghese Gallery.  Heavy rain in the AM kept us from touring the Borghese gardens.  In the evening, we used the Rome metro to tour sites at night.  Very nice to see the Coliseum, Trevi Fountain, and Piazza Navona fountains at night.

 

Summary:  Seabourn is all that the marketing claims.  We enjoyed their cruise experience so much that it now changes what we look for in a cruise.  Having never to think about costs onboard was much more enjoyable than imagined.  Small ship with great space ratio was a big plus.  The Seabourn Service is incredible; the staff is professional and caring.  Their service is based on training and pride; they have no expectation of compensation from passengers because the gratuity is truly included.  In the future we will evaluate what cruise we book to get close to our Seabourn experience if the itinerary and value are there; otherwise we will book Seabourn.  Can’t give a higher rating than that!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ports of Call: 

 

 

Nafplion, Greece – Took Seabourn tour to Mycenae and Epidaurus.  Good value.  City is nice and could just do a walk with no tour as another option.

 

 

Katakolon, Greece - Seabourn tour to Olympia with farm lunch.  Excellent guide made the long day very interesting. 

 

 

Kerkira (Corfu) Greece – Distinctive Voyages Tour to Achilles Palace and other sites with lunch.  Very good.  City is nice and could just be visited without a tour.

 

 

Crotone, Italy – Rented car and drove to Santa Severina.  Great drive to a breathtaking castle.  Nice to take a break from tour groups.  We do not recommend Avis at this port.

 

 

Syracuse, Italy – Meant to just take a short walk and jog.  However the many sites including Castle Maniace kept us exploring until after 2pm.  Nice city.

 

 

Amalfi, Italy – Moderate rain impacted the views, but area is still very scenic.  Took city bus round trip to Ravello.  On return to Amalfi visited the cathedral, which is well worth the admission.

 

 

 

 

Edited November 13, 2018 by happy cruzer
spacing

[jenidallas]

Fantastic review... thank you for sharing!

 

We disembark Ovation tomorrow in Athens and embark Odyssey next week in Lisbon.  I’m glad to hear you left her in tip-top shape!

[Isklaar]

Super review, thanks for sharing your thoughts. Glad you had a great cruise!

 

[Sunviking]

Thank you for your comprehensive review.  We began sailing on Seabourn about five years ago after many voyages on other cruise lines and we loved it enough that it has become our first choice whenever possible.