Live from Quest, Barcelona to Montreal, July 22 to August 29

[Fletcher]

13 hours ago, DaveA said:

No need to drive 40 miles for a test. Do a video-supervised one. We have used tests from DocHQ (dot co dot uk) - very convenient and inexpensive.

Thanks but that is waaaay above our tech pay grade.  And we don't have smartphones.  

[Mauzac]

7 minutes ago, Fletcher said:

Thanks but that is waaaay above our tech pay grade.  And we don't have smartphones.  

 

I have to say Fletcher, we don't do it on a smartphone.  We will be doing it on a laptop.  They send you a link, you click it and dial in to a Microsoft meeting.  If you have ever done a Zoom call online, it's similar.  

[kjbacon]

A couple days ago in Reykjavik, lots of new crew members boarded, including a new Hotel Director. Rumors are flying of course but we are being told that Klaus is sick. The presence of the new HD is quite noticeable and he seems to be seriously taking charge. We are hoping that it makes a difference because the service has truly been subpar and believe it or not, I have downplayed it and tried to emphasize the better points.

 

Iceland was absolutely magical and we had  such a great time. Reykjavik was full of beauty and interest from the breathtaking waterfalls to the tectonic plates separating North America and Europe.

 

 

 

We had a lovely buffet lunch at a local restaurant with homemade soups, salads, and a delicious fish filet. Best beets I’ve ever tasted!

 

Dinner that night was the TK fried chicken meal in the Collonade and the salad and chicken were still the standout. Our friends were skeptical, thinking they were the fried chicken experts, but they are believers now.

 

 

Yesterday was our first tour with the expedition team and they are absolutely fantastic! When we were suiting up in the club, we felt we would never do another expedition tour because the suits are extremely uncomfortable. As soon as we set out, we changed our minds because the tours are that good. Don’t give up with the suiting up process, it gets easier and it’s so worth it.

 

We took a zodiac tour to Vigur Island, did a birdwatching hike, and then caught up with the ship in isafjordur. We saw all kinds of wildlife and majestic beauty, like a fairy tale. Puffins are the cutest creatures on the planet!

 

 

 

Only a handful of people live on the island and they welcomed us with their traditional happy marriage cake made with their garden fresh rhubarb. What a treat!

 

 

Last night was Japanese night in the Collonade and we went there because sushi was on the menu. It was so nice to have some variety in the menu and to enjoy something different. The aft view and the sushi were the standouts. We had a new waiter who boarded in Reykjavik and our service was finally very good.

 

 

Today is a sea day passing through the Denmark straight en route to Greenland.

[travel4b]

Completely agree with your observations - from staffing to food to service to excursions - on this cruise. Also good to know we weren’t the only ones questioning our sanity as we struggled into those Zodiac suits!!  Yes, it was so worth it. 

[John117]

"The presence of the new HD is quite noticeable and he seems to be seriously taking charge. We are hoping that it makes a difference because the service has truly been subpar and believe it or not, I have downplayed it and tried to emphasize the better points."

 

I understand why you have been trying to remain positive about the substandard parts of your cruise. There are a few reviewers on CC who think we shouldn't complain as Seabourn are trying their best!!

 

I take the other view that the deficiencies should be highlighted certainly to the HD, CC readers and also to Seabourn HQ. I think that we are in danger of accepting the current situation and this becoming the new Norm and I don't want to cruise with Seabourn if that is the case.

[fdnycruiser]

Thank you once again for posting great pictures, and a nice thoughtful review. Iceland is definitely on my bucket list. 

[Raiders4Life32]

Those are some incredible pictures and thanks for sharing! Iceland has now made it's way on to my bucket list after seeing that scenery. I hope your next crossing to Greenland goes smoothly....

Edited August 16, 2022 by Raiders4Life32

[parallax]

Thank you for this wonderful review.  We are looking at doing a Seabourn cruise next year in Europe and the information is very helpful.  I am a litte surprised by some of the questions and the concerns raised by others about the degradations in service but I take it with a grain of salt.  I do not care who the cruise director or who the captain is.  My concern woud be who are the bartenders.  Those tend to be the people I develop long-term relationships with.  I  think many of the complaints are picayune but to each his/her own.   

Edited August 16, 2022 by parallax

[rkacruiser]

14 hours ago, kjbacon said:

Iceland was absolutely magical and we had  such a great time. Reykjavik was full of beauty and interest from the breathtaking waterfalls to the tectonic plates separating North America and Europe.

 

I wouldn't call it "magical", but, I agree that is is a lovely country, unique in its own way, with friendly citizens and delicious chocolate!  You were so fortunate to have such a nice day when you walked through the area where the tectonic plates separated the two continents.  When I was there, it was very rainy and so windy that the rain was being blown horizontally.  (I needed windshield wipers for my glasses with one hand on my hat.)  I had difficulty appreciating what I was seeing and where I really was.  

[labonnevie]

For all those aboard now, thank you for the updates and pictures. 
Please continue to comment on the service levels, and improvements (or lack thereof). 
We board in Montreal on the 29th and it helps to know what we should expect. 

[CanAmBrit]

Have enjoyed the commentary about this voyage so much that yesterday we went to Seabourn Square on the Sojourn to book Barcelona to Montreal in 2023 only to find that it is now Lisbon to Montreal. Apparently, the Quest has been reserved for a private booking the week beforehand so the Barcelona to Lisbon  portion has been cancelled. Oh well….

 

[Fletcher]

@CanAmBrit I see the Sojourn has changed course today, headed for Marseilles . . . 

[kjbacon]

Yesterday was a sea day in the Denmark Straight and last night we sailed through a storm that I will never forget. This morning, is much better but still slightly stormy. We were awakened at about midnight by slamming doors, falling objects, and noises above us from the pool deck that I cannot identify with certainty. 
 

I can’t say if you would like Iceland as much as I did, but I can tell you that my husband had no interest whatsoever in Iceland. He actually thanked me yesterday for pushing this itinerary because he enjoyed Iceland so much.

 

We enjoyed massages in the morning and if you find yourself on Quest, I recommend a Thai Herb Poultice massage with Pedro. He does an excellent job.

 

The afternoon lecture by Sir Alan Collins was the third in the series of four and every bit as good as the first two. We were fortunate to have him on our sailing and look forward to his next lecture. We also had a terrific talk by Ashley from the expedition team about the history of sailing this North Atlantic route.

 

Dinner in the Collonade was very good last night and service was good again. We had a chicken and mushroom pot pie for a first course.

 

 

We could see the start of the storm while we had dinner.

 

We both had Rack of Lamb with potatoes and ratatouille for our main course.

 

We don’t usually get dessert but how can you say no to baklava or to seriously delicious stinky cheese.

 

 

As for some other service issues, the wait staff at breakfast still needs a good bit of work and the bar at the club on deck 5 is in need of more servers. Last night was another night when we couldn’t get a second drink before dinner.

 

Our cabin attendants have been and are very pleasant but very inefficient. They forget something most days whether it’s water bottles or clean coffee cups but we do have a lifetime supply of breakfast menus. Our friends tell us that their team is fantastic and does the towel animal gig or something special every day.

 

Today is another sea day and we have a zodiac tour scheduled this afternoon through Prince Christian  Sound. The weather is supposed to continue to improve so we are hopeful that it will hold.

 

 

[dalliowner]

Enjoy the Prince Christian Sound , we found it the most magical place and is one of our highlights of all Seabourn cruises .

[hoosier74]

My only surprise upon waking this morning was that everything in the cabin wasn’t on the floor.  We also heard some voices in the hall and on the crew stairs in the dark of night.  My husband slept through most of it.  
 

cabin attendants can certainly be variable. On our last cruise we met one ever so briefly the first day.  She said she was getting off in two days and we never met the new one .  This time, they have been superb and we couldn’t ask for better.  No towel animals but some laugh out loud antics with my little stuffed corgi I got at Buckingham palace.  
 

there is a sliver of sunshine over the ice cap in the distance so there is hope for a sunny day. 

[kjbacon]

23 hours ago, travel4b said:

Completely agree with your observations - from staffing to food to service to excursions - on this cruise. Also good to know we weren’t the only ones questioning our sanity as we struggled into those Zodiac suits!!  Yes, it was so worth it. 

I wonder if we’ve met? Can’t wait for today’s tour.

 

1 hour ago, hoosier74 said:

My only surprise upon waking this morning was that everything in the cabin wasn’t on the floor.  We also heard some voices in the hall and on the crew stairs in the dark of night.  My husband slept through most of it.  
 

cabin attendants can certainly be variable. On our last cruise we met one ever so briefly the first day.  She said she was getting off in two days and we never met the new one .  This time, they have been superb and we couldn’t ask for better.  No towel animals but some laugh out loud antics with my little stuffed corgi I got at Buckingham palace.  
 

there is a sliver of sunshine over the ice cap in the distance so there is hope for a sunny day. 

So true! And it’s clearing up beautifully.

 

Hello Greenland!!

 

 

 

We are awestruck! The weather is improving by the minute and the expedition team feels very positive that we will be able to take the zodiacs out this afternoon, can’t wait. I should note that the expedition team on this ship is absolutely fantastic. They have not missed a beat or disappointed at all and have exceeded our expectations.

[JodiandFrank]

A big thank you to all of you posting from the Quest!  My husband and I board in Montreal (11 more days!) and I already feel like I’m onboard sailing with many of you……

Hugs, Jodi

[rkacruiser]

10 hours ago, kjbacon said:

Hello Greenland!!

 

I have been fortunate to visit Greenland 3 times and was surprised at how much I enjoyed my visits.  I do hope that you get to visit Prins Christian Sund.  Never have done so on a zodiac, but, that would even be better, I think.  

[CanAmBrit]

 

Questions for those on the Quest: Are the jackets provided on board or do you have to order in advance? What about boots? Are the zodiac tours an extra cost or are they included in the original fare? Could not find the answer to these questions from the future cruise consultant this morning so hoping you can help.

 

[alidor]

Yes, all the foul weather gear you can think of is included and the equipment is very good.  No, the tours are not included in the price of the cruise but are extra.

[kjbacon]

Cruising through Prince Christian Sound is absolutely fabulous and taking the zodiac tour is even better! I cannot praise the expedition team enough. Look how close we were able to get to seals in the bottom two pictures. 

 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, CanAmBrit said:

 

Questions for those on the Quest: Are the jackets provided on board or do you have to order in advance? What about boots? Are the zodiac tours an extra cost or are they included in the original fare? Could not find the answer to these questions from the future cruise consultant this morning so hoping you can help.

 

Yes, the life jackets are provided. Yes, the zodiac and kayak tours are an extra cost. Boots are included with the kayak dry suits but not with the zodiac warm suit. You need to dress warmer to kayak because that suit is for dryness and not warmth. We have very much enjoyed the tours we did and felt them worth the cost. 
 

On the other side of the coin are the same issues we have been having with food and service. Yesterday, at breakfast, we wanted to order but waiting for a server took forever (again). We finally gave up and went to the buffet.

 

The variety of the food choices is quite limited and in our opinion, does not begin to measure up to 6* cruising. Where’s the crab cakes, roast duck, lobster tails, and porterhouse steak? The “cheaper” choices are the frequent dishes.

 

Today, we are pulling in to Qarqotoq, Greenland and look forward to exploring the town on our own.

 

[travel4b]

Again agree with all of your impressions. My executive summary: we’re having 6* weather on a 5* itinerary with 4* food and service.  (Said as a SB fan.)

[SLSD]

12 hours ago, kjbacon said:

 

 

The variety of the food choices is quite limited and in our opinion, does not begin to measure up to 6* cruising. Where’s the crab cakes, roast duck, lobster tails, and porterhouse steak? The “cheaper” choices are the frequent dishes.

 

 

I am not doubting in any way your report, but I just want to say that I don't recall lobster tails being offered frequently on our past SB cruises.  They WERE offered several times each itinerary, but not daily.  I don't recall crab cakes, but then again, we have them all the time so I might not have noticed.  I have never seen porterhouse steaks on a SB menu--perhaps others have.  I guess I have never focussed on the variety/choices on SB menus.  There has always been a lot to choose from at the MDR, Earth and Ocean, and the Colonnade.   Since we don't cruise centered on food, perhaps I have not been observant enough to be a good reporter of pre-pandemic cruising.  Perhaps others will chime in on the subject of food variety and choices available.  I would be interested to hear if Seabourn has always been behind other luxury lines (Regent, Silversea, Crystal) on this particular issue.  

[ronrick1943]

Very nice report, enjoying your trip the photos outstanding thanks so much for taking the time.

 

[Mr Luxury]

Crab cakes and Lobster are on the TK menu each evening.

Rib eye or NY Strip are the steaks.

Last night RR bone in rib for two was a daily special.

It was delicious 😋 

Edited August 19, 2022 by Mr Luxury