A First Fond Farewell for Odyssey

[frantic36]

10 hours ago, Flamin_June said:

Where standards have dropped has been in the quality of the passengers. A degree or two of graciousness and good manners, of politesse, of flair and style and dress sense, of wit and charm and vivacity, has been lost, replaced by more than a hint of pushyness and avarice, narcissism, disregard of others, poor manners, appalling dress sense, entitlement, status-checking, polyester and bad haircuts. Perhaps it is just my age, perhaps it is just the Easter holiday crowd.

 

Not all passengers but sadly quite a few fitted this description on our Quest Cruise also. We experienced it on our cruise last year on our 7 day segments mainly. We hoped it was an aberration but sadly found some people, even those on this whole voyage and older than us who displayed very pushy behaviour. For example I had one man on my first evening having a drink at the Obs Bar who told me he was originally from Sydney but now lived in the USA and asked where I was from. He then proceeded to ask why Western Australians thought we were so special to keep our borders closed and that no-one would wanted to visit us anyway. Now maybe he thought he was being funny but since I had never met him before it was a weird way to introduce himself. I ignored him from then on. Others seemed to think their needs more important and if you were talking to destination or guest services staff but stopped to get paperwork to confirm information they would push in and start asking their questions expecting you to then wait while they got their answers. Since it only took me about 30 seconds to get my paperwork they got told by me to not be so rude. 

 

Having said that the Grand Voyage was one our best cruises for meeting some very lovely people, from people we had never met before, people we had sailed with prior but lost contact with, people we knew fleetingly  but got to know and enjoy their company more and old friends we kept in touch with over the years. Hopefully you are also experiencing meeting some nice people in the mix.

 

Flamin_June I have been enjoying your descriptive posts of your cruise and you have inspired me to finish my blogging of the Grand Voyage which got delayed due to socialising to much then flu, not Covid on my return home.

 

Julie

 

 

[SLSD]

11 hours ago, Flamin_June said:

Where standards have dropped has been in the quality of the passengers. A degree or two of graciousness and good manners, of politesse, of flair and style and dress sense, of wit and charm and vivacity, has been lost, replaced by more than a hint of pushyness and avarice, narcissism, disregard of others, poor manners, appalling dress sense, entitlement, status-checking, polyester and bad haircuts. Perhaps it is just my age, perhaps it is just the Easter holiday crowd.

While I think it is perfectly acceptable to point out poor manners, status checking, narcissism  and pushiness, it may be rocky territory when others are criticized for lacking a flair in their choices of dress, wearing polyester, or having a bad haircut.  We come from all different places and cultures and for some, mode of dress has never been important--nevermind having the means to buy whatever clothing they wished.  Same with bad haircuts I'm afraid.  While this doesn't excuse sloppy or too too too casual dress (tank tops on men, worn out jeans with holes, etc) I think we have to give the polyester and bad haircut crowd a pass.  That being said, I also find it unfortunate when a nice long itinerary is cut into one week or two week chunks and those on board are met with new passengers all the time. 

Edited April 12, 2023 by SLSD

[Mr Luxury]

16 hours ago, Flamin_June said:

Tuesday, 11th April, 14.00, Pacific Ocean

After a rocky, creaky, wave thudding, swaying, sea spraying kind of night the sea has calmed to a deeper blue. Earlier the sky was filled with grey and white streaks of altostratus clouds, now a mostly empty pale blue with half-hearted cirrus scattered above, a few grey streaks near to the horizon and distant cumulus dropping beneath the distant edge of the endless ocean.

Last night we had cheeseburgers from room service, but despite their arrival at more or less the allotted time I can only give them 4/10 for an effortless lack of effort. We had asked for one without a bun to be medium, and one with a bun to be medium rare, but of course they arrived the wrong way round, luke warm, no dressing, the meagre handful (and I am talking about a small child’s hand) of fries were of the standard supermarket frozen oven baked variety, not the mighty Seabourn fries we all know and love, also luke warm, dried out and withered. The side orders of indescribably unspeakable coleslaw - thinly shredded, sweet, interspersed WITH CURRANTS resembling dead flies, were thankfully tiny, not so much a side order, more an afterthought. It was abysmal. All washed down with a delicious 2019 Medoc.

In 21 nights this has been the only notable fail where one wants to say “We are paying tens of thousands of dollars to be on board and expect better than this.”

 

Why did you not just send it back and ask for it to come how you wanted it and all hot?

[Mr Luxury]

13 hours ago, Flamin_June said:

I promised a mid-term review, so as we proceed slowly beneath a cloudless sky upon a benign and placid sea gently cooled by a mild breeze in a warm and balmy 27 C, last nights cheeseburger well and truly out of my system I feel I can pronounce without undue prejudice.

Yes the ship is showing her age, there are scuffs and bruises, scratches and patches here and there. No doubt if one’s first experience of Seabourn was on the Encore or Ovation, one would find the O class ships underwhelming and dated. Thus it was when the O class first came on the scene, people we spoke to, who had sampled them first and then went on to the little sisters, invariably found the Pride, Spirit and Legend disappointing. Whereas, as much as I like the O class, nothing can match the thrill and fun of the little ships. For those who have come to know and love the O class, there is a sense of bittersweet melancholy to see the sheen tarnished by age, but, like meeting an old lover years later, there is still a quickening of the heart, a fond remembrance of good times shared. And in fact, she still cuts a fine figure compared to all those obscene and obese mass market floozies cluttering up our ports and harbours.

The officers and crew have been marvellous. Bending over backwards to fulfil wishes and fix things where they can. Engaging. Uplifting. And let’s not forget that this is an absolutely sold out sailing, that staffing levels have been depleted by quarantine, that there have been as many sea days, always tougher for the crew, as there have been port days. 
My main gripe is that what I thought was an extended journey, not necessarily a grand voyage, has also been marketed as two week segments. So, as Markham commented elsewhere there has been a certain amount of repetition in the menus, in the events, and I suspect, there has been a certain amount of discount selling. Not that I  am in a position to complain too vociferously. Where standards have dropped has been in the quality of the passengers. A degree or two of graciousness and good manners, of politesse, of flair and style and dress sense, of wit and charm and vivacity, has been lost, replaced by more than a hint of pushyness and avarice, narcissism, disregard of others, poor manners, appalling dress sense, entitlement, status-checking, polyester and bad haircuts. Perhaps it is just my age, perhaps it is just the Easter holiday crowd.

Perhaps it's Life Jim,but not as we know it.

[Covepointcruiser]

Hope you can put up with those of us boarding in Papeete.   We have busy lives outside of cruising with jobs that demand being in person (Surgeons, etc).   We can’t do our jobs sitting in a ship but we enjoy getting away when we can.   

[SLSD]

4 hours ago, Covepointcruiser said:

Hope you can put up with those of us boarding in Papeete.   We have busy lives outside of cruising with jobs that demand being in person (Surgeons, etc).   We can’t do our jobs sitting in a ship but we enjoy getting away when we can.   

You make a very good point! 

[Flamin_June]

8 hours ago, Covepointcruiser said:

Hope you can put up with those of us boarding in Papeete.   We have busy lives outside of cruising with jobs that demand being in person (Surgeons, etc).   We can’t do our jobs sitting in a ship but we enjoy getting away when we can.   

You will be very welcome, as long as you behave yourself 🧐

We could do with a ship’s surgeon on board.😊

The good news is that the Captain announced that from midday today mask wearing is optional. As far as I have been able to see, only three passengers have taken up the option.

[Covepointcruiser]

That is great news, what about the crew?

[Flamin_June]

No masks for crew. After some two weeks it is difficult to recognise anyone without a mask!! Crew especially are very happy. Some crew will be leaving us in Papeete, others joining. Supplies were being loaded in Raiatea, more to come, I guess, in Tahiti.

[2SailingNomads]

On 3/24/2023 at 10:00 AM, saminina said:

Yeah, Oh dear Markham.   A total SB loyalist posting what the blind can notice.   Don't forget to close with the SB mantra "but we had a good time anyway."

Some of the cheerleaders live on. Luckily not all.

[saminina]

What I see as deep holes, at least a few see as cracks in their beloved cruise line.  

 

Responded to recent emails received for presidents cruise on the new expedition ship with a few reasons a return to SB is unlikely.    Customer service rep called and could have quickly stated what she was authorized to give as incentive. Instead had nice conversation for at least thirty minutes before mention of unspecified incentive.  Following day an email with specifics arrived.   Very professional and quite impressive.   Would this have happened three months ago?  I think not.

 

 

[markham]

Saminia,

 

So Seabourn wants you back? And a long phone conversation did it?
 

How about telling us what that professional and impressive letter contained as your customized incentive. Very exciting.

 

Happy and healthy sailing!

[saminina]

The agent was impressive and professional.   Same for person writing the letter, which was from a different office.  Was it a customized offer?  Clueless.....no experience.    Probably 20% chance of it being used next year, up from zero during 2023.

 

 

 

[Flamin_June]

Thanks folks, for the informative exchange. Talking of incentives, 35% off the price of Pursuit itineraries is being offered if you book on board. 
Talking of Pursuit, FB manager Martin has left to go to Genoa and help prepare Pursuit before taking charge of her first three months at sea. Oskar is now in post and doing a splendid job.

Talking of Martin, a while ago A remarked how much she liked the small butter dishes with their chrome lids that are on the tables in the MDR, and that they would make a neat little present for son and daughter. Several days later three were delivered to our suit, compliments of the FBTeam, each filled with the little turn-down chocolates.

 

Edited April 16, 2023 by Flamin_June

[Flamin_June]

Sunday 16th April, 13.40, Bora Bora

Radio silence for the last few days as we have hopped from port to port and I have been working with Vita in developing a new cocktail, to be called a Pacific Odyssey. Haven’t perfected it yet, but the trials have been going rather well. Rather too well. So well that I have given up writing in favour of falling off the barstool and generally slurring my words. Well, it worked for Hemingway……

 

[Flamin_June]

It was an ill wind that blew along with us as we traversed across the stretch of Pacific between Samoa and Raiatea, or so it seemed. The sea was choppy, suites creaked at night, we were all masked, clouds and showers gathered and dispersed; the humid wind fanned a kind of collective malaise perhaps reflected in the posts from that time, the wine was poor, the ship ran out of Baileys.Now it feels so long ago. Everything changed as we docked in Uturoa. The wind calmed, the sun broke through the clouds, Martin hopped off the Odyssey to get more wine from the local supermarket. The masks came off, the intense humidity evaporated. The only thing missing was the Baileys….and lens- wipes.

[Flamin_June]

We have a sea day tomorrow, so that will be a chance to catch up on things.

 

In the meantime…. The Pacific Odyssey cocktail. So far, as it stands: in a whisky glass, salt the rim, one big measure of Benedictine, one big measure of Calvados, plenty of ice, a few drops of orange bitters and a squeeze of lemon juice. Stir and sample.
I feel it is perhaps just one ingredient short of perfection, but I am uncertain as to what. any suggestions gratefully received and may be tested.

I am thinking of replacing the orange bitters with a small shot of blue curaçao, which may give it a more marine/ocean-like colour. And definitely tonight will add an olive, which should help to just tone down the sweetness of the Benedictine a touch, and will resemble one of the many greenish coconuts one sees floating in these waters.

Edited April 17, 2023 by Flamin_June

[Flamin_June]

I should add the Easter holidays crowd (c. 170) has departed, to be replaced by (c.170) a more refined, if not necessarily sophisticated, bunch. The atmosphere and ambience on board has certainly changed for the better, although many are jet- lagged, and at least one gentleman was observed complaining bitterly that there was still no Baileys on board. When told that the matter would be rectified by 10.00 am once the new supplies had been unpacked and processed he opined that it had better be or there would be trouble and Seabourn would never see his like again.

Our sailaway from Papeete was put back by five hours as the ship waited for passengers on a delayed flight. We left at around 22.45. The departure was memorable as the receding lights of the dock and town twinkled and dwindled in the distance and Odyssey set off at a fair clip to make up for lost time.

Edited April 17, 2023 by Flamin_June

[Covepointcruiser]

The UA flight was not only delayed.    The Friday flight from SFO was canceled for whatever reason, and that threw all the passengers trying to find another way to PPT, not easy under any circumstances.   Some were put on the next days flight 4/15 and that was also delayed by an hour.   
Not a great way to start a cruise and yes they are jet lagged.   Glad we came in on Thursday.

[Flamin_June]

Monday, 17th April, 16.00. At sea

The last several days have been spent sailing, dropping anchor, or docking from one impossibly beautiful Pacific Island to another. After a while they begin to merge, tranquil, clear-watered bays and harbours with their backgrounds of rugged volcanic peaks and clefts, high calderas, fertile slopes, coconut palms, tumbling down to the lagoons, busy port townships and laid-back settlements around a few small piers. And always the sea, surf breaking on distant  reefs, and the sky, one moment bright and blue, the next filled with rain-laden clouds that snag and surround the mountains, cling to sheer rock faces and settle on the topmost trees. Moorea has, so far, been A’s favourite We took a small boat around the bay, following a pod of spinner dolphins. I bought a t shirt, we had freshly squeezed pineapple juice, watching lithe local children climb a nearby tree to dive bomb into the water near the jetty. I liked Raiatea, bought lens-wipes in the supermarket, some shell bracelets and necklaces. We took a boat to the creek and up the river. Later, on a small motu, we watched frigate birds, eee ta ta (phonetic spelling), fly over the lagoon and land above us in the coconut palms. Huahine iti was all jungle vegetation and mangroves. Papeete is a busy port and airport, not unattractive for what it is, crammed with shops and market stalls selling pareos, pearls, postcards and flowers. The chef went shopping with a few well-informed passengers and bought fresh tuna, and swordfish, and marlin , and mangoes and passion fruits. Paul Gaugin was berthed next to us, and, alongside her, the somewhat tautologically named Majestic Princess, all waiting with us for passengers from delayed and rearranged flights. We took a catamaran along the coast. I bought another t shirt and shell bracelet. Bora Bora was however Boring Boring, for me at any rate. Visually stunning, as all the islands are (and we were blessed with a breathtaking sunset, gold, oranges, reds, blues, pinks, purples), the island is awash with hotels, everywhere one looks air conditioned thatched cottages on stilts sprout from the coastline, interspersed with beach shack eateries. 

 

 

Edited April 18, 2023 by Flamin_June

[Flamin_June]

On board Life continues more or less as before, perhaps more less and less more. The new arrivals bring a new energy, excited anticipation and a new vibe, new crew continue to settle in. There are now arts/crafts/ painting sessions on offer. New speakers promise a more varied program. There is a boat building competition, as if we were on a transatlantic. There are noticeably more passengers from the US, and many more fresh and eager faces at trivia. The menu repeats itself predictably, apart from surprise appearances by fresh tuna and swordfish. 
Never mind elegant jeans, there were a few pairs of inelegant jeans, untucked short sleeved shirts and crumpled slacks around in the MDR last night, but one hears that people have lost their luggage in the scramble to get on board, and so must not rush to judgement. The teenage boy who appeared to have only packed shorts has departed, as has the gentleman who came to breakfast in the Colonnade in bare feet, so we must be grateful for small mercies. Formal night tonight….

[SLSD]

3 hours ago, Flamin_June said:

 
Never mind elegant jeans, there were a few pairs of inelegant jeans, untucked short sleeved shirts and crumpled slacks around in the MDR last night, but one hears that people have lost their luggage in the scramble to get on board, and so must not rush to judgement. 

We are considering using Luggage Forward for the first time on our next SB cruise.  AND, we will be packing our carryons as efficiently as possible.  Lost luggage looms large in our thoughts.  I'll be packing a couple of options for dinner dress in my carryon, but if other luggage didn't arrive, things WOULD become very repetitive.  Perhaps it IS time to judging other based on their clothing.  

Edited April 18, 2023 by SLSD

[SLSD]

4 hours ago, SLSD said:

We are considering using Luggage Forward for the first time on our next SB cruise.  AND, we will be packing our carryons as efficiently as possible.  Lost luggage looms large in our thoughts.  I'll be packing a couple of options for dinner dress in my carryon, but if other luggage didn't arrive, things WOULD become very repetitive.  Perhaps it IS time to judging other based on their clothing.  

I left out an important word---Perhaps it IS time to STOP judging others based on their clothing.  

[saminina]

You are suggesting a cut in the on board entertainment department.   

[margbem]

On the subject of luggage we purchased Apple Airtags which we found useful on a long trip where a couple of things went wrong on our journey. At least we knew where our bags were!