A Seabourn newbie sails Ovation, Norway and the North Cape, June 11 2023

[jondfk]

Well, the time finally approaches, we board Ovation a week from now for a two week sailing in Norway.  We’ve never been here before, but have long yearned to take in the beauty.  We booked this sailing just under two years ago in deep Covid, back then we wondered if it would really happen, the time passed ever so slowly.  We’ve watched many videos regarding Seabourn, Ovation (and Encore), the food and cabins.  Let’s say, we’re prepared!

[jondfk]

We, mid 60’s, recently retired, well traveled with about 35 previous cruises.  We’ve sailed dozens of times on Princess graduating from carefully selected obstructed view cabins in early years to suites more recently - we’ve loved most but are less enamored as ship size has increased.  We had the misfortune to be on Grand Princess at the very start of COVID landing us in isolation onboard for 8 days followed by 14 days at Travis AFB, though we’ve sailed with Princess since we may never be able to shake to experience fully.  Enough about that.  

 

Since the restarts we’ve sailed Oceania thrice with very satisfactory results.  A big upgrade compared to Princess.  We likewise booked SB looking for an upgrade in the onboard experience.  We recognize marketing hype, and have moderated our expectations to the post COVID compromises we’ve all come to expect, still, the hype and price paid do set high expectations.  We are not difficult to please but also don’t expect too many reasonable requests to go wanting.

[jondfk]

It’s our intention to share our newbie experience as faithfully as we can, we don’t intend to debate with experienced Seabourn cruisers as to how things are supposed to be, or used to be, after all we have no ability to engage in such discussions.  We will, where it’s appropriate, compare and contrast with our most recent experiences (mainly O) though the products do not carry either similar expectations or prices.

 

A few other things to know, we arranged our own air, as we typically do.  In these times of challenging travel we prefer keep control, also I have a lifetime of frequent flyer miles that we are steadily working through.  We plan to arrive two days before the cruise departs to enjoy a bit of Copenhagen and start the jet lag adjustment clock.  We’ve taken to arriving at the pier mid afternoon to avoid crowds and chaos though several folks on this board have suggested we should expect better from SB, always willing to benefit from the experience of others, we plan to arrive in time for lunch.

[jondfk]

Finally, DW doesn’t drink any alcohol for medical reasons, I imbibe a bit, a cocktail by the pool and before dinner, a glass or two of wine, we won’t stress SB in this regard.  DW does enjoy a few root beers here and there, we made an advance request which was confirmed in writing, a most impressive feat, which carries the expectation the fridge will be suitably stocked.

 

Wi-Fi permitting expect a few words from me day by day.  I won’t post any food porn, that’s just not my thing, but I will highlight meals or choices that especially impress or disappoint.  Likewise onboard service.

[jondfk]

Our journey starts on Thursday the 8th with a flight from SFO to LHR with United and an onward connection with SAS.  Having passed through Heathrow ~75 times in the past decade, I’m quite comfortable with the logistics and services.  Though hotels abound in Copenhagen city proper we choose the Clarion at CPH airport for no reason beyond the expected jet lag upon arrival.  Yes, the city is just 30 minutes further, but with 24 hours door to door from our home, the shortest path to a bed is desirable.

 

Perhaps the most provocative advance decision we made was booking a full cruise slot in the retreat.  We enjoy knowing we have a place that’s ours as we desire.  I admit we took comments indicating deck loungers could be a challenge on Ovation with her extra deck of passengers seriously and didn’t want to quarrel over chairs (a Princess reference is perhaps helpful, we are devotees of their reserved Sanctuary always making it a priority to book, The Retreat looks to us like an extra special Sanctuary, and we were sold).  We likewise noted negative views of the retreat concept.  Still we came down in favor of making the booking and will share our impressions good or bad.

 

So, here starts our story.  Happy for any last minute suggestions from SB veterans and for any questions from other newbies like us.

 

Jon

[skybluewaters]

Very much looking forward to your impressions.  We will be getting on Ovation the day you disembark for the 14-day circumnavigation of Iceland. Sounds as though you're going in with a great attitude!

 

P.S. Let me know the name(s) of the best waiters in The Restaurant so we can ask for them.  

[robertmartha]

Jondfk

 

Will be eagerly following along for your thoughts and impressions. Thank you in advance for sharing your experiences. We only have (2) Seabourn sailings under our belts so we are fairly "new" to Seabourn ourselves - but our 3rd booked on the Ovation in November. Safe travels.

Bob

[Techno123]

Hi Jon. We are also doing the same cruise the following month and I wonder if you can check a couple of points for me please?
 

we have booked a fairly early flight back to the UK so I wonder if you can ask at Seabourn Square what is the earliest disembarkation time available and then, as you disembark are there taxis available by the dock? I was contemplating booking a transfer but they will only wait for 15 minutes on non airport pickups so if taxis are ready and waiting we will just take one of those. Many thanks and have a wonderful cruise. I will follow with interest 😁

[SLSD]

Jondfk, Mr. SLSD and I will be on your cruise and hope to meet you and your wife.  I will start our own thread about our cruise experience  once we board-- as our experience will  likely differ from yours.  We are experienced Seabourn cruisers (the only other cruise line for us has been Silversea)  and this is our first cruise since Covid disrupted our travel plans.  Like you, we are not hard to please people.  For example, you won't find me criticizing how SB makes iced tea (which I drink quite a lot of) or anything mundane like that. I don't expect perfection.  We are not  especially food people (or wine people) , but I will post some menus and photos of food for those who enjoy that. We are not pool people and will not be booking The Retreat either.   Most of all, we are looking forward to having a relaxing vacation to new places.  I hope your trip is wonderful with your expectations met.   I will very much look forward to reading your reports.  

Edited June 3, 2023 by SLSD

[nancygp]

2 hours ago, skybluewaters said:

Very much looking forward to your impressions.  We will be getting on Ovation the day you disembark for the 14-day circumnavigation of Iceland. Sounds as though you're going in with a great attitude!

 

P.S. Let me know the name(s) of the best waiters in The Restaurant so we can ask for them.  

We will miss you by a year…doing the Iceland cruise next year…enjoy

 

Nancy

[nancygp]

Looking forward to following along and appreciate you taking the time to share your first seabourn cruise.  We took our first seabourn cruise last year, also on the ovation and a Norway cruise.  We loved it and have sailed  seabourn since last summer and have future cruises this year and next year.  We sailed crystal exclusively for 18 years until they ceased operations in early 22 and so glad we discovered seabourn as it’s been a great fit for us.

 

safe travels and happy sails, 

 

Nancy

[torst]

New to Seabourn but not new to cruising. This is not a review but want you to know that we, and everyone we are encountering on the Ovation are enjoying it very much. Nothing in life is perfect but sorry we will not be continuing on the next cruise   We disembark on the 11th

[skybluewaters]

56 minutes ago, nancygp said:

We will miss you by a year…doing the Iceland cruise next year…enjoy

 

Nancy

 

Thanks, Nancy!  We booked this cruise on short notice - the day before yesterday - just 3 1/2 weeks before the cruise begins.  Unfortunately, that means less time to enjoy the pre-cruise anticipation, but we couldn't wait until our next SB cruise, which begins in October. 

[nancygp]

2 minutes ago, skybluewaters said:

 

Thanks, Nancy!  We booked this cruise on short notice - the day before yesterday - just 3 1/2 weeks before the cruise begins.  Unfortunately, that means less time to enjoy the pre-cruise anticipation, but we couldn't wait until our next SB cruise, which begins in October. 

Very exciting and so close to sailing! 
 

Can’t wait to hear all about Iceland.  We’ve only been to Reykjavik and excited for lots of new ports.

we are heading back to Alaska in July…first time to sail Alaska on seabourn..

 

happy sails,

 

Nancy

 

 

[bizinsider]

Hi there, former Bay Area person here. We'll be on the same cruise. We've done a few Seabourn, Regent and Crystal cruises, and we're really looking forward to this one after having had to cancel Norway twice because of the combo pandemic and the birth of grandkids. 

 

We're flying out tomorrow for a week in Germany (through LHR) before driving to Copenhagen and boarding.

 

My wife has a travel blog (themodernpostcard.com) and will be writing post cruise. 

 

We look forward to reading yours and @SLSD posts and may chime in if we have anything to add.

 

See you in Seabourn Square.

 

Cheers,

Herb

 

 

[nancygp]

13 minutes ago, bizinsider said:

Hi there, former Bay Area person here. We'll be on the same cruise. We've done a few Seabourn, Regent and Crystal cruises, and we're really looking forward to this one after having had to cancel Norway twice because of the combo pandemic and the birth of grandkids. 

 

We're flying out tomorrow for a week in Germany (through LHR) before driving to Copenhagen and boarding.

 

My wife has a travel blog (themodernpostcard.com) and will be writing post cruise. 

 

We look forward to reading yours and @SLSD posts and may chime in if we have anything to add.

 

See you in Seabourn Square.

 

Cheers,

Herb

 

 

Hi Herb…wishing you and Mary a wonderful journey.   We loved our Norway cruise on the ovation and twice on the old crystal

 

haven’t seen you lately on you know where..😊

 

best,

 

Nancy

[SLSD]

22 minutes ago, bizinsider said:

Hi there, former Bay Area person here. We'll be on the same cruise. We've done a few Seabourn, Regent and Crystal cruises, and we're really looking forward to this one after having had to cancel Norway twice because of the combo pandemic and the birth of grandkids. 

 

We're flying out tomorrow for a week in Germany (through LHR) before driving to Copenhagen and boarding.

 

My wife has a travel blog (themodernpostcard.com) and will be writing post cruise. 

 

We look forward to reading yours and @SLSD posts and may chime in if we have anything to add.

 

See you in Seabourn Square.

 

Cheers,

Herb

 

 

I will be reading your wife's travel blog!  

 

Best wishes, Susan.  My husband has a rather unusual name so I won't post it here.  

[bizinsider]

Hi Nancy,

We can't wait! It's been too long. And as for you know where... I'm actually on the new 7 ET show once or twice a week now, but obviously won't be for at least three weeks!

 

Susan, from Mary: Thanks very much.

 

Herb

 

 

[Mauzac]

Hello!  Very much looking forward to any reports of this cruise from jondfk and slsd.  

 

We are on Ovation August 6th doing the same one and have our excursions booked ready (but there's still time to change them!)  

 

Hope you have a great time 😊

[nancygp]

9 hours ago, bizinsider said:

And as for you know where... I'm actually on the new 7 ET show once or twice a week now, but obviously won't be for at least three weeks!

 Thanks…I will pay more attention…usually my focus is earlier in the day.

 

again, wishing you and mary a great time,

 

Nancy

Edited June 4, 2023 by nancygp

[torst]

18 hours ago, jondfk said:

Finally, DW doesn’t drink any alcohol for medical reasons, I imbibe a bit, a cocktail by the pool and before dinner, a glass or two of wine, we won’t stress SB in this regard.  DW does enjoy a few root beers here and there, we made an advance request which was confirmed in writing, a most impressive feat, which carries the expectation the fridge will be suitably stocked.

 

Wi-Fi permitting expect a few words from me day by day.  I won’t post any food porn, that’s just not my thing, but I will highlight meals or choices that especially impress or disappoint.  Likewise onboard service.

 

[jondfk]

Packing for Norway, basically, bring everything.  Weather forecast at the start in Copenhagen is quite nice, low 70s.  Tomso however (and this isn’t nearly as far north as we will get) is a chilly 50.  Soooo, shorts sure, but also rainwear, a heavy coat, gloves and hats.  The question really is will the sport coat, mandated for two evenings, make it in the bag or not.  That will be a last second decision.  Our packing routine is, I go first and let her benefit from all of my inspirations.  In our relationship I’m the clothes horse, she could get by on quite a bit less with some washing, I like variety.  So, I’ll pack today, she tomorrow.  The days tick by, the anticipation grows.

[labonnevie]

The sport coat is easy, just wear it! The flight attendant will take good care of it and you can easily wear it to embarkation. 

[jondfk]

43 minutes ago, labonnevie said:

The sport coat is easy, just wear it! The flight attendant will take good care of it and you can easily wear it to embarkation. 

I'll look silly with the shorts I'm wearing on the plane though . . . 

[TootyJane]

On 6/3/2023 at 10:46 AM, jondfk said:

Our journey starts on Thursday the 8th with a flight from SFO to LHR with United and an onward connection with SAS.  Having passed through Heathrow ~75 times in the past decade, I’m quite comfortable with the logistics and services.  Though hotels abound in Copenhagen city proper we choose the Clarion at CPH airport for no reason beyond the expected jet lag upon arrival.  Yes, the city is just 30 minutes further, but with 24 hours door to door from our home, the shortest path to a bed is desirable.

 

Perhaps the most provocative advance decision we made was booking a full cruise slot in the retreat.  We enjoy knowing we have a place that’s ours as we desire.  I admit we took comments indicating deck loungers could be a challenge on Ovation with her extra deck of passengers seriously and didn’t want to quarrel over chairs (a Princess reference is perhaps helpful, we are devotees of their reserved Sanctuary always making it a priority to book, The Retreat looks to us like an extra special Sanctuary, and we were sold).  We likewise noted negative views of the retreat concept.  Still we came down in favor of making the booking and will share our impressions good or bad.

 

So, here starts our story.  Happy for any last minute suggestions from SB veterans and for any questions from other newbies like us.

 

Jon

Jon

 Be sure to book a Zodiac tour for the Trollfjord. Fabulous experience! 
Lisa