What's a typical at-sea day like for you?

[akafurby]

In another thread, some people mentioned we might be bored on a transatlantic crossing with no ports. I was wondering what a typical day at sea might be like and how everyone spends their time? Relax by the pool? Shipboard activities? Spa?

[JaneBP]

Check the deck plans, the pool is tiny and in a very obscure location, on the way to the Veranda restaurant in Deck 7. There are two hot tubs and chairs are located around them and in the shade (minimal) on Deck 7. There is another hot tub forward on Deck 5. I sailed at least 3 cruises before I learned of this one. It's a small area, but quite nice and rather private. (The Bridge crew can see us, however, so no topless!)

 

My sea days are as follows:

 

Get up, room service breakfast, watch the Enrichment lecture in my suite, sitting in the hard chair, like a class. Then, Trivia (a real blood sport on crossings). Lunch, perhaps a bit of sitting outside, then a nap, then dinner and then perhaps the show.

 

Many people find more to do, for example, there is the casino (teeny), the Club for before dinner drinks and after show dancing, for example. There are special interest groups, sometime, like sessions for knitters or gamers. Usually there is a bridge lecturer and lessons and a tournament. After lunch there

is golf putting at the Sky Bar. But I honestly think much of the attraction of the sea days is doing nothing. There's usually poor TV reception, but there is a good DVD selection in the library. The Dining staff has wine tastings and often a pre-early show cocktail party with wonderful food. I am missing a lot, and others will chime in for sure.

[LaPaloma]

lf I could have the day to go as I wished..I would have trivia in the morning, AND trivia in the afternoon. I find it stimulating and fun. The CD's I am certain find it a pain. Many days, we do not go ashore...if we do it is for a short time. We enjoy the lazy days on board. Lola

[lord of the seas]

I have never had a problem with topless bathing on deck 5 forward. ;)

[JaneBP]

I have never had a problem with topless bathing on deck 5 forward. ;)

 

Ok, they may not have cautioned you about that, but snogging is strictly out of bounds.

[lord of the seas]

Jane,

I find it easier than Jogging.:)

[Host Dan]

I snog as much as I can... ;)

 

Host Dan

[LaPaloma]

Don "snogged" a bit when we had the wonderful classic suite..and the german ladies were unaware that we could see out of the smoked glass..even if they could not see in. It was disgusting to see an old codger drool! Lola;)

[ltsally]

Hmmmm....a chance to revisit our terrific crossing experiences. Here goes -

 

First, out on the deck for a brisk walk (is it 11 laps to a mile?) or, if weather is inclement, the gym/treadmill. (One of my best mem'ries is waking close to 7 on the very first morning - with pretty rough weather - and going up to the gym, which I had entirely to myself for the first 15 minutes or so! Contrast that with the images most of us hold on the mass market lines!)

 

Then, in-room breakfast and lolling, or an equally good breakfast in the Verandah. Perhaps the morning lecture (we were blessed on our crossing last year with the most delightful Welsh woman (Marian Davies) and her recollections of a fascinating life in show business). Then - poof, the morning's gone and it's time to hurry to Trivia!

 

Followed by lunch - outdoors at the Sky Bar, of course.

 

Oh my - such an exhausting morning! Time for a snooze! Or a people-watching slump in a deck chair. Or a poke into a new read from the library (small, but nice selection). Maybe the afternoon holds a chance to tour the bridge or the galley (interesting!) or a cooking demo. I'm not a spa person, but an awful lot of people are. There's also a small selection of games (Scrabble etc) available to pass a leisurely afternoon.

 

Things quiet down towards 5 as almost everyone seems to be en suite, readying for the evening. Most pax make an effort to look really nice for dinner (formal nite or no). Action in the Club starts around 530 or 6 - sometimes with the opportunity to meet someone new, and - almost always - interesting. Then, dinner and a show or back to the bar for a nightcap, some music and maybe even a few hot steps on the dance floor.

 

For us, it was just busy enough - I was never bored; nor do I think I've ever been as rested or relaxed. And even better than my doddering memory trying to recount, I just grabbed one of the daily papers from that cruise and will give you the rundown of what you typically will have to choose from:

 

830 -- Gym Class

10 a.m. -- Needlepoint; bridge

11 -- Lecture

Noon -- Trivia

1230 -- Lunch

2 -- Bridge; complimentary massages on deck (sign up quick!)

4 -- Tea (It's only been a few hours since lunch of course and dinner looms, so tiny tastes only!)

430 -- Yoga

6 -- Cocktails/dinner

9 -- Movie or entertainment and/or nightcaps/music/dancing

 

Hope this gives you some idea what to expect. Bon Voyage!

[seapenarth]

Hmmmm....a chance to revisit our terrific crossing experiences. Here goes -

 

First, out on the deck for a brisk walk (is it 11 laps to a mile?) or, if weather is inclement, the gym/treadmill. (One of my best mem'ries is waking close to 7 on the very first morning - with pretty rough weather - and going up to the gym, which I had entirely to myself for the first 15 minutes or so! Contrast that with the images most of us hold on the mass market lines!)

 

Then, in-room breakfast and lolling, or an equally good breakfast in the Verandah. Perhaps the morning lecture (we were blessed on our crossing last year with the most delightful Welsh woman (Marian Davies) and her recollections of a fascinating life in show business). Then - poof, the morning's gone and it's time to hurry to Trivia!

 

Followed by lunch - outdoors at the Sky Bar, of course.

 

Oh my - such an exhausting morning! Time for a snooze! Or a people-watching slump in a deck chair. Or a poke into a new read from the library (small, but nice selection). Maybe the afternoon holds a chance to tour the bridge or the galley (interesting!) or a cooking demo. I'm not a spa person, but an awful lot of people are. There's also a small selection of games (Scrabble etc) available to pass a leisurely afternoon.

 

Things quiet down towards 5 as almost everyone seems to be en suite, readying for the evening. Most pax make an effort to look really nice for dinner (formal nite or no). Action in the Club starts around 530 or 6 - sometimes with the opportunity to meet someone new, and - almost always - interesting. Then, dinner and a show or back to the bar for a nightcap, some music and maybe even a few hot steps on the dance floor.

 

For us, it was just busy enough - I was never bored; nor do I think I've ever been as rested or relaxed. And even better than my doddering memory trying to recount, I just grabbed one of the daily papers from that cruise and will give you the rundown of what you typically will have to choose from:

 

830 -- Gym Class

10 a.m. -- Needlepoint; bridge

11 -- Lecture

Noon -- Trivia

1230 -- Lunch

2 -- Bridge; complimentary massages on deck (sign up quick!)

4 -- Tea (It's only been a few hours since lunch of course and dinner looms, so tiny tastes only!)

430 -- Yoga

6 -- Cocktails/dinner

9 -- Movie or entertainment and/or nightcaps/music/dancing

 

Hope this gives you some idea what to expect. Bon Voyage!

 

Marian is a great girl, a fellow country lady. My wife and I enjoyed her lectures so much last year, out of Monte Carlo nd especially her knowledge of Venice.:)

[JaneBP]

>"Marian is a great girl, a fellow country lady. My wife and I enjoyed her lectures so much last year, out of Monte Carlo nd especially her knowledge of Venice."

 

Were you two on the Monte Carlo>Monte Carlo cruise starting 7/28? I was on that one, and you are right, Marian is just a delight. I was pleased to meet her husband on this cruise.

[SantaAna,CA]

On my Caribbean itineraires, I'm usually diving in every port. A sea day gives me a chance to sleep in, have a leisurely breakfast, get into the gym on the treadmill, maybe catch some sun outside. Definitely spend some time communing with the sea out on Deck 5's bow whirlpool. I have a sparing lunch, anticipating eating many courses at dinner! Luxuriate in taking lots of time dressing for dinner while playing my "Seabourn" music on my iPod in my cabin (I have special "dressing for dinner" music!), and then enjoying a two hour dinner in the restaurant.

 

Reading a book, watching some TV, doing a crossword (an easy, easy crossword), and maybe a massage in the spa. All nice things to do on a sea day!

 

Jane :)

[Jsipes]

My Typical at sea day:

 

6 am Walk 3 miles

7 am Wake DW

7:30 Coffee on Balcony

8:30 am Lido Breakfast

10-11;30 Deck Chairs, reading

noon: Lunch

1-2 Nap

2:00 pm Bingo

3:00 Snort smuggled Scotch

5 pm Manhattan Martinis in the local bar

6 pm Dinner

7 pm Attend Show

9 pm PJ's on, TV till I fall asleep to the motion of the ocean

[Steamboatin]

Keep It Simple etc

 

We love sea days and just sit on our balcony enjoying listening to the sound and sight of the waves and sea going by. More sea days the merrier.

[seapenarth]

>"Marian is a great girl, a fellow country lady. My wife and I enjoyed her lectures so much last year, out of Monte Carlo nd especially her knowledge of Venice."

 

Were you two on the Monte Carlo>Monte Carlo cruise starting 7/28? I was on that one, and you are right, Marian is just a delight. I was pleased to meet her husband on this cruise.

 

Just caught up with this. Yes Jane we were on that cruise and enjoyed it so much. We were so saddened to hear of Marian`s death a few weeks ago. A lovely lady. God bless her.

[scamper]

One thing I like to do every so often is stay in the suite and watch movies all day and night. I might get dressed and put in an appearance at lunch, but the rest of the time I look to catch up on films I have missed throughout the year and also reacquaint myself with old favorites.

[Love Cruises]

What are the open dining hours for dinner? Also, what time are the shows in the evening?

[PeaSea8ch]

Love Cruises,

The main restaurant dinner hours on the Pride are usually 7:00 to 9:30 pm while the alternate casual restaurant "2" and Sky Grill dinners in the Sky Bar (weather permitting) from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. The shows usually start at 10:00 pm but on formal nights, the shows sometimes start at 10:15 pm (to allow everyone to enjoy their dinners and not rush).

 

BonVoyage! :)

[JaneBP]

Begging to differ, but on my recent cruise on the Pride, all restaurants opened at 7:30.

 

Also, the shows might be advertised to start at 10, but they never did, more often 10:10-10:15. The 10:15 shows were often late as well. It's tough to get from a hosted table with delightful companions to the show at any time. Usually someone has to be the 'bad' guy and ask to be excused for the show. I also prefer the early shows, at 6:45~then go to dinner.

 

I did find out that I could invite my stewardess to a show, but she had to sit in the back! This came up because we had Veronica McSwiney who is a fabulous classical pianist and my stewardess mentioned she liked classical music. I asked the HM and Head Housekeeper and it was no problem. We both had a lovely time. I think this is a nice option since not all performers do a crew show.

 

Often, when it's musical, I opt for the computer time and listen to the program. That never works if it's a magician, however.

 

BTW, happiness is finding a Seabourn mint and having it for breakfast.

[AuntieAnne]

Jane,

 

What a lovely thing to do--invite your stewardess to a performance. Many passengers don't appreciate the hard work these cabin stewards do. The little time we had to chat convinced me you are a person I would like to know better. Hopefully, we will cruise again . AA

[Love Cruises]

Thanks PeaSea8ch and Jane BP for posting the times of dinner and the evening shows. This will be our first time on Seabourn and needless to say, we can't wait!!!!!

 

Also, Jane BP we indeed know how very hard all crew works on a cruise ship so we were glad to read of your nice gesture to invite your stewardess to a show. We will definitely do this now that we know it is allowed.

[seapenarth]

Thanks PeaSea8ch and Jane BP for posting the times of dinner and the evening shows. This will be our first time on Seabourn and needless to say, we can't wait!!!!!

 

Also, Jane BP we indeed know how very hard all crew works on a cruise ship so we were glad to read of your nice gesture to invite your stewardess to a show. We will definitely do this now that we know it is allowed.

 

Does this mean staff not working but being pseudo passengers ? :confused:

[JaneBP]

>"Does this mean staff not working but being pseudo passengers?"

 

Well, Cinderella, of course you can go to the ball, AFTER you have done all your evening chores and then, you mustn't wear your scullery tatters.

 

Of course, they work so hard, that most of them want a bit of sleep whenever they can get it. Can't blame them.

 

I think it's a shame that on the night of the Deck Barbecue, the staff can't come up and dance the night away with everyone else. I see them fidgiting in place as they wait for us to finish. It's sort of like the theory that old age homes and day care centers should be in the same building.