Around the Seabourn Water Cooler... Off topic and fun posts here!- Updated

[Iamboatman]

Bookings on the Odyssey are going along quite well; as are the triplets. If you look I think you will find that there is not a huge price difference between the ships as they are offering different ports (and even more so in 2010 and beyond) and some just want to be on the smaller ships. There is a very strong training program - the strongest I have ever heard of - so that service will be top notch across all the ships.

 

Seabourn is also mixing up the ports a bit more. There are some limitations with embarkation ports, but the ones the middle are getting a number of revisions. Ft. Lauderdale is one embarkation port that is getting a bit more business, though.

 

As for Norway, even before the dollar drop, it was horribly expensive as compared to most of the rest of Europe. What really blows the budget is Norway's extraordinary taxes on alcohol...so that wine with lunch makes the lunch far more expensive than it otherwise would be. US$22 for a drink sounds about normal for Norway.:eek:

[TLCOhio]

As for Norway, even before the dollar drop, it was horribly expensive as compared to most of the rest of Europe. What really blows the budget is Norway's extraordinary taxes on alcohol...so that wine with lunch makes the lunch far more expensive than it otherwise would be. US$22 for a drink sounds about normal for Norway.:eek:

 

THANKS for the cost heads up and the painful details for drinking in Oslo! There's a reason why it's rated as the most expensive in the world. Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

[Martita B.]

Terry,

You will have a marvelous time on Cyrstal ~~I've not sailed the Line but have friends that are aboard frequently and love it!

As to "wine in Norway" I had referred to Martini's in Paris being $22 per drink ~~NOT Norway. At the parties I attended wine/beer were served by the hosts. My Radisson Hotel rooms were quite expensive ~~but the complimentary breakfasts were over-the-top outstanding! Usually I don't eat breakfast so I'd go down a'round 10 am and have "brunch."

I exchanged $'s for Norge Kroner's at the Houston Airport before flying to Amsterdam which came in very handy. ($100-Krones 509)

Have a wonderful, fun voyage!:p

Martita B.

[CruisinMatt]

Martita - I am glad you had a grand time in Norway!

 

Nice to see you back here and posting - you were missed! :D

[Martita B.]

Matt

Thanks!:p (still begging YOU to book the PRIDE Oct. 30 TA Crossing~~many

fun Sailor's will be aboard)

 

I've discovered a new "Where is Your Ship Today" web site! It's grrreat! Go take a peek: www.porttime.com

Hope all is well in sunny Florida ~~

Martita B.

 

[TLCOhio]

Terry,

You will have a marvelous time on Cyrstal ~~I've not sailed the Line but have friends that are aboard frequently and love it! Martita B.

 

THANKS, Martita B., for the good word and encouragement! We'll drink to your super great party spirit in the Baltics. Terry in Ohio

[Martita B.]

Terry

Thanks!:p

I still remember my great times in Columbus and Dublin Ohio. I was designing the interior of a "mega cruise bus" and I had such a marvelous time at the "Coach Factory!" Even toured a few celebrity

coaches ~~these $$$ were amazing! One highlight was dining at the beautiful Country Club in Dublin. I believe a few PGA Golf tournments are held there. ('sigh....can not remember the name)

You are indeed fortunate in living in such a gorgeous spot!

Have lots of fun on your voyage!:p

MB

[Tony & Trevor]

Martita B

 

Do hope you are well. Thank you for posting thet very interesting website.

 

We are cruising the Norwegian Fjords next week for a fortnight albeit with P & O-the Artemis. No flying for us as sailing from Southampton. We are taking our family.

Would love to do it with Seabourn.

 

Kind regards

 

Tony

[Martita B.]

Tony,

So happy to see your post!:p

I just read THE most interesting travel log on Norway. You would love the CC post written by a fellow that just disembarked a ship after 17 days.

Go to Forum Jump at the bottom, right of the page.

Click "Other cruise lines"

Scroll down to: Review of Norwegian Coastal Voyage 17 Day Grand Norway. Poster's name: glgolfer

You will certainly enjoy reading his account of the trip.

I almost booked the Pride's Norway "Midnight Sun 14 dayer" June 28th but simply could not stand the stress of flying thru' 5 airports to get to the ship~~a very long way from West Texas. Seabourn will be honoring my good friend Miss A ~~a big party celebrating her 1,500 days aboard Seabourn! She wanted me there with her......but alas, just not possible to return to Norway at this time. I know the dinner party will be festive and 1st Class ~~the Seabourn way!:p I will simply send her flowers ~~~

 

Have a marvelous time and please post your review when you return! We'd all love to hear of the adventure!

Martita B.

[Tony & Trevor]

Martita B

 

Thank you-will have a look at the review.

Yes a long way for you to travel ,with often the usual hassle at airports.

We abhor London Heathrow-bad at the best of times!

We have three more Seabourn crusies booked.

 

Nice to hear from you.

 

Kind regards

 

Tony

[Martita B.]

Tony,

I've really become quite "put out" with airports and flying. The other day when I walked over from the hotel to the airport in Oslo I presented my ticket to the KLM lady ~~~a darling young man had walked over/escorted me from the hotel. Welllll, she started typing.....looked at me and said nonchalantly, "you're NOT in the system!!":confused: The young man started arguing with her in Norwegian ~~~I stood there in a panic! Finally she found me........kinda shrugged and said, "yes, here you are......you're flying 1st class!" YES Lady, all the way back to the ranch! If I live, that is ~~:eek:

My friend JB and I will NOT fly into or out of Heathrow! Period!

When are your Seabourn cruises?

Smooth seas ~~:p

MB

[cruiseyguy]

Interesting. I wasn't aware KLM had "First Class"--only "Business Class."

[Martita B.]

Sorry ~~I should have said, "KLM is a "sister" of Continental ~~I was flying Bus/1st Class Continental ~~love those miles!!:p

MB

[Seabourn-nail]

Interesting. I wasn't aware KLM had "First Class"--only "Business Class."

 

Yes, you're right KLM has "only" business class! But I'm glad KLM's business class is better than other "first" classes.

And Martha how do you compare KLM's business class (KLM being a partner of Continental and Delta for instance) to some American first class flights? Did they disappoint you?

Marja

[Martita B.]

Marja

KLM was just fine ~~I especially enjoyed their Club Lounge in Amsterdam.

I mostly fly Continental (transatlantic, Bus./1st Class) as flying from West Texas I only have the choice of American to Dallas or Continental to Houston. The food/wines on Continental are outstanding! It's truly amazing when there's an Executive Chef aboard ~~

Hope all is well with you and Rene ~~:p

Martita B.

[CruisinMatt]

Martha - remember our TAP flight though Newark? I believe you were served, quail, was it?

 

...memories...

[Martita B.]

Mr. Matt,

Yes, I do remember our TAP flight from Lisbon. Do you remember the UNusual Security all luggage search in the Lisboa Airport?

I actually like TAP ~~have flown them several times back both from Funchal and Lisbon. On one flight (Bus./1st Class) Mother and I were two out of six passengers ~~that service was fabulous!:p Mr. Rivero had given us an inflatable Easter Bunny (while on the Pride)

and he flew 1st Class in a seat of his own.......the Steward brought him a nice carrot salad. Even set his 'lit table!:confused: :eek:

Hope all is well with you, Matt

MB

[Seabourn-nail]

Thanks for asking Martha; René and I are well. Most things are well.

TAP didn't impress us much! On our business class flight out of Lisboa, we found there was no toilet anywhere near the business lounge, too crazy for words! That's what I booked business class for, not to have to use the public toilets. I was sent to a toilet 5 minutes walk. One toilet for men and women, with a gap between the door!

Later they transported us in buses to the plane. We sat first row, freezing from the hard wind that was blowing. Then it started to rain and we got wet. So far they let me know they received my complaint.

Marja

[Martita B.]

To: Tony & Trevor

I received an e-mail early this morning from a mutual friend of ours.

He ask me if I had your e-mail address as he wanted to write to 'yall. As you know, I do not have an address. I would never post my e-mail address on a "forum board" and I'm sure you feel the same.

Could we exchange address's thru' Dan, the Host? (a safe solution)

The mutual friend's initials are Capt. M.D. (he certainly wrote nice compliments and kudos of you)

Have a grrrreat day!:p

Martita B.

[GrannyLorr]

Marja, our experience with TAP was exactly the same as yours....but ours was a pre War plane!! :eek: (WW1 I think!) Luckily we only had to go as far as Zurich from Lisbon, so survived that distance!

[CruisinMatt]

Marja, our experience with TAP was exactly the same as yours....but ours was a pre War plane!! :eek: (WW1 I think!) Luckily we only had to go as far as Zurich from Lisbon, so survived that distance!

 

I went from Lisboa to Zurich on TAP in April and other than a minor delay, everything was a-ok for intra-european flight......

 

I guess they were expecting you to take the train?? :rolleyes: ;) :p

[GrannyLorr]

I guess they were expecting you to take the train?? :rolleyes: ;) :p

 

You could be right there Matt!! I think the European trains woud have been preferable too! The Swiss Air flight we took from Zurich was perfect apart from being overheated for us. Now I have to work our what airlines to choose for our next cruise! :eek: Looking at Royal Brunei at the moment....but they dont serve drinks! :(

[cands]

:eek: Looking at Royal Brunei at the moment....but they dont serve drinks! :(

 

With a stopover in Bandar Seri Begawan?

 

(Sorry, I just love that name!)

[Martita B.]

Tony & Trevor

I checked with Host Dan and at my request he can e-mail you my personal e-mail address. Please contact him at your convenience.

Then I will mail our mutual friend your address ~~~

Hope all is well across the pond!:p

Martita B.

[JaneBP]

>"It's truly amazing when there's an Executive Chef aboard ~~"

 

While I can understand the concept of an Executive Chef, I wonder what the heck one does in the galley of an airplane. All this and USAir has decided to charge for snacks in steerage.

 

Please do tell about the experience, will you?