Live from Seabourn Spirit, Oct 25 - Dec 20 2008

[cands]

Arrived Safely in Rome.

 

Well, that wasn't too bad, really! My bags arrived, the train ride was fine and I eventually found the hotel.

It's a very nice three star, oddly called Hotel Canada, that I found from recommendations on Cruise Critic.

 

Now I'm just trying to stay awake until night time................

 

Steve.

[hug]

Arrived Safely in Rome.

 

Well, that wasn't too bad, really! My bags arrived, the train ride was fine and I eventually found the hotel.

It's a very nice three star, oddly called Hotel Canada, that I found from recommendations on Cruise Critic.

 

Now I'm just trying to stay awake until night time................

 

Steve.

 

 

Welcome in Rome - We hope to meet you saturday in the sky bar during the sail-away-party....

 

Hug

[cands]

Welcome in Rome - We hope to meet you saturday in the sky bar during the sail-away-party....

 

Hug

 

Sure thing Hug. See you then.

 

Steve.

[Seabourn-nail]

"Do in Rome as the Romans do!" - then you'll be fine!

I think this is the 29th reply/post to your cruise that hasn't even started........ must be a record........ maybe something for the "Guinness Book of Records"?

Just joking - I'm happy to participate!

I love Rome - I met my husband there! In 1968 - still together!

Have a great cruise!

Marja

[CruisinMatt]

I love Rome - I met my husband there! In 1968 - still together!

 

How romantic!! :D

[cands]

:)

"Do in Rome as the Romans do!" - then you'll be fine!

 

I think this is the 29th reply/post to your cruise that hasn't even started........ must be a record........ maybe something for the "Guinness Book of Records"?

 

Just joking - I'm happy to participate!

 

I love Rome - I met my husband there! In 1968 - still together!

 

Have a great cruise!

 

Marja

 

 

Hey Marja,

Yes, I certainly understand the funny side of it! Perhaps it is even against the CC guidelines;) .

I'm very glad you've taken an interest and thanks for your encouraging posts.

 

p.s. Ditto on what Matt said:)

 

Steve.

[cands]

Day -1.

 

We still haven't boarded the ship yet:eek: . Tomorrow folks, I promise we will.

 

Chris arrived safely. He had an event-free trip on Malaysia airlines flying Melbourne-Kuala Lumpur-Rome. I met him at Termini station and we walked back to the hotel for breakfast.

 

We both decided that dragging cases along the bumpy and crowed sidewalks of Rome is not for us so we have ordered a car to take us to Civitavecchia tomorrow.

 

We have had a nice day today. We went to look at some historic aquaducts and then sat and people watched at the Trevi fountain.

Last time we were here the queues for the Colosseum were enormous and so we missed it. Today there was minimal queuing so we were able to 'check it off' the list.

 

Cheers,

Steve ( and Chris)

 

 

Steve throws a coin! ................................................................ Chris at the Colosseum

[Host Dan]

Great photos guys! I can't wait to hear more of your adventures! :D

 

Host Dan

[homolog]

Hi Guys!

 

great pics from Rome. You seem to have the perfect weather and the right mood for the greatest city on Earth. And you've chosen the right time because it's not so crowded. So enjoy your last day in La Citta Eterna!

What a pity we miss each other in Taormina by one day. You will be there on Monday, we're anchoring with the Legend off Giardini Naxos a day later.

 

We cruised from Rome to Istanbul last year and it was a great itinerary. You will see some great harbors ( o.k., forget about Katakolon, it's only good for a coffee and cheap Internet), but the rest is very interesting. And don't forget: the best place to cross the Corinth Canal is the hot tub in the bow of the Spirit! With a glass of Champagne and some Caviar canapees.

 

Please continue with your in-depth travelogue.

 

See you in 39 days in Dubai

 

Arrivederci

Chris from Cologne

[Margate Cruiser]

Who to look for at the sky bar. You look like you are having so much fun in Rome. So look for us as well.

[Seabourn-nail]

[quote=And don't forget: the best place to cross the Corinth Canal is the hot tub in the bow of the Spirit! With a glass of Champagne and some Caviar canapees.

 

Arrivederci

Chris from Cologne

 

 

I know what Chris(tian) is talking about (I was there!)

Go for it!

Marja

[wynkys]

Steve & Chris,

 

Great reporting so far and I look forward to future posts.

Enjoy it all and try not to think of any exchange rates,

Wayne

[johnnycruise]

C & S,

 

You must be having a good time because we haven't heard from you all day!:D

 

Looking forward to your first impressions - you appear really happy enjoying the sunny Roman weather.

 

Your first two ports looks like some of the best of the whole trip - Amalfi and Taormina. Enjoy your vacation!

 

johnny

[cands]

Hi Everyone,

 

October 25 Day 0 – Embarkation Day.

We had a car pick us up at midday to take us to Civitavecchia. As I believe is typical, he thought he was a race-car driver! Overall he was pretty competent and it only took us 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach the ship. The ship was berthed at dock 12, out on the breakwater.

The ‘line up’ of Seabourn greeters assembles as we approached the Seabourn tent. There were lots of smiling faces. We were escorted to the show lounge and then called straight away for check-in. Very painless. After a refreshing drink we were escorted to our cabin about 15 minutes later.

We met our Stewardess Natalie, from Sweden. By the sounds of things she will be with us all the way to Singapore. We then walked the ship from top to bottom (that didn’t take too much time at all!)

At 3:15 we went up to afternoon tea. This was in the lovely lounge way up top at the front of the ship. This is our favourite spot so far.

Then it was the lifeboat drill at 4:15. This was fast and efficient with a proper muster roll-call and was completed within 15 minutes. It seemed strange being overlooked by the carry-over cruisers from the last cruise drinking away in the Sky Bar.

Captain Sorensen decided to leave early and we pulled out at 16:45. There were lots of other ships in the harbour. Hopefully we got some good snaps of some of these including Silversea Wind and a Windstar ship.

The weather was nice and warm and the Sky Bar was packed for sailaway. This is one of the ‘youngest’ cruises on which we have been. The average age would probably be 50 something.

We were invited to a hosted dinner with Club entertainers Niels Petersen and Connie Lebeau and decided to accept.

There has been only one small hitch so far. None of our on-line shore excursions had been processed. The staff here contacted ‘head office’ and had the situation sorted in no time.

Dinner was very pleasant, although a table for 12 is just a bit much for me. It was however a good way of meeting people.

More later......

Steve.

[cands]

Day 1. Amalfi.

The weather today was absolutely perfect. It was sunny and about 22 degrees (72?). We had an early full breakfast in the cabin at 7am. (10 out of 10 for this one – properly set table with linens etc – just brilliant)

We were on a Seabourn tour. After a very short wait in the Admunsen lounge we were off by local tender. There were only about 16-20 people on the tour. Our guide was excellent. We travelled along the coast road to Positano. As this is our first time in this part of the world we were blown away with the beauty and scope of the place. We had some free time in Positano so we walked down to the beach and the back up to the shops. November is the very end of the season and there were very few people around.

At midday we were transferred to the San Pietro Hotel for lunch on at the terrace restaurant. This was a magical experience that we will remember always. Contrary to what I had read on Trip Adviser, the food was excellent in the tradition of simple foods of high quality perfectly prepared.

Well satisfied we walked around the beautiful gardens of the hotel before retracing our path along the coast to Amalfi.

We were back on the ship at about 3:30. The ‘goodies’ were waiting for us in the cabin in the form of a note welcoming us back and chocolate covered strawberries and some cookies and cake.

Tonight is formal night. We are pretty tired and so have decided to pass. It is Bistro Night at ‘2’ so we have a booking for 7pm. We hope to have a fairly early night as we have Taormina tomorrow. There are 10 more formal nights on this cruise so we don’t feel we are really missing out.

As far as the ship is concerned everything is pretty much as expected – brilliant so far!

Steve.

The terrace of the Hotel overlooking Positano.

 

[Host Dan]

Thanks for the update, it is going to be wonderful cruising vicariously through you guys! :)

 

Host Dan

[Margate Cruiser]

Your reports are 10+ keep up the great work. I take it you have no problems with the computer on the ship. Are you using your own OR the ships? I know a table of 12 is a bit much Judy and I on the most part like a table of two or four. But when your invited to sit with the crew it's always a 12. We have done the reverse we have invited some of the crew to sit with us and make a smaller table. That has worked out fine. See you next Sat. good sailing

 

Judy and Steve

[cands]

Your reports are 10+ keep up the great work. I take it you have no problems with the computer on the ship. Are you using your own OR the ships? I know a table of 12 is a bit much Judy and I on the most part like a table of two or four. But when your invited to sit with the crew it's always a 12. We have done the reverse we have invited some of the crew to sit with us and make a smaller table. That has worked out fine. See you next Sat. good sailing

 

Judy and Steve

 

Hi You Two,

We are using our own computer. Works fine in the cabin. The speed is not too bad accessing Cruise Critic.

 

See you real soon,

Steve.

[cands]

Day 2 – Taormina.

What a beautiful place Taormina is!

We were up early for a 7:30 breakfast in the Veranda. This was our first breakfast here and it was very impressive. It was all about the service. Chris finished his small orange juice very quickly. The waiter asked if he would like another. When it came it was a much larger glass – very thoughtful.

After breakfast it was off by tender to catch the first shuttle to Taormina at 9am. We checked out the main street and then walked up to the Greek Theatre. There had been rain overnight and everything had that freshly washed clean look about it. We then wandered through the streets and stairways of the town and found the Town Garden. This place was a revelation and was simply beautiful.

We were back on the ship by 1pm for the Marina day. I guess it is the end of the season and people thought it was too cool to participate so there were more staff than guests at the Marina for most of the time.

Chris and I started with a swim in the ‘cage’. The water was refreshing at about 20c. We then took out a Kayak and proceeded to paddle in circles for about 20 minutes. Then finally we found 2 other mugs to share a Banana Boat ride with. I have read so much about this that I just had to try it. It was fun and no, we did not end up in the drink!

So it was then back to the cabin for a late room-service lunch.

 

 

 

 

 

[crystal808]

It was all about the service.

 

Ahhh, yes, indeed! ;)

 

Enjoy! And thanks for taking us with you!

 

Paul :D

[Constance331]

I am enjoying your posts very much, Steve. The photos, especially, are breathtaking!

 

One request, if the opportunity should ever present itself: I would love to see a shot of the Spirit alongside another cruise ship, just to get a perspective of the differences in size ...:)

 

And, please, do keep up the great posts!

[akafurby]

Thank you so much for these lovely updates - hits the spot on a cold dreary day!

 

Keep them coming! And by all means, don't spare on the lunch details. :)

[cands]

I am enjoying your posts very much, Steve. The photos, especially, are breathtaking!

 

One request, if the opportunity should ever present itself: I would love to see a shot of the Spirit alongside another cruise ship, just to get a perspective of the differences in size ...:)

 

And, please, do keep up the great posts!

 

Thanks.

I'll try and get a shot in port of Spririt next to one of the giants. In the meantime here is one I took at the first sailaway.

 

Cheers,

Steve.

 

[cands]

Day 2 Continued.

We had dinner in ‘2’ again tonight. It was one of the tasting menus. There were 7 courses of very interesting food. Here’s the description from the menu:

Chef’s Cocktail: Caviar in the cloud, foggy potatoes, Champagne splash.

Three types of California roll described as:

Cowboy Roll – Seared Flank Steak, Portobello, sesame sauce.

Barbequed Salmon – Jalapeno, Cucumber, melted mozzarella wasabi mayo

Duck Confit Pop – Roasted Pepper Relish, Creamy Chilli Dip

Soups:

Tea smoked game presse, chestnut spatzle

Porcini and chestnut cappuccino

Honey spiced squab and fig empanada

Main Course:

Grilled beef tenderloin, forest mushrooms, truffled emulsion

Floating Lobster, pesto cream, red pepper fondue, lime froth

Desserts:

Sweet and sour apple snow, granny smith confit

Apricot Beignet, Citrus compote, Calvados Ice cream

Orange Disaronno.

I know it all sounds a little weird . However the look and taste of the dishes was exceptional. Apparently there are three or four other Tasting menus. We hope to try them all.

Steve.

[jagi]

Sounds weird? Sounds delicious! My mouth is watering already. Have two more months before it's my turn on the Spirit.