Join Me Onboard Seabourn Odyssey For Pre-Inaugural Peek!

[SueBryantCruiseUK]

Still sitting here at the cruise terminal but the captain has announced we are sailing around the corner along the Giudecca Canal at 11.45 (when all the conference sessions are over) and then out into the lagoon later tonight.

 

Ship is still absolutely swarming with workmen but a lot more seems to be up and running. Seabourn Square, for example, is a hive of activity this morning with people taking coffee, lounging in the outside chairs, using the internet and browsing the library. I can really see this becoming a focal point of the ship. It's got a great atmosphere and is so much better than the usual purser's desk arrangement.

 

More later when we're on the move!

[hugandger]

Sue,

 

can you put the laptop on a desk in the suite and work comfortable on it, with power supply ?

[SueBryantCruiseUK]

Finally, proof that Seabourn Odyssey is working! We've made our rather majestic passage along Venice's Giudecca Canal to the Riva Degli Schiavoni, possibly the finest berth in the city, just along from Piazza San Marco in a spot that requires written permission from the mayor of Venice - and no doubt a hefty contribution to the Venice In Peril fund or similar. About to have lunch al fresco in The Patio under a grey sky before a stroll into Venice and then Charlie Palmer's cooking demo. Reactions to the ship so far - the travel agents on board are saying Seabourn Odyssey has taken luxury to a whole new level.

 

There are niggles, of course. Bits of air conditioning need to be fixed. Ours works in cabin 630 but others are complaining. Italian engineers are in one of the Signature Suites, scratching their heads. The spa really isn't ready; the treatment rooms are up and running but those expensive spa villas ($650 per villa for a two hour session) are just empty space at the moment and neither of the waterfalls I wanted to see in action is working yet. Work continues apace. So what's the feeling about tomorrow's inaugural? We reckon previous Seabourn guests who know and love the brand will be sympathetic to the tweaks going on. We wonder if new-to-Seabourn will start comparing with other lines. We think everybody will be blown away by the service. Of all the luxury lines I have cruised one, this one has the most empowered crew I've ever encountered.

[SueBryantCruiseUK]

This is purely subjective but these are the people who have shone for me so far!

 

Blair, the waiter in the Sky Bar. Previous experience - ultra-luxury hotels in Scotland. Absolutely charming, passionate about service in his bar, knows immediately that we like a certain Napa Valley chardonnay and supplies it in quantity.

 

Louis de Lange, assistant maitre d' in the Colonnade. Brilliant, totally switched on, nothing too much trouble, 100% committed to service, which at breakast and at lunch yesterday were impeccable.

 

Barry Hopkins, cruise director. 17 years in the industry - previous Radisson/RSSC passengers might know him. He'll be bringing out Seabourn Sojourn, too. Brought miracle cure to our suite for the appalling cold I have and his two fizzy Air Bourne tablets have completely revived me, despite cynical partner's eye-rolling at alternative medicine. This man had to introduce the inaugural show and host a media dinner and he still managed to supply meds to the sick!

[AndreaRH]

Sue,

 

Thanks so much for all your posts! I'm sure it's not easy to run around the ship to see and do everything and rush back to a computer to post info for us. We appreciate it!

 

I'm glad you had a chance to meet Barry Hopkins. We've sailed with him on Regent and he's a gem! I'm looking forward to seeing him again when we sail in July.

 

Enjoy the rest of your time aboard Odyssey!

 

Andrea

[jroettger]

I have been on Regent with Barry Hopkins. He has the ability to make you feel like you are the only and most important person on the ship. The story about the meds is a testamet to his wonderful personality.

 

Barry Hopkins IS a GEM.

[Host Dan]

These photos were taken onboard- Courtesy of The Yachts of Seabourn!

 

Verandah Suite

 

Pool

 

 

Observation Lounge

 

The Restaurant

 

 

The Colonnade

 

 

The Owners Suite

 

 

Host Dan

[Chairsin]

Suzy,

Thanks so much for answering my questions in detail. Between your descriptions and the photos Dan posted I feel much better. Some of the spces look downright spectacular. I think the best way to approach the Odyssey and its soon to follow siblings is not compare them to their little sisters(as I and others have been guilty of doing) but rather letting them stand on their own as something totally different and wonderful in a different way. I am especially glad to hear the service was up to par and the food delicious. Hope the rest of your brief stay is enjoyable and we look forward to a specatuclar christening tomorrow.

[WesW]

Sue, echo Anrea's posts above, thanks for going above & beyond with your posts..feel like we're right there with you (well almost).

 

Dan, thanks for crystal clear Odyssey pics.

[SueBryantCruiseUK]

Sue,

Thanks for your continuing reports.

I noticed the comment about the ashtray. Is this going to be a smoking ship... what about cabins and balconies and other public spaces??? It's always good know before we get excited about the new ship. :confused:

 

 

Do get excited but do also be prepared for the fact that it's a relatively smoking-friendly ship. Smoking is allowed in the cabins (you can request a non-smoking cabin on booking) as it is on the smaller ships. There are ashtrays in the outside spaces and smoking is allowed on the port side of the Observation Lounge. Not in the Casino or The Club, though - smokers in The Club go outside on the aft deck for a cigarette. The Observation Lounge is the only inside public space where anybody can light up.

[highcbob]

'Atta gal sue, no doubt we all appreciate your splendid reporting and attention to detail. The pictures (I think belong to Seabourn) are indeed spectacular.

I know the spa isn't quite finished yet but how is 'Restaurant2', 'Card Room', 'The Club', and the 'Grand Salon' (showroom)? ... Any chance of a peek?

A sincere "thanks!"

 

Bob.

[SueBryantCruiseUK]

The suites are open for inspection and I've visited several categories now. These are very rough first impressions; more when I get back to the office tomorrow.

 

I'm in a V5, normal veranda, which has a queen-sized bed partitioned off by curtains and a decent sized sitting area. Love the bathroom, really spacious, in grey and chocolate marble. Wish the Molton Brown goodies were in bigger bottles - these small ones are replaced all the time, which I don't consider terribly eco-friendly. The minibar fridge tends to overheat as it doesn't seem to have much ventilation, so we're keeping its cupboard door open. When I visited this ship in the yard in April, I commented that the balconies were massive. They are, much deeper than on rival ships, but we have one sun lounger, two chairs and a table. I'm sure we could get a second lounger if we asked but right now, we'd be fighting over it if Italy was remotely sunny.

 

Penthouse suites: I love these because the bed is separated off by a patterned glass 'cube', giving the illusion of a room within a room. I would consider this a worthwhile investment as a grade up from the veranda suites, particularly if you wanted to have people round for drinks and keep them out of your 'bedroom'.

 

Owners' Suites: Forward facing with long, curved balconies running alongside. In the living area, there's a long, curved sofa facing inwards, the logic of which has been questioned as you face away from the sea.

 

Signature Suites: Also forward facing and with bigger outside space for entertaining than the Owners' Suites. I'd go for one of these if I had a family group and wanted more dining space, with the adjoining veranda cabin for kids/friends. The balcony dividers separating the two Signature Suites are very low, which surprised me as people occupying these are likely to want maximum privacy.

 

Winter Garden Suites: Much anticipated because of their big, curved, midships balconies. The curved part of the balcony does indeed have the promised forward and aft views, with chairs and loungers for relaxing. The 'winter garden' bit, partitioned off from the main balcony with floor-to-ceiling glass, isn't exactly what I'd call a garden just yet as there are just a couple of plants and I'd imagined a jungly look. There's a massage bed/day bed and a curious white, slightly plastic bath (we're still on the balcony) that looks a bit clinical; maybe a wooden hot tub would have been sexier? The main bathroom is the opposite, a giant tub with jacuzzi jets and sparkly fiber optic lights in the ceiling. Personally, I'd have the party in here.

 

All the bigger suites have tasteful, contemporary burgundy-colored dining furniture and glass-topped tables. There are flat screen TVs everywhere by LG - some people have questioned whether a fancier brand would have been more appropriate in the top suites. The size of the duvets has also been questioned by some of the luxury specialist travel agents on board! Should they drape down further over the queen and king sized beds? It's a detail but it matters. Everybody loves the giant feather pillows, by the way.

 

All the suites have a power socket near the desk for using a laptop and all have iPod docks. All have separate, walk-in closets with plenty of hanging space.

 

That's my initial impression. More to come in my later, more detailed preview of the ship. We're sailing out into the Venice Lagoon now for the evening and Venetian masks have been provided for the ladies to wear during the party on deck. Could be interesting!

[SueBryantCruiseUK]

'Atta gal sue, no doubt we all appreciate your splendid reporting and attention to detail. The pictures (I think belong to Seabourn) are indeed spectacular.

I know the spa isn't quite finished yet but how is 'Restaurant2', 'Card Room', 'The Club', and the 'Grand Salon' (showroom)? ... Any chance of a peek?

A sincere "thanks!"

 

Bob.

 

Hey Bob

 

Have been waiting to see some of these in action. I'm eating in Restaurant 2 tonight and it looks gorgeous - small, intimate, luxurious, with red and black decor and unusual, spiky black candle holders that look like glittery rocks. I already want to steal one. It's a tasting menu like last night so will report later on the food but I think it's going to be very special. Charlie Palmer is on board and very much treats the ship as an integral part of his empire of restaurants. He says there's nothing they can't do on the ship that they can do ashore as the galley is so advanced here.

 

I'm sitting in The Club now. There's a piano and band area on a small, raised stage surrounded by midnight blue silk curtains. A decent dance flloor and a seating area in front of the bar, enclosed in glass to create a separate room-in-a-room, a bit of a feature on this ship. Lots of seating space round the dance floor in soft, mushroom-colored leather chairs and a very decadent deck area out aft with a pool and hot tubs which no doubt will be a lot of fun on a hot summer's night.

 

Card rooms and show lounge to follow - everything is full of meetings at the moment!

[Host Dan]

Sue,

There has been alot of speculation on the balcony configuration in V1 suites. Would you mind checking one out and let us know what the difference is regard to the balconies?

 

Host Dan

 

LOVE the reports!

[melissa@cruisecritic]

Sue,

I'm enjoying reading your live blog! I'm curious to know whether you think Seabourn is positioning this ship as a means to entice new-to-luxury customers -- and if there's anything specific about the Odyssey experience that is enough to convince someone who's on the fence to make the jump. Luxury cruising might not be for us now, but maybe someday (my husband is having a heart attack somewhere right now! :) )

Melissa

[tayl]

Sue, thank you for your continued blogs. Everytime, I get a break, I check in here. Thank you for taking us along,and for sharing your thoughts.

Dan, Thanks for the pictures.

[claudiaYVR]

Thanks Sue - you're a gem and I just can't wait to be on board myself!

[kristysu]

Let me add my thanks. I am sailing on the Odyssey in November, over Thanksgiving. I am enjoying your blog and getting more and more excited about our trip.

[Rotterdam]

for all you information......

 

Will you also fill us in on the aft pool area ......one of my favorite palces to be while at sea!!!!

[jroettger]

Seems like the blogging from on board has slowed....maybe they have lost connectivity?

[crystal808]

By now, I'd expect them to be long off the ship, and the paying passengers all aboard! :eek:

 

Thanks to Sue; looking forward to your follow-up(s)!

 

Paul :)

[SueBryantCruiseUK]

Thank you all so much for asking so many questions! I'll try to answer as many as possible, with a few short ones here:

 

Working in the cabins? Yes, there are several power points including one near the desk where I could plug in my laptop. No problems there, although the Wifi in #630 only works by the door!

 

Using the spa pool? A day pass for the spa costs $30 and includes use of the hydro pool (lots of jets and massage showers), the fancy 'experience' showers and the quiet lounging areas. The yoga studio has group classes which are free and the amazing Kinesis Wall which I think will be very popular. Use of the gym is free, of course, and there are saunas and steam room up there, too. If you book a treatment, you can use the hydro pool before and/or after.

 

Views from the V1 and V2 suites: Strangely, these weren't allocated as show cabins when I was on board! Yes, they do have those slightly 'enclosed' balconies instead of railings, although less so than Queen Mary 2. I was only able to view them from the quayside this morning.

 

The Card Room: Looks like it will be a convivial place to play bridge etc and it's right by Seabourn Square, not in some forgotten corner as card rooms sometimes are. This morning it was full of computer equipment so not sure how many guests this week will be using it!

 

I don't want to make this post too long so will put some more reviews in a new one.

[SueBryantCruiseUK]

for all you information......

 

Will you also fill us in on the aft pool area ......one of my favorite palces to be while at sea!!!!

 

Do you mean the pool on Deck Five outside The Club? It's a great little plunge pool with two hot tubs and loungers, very quiet during the day and with quite a decadent feel at night as it's an extension of The Club, so you can hear the music while sitting by the water. Although the weather in Venice was unexciting I could quite see myself dangling my toes in the pool with a late night cocktail on a balmy Caribbean night!

[SueBryantCruiseUK]

We ate in Restaurant 2 last night and were the envy of many who hadn’t had the chance on this two day pre-inaugural. The restaurant is very intimate – dark and cosy, with red velvet seating and chic, black décor in a long, thin space. There are several tables of six by the windows and twos along the wall; Seabourn reckon that the sixes are more popular than the twos as guests prefer to dine with new friends.

 

There’s a different tasting menu in here every night, which is incredibly complex and a real treat to savor. We started with Caviar in the Cloud, which came in a glass and was delicious: shredded lettuce layered with a delicate bite of crabmeat and topped with the fluffiest of mashed potatoes, garnished with caviar and a subtle vinaigrette. A great start. Next was three types of sushi; my favorite was the duck with a creamy chili dip. On to what in a more conventional situation would be the soup course: a tiny cup of spatzle (very delicate shreds of pancake) with a tea-smoked game broth poured over it and a Porcini and Chestnut Cappuccino. Both were intense, contrasting and excellent.

 

Things went a little downhill for me after this. The highlight was a beef tenderloin and a lobster tail (we’re talking bite-sized portions, remember) and I’d already asked weeks ago if it would be possible to avoid red meat and lobster on this trip (I know it's weird not liking lobster but there you have it). One waiter said, no, we can’t do anything for you. Another said I would be getting some fish.

 

Eventually I had a plate of three ravioli from one of the other restaurants; slightly disappointing in the scheme of things and more so as the waiter seemed annoyed with me for straying from the agenda of what is in essence a culinary theatrical production. I know everything is prepared fresh in the galley but I’m surprised there is no vegetarian option in keeping with the other dishes. I did the tasting room experience on Crystal Symphony last year and they couldn’t have done enough to accommodate my quirks.

 

Dessert was two apricot beignets, like little doughnuts, a tangy citrus compote and an exquisite Calvados ice cream.

 

So, mainly a great evening. Most guests will adore Restaurant 2 but if you have special dietary requirements, I’d strongly advise going to have a word with the maitre d’ first.

[Chairsin]

Sue,

Glad your overall experience was positive. The problem in the Restuarant 2 is very unusual. Everytime I have dined in "2" on the little sisters I always tell them that as I am allergic to shellfish they can just leave out any course that contain it and that I am sure I will get more than enough to eat. Well they always kindly make a fuss over me and bring me some lovely substitutions which are unnecessary but much appreciated.I am sorry that you waiter seemed put out. I hope it can be chalked up to precruise jitters.