June25,16 SD1 Athens/Athens

Hey all, we are on the changed itinerary for this cruise. We are still going to Istanbul for a few days prior to our departure out of Athens.

First time in this area of Europe and the Greek Isle's. First Time SD'rs

On the land adventures??

1. Does the crew always have a join us type of thing on each Port Stop?

2. We are not really the big organized bus style of Port Tour persons, is there many things we can do individually during our stops? any hints welcome

Hydra:

Sifnos:

Parikia, Paros:

Patmos:

Kusadasi, Turkey:

Mykanos:

3. Anyone with hints n tips for our first few hours aboard, please chime in, I love forums n boards, am an active member on other forums.

We are healthy, active, wine sipping, foodies with a love for historic sites, but not the need to see every single one, we love (ok I love, hubby comes along with me) seeing sites, but also spending time observing and watching as life goes by in the different destinations. I am not the rush around for 8 hours to check things off, I like to check n visit n experience a bit of where I am.

Thank you all

Cheers

Welcome to SD, Wilfam. I hope that you love it as much as we do. We've done a dozen or so SD trips, and just got our documents yesterday for our May voyage.

First few hours on board -

If you would like to spend the night on a Bali bed, reserve it at reception as soon as you come on board. That way you will have your choice of nights. Try to get the large front bed on the same deck as the Toy Bar - I think it's deck 5 but not sure. That bed has privacy and it is not near the smokestacks. And think about whether you want to do this on a night where the ship is in port, or when it is moving. There are merits and detriments to each. And also, I wish you more luck in getting your husband to do this than I have had with mine. I think it is charming and romantic; he doesn't agree.

Go to the presentation on shore excursions, even if you don't think you'll take any of them. It usually gives you a lot of information regarding the ports, and you will meet and get to talking to other people.

Shore excursions -

I don't know that the crew leads something in every port. Generally if they do, it has to do with walking or hiking. When offered, they are good. It has a lot to do with whoever happens to be the cruise director on the voyage, and his/her interests. Also, in some ports in Europe, the chef may lead a chef's walk one morning. I don't know if they do this in Greece. Inquire when you board.

We haven't been to all of your ports, but some. In Mykonos we just walk around and soak in the atmosphere. Find a restaurant on the water and sit on their balcony and drink or eat and watch the locals.

If you have never been to Kusadasi before you really need to see Ephesus. You will want a guide. If you do not take the SD excursion, I believe that you can take a taxi to the site and hire a guide once you're there. But we haven't been to Ephesus for quite a few years and things change, so perhaps someone who has been there more recently can chime in on that. And if you haven't had enough shopping in the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Kusadasi will give you more. There are a lot of knock offs, but I have also purchased some beautiful leather coats in Turkey, and at quite reasonable prices. But there's also a lot of junk, so it takes some time.

And go to cocktails every evening. Cocktails are at 6:30, but at 7:15 the cruise director talks about the next day's port. That's the time to find out what there is to do there if you aren't taking an excursion. Some cruise directors are more helpful than others; again, it's the luck of the draw.

You will love the crew. I don't know what cruise lines you have been on, but the SD crew are unlike any on any other lines we have been on. I can't say enough great things about them. They will become your friends.

I wish you a fabulous cruise, and I hope that you will post a review and let us know what you thought.

Zimmy

I second Zimmy's recommendation on the Bali Beds. We booked one of the aft Bali Beds and lasted about an hour or so. The noise from the stacks and the late night partiers at the TOY Bar were more than we wanted. The only one to have is the forward one and as Z says it books up immediately. We have done several land adventures offered by SeaDream and have thoroughly enjoyed them but we generally do our own thing or even stay on board at ports we have visited before. Hardly gets better than the Pool Deck all to yourself for the day.

DW has already chimed in, but I will add some more. First, though, I've got to defend my honor regarding the Bali beds. I've experienced the same problems as Jim as far as noise. I need it dark and quiet to get a good night's sleep.

As for the first few hours on board, we unpack as soon as we get in the room. Our bags generally get there pretty fast. We make sure we have enough hangers and diet soda in the fridge, although lately we don't have to make those requests because they know what we want. That's SD. Then we usually go out by the pool or up to the TOY bar and start meeting people. The standard opening line is, "Have you been on SeaDream before?" About half the time, the answer is yes, and we start comparing notes. After the crew, the passengers are an important part of the cruise experience. We have met some really interesting and charming people on SD, including Jim and his DW.

Our experience in Greece (with other lines, not SD) is that you will find taxis at the dock who will take you around the island or the city for a set price. Do some negotiating, and make sure they have good language skills. On one island we were lucky enough to have an American expat.

As for Turkey, Zimmy is right about Ephesus. That is the whole reason for stopping in Kusadasi. Normally, I'd recommend taking the ship's excursion, but it may be a good idea these days to avoid crowds anywhere in Turkey. In particular, Taksim Square, while an interesting place, should be avoided. Just keep alert. Also, whether it is in Istanbul or Kusadasi, make sure you have the measurements for the rug, as Zimmy says, you are not planning to buy.

I'm sure you will love SD. We have been on cruises with as many as 90 repeat passengers. That says something. Bon Voyage.

Thank you for your great answers.

Two questions for you all:

?? Do most people who board show up to board right at the start or is it a steady flow from 2pm through 4pm?? Should I plan on being at port a bit earlier than the 2pm boarding time??

?? Is the boarding process better on SD than other ships??

I have found large or small the Big Company Ships seem to be soooooo slow in the boarding process. I know the Trimaran Trips we have done are so easy and so quick it takes no time at all, the other more Commercial Holiday Vessels take so much more time.

Thank you for your concern. I am well traveled and quite aware of the security risks and awareness issues in all of Europe, some of Asia and the US. In all honesty, this is one of the reasons I do not like to travel in groups. I was in the travel industry for years and have my own travel style, which just does not seem to be grouped up following along. I do appreciate the ease and having people to chat with, we often end up in smaller groups who want to adventure around with us, I just prefer to not be scheduled or in big groups vying for a preferred seat or rushing to catch the ride when I find something I am interested in. :o:o:o

I am not sure on the Bali Beds as I am the one, not my hubby who likes Dark and Quiet, as well as perhaps being one of those people still at the Toy Bar. :D

I am planning on being at the dock as close to the allowed boarding as possible, unpacking, purser, questions, upper deck!! I love being on the deck near the edge with a view as we leave Port!!

Love the Cocktail Hour Tip!! Thank you

I appreciate all of your answers and concerns, I have hooked up with the preferred travel company Sea Song in Istanbul because of the security and instability I have decided to hire a guide for our day of walking Istanbul both for efficiency and knowledge of normal Istanbul life, so if something is off we have someone who knows. All tix for Mosques etc will be pre purchased, no standing around in Public Areas and with just Hubby and I with our guide we should not have to worry to much about bunching up with others. We are in Istanbul for 3 days and due to the heightened issues we are using Sea Song for the entire time. From Airport Pick up to Airport Drop off and in between, this is not my type of travel, but hubby is concerned so this makes him happy and I will not worry as much so it is a no brainer for me at this point.

Please if you have anything else, type it up and hit Submit.

Cheers all

Thank you for your great answers.

 

Two questions for you all:

 

?? Do most people who board show up to board right at the start or is it a steady flow from 2pm through 4pm?? Should I plan on being at port a bit earlier than the 2pm boarding time??

 

?? Is the boarding process better on SD than other ships??

 

I have found large or small the Big Company Ships seem to be soooooo slow in the boarding process. I know the Trimaran Trips we have done are so easy and so quick it takes no time at all, the other more Commercial Holiday Vessels take so much more time.

 

We have sailed on lots of different ships and, hands down, SeaDream has the easiest boarding. They do seem to hold fairly firm to the 2pm boarding start so we normally arrive at 2pm. Usually a few minutes later we have a glass of sparkly, have been checked in, and are in our cabin unpacking. Then up to TOY Bar to start meeting our shipmates. Lots of good places to view sailaway. :D

We have found that the boarding process is pretty much a steady flow during the 2 hour period, but probably weighted a little heavier at the beginning. Here is what to expect. At dock security, you bags will be tagged and taken onto the ship, where they will then be delivered to your stateroom. When you approach the gangway, you will be greeted and your hand luggage will be wrestled away from you. This will be the very last time you are permitted to carry anything, including a small plate with a croissant. After you climb the gangway, you will be greeted by the captain, the hotel manager, a spa lady with a cold towel. And the vacation begins. Your next stop is the waiter with a glass of bubbly. You will be directed into the lounge where there are hors d'ouvres and more bubbly. Make yourself comfortable and you will be escorted into the lobby when your time comes. There will likely be two ladies for processing passengers. This is just getting your picture taken for your room key, giving them your passport, ticket and running a credit card. Five minutes later you will be escorted to your room and your stewardess will arrive shortly thereafter. No hassle whatsoever. After you get your room key would be the time to ask about a bali bed, but it doesn't seem you need that information. (A point for my side.) Nice thing about a small yacht - when you stand in the middle (or sit at the TOY) you are close enough to the rail to see everything. Sailaway generally does not involve a lot of hoopla. No streamers or bands playing. They cast off and go. We generally are at the dock before 2 because we can't wait any longer. But it is rare that boarding starts before 2. One thing you might enjoy is the open bridge policy. Ask the captain if you may come in and get more of a feeling that it is your yacht. You will likely have either Capt. Bjarne or Capt. Remi. Both are great guys.

Wilfam, you've gotten some great advice. Many of your islands are small and may or may not have some land adventures (you can check on the website). Some of them are best for just walking around. However, even with Sea Song, you will have crowds in Istanbul, particularly around the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia. You can go to the head of the line in many places, but there will still be crowds.

I recommend the SD tour of Ephesus -- it is excellent (and it is contracted through Sea Song). But be forewarned it will end up in a rug/jewelry emporium!

Trapper and Jim are wusses about the Bali beds! I love the front bed and make it all through the night! Looking forward to trying it on the fall crossing :-)

You'll also start to meet folks at the life boat drill! And you can always ask the maitre'd to seat you with others at dinner. You'll have no problem meeting people. Hope you learn to love SD as we all do!

Vandrefalk

I decided to book Sea Song Ephesus as well. :) Thank you