Seabourn Odyssey Transatlantic, December 7, 2016

Usually but not always Santa Apolonia

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Usually but not always Santa Apolonia

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

According to the Port of Lisbon Web site, it is Santa Apolonia Jusante, which is the downstream dock there.

According to the Port of Lisbon Web site, it is Santa Apolonia Jusante, which is the downstream dock there.

Now arrived and getting breakfast. That's what's on the scheduule. However,, QE is due back tomorrow, ant their listed dock is out for renewal. When we were here last week they used our dock. When I get my laptor set up, I'll check again.

Roy

Ok, I have rechecked the port schedule and it's still Santa Apolonia Jusante.

For my morning in Paris it was still dark even though I left my Ipad on Lisbon time and the alarm didn’t ring until 6. It was still pitch black when I walked to Gare Montparnasse and printed my rail ticket. Much of my morning was occupied with catching up on email and other internet activity, but on the way to breakfast I paused at a bakery and spotted some very tempting Danish, a nice little bonus for the day’s journey.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/ibis2.jpg

Paris to Lisbon is actually 2 trains, a TGV to Irun on the Spanish border, and a night train into Lisbon. The TGV is just under 6 hours, leaving at 12:24 and arriving just after 6. The connection in Irun is short but guaranteed. I have First Class on both trains.

I left the Ibis just after 11:30 for the short (slightly uphill but surprisingly manageable) walk to Gare Montparnasse. It was about 20 minutes before my gate was posted, very close to where I was sitting. I have a bit of difficulty understanding the French system. My ticket was only valid for a single train, but it still had to be “validated” before I could board the train. That’s a matter of inserting the ticket into a small box. It had no noticeable effect on the ticket and I tried it a second time. Many of the tracks had automated gates where you had to scan your ticket before entering the platform but mine did not. I was in coach 3 which was near the entry to the platform. I soon had my bag stowed and was seated in a single seat facing another single across a table. The car has pairs of seats on one side, and semi-enclosed 4-person compartments on the other side. A half hour after departure a conductor came by and scanned everybody’s tickets. Apparently my validation was a success as my ticket passed muster.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/montparnasse.jpg

While there are many similarities between Eurostar and TGV there are a number of differences. While the meals are relatively similar they are not included on TGV but must be purchased separately. The good news was that the bar car was right next to my coach. The other major difference was that while the wifi on Eurostar was not very good there is none on the TGV.

The trip was not terribly scenic as we were often in something of a trench but there were some nice fall colors. We mostly passed through flat farmlands. I thought we would make Irun early but the last hour or 2 we moved quite slowly, not much over 30mph on the “High Speed Train”. We actually pulled into Irun, just across the Spanish border, a few minutes but with more time to board the Sud Express, literally on the next track, than we had to board the TGV after the gate was announced in Paris.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/tgvfall.jpg

The bar/meal car is fairly basic, a step up from Amtrak’s café cars but well below one of their dining cars. The meal was not bad, although I had a faux pas. I thought the guy sitting next to me had chicken on his plate, and not speaking Spanish said I want that. Turns out it was fish, but a substitute came with no problem.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/dinner05.jpg

I am in a basic compartment. I have a toilet just down the hall and a sink in the cabin. The bed was made up about 8:30 and I think I’ll retire after completing my post, probably about 10. While the TGV was mostly a very smooth and fast ride, the Sud Express jolts and bumps a lot. I’ll easily be rocked to sleep.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/sudxprsnight.jpg

I’ll go cheap on a parting shot. The little adventure between cruises is winding down, and it’s gone mostly well with just a few lessons learned. The biggest one is not to plan on Metro again when heavily laden.

Roy

Nice story, Roy. In 1997 we travelled from Montparnasse to Lisbon using the same trains. I remember a tiny sandwich and a Diet Pepsi on the TGV to Irun. But then on the night train, we found that all the stuff in the cabin (toiletries, etc.) had the label of "Minc Barp." Never found out what Minc Barp was, although it seemed like some language from outer space, something that Robin Williams might have invented. Any sign of Minc Barp on your trip? Oh, and tres bon voyage!

As I sit in my room I'm watching marinetraffic and the Odyssey is starting up the Tagus. Thank you TV24. Actually I had no toiletries at all in my cabin. I'm wondering if you were perhaps in Grande Classe.

The easiest travel day yet. After gaining an hour overnight moving from Paris to Lisbon time I was up a little before 5. I was a bit surprised that while a Spanish train, the Sud Express made a lot of stops after entering Portugal. It was dark until almost our arrival in Lisbon which was right on time at 7:30.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/sudexpress.jpg

It was a short walk to the Santa Apolonia Metro entrance, and when I got to the platform a train was nearly ready to leave. The train started out nearly empty and I took up 2 seats with my backpack. A lot of people got on at the next stops, but I gave up my seat soon after the second stop to be ready to disembark. I ended up luckily right next to the elevator up to the entrance level, although that entrance was almost a 2 block walk to the hotel.

I arrived at the Avenida Palace about 8:00 and was delighted to find that my room was ready. The bellman was waiting with the bag I left on my port call, and soon both I and all my stuff were in my new room, overlooking Rossio Square.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/avenida2.jpg

After breakfast and catching up on internet activity (Sud Express, like TGV, had no wifi) it was time for a bit of a walk, down to the river, along the water to Cais de Sodre, and finally back to the hotel.

After lunch I tried the tram tour, about an 80-minute circuit in places that were mostly new to me. It was hard to get photographs with the terrain and things being hemmed in, but we die have a photo stop at the Basilica of Estrela.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/basilica.jpg

After dinner I relaxed in the Avenida Palace. Rossio Square looked lovely at night as I returned.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/rossionight.jpg

I’ll take today’s parting shot again from my fire department email. I don’t know how much it made the news in the US but I learned of a tragic fire in Oakland California which has taken at least 36 lives. While we have learned a lot about helping our first responders deal with the emotional trauma of situations like this it is still a very painful time for them as well as the injured and the families and friends of the actual victims. May healing come to those injured, those who loved the deceased, and those who came to help them.

Roy

Hi Roy,

Glad you have stepped up to blog this crossing! Seabourn sailors like it when newbies to Seabourn step up and share their experiences with us and you are off to a great start!

I have been MIA from this board for a long time due to work commitments. I was glad I scanned the board and found your blog as I was about to start my own travelogue thread. Instead, I might post a few photos from time to time.

Thank you Paul.

It is now 10:40am Lisbon time. I probably haven't said it yet on the Seabourn forum but I do believe in climate change. I know that cruise ships burn a lot of hydrocarbons but figure that they will do so whether I'm onboard or not. My response is to try to avoid putting vehicles in service just for me whenever possible. My bags are a bit too heavy to manage easily on public transit but I've been using a "divide and conquer" strategy. My biggest bag is now with the porters and in about half an hour I'll check our of the hotel and be on the Metro to Santa Apolonia.

It's a busy port today, with Bodacia and Queen Elizabeth in port also. I think there's only one functioning terminal, but we are the only ones on turnaround. I may have been the first one to drop off my bag; the sign was just out when I arrived.

One thing surprised me a bit. Seabourn must really want me to travel light. My book had a page of luggage tags but only 2 were printed, the other 2 were blank. If I could have I would have put a tag on my carryon, but will be fine.

Won't be long now.

Roy

I am enjoying your posts very much and look forward to more! Don't worry about luggage tags, there will be plenty available at the port, and when you board you can leave your carry on with some very helpful staff (they will tag it for you), so you can have your lunch without a bag at your feet. Enjoy!

Thank you cruising kirby. My carryon was light, so no worries.

I was up at 5 and took a walk about 6 as marine traffic showed the Odyssey passing the 25 Avril bridge. I had hoped for a good look at her going by but just saw the lights from a distance about halfway to the river. I continued walking along the river for a close look at where she was docked, and then headed back downstream to the Metro Station near the Black Horse Square. As I got to the Metro, Queen Elizabeth was just coming up the river.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/metro2.jpg

Breakfast at the Avenida Palace was quite nice, and then I made use of the fast free wifi until about 10. As I have done some other times I used public transport to the ship, again carrying only half my load each time. My first trip was about 10, and as I arrived at the terminal the sign had just been put out for the bag dropoff. This was a rather easy trip, there were some stairs down for the Metro by the hotel but escalators eliminated any need for stress at Santa Apolonia. I left the hotel for good about 11:15, showed my passport at the terminal, and took a seat in the waiting room.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/avenida3.jpg

The boarding process started about 11:50. The line for security was a bit slow with people entering for Seabourn and for the Boudicca docked behind us. There were 3 scanners in the terminal but only 1 was used as I waited in line; the other 2 opened up just as I got to the end of the line.

The walk to the ship was 1/5 mile. I walked it several times while on QE, but Seabourn gave the option of a shuttle bus. I chose to walk anyway.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/arrival.jpg

Once up the gangway we were checked against the manifest and then sent to the Grand Salon for checkin. From the time we left the terminal seating area to completion was about 30 minutes.

Rooms did not open until 2, so it was up to the Colonnade (Deck 8) for lunch. This is a very nice buffet with both indoor and outdoor seating. I chose a seat outdoors near the aft of the ship. From my table I could see both Santa Apolonia station and 2 of the attractions passed on the trolley but not seen well, the Castelo de Sao George and the Panteo Nationale.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/1stlunch.jpg

When I got into my Suite it (433) was larger than I am accustomed to but it did not really feel all that special. I’m not especially a fan of walk in closets and while the bath was big it felt like I had less useful storage space than on Crystal. I have an oceanview cabin midship immediately forward of the Restaurant. I have a self serve laundry just up the stairs from my suite. There were a couple of surprises. My cruise documents had indicated 3 Black Tie Optional nights; the schedule in the Herald listed only 2 (there called Formal). After 19 nights on Cunard, 7 of them Formal, I will not grieve over the loss of one Formal night here. The other one was that a card in my suite indicated I had 150 more in on board credit than I expected.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/433out.jpg

I will refer somewhat to Holland America as the 2 lines have a connection and some things felt kind of familiar based on my experience there. The Restaurant brings back memories of the Prinsendam’s forward dining section, being an open pathway through the ship rather than a room that is closed off when not in use.

The senior staff (I haven’t checked 2sailingnomads’ thread to see if there were any changes today) are Captain David Bathgate, Hotel Director Stratos Mylonas, and Cruise Director David E (Greene). When David E announced the suites were ready, he warned us not to expect luggage immediately. My first bag appeared by the staff room near my room about 3. After a few minutes there was no activity near it so I brought it over and started unpacking. A my doorbell announced the second bag a half hour later. My stewardess, Siya, came by and introduced herself as well.

The 4:15 muster drill is classic HAL (or at least Koningsdam style). It comes in 3 stages, first an alert that something is up (no guest action needed), second a call to the crew to prepare for muster (we return to our rooms and services stop) and finally we go to our stations. We do not take our life jackets. All of our muster stations are in the Restaurant, and our cards are scanned as we arrive.

At the end of the drill Captain Bathgate advised taking on supplies was taking longer than planned and our departure would be “about 6PM”

On Cunard there had been very little Cruise Critic activity about my voyages, and on QE there was not even a roll call. The roll call for the Odyssey was quite active and we had a pre-sailaway meet and greet in the Observation Bar with perhaps 25 attending. Speaking of the Observation Bar, smoking was allowed there in the evenings through December 6. I had feared there might be some lingering smoke odor but it was fine. I also noted the old smoking policy was given in the Safety Video when I first boarded but an updated version was shown later in the day.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/critic.jpg

I left the Observation Bar about 5:30 to be on deck. QE was departing just as I got to the aft of the ship. Our gangway was pulled just after 6. From the bow I could see lines dropping on Boudicca as we were singling up. Boudicca had been facing upstream, and as she had turned about 90 degrees our final lines dropped and the nimble Odyssey pulled forward. It was by then quite dark but I did get a shot of the Christ the King Statue (financed by the women of Portugal in thanks for keeping the men out of WW2). By the time we dropped off the pilot in Belem the Boudicca was about 2 miles behind us.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/theking.jpg

We were just about out of the Tagus at 7 as the Restaurant opened. I decided for the first night not to share a table. I will ask for a bit of guidance here from the Seabourn forum. It seems most people on Cruise Critic like to see pictures of food. I am not an adventurous eater and have resisted this but while on Cunard started something that seems to work. Not rising to the level of food porn I have started to post a little collage of my dishes and it was well received. If it is welcome I will post it; if you would prefer not to be distracted by it I won’t. In any case I will not even attempt it if dining at a hosted table. Tonight I enjoyed the classic chicken consume, the Jidory Chicken Breast, and the Butter Pecan ice cream.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/dishes07.jpg

There was no special entertainment featured and I ended the evening writing and continuing to unpack, retiring about 11.

As a parting shot, I almost overlooked it while so far from home but reminded that December 7 was a day that will live in infamy.

Roy

Roy, although I have not posted, I have been keeping up with posts on the Cunard Board along with this thread. I wanted to post to say Bon Voyage. It's great that you are experiencing Seabourn for the very first time and just like today's post I look forward to hearing about your observations and impressions.

Enjoy.

Keith

Thank you Keith

I mentioned having a companion blog http://getawaysfrom21044.wordpress.com

On the blog there are for several tabs at the top including Menus, Programs, and Extras. Seabourn is very good about providing menus for all the restaurants. The stewardess leaves the next day’s menu on her turn down each evening. I have posted the first 2 menus, and the first 2 Heralds to the blog and they are available through the tabs on the blog.

There were 3 other files I posted. I will integrate them into the blog structure at a later time but these are the files and the direct links:

Eventually going on the “Extras” tab, here’s the schedule of Fitness classes:

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/fitness.pdf

The menus make mention of but don’t list “Seabourn Classics”. I photographed that page in the dining room last night:

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/classics.pdf

Finally, here’s the Room Service Breakfast menu:

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/rmsvcbkfst.pdf

The wifi seems on the slow side. I had to email some files to the blog as they wouldn’t upload directly. That hasn’t happened in the last several cruises.

One other omission I failed to mention in my report for embarkation day: There was no mention of the dreaded “Block Party”.

Roy

Thanks Roy,

I am really looking forward to this part of you voyage (or series of cruises).

If you have the wifi and ability and are in the mood, I would love to see some of your food porn.

Have a great crossing :)

Roy, thank you for posting the pictures. The pictures and menus are getting us very excited. The menus look very diverse have items for every palate. I hope you will check out the Asian restaurant. I love the fact that you have many dining options. The fitness/spa has so many choices. Your suite looks so roomy compared to Crystal's standard cabins.

We very much look forward to seeing more of the beautiful Encore.

Miles

I too, am very much enjoying your blog and photographs (including the food so keep them coming!). Thank you for your efforts. After very nearly booking a cruise on the Wind Surf, we have just booked our first Seabourn cruise on the Odyssey (Caribbean April 1st 2017) and there are not many reviews which include photographs so this is great!

I enjoyed your Crystal NWP blog very much as well.

Roy - re dining with others or not: by now you will have probably had invites to dine at a hosted table, and no doubt know about these as a seasoned cruiser. Seabourn usually invite all singles to dine with other singles, a few couples (who do not sit next to teach other) and an Officer or member of the entertainment staff. There is absolutely no obligation to go if you do not wish to, merely rsvp in good time. Also of course you may bump into people in the bars before dinner and like the idea of dining with them, or you will be asked at the dining room door if you wish to share with others. All of these options have good and bad points! Dinner at a hosted table can go on rather a long time, as there will be 8 or 10 there, who all have to arrive (some will be late) and then choose and be served - again, some might want 4 courses.

Roy, back in and settled from our Koningsdam cruise (hope you found my live thread worthwhile!) and caught up now on your travels. Have a great crossing!

Looking at the Seabourn menus and newsletter you posted, I see many things that remind me of HAL. Seabourn might be in our future (I love the idea of the size of their ships) since I've lost favor to Crystal for various reasons, so very interested in your thoughts on this trip.

Hope you get smooth seas!

Thank you all (I'll look at your comments off line and will respond as needed later; linkslady I've just experienced what you have said)

This ship is definitely on a later schedule than I am. I looked at the Herald and the first morning coffee was listed as 6:15. I tried a reality check on the venues about 5:30 and the listed locations were clearly not ready. I did walk for about a half hour on deck 5. It is nothing like a real promenade deck but a lit better than I had feared. In any case my walk would have been reduced today as the winds were about 30 knots, and there was a fair amount of ship movement (continuing all day). When I had finished it was about time to go to the Observation bar for coffee. It was then available and we could help ourselves to cream and sweetener to suit my taste. I could possibly try room service but after a disastrous experience with that on Silversea I think I’ll just wait.

Sunrise was about 7:45. I went to the aft of deck 5 and the sky was still pretty despite heavy cloud cover.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/dawn1208.jpg

Seabourn’s enrichment program seems to go under the name of “Conversations”. There were 2 today, at 11 and 2:15, both held in the Grand Salon. The first one had 2 phases. Marine historian Anthony Cooke spoke on “The Seabourn Story” and then gave us an introduction to Funchal.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/cooke.jpg

At noon Captain Bathgate updated us on our progress. We were slightly past the halfway point to Funchal, traveling about 16 knots. While the 30 knot winds make it feel cooler the actual temperature was about 64F. I listened from the aft area of deck 5 and then went into the Seabourn Club for team trivia. Many Shades of Grey Hair did not have a good day with 190 points while the winners had over 300. David E was in charge.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/davide.jpg

I do very light lunches, going today for the French Fries at the Patio Grill. I thought they were on a par with Crystals, somewhat better than on QE/QV and for my taste significantly better than HAL’s Dive In.

The afternoon “Conversation” was news photographer Phil Bye telling about the trials of a traveling newsman including places like Afghanistan. His tales were riveting.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/philbye.jpg

My afternoon was capped off with Afternoon Tea in the Observation Bar. Music was provided by a pianist.

This is the first of the 2 Formal nights with Captain Bathgate’s Gala welcome.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/welcome.jpg

This was my first hosted dinner at a table for 8 with the Chief Engineer. Nick was a transfer from Holland America where he recently worked with the redeployment of the Ryndam to P&O Australia. In this photo we have DavidE, Captain Bathgate, Nick, Staff Captain, and Doctor. I went for the Classic Chicken Consume and Veal and Baked Alaska was added as an extra desert.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/officers.jpg

The Seabourn Singers and Dancers evening show was “Timeless”. There are 5 singers and 2 dancers in the cast. It was time for bed immediately when the show was over. I think in the future I will go to the shows only on the days when we move the clocks back.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/timeless.jpg

My parting shot today come from Phil Bye’s talk. He spoke of news people as “people who run into a situation while everyone else is running away”. That’s a description I normally think of as a trait of firefighters. I think if newsmen are properly shedding light on the situation they may also be helping to make the situation better, but I hadn’t thought of things in that way before.

Roy

Roy - we have always found room service to be very good on SB. We like early morning tea, and put an order form out the night before. The problem for you might be that it may not start early enough! I am not sure if you can phone up very early for your coffee or tea, but worth a look on your daily programme.

Roy - we have always found room service to be very good on SB. We like early morning tea, and put an order form out the night before. The problem for you might be that it may not start early enough! I am not sure if you can phone up very early for your coffee or tea, but worth a look on your daily programme.

Lincslady, your post raised a question - it sounds like Seabourn doesn't have 24 hour room service?

Roy, nice to hear that you have a former HAL engineer on board :)

Hope the weather calms down for you a bit.

rafinmd thank you for your wonderful blog.

Seabourn Square starts up very early in the morning. I can't remember the exact time but I think either 6 or 6.15am. My husband made use of it more then me. In fact one morning just after 4am my husband had woken early and was in Seabourn Square and one of the officers on night shift walked through. She offered to phone room service and get them to deliver him some coffee in the Square. This was done and his coffee delivered. Both my husband (and I :D) appreciated the gesture.

Kazu I would say there definitely is 24 hour room service based on this event. The literature also mentions 24 hour room service. :)

Julie

Thank you all (I'll look at your comments off line and will respond as needed later; linkslady I've just experienced what you have said)

 

This ship is definitely on a later schedule than I am. I looked at the Herald and the first morning coffee was listed as 6:15. I tried a reality check on the venues about 5:30 and the listed locations were clearly not ready. I did walk for about a half hour on deck 5. It is nothing like a real promenade deck but a lit better than I had feared. In any case my walk would have been reduced today as the winds were about 30 knots, and there was a fair amount of ship movement (continuing all day). When I had finished it was about time to go to the Observation bar for coffee. It was then available and we could help ourselves to cream and sweetener to suit my taste. I could possibly try room service but after a disastrous experience with that on Silversea I think I’ll just wait.

 

Sunrise was about 7:45. I went to the aft of deck 5 and the sky was still pretty despite heavy cloud cover.

 

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/dawn1208.jpg

 

Seabourn’s enrichment program seems to go under the name of “Conversations”. There were 2 today, at 11 and 2:15, both held in the Grand Salon. The first one had 2 phases. Marine historian Anthony Cooke spoke on “The Seabourn Story” and then gave us an introduction to Funchal.

 

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/cooke.jpg

 

At noon Captain Bathgate updated us on our progress. We were slightly past the halfway point to Funchal, traveling about 16 knots. While the 30 knot winds make it feel cooler the actual temperature was about 64F. I listened from the aft area of deck 5 and then went into the Seabourn Club for team trivia. Many Shades of Grey Hair did not have a good day with 190 points while the winners had over 300. David E was in charge.

 

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/davide.jpg

 

I do very light lunches, going today for the French Fries at the Patio Grill. I thought they were on a par with Crystals, somewhat better than on QE/QV and for my taste significantly better than HAL’s Dive In.

 

The afternoon “Conversation” was news photographer Phil Bye telling about the trials of a traveling newsman including places like Afghanistan. His tales were riveting.

 

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/philbye.jpg

 

My afternoon was capped off with Afternoon Tea in the Observation Bar. Music was provided by a pianist.

 

This is the first of the 2 Formal nights with Captain Bathgate’s Gala welcome.

 

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/welcome.jpg

 

This was my first hosted dinner at a table for 8 with the Chief Engineer. Nick was a transfer from Holland America where he recently worked with the redeployment of the Ryndam to P&O Australia. In this photo we have DavidE, Captain Bathgate, Nick, Staff Captain, and Doctor. I went for the Classic Chicken Consume and Veal and Baked Alaska was added as an extra desert.

 

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/officers.jpg

 

The Seabourn Singers and Dancers evening show was “Timeless”. There are 5 singers and 2 dancers in the cast. It was time for bed immediately when the show was over. I think in the future I will go to the shows only on the days when we move the clocks back.

 

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/timeless.jpg

 

My parting shot today come from Phil Bye’s talk. He spoke of news people as “people who run into a situation while everyone else is running away”. That’s a description I normally think of as a trait of firefighters. I think if newsmen are properly shedding light on the situation they may also be helping to make the situation better, but I hadn’t thought of things in that way before.

 

Roy

Roy -- re formal nights -- are men wearing tuxes?

bitob, I'd guess about 50/50. Kazu and lincslady, there is 24-hour room service. I'll expound a bit on my "disastrous room service comment" from Silversea. One day I was getting early coffee in a lounge. A steward offered to carry it to my table and his response was essentially "if you want coffee in your room, go back to your room and call room service".

Next day I did as told. The room service guy and started to set it up on the coffee table. He raised it up, right out of it's stand, and it was 3 days until maintenance arrived to put it back together. I've never been much of a room service person but that really put me off. I'd prefer to have coffee earlier than 6:15 but can live with it.

That was kind of typical of my Silversea experience and I probably put off trying Seabourn, which I always considered similar, way too long. I think the lack of a good place to walk and the late start to dinner will keep it a second tier cruise line, but I think it will remain another choice.

I prefer the observation bar because there it's all self serve and I can put in oyexactly the ingredients I want. BTW, the Philipino steward up there was quite chatty this morning. Julie, at least on this voyage it is 6:15 in Seabourn Square.

Roy

rafinmd thank you for your wonderful blog.

 

Seabourn Square starts up very early in the morning. I can't remember the exact time but I think either 6 or 6.15am. My husband made use of it more then me. In fact one morning just after 4am my husband had woken early and was in Seabourn Square and one of the officers on night shift walked through. She offered to phone room service and get them to deliver him some coffee in the Square. This was done and his coffee delivered. Both my husband (and I :D) appreciated the gesture.

 

Kazu I would say there definitely is 24 hour room service based on this event. The literature also mentions 24 hour room service. :)

 

Julie

Thanks Julie :). So Roy can just order his morning beverage - great :)

I did think there was 24 hour room service, but was too lazy to look! We have never needed it. But our tea and juice order has always arrived within the time scale - usually a bit earlier in fact - and been almost always absolutely perfect in content. So do try phoning for your coffee at 5 a.m. if you feel like it.