Seabourn Odyssey - Dubai to Athens - April 2015

Apologies for poor quality of some pictures due to poor settings on phone (spotted by Rosy after a few days!).

My wife, Rosy and I got a great deal on a Seabourn Odyssey cruise from Dubai to Athens. We booked a verandah guarantee, which meant we didn't know our suite number until a week before, but we struck gold and were in 741, which was central to all activities. It enabled easy access to Seabourn Square for coffee and snacks, close to gym, spa and pool, with the open air Colonnade restaurant also close by.

We were fortunate with our travel plans, as my brother gave me his frequent flyer miles, enabling us to fly business class on KLM from Bristol, our local airport, to Dubai via Amsterdam. We arrived at Dubai at around midnight, the day before the cruise, so didn't have much time for sightseeing before embarkation. We had arranged to stay at the Arabian Courtyard and Spa, opposite the Dubai Museum (pictured below). The taxi from the airport cost about 40 AED.

Upon check-in we were allocated a museum view room, on 2nd floor, but the room absolutely wreaked of smoke, so we asked for a move and were allocated a room on the Exec floor, but with no view. This suited us fine as we weren't going to look out of the window very much!

We were awoken at 05.00 by the 'wailing' call to prayer, which got through the double glazing! We went back to sleep and got up at 07.00 for an early breakfast, prior to some sight-seeing, including a trip up the main tourist attraction, the Burj Khalifa. Our advance tickets cost 130 AED each. On arrival, all tickets were sold so advance purchase is essential. Here is a link showing the location.

The tower is located adjacent to (part of) the Dubai Mall and this ice rink is also inside.

After spending some time at the Dubai Mall, we aborted the rest of our planned sightseeing and took the metro back to the hotel, followed by a taxi to the port (very close and cheap!). We were soon checked in and onboard, where our suite was ready, so we introduced ourselves before lunch in the Colonnade.

Here is Rosy, standing by the Odyssey

Next we unpacked, attended the safety drill, did the spa tour etc. We decided to take up the spa offer of $150 for the two of us to enjoy the Serenity area for the whole cruise. We were fortunate to have $1450 OBC, so we could afford a few luxuries, which we wouldn't normally purchase.

Here are a few pictures of the spa and serenity areas.

Rosy on cushioned lounger (the aft sundeck in this private area was a great suntrap, sheltered from the wind.

Tepidarium (alternating hot and cold water foot bath, apparently great for improving circulation)

Cookies and drinks in relaxation area

Thanks for posting Tim, looking forward to the rest of your adventure!

Thanks for posting Tim, looking forward to the rest of your adventure!

Ditto. Tim - one question; your suite was under the pool deck. Did you notice noise from above with moving chairs etc. etc., which a few people have commented on. Others have said they never noticed anything.

Looking forward to reading more from you.

Our dinner on day 1 was taken in Restaurant 2, where we enjoyed their tasting menu. They offered us wines to compliment each course, but we felt the $50 surcharge to be unnecessary and settled for the complimentary offering.

That night we encountered two miserable people, the only ones we met on the entire cruise. They ignored both my wife and I, when we spoke to them.

We went to bed early, as we also rise early enjoying the yoga and pilates sessions, before breakfast.

Day 2 was a visit to Khasab, Oman, where we had booked an independent tour, with Dolphin Khasab tours. We were to take a Dhow cruise, with a group of fellow tourists, some from the ship and others from hotels. We met some very nice people, including one of the ship's lecturers, a former US Ambassador to the Middle East. He and his wife were charming, enjoying a free cruise, but not including tours. As an aside, we also met and got on extremely well with an Australian couple, who were teaching Bridge. We had dinner together on a couple of occasions.

The tour included minibus transfers, but we were disappointed that we had to wait for some 'walk-up' customers, which made the trip a little crowded and 30 minutes late leaving. We all took our shoes off and sat on cushions and carpets, enjoying free soft drinks and fresh fruit.

There was an opportunity for swimming and snorkelling, but I declined, preferring to sunbathe. We saw quite a few dolphins, some swimming alongside.

Then we had several sea days when we lounged around

Drank cocktails

Played Mahjong

I played some bridge, did a lot of deck walking, dolphin / whale watching and thoroughly enjoyed the Kinesis exercise sessions, with instructor Alan, a jovial Scotsman.

We also enjoyed an Arabian Nights deck party including bubble blowing camels (not that this picture does it justice!)

Next port was Salalah, which was a huge disappointment, being a scruffy industrial port. There were shuttle buses, but these merely took you to a taxi compound, where they asked extortionate prices. We followed the crew, expecting to find free wifi, but they went to a decent local beach, pursued by taxi drivers. There is a beach club, but it was closed until mid-day, when we were there, so after a short time on the beach, we were very glad to return to the sanctuary of the ship.

After several sea days we visited Aqaba, where most cruisers took tours to Petra, including Rosy who 'blew' some of our OBC with a $269 all day tour. She thoroughly enjoyed it. I visited the local town, then did some fitness work, so that when Rosy returned, we could enjoy the bottle of Champagne, which Seabourn gave us on the first night, but we didn't have time to enjoy it then.

We were due to cruise through the Suez Canal during daylight hours, but there was some issue that day and having got up at 06.30, we stayed anchored in the bay all day, which was very frustrating, but it was a glorious day.

When we eventually started our transit, at dusk, Rosy and I enjoyed cocktails, above the pool on deck 10. These were wonderful moments. The north side is merely military towers and compounds, whilst the Egyptian south side was full of flag-waving, cheering locals and lots of residential areas. It is so sad that there is such strife.

After leaving the canal, we had a short cruise to Ashdod, but as were so late leaving we were very late arriving at 1pm, some 6 hours late, which messed up most tours. We had pre-booked a private tour, along with two other couples, but for some strange reason, one couple refused to join us, so we had more space and anyway, were glad that miseries wouldn't spoil our tour.

We were to tour Bethlehem followed by Jerusalem. Our guide, in his very smart van, abandoned us at Bethlehem, as he wasn't allowed to guide there, so one of his friends collected us and another friend guided us, through a rather dirty Bethlehem. It seemed like half the crew and pax were also there!

Jerusalem was altogether different from Bethlehem, appearing to be much more wealthy and modern.

Really enjoying this Tim, keep up the good work!

Jerusalem continued.

Wailing Wall

Here the men and women had separate entrances. The lady from the other couple was given a cover-up to preserve her modesty.

The next and final Israeli port was Haifa, where we thought were taking a scenic train ride to Tel Aviv, but after a short coastal stretch the line went inland. The trains were very busy and we were accompanied by another Australian couple, who I think it fair to say, lacked some of our adventurous nature and would have better suited to an organised tour. We were going to rent bikes at the station, but a local persuaded us to take a taxi to the beach and try there, but it just didn't happen and we returned rather frustrated. Next time we'll go it alone.

There are some beautiful gardens in Haifa, but as were visiting on a public holiday, they were closed!

Next a sea day, then Santorini.

The next day, the weather was much cooler and few people were on deck until an announcement of the Champagne and Caviar party by the pool, when a few brave souls came out. I took the opportunity to walk around the deserted deck for about an hour, whilst Rosy again played Mahjong. In the afternoon, I joined the bridge players for their final match, with Champagne, and when we finished we noticed that the sea was quite rough, keeping many in their suites. This was the night of the Captain's farewell party, which we dressed up for, but I am starting to think I'd prefer to dress more casually and avoid such events, especially when the drinks are free throughout the cruise.

By the time we arrived at Santorini, the seas had calmed considerably and the tender operation ran quite smoothly.

Santorini - Fira from the ship

We took the cable car up, then a bus to Perissa. To find the bus station, turn right from cable car, then left crossing main road and buses are about 5 minutes away.

Bus station looks like this.

We walked over the mountain to Karmari. it was well signposted and a relatively safe path. Here is a map of route

Santorini continued

View of Kamari and airport

Perissa beach from mountain path

Rosy on mountain path

Instead of following the recommended route down to Kamari, we decided the road would be safer, so followed this to the village, bought lunch at a bakery, then took the bus back. A very enjoyable last day.

We decided to walk down the donkey track.

Hi Tim

Really enjoying your blog.

We are the couple that accompanied you on the Bethlehem & Jerusalem trip.

Wanted to know, if you got the nativity set back home safe and sound ?

Also how did you manage to gain such a large OBC

Thank you

Martin

Ditto. Tim - one question; your suite was under the pool deck. Did you notice noise from above with moving chairs etc. etc., which a few people have commented on. Others have said they never noticed anything.

 

Looking forward to reading more from you.

Yes, after the deck party and one other such event, we heard them dragging chairs around. It was very annoying, but only for a short time. Of course the best solution is not to have an early night on such days.

Hi Tim

 

Really enjoying your blog.

 

We are the couple that accompanied you on the Bethlehem & Jerusalem trip.

 

Wanted to know, if you got the nativity set back home safe and sound ?

 

Also how did you manage to gain such a large OBC

 

Thank you

 

 

Martin

Hi Martin, great to hear from you and of course it rekindles many great memories. I'm glad I didn't say anything bad!

Yes, we did get the crib set home ok and built it to show our grand-daughter. The music works well being clockwork. As for the OBC, we received $500 for making suggestions as to how they could improve procedures following our first Seabourn cruise, $300 for the port change, $250 for holding 100 CCL shares and $400 for referring a new cruiser to Seabourn.

I've now downloaded a few photos from my camera, so here goes:-

Crowded decks as we enter Suez Canal

Serenity area of spa, with heated lounges, Tepidarium, Aromatherapy room (really hot, but without steam) and steam room. Rain showers were cool, which I didn't like.

Preparations for red carpet treatment, when pax arrived back from Petra

Hot tub at front of deck 6

Putting green

Warship at Salalah

Cushioned sun loungers outside Serenity

Shuffleboard

Afternoon tea with music - Observation Lounge - Dorset Cream Tea much better!

Most of the previous pages have been about what we did. Now I propose discussing the ship in general.

This was a wonderfully relaxing cruise, with superb service making us feel at home and maybe my walking barefoot around Seabourn Square led others to think I was in my own home!

I believe that Seabourn offer a 'can do' policy, accepting and fulfilling virtually any request. However, they don't like saying no or guests complaining about other guests, such as people smoking where they shouldn't (not a dig at you Martin!).

The crew are superb, being friendly, polite and caring. Our Suite Stewardess, Carmen, was so helpful that we felt moved to offer an additional gratuity (very rare for us!).

I tried very hard to use all the fitness facilities and not gain too much weight, which I achieved, but rarely had any alcohol before 6pm, which sometimes detracted from my enjoyment, but kept me sensible in daylight hours, which could not be said for everyone :D!

We tended to go to bed before 11pm most nights and i got up around 6am, often walking around the deserted decks and chatting to other early risers, whilst enjoying fresh coffee in Seabourn Square. I got very friendly with a charming Rabbi from LA, another who enjoyed a free cruise!

We usually ate a light breakfast in the open air, but there was a huge selection to choose from. I often had a French Press (coffee), but it was often very strong. Freshly squeezed orange juice was delicious.

Rosy joined the Mahjong group most mornings and we both attended some excellent lectures, but I spent a lot of time watching what little wildlife there was in the Gulf.

Lunch was always at the Colonnade and there was an excellent choice, but too few cooked vegetables.

Dinner could be taken in the main restaurant, but this could be slow, so if we wanted to see a show, we'd eat at the buffet or grill, which could be cool in the wind.

We also did dancing lessons, which was challenging, but didn't get to try it out.

Embarkation and disembarkation were very well organised, as was the rare tendering service. Guest services were excellent.

Negatives.

Internet speeds were very poor. Wine choices were often budget choices, which is poor for such an expensive product.

We paid the future cruise deposit on board, but would only cruise if the price was right. We have had equally good cruises on Celebrity and Regent, so wherever we book next must be at the right price.

A FB message has reminded me that some of the entertainment was fantastic, but we felt the female singers, particularly Anna-Julia Grinnell were much better than the males.

We also enjoyed some of the cabaret performances and the pianist wore a beautiful red dress.

A FB message has reminded me that some of the entertainment was fantastic, but we felt the female singers, particularly Anna-Julia Grinnell were much better than the males.

Were you strutting your stuff?

Were you strutting your stuff?

 

 

 

Fortunately I must have been just out of shot!

Great review English Tim. Very interesting for me as I'm on the reverse journey this autumn. Can I ask whether the spa pass was worth it in your opinion and was it ever busy? Are the steam facilities etc unisex or combined?

Great review English Tim. Very interesting for me as I'm on the reverse journey this autumn. Can I ask whether the spa pass was worth it in your opinion and was it ever busy? Are the steam facilities etc unisex or combined?

Most definitely worth it, as one gets so much more personal space, great comfort and for us great convenience. It was never busy. All facilities outside the changing rooms are unisex and combined!!:)

Great review English Tim. Very interesting for me as I'm on the reverse journey this autumn. Can I ask whether the spa pass was worth it in your opinion and was it ever busy? Are the steam facilities etc unisex or combined?

Galeforce9.

If you are sailing Odyssey you also have a Ladies and Gents sauna and steam room in the changing rooms, both separate, these are FOC.

BUT if you sail Sojourn or Quest then they only have a sauna which is FOC.

Galeforce9.

If you are sailing Odyssey you also have a Ladies and Gents sauna and steam room in the changing rooms, both separate, these are FOC.

BUT if you sail Sojourn or Quest then they only have a sauna which is FOC.

Thank you, I forgot about those, which seemed popular from the outside.

It was the first tme the Odyssey did a FWC and I was lucky to be on the last segment from DXB-ATH. It was fantastic. I adored Luxor and did the overnight. Having dinner by candlelight on the bank of the Nile was magical. Loved Aqaba also,

I have great pictures of the crew in the pool doing a version of caviar in the surf.

The other thing I loved was the afternoon discussions on days at sea, moderated by the CD p, that brought together whomever wanted to stop by and discuss the days topic. No PC nonsense and extremely enlightening and educational discussions.