ltsally

Flatbush Flyer: 

With so many wonderful concoctions to enjoy, I am fortunate to know my limit - though passing out before I reach it can be problematic 👀 (just kidding).

To update an old standard - in honor of the topic: 

One margarita, Two Margarita

Three Margarita, Floor!

That NYT link provides a great piece of 'shower singing' (yes - the tap is running🙂) though he does seem to 'run out of steam' on the last number or two. But it's also a fine bit of reporting - and a look at yet another facet of what this plague has wrought, literally holding people prisoner.

Curiosity piqued - would the Nick Hale being extolled have been the CD on the Nov. '09 Lisbon-FLL crossing?

Loved to Cruise: My spouse and I found our cruises to have been some of the travel highlights of our lives. He was gone nearly three years when I went on my first cruise, solo. It was a little bittersweet at moments...but in a good way. So much of the time I felt he was with me, that we were still sharing a good experience. And I really felt some moments of 'closure' in a way that I had not at any time since his passing. I hope you have a wonderful time and that it's the start of making a new set of memories for yourself. Bon voyage!

Hopefully it is'allowed' to point out that at least one of the national magazines devoted to travel does an annual round-up of "Best of...." that includes numerous travel agent recs, broken down by specialty - including cruises. Thtat's how I found the TA we worked with for our SS and SB travels...with always good results.

Not mentioned here is an excursion I took in late October via Silversea:

Horseback riding in the surf. Conducted by a fellow named: SunFire.

Participants are given a brief run-through and mount their horse for about a 20-30 minute ride along a trail and to the beach. Separately, they dismount, strip to bathing suits and re-mount the horse for an escorted romp in the surf. It's not a long time, but quite memorable. And great photos!

SunFire is a great guy, completely devoted to his horses and to seeing to it that people have a good time. If it's not offered through your ship, his contact number is 770-6305. Enjoy!

http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2017/01/10/seabourn-encore-cruise-ship-photos/96322594/

Several dozen photos. Looks good to me!!

Doing a 7 day, r/t St, Maarten sailing, late March. Interested in hearing from other Carib sailors as to 'motion if the ocean' that might be expected. The itinerary doesn't look like we really cover all that much real estate, so I'm wondering what to expect, mainly since I'll be travelling with my 40-something daughter, making her first voyage and not too certain abt her sea legs.

I have sailed seabourn and Silversea, including several crossings, and really love being at sea, but never on something as small as this ship.Def looking forward to it.

I get that casual attire is in order, but wondering if folks 'spruce up' much at dinner; would appreciate a little guidance on that issue.

Thanks!

Had free internet on my Oct/Nov carib cruise, as well. A really nice perk.

Almost forgot...re 'dress' - formal nites were indeed that. Lots of white dinner jackets as we sailed towards warmer. climes. Lots of glitz and glamor, which I happen to be a fan of. Other nites, I found it quite interesting - mostly it did not matter what the 'code of the day' was, it seemed that the women wanted to dress up/dress nice...and they did. Also, in the main dining room one evening, a gentleman was reminded that he needed to be in coat-and-tie and he excused himself to make the change. No problem.

I disembarked Silver Whisper just about a month ago (NYC-Barbados) after a ten year absence. Earlier SS cruises were a T/A in 2005 and Alaska in 2006.

Silversea is still enjoyable...but there were noticeable changes. I felt the lack of being greeted by name (is this really that important? Prob not, but it does set 'a tone'); I recalled the food on our first two SS voyages as really outstanding. Not this time..it was mostly 'fine,' with a couple standout exceptions (mainly in first courses). I recall the dessert menu also being pretty much to-die-for 10 years ago...and not really anything near that now.

Because of prior experience, I noticed cutbacks in little ways - no fresh fruit or champagne waiting in the room; no escort to the cabin upon check-in; much smaller bedtime chocolates (you asked!); Coke or water available during lectures (no coffee at 10 am). Small stuff...but diminishments, nonetheless.

I wonder how 'wowed' I'd have been about this recent trip if I didnt have the early ones, and two more on SB in 07 and 09, for comparison. I do like sailing on a smaller ship with fewer than 400 pax. And SS gained me as a return customer because of advantageous pricing for solo travellers.

I like the line. I enjoyed my trip. But I can't say I was 'bowled over' as we were back in 2005.

I'll leave it to a more punctilious reporter than I to answer most of your questions. But Adam Wright (even that name Im hoping I got right)was Cruise Director when I disembarked 11/5 in Bridgetown. An amiable man, I guess, and a musician with some surprising gifts, but the least seen-about-the-ship CD I've ever encountered (ah there, Ensign Pulver!).

I can highly tout, however, German who presides over the Bar on 5. A really great, very personable guy...and if you visit him, please convey regards from Raeona and Miss Mary.

And should a reminder be needed, tell your spouse to pack scarves, shawls, etc...public rooms were verrry chilly!

Enjoy your trip!

Saw AW for the first time this evening, intro'g Voices of Silversea, aboard the Whisper sailing out of NY. Will do further 'spying' and keep you posted...

Will be making that Hudson River sail in just a few days...and so exciting. First time sailing out of NY....so I think worthy of the 'bucket list' as Miz Liberty appears.

Thanks for the post! Good to hear. I'm looking forward to stepping aboard the Whisper in less than 2 weeks. Hope hurricane activity takes a lull about then.

Side note..we sailed SS in Alaska as well in 2006, July, I think. Vancouver-SFrancisco.

Love, love days at sea! Have done three trans Atlantics (1 SS, 2 SB)...among very best trips ever in 50+ years of travel.

to Randyk47 - you are absolutely correct. Just a flitting senior moment when I typed FLL.

Nonetheless, the page does indicate, at this point, 3 formal nights.

And while 'younger demographics' may point towards relaxed dress codes, let's not forget the hassle of packing/hauling formal gear amid stringent airline baggage rules.

I've always found it fun, on SS and SB, to observe all the finery.

I just visited the My SS section for info on my Oct. 24 FLL to Bridgetown sailing and was surprised to see 3 formal nights indicated. I had thought things were a bit more relaxed on Carib voyages ??

Kind of funny that 'formal' has become more of an issue for men than for women.

(aside to OP - beautiful name, Eliana. It's my granddaughter's as well)

a quick sort-of off-topic, but for those Venice lovers/visitors, I highly recommend the novels of Donna Leon and her great character, Inspectore Brunetti. Wonderful scene-setting (for someone who's not yet been fortunate enough to visit Venice...)

I noticed you had marja on your Friends list....I sailed with her on two Seabourn crossings, in 07 and 09. Was so sad when she passed. Perhaps we can raise a toast to her...

Whatever...I'm back to SS after 10 years. And so looking forward to the NY-Barbados 12-dayer that embarks on Oct. 24. It's on the Whisper and I have to dig into the archives, but I'm pretty sure Whisper was first voyage ever, a t/a back in 2005, followed by Alaska in 2006.

Cabin booked; insurance booked; air should get locked in this evening. Can't wait!

For dandee 2, in your post above...i am just beginning to look at windstar for the very first time. In your photo of the ship, there is another in front, to the left of it. For size comparison, do you know if that other ship was from a cruise line...and which one? Thanks!

Thanks, all! Good input and much appreciated. Have deep-sixed the cunard idea, mainly cuz of looking realistically at travel between ORD and LHR in the middle of winter. Just too chance-y, and meagre opportunities for mileage travel or fallback plans.

Much as the prospect of getting away from my frigid home environs in mid-jan tantalized, i decided it's really far preferable to sit here in my snowbank and WATCH those wretched, storm-ravaged, stranded airport masses on the news...than be among them.

Also, the SB input here reminds me....(with apologies to paul newman), why look for anything else when i've already had the best?? Thanks again.

Big thanks to all of you for such thoughtful and informative replies! Was able to get quite a sense of both QM and QV...so danke, merci and all that.

Unfortunately, i chickened out. After feeling thisclose to confirming the rez, setting the deposit etc., i 'got real' about the hassle of trying to get from chicago to LHR in January. With almost no options/wiggle room for mileage rewards, and the prospect of wicked weather messing me up, i've thrown in the towel (and eased my knotted stomach), and will hope another cunard opportunity comes along when snow possibilities arent in the picture.

Thanks again for the great info!

Have done (loved!) two SB t/a cruises on the triplets. Also one t/a on Silversea - that was our first ever voyage and it was wonderful.

Now I'm considering a January westbound crossing on Q. Victoria, Southampton-Ft. Lauderdale. Partly cuz of curiosity about the Cunard 'legend' and, full disclosure, partly cuz of an attractive price (Brittania). And, of course, because I like sea days.

I realize it's going to be a vastly different experience. But trying to determine if it will be TOO vastly different? Are there Seabourn sailors who've traveled on Cunard and enjoyed it. Or, did not?

Also, just discovered in my hurry-up, hurry-up research for this possible booking, that the QV cruise I'm considering will be her first coming out of dry-dock. Does anyone have an opinion as to whether that should give pause?

Thanks for any help!

Seabourn Ft. L'dale-Lisbon, March 07

Seabourn Lisbon-Ft. L'dale Nov. 09

(bear of little brain - don't recall which ships)