SLSD

Well, let's hope their lodging is adequate and comfortable. We are staying at a different location, but of course part of the same group.

If it all works out, I will give you a report!

Not too long ago (maybe a month ago) we received an offer from one of the discount travel agents for this itinerary on Venture (https://www.seabourn.com/en_US/find-a-cruise/L3P33B/V355A.html). The price was shockingly low--so low we probably would have jumped on it had we not already made domestic travel plans during the dates of the itinerary. I was a bit surprised that Seabourn was selling blocks of suites to a well known discounter for Venture as the ship holds so few passengers. One of the unusual things about the offer is that the clients of the discount agent would be boarding in Seattle, whereas the itinerary really begins the day before in Vancouver. The offer did not include airfare to Seattle (many of the clients likely from the area) but did include airfare returning from Santiago, Chile to wherever in the US you needed to fly. The offer also included a couple of days in Santiago post cruise with hotel included, tours, meals, etc. I was unfamiliar with a situation where a large group would embark separately from the rest of the passengers and a day later.

I have been served a glass of wine or a mixed drink at the Obs Bar when they were not open. It just depends on who is serving there, if they have the time or the inclination to serve you when they are closed. It probably differs by ship and who is there. I probably asked way back when I didn't realize they were closed. Tea is served from four to five--and I have seen passengers drinking something with alcohol in the Obs Bar instead of tea--so you could probably ask at that time.

I think the Observation Bar opens at 5pm.

This is the hotel our TA has suggested and we have decided to go with it. She says that she has had clients who enjoyed it. Your comments are a good confirmation.

I will hope for no heat wave!

I understand the issue and we are prepared to enjoy what the city has to offer in terms of a historic hotel. Thank you though for the confirmation of what I was reading. I was just realizing that all of our trips to the UK have been in the winter or spring instead of summer months.

There is sometimes a very short line to embark. You have to walk up to a counter and present your passport and have your photo taken. It usually moves quickly. Lobster is served in various ways in several dining venues. I don't know that it is always available though. Caviar is always available, but is not advertised. If you like caviar, just order it anytime you want. Yes, there are set menu items always available. Salmon with vegetables is one of them. I think there is steak and roast chicken, etc, Also soups and other starters. Yes, there is laundry service. It is $50/per laundry bag. The laundry bag is small, but you will be amazed at what you can stuff into it. We usually are able to get everything into it that needs washing. It is a good service (esp, for men's clothing) and every comes back to you either on hangers or neatly folded, A a woman, I don't send all of my items as many of then cannot be placed in a clothes dryer. I think there is a place to have. your bar set up once you book your cruise and you are registered. We don't worry about that--and know it can be set up upon your arrival. Seabourn has very friendly crew, On our last SB cruise (June)m it was the best crew we had experienced. Of course the crew rotates, changes, etc all of the time.

I think you are right. I've been checking the weather reports. But, thank you for the reassurance.

We have found that Seabourn's laundry service works beautifully for all of my husband's clothing. And, as we each get one free bag of laundry per week, it is great. I send what I can of my things, and just launder the rest of them myself. I am not a big fan of spending time in the laundry room while on vacation, but the longer the cruise, the more it is necessary. I am resigned to that. And you are so right about favored clothing items. I would certainly not want to lose their utility. By the way, during the pandemic, I got a bit lazy at home and started throwing jeans with elastane in the dryer. They did ok, but changed color, so I do regret doing that and have stopped.

This hotel looks very interesting and well located. I've been looking around at the Canterbury Hotels and notice that most are not air-conditioned. I know that air con as you call it is not as prevalent in the UK as it is in the US. Since about the 1950s, we have become quite accustomed to it and are concerned when it is not available. We Texans are used to living in chilled buildings to help us survive the summer heat. I think I am going to have to look beyond that in Canterbury.

Thank you Mr. Luxury. I'll look into it.

I've been looking ahead to our Seabourn cruise next July that leaves from the port in Dover. We are considering looking for lodging in Canterbury. Does anyone have a suggestion for a hotel there? We would prefer to be in the city so that we can walk and explore. Thank you for any suggestions.

I totally understand that we couldn't count on this all the time--but it is so good to hear that they did this for you. I did ask (via a note) that our laundry be dried on low heat in June and everything came back fine. My issue is various pants and tops that I never dry in the dryer. They would probably shrink--which is the LAST thing I would need on a cruise!

We send as much as we can to the ship's laundry service. They do a great job. Unfortunately, many of my items cannot be put in a dryer. Does anyone know if the laundry service every hands things to dry? I've never asked them--I just wash and hang those items myself.

Thank you Jon for all of your reports. And yes, we too could pack at four and still have time for drinks before dinner. Have a safe trip home.

Let's go for it! Hopefully we can find a good waiter. I plan to ask around here and in another forum before the July 27 cruise.

We are going to give the Veranda of the Colonnade a chance on our next cruise. I have had the evening meal of the TK ribs some years ago in the Colonnade. The food was good for that particular meal.

I would say you should join us on Sojourn next July/August, but I think it is booked. At least that is what our TA says and it appears the same on the website. I do agree that Sojourn's MDR has a much different feel from Ovation/Encore. I think it also makes a difference where you sit. This last June on Ovation, our favorite waiter's tables were right in the center of the restaurant. Not ideal for us. I felt totally surrounded by people. We usually prefer to dine on the edges of the dining room--even on Sojourn.

I totally agree Markham and I did all of the above except for the demand. Actually, he would have sailed Silversea if I had just booked it. But, we will be celebrating our 48th wedding anniversary during our cruise next summer and we didn't didn't get this far without being patient. It's a case of one of us liking to experience new things and the other of us enjoying the known. There were two itineraries that worked for us--one 14 days and the other 28. In the end, the longer itinerary won out on a day where the temperature reached 109 where we live. We'll get there I think--on our next cruise.

Our choice of itinerary for next summer is driven by a need to get out of oppressive heat next summer AND our love of Norway which we discovered this past June. We're adding Iceland this time. I COULD insist that we sail Silversea--and we would--but I don't like to insist that my husband do what I want to do just as I don't like him to insist. Like you, I would only consider the new Silversea ships such as Dawn, Muse, Nova, etc. For some reason, I'm not finding the photos/videos of Nova to be that appealing. I'm sure it is a beautiful ship.

Mr. SLSD is resisting booking a Silversea cruise, even though we have sailed with them and enjoyed it at the time. Perhaps I will find a way to convince him. It will probably depend on our 28 day cruise on Sojourn next summer. In the meantime, we have three domestic trips planned, so no time to cruise.

You sound a bit like us. I could dine on the TK appetizers and do fine. I haven't been a fan of their steaks and some of the other entrees. I like the Dover Sole. We won't discuss the closure of the Restaurant for breakfast and lunch again. Now tell us, How do you manage to get a table at the TK most evenings?

Earth and Ocean is our very favorite restaurant on the SB ships--but, it is subject to the weather and not always available. The Restaurant disappointed me a bit on our June Ovation cruise. I know that this is a highly subjective comment, but I am sticking with it. It was the first time I've been disappointed in the main restaurant. And we never dined in the Colonnade except for the first day at lunch on the Veranda. We'll branch out a bit more next time and at least try to dine there in the evening on the veranda. I just find the indoor venue very unappealing.