italycruiser

I am also staying at the Hilton for two nights before the Odyssey crossing on April 6.  Haven't stayed there before but got good recommendations from others who are familiar with the property.    Also had advice to buy the Viator expedited assistance through customs and immigration at BGI and did so - will see how that goes.

Saw the movie "Mamma Mia" under the stars while sailing away from Santorini about three years ago but have not seen any movies on deck offered since.

I have traveled with Silversea and Seabourn. Both lines are, IMO, very similar in cabin size/type, food, entertainment, etc. I do find that Silversea is more responsive to solos in terms of economics (i.e., more deals where you don't have to pay double occupancy); however, once I am on board I enjoy the Seabourn experience much more. Seabourn staff is much more friendly and outgoing (the senior staff and officers on Silversea act like they are doing you a favor to acknowledge you) and Seabourn has (most evenings) "hosted tables" where you are invited (if you wish) to dine with ship officers or entertainment staff, etc. and other passengers so you are not seated alone. Also, I find Seabourn staff recognize me and my likes within a day or two. Silversea could not care less whether their single passengers have this kind of experience. I have written to Silversea executives about this difference in their approach and they did not even bother to respond; this tells me they simply don't care.

I am retiring end of year and am considering a Transatlantic cruise (three weeks including a week in the Caribbean and then to Monte Carlo) on the Odyssey next spring. I have never spent that many days at sea; would those of you with experience comment on how you keep busy, what activities are offered, whether you would sail this kind of cruise again, etc. Thanks in advance.

Emperor Norton: Thanks so much for posting this info and photos - I plan to take a similar cruise in January 2017 and this will help me plan my days and activities.

We met on Caribbean cruises the past two winters. Hope all is well.

Emperor Norton: Thanks so much for posting these pictures and your commentary. It brings back great memories of that cruise. I hope you will add the other ports as your time allows.

Emperor Norton: I totally agree with you - a sad way to end your cruise. I for one will really miss the duos - especially Speedy and Christina who are so talented and added so much to my Seabourn cruises. Thanks for sharing information as you finished the crossing. Do you know if David E. is staying with Seabourn?

I just heard from the Seabourn Club that David E. will join the Legend on March 22; the cruise director for the March 15 departure will be Verity Teiho-Brown.

Are the Legend's two last cruises the Caribbean on March 15 and then the TA to Barcelona, or the TA to Barcelona and then some cruise in the Mediterranean?

Just to clarify - does this mean David E. will NOT be aboard for the last Caribbean cruise on March 15?

Just a caution: Sometimes arrival times can change - traffic at locks can back up and take longer than predicted or something else goes wrong. So cutting closely the time after the published arrival time at a town to catch a train may be risky - ok if you are willing to wing it at the last minute. I have been on river cruises where the lock process took 2 - 3 hours longer than scheduled; then on other cruises the timing was exact.

Sunprince: I did the final Caribbean cruise this year with the Pride and the cruise you reference will be identical. It is a compressed cruise at only seven days, but I add 3 - 4 days pre-cruise in St. Thomas and it makes a decent holiday. I am booked for the March 15 Legend cruise and will fly United Airlines from SFO through Newark to STT. I believe United also runs run a direct flight daily from Washington DC to STT. Hope it works out for you.

Thanks for posting. This brought back many fond memories...

Magic Wand: I have cruised both Silversea and Seabourn as a single woman. I find the ambiance on Seabourn MUCH preferable; the hosted dinners are easy to join and I find the passengers and crew much friendlier. I find the crew on Silversea professional but unfriendly (especially the officers who act like they are doing you a favor to host a dinner, say hello in the hallways, etc.) while I always find a welcoming group on Seabourn. Food, cabin quality, etc. are almost identical on both lines, IMO.

Also highly recommend the Cape Grace where I stayed last year. Great service and close to a large open area with shops and restaurants. I was traveling alone (female) but always felt safe walking in that area, even at night. Try to get one of the rear corner rooms looking at Table Mountain. They first offered me a room overlooking the entrance (smaller and darker) and I refused that option; I then had a delightful room with small balcony.

I actually love the Juliet balcony on the small ships and feel that feature is worth the extra money. I love hearing the sound of waves at night and having fresh air whenever I want.

Emperor Norton: Thank you so much for posting the pictures of the first cruise; it brought back many happy memories. Sorry now I didn't complete the journey to Barcelona.

Sally (aka the black cherry rum woman)

I am hoping that Emperor Norton will be so gracious as to post his pictures of the crossing - the narrative was wonderful and I enjoyed every day!

Cruisin Simon: Thanks for providing the link - I was on board last week and just watched the Pride sail away from Funchal. So sad to think that was her last port before the hand-over in Barcelona. Hope everyone on board is having a great time.

I remember that home countries used to be included as well and I missed that on a recent cruise on the Pride. I agree it is a great conversation starter.

Electro: I did the Douro River cruise a few years ago with Uniworld - a beautiful part of the world and I would highly recommend this cruise. However, that trip depended heavily on bus tours therefore not a good one for the person who started the thread.

I am on the cruise March 23 but not the crossing - hope to meet you then.

Baggywrinkle: I have sailed mostly solo on Seabourn and have enjoyed each cruise. Have your travel agent request hosted dinners (you will sit each evening at a group table with an officer or senior staff host) or you can do so at reception upon boarding. You will meet 6 - 8 new passengers each evening. Also, as noted, the sky bar is a great place as I find most people on Seabourn very receptive to meeting new people.

Thanks Baychilla (I am in the Bay Area as well). I am on the next-to-last cruise (last Caribbean cruise) so that information about the Transatlantic crossing may or may not apply. Guess I will find out when I board.

Softsands: Thanks for the update - I am joining the Pride on March 23. Is there any news about whether David E. will join the ship as CD by then?