maddie2312

Hi Crazyman

Looks like a great trip. I have a recommendation for a great trip or trips when you are in Walvis Bay. I know they book up fast if a cruise is in as they have a good reputation. The company is Mola Mola they do a great morning boat trip. I’ll not spoil it but if you look on their website and Facebook you will get the idea. The regularly have sealions jump on board and pelicans flying with the boat. I wouldn’t be surprised if Azamara uses them for this trip and their jeep Sand dunes trip which is also good. Otherwise not a lot in Walvis Bay but Swakopmund the next bigger town along is interesting and safe to walk around for a half day too.

Regarding currency Namibia is pegged to the South African Rand and they will accept both. Before you leave ask a store to change any Namibian dollars to Rand so you can use in Cape Town. You’ll get a straight swap/better rate. You won’t need to organise a visa for South Africa or Namibia before hand. Not required for UK citizens for up to 90 days stay. Sorry can’t help with the rest but if you check out the www.gov.uk website for each country you’ll get the most accurate, up to date information. 

Enjoy! Maddie

Wishing you a magical  trip docboss1. 

On 11/21/2019 at 3:15 AM, docboss1 said:

Just found out our veranda guarantee is a  v6 !! Great news , our cruise starts in 10 days can't wait!! Does anyone know if they put the spa suites on upgrade offer before the cruise ? we received a penthouse upgrade offer for $1299 pp , but it didn't say anything about the spa suites.   

Well done on your V6 from the upgrade fairy 🧚‍♀️ 

Are you on Ovation departing Dubai by any chance? If so so are we and there is a roll call going if you’d like to join us. We also received the penthouse offer but that’s been it so far.

We booked OB “V4 or better” and got our allocation 3 weeks ago. We have never had an issue in the past going OB/GTY and thought all suites were pretty much the same. Also got a V6 but when we looked it had a restricted view on the balcony that isn’t mentioned and it was an interconnecting cabin so we were concerned about noise in both directions so we called our TA and SB have reallocated a V6. It would have been lovely to step out our door to the Sky bar but decided it wasn’t worth the risk. 

Thank you all for your feedback and suggestions it is much appreciated and after reading from other sources that there also could be a noise issue of even hearing people chatting or the TV we decided to call our TA with our concerns. As we were fairly late in booking and perhaps just a UK offer we didn’t have a choice to pick our cabin at the regular suite level. It was GTY V4 or better as the main option. It took a couple of days for SB to get back to us but we’ve moved from the V6 to a V5 a few decks down and are happy.   

Thanks again. 

5 hours ago, fudgbug said:

We sail on Dec 2 too...nothing yet.

Oh that’s interesting. We are sailing on Ovation 2nd December and got our GTY cabin allocation 10 days ago on the website and email then final documents a few days later. I’d posted in our roll that we received one with restricted view and interconnecting doors and I was concerned about noise in both directions. We were booked as V4 or better and this was a V6. I called my TA and mentioned my concerns and although it took a few days to hear from SB we’ve fortunately been allocated another suite which is a V5. It would have been nice to step out our door to the Sky bar but not worth the risk for 19 nights. I know the risks as we’ve had many GTY over the years and never had an issue anywhere but it definitely felt like when is an upgrade not an upgrade! 

Thanks for the information Covepointcruiser. 
it’s a definite concern. We can occasion enjoy a late night in the club and like to play or own music in the cabin. Not particularly loud but I wouldn’t want to disturb any neighbours or particularly curtail our enjoyment either. Our TA said SB was calling them back with potential options but I haven’t heard yet. I think I’ll give them another call tomorrow. We’ve also got the balcony issue. My TA says SB said it’s not listed as restricted but pictures appear to say different. Final doc arrived today and instead of the usual excitement I’m feeling rather nervous. 

Thank you for your response and that’s really good to hear about the inter connecting door. 

Thank you Cece50 for taking the time to reply and for your positive review. We are really looking forward to travelling on Ovation as our past two trips with SB have been on Quest. 

With quite a lot interconnecting cabins I expected some CC members to have been able to comment. I agree that stepping out to the deck and Sky bar would be great. I’m still concerned over noise from the door and noted a general tips video reviewer gave it as his top thing to avoid due to hearing voices, TV and phones.  Between that and potentially reduced light from the bit partially covering the balcony  I decided to call our TA and ask if there was any possibility of a different allocation as most categories appeared to still have availability. They spoke to SB and were told that the T&C’s say no changes (which I understand) They apparently said it was a good cabin with no restricted view and had the pool deck above it. I pointed out to my TA it was one deck down not up. She didn’t have the plan so just reiterated that’s what she was told. SB said they would have to raise it to a higher level and see if there were any other options but not to get my hopes up! Fingers and toes crossed as 18 nights is a long time if things aren’t quite right. 

Thanks 

Maddie

Hi all

We’ve just had our suite allocation for upcoming Ovation trip.  it’s a high floor with interconnecting doors. I’ve not been on a cruise with them but certainly in hotels I’ve always found you could hear things like TV, conversations & snoring more clearly than through a wall. We also noticed our balcony looks like the shape of the ship is cutting a wedge off the top of the  balcony but not sure how much effect it will have. 

Does anyone have experience of interconnecting cabins on ideally Ovation or Encore and if they found them noisier? 

Anyone got clearer pictures of Ovation on the port side, midships please so we can get a better look. Or experience in any of the suites with different balcony shape.

(Online picture attached) 

Thanks in advance.

Maddie

9 hours ago, CruiserfaeFife said:

There is a useful document on visa requirements for various ports hidden away in the Seabourn FAQs, with the usual caveats of course. Here is a link to it:

 

https://www.seabourn.com/content/dam/sbn/inventory-assets/faq/SBN_Visa_Guidance_ADA_v5_180703.pdf

This page certainly gives you the headlines but many countries have different length of stay visas, e-visas and many fake visa websites. Some are just agents that bump on a processing fee others are completely fake so it’s important to get the right one. Usually your own government will have a website giving travel advice including visa info and sometimes even links to the official page so worth starting there. My partner was taken in by one such site for India and has paid $75 instead of the $25 for a e-tourist visa for stays up to 30 days in December (yes India charges different amounts in the wet season) The differences can be subtle so watch out. Even words like “official” mean nothing. For India the correct website is www.indianvisaonline.gov.in

dont use www.indianevisaonlinegov.in it is fake. 

We are in 3 Indian ports and the cost is $25 this includes the US. Many agencies are making huge amounts just to process the info you enter. Figures attached. 

I’ve enjoyed many “Meet & Mingle” parties organised through Cruise Critic and had forgotten after a few years away that Seabourn didn’t take part. Some lines need minimum numbers but that can be as low as 4 guests. Usually a good mix of officers in attendance or heads of departments who like to get feedback as part of the conversation over a few drinks and canapés. Seabourn is missing an opportunity to engage so it’s positive if they are giving them a go. Looking forward to our trip on Ovation at the start of December to see if there will be a get together. 

Here is a list of lines currently part of the “Meet & Mingle”

Hi Harbourside

I was on a different itinerary to your one with the only cross over port being Hong Kong. The ship docked very centrally in Kowloon beside the new  top end Ocean Terminal shopping centre which you need to go through and the Star ferry terminal. The port side (even numbers) had the best view of Hong Kong Island which was spectacular at night. The laser show the city does at 8pm had the ship coordinating the music on deck so we could fully experience it. Head up to open deck 8 with a glass in hand to toast the start of your adventure. I would recommend taking the included tour as this was the best one of the trip we had. It visited the Victoria Peak up by tram then down by coach to Stanley market where the prices were more reasonable than some of the other main markets. We were then off to Aberdeen Harbour for a short Sampan cruise which was fun. The last bit was a visit to a jewellery factory and showroom that I could have done with out but many people bought things. If you've been before on our second day we went our own way taking the Star ferry over to the island walking around then taking one of the old fashioned trams to Victoria Park towards Causeway Bay to escape the high rises. We then got a tram back to the Central MRT (metro) and travelled from there and went to an amazing Michelin Star dim sum restaurant called "Tim Ho Wan" just over 10 minutes walk from Sham Shui Po station in Fuk Wing Street. Highlights were the mouth watering bbq pork buns, delicate shrimp dumplings, a turnip dish and fried custard balls. They give you refreshing Chinese tea and is very reasonable and billed as the cheapest Michelin starred restaurant. We went after peak lunch as queues can be crazy apparently but were seated after a few minutes wait at the door. An experience I won't forget. There were strangely no ATM in the shopping centre but found them at the Star ferry terminal beside the tourist information. We had 3 nights due to the other port cancellation so on our final day we went to Lantau Island  to visit the Big Buddah and temples. Book online to save if you're going an pay the extra to get the Crystal (glass floor) cable car in both directions. We only booked it on the way up and didn't realise you also got fast queuing so on the way there we waited 15 minutes to get on but on the way back it changed all our plans as the wait was nearly two and a half hours. It was a Sunday. The extra was only £5/$7US and they wouldn't let us upgrade our ticket so we had no choice but to wait.

I'm just off an Orion two week tour of China and meant to be Japan. Unfortunately our Dalian port was cancelled before we booked but not made aware until paid in full and our two Japanese ports cancelled due to potential issues from typhoon Yutu while on board. 

If you have any China port questions I'm happy to answer. Not sure what ports you are going to?

On lobster Thermidor night which was the second to last night of our 14. I fancied the prime rib for main course but they happily brought a half lobster for my starter. 

When you embark you can ask guest services for a list of wines that are include in the Silver Spirts beverage package (not Silvers Seas - that a whole other line.😉) Handy so you can make your choices. They were available in all venues although sometimes it involved a short wait if they had to get it from another bar. No issues in the main restaurant or Manfredis. This time there was also a tablet in the main dining room that could be filtered by wine type and SS by the glass however we found it wasn't updated and our waiter confirmed that if the run out it is removed but sometimes not added when they get more supplies. The reverse was also the same that we saw the delicious Umy 4 but there was only one glass left on the ship so we shared with our dessert! We tried and were recommended wines that we wouldn't normally go for due to previous grape variety experience so it's a great way to explore the wonderful world of wine. Enjoy!

Looks much the same to our cruise a week ago. It included Norwegian pale ale. My SO enjoyed the Brooklyn when he wanted lager,

Just off Orion last week. Plenty of back bacon and streaky (US crispy) bacon everyday at the world cafe on each side. They don't crisp the fat on the back bacon sadly so I had to cut it off. They also have streaky bacon at the omelette station at the end between the two sides which they will gladly cut up and add to your omelette if you wish. 

Disembarked Orion last Sunday in Hong Kong with a 11.45pm flight home that night. We asked what time transfer to the airport was about 7 days in to our 14 as we were trying to plan what to do/see in Hong Kong on our last full day. We were told that it would be confirmed 3 days before departure but were pleasantly surprised to get a letter a couple of days later to give details. We envisaged being at the airport early and trying to check in bags and heading back into the city. As others have said luggage out the night before, on ours was out by 9pm so we put it out before going to dinner at 8pm in Manfredi's and kept one small case to roll off ourselves. our first VO I thought it would be ok to put it out about 20 mins after the 10pm time but it was still there the next morning so I had to take it off myself. No big deal and saved time finding it. This time we were all out of rooms by 8am and blue disembarked at 9.45am. World Cafe was busy as you'd imagine but seats available inside and out and no different to a day with lots of early trips, It closed at 9.00am as it opened early they said. We had breakfast with new found friends who were going to the airport just before us. their flight was 3pm. With ours being so late Viking supplied a day room available when we arrived at a hotel adjoining the terminal and a lunch for all that wanted it at 12.30. The menu was extensive but we made plans to visit Lantau Island which was only a 10 minute bus journey from outside the hotel and cable car away. It was great to have the room on our return to rest and freshen up from our trip out before our overnight flight. Day rooms appeared to have been given to people with flights after 6pm from what we could tell. We met one couple with a 5pm flight that were going to book a day room but were told they could stay on board and have lunch and leave at 1pm. After breakfast we sat in the world cafe until 9.30ish and then went down and waited in the lounge area on deck 2 near the gangway. Not crowded and as we were one of the last groups plenty of seats. We were called after about 5 mins and got luggage and went through customs before getting on the bus. A very easy, well organised experience as it was on our previous VO cruises and no sitting for hours in the theatre like I did on lines years ago. Enjoy your cruise.

Just off our 3rd Viking cruise on Sunday. We're from the UK and gratuities have been "included" and not visible on all our 3 trips and of those from the UK we spoke to. US/Canadians get different deals and payment/booking benefits/air fare deals. We gave extra to our room attendants and two bartenders we felt went the extra mile for us. I don't believe tipping or not made any different to our cruise experience. We had no restaurants booked before we got on board. We booked Manfredi's for one night but just appeared on two other nights and one at Chef's table and were accommodated with no issue or tips. We generally had window seats or one away from in the main dining room for other meals and great city views. I agree it's a personal thing but don't sweat it too much and do what you feel is right. We also had the Silver package and found pours to be generous and as frequent as required. Enjoy your trip.

With only a few days before sailing  our cabin assignment appeared on My Viking Journey. we booked a DV2 (3rd floor stern and have a 3 cabin upgrade to DV5 which is the same area one floor up. Happy enough but with the late allocation despite the ship being full for nearly two months we miss out on using the perks to be able to prebook a speciality restaurant as it closed for last week. We'll take our chances on-board and previously been able to visit on multiple occasions. 

Hi Josusy

We are literally in the same boat! Sailing Orion on the 21st ,have tickets, tags, visas and the waiting game continues.....! Only the owners suite left to sell. Let's flip a coin for it ;-) We've been told the same about finding out on board but keep checking MyViking journey just in case. It's our third Viking cruise but first on guarantee with them. We've been lucky on other lines with upgrades so fingers crossed that continues. I don't believe there are any bad cabins and you are never far from a stair, lift or what's going on. I see you have joined the roll call and signed up for the meet & mingle on board. About 25 so far I think. Hope to see you on board.

Have a great weekend

Maddie & Mark

We are on the Orion Far East Discovery in 19 days (21 October) booked lowest price and like others given guarantee status as a matter of course. It appears to be only the owners suite that has not sold but as yet no allocation against our booking. Now that would be an upgrade!! (y)We were told it would be allocated on boarding but have been checking to see if the guarantee fairy :halo::halo::halo: has smiled on us! It's all part of the excitement and we've travelled guarantee on a few different lines like Seabourn, Silversea and others and never been disappointed. (yn)This will be our 3rd Viking cruise with both previously on Star with regular allocated cabins. It would be good to share the results.

Hi there,

We got off Star in San Juan yesterday and just wanted to add to your post. I read an onboard magazine which included a statement from owner Torstein Hagen about the dining ethos on the ocean ships which made total sense to what we experienced. He wants the best food to be available in the Restaurant (MDR) the others (Chefs Table & Manfredis) are alternatives. So these are not speciality restaurants they have just got different menu. The Restaurant was super. We usually dined about 8pm and were always seated at a window table with the exception of one night where we went earlier. Yes tables for two can be close but often at that time people were just finishing up but it was good to see/ask what they would recommend. We ate in Manfredis once and it feels like your local Italian and has a huge menu. We were allocated a table for four but it was a six when we got there which probably made chatting easier. We went to the Chefs Table twice and enjoyed the "sweet & salty" menu and also the "through the ages" menu. If you are on the Silver package the $25 premium wine package is included. This was ackward when we dined with a couple we met who weren't as the regular paired wines are served in a tumbler style glass rather than the usual stemmed glass that the premium is served in. We asked them to get stemmed glasses for all and this was accommodated. I'm guessing it's so it's easier to see who is drinking what but it felt as if there was a two tier system. The Silver package was great value if you enjoy a pre dinner & post dinner drink! As others mentioned you can view all days menus in your room TV each day and decide. We changed our originally reserved Chefs Table night as we we liked the main menu better.

Most ladies were smart but not overly fancy at dinner. Men trousers and short or long sleeved shirts and polos on the whole. SO wore his jacket once at first Chefs table but only saw a few others so not really required. Don't remember any ties. Also saw both men and women in T shirts in main restaurant but they were in the minority.

Happy to answer any other questions.

Yesterday we had to be out of rooms by 8am and all off the ship by 9.30am. We left then as our transfer was not until 10am and were nearly last off. We had 4 hours until our United flight to NY and were able to check luggage and go through. There was plenty of seating after security and several places to eat. Strange security process of asking under 75's only to remove shoes. I didn't have to take my iPad out of my bag but I had to remove a thin chiffon over shirt and go through in a vest top. Even though they had one of those body scanners. Not all lines had the same so pick carefully.

Just got off Star yesterday and would say the Silver package is definitely worth it. With out it alcohol wise you are limited to wine or beer with lunch & dinner. A beer is $5, premium wines generally $6.50 and spirits start at $5. The limit per drink price has increased to $15 from $9 I read about in here and had no problems getting cocktails like French Martinis in Torshavn. It also means if you dine at the Chefs table you will be served the premium wine pairings which normally cost $25 pp. Your table number also has a list of premium wines available which are included in the package. The staff were happy to let you try a sip of a couple before you settled on one. I also asked for a desert wine to go with my creme brûlée one evening in the Restaurant. Our sommelier Paul knew the perfect choice which although not strictly a desert wine its sweetness matched perfectly.