Ithaca

Dear KQ,

Thanks so much for your postings. I wish you would make some time to post a review on the Members Review Board. Most sailors don't spend time on individual threads but would look at the Members Reviews. Unfortunately, I find that the people who are unhappy with their cruises post more frequently than those who have enjoyed them. It'll be good to have postings such as those that document flaws or quirks, but that also document all that has been good with their cruise. I have to say that, when I was a newbie, I only followed the Members Reviews. Now, of course, I enjoy and follow all threads!!

Thanks again, V.

Thanks, Youghten, for your valuable information. I will also visit Agadir as part of a Fall cruise and I am gathering as much info as I can. I will make sure to post my impressions after the visit, and will welcome others to do the same. Thanks!

I have been using the aforementioned discounter since my first SS cruise in 2009; this is not new. Their OBC is quite slim, but their service to date has been excellent.

once a lady on board thought the meetings Friends of Bill W was a gathering of "masons"

I was once at a shared table and innocently commented - my, what good friends Bill must have, they all came to sail with him - my tablemates tried to conceal chuckles, and I never knew why. I'm glad everybody's comfortable now.

Last May, in the Spirit in the Med, our cruise was one of the first to have the all inclusive (wifi and excursions) policy. We had booked way ahead of the change, but most passengers booked with the new policy. At that time, the cost was increased by more than $1,000. We felt like second class citizens when it came to board tenders. We were not allowed to board until all SS excursions passengers had boarded. This is just a heads up for those that can opt out of the new all inclusiveness.

The Spirit's moving me on the November 5, 2016, Transatlantic, Barcelona to Barbados. How's that for an early posting? [emoji6]

Hello Mark! We will be joining you in this Mini-Trans, and I'm hoping we start an early roll call. Well, maybe it's too early... but it's always fun.

O dear!, it seems I must have touched a raw nerve. Maybe those who prefer the Regent and Seabourn dress codes should switch for at least one cruise to SS and vice-versa. Then we can all compare notes. We still intend to return to SS later this year and will not drink and dine in our suite, but adher to whatever is the dress code that day.

Eliana, I commend you for giving "old fashioned" luxury a try. We are from the Caribbean, where stereotyping would have us in Hawaiian garb (just kidding!), but we absolutely love to dress up for formal nights and enjoy interesting people dressed presentably. I'm sure you will find that dressing formally is quite cool!!

We started cruising with Seabourn 3 years ago, and now have just over 100 days onboard. This was our first time on Odyssey.

 

 

We didn’t take advantage of the future cruise deposit this time, although we do still have one from a previous cruise. We’ve decided to leave SB for a while, and sincerely hope that this is a simple ‘au revoir’ and not a permanent goodbye. I’m quite sad about this. I liked the SB product a lot, I love being at sea, and I can’t see an alternative cruise line that appeals.

 

 

More to follow about TK menus, concept etc.

Thanks for your review, Nigella. I would like to suggest you read a review written by Catlover54 of Hapag Lloyd's Europa2. Apart from valuable information on the high quality offerings, the report is balanced enough for somebody considering this cruise ship. You find the thread within CC's Luxury Cruising category. She also wrote a review summary in Members' Reviews. Also, it is very entertaining.

I also join the grateful chorus; yours has been a wonderful and very valuable review of E2. Have a great new year and many more cruises!

Thank you so much for your answers to my concerns. I'm happy to learn that we will feel as comfortable as in SS and SB. I understand about the outside temperatures affecting the tour busses and the general population's desire not to cool down too much; we'll try to schedule our cruise for more temperate weather. Also happy to learn about the cool gym room. Looking forward to your next installments to this wonderful thread. Enjoy your last days!

Happy New Year to you and DH. As usual, his photos are excellent. Although I was born in the Caribbean and grew up with high temperatures and humidity levels, I am now happier with the cooler temperatures of Northeast USA. Your description of the ship's and tour bus' preferred temperatures give me pause in considering E2. Can you lower the temp in your cabin below 65 degrees? How uncomfortable would you be spending long times in the communal areas? I don't know if you used the gym (we work out every day)...is the room kept at a reasonably cool temperature? Sorry to bother you with these questions...

Such a pleasure to follow your thread. Thank your DH for the photos; the composition and execution were excellent. I found the zebras particularly fetching, and smiled at the giraffe shyly hiding behind a bush while looking at the camera. The menu items are enticing indeed!

I continue enjoying your reports, thank you again. Although DH and I usually like to dine by ourselves, we enjoy meeting and conversing with other passengers. I am especially outgoing, and would miss social interactions. Hopefully by 2017, when we plan our first E2 cruise, the dynamics might have changed a bit with the inflow of other culturally diverse passengers.

I'm with you Catalover 54, when I retired i refused to even calculate the tip when lunching with my friends. Rather than numbers, I now prefer words.

We've only been once on the Spirit, but quite like it too.

As I read the list of music selections you are enjoying, I feel a bit of green envy clouding my eyes, but I mostly marvel at how the artistic programmers in this cruise understand that there can be fun people who enjoy all types of music. Classical selections in other luxury liners tend to be more on the light side. Thanks so much for informing us of the menu offering. Happy sailing!

What an entertaining, wonderful report! You produced so vivid images, that I imagined myself accompanying you through the adventure... in fact, I almost felt my bladder giggle. I'm so very glad that you've taken valuable time to keep us informed. Continue enjoying your cruise and Merry Xmas to you both.

Thank you, Catlover54, for starting this thread, and I look forward to your future installments. Enjoy your cruise!

Writer100, the title of your report harked me back to several economic theory courses, long past. However, the regression in food preparation quality you've described is of significant concern to those of us considering a cruise in the Odyssey. Thank you for your input.

Flaming June is one of my favorite paintings at the Ponce museum in Puerto Rico. However, I follow the poster with the similar name as his posts are both informative and entertaining.

I agree with Observer, thanking you for your insightful posts, and preparing for our next SS cruise with a reality check. That, however, will absolutely not deter us. Well, it's close to a year away!

Thanks, English Voyager, I will ask for the brochure.

Catlover54,

You almost have one foot on the airplane, and I'm hoping everything goes to plan. Wishing you the very best in your cruise, and awaiting your comments. I haven't asked for a brochure from HL..can one get the 2017 schedule on line?

of Europa 2 has now been posted under Member Reviews.

Thank you for the very thorough and valuable review. We will research an itinerary that fits us, since we are hopefully cruising E2 in 2017.

did you notice there is no single port on that particular cruise ?

 

i am going to book it as well - did it twice with ports in Oman Jordan and Egypt...

in the malls you cannot walk hand in hand ( special announcements !!! ) or kiss your partner ...

No, I thought the ports would be the same as the 2016 voyage... Thanks for the info on public displays of affection. Looking forward to meeting you!