cadburysmom

1 minute ago, highplanesdrifters said:

Reine, Lofoton, Norway. Considered the most scenic part. But it's all pretty spectacular to me.

Oops..didn't see this before I posted.  Thanks!

Just now, shark b8 said:

 

Yes, absolutely, it surely looks Greenland-ish.  I was searching for more Scandinavian/Svalbard sorta stuff, and that pic happened to come up.  I dunno, it just really caught my attention.

Could easily be Norway as well...both beautiful. I love that area of the world.

1 hour ago, shark b8 said:

off-topic…..does anyone know specifically where this pic was taken?  I’m  looking at Arctic cruises at least a year or two off - this was just on some random travel site, with no ID of where it is.  Sure looks gorgeous.

 

 

Greenland, perhaps?

You may have my beetroot as well...never met a Brussels sprout I didn't like

Excellent first post!

I very much appreciated your previous thread and am so pleased you've started this one.

Happy to hear you made it safely to Sydney and very much looking forward to following along.

Wishing you a Bon Voyage on this, your last Odyssey journey.

17 hours ago, DTtravelers said:

Since you are bouncing around...

 

I'm with you on Bourbon.  Mrs. DTtravelers and I are hoping to complete the "Big Three" next year: Bourbon on Antarctic glacier ice, Bourbon on Alaska glacier ice, and Bourbon on Arctic glacier ice.  

 

If we ever end up on the same ship together, I'd be up to the challenge of finding you a Scotch you might enjoy.  The range of Scotch is huge compared to Bourbon.  But if you would be unwilling to forgo ice, I would never be successful.  Just 1 drop of water in Scotch completely changes everything, and ice ruins it altogether...  (my opinion only, other opinions may vary)

 

As far as beets, I would NEVER try to convert you.  I used think that I liked all vegetables except rutabegas.  Then we spent some time in Cornwall and I really enjoyed the pasties.  We got a recipe and it included swedes.  I didn't know what those were so I looked them up when we got back to the states, and discovered that swedes here are called... rutabegas!

 

Smooth(er) sailing!!

 

btw: celery, peanut butter and raisins: ants on a log.  The grandkids love 'em.

Oh my, Scotch and Bourbon...music to Mr. Cadburysmom's ears!  Yes, he's one of you...

In fact, the deciding factor in picking a date for our Iceland cruise was Seabourn's Aug '24 itinerary which includes a stop in Invergordon, close proximity to Speyside...and you know what that means. He will be bringing his dropper for sure.  

Give me strength...one bad night in college destroyed my toleration for each, adding them to my celery and beet list, although I have it on good authority there's a barrel in Kentucky with my name on it.  What can I say, my SO has quite the sense of humor.

40 minutes ago, Mr Luxury said:

I hate beets and celery.

Ditto...

4 minutes ago, lincslady said:

But was it good?

Like minds!

Was thinking the exact same but then again...

so beautifully plated, I could happily just sit there and admire it all night.

6 hours ago, shark b8 said:

 

 

I’d advise a longer stick, buddy.

Too close for comfort, imho 
Bigger and juicier body parts are well within reach…

On 2/21/2023 at 3:37 AM, shark b8 said:

 

Decades ago my friend/co-worker Charlotte finally (after months of my bitching and moaning about it) dragged me, kicking and screaming, into a trendy sushi restaurant, stuck a piece of hamachi sushi in my mouth, and…..well, The Clouds Parted, The Sun Shone Down, and All Was Revealed.   I only regret I spent the first 35 years of my life in willful denial.

Too funny!

Charlotte sounds like my kind of gal... definitely need her to work her magic on a few friends of my own

8 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

Just keep in mind that when looking at Seabourn, nearly all the suites are identical (except for a few of the lowest categories).  So, for example, if I look at the 14 Night Seabourn Ovation cruise departing from Copenhagen on July 23, 2023, a V1 or OB veranda guarantee (suite with balcony) costs $402 per person/day.  That price includes taxes, tips, booze, Internet, etc. etc.  There are no add-ons other than what you choose to go ashore.  Even  in you move up to a V3 the cost is still under $500 per person/day.    When we have cruised on Seabourn, our on board account is zero (even if a long cruise) because we do not generally buy excursions (on any line) and there is no nickel/diming.  You will not pay for room service, you do not need to tip, there are no fees for alternative dining, no fees for drinks (unless you want to order some very high end stuff like JW Blue or Remy XO), etc.  In fact, nearly all the luxury lines operate that way (no nickel and diming) except some of the other luxury lines may have 1 very high-end dining venue that has an add-on for expensive wine pairings.   On those lines we generally get enough OBC so that if we do want to try those special dining nights we can do it using the OBC.  On Seabourn we have always been happy with the lower cost OB Guarantee bookings and have always had a nice suite.  

 

Do not get me wrong.  Luxury lines can be very expensive (over $1000 per person/day) depending on what voyage and line.  If you want to take a luxury exploration ship to Antarctica (and go ashore in Zodiacs) you can easily spend over $1000 per person/day.  And there are certainly other expensive itineraries such as going through the Panama Canal (the canal fees are very high per person for a smaller luxury vessel.

 

We have an upcoming cruise on the new Explora I ship that cost us less than $500 per person/day (they have since increased their prices by about 20%).  That particular new luxury line (soon to have 4 identical 900 passenger ships) has made it clear they will not have and "sales" or last minute price drops.  Their CEO has announced they will cruise with empty suites rather than lower prices (and quality).  Do you think that Celebrity will hold the line on their latest high prices?  🙂

 

Hank

 

 

Totally agree with Hank and highly recommend Seabourn.

Pre-Covid, I enjoyed transatlantics on Celebrity solstice class ships, actually have one coming up in April but it may well be my last.. with higher Retreat pricing, etc..., it makes no sense not to choose Seabourn or other luxury lines.  There are good deals to be had and totally worth it, IMHO. 

15 hours ago, fdnycruiser said:

I love being on the 11th floor. Almost like being on a private yacht . The observation bar is empty most of the day, and like having a living room. Nice outdoor deck space with loungers and couches overlooking the pool. Of course in the evening, just roll off your bar stool right into the cabin ! 

Well said and couldn't agree more!!

52 minutes ago, shark b8 said:

Fresh (raw) fish has to be an interesting onboard challenge, it seems to me.  Procurement, storage, presentation over time.  The hamachi was ok, the tuna was better, and the salmon was remarkably good.  (eternal thanks to my 80’s sushi guru Charlotte, a young woman I worked with years ago, for making me see the light, re sushi.  Long story)

 

 

I do love my sushi...salmon in particular...no wonder I love bears

And great way of putting it... "seeing the light".   

Yep, must admit a bit off putting at first but once you take that plunge, there's no going back.  

Thanks for sharing this adventure...your food porn is outstanding!!

Cheers to Mr. and Mrs Fudge for a delightful two weeks!

Many thanks for letting us live vicariously through you…your warmth, wit and charm, all greatly appreciated and will most definitely be missed.

Happy healing and safe journey home! ❤️
 

11 hours ago, waldorf said:

 

 

 

...I will say that the passengers I have met on here have been delightful and the staff are equally lovely. There are service & procurement problems, acknowledged by loyal Seabourn passengers we’ve chatted to. We had expected to be wowed by Seabourn, sadly we haven’t.

Sorry to hear your first Seabourn experience wasn't what you'd hoped but happy to hear the passengers you met were delightful and staff equally lovely.

I think this speaks volumes! 

Those two things are a good reflection of what we've always experienced on Seabourn and is what keeps us coming back.   

Hope you'll give Seabourn another try and in the meantime, safe travels on your upcoming Viking and Regent cruises.

Wonderful photos!

Must’ve felt incredible to be there 

…thanks so much for sharing!

1 hour ago, Flamin_June said:

Oh, it has 'character' alright 😁.  A is an avid gardner of ferocious intensity and almost witch-like green fingers, and if truth be told we were really looking for a garden with a house attached, the condition of the house being a secondary consideration after the potential of the garden. Well we found one, not huge (thank the Lord) but substantial and more or less a blank canvass. It has the added bonus of a stretch of canal at the bottom (where the swan lives). Which reminds me, I must add 'large bag of swan food' to the to-do list, as our housesitter will be expected to continue A's swan feeding routine (and plant watering routine). 

So here I was reading through this thread about to congratulate you for taking the "plunge" back into cruising and was delighted to read you've taken yet another "plunge"...Congrats!

A blank canvas sounds lovely to me...just think of the possibilities!

And FWIW...A's wonderful witch-like green fingers are welcome in my garden any ol' day. 🙂

6 minutes ago, Sunviking said:

We are fortunate to have an excellent expedition team onboard. I read Endurance by Lansing just before I came on the ship and was fascinated by it. One night I was fortunate to be invited to dine with a team member named Robert Egelstaff.  In the mid 1990's he and several other adventurers got sponsors to fund an attempt to recreate Shackleton's journey in the 23 ft long James Caird  from Elephant Island to South Georgia.  It was fascinating to listen to his tales of that trip.  I think he said the boat, which was built for their voyage and is an exact replica, is now in a museum somewhere in the UK.  Besides the spectacular scenery I'm seeing, I'm learning so much, an added bonus.

Oh wow...hearing of his experience firsthand must've been amazing. A rare opportunity for sure.

Thank you for sharing as I can't wait to pass this along.

My book club, (namely those members who actually read it, as the harsh realities make it a tough read at times), will find this very interesting.

Loving these wonderful photos and thrilled for all onboard!

This is a top bucket list item for me so following along with great enthusiasm and envy.  Perfect timing too as upon my recommendation, my book club is reading Endeavor by Alfred Lansing...a "cruise" of an entirely different sort but reading their descriptions of the spectacular scenery coupled with your beautiful photos makes reading it again all the more meaningful.

Many thanks to all posting here for sharing this wonderful adventure with us. Very much looking forward to hearing more.

Fudge, I am so enjoying this thread and kudos to Mrs. Fudge...would've been a crime to let that champagne get warm!  

Very sorry about your wrist but love your positive attitude and so happy to follow along on your current Ovation adventure.  Admit I'm quite envious as we sailed her for the first time this past November and enjoyed every minute, so much so that I am embarrassed to admit Mr. Cadburysmom basically had to drag me kicking and screaming from the ship...oh well

Hoping the same for you, sans the kicking and screaming, and looking forward to hearing about Day 3!

5 hours ago, highplanesdrifters said:

Nothing.

 

Except maybe I'm not about to enjoy it.

My thoughts exactly

We are considering our first SS cruise on its newest ship, Silver Nova, in November and are wondering if SS crossings any less "formal"?

We generally cruise Seabourn as we prefer the inclusive small ship experience with the exception of crossings where, until recently, we enjoyed Celebrity's solstice class ships as they offered more room to move about, a great Sunset Bar and generally sail much less full at great rates, almost a different cruiseline altogether as compared to their Caribbean/Med itineraries (never again for us).

Now that has changed as Celebrity is asking more for less, so to speak and we are looking at other options for our usual November crossing.  Sojourn departing from Lisbon was naturally our first choice but always wanted to try SS and sailing the newest in their fleet is quite intriguing.

1 hour ago, shark b8 said:

We did!  Saw a couple of the moai sites and enjoyed an u’mu style late lunch.  Tried to post a few pix last night but wifi is being pretty insubordinate again - after we depart today I’ll settle in and try again.

Glad to hear it and looking forward to photos...here's hoping for stronger wifi

16 minutes ago, florisdekort said:

Yes, 3 lines snapped within ~45 minutes. The sound is amazing, like an explosion. The swell at the dock was insane. Lots of crashing glasses etc. at the Colonnade.

 

 

 

Holy cow....hope no one was injured!