SKP946

7 hours ago, fudgbug said:

We've been to Brazil 5 times in the past three years and didn't need a malaria or yellow fever shot.  Rules always change though so it's better to check.  If you're over 70, yellow fever shot is not recommended.

We are over 70 and  went to Tanzania on safari last October (🤔 I know that it isn’t Brazil but be patient with me)

We were advised to and had the Yellow Fever shots before we left (with no ill effects BTW)

We were so glad we did because we had to display  our Yellow Fever cards as we walked down the steps from the plane. (that parked way out from the terminal)

No cards you had to wait aside on the tarmac and were put back on the plane!

The point of my recounting this is if there is an outbreak when you’re in an area you may have problems.

So have the shots.🙄😀

No reservations taken for  Earth and Ocean, first come first served (you’ll find a discussion about it on this board back on April 15 (I tried to cut and paste the link but it comes up with this

The big problem with Earth and Ocean on the Ovation ( as we found recently) the heaters were put around the wrong pool, the small pool on Deck 5 instead of the main pool on Deck 9.(we were told that this will be rectified at the first refit.

So on a cool evening you’ll need to rug up.

I think on this cruise last year Seabourn reduced the price percentage loading for singles, so maybe that explains the lower total pax numbers?

6 minutes ago, candylover said:

SKP946, got the same email.  Yes noticed the increased OB price but all other V cats remained the same.  We actually have booked a V5 a few weeks ago, as I believe the price is really good.  However I wouldn't be surprised if it still comes down a bit closer to sailing.  We shall see ...

 candylover. I’m watching this as we only have to sail another 3 days to qualify for our next complimentary week.

I’m trying to convince SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed) that we should take this lower priced cruise close to home, so then we can offset our complimentary against a much higher price cruise next time. 

Last year this Bali - Sydney dropped to A$4999 ! (Maybe not this year)

Internet costs $20 for 2 hours, or unlimited for the whole cruise for $400. I work offline and just go online to send and receive and can manage on 2 hours a week.

Only Restaurant that requires booking is TK (go online and book it now) You can only book one night, however if you eat early before 7 you can sometimes get a table on a walk-in basis.

As a first timer, have you applied for a referral coupon?  Entitles you to a $400 OBC (On Board Credit)

 candylover. Just received an email from Seabourn, OB price on the cruise you’re watching has just gone up by A$500!

Although the other prices (V2/V5) seem to be the same as previous.

14 hours ago, TV Dad said:

6. Towards the end of the cruise, they offer a "bag of laundry" cleaning special, where they'll launder anything you can fit in your laundry bag for a set price. I believe it was $49, the last time I sailed.

Agree with all your comments TVDad. However the $50 bag of Laundry is now available all the time, not just at the end of the cruise (my record is 47 items, in one bag, and that included shirts and slacks, however I seem to remember that someone claimed here on CC 68 items!😳)

2 hours ago, NorthernLite said:

SKP, I guess that is about as accessible as any small ship can get! I'm not sure I would try the zodiacs unless they were the RIB versions but this is very reassuring for when we talk to SB and start booking flights. 

NorthernLite: I found some of my photos of Quest’s Zodiacs in 2014, they are not RIB’s but the 16 pax centre console units have a 3 piece alloy floor, however I understand they have been upgraded  (perhaps someone might enlighten us on this?)

10 hours ago, NorthernLite said:

Is the tender area accessible to a fulltime wheelchair user? And on Qwest are the tenders accessible? I realize the port side area may not be accessible and, of course, weather can cause problems. We are booked on 57 days starting late in February from San Antonio, Chile and ending in Miami. No, I have absolutely no plans to get on any zodiac. Thanks 

We had 2 full time wheelchair users on our Antarctica cruise on Quest in 2014.

I would chat to one of the ladies in the early morning, as she was up well before me (I would see her wheel tracks in the snow and ice on the exposed decks) she was most impressed how the crew looked after her.

While they couldn't go ashore in Antarctica, they were lifted onto a zodiac in their wheelchairs, (that were then strapped in place) and taken for tours around bays and icebergs to see penguins and seals up close.

 (No wheel tracks in this deck photo)

Just a thought,🤔 we always seem to be fortunate in that our Seabourn ship is one of the only ships in port that day (except maybe busy changeover ports such as Rome or Barcelona) 

Maybe  Seabourn wait to see what ports all the other cruise ships have booked, then book the ports with the least number of ships in port on that day.🙄

5 hours ago, alainciao said:

I’ve tried to get an answer from corporate on this with no luck.  Long holds and no answer to an email.  “Contact us”......??

We’re booking our excursions with Seabourn ahead of the cruise in order to get our first choices.  Can someone tell me what the cancellation rules are for pre-booked excursions once on board?  Thanks in advance!

 

Is this your first cruise with Seabourn? If yes apply for a Referral Coupon (at the top of this board) and you will receive a $400 On Board Credit that you can use to offset your excursions once onboard. 

35 minutes ago, Thecat123 said:

 

A couple we know bought some friends on at Sydney for dinner with drinks and he was surprised  there is no charge by Seabourn where when they have bought friends on with Crystal there was a charge

The Seabourn form requesting permission for guests onboard does state that there “could” be a charge😀

You will be allocated the same room for the entire cruise and you stay on for the changeover day.

And you now have an added bonus, you don’t have to do the safety drill a second time (as in the past)

BTW: Even if you were to change rooms, its no hassle; all your clothes in the robe are put on a mobile hanging rail, you put your loose items in supplied baskets, take your valuables out of the safe and Seabourn moves everything for you. Only takes a few minutes.

On Ovation all May self serve coffee (Nespresso ?) was available in the Observation Lounge by 6 am. 

I was served a cappuccino in the Square at 5.45 am last week, although officially they are not obliged to serve you before 6.15.

7 hours ago, rols said:

My recollection was 0600 to 2200. 

Correct, (according to the sheet in our suite), but the door is usually only shut, not locked, I’ve been in the gyms on 4 of the 5 ships well before 6 am, but I make sure that I don’t use any noisy equipment (i,e, Treadmill) in consideration of the people in the Spa Suites on the deck above. (Only in the gym on Encore and Ovation does this apply, not on Sojourn!) 

SLSD, thank you so much for taking the trouble to write this blog, you write so well and your photos are excellent !

A tip on the ships internet, download a internet speed ap. (I use “Speedtest” ) and try it in different parts of the ship at different times. I have always found early morning fastest ( everyone else is asleep) and the bathroom faster than near the window.

My fastest every speed onboard was standing at the TK entry desk the other afternoon, maybe it was piggybacking off the (closed) laptop there ?

6 minutes ago, ab21au said:

 

Is the pool too cold or have you already been there (and SB Square for a treat) 😀

Weather shite, cool,( only 13c) in Bilbao for two days and very ☔️wet; 18c and (very) heavy showers for day one in Bordeaux yesterday. Deck 5 Pool too hot for me as usual (28 to 30c)  but I’m managing my 500m to 600 m  (equivalent) 15 minute tethered swim each morning. Pools were part drained and closed one day as too rough, although Ovation handled the seas very well.

Yes, I am eating🍔and 🍷drinking too much, But I figure I’ll slim off when I hit 🏊‍♂️Melbourne’s winter❄️sea water next month🙄

1 hour ago, tv24 said:

.  On some nights it's quiet, but there are others when folks are dancing and drinking, gambling, and “sinning.” .

My goodness, I hope that there is not too much “sinning” 🙄going on, with those CCTV cameras around.😳

Perhaps I should search on YouTube for videos of “sinning”on Seabourn ships.🙄😀🤣

Just to clear up any misconceptions, here is a photo of the rear of the packet of  Motion Sickness Medication that is issued at Seabourn Square:-

4 minutes ago, kowhairob said:

Well the ladies wont have any prostrate issues...

True, but I would think that most of the male pax on Ovation at the moment could, looking at the age group 🤔🙄😳

13 hours ago, rols said:

You can pick up seasick pills at Seabourn Square. We've found even in the roughest seas if you take them before you feel ill, you never feel ill. 

Just make sure that you read the (very tiny) fine print on the rear of the seasickness tabs packet.

NOT  to be taken if you have cardiac conditions, breathing problems, asthma and other lung conditions, prostate etc (and the list goes on ) !!!

1 hour ago, SLSD said:

. 

 

This evening, my husband was struck by some sea sickness as our ship is still rocking and rolling. Our waiter at tea time said that many of his friends (crew members) and passengers were struggling with queasiness.  I felt this way early this morning, but recovered after breakfast and with the use of some ginger chewing gum.  I finally persuaded my husband to try the gum and he felt a bit better. ).    

 

Phone Room Service and ask for a small bowl of crystalized ginger, works a treat👍😀 (I’m on my second bowl as i suffer quite a bit with motion dizziness, it makes me feel crosseyed and as if I’ve had far too much to drink)

No rude comments please😀

8 hours ago, SLSD said:

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I will try to post some photos.  Because I don't like to post from my phone (prefer my laptop) it will take transferring some photos from my phone to my laptop--and as slow as the WIFI is here, that may take some doing.  

 

We are happy to be on Sojourn!

SLSD. I am having the same problem, on Ovation at the moment  with the slow wi-fi, (between 8 & 12 Mbps) so I am selecting all the photos that I want to transfer from my iPhone and“Airdropping” to my iPad all at once, it only takes a few seconds to transfer. 

‘Do you have that facility ?

3 hours ago, wripro said:

You say not to trust Seabourn with your valuables. I agree.You should NEVER trust ANYONE with your valuables. You should carry them with you personally at all times. The only things you should pack in suitcases that you turn over to a cruise line or airline are clothes and things that can easily be replaced.

Plus one, I always carry all my valuables and medication with me, it is never out of my sight, even on the plane I put my bags in an overhead that I can look at (i.e. not overhead).

Great photos (and report)

Thank you for sharing👍😀