Bostonactor

Istanbul to Venice was wonderful. Be sure to spend a few days in Istanbul with a guide.

I am confused. Are you looking for tours that leave from Milford Sound or Halfmoon Bay? We took a fabulous 3-week land-based (walking) tour of South Island and there are excursions we took that I am sure you would be able to book without being part of a walking tour, since they use local companies to book these activities. What I can recommend without hesitation is a helicopter flight landing on top of a glacier (maybe Rob Roy), also a small plane tour (and I mean small… think 4 seats plus pilot) which flew between mountains, glaciers and over Milford Sound. Both were breathtaking. The country is magnificent.

This is our "trip of a lifetime" so far (much as we have enjoyed our Seabourn cruises.) If this sort of thing appeals, you might google some of this information and I'm pretty sure you will the find companies that can assist you. Perhaps you will find a 2 or 3-day tour from Milford Sound that includes some sight-seeing, hiking and/or flights. But a cruise of Milford Sound, and I assume it's included in Seabourn's itinerary, shouldn't be missed.

The OP created the image of a machine that spits out numbers, which, to me, is pretty funny, not "Seabourn-like" and not at all what happens. The manager took our room number in the main ding room only and and wrote it down on a large seating chart on the stand in front of him. I do not recall that he handed a slip of paper to the waiter who seated us, but I could be wrong. It was such a non-issue, it barely registered. My sense, at the time, was that he was keeping track of where we sat and the number of people in our party, perhaps as an aid to future planning and the logistics of handling hundreds of people on a busy night.

Last Nov. on the Quest, in the main restaurant, they took our room number, which had not happened before. I don't know the purpose. Maybe somebody does. There is certainly no machine dispensing tickets and there was no wait for a table at any time, beyond the few people who might be in front of you. This is ridiculous…it's what happens at the meat department at Whole Foods on the weekend.

We have booked specific V5 suites on our 2 big sister cruises and we also tried a guarantee on the Legend, where there are no real verandas anyway and where we were pleasantly surprised with nice mid-ship location, which we prefer. About 3 weeks prior to the cruises where we booked specific suites, we were offered an upgrade at significantly higher cost. I really don't understand this. I mean, if we wanted to pay more for a different location, we would have done so from the beginning. Maybe they are hoping people will have a last-minute change of mind or even might think they are being offered some kind of bargain.

As I recall, the dining room does have a more elaborate menu on formal (optional) night, and I think on our cruise last November it did co-incide with the Chef's special menu night. But I think they were different nights our first 2 cruises. As everyone says, it's lovely not to have to make a decision until the last minute, with the exception of Restaurant 2.

Yes, mid-daytime temps will average low to mid 70's in early Sept. and a sweater, light jacket and/or raincoat is advisable for evening. Cool mornings. But we who summer on the Cape and Islands are still swimming in the ocean then….right to the end of September. Water temp usually remains about the same as the end of August. And, you might experience the sudden onset of what we call "Indian summer" (sorry!), sometimes late Sept.or even early Oct., when it can soar into the high 80's. So do bring some light clothing as well. Of course, a day or two later it may be 50. You never know and there is no way to predict. We have a saying in New England: if you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes. You will not see the peak foliage, which is the end of Sept, early Oct. …not in the Boston area. It will, of course, be earlier in Quebec. But this week, I saw the beginning of some trees turning yellow and red in my mainland neighborhood, so it may be a bit early this year. All September is lovely.

And yes, the Gardner Museum….sorry for the omission.

Have a wonderful trip.

As you might guess, I live in the Boston area. I know it well and love it. The waterfront area alone is worth a visit. The Public Garden, Beacon Hill and Chinatown are a do-able walk from there if you are in good shape. Great shopping, people-watching and many restaurants with sidewalk cafes on Newbury St. The Museum of Fine Arts is spectacular, one of the USA's finest, and a short taxi ride from downtown. If you are staying for a few days, see if there are tickets for Symphony, one of the world's greats. it can be thrilling. The South End is like a small village, with a wonderful theater complex and great small restaurants. Check out Harvard Square….walk right through the main gate into Harvard Yard for a glimpse of history and bustling student life. If you have time, rent a car and drive out to the historic towns of Lexington and Concord. Really, really beautiful in September/October.

I found the temperature in the Obervation Bar to be very chilly. I took a sweater, shawl or light jacket to cover bare shoulders. Well worth it…. a lovely place for cocktails at sunset.

We were in 630 on Odyssey for 2 weeks May 2012. No vibration that we noticed and an excellent location in stormy high seas. We enjoyed this cruise more that the Quest cruise last November. We thought the food was better and the crew a great team.

Al Ponte Antico

Another vote for Al Ponte Antico. A little worn but lots of atmosphere and a great location. Very friendly staff. They made sure our water taxi was on time departure day and sent us to 2 terrific small restaurants off the beaten track. Only 9 rooms, so it's possible they will be full as well. Good luck.

In our experience, the Colonnade was less of a "madhouse" than the cramped veranda on the smaller ships, where we often had to wait for a table or share tables. The buffet area itself on the larger ship is quite large. Even at peak times, just prior to a shore excursion, I never felt jostled by other people. You might have to wait a minute to put your toast in the toaster at breakfast. We almost always were able to obtain a seat outside and if we couldn't, it was because we arrived quite late. If you have to sit inside, well, it's not exactly Siberia. Once seated, you can order your breakfast or lunch and not use the buffet….they are happy to bring you anything from the buffet as well. There is always the choice to have lunch outside at the grill by the pool a bit later. Great hamburgers and fries, pizza, nice salads and little skewers of lamb or chicken. On our last cruise, with nice weather every day, we found we enjoyed that more than the Colonnade.

We sailed the Odyssey first, then the Legend and last, the Quest. Much prefer the larger ship. We thought the space was far more comfortable and we found it equally congenial and very easy to meet people. After all, there are only so many people you can get to know in a 2-week span. Would LOVE a quiet trio with a good singer in the club, where the incessant, loud rock-type music turned us off, but we did try. Otherwise, entertainment does not matter much to us, although I realize it does to many people.

I think it boils down to how comfortable you are with the knowledge that it's possible you will miss the earlier flight. I know I hate this kind of pressure and the stress involved and would rather wait a few hours. For me, worry would spoil the last 24 hours. Only you know the answer.

The launderettes are not marked on the Quest deck plan, that I can see. They ARE clearly identified on deck 5 of the Odyssey plan. What you might think are chapels, marked with a cross, are, in fact, the launderettes. See the key.

I approached the launderette just once on our 2-week Odyssey cruise, thinking it would be a breeze. Instead, there was a huge back-up, with piles of laundry everywhere, some wet, some dry. I would strongly suggest you forget it and go the $50 per bag route. I mean, this is a vacation, right? And you are paying thousands for it. Enjoy every minute.

The port name will be printed on your ticket, but yes, access is easy from both sides. We stayed on the European side and our only worry was that the trunk of the taxi taking us to the port did not close properly. We held our breath the entire 10 minute ride down a very steep hill, trunk hatch banging open, envisioning the contents blowing down the hill behind us as the suitcases hit the pavement. Roads and sidewalks in Istanbul are in terrible condition…..worse, I think, on the European side. Beware. Potholes and debris everywhere. We hired a private guide who walked us all over the city. We specified no tourist sites. It was an amazing 2 days. If you can, walk up the Golden Horn through the old Greek section (the monastery there is still the head of the Greek Orthodox Church) and see the mosaics and frescoes at the Chora church. Right next door is the best restaurant in Istanbul. Forget the name, but you can't miss it. Have lunch outside. Very special.

We left from the European side on the Odyssey 2 years ago. The views of Istanbul as you sail away are breathtaking, the best part of the trip. Also impressive is the line-up of scores of ships and barges from all over the world, waiting for their turn to sail up the Bosporus.

On all 3 cruises we have taken, one in Med, one in Caribbean and the third off South America, Seabourn kept our passports for the duration. I have a feeling they wouldn't be taking them if it were illegal for you to give them up. There are hotels all over the world that take your passport and don't return it the same day. What you are really worried about?

$50 per bag. A pretty small bag, but you can get quite a bit inside if you fold and roll. Include your dress shirts with undershorts, etc.. They will magically appear on a hanger in your closet, beautifully pressed. Of course, you can have things washed and pressed or dry-cleaned individually at a higher cost. There should be a price list in the drawer with the laundry bags. We had a pair of trousers dry-cleaned; I don't remember the cost, but it wasn't much more than my local dry-cleaner and they got out a wine stain without problem. Easy-peasy.

I don't understand. Is there a new policy? On all 3 Seabourn cruises, the last this past November, we pre-paid 1 or 2 excursions months ahead (ones we really wanted) and then the amount was refunded to our credit card when we were on board.

To what "certain type of person" do you recommend Silversea? I ask because, after 3 wonderful cruises with Seabourn, we are looking into future Silversea and Regent cruises as well, mostly because of itinerary differences.

We lived in London for 6 months 51 years ago and there war parts of it, especially around Russell Square, that were still bombed out. People were still talking about the war as if it had happened yesterday. The city was black with coal dust and "grotty" is one word you could have used to describe it. 10 years ago, we spent 3 weeks on the coast and in the interior of New Zealand. This was not through cruise, but a hiking trip that took in most of the South Island, including Christchurch and Milford Sound. We also took a private tour, with driver, in the Marlborough wine country. New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries we have visited (we have travelled extensively in most parts of the world) and the people are warm and friendly, the towns clean and charming. There is nothing about the country that reminded me of London, or, indeed, of England at all, with the possible exception of Christchurch, which is very like a small English city. If anything, we thought many of the towns in the interior of NZ would have been like small towns in California and other parts of the American West 60 or more years ago. Very simple, very quiet….lots of space. And it had a laid-back, California-like vibe.

I live in the Boston area and I must tell you that the weather in September, as almost any time of the year here, is all over the place. As they say in New England, if you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes. Average early Sept. temp hopefully would be in the 60's-70's during the day, but it can also easily be in the 50's or 90's. Be warned: the temperature can and regularly does rise or drop 30 degrees in a few hours. For example, yesterday it was a very chilly 24 degrees and this morning it is 52 and expected to rise to a balmy 60. Last week, we experienced a blizzard and it was below 10 every night. If you go, and I hope you do, be sure to bring clothing that can be layered, as well as a warm and a waterproof jacket.

That said, the foliage is magnificent and, around here, is usually at its peak from the very end of September through the second week of October. It is still quite green early to mid-Septmeber. Be sure to take a drive north and west through some lovely historic towns, like Concord and Lincoln, where the display is particularly brilliant.

Baychilla, I, too was enjoying your posts immensely. You have a wicked sense of humor that appeals to me. Maybe not to some.