Catlover54

Lois, I am so sorry about the health issue that did not allow you to maximize enjoyment of your voyage. Hopefully you will get in to see your regular doctor or oncologist ASAP after arrival for re-review of your diagnosis, *in the context of all your prior health background*, (i.e., don't rely on just what you were told when you first got symptoms and had a local medic see you, but get a fresh, informed opinion) and to likely get monitored, appropriate, and targeted physical therapy going to speed your recovery. I have been in your situation and it is not fun, to say the least. Safe return, and hang on tight when the guys who push the wheelchairs at airports take a corner :).

Am enjoying your blog and especially the photos. The girl in the mini-skirt could just as easily be from the late 60's.

Am looking forward to your review, so I can compare progress since I was on in January when I wrote my blog (height of Omicron then). 1. Can you tell how full the ship is? (That helps put service issues in perspective) 2. Are masks no longer mandatory in the Venetian Lounge or gym, per announcements you have had? Very recently, per a review, they were. Can you tell (per announcements) if they will still be mandatory on excursion buses, both inside and outside (per either SS or Norwegian/local authorities)? If so, must they be surgical or N95, or is cloth allowed? 3. I would be interested in learning what they are serving in the SALT restaurant on a Norway cruise (am assuming salmon will be part of it) 🙂 The SALT option is what had lured me back to SS after a few years of absence, and it was our favorite venue last January on Panama Canal cruise. 4. Is the little outside thermal pool aft behind the gym open/working? I loved that magical little spot for reading, with just the sounds of the ocean, and on a cold weather cruise (if open), could be nice for semi-private soaking. 5. Are you in a standard veranda suite? 6. Are independent excursions allowed and, if so, are masks required on private tours? No pressure to answer questions, and I thank you in advance for any offerings and contributions. Enjoy!

Were pax still required to mask when using the gym, or was it optional? Same question for the Venetian Lounge, and for excursions (inside, and outside?)

https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/russias-invasion-of-ukraine-has-affected-baltic-states-tourism/

DH and I completed two 7-day back to back cruises on the Seabourn (SB) Odyssey, 12/22/18-12/29/18 and 12/29/18-1/5/19, Caribbean in depth’. The food, beverages and service offered were very good overall ( I gained 7 lb), though service was definitely not perfect. Overall we enjoyed our trip, especially the food, the entertainment, and the great AC. I give it four out of five stars, with the deduction for periodic service and communication issues, mediocre enrichment lectures, mediocre to bad (for this day and age) internet and interactive TV services, and the closed MDR at breakfast and lunch, which necessitated standing in buffet lines at lunch if on board ( though lines were short) and scurrying around to find seating unassisted. The Saturday Philipsburg/ St Martin disembarkation experience was also suboptimal, and our ten-hour SXM airport experience on a Saturday was uncomfortably loud and generally horrible (aggravated by constant, very loud 93 decibel announcements). I cannot blame SB for SXM airport problems but I would be hesitant to book another cruise on SB or any other line requiring disembarkation in SXM. Ports visited the first half included Philipsburg (embarkation on St. Martin island), Saint Kitts and Nevis with Carambola Beache caviar in the surf, Road Bay, Anguilla; St. Johns, Antigua and Barbuda; Terre-de-Haut, Iles des Saintes; Port Elizabeth, Bequoia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Castries, St /Lucia, and finally Bridgetown, Barbados. The second half was to include Saline Baby, Mayreau but sea swells prevented tendering). We also stopped at Roseau, Dominica; Basse-Terre, Guadaloupe; Gustavia, Saint Barthelemy; and Great Harbour, Jost van Dyke, and ended back in Philipsburg. Captain: Othello Ghoshroy (a man of few words) Cruise Director: Robert Brendan (lively, friendly, he also sings) Executive Chef: Marco Matteucci (excellent!) Hotel Director: Peppi Schuppler ( who tried to be helpful, even personally served me a pina colada New Years Eve when bartenders were busy)