Joc123

Thank you Machotspur for deck plans and suite layout.

We are booked on the Maiden Voyage from Greenwich on July 15th 2021 (hope we are still alive).

We are in suite 711 (VP category) and at the time of booking had no idea where or what the suite was like. From the plans, we are very happy with that one.

The starter of smoked chicken (was smoked duck last year - cost cutting?) is to die for and the bread is just wonderful.

For dessert the baked cheese is not to be missed but is too large for one and the creme caramel is to die for (once again large)

Sorry about the half eaten food photos, I’m not good at remembering to take photos ( I can never wait to get started!)

The menu changes each night and I think is on weekly rotation. It is so much better than TK in our opinion but agree the area is small and tables are taken early. You can’t book a table and they ask you to wait to be seated. This is ignored more often than not simply because people don’t want to miss out. We noticed the Officers will eat there every night - that must be a good recommendation 

We believe Earth and Ocean is the best restaurant onboard.

We were also on this cruise and thought the food in the Colonnade was not up to the usual standard. We were by told by a very reliable source that it was because a Corporate Chef was on board controlling things. We actually complained (something we don’t usually do) about the poor fruit offerings and suddenly they improved! 

This was a good cruise, but for us, but not great - I’m realistic enough to know not every one can be. I think the food was the biggest disappointment - Earth and Ocean continues to be the best restaurant on board.

Personally I don’t get Halloween. Back in the 70’s when our boys were kids it was just starting to become an event (guess we can thank the American TV shows). Now it is really popular with shops and houses putting up decorations and our grandchildren are really into it.

I think they like the lollies (candy) more than anything else because they aren’t usually allowed to have them!

That is a starter - smoked duck. It was wonderful and presentation quite spectacular.

I’m sorry the weather has turned cold and even snowing!

Here in Oz we are experiencing our first taste of summer with temperatures in the mid 30’s this week.

Great news for us from the UK.

When we arrive in your country we no longer have to go to the aliens queue to go through immigration. It has always annoyed me that even though we are part of the Commonwealth and the Queen is our Head of State we are considered aliens!

Last nights sunset on Yorke Peninsula South Australia - just beautiful.

(for some reason photos have loaded out of order but I’m sure you get the idea)

We find TK quite ordinary but LOVE Earth and Ocean. Having tried it on Ovation it is now our favourite place to eat - not sure what we will do when the weather is on the cool side.

I tried the Napa Burger but found it to be very salty. Coming from Australia a hamburger has to have meat plus bacon, beetroot, fried egg, caramelised onion, cheese, tomato and lettuce. Then you add tomato sauce (ketchup) and mayo. Now that’s a hamburger.:)

i have never been able to post photos but with the new format I will try to include our photos of E&O.

Loving the mountainous regions outside Quito!

 

We got in at midnight Friday night and were ready to go for our tour at 7. We drove out of the city and visited a market at Pujili before the main attraction, which was the volcanic crater lake Quilotoa. Spectacular views from the crater rim!

 

It was a long slog down a steep trail, dodging donkeys and their droppings the whole way. We decided to climb back up and it was a killer. 1200 feet of elevation gain in less than a mile with no flat spots at all. But that wasn't the worst of it - the trail started at 11600 feet, and ended at 12800! Hard to climb when there is no air, but we did it!

 

A well-deserved lunch then a long drive home. Stunning vistas and an unexpected surprise - there had been a significant snowfall in the mountains, so we drove through snow, less than one degree south of the equator!

 

Dinner at a place serving local specialties. I had a fritada, delicious spiced pork over mashed potato with giant corn mixed in. We tried some local beer and wine too. The beer was great and the wine good.

 

Off to Mindo today for the cloud forest then we leave for home at 23:45.

 

Pix. Fruit at the market (similar to passionfruit). Beautiful vista. Quilotoa. Happy hikers pre-ascent. Fritada at Miskay restaurant. [ATTACH]431123[/ATTACH][ATTACH]431124[/ATTACH][ATTACH]431125[/ATTACH][ATTACH]431126[/ATTACH][ATTACH]431127[/ATTACH][ATTACH]431128[/ATTACH]

 

Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app

Am I the only one who can not open photos sent via a link? I don’t use an app so maybe that’s why I’m having trouble. When I first discovered CC I saved it on favourites and have been using it that way ever since. That suits me but it’s getting very frustrating not being able to see photos - looks like I will have to move into the 21st century!

Many countries / cultures celebrate New Year in March as this is the start of the summer solstice. Indonesia is a Muslin country.

This is something that worries me greatly.

We were on the first cruise Seabourn did to Antarctica. They went to great pains to educate all onboard about what you could and could not do in the area. One big no no was plastic. After the lecture we noticed a passenger went out on the deck to take photos - his camera was protected by plastic. He took this off to take his photo and it flew out of his hand and overboard.

The more people that go to the area the more pollution will occur, but I think it is important for people to understand the damage climate change is doing. It is always going to be difficult to manage.

The internet speed on Ovation was so good we find that we now only look at Ovation itineraries.

I’m sure they will update the other ships eventually but I guess it all comes down to money - if they don’t, then it will be at their own peril.

Jeff, have you seen a James Veitch? I wish I knew how to include YouTube attachments but I’m hopeless. If you google him and watch his show on replying to spam you may pickup some ideas. ;) He is my favourite English comedian.

Don’t quote me but I think it’s the same price no matter what the length of the cruise - thank goodness we now get it as a perk! A good reason to keep sailing ;)

We have never had a good room service experience - we have sailed on all ships starting on Pride in ‘09!

It is always cold and never very appealing. That’s why we only ever use it when absolutely necessary

Just returned from a cruise on the opposition and catching up on what is going on. I’m sorry you have found yourself on the cruise from hell.

We sailed on Shadow once and sadly had a similar experience and have not been brave enough to give SS another chance.

After our experience, what you are going through is very disappointing but somehow not surprising - I’m genuinely sorry for you.

As I mentioned in another thread the internet on Ovation is as good as on land. We had no problem streaming a football game for 2 hours.

We were using an iPad so needed an HDMI cable to watch on Samsung TV.

I’m sure they will roll out fast internet across the fleet but it will take time.

Thank you for the wonderful review - I agree with everything you say (we reluctantly left in Lisbon).

One thing you didn’t mention was the vastly improved internet. The speed is as good as on land - we were able to stream a very important football game!

I hope Seabourn know and appreciate how good Handre is. He is such a hard worker and appears to genuinely enjoy what he does.

We loved Ovation so much we have booked another trip on her (in the same room) and although we have sailed on all of the ships, from now on, she maybe our go to ship.

We did the Caminito Del Ray hike and it was fantastic.

It’s 7km and not for the faint hearted. If you don’t like heights or suffer from vertigo don’t do it, but it’s easy walking, mainly downhill and the scenery is incredible.

NJ Belle, hope you have a wonderful time,we tried to leave the ship in good condition. We thoroughly enjoyed our time onboard and left wanting more - sadly I can’t say the same about our BA flight to London, but that’s another story!

We have been on Ovation since Venice and Earth and Ocean has become our favourite venue.

The food is wonderful (IOHO) and service very good, but the casual, remain on the pool deck after sail away party or continue having drinks with friends and grab something to eat concept has gone.

The seating area is roped off (you can still walk around) and you now have to wait to be seated (reservations not required). The waiters wear new outfits and the tables are set with different plates and glassware - all very trendy.

Some people are having a problem with the new concept but we really like it.

I’m sorry I don’t know how to post photos, perhaps some cleaver person onboard will be able to do it.

Currently on Ovation, tea and scones are served while everything else is buffet style.

This was at a fort in Dubrovnik so my friends aboard told me. I am not sure what the name of the fort is. Seabourn put on a special event of drinks at the fort at sunset for the passengers.

 

Julie

It was Revelin Fortress. It didn’t quite go to plan - as soon as we had climbed to the rooftop, it started to rain. Locals assured us it was only a light shower - it wasn’t! We climbed back down to the hall and entertainment was held there.

We were given the usual welcome back to the ship by the crew - always lovely.

To all who are concerned, there definitely is a laundry on Ovation.

We are also onboard - haven’t noticed the smell so it must be one particular stairwell.

Love being on a new ship - lovely fluffy towels and gowns. So far everything is working, if there are problems they are covering them up well.

They have found a use for the deck space at back of TK. It is now a fresh fruit, juice and smoothie bar, open for breakfast and lunch. You can also order from the Colonnade menu for breakfast and lunch.

Internet seems to be better but that might change depending where we are.

So far so good.