SD II: May 23 - June 5, 2010

[ctbjr1309]

I am so glad that I am not losing my mind . . . the 82 year old guest who was insisting on this is a very nice man, but when I pointed out that the SD press release about the new captain had only mentioned the Olson cruise lines, he just said that he knew what "really happened". ;)

 

and I found out --- I am only second in nights this trips:rolleyes:

 

got to go find some donkeys tomorrow.

 

more tomorrow night

 

FT

 

My limited research on the new Capt. didn't reveal any prior SB connection either. Perhaps when you get to the bottom of the "real story" though we'll find out what really happened though!

 

Interesting that you're only # 2 on the serial cruiser list this trip. Wonder who is # 1. The good news is that you have another chance to lead the pack next week!

 

As for donkeys, I'm confident that you'll find a few tomorrow. If you decide to take a ride, I highly recommend the uphill, rather than the downhill, itinerary. Have fun.

[DisneyJen]

 

...

 

I read on the SB board the other day that one of the CCers favorite CD (ACD on SD) has jumped ship and will be on the Azamara Journey with some familiar SD alumni. Sounds like lots of moving around in this niche of cruising in terms of crew.

 

 

Just want to clarify this as I don't want to cause any confusion ....

 

I read on the SB Board that Eric, a favorite Seabourn Activities Director, has left to join Azamara Journey. Former SD Capt. Johannes Tysse and SD Executive Chef Robert are with Azamara as well.

 

Hope that makes sense:p

 

Just to keep us on topic (so FT won't yell at me for hijacking her thread) ...

 

Congrats on being in second place for nights on board SD. Perhaps you will come in first next week!

[vandrefalk]

Love the reporting, FT! Will be most interested in your descriptions, as we will be on many of the same islands in September.

When you say Jamie, Peter and Clint are leaving next week -- do you mean on vacation or for good?? We loved Jamie -- I have a wonderful photo of him and two of his buddies on Virgin Gorda a couple of years ago :)

Where did you find the press release on the new captain???

We're all travelling with you vicariously!

Vandrefalk

[frequent traveler]

When you say Jamie, Peter and Clint are leaving next week

 

Where did you find the press release on the new captain???

We're all travelling with you vicariously!

Vandrefalk

 

Jamie, Peter, and Clint -just on holiday to rest, recover and have a bit of fun before returning to SD and us. I think all will be on for the crossing if I have my times straight.

 

Must say after my 2nd spa treatment yesterday, I was lucky to stay awake for dinner. Can not recommend Run strongly enough (hope I'm spelling her name correctly, as I forgot to take my glasses with me, squinting at name tag - she probably thinks I have some additional physical disorder). My left hamstring particularly thanks her as it feels the best it has in months.

 

Forgot to mention how smooth the water was last evening (and still is this morning). Knock on wood, but it was a glorious sunset that we noticed as we dined on Deck 4. We hear the weather is scheduled to take a turn a bit for the worse this evening however.

 

Weill, off to breakfast and to see if I can nag, oops coax ZQ Vol into a donkey ride.

 

FT

 

PS - as to article on the captain for SD II, I bellieve its on the official SD blog. But I'm sure ctbjr or disneyjen can provide the links. I'm technologically challenged.

[DisneyJen]

Jamie, Peter, and Clint -just on holiday to rest, recover and have a bit of fun before returning to SD and us. I think all will be on for the crossing if I have my times straight.

 

Must say after my 2nd spa treatment yesterday, I was lucky to stay awake for dinner. Can not recommend Run strongly enough (hope I'm spelling her name correctly, as I forgot to take my glasses with me, squinting at name tag - she probably thinks I have some additional physical disorder). My left hamstring particularly thanks her as it feels the best it has in months.

 

Forgot to mention how smooth the water was last evening (and still is this morning). Knock on wood, but it was a glorious sunset that we noticed as we dined on Deck 4. We hear the weather is scheduled to take a turn a bit for the worse this evening however.

 

Weill, off to breakfast and to see if I can nag, oops coax ZQ Vol into a donkey ride.

 

FT

 

PS - as to article on the captain for SD II, I bellieve its on the official SD blog. But I'm sure ctbjr or disneyjen can provide the links. I'm technologically challenged.

 

I bet the sunset was spectacular. I hope you took pictures:D

 

I want to see photos of you and zqvol on the donkeys!!

 

Have a wonderful day.

 

Here is the link on the new captain:

 

http://seadreamblog.wordpress.com/2010/03/19/captain-johan-andrew-dyrnes-joins-seadream-yacht-club/

 

 

P.S. Can you tell I was up until midnight watching the finale of "Lost" and the caffeine hasn't kicked in yet:rolleyes:

[frequent traveler]

Ok back from Thira and shortly heading back to the island to visit Oia. Was all set to ride the donkey up the 800+ steps until I got a whiff of them . . . whew - the smell was just a bit too strong. While riding the cable cars with a couple from Rhodes (its a 3 day holiday here due to Pentecost) she indicated she wouldn't do it again. Apparenently her donkey stopped to eat and would not move again without signficant prodding. Her husband also has a fear of heights and his donkey stayed too close to the edge. So that's one experience that will stay on my bucket list.

 

But its beautiful here -- other than a Windstar ship, we are the only ship in port - the streets are almost empty. Beautiful white buildings, blue roofs and blue doors. We walked up to the top of the hill (yes there is even more of a hill after you get off the cable car) - magnificent views of both sides of the island. Visit the Greek church and the Catholic nun monastery (of course - didn't go in, but its one of the few remaining buildings surviving the last major earthquake. Go to the Cultural Center for great photo ops. Since we are visiting the island again next week we aren't trying to do it all in one day. But we have discovered major shopping . . . and of course ZQ Vol met an Australian Greek who talked a shop keeper into an additional discount (I think it was due to a lack of other ships in town . . .but who I am to scorn a discount).

 

No mussels for first day lunch .. . I was shocked by this breach of what I thought was a SD tradition, but probably due to so many people eating lunch on main land. However, potato leek soup was excellent as was half order of risotto with mushroom and zuchinni and famous fish and chips.

 

Back to Santorini . . .

 

FT

[frequent traveler]

Today was Fira and Oia. And a crisis at work. I can report that yes Verizon does work on the cable car going down the mountain and in transit to the ship. Crackberry addicts – you can not hide from your office. I tried and failed today. Sweden found me.

 

Dinner tonight included the steak tartar, mushroom soup, and lobster. Chef Joss has put his stamp on the menu as the steak tartar had a whole new presentation (I knew the spicy prawns last night were different – never were in a batter before). We were supposed to have one of the wonderful signature SD chocolate desserts but when they moved the entire dinner outdoors – that came off the menu (something to do with needing an oven) – so instead the wait staff bought me two plates of different chocolate petit fours . . .

 

Oia is gorgeous – all blue roofs and white walls, marble floors, Too bad the taxi drivers trained in New York I don’t need Dramamine for SD –just for the taxi ride to and from Oia. Not only do you have to pay 20 Euro each way, but you have to listen to speeding taxi drivers take 40 million cell phone calls, and close your eyes while they pass other cars on narrow lanes doing 60 in 35 mph lanes veering narrowingly close to the sea. I’m so glad to be back on SD. However, whatever you do - go to Oia.

 

Captain Johan has a wicked sense of humor. Apparently he doesn’t walk down a flight of stairs in front of his second in command – Mikael, who not only is a licensed Captain, but also calls Capt. Johan “Old Man!” At the Capt’s reception tonight – we learned we have 87 passengers on board, but only 85 crew members (isn’t that a decrease?) Nationalities include Montenegro, Brazil and Ne w Zealand, as well as the usual UK, US, Norway, Spain, Australia, and Canada.

 

So tomorrow we are signed up for a “field trip” and need to arrange the CC cocktail party – have met all the guilty parties. Wonderful people with great stories – more to follow. FT

[Jim Avery]

SD website still shows "95 crew". Any fall off in service with 10 less crew?

J.

[DisneyJen]

Another jam packed day! You are definitely going to need a vacation after these two weeks:eek:

 

Have fun with the CC cocktail party! Make sure to remind everyone to wait until they are escorted to your suite:D

 

Are you enjoying the changes that Chef Joss is making to the menu?

[frequent traveler]

a bit of a misphrasing in an earlier post - let me correct. We only have 87 passengers, but 85 crew members - still almost a 1 to 1 ratio, so no Jim, there's no fall off in service. If I had to speculate - and yes, I do, perhaps staffing will rising when occupancy returns to peak - my guess is we are in the "shoulder season". If I heard correctly last night, there's sixteen repeat guests (it either that or sixty -- and I guess I'll find out tonight since the repeat guest reception is in the library). Several new guests have commented that they were amazed that staff knew their names by breakfast the next name.

 

Naousa Paros is a scenic little seaport village. Very walkable. As I was heading out for a stroll past the winery, windmill and large church I passed the Captain and CAD Amy who were returning from a bike ride. ZQ Vol took the Paros Island Panorama shore excursion to the Church of 1000 doors and after 400 or so pictures will probably take again next week when I do the excursion (slept through this morning - seas are so calm), he enjoyed it that much.

 

Water toys are out this afternoon. I think I'll just watch as the Med is a bit chilly.

 

Soup for lunch was wonderful carrot with coriander.

[frequent traveler]

Another beautiful sunset in the Med. Another al fresco dinner. We had the back two top on deck five, left side as you face the back (heck, I can’t remember which is port or aft). The light hitting the buildings was breathtaking. Jaime knew we wanted to see the sunset, so our view was especially appreciated. Multi layered sunset – whole rainbow of colors. I keep expecting Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth to jump out and start singing Abba hits at any minute.

 

No listing of passenger’s nights at tonight repeat guest reception. . . . But ZQ Vol did find out that the Captain’s experience with pirates was during his tenure with Olsen. Google it - March 09

 

Tonights dinner included the Spicy Thai beef appetizer, French onion soup, greek ceasar salad, and prime rib. Dessert was the chocolate silk cake –looked sinful, but had to send mine back due to food allergies. Thank goodness for petit fours (like I really need dessert after an appetizer, soup, and piece of meat sufficient to feed a family of four). I have developed a strong preference for the cheese rolls made on board.

 

Water toys will be out tomorrow, but it will be last time during this leg- since we will dock at remainder of ports. So indecisive about tomorrow – do we go to Delos? Do we take the jeep tour? Do we just wing it and wander on our own to the beaches and shops? Guess we'll decide sometime . . . this is so unlike control freak me.

 

Our cabin attendant – Smyla is great, every night we have a cheese platter and the mini frig is magically restocked every day. Its amazing how organized I’ve become since boarding. Wonder why it doesn’t last after I leave?

 

I’ve seen ponds with rougher water than we’ve encountered so far. Hope it keeps up. And for the cloudy day we were supposed to have today --- it was perfect weather. Of course, the sea temperature is only 20 Celsius, so my toes haven’t made it in yet. The Australians on board think I’m a wimp . . .and they are right. They were water skiing today. ZQ Vol was very happy tonight. Zoltan hand stuffed olives with blue cheese for his martini – thought of you DisneyJen. And for the Toybars – rumor is you are waffling for the crossing. Bets are being placed about whether Mrs. Toybar will be coming solo this year!;)

 

House brand champagne is the Gold label Germain. Passaround was lobster salad sandwiches -yum yum and Colin was the master sunglass cleaner poolside this afternoon. Crazy Australians kept trying to get me in trouble (like I really need any help!).:eek:

 

Tonight is disco night at the ToyBar, but since we want to make the most of tomorrow, turning in early (at least that's the plan). En route to Mykonos - sleep well and more tomorrow.

 

 

FT

[DisneyJen]

Another great report FT! I was reading it on my Blackberry while waiting in the carpool line and I was sighing out loud. Almost as good as a Calgon take me away moment!!

 

Sigh ... I sure could go for one of Zoltan's Grey Goose martinis with blue cheese stuffed olives. Please ask zqvol to have one or two for me:p

 

Are you planning on getting in the Med at all? I mean you have come all this way so you MUST:D

[frequent traveler]

Are you planning on getting in the Med at all? I mean you have come all this way so you MUST:D

 

certainly, will get in sometime . . . but that's the great thing about 13 nights - no rush to do it all at the beginning. Kinda like the bike rides. Will possibly do one but in no hurry to have an accident, especially at the beginning of a holiday.

 

Woke up to a glorious sunrise and another calm sea. Have arrived at Mykonos. Have a couple of other ships in port with us today. A fairly large one - we can see the rock climbing wall from the ToyBar. But they are using the small tenders - for 4000 plus passengers. I'd hate to be on that one.

 

We've decided to head off to Delos this morning, then wander around the streets of Mykonos. the jeep tour did not go off - not enough interest. Neither did the cooking excursion on Santorini. And unfortunately SD is no longer able to offer the night concert on Ephesus - apparently we are too small a guest list to meet the minimums. Several guests were disappointed by this change.

 

for the regulars - banana brulee appeared on the buffet yesterday morning - I won't let myself look for it daily as the warm, fresh dark chocolate croissants also appear each morning. :D

 

FT

[Cammiem]

Is there anything better than those dark chocolate croissants? I think not...well, maybe a mimosa to go w/ them.

 

FT - I have unsucessfully tried to stay away from your onboard reporting. Finally took the plunge this morning. You're doing a great job. I'm jealous! :D

 

Have a glass of champagne for me. Cheers!

[frequent traveler]

:D Just back on SD. Delos is a must do excursion. We did not take the SD sponsored event but went on our own. Encountered another poster on this board on his way to the spa who did take the SD tour and they loved the guide. Said she was very interesting. One drawback however, due to time limitations they were not able to hike to the highest point on the island. Which I did. No guilt at dinner tonight. The ruins are unbelievable and don’t miss the museum. We spent 2.5 solid hrs actually on the island and used every minute of it. It’s a half hour ferry ride each way. There were three ferries going over (9, 10, an 11) and three coming back (noon, 1:30 and 3:30)and all were packed – like sardines. We encountered a extended family on our first one – brothers and wives and children and the grandmother. They surrounded us, proceeded to take food out of their bags – homemade and then body lotion and groom themselves, and the grandmother said a prayer as the ferry took off. Then they starting trading places and crowding in – I wondered if there wasn’t a hidden camera somewhere. We moved downstairs and I’ll be darned – if they didn’t follow five minutes later. Lost them when started heading up the hills.

 

Mykonos is of course gorgeous. Narrow streets – cobbled with marble. White walls, blue doors. Windmills. Before we boarded the ferry for Delos we wandered by the fish market and a small farmer's market. It wasn't there after we got back from Delos - so go early if you want to see it. Very entertaining to watch the transactions. And I saw vegetables I've never seen before. Hopefully ZQ Vol will post those pictures too. Not sure what memory card he is on now. We ate lunch at a waterfront café – the grilled octopus, shrimp, mussels, calamari and sardines were fantastic. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a sardine as big as the ones we ate today and they were unbelievably mild.

 

Forgot to mention a know you are on SD moment yesterday – ZQ Vol had requested a Greek beer on Sunday when we first went to the ToyBar. Clint was very sorry to tell him, there were none on board. Somehow it came up in a discussion with Peter and Peter said he would get some at the first available stop. ZQ Vol said no need – he’ll drink CTBJR’s stock of Red Stripe instead – he’s quite happy with that. So ZQ Vol ordered a beer last night and what appeared – the Greek beer he’d requested. So thanks to Clint, Zoltan, Colin and Peter and who ever else in the SD chain went out of the way to satisfy that request. :D

 

This group of passengers seems pretty laid back – at least what I’ve observed. Looks like only one group of 10 or so traveling together – all from Southern Florida. Different feel than in the Caribbean as people are hitting breakfast early and departing the ship on various excursions.

 

Spa is booked this afternoon – so I have to wait until tomorrow afternoon for another foot massage. That will teach me to wait! Speaking of which – think I need to go book something for Sunday evening – that will be after touring Istanbul all day. Off to deck 4.

 

FT

[DisneyJen]

Sounds like another perfect day!

 

I don't know if you saw the SD blog today ...

 

http://seadreamblog.wordpress.com/2010/05/26/seadream-ii-in-mykonos-greece/

 

I don't see you on Deck 4:p

[frequent traveler]

Realized I hadn’t mentioned a few things.

 

First – id cards now have a “new and improved” case – instead of the cheap black plastic, its now a beige canvas/trimmed with navy blue card holder. Matches the folder the travel documents come in.

 

As for the “gifts” left in your cabin at night, first night was pajamas as usual. Second night was the rose in a vase. Third night however was something new - along with usual sales brochure – a CD entitled “Dream” with music from artists such as Marc Broussard, Samantha James, and Bossa Nostra. Tonight was the standard coated strawberries – however these were in white chocolate, not the dark chocolate. Hopefully, ZQ Vol will enjoy as I can’t.

 

I know you faithful readers – all four of you – will get tired of hearing this, but tonight’s sunset was the best – really and truly the most fantastic and when ZQ Vol posts pictures, you will see (he only took more than 500 today). We had the primo table again tonight (I’m sure others thought their table was also the best – there was no bad view). Sushi was served at the cocktail reception. For dinner, appetizer was foi gras. ZQ Vol had the vol de vent. I had the vegetable soup and then instead of an entrée, I had the lettuce with goat cheese salad (of course the kitchen could not leave as a salad course size – but had to make as an entre portion –so much for being good). ZQ Vol had the halibut with white asparagus. Jose is the new pastry chef and loves to couple chocolate desserts with nuts. However, he made a special exception tonight and Peter and Jaime arranged for me to have the chocolate tart without the nut crust – it was delicious. No petit fours for me tonight.

 

Tonight is an Ellen Page concert. Tomorrow night – is Kareoke night. Apparently disco went over very well. We have a long day at Ephesus – have hired our own guide – trying to pack more in than the SD tours will do. Will let you know how it works out. Rough seas tonight – all of 1 meter! After last year in the Caribbean, this is wonderful.

 

Heard from 3M also that the guided tour to Delos was fantastic – guides here have to go to a 3 yr college course before deciding what region they want to specialize in. Got interesting details about the anatomically correct statutes in front of the museum which the Christians destroyed in the name of editorial correctness hundreds of years ago. Wow, thought Political Correctness was unique to the US 20th and 21st century (along with the Victorians).

 

we're enroute to Kusadasi and ephesus - have a great day. Is anyone out there - it gets pretty boring just posting day after day with no interaction.

 

FT

[vandrefalk]

We're here, FT!! And thoroughly enjoying your reports. I was wondering about the Delos tour as it's an option on our trip in Sept (for which I just made FINAL payment -- woo hoo :)) -- and your comments have convinced me to do that one!

The Commodore had told me that the folks at Ephesus had jacked up the prices for the evening concert so it was no longer feasible? Will be sorry to miss it, but expect the day tour will be fine. Be interested in your comments on your private guide versus the SD tour.

Too bad ZQ can't post pics while you're on board -- my imagination is working overtime on how gorgeous everything must be.

Vandrefalk

[rolltide1]

Frequent Traveler: I am enjoying all your posts! Some dear friends are enroute to Rome (to board SDI on Saturday) at this very moment. We so wish we could have joined them. Your posts are getting me through the disappointment, so thank you.

[Jim Avery]

Frequent Traveler: I am enjoying all your posts! Some dear friends are enroute to Rome (to board SDI on Saturday) at this very moment. We so wish we could have joined them. Your posts are getting me through the disappointment, so thank you.

 

Hi Ellen:

I am afraid Ganttc & co had to cancel due to his Mother's declining health. (If those are the friends you referred to). I know they will be re booking as soon as possible. Hope to sail with you guys again some time.

J & L.

[rolltide1]

Jim: I am so sorry to hear that. We have dear friends from Birmingham on the way.

 

FT: I forgot to ask, are you on SDI or SDII?

[rolltide1]

Jim: I read your previous post so quickly, I didn't see that last part. We would love another voyage with you and Lois as well. We learned that 5 days on board is just not long enough!

[Jim Avery]

Jim: I read your previous post so quickly, I didn't see that last part. We would love another voyage with you and Lois as well. We learned that 5 days on board is just not long enough!

 

Are working on a plan. will keep you informed as events shape up. Will, of course, take the Tide schedule into consideration.:D

j.

[DisneyJen]

We're all hear and reading FT (I know what it is like to be posting live and wondering if anyone is there:p).

 

Wish that zqvol could post some photos as I am stretching my imagination as far as it can go with regard to those sunsets!!

 

Wonder if you will get two sets of PJs this trip:eek:

[Jim Avery]

We're all hear and reading FT (I know what it is like to be posting live and wondering if anyone is there:p).

 

Wish that zqvol could post some photos as I am stretching my imagination as far as it can go with regard to those sunsets!!

 

Wonder if you will get two sets of PJs this trip:eek:

And, were the PJs monogrammed? If so, what names are you using on them?:eek: Curious stay at homes want to know. :D