1st timer would like some information

[jmkoilers]

After having booked my 1st Seabourn cruise - the Legend departing from Rome on May 10, 2012, I thought I would ask all you past cruisers for some further information. The website answers alot, but would anyone have copies of the daily news from your past cruise they could post? I've started a roll call, and I'm sure that since it is 6 months away, fellow passengers will join later with their insights as the time progresses. I like to pre-plan and any help on the ports, excursions, tours would be appreciated. Thank you

[Chairsin]

Do you have any specific questions about the trip that we can answer?

[chefchick]

AND it's our first Seabourn cruise... My question is for those who have sailed this itinerary; any suggestions regarding ports? I have searched in the "Europe" section and really only found info on the larger, more traveled ports (Barcelona, Monte Carlo, etc) what about Elba, Mahon or Porquerolles? We love the idea of smaller ports but is there anything to do besides walking around and having lunch? (not that that's a terrible idea either) Also, any suggestions for a post cruise hotel in Nice, France?

 

Any tips on cozy, out of the way spots on board? Any suggestions for best bartender?

 

 

Thanks. Hope I'm not out of line by "hijacking" this thread, just so excited!

[1straveler]

Porquerolles has little to do but walk around which won't take long. There are a few restaurants and shops but not much to talk about. If you have an opportunity to spend a night in Monte Carlo it is well worth it. The restaurants, shops and bars are terrific. You may have an opportunity to see the changing of the guard at the palace. The Monte Carlo Casino late night is a must visit.

[LEESRE]

Regards Mahon, Menorca, where you dock is right beside the Gin Distillery, this is where they make Mahon Gin. As you walk from the ship turn right and walk along the harbour and you will see it on your left hand side. Some great tasting with other liquors.

Mahon is a great place to walk around also, lovely arcitecture, look for the famous sash windows in alot of the houses.

Also you can go on a glass bottom boat. A little further afield you can have some great beaches, most of them very quite.

It is also a great sail in and sail out if it is still light, fantastic harbour.

In Nelsons time it is said that all the ships in the world could have fitted into the harbour. Not sure if that was true.

[JaneBP]

Should be a lovely itinerary. There will be plenty of time for Barcelona and there have been some recent threads here about that city.

 

Bartenders come and go, so try them all out. Not too many places in the day time on the Legend. SkyBar, is it. One less busy spot is the spa on Deck 5 Forward. There is Bar service there, too.

 

Another favorite spot of mine is the Back deck of the Veranda after lunch. Great for reading and playing cards, for example.

[DrmnOfMaui]

Should be a lovely itinerary. There will be plenty of time for Barcelona and there have been some recent threads here about that city.

 

Bartenders come and go, so try them all out. Not too many places in the day time on the Legend. SkyBar, is it. One less busy spot is the spa on Deck 5 Forward. There is Bar service there, too.

 

Another favorite spot of mine is the Back deck of the Veranda after lunch. Great for reading and playing cards, for example.

 

Ditto for me on the back of the Veranda. Also my favorite place for breakfast!!

 

Breakfast in Lipari, Italy on the Legend about 3 weeks ago!!

 

The yogurt parfaits are a wonderful way to start the day... Can't get yogurt like that in San Diego...

 

We very much enjoyed Ben in the bar at the back of the ship (near the casino) in the evenings. He was fairly new to the ship and was a true pleasure. Wish I had taken a picture!

 

But... here is one of the stock in the outside bar on deck:

 

 

 

You will have a wonderful time! We did 4 days in Rome prior to our cruise and had a fantastic time. I have a few restaurant recommendations if you are interested...

[frantic36]

Hi Kim

 

Glad you had a great trip on Seabourn. What a lovely husband you have, sounds like mine so another reason to be thankful'

 

We are going to be in Rome for three days prior to our cruise next year, on Crystal though my husband is a bit unsure due to the ship size. Would love to have your restaurant recommendations and even where you stayed if you were happy with it.

 

Cheers

Julie

[Chairsin]

Chefchick,

You will be visiting some wonderful ports. Elba is quite charming -- you can read up on Napolean and follow in his footsteps. For the short time he was there he made a tremendous impact( he was just one of those guys who could not sit still.)

 

Mahon is wonderful becasue the ship pulls right up at the base of the old town with stone steps leading up to all of the narrow winding steets. I particularly like the old market building there. And you can impress your fellow passengers by informing them that this is the birthplace of mayonaise( mahonaise).

 

Porquerolles -- I disagree with the poster who said you can walk around the island in a short time. There are numerous well marked hiking trails that take you across the island to dramatic cliffs looking down to the ocean and by a couple of old abondoned forts. My husband and I are fast hikes and one loop across and back down along the coast and beaches took us about four hours( we can't wait to go back and hike some of the other trails). Also, this is also often a Marina day so you could do the water sports if so inclined.

 

Nice -- the ships docks just east of the old town area -- again the marketplace (open) is great fun. We always stay pre or post cruise nearby in St Paul de Vence at the lovely little Le Hammeau. Great fun wandering around early and late when the tourist groups have left as well as wonderful restaurants, contemporary art museum and views of both the Med and the Alps from the fascinating cemetary.

 

With repect to a Rome restuarant suggestion try Agate e Romeo.

[JaneBP]

>"With repect to a Rome restuarant suggestion try Agate e Romeo."

And in the same neighborhood and a bit less pricey, Trattoria di Monti.

[DrmnOfMaui]

Julie, we had a few wonderful meals in Rome! I was in Rome 25 years ago and loved the food and now wondered if it was my lack of food experience or if it was really that good. It was that good!

 

Here area few that we enjoyed:

 

Cul de Sac- Near the Piazza Navona with an inch thick binder which is the "wine list!" We had a salami and cheese plate to start, a Ricotta filled Ravioli topped with pistachio which ended with a delightful and somewhat surprising lemon finish, Greek Salad and a good ole pasta with meat sauce. I finished off with a wonderful tiramisu!

 

Wine bottles lined all of the walls

 

 

 

We also really enjoyed I Colori del Vino. Rick Steves said it best on his blog:

"I Colori del Vino Enoteca: This modern wine bar – without a tourist in sight – feels like a laboratory of wine appreciation, with woody walls of bottles, a creative menu of cold cuts (meats and cheeses with different regional themes), and a great list of fine wines by the glass. Helpful and English-speaking Marco carries on a long family tradition of celebrating what we know to be the fundamentals of good nutrition: fine wine, cheese, meat, and bread." corner of Via Flavia and Via Aureliana

 

 

Marco, the owner, made sure we enjoyed our evening!

 

And another wonderful meal was at Ristorante Mario, near the Colosseum. We ate here for lunch after our Colosseum/Forum Tour and had a really good meal. Pasta, wine and Tiramisu all at reasonable prices.

 

We stayed in a simple B&B, The Amaranto Romano. It's not a 5 star hotel, but Nadia was wonderful and made sure our stay was comfortable. I wrote about it here. A wonderful location on the Via ****onale and a very secure, quiet building away from the bustling of the street. We walked nearly everywhere we needed to go during our four day stay, even walking home from the Vatican (we did take the metro there).

 

We really enjoyed Rome and are eager to return!

[frantic36]

Thanks Kim,

 

They all sound lovely. Some friends have decided to join us and he is a wine merchant so those first two sound right up his alley.

 

Julie

[jmkoilers]

Thank you for the wonderful responses and especially the photos and insights so far. Makes me feel that I chose the perfect European getaway for next year. We have taken some advice and will be staying in Rome for 2 nights pre-cruise at the Hotel Barocco and 1 night post-cruise in Nice at Le Meurice. Chefchick, feel free to join the roll call.

Have looked at the ship's shore excursions, and we usually prefer to go out exploring on our own. We know we want to go to Monserrat and Sagrada Famalia in Barcelona, Collioure in Port Vendres, La Mola & Binibeca in Mahon, and Elba in Portoferrai, but the rest so far is up in the air.

Most of all, we look forward to meeting new friends, new adventures and relaxing all while enjoying all that Seabourn offers.

John

[SLG1]

Hello, we are also new to Seaborn and currently looking at the May 10 2012 on the Legand. Have never sailed on Seaborn, and never been to Europe. Was wondering about the excursions, and selections. Do you make those ahead of time? Meeting next week with TA to review, but trying to do a little up front homework. We have sailed mostly Celebrity, RCI, Princess, so this would be our first smaller ship experience. Thanks , Steve

[hoosier74]

Hi Steve,

We'll be getting off the Legend about three weeks before you get on!

Policies in regards to excursions have changed quite a bit in the last year. Now, they must be paid for when they are reserved. There are also cancellation penalties based on when the excursion might be cancelled. You can wait until you are on board to book an excursion but you might run the risk of its being sold out but I don't think this happens very much (it did last March for one of the excursions we were on.) However, waiting until you are on board means that you can use any on board credit that you may have to pay for your excursions.

 

As far as selections, I assume you mean your cabin preferences such as your bar set up, pillows, etc. You can make those ahead of time, but you can also let your stewardess know if it's not set up correctly or you wait until you are onboard.

 

I hope that your travel agent is familiar with Seabourn as this is also a big plus. You can get a great feel for the ship by reading the current postings from Seabourntraveller on the Athens to Dubai voyage.