Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

LIVE from Sojourn

mariner

By mariner,
in Seabourn Cruise Line

Recommended Posts

mariner

mariner

Posted
  • Author
Posted

At Sea. 82F Force 6.

 

Mariner noticed the first event on the day's program was "Absolute Beginner's Bridge." They serve vodka to bridge players at 9:30 a.m., Mariner asked. No, Mariner was told. It's bridge for beginners.

 

It's at this point in a cruise when things seem to take us longer to accomplish. First, Mariner and Mrs. M are relaxed and no longer their usual hyper selves. Second, we're always chatting with new friends or crew members.

 

Both are good things because it just slows the enevitable that this cruise is nearing an end.

 

We collected our passports this morning and the Herald makes mention of the end of the cruise survey.

 

Mrs. M is not bothered by any of this. She returned to the shop today. This is the first ship Mariner has been aboard where the shops don't have alcohol or cigarettes for sale. And it is soooooooo nice not to see those rolls of "gold" chains that you buy by the inch.

 

Dinner in the Restaurant featured a scrumptuos crispy corn prawn and a very silky artichoke bisque. Mariner savored the perfectly braised short ribs, while Mrs. M had a chicken dish.

 

We had our waitress that we have during lunch. Ivana just learned that she became an aunt for the first time. Mariner explained there is a Serbian tradition that a new aunt must drink a toast to the newest member of the family. So Mariner ordered up a wine glass and we all drank a toast with our Grgrich cab. Ivana has one more cruise and then her contract will end.

 

Mariner also learned today his stewardess' conrtract ends with this cruise.

 

The Seabourn contract is four months on and two months off. Although, some crew members have said they'll return after five weeks. We've noticed they really smile when you ask for something special. It's as if they're trained to always go above and beyond instead of just following a routine.

 

Tonight the Colonnade will feature Italian and the Grill is BBQ. Someone asked about the lobster mac-n-cheese. There truly is no comparsion between Seabourn food and the PG on HAL. Seabourn is far superior in terms of preparation and quality. You'll even notice that when it comes to steaks. Mariner has been a longtime HAL cruiser so he knows of what he speaks.

 

The Herald also notes there will be a Seabourn Epicurean Farewell this evening. Mariner suspects Mr. Lobster and Miss Caviar will be the honored guests.

 

Well, Mariner wants to get more time in the sun. The forecast calls for temperatures in the chilly 70s tomorrow.

 

Mariner enjoys writing these dispatches and is glad you're enjoying them. Gets him out of Mrs. M's hair for a while (should have heard the snort when she read she was lucky to have Mariner) and reminds him of what he'll be doing when he returns home.

 

We'll sum things up tomorrow.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
CraftyEC

CraftyEC

Posted
Posted
Mariner,

 

Your "disembarkation" will signify our "embarkation". We promise to continue where you leave off!

 

Brilliant! I, like many others, was wondering how I was going to cope without my 'fix'!

 

I am, however, in a quandry: how did I survive a week's cruise on the Quest without being aware of the existence (or the significance of if they were indeed on the menu) of Nigerian shrimp? I would have had no problem at all with their bug-eyed-ness, and would have looked them straight in those eyes before savouring them.

 

Obviously I HAVE to go on another SB cruise to try them out :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
MARIANH

MARIANH

Posted
Posted
We also got it!...just hate those bug eyed critters starring at me while I eat my Fliet Mignon!:eek:

 

It is good that not everyone loves these delectable creatures. All the more for the rest of us - Yum:). And keep ordering that Filet Mignon.

 

As the old proverb almost says " One man's meat is another man's poisson" :eek:

Link to comment
Share on other sites
fairbourne

fairbourne

Posted
Posted

 

As the old proverb almost says " One man's meat is another man's poisson" :eek:

 

 

Good morning MarianH - you've excelled yourself this morning - best have a lie down for the rest of the day! LOL!

 

CraftyEC - you and me both! :D:D

 

Ste. Michelle - looking forward to it! :)

 

and Mariner - the DH "snorted" and rolled eyes and nodded with that sort of look that other DWs will totally understand when I told him he wasn't the only one with a list to attend to at home! ;):) LOL!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
mariner

mariner

Posted
  • Author
Posted

At Sea. 80F. Force 6.

 

Mariner and Mrs. M returned from Seabourn Square to find their bed covered in luggage. What the? Talk about the bum's rush.

 

Well, it is that time when the dreaded four-letter word surfaces, pack!

 

We were held hostage until the laundry returned. From her HAL days, Mrs. M is a pro when it comes to stuffing the laundry bag. While they say it's 48-hour service, we've found it has been taking three days to get the stuff back.

 

Mariner was filling out his Customs form when her heard a wail from across the cabin. Mrs. M was watching a Carnival and a Celebrity ship heading south. "We should be going that way," she sniffed.

 

The crew is also saying they're hearing rumors that we'll be staying aboard. Mariner would need a new wardrobe were that true. The trousers are getting a bit tight around the seams.

 

The cruise isn't over yet and Mariner deserves one more swim and visit to the spa before they strip him of his spa pass. Sigh!

 

Mrs. M has a chicken schnitzel sandwich for lunch today and admonished me for not writing about her wonderful turkey teriaki sandwich yesterday. Mariner had swordfish for lunch today and an insanely tasty Mango with Sticky Thai Rice Pudding yesterday. He's sticking with ice cream in Seabourn Square today.

 

The Epicurean event featured proscuitto carved off the shank, sushi, paper thin slivers of salmon and caviar. Mariner decided to order some caviar with his cocktail before dinnner. Claudia has told Mariner he can expect it at the same time each night. Why didn't Mariner start this tradition sooner?

 

Mariner and Mrs. M headed to The Club last night and it was a packed house. A group of Brazilian women have adopted Mrs. M as a dance partner when Mariner sits one out.

 

Tonight, there will be hors ds in the show lounge, where the Academy Awards broadcast will be presented. We'll pass on that because the true stars are the crew of SEABOURN SOJOURN.

 

Bart, an assistant maitre d, insisted last night that we allow him to order a special meal for our last evening. "Whatever you want," he said. So it will be lobster cocktail, Caesar salad, Dover sole and chocolate souffles!

 

Someone once said (Mariner guesses it was a captain), that cruise ships are great except the cargo talks. Roughly half of the 430 aboard are from the US. The rest are from all corners of the globe and we've enjoyed meeting new friends from the UK, Germany and Brazil along with our fellow Americans. The ages range from 14 months to 39 (at least that's the answer they're sticking with).

 

Withdrawl from this cruise will be worse than others.

 

SOJOURN is just a wonderful ship. She feels spacious and rides well even in bumpy seas, of which we've had only a very few. There's so little vibration in the stern. The Scandanavian decor reminds us of a country club or yacht club. And we get our excercise taking the stairs without feeling the need for a blast of oxygen along the way like on larger ships.

 

SOJOURN would not have been considered a small ship in the 1960s and 1970s. She weighs more than such stalwarts as OCEANIC and KUNGSHOLM, both of which Mariner had sailed.

 

Her casino is quiet, even when busy. No clang-clang-clank, whoop whoop whoop, ching, ching, ching from the slots.

 

She glows in the sun and the crew keeps her spotless.

 

We filled out the guest survey today. Mercfilly short and to the point. Ten seemed too low. And thankfully there was no disembarkation talk. Jeez, we must be adults who can read a simple set of instructions.

 

We are sorry to see SOJOURN will be headed for South America and longer cruises next year. The smaller sisters will be offering Caribbean cruises. But 7 days just isn't long enough. Neither is 10, but we do have to work sometime.

 

Mrs. M has told Mariner she doesn't think she could ever cruise another line again. Mariner agrees it would be difficult having to sign for drinks, hearing announcements and having meals that lack creativity.

 

Ste. Michelle, we expect to be docked by 7 a.m. Please accept our very best for a Bon Voyage!

 

Mariner and Mrs. M won't be going home for a few more days. We'll soak up the Florida sunshine. And in the final days of winter, we'll return here to the boards to remember those wonderful days on SOJOURN.

 

Mariner is getting ready to having to sign for his cocktails tomorrow night as we watch SOJOURN sail. And Mrs. M knows she won't be getting tapas or caviar with those drinks.

 

Meanwhile, Mariner has just realized the captain is Norwegian. Mariner must go in search of Aquavit! Skaald!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
MARIANH

MARIANH

Posted
Posted
I wish I could say they were regularly available on the Odyssey from LA to Sydney but once a week was about the most we saw them!

 

 

RHN - I think the reason Seabourn served Nigerian Shrimp only once a week may have been because they are Shellfish.:eek:

Link to comment
Share on other sites
fairbourne

fairbourne

Posted
Posted

Mrs M - Thank you for sparing your DH to send us these witty, interesting and entertaining posts - mind you anything sometimes for a few minutes peace eh? LOL!;)

 

Mariner - Seriously thank you for sharing your wonderful trip with Mrs M with us - you brought it to life. Safe journey home. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
LEESRE

LEESRE

Posted
Posted

May I echo that, I have really enjoyed the ramblings of you and Mrs M. We have just over two months to go for our cruise on Quest. This will be our fourth cruise with Seabourn and like you don't want to sail other lines.

 

Safe trip home!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
mariner

mariner

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Arrived home today.

 

You want wit?

 

BLAH!

 

Mariner must convey this story. While in Ft. Lauderdale after getting off ship, Mariner and Mrs. M walked to one of their favorite haunts for tropical drinks and lunch. We schelpped it in the sun, no shade, about a mile.

 

When we reached the place, it dawned on Mariner after 10 days aboard SOJOURN and not signing for one thing, he didn't have his wallet on him. Nor did Mrs. M bring her pocketbook.

 

As the saying goes, ship happens.

 

Peaches you were more than correct. HAL would be a hard nut to swallow. In his onboard survey, Mariner noted Seabourn Square was better than the Neptune Lounge. That about says it all.

 

Thanks to all here for helpful hints before boarding. Mrs. M misses her mirror and the dressing table (even though her's at home is thrice the size). And Mariner doesn't understand why his dresser drawers don't open when he pushes them.

 

Mariner can just sit here and savor Ste. Michelle's Rock the Boat party and he quakes in his robe.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • Hurricane Zone 2024
      • Cruise Insurance Q&A w/ Steve Dasseos of Tripinsurancestore.com June 2024
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...