Seabourn Odyssey 28 April 2013 Review

[English Tim]

The Ship and the Seabourn Experience

 

Restaurants

 

There were two main choices for breakfast, the main dining room, which we didn’t use, and the Colonnade buffet, with a section of outdoor (covered) seating, which we used every day. A full room service menu was always available, but again we didn’t use it. I mostly had fresh fruit, yoghurt, smoothies, fresh orange juice and coffee, but occasionally had pancakes or an omelette, which were cooked to order. After a while I learned that coffee could also be ordered in a ‘French Press’ or Cafitierre. Not once did I have a fried breakfast, so why did I put on so much weight!

 

Speciality coffees, milkshakes, ice-creams and pastries / snacks could also be collected from Seabourn Square on deck 7. I often found it convenient to have a to-go coffee and occasionally a pastry, sandwich or ice-cream.

 

I believe some sort of breakfast was available in the Observation Lounge, on deck 10, but we never discovered it.

 

Lunch was available in the main restaurant, Colonnades or the Lido Grill. Many people were ashore during standard lunch times, so ate at the grill, which provided a variety of salads, burgers, etc and occasionally some ‘themed’ fayre.

 

If eating at Colonnade buffet, best not to order cocktails when thirsty as they have to be brought from elsewhere.

 

Afternoon tea, including scones jam and cream, can be enjoyed in the Observation lounge, but we seldom partook.

 

Dinner was again available in the three main locations, plus room service. Additionally Restaurant 2 provided an excellent tasting menu, with suggested wines. We only went there once, on the first night and were served by the excellent Trine. It was essential to book and may well have been fully booked.

 

Service in the main restaurant could be extremely slow, which I believe is due to insufficient staff, as they all work extremely hard. Wine service was so slow one night that I complained – it was always very fast subsequently – sometimes so much so, that with the slow food service, it was easy to get tipsy!

 

Bar Service

 

There were many bars, but we spent most of our time at the pool bar, as fortunately the weather was excellent and particularly after fitness classes it was great to sit in the hot tubs drinking refreshing cocktails. I particularly enjoyed “BBC’s” and latterly “Mudslides”, both highly fattening but delicious. They contain a large amount of Baileys Liquer.

 

We also enjoyed a pre-dinner drink in the Observation Lounge, where magnificent sunsets were eagerly awaited, but sadly clouds often appeared at this time. Canapes were provided and champagne was most people’s favourite pre-dinner drink.

 

Most social event were held in the lounges on decks 5 & 6, but bar service could be slow at these events.

 

Soft drinks were often left in locations, like the sports deck, where service may have been less frequent.

 

Entertainment

 

We were disappointed with the entertainment, but didn’t expect too much, as we perceived Seabourn customers to prefer to sit in a lounge after dinner, enjoying brandy and coffee.

 

There were some excellent singers and dancers, but other options were limited.

 

On one night we were entertained by an English comedian, but we weren't over impressed. On another night he shared the stage with a vocalist, but I didn't take to either. However, my wife thought the vocalist was good. They were both temporary acts, as opposed to the regular on-board entertainers.

 

Martin Daniels, son of famous UK magician Paul, also entertained and he was warmly received.

 

There wasn't much other entertainment, but the port lectures were good, as were some of the lectures by guest speakers

 

Shore Excursions

 

We avoided most organized trips, as we prefer to save money and do our own ‘thing’! Bearing in mind that there were only 450 passengers, the tendering operation was often poor and it was also disappointing to have to tender in ports where we could have docked, had enough pre-planning been done.

 

Crew

 

The crew were on the whole, exceptional. They were kind, helpful, enthusiastic and polite and certainly made a difference.

 

Smoking

 

We were fore-warned about issues with smokers, but fortunately we were pleasantly surprised, as we hardly noticed any smoke, apart from the Greek BBQ’s on Easter Sunday!

 

Conclusion

 

We would definitely cruise with Seabourn again and paid a deposit, for a future booking, but the price will have to be right. We need to try the competition to have a better idea of who suits us best. They need to have greater control of what happens pre and post cruise, when passengers have bought a Seabourn package - the 6* experience needs to include everything from being met at the airport to being left on the return.

[Esprit]

Thanks again Tim

 

I must admit to have been very keen to try Seabourn and read everything with rose tinted glasses but now I'm luke warm to the idea. Whilst my wife and I like socialising, we like to dance too, but I'm getting the impression that beyond 11 pm it becomes a ghost ship. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

Cheers

Peter

[English Tim]

Thanks again Tim

 

I must admit to have been very keen to try Seabourn and read everything with rose tinted glasses but now I'm luke warm to the idea. Whilst my wife and I like socialising, we like to dance too, but I'm getting the impression that beyond 11 pm it becomes a ghost ship. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

Cheers

Peter

 

I was rarely up after 11pm as the cruise was port intensive and we're not much in to dancing, but I believe you are correct, as the vast majority of passengers like to retire, as soon as the show finishes (11pm) if not before.

 

I'd say that most people were happy to have a leisurely dinner, watch the show and retire and I can't see that changing, whatever the itinerary.

[zorro90068]

Thanks again Tim

 

I must admit to have been very keen to try Seabourn and read everything with rose tinted glasses but now I'm luke warm to the idea. Whilst my wife and I like socialising, we like to dance too, but I'm getting the impression that beyond 11 pm it becomes a ghost ship. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

Cheers

Peter

 

Peter your not wrong....on the Odyssey several times this year and after 11:00pm was more or less a morgue!....the Club occasionally got some action up to 1:00am....but in general everything tucked away night nite after 11:00pm.

[English Tim]

Peter your not wrong....on the Odyssey several times this year and after 11:00pm was more or less a morgue!....the Club occasionally got some action up to 1:00am....but in general everything tucked away night nite after 11:00pm.

 

I suppose it reduces costs if everyone is encouraged to retire early.

 

Most ships encourage guests to stay up, as bar revenue tends to rapidly increase late evening.;)

[Roxburgh]

Peter your not wrong....on the Odyssey several times this year and after 11:00pm was more or less a morgue!....the Club occasionally got some action up to 1:00am....but in general everything tucked away night nite after 11:00pm.

 

I think it depends on the demographics of the cruise, destination and time of year. When we cruised with Odyssey in the Caribbean, there was quite a lively post-show club scene. Other cruises, much less so.

[Esprit]

I think it depends on the demographics of the cruise, destination and time of year. When we cruised with Odyssey in the Caribbean, there was quite a lively post-show club scene. Other cruises, much less so.

 

I was seriously considering a Med' cruise on Quest sailing 18 July from Athens to Marsailles. I even had the flights and pre stay hotel planned out.

 

We're night owls but would like to be on a ship with an active night life at least until midnight with some dancing to say a live small band in a cosy lounge (hence our numerous Princess cruises over other lines).

 

Thanks to Tim and others who contribute to this forum you can make informed decisions, but I'm still undecided!

[wripro]

It's probably a real tradeoff. Most ships with a lot of nightlife are not the luxury lines. So if that'a a priority for you you should look at mass market ships where those options are more available.

[Chairsin]

Tim,

I enjoyed your port info on a few places we have not visited but may do so next year. It was especially helpful since my husband and I also like to go off on our own and hike or wander around. Glad you had a good cruise.

[Sweetpea711423]

Monday, 29 April 2013

 

Sorrento

 

Up early aiming to depart at 08.00 for Sorrento and Capri, but we couldn’t get an early tender, due to departing tour parties and instead opted for a trip on a local bus, followed by a walking tour. We went to the railway / bus station and found a bus which took one of the many scenic routes along the rugged coastline, walked around a little and then returned on the same bus. We walked around Sorrento, including the magnificent cathedral,

 

 

before returning to the ship for lunch and sunbathing.

 

 

We returned for lunch at 1pm, reading for my exercise class on the Kinesis Wall.

 

Rosy spent afternoon on balcony, taking in warm sunshine, whilst I typed start of review.

 

I went to my first Kinesis class - a core stability exercise program using pulleys and weights. It was a very rewarding program and Rick, the instructor from Holland, was a credit to his profession.

 

Spent some quality time with Rosy in the hot tub, drinking cocktails. The waiters will even come round and refresh your drinks!

 

 

Dinner in main restaurant, preceded by cocktails in Observation lounge.

 

Had dinner with a younger couple, who live in Manhattan. They are both travel journalists and Seabourn have sponsored their cruise, so that they can write a blog, detailing their cruise experience.

 

 

The top picture in Sorrento is amazing. Could you tell me where it is from? I would love to see it some day. Many thanks!

[English Tim]

The top picture in Sorrento is amazing. Could you tell me where it is from? I would love to see it some day. Many thanks!

 

It's in the Cathedral, which is easy to find.

[Esprit]

It's probably a real tradeoff. Most ships with a lot of nightlife are not the luxury lines. So if that'a a priority for you you should look at mass market ships where those options are more available.

 

That's true.

 

If only Seabourn could have cruises to say Alaska with heli-ski excursions to mountains for you to make fresh tracks in knee high off piste powder snow. That would be a happy tradeoff for the nightlife in the lap of luxury.

[Grandma Gilly]

Thank you. I really enjoyed your travelogue and review. We booked a Seabourn cruise today. We decided on the Sojourn over Azamara Quest. I will be interested to read your next review.

[cruising kirby]

Thank you for taking the time to post your review and including wonderful photos! I am on my first Seabourn cruise in a few months and it will be on the Odyssey. We will be visiting some of the ports included in your itinerary, so your comments on getting around are much appreciated. Thanks again for your review!

[jrmuk]

I was seriously considering a Med' cruise on Quest sailing 18 July from Athens to Marsailles. I even had the flights and pre stay hotel planned out.

 

We're night owls but would like to be on a ship with an active night life at least until midnight with some dancing to say a live small band in a cosy lounge (hence our numerous Princess cruises over other lines).

 

Thanks to Tim and others who contribute to this forum you can make informed decisions, but I'm still undecided!

 

We've only sailed with Seabourn three times, on the first two Odyssey cruises there was live music in the club until around 2am, on the third cruise aboard the Spirit they were quick to close, one night my wife and I went to the bathrooms around midnight and when we returned they were tidying their things away, the lead singer said "oh! we thought you guys had gone to bed" but they didn't unpack they just up and left.

 

We are real night owls and regularly stayed up until 3am on the second of our Odyssey cruises as it was a crossing so with the time difference and no need to be up early the club was quite busy right up to closing time.

 

We are booked on the Quest 18 July cruise so if you do decide to book you won't be alone in the club after midnight.:)

[ab21au]

Thanks for the posts and glad you had a good time. I was interested in your comments about the Kinesis wall and classes, it sounded good in the SB brochure and from your comments it is good. We are into regular exercise and Pilates so will need to be visiting the Kinesis wall with all the eating and drinking. Sounds like you guys also did lots of walking/hiking in ports which wound have been great, particularly in new places/ports. (Only about 100 days till we go)

Edited May 18, 2013 by ab21au

[Sweetpea711423]

It's in the Cathedral, which is easy to find.

 

 

Many thanks!

[cruiseclues]

Thank you so much for doing a Seabourn Odyssey Photo review...found it very interesting and entertaining. :):):):)

[joyous]

Thanks for the review We are considering a Seabourn cruise after having one many years ago on the Sun. The pictures are beautiful. Hope you get another chance at Malta and Mdina someday as they are so very interesting. I have a small watercolor of a street in Mdina on the wall so I think of Malta often. joyous

[PhillyGirl2]

Thank you so much, so interesting to read of your experiences and the pictures are great!