margbem Posted December 7, 2016 #26 Share Posted December 7, 2016 Thank you Able Seaman H, for your time and trouble. Fantastic to see the new ship. Have a great holiday! Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wripro Posted December 7, 2016 #27 Share Posted December 7, 2016 Thank you so much for these great photos, Henry. They are certainly whetting my appetite on many levels. Henry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lincslady Posted December 7, 2016 #28 Share Posted December 7, 2016 Host Dan - on second thoughts, it is good to have both Henry and ?Kevin having their own threads, which I guess they prefer. Two slightly different points of view for us to see. And Henry's photos are brilliant, really bring the ship to life for everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Luxury Posted December 7, 2016 #29 Share Posted December 7, 2016 Henry,many thanks for your time and effort with the piccies. I like the restaurant and its chapel like ceiling and really love the feel and quality of the rear entrance to the restaurant,Encore really is streets ahead in quality and finish from the Odyssey class ships. Hope Sharon is well and that you are both enjoying your break. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eliana Posted December 7, 2016 #30 Share Posted December 7, 2016 Is the reason for two showtimes because the theatre cannot hold all the guests? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Luxury Posted December 7, 2016 #31 Share Posted December 7, 2016 An officer in reflective thought Looking for icebergs Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eliana Posted December 7, 2016 #32 Share Posted December 7, 2016 No, I think it's man overboard. Maybe it's TK as the officer does not seem too concerned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Able Seaman H Posted December 7, 2016 Author #33 Share Posted December 7, 2016 Host Dan - on second thoughts, it is good to have both Henry and ?Kevin having their own threads, which I guess they prefer. Two slightly different points of view for us to see. And Henry's photos are brilliant, really bring the ship to life for everyone. It would be extremely rude to hijack someone else's thread and post my thoughts. We are two different people each with our own agenda and that's great, it allows viewers to see two views and make their own mind up. Inevitably there will be cross over but you have to let us express ourselves. There is a significant investment in time to post. Henry :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Able Seaman H Posted December 7, 2016 Author #34 Share Posted December 7, 2016 Henry,many thanks for your time and effort with the piccies.I like the restaurant and its chapel like ceiling and really love the feel and quality of the rear entrance to the restaurant,Encore really is streets ahead in quality and finish from the Odyssey class ships. Hope Sharon is well and that you are both enjoying your break. Sent from my iPad using Forums The restaurant works well. A very different feel. Actually quite hard to photograph, I haven't managed to take a perfect picture yet. I have passed on your kind words to Mrs Able Seaman H :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfvoyage Posted December 7, 2016 #35 Share Posted December 7, 2016 (edited) It would be extremely rude to hijack someone else's thread and post my thoughts. We are two different people each with our own agenda and that's great, it allows viewers to see two views and make their own mind up. Inevitably there will be cross over but you have to let us express ourselves. There is a significant investment in time to post. Henry :) I agree wholeheartedly. While it makes sense to combine some minor and misc. related threads, auteur-level threads with personal stories and photos, such as yours, should not be tampered with. BTW, are you a champagne drinker? Is Nicolas Feuillatte still being poured on Encore? (A while back there were some threads about its replacement by Bollinger, effective with the Encore rollout. I had since been told, recently on board the Quest, that Bollinger is not happening, but Taittinger will be the replacement. However, friends currently on the Quest are reporting that Taittinger contract has not been signed, and no decision has been made about the replacement - when and what with...) Edited December 7, 2016 by sfvoyage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koalapanda Posted December 8, 2016 #36 Share Posted December 8, 2016 (edited) Thank you Henry, beautiful photography. Seeing familiar faces is so nice. The Dining room is much improved. Your photos are very enticing. Chairsin I agree totally, having Jes as the Chef onboard who wouldn't be lured. Enjoy your Cruise Henry. Edited December 8, 2016 by koalapanda hiccup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Able Seaman H Posted December 8, 2016 Author #37 Share Posted December 8, 2016 BTW, are you a champagne drinker? Is Nicolas Feuillatte still being poured on Encore? (A while back there were some threads about its replacement by Bollinger, effective with the Encore rollout. I had since been told, recently on board the Quest, that Bollinger is not happening, but Taittinger will be the replacement. However, friends currently on the Quest are reporting that Taittinger contract has not been signed, and no decision has been made about the replacement - when and what with...) I can confirm that Feuillatte is still the inclusive champagne served. I find it a bit acidic for my taste but as a non champagne drinker my views shouldn't be taken too seriously. What I did try last night in the TK Grill was a lovely 2013 Californian Chardonnay called Vine Cliff . A large glass set me back $7, about half what you would pay on Royal Caribbean for a glass of plonk. Wanting to go the extra mile for you guys I invested in a second glass just to make sure there was consistency across the cellar. Henry :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Able Seaman H Posted December 8, 2016 Author #38 Share Posted December 8, 2016 Thomas Keller on Seabourn Having read so much on here about TK I was almost dreading setting foot in the Grill restaurant. If all the posts were to be believed we were in for a night of horror. The setting is lovely, I'll post up some more photos throughout the cruise but for now a shot of the bar. Drinks at the bar were lovely and the whole ambience conducive to a pleasant evening. We ended up inviting people we had met previously to join us as they had struggled to get a table - actually they turned up on the wrong night. I ordered the crab cake. Unfortunately it was so good I forgot to photograph it until it was too late.... For main course we opted for the rack of lamb between two people. Simply superb accompanied with a selection of vegetables. In invested 7 of my American dollars in a generous sized glass of Vine Cliff Chardonnay. A wonderful buttery wine and dare I say it good value. So much so that one glass became two. For desert the chocolate layer cake attracted my attention It didn't disappoint. Given my experience with the truly superb TK lobster in the main restaurant the night before I'm going to have to question the somewhat negative way in which Thomas Keller food has been received on here. I'm sure there have teething problems as the project was developed but now here in all its glory with a dedicated restaurant I have nothing but positive words to say. I haven't experienced family dining in the Colonnade yet but am looking forward to. This forum offers great help and advice but I fear there are times where any change is seen in a dim light and people look too hard for fault. For me Thomas Keller is a great addition to the fleet. Henry :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oregon50 Posted December 8, 2016 #39 Share Posted December 8, 2016 Great photos! Versus Quest TK Grill, Encore room and food look like a gigantic step up. SB could not have come up with better photos to sell the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ct-andy Posted December 8, 2016 #40 Share Posted December 8, 2016 Great photos! Can't wait to board in Sydney. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Able Seaman H Posted December 8, 2016 Author #41 Share Posted December 8, 2016 I believe someone asked about the forward sun loungers on deck 12 Also notice the "wing" lounging areas either side of the Atrium glass on deck 11 Lounging pads forward of the main pool I have some better shots of the Retreat area including the menus of inclusive products which I will post up when I have a moment. Pre-dinner drinks beckon.... Henry :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradtarga34 Posted December 8, 2016 #42 Share Posted December 8, 2016 Thomas Keller on Seabourn Having read so much on here about TK I was almost dreading setting foot in the Grill restaurant. If all the posts were to be believed we were in for a night of horror. The setting is lovely, I'll post up some more photos throughout the cruise but for now a shot of the bar. Drinks at the bar were lovely and the whole ambience conducive to a pleasant evening. We ended up inviting people we had met previously to join us as they had struggled to get a table - actually they turned up on the wrong night. I ordered the crab cake. Unfortunately it was so good I forgot to photograph it until it was too late.... For main course we opted for the rack of lamb between two people. Simply superb accompanied with a selection of vegetables. In invested 7 of my American dollars in a generous sized glass of Vine Cliff Chardonnay. A wonderful buttery wine and dare I say it good value. So much so that one glass became two. For desert the chocolate layer cake attracted my attention It didn't disappoint. Given my experience with the truly superb TK lobster in the main restaurant the night before I'm going to have to question the somewhat negative way in which Thomas Keller food has been received on here. I'm sure there have teething problems as the project was developed but now here in all its glory with a dedicated restaurant I have nothing but positive words to say. I haven't experienced family dining in the Colonnade yet but am looking forward to. This forum offers great help and advice but I fear there are times where any change is seen in a dim light and people look too hard for fault. For me Thomas Keller is a great addition to the fleet. Henry :) Can you just get a drink at the Bar if you don't have a dinner reservation, thinking it might be an option for The Club as they seem to be struggling a bit with the new setup, and it also looks really nice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eliana Posted December 8, 2016 #43 Share Posted December 8, 2016 Another question for AbleSeaman. Is the Colonnade open in the evening for dinner other than the Ed hoc family ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Luxury Posted December 8, 2016 #44 Share Posted December 8, 2016 Thanks Henry Your dinner date looks rather nice perched on the bar stall. I thought that it was only you and me that improved with age [emoji6] Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hanoverian Posted December 8, 2016 #45 Share Posted December 8, 2016 Henry, thanks so much for your pictures and information. The Encore looks to be as beautiful as promised. I can hardly wait to set sail on her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Able Seaman H Posted December 8, 2016 Author #46 Share Posted December 8, 2016 Yes, you can use the TK bar for drinks. There is a very talented singer / pianist Katy Shotter (I think) who plays pre dinner and then again as service draws to an end. Colonnade, patio and Sushi all available for evening dinner (Patio weather permitting). It would seem we have competition Mr L. Henry :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Able Seaman H Posted December 8, 2016 Author #47 Share Posted December 8, 2016 As promised a bit more information on the retreat. Cost of entry is $350 per suite per day. One of the cabanas Looking across to the bar The bar A general overview Retreat cocktails menu Retreat food menu Time will tell how many people pay to play. I suspect there will be a number of complimentary passes use for loyal customers or to placate customers who have had problems. Henry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Able Seaman H Posted December 8, 2016 Author #48 Share Posted December 8, 2016 Drinks list, previous post had too many images Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suite Travels Posted December 9, 2016 #49 Share Posted December 9, 2016 Ok, I'm sold. This is where our OBC will be spent on sea days with a nice video or a good book or just listening to my music in a quiet zone. Our TA is very generous with OBC but we have a hard time spending it. We do our own tours and really never buy anything from the shops so this would be an added luxury to spend those credits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suite Travels Posted December 9, 2016 #50 Share Posted December 9, 2016 As promised a bit more information on the retreat. Cost of entry is $350 per suite per day. One of the cabanas Looking across to the bar The bar A general overview Retreat cocktails menu Retreat food menu Time will tell how many people pay to play. I suspect there will be a number of complimentary passes use for loyal customers or to placate customers who have had problems. Henry Do you think we are able to order Caviar? Are the appetizer's the only food option on the menu? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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