Live from Kobe to Vancouver May/June 2019

[frantic36]

Thank you SLSD for that very well done summation and comparison of the two ships. Having sailed both I think you did an excellent job, especially because you explained your preference for areas of one ship to the other. That supplies context and I think will be helpful for others when they think about what is important to them. 

 

Because we enjoy use of the Club on the Odyssey class it was jarring for us the change on Encore, though we did think Ovation was definitely an improvement over Encore. So we are much happier sailing Ovation to Encore. I also think Obs Bar is nicer on the bigger ships.

 

 

 

 

[Isklaar]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts about your cruise and your comparison of the O class ships versus the new ships. 

 

On the subject of crowdedness, I do not think that you would find the O class ships crowded on a warm weather cruise. I understand your perspective on this, having taken a cooler weather cruise on Quest and for the first time on Seabourn I did feel a little crowded in. The majority of our cruises on O class ships have been when the ship's guest number was at full capacity and except for the Quest cruise  the ship always felt spacious and uncrowded. 

 

Thank you again, it's been a delight to 'travel with you' and I've very much enjoyed your photos and writing.

[Catlover54]

Thank you for all your hard work on this blog, SLSD, especially the comparisons between small ship style Sojourn and the bigger ship style (I have been avoiding the bigger SB ships as they sounded a little too much like mainstream lines so far but may reconsider for the right itinerary).  It sounds like you discovered the benefits of having nice SB suites to stay in during down times and avoiding crowded public areas then. On cold weather sea days due to crowded SB Square, DH and I also prefer hanging out in our comfortable suite on deck 6 like you and watching the water go by, after first forcing him to the fitness centre while I luxuriated with a bubble-bath (it's only fair, as I'm the one with the chronic musculoskeletal problems).  Then we would organize and edit his pictures and I would do my blog drafts off-line to complement them and be ready for posted when there would be better internet access.  We also appreciated lunch in the calm MDR, as you did, rather than the loud and busy Colonnade buffet  (when MDR lunch was offered).

 

I feel for you on the sequential flight cancellations, made especially bad while ill. Welcome to the "flight cancelled due to bird damage" club (I became a member two years ago after an until-then perfect  cruise, which then required an overnight in a hotel that was not nearly as nice as the one you were in through AA).  Have had two more cancelled flights requiring overnights since then, as they are indeed increasing in frequency.  Our last trip last month we were  lucky as our only problem was temporarily missing luggage (only 1 day delay), so I felt fortunate.

 

What is your next trip?

 

[galeforce9]

Thanks so much for all your reports, which I’ve really enjoyed.   I hope you are fighting fit soon and can begin planning another adventure! 

[SLSD]

17 hours ago, frantic36 said:

SLSD I am sorry to hear you are unwell and hope you are back to full health soon. That would have been so difficult coping with flight cancellations while feeling sick. 

 

Thank you for your further updates and I look forward to hearing your comparison between the Odyssey Class and the Encore Class. 

 

Julie

 

[SLSD]

Thank you Cataloger and Galeforce.  I am back among the living and was able to go out for a late lunch today and then to check on my elderly mother.  

 

When is our next trip?  My husband is already asking me that question.  Later this summer we are taking our 10 year old grandson on a trip (not quite sure where yet) and after that, we'll start planning our next cruise.  I'm one of those who is concerned about being jaded, so it won't be for another year or so.  I marvel at those of you (and others we met) who cruise very frequently.  I'm just afraid the experience would cease to be as special--and I don't want that to happen. 

 

We're thinking about an Adriatic cruise.  So---I welcome any and all advice about which month to travel and which ports to look for.  

 

 

[Fletcher]

6 hours ago, SLSD said:

We're thinking about an Adriatic cruise.  So---I welcome any and all advice about which month to travel and which ports to look for.  

 

 

The Adriatic has fallen victim to over-tourism.  I've been reading about the horror show of Dubrovnik, Kotor and, further afield, Santorini.  The problems at Venice are well known.  There are simply too many people, too many ships etc.  Three or four years ago I did a lovely cruise on a 100-passenger expedition ship (Corinthian) to this area and had a great time and only twice ran into tourist hordes - at Dubrovnik and Kotor.  The sail-ins and sail-outs were the highlights in those places.

 

I'd say the best months are November and January but it's probably hard to find a ship at that time.  I've done hotel-based trips to this area in the winter - Venice especially - and had a fabulous time.  But if you insist on a cruise find one that goes in May-June or late Sept-Oct.  Try also to find an itinerary that includes Albania and Montenegro.

 

Thanks for all your work on the Kobe-Canada trip.  I've enjoyed following you.

 

 

Edited June 16, 2019 by Fletcher

[SLSD]

I am very aware of the over tourism in the area Fletcher, but thank you for your confirmation.  I do some a October/November itinerary from SB.  But, even then, we should probably be wary.  

[rols]

7 hours ago, Fletcher said:

The Adriatic has fallen victim to over-tourism.  I've been reading about the horror show of Dubrovnik, Kotor and, further afield, Santorini.  The problems at Venice are well known.  There are simply too many people, too many ships etc.  Three or four years ago I did a lovely cruise on a 100-passenger expedition ship (Corinthian) to this area and had a great time and only twice ran into tourist hordes - at Dubrovnik and Kotor.  The sail-ins and sail-outs were the highlights in those places.

 

Fletcher: I wish what you had written was not true but unfortunately it is. We visited both Santorini and Dubrovnik on a fairly recent cruise, in summer, and they were teeming with people. Santorini, we gave up and went back to the ship, Dubrovnik we did spend a few hours but we spent most of those trying to find a place with fewer people and no cafe spread out across the pavement. Unfortunately tourism is business and business tends to displace culture and charm. I first went to Rhodes, for instance, as a student 30 years ago, it was charming, now it's 20 euro coffee shops as far as the eye can see. 

 

These are however places worth visiting and often worth going. Eschew the overpriced restaurants (I believe in supporting local businesses but not those set up in high rent districts to entrap any and all passing tourists) and head for the bits of town which are still sort of normal. We found some lovely parts of Dubrovnik, had to walk a while mostly uphill but they were there. 

[jenidallas]

We were In Dubrovnik, Kotor, Mykonos, etc. this last fall on Ovation on the sailing that departed Venice (for Athens) in early November.  We were a little on the chilly/rainy side at the start of the cruise but the heavy crowds were gone.  The only downside was that we were one of the last (or very last) ships of the season in several  ports so some of the charm was already gone as businesses were closing up.  

 

In Rhodes, we did get some great bargains on jewelry as the shops were about to close for the season within the hours that our ship was leaving (and several shut down while we were walking down the street).  

 

In Mykonos, about 60% of the old town was already shuttered.  When we stopped for lunch, they were loading the tables and chairs around us on the terrace up and loading them on a truck bound for storage.  By the time we finished, we were the only table and two chairs left and they had that furniture out of the restaurant before we made it back to the entrance!

 

Some of my best trips to the Mediterranean have been between October and March... but that becomes an air/train adventure in lieu of a cruise.

 

[jenidallas]

And thank you for sharing the details of this itinerary with us.  We considered this itinerary for this year but timing didn’t quite sync with work projects.  My interest is definitely piqued for future sailings as I think it is one we would quite enjoy, particularly as we love sea days and transoceanic travel.

Edited June 16, 2019 by jenidallas

[SLSD]

My travel agent requested a report from our trip and here is what I sent her:

 

 

C_____, I apologize for not responding sooner.  I became ill upon arriving home and I am just now getting around to answering emails. 

 

We had a great trip.  Seabourn did everything right, as usual.  

 

Just to recap especially the items you helped us with so that you will know how they turned out. 

 

1.  Hyatt Regency Hotel in Kyoto---What a fine hotel!  Seriously, this was a wonderful hotel in every way.  There were quite a few other Seabourn passengers staying there and they all heartily agreed with us on this issue.  What made it so great?  First, the staff was first rate and seamlessly helpful in every way.  Second, our room was very very nice.  I believe that we were in the Annex--which may be a newer part of the hotel.  Our room was fresh and new looking and extremely comfortable AND stylish.  It had Japanese flair in terms of design, but was very easy to navigate.  Everything about the room (light switches, bathroom, etc) was very intuitive.  The bathroom was a pretty Japanese style bathroom, but still familiar for Westerners.  

 

The hotel served an outstanding breakfast buffet which we enjoyed every day of our stay.  Lots of choices and everything was delicious.  The hotel also had an outstanding bar.  Each of the nights we are at the hotel, we ate small plates in the bar for our dinner.  That suited us just right as we were tired from touring the city.  The bar was lovely with a very innovative decor utilizing local Japanese artifacts.  The service was great---as was the food.  We had things like sliders for our dinner and it was plenty. 

 

The hotel offered a complimentary Geisha traditional dance performance every evening at 6:15.  This was well attended and very well done.  Sparkling wine was served to everyone--also complimentary.  

 

The transfers arranged by the hotel were perfectly executed.  The drivers spoke enough English to talk to us about what we were seeing and they were very professional. 

 

We were very pleased with Chris Rowthorn tours.  We had a private guide each day who spoke perfect English and knew the city well.  I am certain we saw all the high spots of the city!  We saw many Buddhist Temples and Shinto Shrines, learned a great deal about Japanese culture and enjoyed lunches out with our guides to very nice restaurants with delicious Japanese food.  On the second day, our guide asked if we would like to deviate from our plan and attend a once a year festival (this was after seeing quite a few planned sights with her).  We said yes--and we were in for a treat.  It was the Hollyhock festival which goes back 14 centuries!  There were flower festooned floats, people on horseback and in costume.  We got to make wishes at the Shinto Shrine attached to the festival and view the festival along with many local people.  Very memorable. 

 

2.  The cruise---Our OB (guaranteed veranda) room worked out very well.  On the O class ships, 621 is a great room.  It is midship toward the bow, easy walking to the Grand Salon for lectures and evening shows and just around the corner from the elevator bank.  We heard no noise whatsoever from the elevators and enjoyed easy access to all parts of the ship. 

 

We were pleased with all of our chosen excursions (our Prince Rupert excursion was cancelled).  In Aomori, the museum with festival floats is spectacular and certainly a must see in that port.  In Otaru, we visited a herring magnates 1920s villa and enjoyed a lovely and delicious lunch in the attached restaurant.  Such a pretty tray of food on pottery and glass dishes.  We recommend that tour.  

 

Our Kamchatka tour, the "Exotic Picnic" was a real surprise and most unusual. We are still talking about it!  It was a rustic picnic 30 miles out from the city of Petroplavsk.  We went to an rural area where a 70 year old herbalist lives.  He is a specialist in the edible plants of the area.  We were treated to lunch (in a tent) that was delicious and made from local plants.  He also smoked Coho salmon for us (on the spot) on an open fire in a homemade tin pan with a lid.  The tent had a smoke hole at the top and there was an open campfire in the tent!  There were many rounds of vodka toasts.  His vodka was mixed with what he called an "herbal bomb".  We were also served tea---a tea made from local tree fungus served with Russian tea cookies.  What an excursion.  We loved it.  About half of the people loved it and the other half did not.  I've learned that people have different perceptions and expectations.  I'm telling you about it in case you ever have another client who goes this route and has the opportunity.  The area where the picnic was held is very rustic--by a lake.  There are shacks which are not attractive and piles of refuse.  It was quite the excursion!

 

We found the five days of crossing the Bering Sea to be a challenge---cold rainy weather and rough seas!  The other passengers were mostly older than we are (a number in their 80s and 90s!)  The lectures Seabourn provided were outstanding and saved those days.  The food was great. 

 

In Alaska, we were met (not surprisingly) with more rain and cold weather.  We enjoyed the waterfront tour in Kodiak.  It was fairly basic, but the guide was from the Maritime Museum and was able to give us a lot of information on what it is like to be a fisherman (she had been one) and what it is like to live in Kodiak.  We learned about survival suits and their importance and about the dangers of commercial fishing.  The tour also included a trip to the Maritime Museum which had some excellent exhibits including a touch tank where you could touch starfish and sea anemone and pick them up if you wanted to do that. 

 

Our captain added the port of Juneau to our itinerary.  J____ and I went on a canoeing expedition there.  We were able to canoe up to a glacier and into a cascade.  What a thrill. Very memorable. 

 

In Wrangell, we each caught a salmon (thrown back as the season didn't start until June 15).  Our guide was good and patiently took us to six different areas until he found an area where the fish were biting.  

 

Ketchikan is quite a tourist circus (Seabourn's words) but we enjoyed walking around.  It is a town which has been prettified for tourists.  We loved our excursion which took us by catamaran into the George Inlet to view whale and bald eagle.  We also got to watch a crab pot being pulled up, learned about crabs and had a very good crab lunch at the George Inlet Lodge.  We also recommend this excursion. 

 

St. Rupert is a very low key port.  Since our excursion was cancelled, we walked around and took in the Sunken Garden and the Museum of North British Columbia---both worth seeing and a very short walk from the ship. 

 

My only complaint about shore excursions taken through Seabourn is that a few of them were too large (up to 32 people or so.) Others ranged from 17 to 25 people and of course there were only four of us on the chartered fishing expedition.  

 

We disembarked in Vancouver without incident and loved your recommended hotel , L'Hermitage.  The rooms are quite luxurious (pretty furniture, great sheets, etc.) We were upgraded to a room with a fireplace (gas or vapor, not real fire).  The bathroom was lovely.  The lounge for the hotel serves tea, serves wine and liquors and has a short menu.  Since I wasn't feeling well, we stayed at the hotel and did not really venture out.  The food at the hotel was fine (things like soup and salad, turkey club sandwiches, etc).  The hotel was able to put us in a room by 11am in the morning--and we didn't even have to make that request.  

Edited June 16, 2019 by SLSD

[SLSD]

Thanks Jenidallas for your report.  Even though we are not shoppers when we travel, it would be a shame if everything was closed up.  I wonder if an October itinerary would work.  I think that there as some of those.  

[jenidallas]

4 hours ago, SLSD said:

Even though we are not shoppers when we travel, it would be a shame if everything was closed up.

 

We typically aren’t either.  I think my honeymoon was working to my advantage as my husband felt it necessary to procure any piece of jewelry my attention lingered a bit too long upon.  (Except, thankfully, the $60k necklace I managed to try on in the shop onboard... needless to say, I stayed far away from the shops after that! There are many things I’d enjoy far more than that!)

[BuckGood]

Thank you SLSD for this Great Vlog as we have just booked the Sojourn for the final Alaska Cruise of the season, 12 night Vancouver RT In September. We have never sailed on Seabourn so we are Very excited! We just Love small ships! 

Scott

[Mahogany]

Add my thanks SLSD for such an informative description. I am traveling on Silversea Muse in September from Seward to Tokyo. I've always wanted to visit Kamchatka peninsula, and this cruise originating in Seward is perfect since I've been to Alaska 4 times and didn't want to repeat the inland passage run. I will be going west, so hopefully the frequent time changes will work better that direction. Of course, we lose a day - don't ask me to figure out those time changes!

 

I am going on a long Quest voyage after she leaves Antarctica in March. I have been on Encore twice and Ovation once, so I enjoyed your comparisons of the different ship classes.   I am going to miss the TK bar, my go-to bar for a pre-dinner cocktail, especially if Diogo is bartending.

[SLSD]

Mahogany, Look closely at my photos from Kamchatka and the "Exotic Picnic".  If you think this might appeal  to you, go for it!  It was not everyone's cup of tea, but we loved it.  Get ready for something a bit offbeat and unexpected.