Live from Quest, Barcelona to Montreal, July 22 to August 29

[Mauzac]

So glad to hear you are enjoying your time in Portsmouth and Dover.

 

And wonderful that you can enjoy the cheerio party and actually be there soaking it all up! 

[kjbacon]

Yesterday was changeover day with most people disembarking so it was hectic and exciting. We are going to have to call the rest of this voyage The Reunion Tour. Our friends from Texas joined us and it was great to see them. Then, we were thrilled and surprised to see another couple that we sailed with back in 2016! Our Texas friends bumped into a couple they had sailed with last year so it was quite a day!!

 

The White Cliffs of Dover are gorgeous.

We took a taxi to Dover Castle and while it was not my favorite, the views were spectacular and the stained glass beautiful.

We have a new Cruise director, JP, and he seems great. The sail away party was absolutely fabulous and full of energy so I think we are in for a fantastic crossing. The expedition team spoke to us and we are all the more excited for zodiacs and kayaks and all kinds of nature.
 

Dinner in the restaurant was very good. Apps were a roasted pear and blue cheese salad and a smaller portion of the main dish mushroom cavatapi.

 

Main dishes were Filet Mignon and Lamb Chops, both good but we would like to see a little more variety.

Today, the Isle of Wight!

[markham]

It is wonderful to see the Quest underway again with appreciative passengers reconnecting after these couple or few years. 
 

When you have a moment please let me know who is the captain and hotel director. 
 

We are looking forward to joining Quest in a few months.

 

Happy and healthy sailing!

[travel4b]

We boarded yesterday in Dover. Here’s hoping things improve soon as it has been a series of missteps so far.  We were on the Ovation in November and Sojourn in June and all was great; not now!

[nancygp]

12 minutes ago, travel4b said:

We boarded yesterday in Dover. Here’s hoping things improve soon as it has been a series of missteps so far.  We were on the Ovation in November and Sojourn in June and all was great; not now!

What’s not great?

 

Nancy

[JodiandFrank]

We are boarding the Quest in Montreal so we are following this thread intently.  Sorry to hear so much Covid is on the Quest.  After evading the virus for over two years (mostly because we stayed home a great deal and always wore masks when out) we tested positive in June.  We luckily had very few symptoms other than fatigue.  I took Paxlovid (with no rebound Covid) and my husband did not, but we didn’t test negative until day ten.  We are boarding with two boxes of Paxlovid thanks to our having wonderful Doctors in Miami….and a box of Masks.  From this thread I have learned to skip the buffet and steer clear of anyone with cold symptoms (that we would do anyway!).  Hope those of you on board are having a wonderful time and remaining healthy!  See you in Montreal!!!

[Covepointcruiser]

Interesting your doctor gave you”just in case” Paxlovid.    I have tested positive but was told Paxlovid was too dangerous as it is experimental and you need to discontinue some lifesaving medications for two weeks, I.e. blood thinners and other heart medicines.    As long as you are handling the virus and fighting it on your own there is no reason for Paxlovid.    

[JodiandFrank]

6 hours ago, Covepointcruiser said:

Interesting your doctor gave you”just in case” Paxlovid.    I have tested positive but was told Paxlovid was too dangerous as it is experimental and you need to discontinue some lifesaving medications for two weeks, I.e. blood thinners and other heart medicines.    As long as you are handling the virus and fighting it on your own there is no reason for Paxlovid.    

Paxlovid is a game changer for immunocompromised people and many others.  Yes, you do need to go off of some medications and each individual, along with their doctor, should make that decision.  It might not have been right for you, but I feel more secure having it with me, “just incase”. 

[kjbacon]

For those of you who don’t like it when I give negative feedback about SB, please skip this post. Our shorex yesterday was a botched mess and it was because SB severely overbooked it. We were a group of 40 with one guide, touring a crowded mansion, single file, through narrow hallways. It was one of the very worst shorex we have ever done.

The Isle of Wight is a beautiful place and the Osbourne House is worthy of a visit.

Nude statues and paintings are everywhere so rethink the idea that they were quite too proper!

Dinner in the restaurant was very good last night. Apps were a shrimp spring roll and a beet with blue cheese salad.

Main courses were a beef duo and a combo plate of tortellini in corn sauce with seared scallops.

Today is a sea day with lots of fun and interesting activities ahead.

[markham]

Would someone on Quest please identify the names of the captain and hotel director?

 

Happy and healthy sailing!

[travel4b]

58 minutes ago, kjbacon said:

For those of you who don’t like it when I give negative feedback about SB, please skip this post. Our shorex yesterday was a botched mess and it was because SB severely overbooked it. We were a group of 40 with one guide, touring a crowded mansion, single file, through narrow hallways. It was one of the very worst shorex we have ever done.

The Isle of Wight is a beautiful place and the Osbourne House is worthy of a visit.

Nude statues and paintings are everywhere so rethink the idea that they were quite too proper!

Dinner in the restaurant was very good last night. Apps were a shrimp spring roll and a beet with blue cheese salad.

Main courses were a beef duo and a combo plate of tortellini in corn sauce with seared scallops.

Today is a sea day with lots of fun and interesting activities ahead.

We were on the shore excursion with you and couldn’t agree more. I loved Osborne but the tour was one hot mess for the reasons you listed.  

[dalliowner]

Go to the square and explain , we have done this before and the have reimbursed at least some of the costs.

[kjbacon]

1 hour ago, markham said:

Would someone on Quest please identify the names of the captain and hotel director?

 

Happy and healthy sailing!

I’m going to try to find that out for you today. I know the hotel director is Klaus but I don’t remember his last name or the captains name.

[markham]

Thank you for this. There are always changes to the people we know. We accept that things will continue to vary. Years ago there were more or less predictable Officer rotations, but not now or yet. And I guess that due to Covid the senior officers are less visible and in contact with the passengers.
 

Happy and healthy sailing!

[topkatz]

Captain is Sybe de Boer.

[Mr Luxury]

4 hours ago, markham said:

Thank you for this. There are always changes to the people we know. We accept that things will continue to vary. Years ago there were more or less predictable Officer rotations, but not now or yet. And I guess that due to Covid the senior officers are less visible and in contact with the passengers.
 

Happy and healthy sailing!

Hi Markham,

Just got on Encore 

No Captain's dinner or hosted tables due to covid.

Bozi is Hotel Director and we are sorry not to be able to have dinner with him.

All crew wearing masks,hardly any Pax wearing them.

Twenty minutes to board in Athens no dramas.

[saminina]

Interesting that Covid did not stop Liebowitz from hosting a table on recent cruise.  

 

[hoosier74]

Interesting to read the comments about the excursion yesterday.  Overcrowding is NEVER pleasant. We got cancelled from the Royal Yacht Club, and I’m very suspicious that the visit to Cowes Week by Princess Anne had something to do with that.  Went to the Botanical garden for a ho-hum excursion.  The whole marina scene yesterday was quite festive and it was so cool to see the  WWII Spitfire flying around.  
 

the enrichment speakers have been great so far.

 

we had a great dinner on embarkation day at the restaurant and another last night at the TK Grill.  Captain’s reception tonight. Looking forward to that twice baked goat cheese. No Covid mention for limit in activities.   Trivia was packed and really fun. 

[Fletcher]

3 hours ago, Mr Luxury said:

Just got on Encore No Captain's dinner or hosted tables due to covid. Bozi is Hotel Director and we are sorry not to be able to have dinner with him.

 

We never dine with our staff at home, so we don't on ships either.  😉

[texanaust]

6 hours ago, Mr Luxury said:

Hi Markham,

Just got on Encore 

No Captain's dinner or hosted tables due to covid.

Bozi is Hotel Director and we are sorry not to be able to have dinner with him.

All crew wearing masks,hardly any Pax wearing them.

Twenty minutes to board in Athens no dramas.

Also just boarded.  Haven’t seen Mr. Luxury-assuming he/she/they/them is luxuriating like us.  As of today crew no longer need to wear masks outside.  Ross is an animal as always.

[rkacruiser]

14 hours ago, kjbacon said:

a combo plate of tortellini in corn sauce with seared scallops.

 

An interesting combination with an appealing presentation.  

 

11 hours ago, topkatz said:

Captain is Sybe de Boer.

 

The gentleman has been a HAL Captain.  HAL Captains in the past sometimes migrate to Seabourn.  If my memory is correct, he was the Master of  Nieuw Statendam  when she entered service.  

[ivyleaguegent]

Good evening,

 

Is there dancing before and/or after dinner and if so where?  What activities are offered on sea days?

 

Thank you.

[kjbacon]

6 hours ago, ivyleaguegent said:

Good evening,

 

Is there dancing before and/or after dinner and if so where?  What activities are offered on sea days?

 

Thank you.

Yes, I’ve seen dancing listed several times. Tonight, it’s at 10:15pm in the Club on deck 5.

 

We had a good day at sea yesterday. We went to a port talk overview of Ireland and Scotland, attended an excellent lecture by one of the guest speakers, spent time with the expedition team and learned more about the kayaks and the dry suits. There were several wildlife sightings of whales and dolphins and we managed to miss them all!

 

Dinner was formal night in The Restaurant with the same menu as our first formal night and it was still very good. Apps were a smaller sized black truffle risotto and a pear and Gorgonzola tartlet that was delicious, even if it wasn’t a tart.

We have had the smoothest, calmest seas from the time we boarded, never seen anything like it. 

Main dishes were beef Wellington and lobster tails, plain as requested with drawn butter on the side.

Our cabin attendant added quite a special touch to turn down service.

Today is Belfast. We are going to explore the city and the Titanic Museum. Sunrise over Northern Ireland, wow!

[Mr Luxury]

15 hours ago, Fletcher said:

We never dine with our staff at home, so we don't on ships either.  😉

I only do it to keep the peace otherwise they fight over us.

[Mr Luxury]

12 hours ago, texanaust said:

Also just boarded.  Haven’t seen Mr. Luxury-assuming he/she/they/them is luxuriating like us.  As of today crew no longer need to wear masks outside.  Ross is an animal as always.

Wasn't Ross fantastic as always on deck five aft last night.

We danced our TK dinner off