Legend Trans-at 4/1/07

[howndder]

Hi,

My partner and I have just booked this cruise and since we haven't sailed on Seabourn since the "Sun" in 01, I had a few questions for anyone wishing to answer them.

How formal is Seabourn? Do they have an alternative "casual" restaurant instead of formal night? We have cabin 124, how is it? Is caviar included in the all-inclusive? (I ask as we are caviar fanatics)

We have 2 days in Lisbon after the cruise, does anyone have any reccommendations for hotels? Where is best area in Lisbon to stay? Old section or other?

I did not see a roll call for this trip, exactly. I mean there seems to be one for the earlier trans-at with this one included by a couple of people. If there is one please advise and we'll add our names.

Thank you for your help. I'm sure I have other questions, but let's see how this works. I have read most comments and am now fairly familiar with the workings of these smaller ships, but, if anyone wants to expand on their knowledge of the inner workings and fun finds onboard, please fill me in.

Thanks again,

Howndder

[Host Dan]

Seabourn has an alternative restaurant called "2". I believe it is open for reservations on formal night, OR you can simply have dinner catered to your room, course by course. Very nice. Seabourn tends to be a bit more dressy than other cruise lines. Have as much caviar as you'd like, no problem. We typically order a couple of portions at the Club before dinner. I stayed at the Pestana Palace in Lisbon. Gorgeous hotel, with beautiful grounds. We used the public transportation system to get around. Very easy!

Transatlantic crossings can be as active or inactive as you want. They are one of my favorite cruises!

 

Host Dan

[howndder]

Hi Dan,

 

Thanks for the fast reply. You say you have caviar in the Club. What Club? I'm still waiting for the brochure so I don't know much about this ship. I have heard of the hotel you mentioned but was concerned about it's location in regards to the city center. How did you find it's location to be?

 

Thanks again,

 

Howndder

[Host Dan]

Hi Dan,

 

Thanks for the fast reply. You say you have caviar in the Club. What Club? I'm still waiting for the brochure so I don't know much about this ship. I have heard of the hotel you mentioned but was concerned about it's location in regards to the city center. How did you find it's location to be?

 

Thanks again,

 

Howndder

The Club is where you go for a pre or post dinner cocktail. There is live music, shows etc, and is where the casino is. You order the caviar from the bartender. You also can order caviar from room service as well (actually thats where the bartender orders it for you).

Pestana Palace is a way from the city center, but like I said before, the public transportation is incredible and very easy to use (buses and cable cars). Pestana Palace is located in the high end district of Lisbon. Wow, you booked this cruise without even seeing a brochure?? I'm impressed! :D

 

Host Dan

[howndder]

Hi Dan,

 

Thanks for your knowledge, I'll probably learn a lot more from the posters here. We're actually cruising to Europe to catch the last leg of the Regent Voyagers World Cruise back to Ft. Lauderdale. My partner prefers not to fly, and since we're smokers (ugh), this is easier. We have to be in Monte Carlo on the 15th, so we looked around all the lines that were leaving in time to make this and Seabourn fit the bill perfectly. I think 2 days in Lisbon should work ouit well.

 

Thanks again,

 

 

Howndder

[Springonseabourn]

My wife and I stayed at the Four Seasons Lisbon in May and loved it. Ask for a room overlooking the park and tennis courts.

 

Amazing service and wonderful setting.

[CruisinMatt]

I have stayed at Le Merdien Park Atlantic twice and would stay there again. Top notch service and a great location.

[Martita B.]

The Lapa Palace Hotel is gorgeous and in the City Centre of Lisbon.

It was built in 1870 and was the private home of The Count of Valenca. On a hill and overlooks the Targus River.

A bit pricey but very elegant~~~a favorite among Seabourn-ites! "Google" and take a peek! Beautiful verdant gardens surrounding the hotel.

MB

[PeaSea8ch]

My TA also highly recommended the Lapa Palace Hotel as well. I understand it overlooks the river near where the ship Docks. I will stay there before my Legend Nov. 2007 crossing.

Miss Martita, so good to see you posting. I was starting to get concerned that you haven't posted for awhile and was about to send you an Email to see how you are doing.

[shefinch]

Seabourn has an alternative restaurant called "2". I believe it is open for reservations on formal night, OR you can simply have dinner catered to your room, course by course. Very nice. Seabourn tends to be a bit more dressy than other cruise lines. Have as much caviar as you'd like, no problem. We typically order a couple of portions at the Club before dinner. I stayed at the Pestana Palace in Lisbon. Gorgeous hotel, with beautiful grounds. We used the public transportation system to get around. Very easy!

Transatlantic crossings can be as active or inactive as you want. They are one of my favorite cruises!

 

Host Dan

I second Host Dan's recommendation of the Pestana Palace in Lisbon - lovely hotel and although not central has the added advantage of being near where Seabourn docks so you can watch your ship arrive or depart under the bridge.

[PeaSea8ch]

I second Host Dan's recommendation of the Pestana Palace in Lisbon - lovely hotel and although not central has the added advantage of being near where Seabourn docks so you can watch your ship arrive or depart under the bridge.

Shefinch, is the hotel near enough to the "under the bridge" photo lookout point or is a short taxi ride required? If walking from the hotel is an option, do you consider the neighborhood safe enough to walk down early in the morning to photograph the ship's arrival? If I can walk there, I just might consider changing to the Ponesta Palace Hotel. Thanks!

[howndder]

Thank you all so very much for your help. I now have to check these places out and then make a decision. I do think though that I want to be in a in-town location as we only have a day and a half really as we have to leave on the 15th on an early morning flight. We'll see, but thanks for your suggestions.

Howndder

[Winner]

Having just returned from the Pride "Rivers of Western Europe" cruise Lisbon-London, I too recommend the Pestana Palace (two nights pre-cruise for me). The setting is quiet and peaceful and service is superb. The neighborhood is easily and safely walkable and taxis are exremely reasonable in Lisbon. The city may be very hilly and attractions somewhat distant from each other, but public transportation is not difficult and, as I said, taxis are plentiful and not pricey. Make sure to take time to stroll the pedestrian-only streets and stop to just watch the crowd while enjoying lemon soda for two euros or less.

[shefinch]

Paul,

It is a short walk to a very good elevated viewpoint in front of a church as I remember. We did it at 6.00pm and it appeared to be a perfectly safe area.

Shelagh

[PeaSea8ch]

I too would like to thank everone for the information provided herein, especially Winner and Shelagh who responded to my question. :) Hmmm ... Decisions, Decisions. Well, to be fair I think I will stay at the Pestana Palace before my Nov. 2007 Legend crossing and the Lapa Palace after my Mar. 2008 Pride crossing or visa versa. :D

[Texican]

I also noticed there was no roll call for this crossing. My DH and I are looking forward to this trip! We will be arriving in Miami Saturday morning to try an alleviate a little jet lag (four-hour time change) and weather change. We are planning on three nights at the Lapa Palace after arrival in Lisboa. This is an early 30th anniversary gift to ourselves. :D

 

This will be our second cruise, the first on Seabourn. I have been haunting this board and love to hear about everyone's experiences. We would be interested in doing a sail away for the Legend at the Belem Pier similar to that described by Miss Martita. :)

 

Counting the days . . . .

Gail

[howndder]

How nice to know someone else from CC is going on the Legend. My partner and I are looking forward to this trip too. I'm Howard and my friend is Derek, we'll look each other up once aboard, yes? Still not sure which hotel we're going to stay at, as the rates don't really come down for awhile. I'm afraid money is an object with us. The Lapa though looks really lovely as well as the rest of the properties the others have mentioned. The best rate is the Le Medridian @ 145 EU. per nite. Considering this is listed as 5 stars, that's pretty good. And the location is excellent too. We'll see.

Howndder

[Lefty Bob]

We are on the Nov. 2007 Legend crossing. If anyone is keeping a list, please add us. Have not arranged for hotel. Trying to fight the high one way fare battle.

Lefty Bob

[Texican]

Howard,

We look forward to meeting you and Derek on the April crossing, it will be a great trip! We decided to pamper ourselves and splurge for our 30th anniversary, you can only celebrate it once. We were scheduled to go to Puerto Vallarta for our 25th, but a class 5 hurricane roared in the day before we were due to leave, so we ended up in Phoenix instead. Here's hpoing for smooth sailing next April.

 

Bob,

The one way fare is kind of steep. Let us know how your trip is and give us some tips on the Legend.

 

Gail

[howndder]

Hi there all, have any of you considered booking a round trip ticket and throwing away the second half? The airline usually give a discount price , even in business class but don't publish this little info. There is no way to prove you didn't really need a one ticket to begin with.

Bob, I believe I did see a roll call for the November 07 Legend crossing. We may take that too, but join her in Rome.

Looking forward to seeing all.

Howndder

[PeaSea8ch]

We are on the Nov. 2007 Legend crossing. Trying to fight the high one way fare battle.

Lefty Bob and Howndder,

 

I too am booked on the Legend's Nov. 2007 crossing! I am tall with long legs and only fly business class to my Seabourn Yacht. The international and domestic airlines load in their schedules and fares 330 days before flight departure into the reservations system. At this time the airlines often have a few capacity-controlled "excursion" one-way business class fares. I surf around for a few days before to get a picture of what is being offered and then at 330 days or a few days less, have my TA pounce to book the flights I want.

 

Last Dec. I booked my airfare for the Nov. 2006 Legend crossing. I got a screaming deal on Lufthansa taveling from Los Angeles to Malaga, Spain via Frankfurt in business class for under $2125! This was 40% what other airlines were charging for one-way, one-stop business class. It is most important to jump on these deals right away as Lufhansa pulled this excursion business class fare on my itinerary 3 days later.

 

Hope this helps!

[bldsld]

For those with AMEX Platinum cards, the 2 for 1 business air is good on one-way fares, not just R/T. While it may be costly on a R/T basis, it is definitely a good deal for a one-way crossing. Depending on the airlines and the routing, it averages about $2200 pp +/- from San Francisco to European destinations, which is a good one-way fare for business class.

 

Denyse

[Lefty Bob]

PeaSea8ch & bldsld - Thanks for the info. I will look at both options.

LB