Photo Blog - Seabourn Odyssey - Venice to Istanbul

[frantic36]

Thank you for this wonderful photo blog. Just makes me want to jump on board straight away. Unfortunately I have to be patient for a few months more.

Julie

[Roxburgh]

Day seven and we were in Athens. About 270 passengers left us here. We chose to stay on board for a quiet day so no photos of Athens. But we did have a lovely evening for the sail-away.

[Host Dan]

AWESOME photo blog! Keep the posts coming! My best to both of you!

Host Dan

[Roxburgh]

After Athens, it was on to Milos. A nice little town but not very much there. Unlike some, we just took a walk around and enjoyed the sun, atmosphere and friendly people.





Also, a lovely place to sit out, enjoy a beer and look out onto the Aegean ...

[LN50]

Loving the photos, the scenery looks amazing and the weather looks good as well!!

[Roxburgh]

If it's Monday then it must be Mykonos.

Knowing that Mykonos doesn't wake up until after 1pm, we had decided to do the Delos tour in the morning. Of course, being Monday, Delos was closed. But not for Seabourn. So our tour group, split between two excellent guides, had the place to ourselves.

[Roxburgh]

After a leisurely lunch back at the ship we headed into Mykonos for the afternoon. As already reported in the other thread, the shuttle buses were running with legendary Greek efficiency But, we were in Mykonos until 11pm and we were on holiday. So why raise the blood pressure over not very much.

We had been worried that the famous windmills might have been repossessed by Germany in part payment for Greece's debt. But, no, they were still there ....



And so was the Pelican (whose beak can hold more than his belly can)



There were some strange people around town



But reassuring to know that Odyssey was still there.

[Roxburgh]

After Mykonos, we arrived in Patmos. This was probably my favourite stop on the whole cruise. A nice little town, beautiful scenery, a historic monastery, cold beer, etc. etc.

Although the main town is pretty and nice to walk around, we decided that walking up to the monastery would be our exercise for the day.

NB. this photo is taken when we were half way up.



The walk took us through pine forest and mainly off the road. Half way up the mountain we came upon the Cave of the Apocalypse where St. John received his visions. The uncharitable might suggest that walking up that mountain in the heat of summer would make anyone think apocalyptic thoughts.



Anyway, we progressed on up the mountain and were treated to some gorgeous views ....



The monastery is well worth the visit and the museum is excellent.

[Roxburgh]

After visiting the monastery, we ventured into the little town around its base in search of the windmills:





The windmills have been restored and are in full working order .....



And there were more great views from the windmills ...

[DCCruiselover]

Thanks Roxburgh for all the beautiful pictures. Seems like you are having a super cruise! Could you add some fun pictures from the ship? Happy sailing!

[Jim Avery]

Thanks for fantastic pictures. And I love the recurring theme: Beer!

[Frank5]

Thank you for the excellent photos. They brought back happy memories.

[cruzwinnr]

We are on the October 20th sailing of this itinerary from Venice to Istanbul and are following your blog with great interest. We were not aware that Delos was open for the Seabourn tour so that changes our plans for Mykonos. Would love to hear any feedback of the onboard experience also.
Regards,

Rodney and Julie

[Roxburgh]

Originally Posted by cruzwinnr

We are on the October 20th sailing of this itinerary from Venice to Istanbul and are following your blog with great interest. We were not aware that Delos was open for the Seabourn tour so that changes our plans for Mykonos. Would love to hear any feedback of the onboard experience also.
Regards,

Rodney and Julie

Rodney & Julie

I didn't really take many photos of the ship so I think my blog is a bit lacking in that respect. Just to comment on the onboard experience ......

We were on Odyssey last February (Sydney to Los Angeles) so we are able to compare the experience. In February, we felt that the experience suffered from a rather new crew who had not really learned the Seabourn way. On this last cruise we felt that had been fixed and that the overall standard and quality of the experience was far better.

It is quite clear that there has been an intensive period of training overseen by Nick Botha (who was also on this cruise). But the management team seemed to be much 'tighter' and in control than it had been in February. In addition, some of the 'stars' in February (e.g. Gemma) had been promoted which suggests that management are paying attention. Other high-quality staff (e.g. Stuart, Draggi) were back and we were also impressed by some of the 'new' faces (e.g. Dejan, Vladan, Alison). So, overall, the service was very good and much better than it had been in February.

Also, the quality of the food was excellent overseen Chef Rafael with Chef Miroslav in the Colonnade. We had a different chef at the Patio Grill and I thought he was not quite as good as the one we had in February. There was also a change in the Maitre D' in the Main Dining Room where Julian (Restaurant manager) seemed to be doing the job. That ran smoother than it had in February.

For drinks we tended to use the Observation Lounge more than we did The Club. That was because it was much closer to our suite and not because The Club was bad. Stuart was the bartender there and he is excellent. On our February cruise (which had a lot of sea days) he even gave a mixology demonstration which was well attended and expertly done. Not bad when you consider that entertaining the guests is not really his job. According to James (bartender at the Sky bar), Stuart is the best bartender on the ship.

We didn't really go to much of the entertainment so cannot comment on the shows. However the resident band were outstanding and the best we have encountered on Seabourn so far. Chris the guitarist was also very good. Observation Lounge pianists changed over during the cruise (end of contract) but they were both good.

Cruise Director was John Howell assisted by Ray and Melissa. In February it was Nick Hale and Ray. We liked both John and Nick although their styles are different. Both are very approachable and good fun. We also got on very well with Ray on both cruises.

We thought that destination services was generally better organized than in February. Tender services ran more smoothly and so did shuttles (with the exception of Mykonos). We did three tours and they were all pretty good (although Delos was best).

Finally, our stewardess, Natasha, was A++. She did a fantastic job, catered to our whims and was very approachable.

Hope this helps.

[Roxburgh]

After Patmos it was on to Kusadasi (Ephesus). We had been to Ephesus the previous year on Quest so did not do an Ephesus tour. We did, however, do the evening event in Ephesus which was excellent. So our day in Kusadasi shopping with the chef at the local fish market, wandering around the shops and buying a carpet In fairness, the carpet purchase was premeditated (at least by my wife).



Kusadasi is a bustling, busy touristy town. Other than the carpet shops there us not very much there. We also found the vendors to be much more aggressive than in Istanbul.





The evening event in Ephesus was the highlight of the visit .....

[johnnycruise]

While your Patmos photos are excellent, I must say you got the lighting just right for the above shot of the Ephesus event. Very nice! We were on one of the later buses and the venue had filled up considerably by the time we arrived.

Thanks for sharing!

[Roxburgh]

Originally Posted by johnnycruise

While your Patmos photos are excellent, I must say you got the lighting just right for the above shot of the Ephesus event. Very nice! We were on one of the later buses and the venue had filled up considerably by the time we arrived.

Thanks for sharing!

It was more luck than good photography I managed to perch the camera on a handy column (hence the fact that it is a bit crooked) and used the remote to take the picture. Even so, I only really got two usable photos and the other has that big crane right next to the amphitheater.

[cruzwinnr]

Thank you so much! This is perfect and very helpful. I have not been on Odyssey since the Inaugural when things were somewhat unfinished so am thoroughly looking forward to seeing her again.

Regards,
Rodney

[mariners]

Absolutely gorgeous photographs; I hope that we have the same luck with blue skies and sunshine on our cruise.
We, too, had crew members being trained on our Odyssey sailing. Although we were not called by name, almost all of the "newbies" provided excellent service and were obviously trying to provide typical Seabourn standards.

[Roxburgh]

Chios was a bustling, busy Greek town with a decent shopping street but not very much of interest for the visitor who was 'shopped out' in Kusadasi. There were the walls of a Venetian fortress but they were not in very good condition. The tender dropped us a good walk from the town. Perhaps we would have moored right there had it not been for L'Austral occupying poll position.

At least the walk afforded us a smile:



Then there was a nice painting above the door of a religious building.



And we were secure in the knowledge that Chios stood ready to repel invaders.