Odyssey: Not quite on and not quite live

One always has good intentions with these travelogue things, but I find that after a few days on board one is having too much of a good time to keep up the daily reportage. My last attempt fizzled out shortly after we returned home - too much going on at work.

But I do enjoy waxing lyrical from time to time and some kind people out there seem to enjoy reading these, so here we go again.

However, we are not yet on the Odyssey, we join her on Wednesday in Mumbai. Currently in the stifling heat (38C) of Abu Dhabi, en route. The weather forecasts promise thundery showers ahead as we sail down the Malabar coast. Adventure beckons, a lively roll call has promised Mah Jong and I find myself signed up for trivia for the first time ever.

More to come, hopefully, though if it is a really outstanding cruise there may not be very much more.

Flamin_June,

I am delighted to hear you are enjoying Odyssey!

And I look forward to reading your views and accounts on what's what. We join in Singapore on 9 Nov for my big birthday cruise. (Don't ask- I haven't completed the course of therapy as of yet.)

So I just hope the stores are replenished after you disembark; with all that heat I expect the Champagne, fine wine and accompaniments will be running out!

Enjoy and happy sailing!

We joined Sojourn in Mumbai earlier this year...... If you are interested in fabulous Indian food, there is a restaurant called "Khyber at Fort" where we had the most amazing Indian food, it is a 2/3 minute Taxi drive from the Oberoi and Taj Hotels. We ordered a selection of dishes, none disappointed. The Mixed Vegetable Croquettes are a speciality that is outstanding. I see we are both fellow Lancastrians so I can assure you that the food here is not your typical Saturday Night Ruby. If you get chance it is well worth a visit.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts first time aboard a Big Sister.

Don't forget to watch out for the track and field competitors by the outer doors on Deck 5. ;)

Have a wonderful cruise.

They were having a heat wave in Abu Dhabi (!!). We flew on to Mumbai - they were having a heat wave there too,and it was the first day of Diwali. A little disconcerting to see fireworks exploding in the sky around us as the plane came in to land.

The drive from our hotel to Ballard Pier the next morning was quite sobering, as we made our way through the slums (where they filmed Slumdog Millionaire) - but then the slums give way to old Colonial Mumbai which is quite magnificent in its chaos, colour, architecture-and energy.

More chaos greeted us at the embarkation point, negotiating our way past the professional beggars, bureaucratic petty officials, with a form to be filled in every five yards, armed security personal, all in a great hubbub of shouted English and Indian, in the searing heat and with no apparent organisation. Plenty of frayed tempers and poor, perspiring, Seabourn staff unable and not allowed to take charge.

And then finally, mercifully on board with someone to show us to our suite and a moments respite.

It's best to post short and often, so a pause for now and then first impressions of the Odyssey. For now I'll just say she looks in great shape and she looked far bigger than I had expected, compared to the Legend and Spirit, gleaming white and looming like some serene goddess over the dusty, dirty, grey docks.

Thank you ever so much for posting ~!

I enjoyed being aboard the Big Sister's but still love and adore those 2 "Baby Girls." Will board the "Star Legend Gal" on Oct 27th ~TA Crossing ~am thrilled after 3 yrs of having to stay in West Texas ~NO fun !

Thanks again ~Have a fantastic time! Enjoy the wines and the foods!

Martita B

Flaming June,

It is funny about your initial reaction to the big ships. We felt exactly the same the day our taxi pulled up to the Quest in Ft. Lauderdale. My husband and I turned to each other and said, " oh my, it looks so big --- what have we done?" Now the good news is the once we were on board we were pleasantly surprised that the spaces were broken up such that we never felt as though we were on a big ship. And while it was not as intimate we found the service to be every bit as warm and personal as that we were used to on the small ships. I hope your experience is similar and that now you have found "refuge" on the ship you will go on to have a wonderful cruise. Please post every now and then between glasses of champagne.

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It is 11.15 pm. Our second night aboard following a sea day. We are sailing through what seems to be the very middle of a fantastic tropical thunderstorm. Sheet and forked lightning of such dramatic power and intensity as I have never seen before. Every few minutes the thick blackness of the sea at night is lit up with a sharp whiteness , like flickering arc-lights. The sea is relatively calm and the rain is that fine tropical kind, almost a sea-spray.

I think the main difference between the big and little ships is that the little sisters are all about being at sea, on a yacht, with Seabourn service. The big girls are more about being immersed in Seabourn service, which happens to be at sea. The odyssey is more of a floating resort, a destination in itself.

The one thing We both miss the most is the little sister sky bar - especially in the evening after dinner. It is/was so much more open to the sky and sea. The one thing we both don't really care for on the Odyssey is the way things are enclosed. I don't like the glass walls around the pool, all the enclosure around the deck 5 aft area and so on. It is also hard to get used to the smoothness of the ride. Almost no sea motion at all

Apart from that, after feeling lost and disorientated on the first night we are warming to this big girl. There are lots of interesting hidden places. The crew is great, the passengers are a well travelled and savvy lot,, relaxed, easy going, comfortable to be with. No deck lounger hogs in evidence.

There are fluffy towels. A few not so fluffy, but that suits me as I am a Hemingway sort of guy and can take a rough towel now and then. The stewardess let us have ALL the soaps, and is happy to pander to our every whim. Caviar is in plentiful supply. Mimi, at the patio bar, makes superb cocktails.

There are two small (?)pewter elephants on deck 5. Each in a glass case. Instead of having a head, one has an old fashioned tap. The other has a head, but the trunk is fashioned from a metal tea-pot spout. The tap is meant to resemble an elephants head and trunk. Bizarre.

Oh , one more thing- my wife is delighted to discover that one can get a half decent cup of tea at Seabourn Square. We are still having to turn to our secret Kettle to make a completely decent cuppa. Our stewardess has even supplied us with a carton of milk, although she does not know what it's real purpose is. She must think we are simply very odd people with an in-suite bar order of cognac, gin, tonics and milk.

Great posts from Odyssey! Is Stewart working at the Observation Lounge? He is probably one of the best barmen Seabourn has. And is Dragi running the Patio Grill service? He is a character and never short of an opinion.

Have you considered writing a book? If not, please consider again.....you are soooo funny! Thank you! I am still snickering and laughing!

My book will be titled, "How Much Is Too Much?... true tales/stories of our Seabourn Yachts." With one red rose stem across the photo of the Pride Queen!

Hope I live to write all the chapters!

Thanks again ~continue to have a great voyage!

MBH

Thanks, folks, for the kind words.

I'm not sure that I like the suites as much as on the little sisters. Although they are marginally larger and well-appointed, the little sister's suites had a cosier feel to them. My wife says it is because these ones don't have the wall mirrors at the foot of the bed. These seem more austere, and I don't care for the rather boring plain brown wall at the side of the bed where the walk in wardrobe is. Also, the sound quality from the TV is very poor and tinny. Nowhere near the quality of the old Bose CD players. So, while the music choice and convenience of the on-line system is great, it all sounds like it's coming from a 1960s Japanese transistor radio.

Having said that, having a real balcony is wonderful. We are in a V2 and the partial glass set-up is not an issue at all. In fact, the thin ledge running along the inside of the metal barrier makes a handy foot rest. The larger bathroom with shower is a plus too.

After boarding and finding our suite there was a delay with the luggage courtesy of the Indian authorities. We found our way to the Colonnade for lunch (the best potato salad we have had in a long time, amongst other delights). Then on to muster drill where we met a couple, H & G, who had been on the Legend with us from Hong Kong to Singapore last December. H had just been diagnosed with the Big C then, but no way was it going to stop her from cruising, much to the consternation of her children. Now she is clear, which was great news, so that was a very happy reunion.

Last night was formal optional: a few tuxes in evidence, plenty of suits and ties, some beautiful dresses. MDR service is kind of s - l - o - w, though. We usually try to get in on the stroke of seven, order quickly and try to be out by eight pm. Last night we shared a table with some friends, so the whole thing was prolonged and it took an age for our main plates to be cleared and the sweets menu to arrive. This is a frequent observation on both big and little sisters and I don't mean to gripe. The wait staff so far are all charming and hard working. Probably a lot of passengers decided to opt for the MDR last night after the Captains reception, so the staff were somewhat overwhelmed.

We sailed into Mangalore at 06.30, both of us up watching a great golden orange sunrise over the port as we were escorted in by the pilot boat, past oil tankers and small fishing boats. The storm has passed and has freshened up the air. It's going to be quite cool today, possibly only 30C. I had breakfast in the Colonnade for the first time. A lot more space and a lot more staff than on the little sisters' Veranda, so even the frantic pre-tour breakfast scramble was pretty much a stroll in the park. I had two perfect poached eggs on wholewheat toast, with a grilled tomato and crispy bacon, all waiter served while the excited throng milled around.

We are staying on board today

I have read with interest, we are on this ship next month and my husband is debating if he should take his tux with him,now we are not too sure this is our first time on Seabourn and he would really prefer his suit & tie as it is lighter to pack.

There is no compelling reason to take a tux. Dress code is quite relaxed, there are only two formal optional nights on our 18 day cruise. There will be some people in black tie, many in suits with ties and quite a few in just jackets and shirts. If you plan not to eat in the MDR on formal optional nights than there is absolutely no need for the formal outfit. I would perhaps consider taking a tux for Xmas Eve or New Year's Eve.

You won't look or feel out of place if you wear a tux, neither will you if you don't.

there is no compelling reason to take a tux. Dress code is quite relaxed, there are only two formal optional nights on our 18 day cruise. There will be some people in black tie, many in suits with ties and quite a few in just jackets and shirts. If you plan not to eat in the mdr on formal optional nights than there is absolutely no need for the formal outfit. I would perhaps consider taking a tux for xmas eve or new year's eve.

 

You won't look or feel out of place if you wear a tux, neither will you if you don't.

+1.

I have read with interest, we are on this ship next month and my husband is debating if he should take his tux with him,now we are not too sure this is our first time on Seabourn and he would really prefer his suit & tie as it is lighter to pack.

I never understand why people say that a suit is lighter to pack than a Tux.its still a jacket and a pair of trousers plus a Cummerband and a bow tie.

As it is your first time on Seabourn I would wear it as many others will do the same.

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Mr Luxury,

Well said. I will be wearing mine on 10 November on Odyssey and I am looking forward to it.

Happy sailing!

I know many fellows that will be aboard the Legend TA ~all are taking their Tux or white dinner jackets for our formal evenings.

I have packed 3 formal/fancy "outfits!"

Happy Sailings

MB

Surely the dinner jacket vs suit argument is to do with that you can also wear the suit on the other non casual nights, thereby being dual purpose and earning their place in the suitcase!

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Suit or Tux? Why does anyone care? Take and wear what you are comfortable in. You are, after all, on vacation.

Amen!

Suit or Tux? Why does anyone care? Take and wear what you are comfortable in. You are, after all, on vacation.

I have to disagree to a certain extent, though I understand and appreciate your point. "Personal Comfort" is why you can't go to a Broadway play without seeing a woman in short shorts and "I love NY" glitter T-Shirt and her escort sports tattered jeans and a wife beater shirt. It sometimes is more about joining in and not doing just what one wants.

OTOH, I suppose that the majority of paying customers will always rule and that both styles and trends change over time. I tend to equate a luxury with the wearing of better than casual clothes. If I felt such that I'd REFUSE to wear a jacket or tie, I'd probably prefer another cruise line! LOL!!

Surely the dinner jacket vs suit argument is to do with that you can also wear the suit on the other non casual nights, thereby being dual purpose and earning their place in the suitcase!

 

 

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In my experience a man who does not wish to wear a Tux on a formal optional evening is the same man that will not wear a suit on a less formal evening.

So if he only brings a suit to wear on the formal evening then he either does not possess a Tuxedo or he dresses down for all occasions.

The new dress codes allow one to dress down which is fine if you like that sort of thing but I think that many regulars will maintain a higher dress code as they always have done.

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In my experience a man who does not wish to wear a Tux on a formal optional evening is the same man that will not wear a suit on a less formal evening.

So if he only brings a suit to wear on the formal evening then he either does not possess a Tuxedo or he dresses down for all occasions.

 

The new dress codes allow one to dress down which is fine if you like that sort of thing but I think that many regulars will maintain a higher dress code as they always have done.

 

 

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I'm in your camp Mr Luxury! We never travel light and love to dress well on board. Just trying to see both sides.

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my husband was going to pack both suit and tux

my husband was going to pack both suit and tux

That's because he is a Gentleman.

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