Transatlantic Crossings

I think I read that Cruiser Dan has sailed on a couple of these.......

What does one do on a ship this small for so many days crossing a rolling sea?

I could understand a crossing on a ship the size of the Symphony...with a number of public rooms, but on these size ships......do you spend the time in your cabin with a good book? I am curious......what time do the bars open? 6am?

Capt. Tom......where do I start??? The Transatlantic Crossings are my favorite voyages. There are about 20 of us that usually book these (we've sailed together for years).......it's almost akin to a " good friends reunion." And always lots of fun things to do! Here goes!

Some meet in the Veranda for breakfast.......I have coffee in my suite, then will meet a friend or two in the dining room for Eggs Benedict and lamb chops. We meet, then at 11:00, in the Constellation Lounge for our "freshly-made Galley bouillon"........this is an old ocean liner custom. Suppose to give you strength for the day! There are entrichment lecture's in the Magellan around 11 am. (we usually have at least 4 great lecturers on a 12 day voyage) Sometimes wine or champagne tasting around 11:30 am. We then go up to the Sky Bar for a Bloody Mary or an Irish Coffee........around 12:30, it's the dining room AGAIN. Dining with friends, visiting and "tellin' all we know!" haha Some rest and nap after lunch......some have massages or have their hair coiffed. Others join in the "putting contest" topside. There is always the gym and shopping in the Boutique. Cheffy has cooking demo's, which are alot of fun in the afternoons. Some days, the Captain offers, "Bridge Tours." OH, nearly forgot, many play duplicate bridge in the afternoon in the card room.

Then we meet again for tea time at 4 pm.......after that, it's "suite time" to get ready for cocktails and dinner........usually there is a show after dinner (fabulous entertainers).....some Sailor's will make "wagers" in the casino or play the slots. There is a libarary on board to rent newly released movies......and great books on loan.

We have many parties on board........some Seabourn, some private. I always have a "Gala" and sometimes a "Champagne/Caviar Pajama Morning Social".....there are birthday and anniversary parties......."someone can drop their hat" and before he can pick it up, a party is being planned!

There is never a dull moment.......The M/V Pride ship is a "jumpin' place" on the Atlantic! Come join us........we'll wear you OUT with activities and FUN!

Happy Trails and Sails!

Martita B.

Gee, first the secret jaccuzzi and now 'bullion'! I never knew about that either, although I know 'elevenses' are a time-honored tradition. But then, on most days I can barely rouse from my comfy cabin (sometimes watching a movie , reading, or listening to a lecture) to get to Trivia at noon on the sea days!

Jane in PHL

OHHHHH NO , I forgot to mention TRIVIA! If I had forgotten to mention that "game" the Sailor's would have thrown me overboard!

I'm always too busy to play, so I actually do forget about it!

All have fun, I've heard. (some don't, I've heard)

Happy and Smooth Seas!

Martita B.

Sorry, Martha, but we don't "buy" that "too busy" for trivia line! Trivia is HUGE on the Crossings and, extremely, cut throat. Get on a great team or "die". But, seriously, golf putting in the afternoon, sunning on deck (a social event), cooking demos, the captain's tug of war, not to mention the "intrigues" (ask CruiserDan) fill every single second of the Crossings. We have done three consecutive Crossings "plus" (extra cruises pre and post Crossing) with CruiserDan and CruiserPhil and adored each and every moment! There is never enough time to do everything! Trust us, on the final day you will be saying, "Oh, no, it can't be over already!" Champagne wishes and caviar dreams and endless Seabourn cruises!

Martha B.

Forget trivia! Time to walk the plank.

LOL always a great time. I will forgive you for the cost of a cosmopoltan at the sky bar; oh wait thats included .

Champaign wishes to all.

mcboo

Crossings are the best! This November will be our 4th consecutive crossing on the Legend. Its like a "family" reunion, where you can actually pick your family! ;)

Cruisecrazyone DITCHED us this year and booked the Pride in the Carribean (yes, got your card, Thank You!) It wont be the same.

Trivia is the true highlight, but long lunches with wine and vats of french fries, laughing at the sky bar, the gym, naps etc etc. Truly one day turns into the next, and before you know it, its all over :(

Looking forward to the crossing next month, and seeing MOST of my friends!

CruiserDan (no longer in his 30's starting tomorrow) sniff

Dan~~~~HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Your real fun begans TOMORROW~~~~trust me!

At certain ages, we do "pretty much what we please!" And get way with it!

Am so happy you'll be on The Legend Crossing in Nov. At the last minute I wanted to book it, but as NO surprise, "A SELL OUT!"

I have great friends that will also be on board. HD from Hillsboro, Fl., the M's, from N.C.....and The "Brits" will be on in "full force!" (watch them, however, during Trivia) OH, I imagine there will be a "Stuffed Animal Party!" My "Mr. Monk" (a handsome, debonair Barbados Grey) was just furious with me for NOT booking! He lives to go to the wonderful stuffed animal gala's! He does LOVE those beautiful, fluffy BEAR Sailor gals! Poor thing.......he had already packed his 'lit piece of luggage......even had his tuxedo pressed!

Have a grrrreat "Feliz Dias!" We'll all be thinking of YOU!

Your "Cowgirl" friend!

MB

Happy Birthday Dan.

Martha B.

Guess I had one to many cosmopolitans last night when I typed "Champaign" Think that is a city in Illinois and have never been there, sure its lovely.

CHAMPAGNE Wishes to Dan on his birthday.

Guess some times I can be dumber than a box of rocks. C'est La Vie.

mcboo:o:o:o

mcboo~~~~well, guess I had too many "Bailey's Irish Creams".......when I read it it spelled, "CHAMPAGNE!"

What fun and "phooey" folks we are!

Have a great weekend!

MB

Thanks to all for your B-day wishes! Im 40 now, and dont feel any different.. what gives?! :)

CruiserDan

As you very well know we did not DITCH the crossing--long story. We all expect full reports with photos. Re: 40--what gives? Speaking from experience (I am just a tiny bit over 40 as you know) nothing gives--it just gets better and better--especially on Seabourn! Champagne wishes and caviar dreams and endless Seabourn cruises, dear CruiserDan!

All these things to do, but no one ever listed romance...sigh....guess you Seabournites aren't interested in romantic interludes at sea.....in the suite, in the lounge, in the elevator in a life boat......pity. LOL

I am booked on the Orinoco cruise in Dec 2005 and was thinking of also booking the March Caribeean cruise in 2006. I was holding off until I did the Orinoco cruise to see if I enjoyed Seabourn as much as I do Radisson having just returned from the Paul Gauguin. Now I might consider a transatlantic instead of the 2006 Caribbean. Is a fall crossing better than a spring crossing? Will the close knit group you all speak of accept a Radisson cruiser infiltrating? Will Seabourn turn me away from my Radisson.......?

Once again my only Seabourn experience was the Sun....and I have been told the small ships are much better.........perhaps the crossing is the thing for me.........

And for cruiserdan.....hitting 40 is a breeze except the metabolism tends to slow down. Just make sure you waist doesn't keep up with you age...thats when you find yourself in trouble and people can tell where you are on the ship by the way the ship is listing....LOL

In the mean time I must wait for the Orinoco cruise...but filling the time is the Star Flyer this December, HA Westerdam in February, the Radisson Diamond next September.......what a way to go broke!

We KISS, but we don't tell! hahaha

I have sailed on the Rad Diamond.......know Guieseppe very well and Gerlinda! Cute couple.......also Captain Broomhall and Capt. Kingston! Great fellows!

Seabourn anchors my Prideful, Legendary Spirit!

Happy Trails and Sails!

Miss Martita B.

My wife & I will be doing the August 2005 T/A on the Pride...first T/A but 4th time on the Pride...Any suggestions for a hotel in London...never have stayed there and need a 3 or 4 star hotel for two nights.

I believe the Pride sails from near the Tower Bridge...If so, a hotel within 5 miles of embarcation would be great.

Leonid~~~a few of stayed at the Tower Thistle Hotel before our Aug. Northern Crossing......right by the Pride ship. It's not a 5 *, but was so convenient we decided that's where we wanted to be. A great Lounge that faces the Tower Bridge. We delighted in having our "libations" and watching the river action. Norm (lives in London) suggested the hotel and he even came and spent the night before we all boarded the next morning. Norm strolled down to the Pier with his luggage.......the rest of us took a Taxi .(I think 1 1/2 blocks) The location is absolutely lovely.......... Wonderful restaurants and shopping within walking distance. Do check it out.......quite reasonable too!

We were all invited to the Connaught (Mayfair) for cocktails one evening and were quite impressed with the 6* gorgeous Hotel.....but the Tower Thistle can not be beaten as far as LOCATION!

Happy Sailing!

MB

My wife & I will be doing the August 2005 T/A on the Pride...first T/A but 4th time on the Pride...Any suggestions for a hotel in London...never have stayed there and need a 3 or 4 star hotel for two nights.

I believe the Pride sails from near the Tower Bridge...If so, a hotel within 5 miles of embarcation would be great.

I stay at the Stafford Hotel in St James, which is very nice, small, and really, reminds me of the Pride. They call me by name there too. <G> Last August there were 20 of us there before starting the Northern Capitals cruise. I will be on the 2005 crossing and will be at the Stafford. You don't go to the pier to embark, anyway. The 'signing in' has been at the Mandarin Oriental and we are taken by bus to the pier, since one has to take a boat across to the south side of the Thames to board. I find the MO very large, full of marble, and with no charm at all. The Stafford does have a website.

Jane in PHL

Jane in PHL

We have gone to London once or twice a year for the last six years and always stay at the Beaufort Hotel in Knightsbridge just around the corner from Harrods on a very quite little dead end tree lined street -- we always stay on one of the junior suites -- number 311 is my husband's favorite. It is a small beautifully decorated boutique hotel with very personalized service, including limo service to the airport. And just like Seabourn, there is a 24 hour open bar( we love a glass of champers after a night out) , lovely breakfast in your room and afternoon tea with fresh baked scones and clotted cream.

Chairsin, our favourite hotels are almost neighbours ! I always stay at the Basil Street Hotel, likewise just around the corner from Harrod's but also a short walk from the Knightsbridge Tube Station (and thus a direct tube journey from Heathrow). The Basil has a loyal international following but I first came to it years ago as it was where my 'county' aunts would go for tea after a day 'in Town'. It is the sort of place that Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane would go to. The Basil has a nice country-house-shabby feel and there are often attractive internet rates.

Martitia.

>"well, guess I had too many "Bailey's Irish Creams"......."

Speaking of Bailey's, don't you just love the BBC's? >Bailey's Banana Coladas?

Jane in PHL

Can anyone enlighten us "virgin" crossing cruisers as to what temperatures we can expect in late March/early April? I can imagine that the days will get cooler as we sail furthur away from the Caribbean, but how cool does it typically get?

Thanks!

Thanks for that question as I am considering the March 2006 crossing now that I have heard it is a partay all the way across the big pond. If its cold.....that would mean staying indoors..........I tried sitting out on deck on the Baltic wrapped in a blanket on the MV Deutchsland......and was not a happy camper.....consummed way too much DiSarano and my nose was still cold.

If the temp is cold...then I may have to look at the November crossing in 2006 when Cruiser Dan can keep me occupied with his tales and stories of crossing of the past. :^)

The Spring, March, Crossings are very warm! The past 3 Crossings, I think we had only one morning of showers.......the same day by noon, all the sun bathers were out lounging again. Actually, many days it's HOT!

I am happy that there will be no need to stop off in Bermuda this March. (or 2006) From Ft. Laud to Bermuda the seas were a 'lit rough.....As some of us loved St. George, we would like to fly up and visit for a week. Wonderful, friendly, and very gracious folks!

Have a good week!

MB

Curiousx

I know the Basil -- quite charming -- we are just such creatures of habit -- we find someplace good -- like Seabourn , where they know us by name and stick with it. I adore London -- now that Mr. S is semi-retired and we are here Tucson we are not likely to venture to London as often -- I will miss the art galleries and the lunchtime classical concerts ( sorry Norm , not the weather). When we were in last in June I was so disappointed that we arrived one day after one of the sisters sailed down the Thames -- I was hoping to hang out there for the day and bump into Norm and his trusty camera!

Thanks MB!!! Looking forward to it! :)