Covepointcruiser

I m  believe the single room costs less than paying for the premium of a single passenger booking a room meant for two passengers.   If I was sailing alone on a budget, the room looks more than adequate especially with a queen size bed.    Other lines offer single occupancy staterooms with much smaller beds.

We boarded with Group A at 12:40.   After the wait for the COVID Test and then for the test result, we were on board a little after 1:30.   Food was still being served in the Colonade.

Better wine is definitely available for an up charge on Seabourn.   The house or table wine is what it is, passable wine that many passengers enjoy.   Very definitely true when I have seen some passengers stumble to their tables after a few too many TK cocktails.   I doubt they were tasting the nuances of the wine/champagne served with the food.

You may want to check the recent experience with luggage valet/forwarding on the Seabourn thread.    It is probably not worth the risk.

Do all of you have the same confirmation number with the airline?    If you don’t, then that is the problem.   I can’t imagine airlines boarding 17 year old “children” early unless there is another issue you haven’t mentioned.   Just flew “first class”on American back from Miami.   If you can get a refund for your tickets.   A wider seat and a cold turkey sandwich is not a first class experience.   We did get to check two bags, but you also get that on Southwest for significantly less money.   

When you get right down to it, I definitely feel cheated by the COVID Pandemic, not the cruise lines.   We have had 8+ cruises cancelled and hope that is the end of it.    We have cruised twice since July 21 and it was a different experience.   Until we actually boarded, we weren’t sure we would actually cruise.    Definitely wasn’t sure of sailing to any specific ports and were not counting on getting to any specifically.   Lucky for us we did get to all the ports in the Med and in Central America, but not in the original order.    Panama was the only country requiring cruise line tours to get off the ship.

We just got off the Ovation, two shows a night.   Some evenings they also had a special 6:15pm show.     There were singers by the pool and they also had entertainment in the Club and the Observation Lounge.   

We also had tomato and other canned juices in our spa refrigerator.    We requested V8 but only received one bottle which we quickly consumed.    The beverages in the regular refrigerator were the same as we requested online.    

Cunard still has gentlemen dance hosts as they actually have ballrooms for dancing.

If the Retreat is not for you, just don’t purchase it.    There are other items on Seabourn available to purchase including larger cabins, finer wines, spa treatments and excursions.   No need to purchase what you don’t want or enjoy.    The Ovation is a wonderful ship with features for every passenger.

You also received a $50 daily onboard credit in addition to the champagne.    On the wine list the champagne has an up charge of $80.   If you book the retreat for the entire cruise it’s a very reasonable rate.

Update on Ovation, the pianist in the TK Bar is Bruno .   He was there for the Greek Island Cruises in 21 and now for the Central American and Caribbean departures from Miami.    He is great and many of his sets include songs from the 60’s through 80’s.   In the Grand Salon we have had musicians plan from the Beatles to a decade ago.    The Seabourn dancers/singers covered music up through 2010.  Can’t speak to the Observation Bar, maybe the music played is older there.   We do have a wide range of ages onboard with only a few with walkers and chairs.    There are 100 new Seabourn cruisers and they seem to be enjoying themselves.     

Funny about Tortola, is Pussers so longer there?    it was always such a fun place with, obviously, great rum.    A good alternative if you are not into snorkeling or sailing.

On the Ovation on the Formal night, you have the option of dressing down and eating at a different venue.   We actually saw a couple who may have just finished shopping at Walmart come into the evening show.    They did, however, comply with the mask mandate.

What kind of shoes/boots will you be using in Iceland.    Gortex lined shoes or boots should be sufficient.   There were a lot of dirt and muddy walkways in Iceland near the natural sites.   Don’t forget insect spray and a net to wear over your hat to protect you from the annoying midges.

 You need to check on several requirements before leaving your country and those requirements will change as needed.   First VISA, if required, it’s not likely to change, then COVID Vaccination, also not likely to change.   The requirement that will continue to change is COVID test requirements.   The two days before cruise is two calendar days, No earlier than Friday for a Sunday cruise as an example.   On our 1/30 cruise we were also tested at the pier.   We have only heard of two cases on board.

No boundary is needed, look at the Naval Charts!   Seamanship 101.

We love the Retreat and use it on every voyage with one available.   You will have a private, sheltered (out of Sun) space with a refrigerator and TV with headphones.    Some spaces have direct sea view.   All have dining tables and two very comfortable loungers that can be in or out of the sun.   There is a large hot tub, whirlpool if you are into that and a bar with great beverage service.    You can also get breakfast, lunch and snacks at your cabana.

While it’s not for everyone, it is a great space and  value to those of us using them.   On our current, mostly hot, voyage, it has provided a cool place to enjoy the outside (a ceiling fan is in each cabana).    They have been very popular on our Central American cruise.

So glad that although I have become lactose intolerant as I grew older there is no problem with eating real cheese.  Hope they continue with real cheese on their onion soup.   For ice cream, gelato I must take the dairy tablets to avoid stomach problems.   So, hurray for cheese.

No problem with any of your requests except the  for the shower water.   What are you trying to filter out of the water?    I do know the water is very “soft” as opposed to “hard”.    Your hair, body may or may not like the water.   The fixtures in the bathroom are European and I can’t see a place to add a filter.   Our shower head in our suite comes direct from the ceiling with no connection point.    It can be adjusted many ways, rain etc.    The faucet in the tub has a hand held attachment but it is also European so I don’t see where you can add a filter.    

Gasman from New York, why did you have to “eat” your airfares?    When we have cancelled during COVID most airlines are offering a no cost change to your booking if you are not eligible for a refund.   Hotels in the Marriott group are allowing cancellations 24-48 hrs before you are scheduled to arrive.

The angled balcony stateroom photos look a lot like the Celebrity Suite we have had on the Equinox, especially the big bathtub.   Don’t think there is a separate shower but I could be forgetting.   Separate very small bedroom.

If you want to be in a dark closed off, fussy restaurant on your first night, then Murano is your choice.   If you want to sit at a window, have good food, and enjoy the view  while you sail awayTuscan is your choice.    Lawn Grill is also outstanding on the first night if it isn’t too hot, cold or windy.

Thought, for a fee,  you can still be tested onboard.   We will see what the rules are this summer.   Some of the countries have expiration dates for your vaccines so you can’t have gotten them more than a year, or six months before traveling.    Check the requirements for the Netherlands.

It is open to all passengers with a fee as a specialty restaurant.   It’s one of our favorites.

Actually, the Herald does not say Formal optional.   It says Formal in the Restaurant.   We ate in TKs and every man had at least a sport, most had ties.    There may have been casual dress in the TK Bar but they didn’t come into the Grill.    We dined early so I don’t know if it gets more casual after 8 pm.