JodiandFrank

PRMinx We have used FlightEase several times in recent years and I remember I was panicked the first time when our names were mushed together…but, it’s fine. It really is.

We have used FlightEase a few times and saved a great deal by doing it, never paying until the cruise money is due. We are Executive Platinum on American Airlines so the mileage is important to us. AA has announced that starting May 1 travel on a ticket bought from outside the AA approved network will no longer accrue mileage. No one can tell me if FlightEast is an approved agency until April. I plan to pay for my tickets before May 1…. Just in case.

Isr45 Posted Wednesday at 04:45 PM Just received an email re November 25 Seabourn Ovation transatlantic crossing to Barbados has been changed to San Juan due to “deployment changes” Is this the Barcelona to Barbados crossing in 2024? we are booked on it, but haven’t heard anything yet. Personally, I’d rather end in Puerto Rico. I’ve heard that Barbados airport is a nightmare.

We are just off the Sojourn after a glorious 44 nights beginning in Monte Carlo. We had a wonderful time and found the staff was extremely attentive to us. I never had to ask for my coffee with almond milk after the third morning and at Trivia a glass of water with no ice appeared before me without asking. The entertainment was wonderful, the food was tasty and the staff was always smiling and asking what we needed. This was our fourth Seabourn cruise since Covid and we found the staff very well trained. Our first Seabourn cruise was only in 2019 so I don’t know what it was like years before, but I can say that nothing is the same as it was years and years ago!

@bradatbradruben That seems like a good plan. We used Luggage forward for our cruise in May/June and we were quite pleased. But, you can only pack clothing and shoes. Check out their website.

We join the Sojourn next week and stop in St Tropez on Oct 11….just missing the big sales. My husband is thrilled. Me, not so much.

Or, stay on board to Miami and fly home from there!

James Templeton is the CD and Olivia Stearman the ACD. Both are incredibly talented, fun and outgoing people.

Hello all. We are also currently on the Quest and we are having a fabulous time. We are a bit over halfway through our 21 nights and we have found the staff, food and entertainment to be wonderful. In fact, I would say the entertainment (the Seabourn Singers and Dancers) to be the best group we have ever encountered….Such talent!! David and Tabitha (Entertainment Director and Entertainment Manager….no longer CD and ACD) are beyond lovely and fun. The weak link (for me) are the excursions. One really horrendous one was a boat excursion from Vis to H’var. Very disappointing, unsafe and uncomfortable.

That’s not good. We have an 11:40am flight out of Venice that morning. We hope to be the first ones off the ship that morning…. Fingers crossed. 🤞

Rebels82 - Really odd. That’s going down to the Caribbean. We get off the ship that day in Miami! Call your TA tomorrow and ask.

Covepointcruiser - Good Suggestion! Thanks…

Vineyard View - Yes, many of the ports are going to be just walking around in the old town. I did book going to see the Lippazzaner Horse Farm for June 16. We did something similar in Hungary years ago and it was really fun and different.

Rebels82 - I must admit, that sounds odd. Nothing at all on any day? What ship and what dates?

Vineyard View - I think we are on the same cruise….Venice to Venice 5/27-6/17 I just went over all the excursions yesterday and basically took most of the ones that had a boat involved!

We will be using LF for the first time in May. We have a wedding in Tuscany prior our 21 night cruise leaving from Venice. We will also be traveling with family for two weeks after our cruise and with any luck, our luggage will arrive home before we do. I will still have to take another medium/large suitcase because of the wedding and all the various outfits for the related festivities which I may have to drag around Europe. Oh, well… these are all good problems to have!

All Veranda Suites are the same. It just depends on where they are. We prefer mid-ship on deck 6 or 7, but not under the pool deck.

Hi L - It’s basically the same as our Aug-Sept cruise on the Quest. The Ovation is a slightly larger ship and a few years newer, but the daily schedule is pretty much the same. The “Club” is slightly larger as is the dance floor…. Hope you are well….. Jodi & Frank

The Marriott Courtyard is relatively inexpensive and right at the Venice Airport. We are using it before our May cruise.

Benny - Thanks for the report. Our daughter and granddaughter (age 6) are going this week so I’ve got lots to share with them. Next time you are in Miami go to Havana Harry’s (Coral Gables near Merrick Park) for far superior authentic Cuban Food. Versailles is a tourist attraction at this point in time….

We, too, were on this transatlantic and we had a blast. Trivia was outstanding (we won twice!) and laughed constantly….especially when The Rockettes (a team of four FUN women) made a grand entrance to “New York New York”. Great fun. We loved the entertainment…and the entertainers. The best days were when we had two different shows to attend. Ryan and James also did shows and we were blown away with their talent. Can’t wait to sail with Ryan again in May on the Quest. Staff was always smiling…always. The coffee bar (and Viktoria and Milos) were delicious. Oh, how I miss my daily (sometimes twice daily) Skinny Caramel Latte. YUMMY…. The food was mostly great. A hit and miss here or there, but what we liked, others may not (and Vice-versa). Biggest disappointment was the gelato….almost flavorless. (Probably better for me that I felt that way) We know of 5 couples who booked for next year while onboard, including us. Several more seriously considering it. We met many interesting people and one adorable poodle. The poodle’s human kept to herself and the pup was always leashed and by her side. I’m shocked at the uproar on this site. I never met anyone on board who had an issue with the human or the pup. Happy Sailing….. J&F

That makes sense. Our first cruise was on the Ovation in 2019/2020. I stupidly just assumed…. Well, you know what they say about people that assume 🤦🏼‍♀️

I have recently realized that I have not read anything about the private area aboard the Seabourn Ships that one must pay extra for in order to spend time. Is The Retreat still open on the Seabourn Ships? I was on the Quest in Aug/Sept and never saw anything about it. As I prepare to board the Sojourn next week I began looking for information to possibly book a day, but there is no information! Has anyone spend time in The Retreat lately??? Are they open and functioning? I appreciate any information you can give me!!

CALM DOWN DEAR - I am enjoying your posts and have even learned a few things! I have always requested bottled water, but never received it....you did....so know I know to be more "forceful" in my ask should I not receive it. The water on our recent Quest cruise was not nearly as revolting as our Dec/Jan 2019/2020 Ovation Cruise. For our Quest Cruise I was prepared for the worst and brought along small boxes of "Crystal Light". For those not familiar, Crystal Light are individually packed powders in a variety of flavors made to put directly into 16.9 ounce water bottles. A couple of quick shakes and it makes the worst water tolerable. It's also calorie free and with some good flavors. Our favorite it Pink Lemonade. Keep on posting..... We board the Sojourn in 12 days and you are getting me even more excited about it!

This thread has got me thinking. Is a “Filling Station Shirt” similar to a “Bowling Team Shirt”? You know, with the person’s name embroidered on the front side of the shirt?!?!?