DC Traveler244
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Posts posted by DC Traveler244
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Kej1, we'll be on the Encore holiday cruise as well. We're going to get visas for Vietnam and Cambodia from Seabourn when we're onboard. It's easy and (based on past experiences with onboard visas), Seabourn only charges a modest fee for the service.
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I hope that things will work out for you. However, I urge you and the couple with whom you’re flying from London to do some advance research re the options for getting from Barbados to Union Island. The last time we needed to fly that route (several years ago), you had to arrange for a shared charter.
So — if you haven’t already done so, I urge you to reasearch the transit service to Union Island, and boat service from there to Mayreau, and have the contact info in your phone just in case.
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Thanks, Roxburgh — the Singapore night safari is indeed at the night zoo. We’ll consider taking this excursion.
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Isklaar, I noticed that Seabourn offers a shore excursion from 6:15-10:15 on December 22 (a night safari). So, I assume that they’ll conduct the safety drill in the late afternoon. And, I think that guests will have the opportunity to spend time in Singapore after the drill and before the all-aboard time.
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We visited both cities in December 2016. In Mangalore, we arranged for a private tour with another couple on our ship. There's a strong Portuguese influence in this part of India. We visited a number of Hindu temples, Catholic churches, and markets. It was interesting.
In Cochin, there are strong Portuguese Dutch influences. We arranged another private tour that took us to the oldest Christian church in India, the old Jewish quarter of the city, and a working Dhabi (traditional open-air clothes-washing facility). It was moderately interesting, but after talking with our fellow passengers, we regretted not taking a houseboat tour of the Kerala Backwaters. Quite a few passengers took a SB excursion to the backwaters, but some made private arrangements. Apparently, the experience was really special.
If you want information about the company we used for our tours in Mangalore and Cochin, please email me at annehwright [at] gmail [dot] com.
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A follow-up re pants — yes, waterproof pants are a must. Also, be sure that your pants have zips at the ankles, so you can easily get your knee-high waterproof boots on/off. The boots are the last item you don before boarding a zodiac, and the first you remove when you return — you can’t wear the boots from/to your suite (to protect carpets from penguin poo). Even if you bring your own boots, you will have to store them in an outdoor locker on Deck 5.
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We’ve done several SB cruises over Christmas and NYE. We like them because it’s stress-free for passengers, and SB does a great job creating a festive holiday experience.
You have to get all your holiday erands finished in advance, but once you’re on the ship, all your chores are done and you can relax.
Our absolute favorite holiday cruise on SB was to Antarctica over the 2013/2014 holidays.
We’re currently booked for a holiday cruise (Singapore to HK) this year. Looking forward to visiting an interesting part of the world, and missing cold weather and holiday craziness at home.
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A hard copy of the e-Pass is useful: sometimes port officials won't allow entrance without seeing proof that you're a passenger.
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We took the train last year. Not only does it depart Anchorage very early, but you have to get there to the train station far in advance -- even passengers who have purchased tickets in advance. I didn't understand why the excessively early check in was required; it seemed unwarranted given the number of passengers and the amount of baggage.
The train ride itself was enjoyable -- the train has a clear dome, and we saw some beautiful scenery. But, you'll see lots of more fabulous scenery once you're aboard the ship. In retrospect, I think the SB coach at a more civilized hour would have been a better option.
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Thanks, TV24. We'll look into the Sofitel.
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My husband and I will be disembarking from the Ovation in Hong Kong in January. Post-cruise, we plan on spending some time in HK and two days in Macau. Our primary interest in Macau is the historic area, not the casinos.
This will be our first visit to Macau, and we're trying to identify well located hotel possibilities that aren't too casino-focused (if such places still exist in Macau ...). We're currently looking at the St. Regis, Mandarin Oriental, Altira, and Pousada de Sao Tiago.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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The blank area its too big for a crew stairway. It might be a crew-only area -- perhaps crew cabins, or non-public working areas. Your TA should be able to get the info from Seabourn.
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jag60uk, I haven't been on that particular shore excursion.
However, it is an option that's offered on our upcoming Ovation sailing in the opposite direction (Singapore to HK) in December/January. We decided against taking the SB excursion because of the bus time involved (didn't want to risk four hours RT on a bus with an overly talkative guide). Instead, we booked a similar private Mekong tour at much lower cost. If you'd like more info about this private option, please contact me at annehwright [at] gmail [dot] com.
Best,
Anne
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We stopped in Sete France a few months ago. The wasn’t much too do in town (except enjoy excellent local shellfish), but SB offered an excursion to see part of Canal du Midi. We enjoyed seeing the canal.
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Re Earth and Ocean — if you want an early dinner, it’s best to get there at or shortly after opening. The venue has proved very popular, especially on warm evenings.
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Very sorry re misinformation re Sushi — I thought we’d been able to pre-book, but I apparently misremembered. Apologies!
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Hello Teamflames. I can’t help with all your questions, but here are my thoughts on some:
You can’t make online reservations for the sushi restaurant, but you can make them when you’re aboard the ship. And, while you are limited to one online reservation for TK, you can book additional reservations when you’re aboard. Call or stop by Guest Services in Seabourn Square when you’re aboard to book reservations.
Men are only required to wear jackets in the main restaurant (“The Restaurant”) on formal-optional nights. On other nights, a collared shirt and slacks are fine.
In the other (more casual) dining venues, jackets aren’t required. Especially in outdoor dining venues, many/most men don’t wear jackets.
I hope you enjoy your cruise on the Ovation. We sailed on Ovation in May and really enjoyed it. Be sure to try Earth and Ocean during you cruise — it’s a new outdoor dining option that’s open in the evening.
We sailed your itinerary two years ago, and were astonished at the complexities of getting Indian visas (we’re from the US). Be aware that some Indian visas are valid only for arrival by air. So — I urge you to focus on the fine print to ensure that you get the right type of visa for arrival by sea.
Best,
Anne
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Thanks for sharing this. I'd enjoyed these works but hadn't known the their background.
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We stopped there two years ago. We’d booked the archaeological excursion, but it was cancelled because too few people signed up. We decided against the beach day because SB’s materials made it clear that there would be very limited shade.
We’re glad that we skipped this beach event — we’re not sun worshipers and there were some badly sunburned passengers who returned to the ship. If you decide to go, be sure to take appropriate protection — the sun is intense.
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I agree with brontophere's advice re choosing your itinerary and month carefully. Working-age passengers typically gravitate to shorter cruises that take place during the summer and/or winter holidays. That's one of the reasons Med cruises tend to attract a younger passenger mix than is typical on Seabourn. Med cruises are shorter and port-intensive -- similar to what you'd find on Windstar.
Retirees, on the other hand, often prefer longer voyages that involve more sea days (and hence more time between ports).
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Happy Cruzer -- we've dined in TK on the first night of a cruise, and it was as good as any other night (though perhaps a bit less crowded).
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Follow-up: as an experiment, I just tried to make a second online reservation for TK on the Quest (Boston to Montreal in October), and the system prevented me from doing this because I already had a reservation. Here's the message that was displayed:
Terms of Reservation
The Grill by Thomas Keller:
Dining reservations for The Grill by Thomas Keller can be requested up to 15 days prior to sailing subject to availability. Due to high demand, you can make one reservation per cruise only.
You are entitled to reserve a table up to a maximum of 6 seats depending on availability. Additional reservations may be made through Seabourn Guest Services onboard. Subject to availability. Smaller parties may be seated with others due to limited capacity. Dining reservations are a request for a preferred date and time. They will not be confirmed online. Instead, Onboard Guest Services will leave a note in your suite confirming the date and time of your reservation upon your arrival onboard.
We kindly ask to arrive at the time you requested. Your reservation will automatically be cancelled should you arrive more than 15 minutes late to the time you originally requested.
Reservations cannot be changed or cancelled online. Should you wish to cancel or make changes to your reservation, please contact Seabourn Guest Services or alternatively, you can contact Onboard Guest Services upon your arrival.
For assistance, questions or concerns please contact:
Seabourn Guest Services
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florisdekort, I'm surprised that you were able to do that. When we tried making more than one advance online TK reservation on the Encore and Ovation, the online booking tool wouldn't allow us to do so.
As recently as June, the podium personnel in the TK restaurant on Ovation confirmed that SB's policy was still one pre-booking per cruise.
It seems odd that they'd have a different policy for the smaller ships, but perhaps that's the case?
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It’s available months in advance, so do it earlier rather than later (I believe that online reservations aren’t accepted after 15 days before embarkation).
Be aware that you can make only one online advance reservation per cruise ( so, if you’re doing two back-to-back cruises, you can make two advance reservations— one per cruise).
You can make additional reservations in-person, when you are aboard the ship. Just go to TK or call guest services once you’re onboard.
On Board VISAS for Vietnam
in Seabourn Cruise Line
Posted
Isklaar, you are correct -- we're on Ovation, not Encore! Sorry for the confusion ...