skybluewaters

2 hours ago, commodoredave said:

The Seabourn Gong Show continues. Today, just 4 days before our cruise departs, we received notice that a visa for Suriname is required and must be applied for by end of tomorrow for it to be processed in time for our arrival in Parimaribo on October 14.

After you booked this cruise, did you check to see if a visa (or in this case, a travel card) would be required?  Every single cruise line that I am aware of clearly indicates that it is the traveler's responsibility to do so. 

Sure, it would be helpful if the cruise lines helped with this, but it is our responsibility as cruisers to manage this. 

If anything, you should be very thankful that Seabourn sent you this notification. 

14 hours ago, TER777 said:

Yes, sushi bar is only first come-first serve. No reservations.

And it still counts as a visit to Umi Uma

20 minutes ago, Cantara24 said:

that is a suckers game

And, apparently, sometimes a SDuckers game, also 😆

One thing for sure, don't worry about the condition of the ship itself.

It's just fine.  Odyssey underwent a significant refurbishment 4 years ago and was looking great when we were last on her five months ago. 

The final voyage should be special. We would gladly be going on it if not for our previous plans to be on the Quest at that time.

Here's a screen capture from the Seabourn Source app four days ago. 

Note the temperature recorded at 7:35PM on the Odyssey, which was en route from Alert Bay, BC to Vancouver.

My guess is that they inadvertently placed the thermometer in the roasted Jidori chicken.

Thanks for this great news! 

Not only will this be a wonderful addition to the pre-dinner scene, but it will take the pressure off of the usually packed Observation Lounge and make it easier to get seated there before dinner for a drink.

Do you know if they will be serving hot sake in the Club along with the sushi?

Why do you say you were "assigned" this cabin?

Perhaps it was because that's what the group you are part of gave you.

In any event, if you are at all prone to sea sickness, you have the absolute worst cabin for that.

19 hours ago, sullaRaffaello said:

People need to get taught what luxury is.

Really?  By whom?

I guess because I prefer not to have a meal at a table with starched white tablecloths three times a day, I'm a schlump.   Heck, I might even be as uncouth as @AtA.

11 hours ago, arzz said:

Which ships have Starlink?

I've heard that Starlink is already on the two expedition ships, Pursuit and Venture, and will be on all Seabourn ships in the near future.

3 hours ago, Texas Tillie said:

Remembering fondly what has been come to be known as the Flying Dutchman cruise. We missed the first port due to seas that didn't allow us into the port. After that we floated around the South China Sea looking for someone to take us. Thank you Singapore. Little did we know at the time what Covid would do to all kinds of plans going forward. The vast majority of the passengers just rolled with the punches and had a grand old time!

 

Patty

Yes, we were turned away from scheduled stops in Manila, Da Nang, Hanoi, and Hong Kong.  A total of ten consecutive sea days, I believe.  Then we were told we would disembark in Taipei instead of Hong Kong, but the next day that changed to Singapore after Taipei refused us.  Crystal was handing out N95s each time we got off the ship in Singapore, where we spent our last three days.  Mandatory temperature checks twice daily.  Ahhh, those were the days!  But it goes to show that itineraries can change for a multitude of unpredictable reasons, and you can still have a great time (we did) in spite of it all.

18 hours ago, Covepointcruiser said:

I never realized that we boarded Seabourn based on our loyalty level

Yes and no.

Diamond and Diamond Elite board early.

That's the only differentiation based on status.

Way too risky. 

Many things can go awry, including weather, customs, availability of transportation, local traffic, issues at the airport, etc.

You might get lucky and make it on time, maybe you'll be lucky 75% of the time, but you have to be comfortable with knowing that getting to your flight on time is out of your control and you have to be willing to accept the consequences of missing your flight, risk vs benefit.

Plus, do you really want to be worrying about this during your cruise?

I always go for flights after 12:00PM (domestic) and 1:00PM (international).

You can get yourself into a nice airport lounge (even if you have to pay for it) and have a relaxing time without the worry.

1 hour ago, commodoredave said:

...this will likely be our last Expedition cruise with Seabourn.

It sounds as though you've worked yourself up to quite a negative state.

I do understand the frustrations you've had.

I sympathize that SB has "robbed us" of the pleasure of anticipation, as that's important to us, also.

But is it really so bad to be given a boarding time 20 minutes later than your friend's?

The issues regarding excursions and the Covid vaccination are significant, but they were worked out, so why let them ruin your attitude?

As they say, if you want to have a good time, you'll have one.  If you want to have a bad time, you'll have one.  I hope you choose wisely!

Please follow up on this board with a review of your cruise. 

And I hope you have a great time!

Yes, you definitely can.

I believe you have 30 days to do so.

What a wonderful combination cruise you have put together!

Enjoy every moment!

5 hours ago, AtA said:

Double rooms might work for a single person,but the closet space and storage space is way too small for 2 people

Would anyone who has stayed in the new double cabins care to comment on their experience regarding the closet and storage spaces?  Particularly, any tips on how best to manage the situation. 

We have a double on Serenity booked for next year and now are re-thinking our cabin selection.  Thanks.

38 minutes ago, KenzSailing said:

Now if they'd just bring back their heavenly creamed spinach

...or their turkey tetrazinni 🦃

10 minutes ago, May B said:

I also was just informed by a friend that my June 24th Serenity has had a schedule change.

Pray tell, what is the change? 

22 hours ago, May B said:

Before Crystal sends out an email, I wish they’d proof it.

That email is just atrocious.  Shame on Crystal for such shoddy communication.

I'm guessing it was written by a bot or by someone for whom English is a fourth language. 

8 hours ago, Keith1010 said:

I have to say I prefer turning the clock back and not forward.

 

Keith

 

 

 

 

Hahaha....similar to this, we will be on a cruise (non-Crystal) in another month that crosses the International Dateline twice in three days. Actually, that won't be an issue at all because who cares what day it is in the South Pacific when you're cruising?  But moving one hour forward or backward does affect sleep and your daily schedule.  

16 minutes ago, CalmSea said:

Since your booking can be cancelled without penalty before final payment, it can benefit from future sales.

Check your invoice carefully.  Cancellation penalties begin prior to the final payment date on most (all?) Seabourn cruises. 

13 minutes ago, AtA said:

If you are on any statins or heart meds, you can’t take Paxlovid.

Actually, many people can take Paxlovid with statins if they temporarily stop the statin.

And the blanket statement that you can't take Paxlovid with "any...heart meds" is incorrect.  There are scores of different heart meds, some of which can and some of which can't be taken with Paxlovid.  The major categories of heart medications that "can't be taken with Paxlovid" are anti-arrhythmics and anti-coagulants.

But, of course, everyone should discuss their particular case with their doctor.

Don't listen to me or to anyone else on CC regarding your health.

16 hours ago, Keith1010 said:

Given that people are hearing different things if it was me and it is something important I would have the TA double check

My TA has triple-checked and was told by the Crystal rep that our cruise, which is 24-days long, has a penalty phase that kicks in 120 days before the cruise.  However, our invoice shows 180 days.  The Crystal rep says that she is "working with IT" to get the invoice corrected.  I'm not sure why IT needs to be involved, but so be it.  It's been nearly one month and still no correction. I know that we're dealing with a newly-formed company, but I do expect a minimal level of competence. 

Again, in my experience, Crystal's shoreside service was substandard in the old days, but the onboard experience was always outstanding.  Seems like it's the same with New Crystal. 

3 minutes ago, Roland4 said:

Actually the 180/120 thing may not be an error. Other cruiselines, Oceania and HAL come to mind, on longer voyages have cancellation penalties that kick in 30 to 60 days prior to the final payment date. We just booked 24 days on Serenity next year and the Admin Fee of $250.00 applies up to day 121!

You are correct that some other cruise lines, such as Seabourn, start assessing penalties prior to the final payment date.

But in this case, the Crystal representative agreed it was a mistake and said they would send a new invoice with the correction, but they have failed to do so. 

The original invoice stated, "All Crystal cruises may be cancelled prior to the final payment date with only an administration fee being assessed."  But having corrected the final payment date to 120 days, they have neglected to change the date at which penalties are assessed to also be 120 days. 

On the phone they agree that this is the case, but when asked to send a corrected invoice they just ignore us despite repeated contacts by our persistent TA.

There's also a garbage bin in the corner of the room, to be used for clothes that remain in the washer or dryer for over 24 hours.