Legend Med Travel Logue!

Host Dan reporting from the Legend!

After a grueling trip to Barcelona, we embarked yesterday afternoon. We were greeted by many a familiar face, including Luca, Zoltan, Gerhard and Casey. The very professional Joergg Grossmann is the Hotel Manager this cruise. It is always so nice to see "friends" on board Legend. After the lifeboat drill, we enjoyed the sail away party on deck, including a nice chat with the mesmerising Michelle (Cruise director) and the vampy Bonnie (assistant Cruise director/entertainer). Drinks at the Club and a dinner cut short due to extreme tiredness. I'm off to the Verandah for breakfast (Sunday) and will post more later today. I've not had the opportunity to see the Captain yet, but hopefully either later on today, or at the Captains welcome gala tonight. Till then..

Host Dan

Dan:

Glad to hear you made it safely onboard, and looking forward to your reports, as always!

Smooth sailing to you, and best wishes to the staff & crew aboard "your" Legend!....

Paul

My first "lesson" onSeabourn.... While using the internet cafe, be sure you remain active, as there is a time-out feature! (I was helping another passenger with the computer system, already had quite a long unfinished post written, and bam... logged off!) Moral of the story?..On Seabourn all internet users to THEMSELVES!! ;) (just kidding of course)

The quaint town of Palamos Spain, is just that..quaint! The people are so very charming, the beaches and walkways are spotless, and the views are spectacular! I leisurely strolled along the coast to admire the sunbathers enjoying a beautiful Sunday morning. a walk to a magnificent catherdral, and the a hike to a beautiful lighthouse, high on a hill. Spectacular views of the sea on this clear breezy day. A wonderful memory for me.:o

I had the opportunity to meet a lovely woman who lost her luggage. What a great attitude! I'm sure working hand-in-hand with the seabourn reps, her luggage will be aboard ship in no time!

Lounging up top deck, I enjoyed sunbathing and socializing with a very diverse mix of passengers. So many more Europeans than Americans this segment. It will be interesting to see if the mix changes over the next few weeks.

I'm off to get ready for formal night tonight, and have the awesome opportunity to sit with the Hotel Manager Joergg Grossmann. (Please forgive any spelling errors of names). Hopefully I will be alert and keen and will be able to play (win) at the Blackjack table!:rolleyes:

I hope everyone is having a very happy Sunday on this holiday (for many) weekend!

Hi Dan, So glad you are aboard and off to a GREAT start of your 21 day sojourn in one of my favorite parts of the world! :) I can't think of a better place than a Seabourn Yacht to unwind from a grueling journey to get to the ship. Take good care of yourself and please keep us landlubbers posted - pun most definitely intended! ;)

Bon Jour everyone! (In France you know)

Porte Vendre, another quaint fishing village. Very tourist friendly, a great place to walk around. The Seabourn experience is later on. This morning I had the pleasure of meeting "Wineasmusic" and his lovely wife Peggy. I've also met "James King". Wonderful to be able to connect with other CC members..

Dinner last night was terrific with the Hotel Manager, Joerg Grossmann.. A real gentleman.. I can't say the same for a few members of the casino staff though... A little tift last night...(ridiculous) Actually will save me money, as I dont think I will be playing blackjack much for the rest of the cruise..

In a day or 2, I will be "shopping with the chef".. Looking forward to that.

At this moment I am looking forward to lunch...A special order of sashimi and sushi! Thanks to Zoltan!

I'll post later.. Happy Monday!

Host Dan

Host Dan, it is wonderful to read your posts from the Legend. Have a wonderful cruise and I look forward to continue to read all of your posts. Enjoy!!!

Keith

My first "lesson" onSeabourn.... While using the internet cafe, be sure you remain active, as there is a time-out feature! (I was helping another passenger with the computer system, already had quite a long unfinished post written, and bam... logged off!) Moral of the story?..On Seabourn all internet users to THEMSELVES!! ;) (just kidding of course)

To save time and money I always write off-line and then go online to post and cut and paste my post or email. I am really looking forward to Seabourn's WiFi in suites. I have gone from (before they install WiFi) having to use RSSC puters in the email place, to WiFi on Silverseas but only at select points in the ship and having to lug my Powerbook there to just doing it all from the suite.. :)

I had the opportunity to meet a lovely woman who lost her luggage. What a great attitude! I'm sure working hand-in-hand with the seabourn reps, her luggage will be aboard ship in no time!

Heard the worst missing luggage story in the airport this weekend. Do not know what cruise line but a man checked his luggage at the port with the ship personal but one piece did not get to his cabin. A room steward saw it under another passengers bed day 5 of their cruise. It was delievered to the wrong room and the #$%$% passenger instead of just putting it in the hall, put it under his bed. ... What are some ppl thinking....

Hi Dan

We were anxiously awaiting your travelogue - and now we can just read it, close our eyes, and pretend we are there too! We shall be glued to this for the next 3 weeks. :)

Please say hi to Zoltan and Andrea for us. They are so wonderful! Also to Luca if you get a chance.

Is the wonderful Captain G-A still on board?

Have a fabulous cruise and we will be lurking and reading your posts daily.

Carol & Wally

Hi everyone!

I just got back from the Exclusive Seabourn Experience. It was an excursion to the charming Caste of Collioure. We enjoyed a brief tour with refreshments including local wine and sweets, and a medieval show. Although it was alot of fun, the tour might have been cut about 45 minutes or so, as the day was very hot, and many did not need 1 and a half hours to shop. The BEST was arriving back to the ship. The staff was in full uniform, outside awaiting our return, with punch and canapes! What a sight! Another perfect Seabourn moment. Who thinks up this stuff anyway?!

I wanted to mention one of the terrific staff members here onboard the Legend. Her name is Casey Harris. She is a dynamo at reception, and can't do enough for "her" guests! She is from Cape Town South Africa, where she worked in the restaurant business. In 2004 she was offered a position as a server on the Pride. She immediately saw an incredible opportunity to travel the world, so she grabbed the position. Upper management obviously saw her "people" skills, and promoted her to the reception area, where she currently works. She has been with Seabourn since August of 2004, and is looking forward to many more years with the cruise line. She feels the guests she meets make her days interesting and enjoyable, and the palces shes sees are always exciting. Now that she has worked on the ships for a few years, she feels like the crew is part of her "family", and enjoy working with them as a well oiled machine, or team. Her sights are to work on the Spirit in a year or so, so she can see other parts of the world, through "Seabourn Eyes" as she so wonderfully states! Hats off to Casey, a perfect match to a true luxury cruise line!

I will be experiencing "2" tonight for dinner, and will post more tomorrow. I hope everyone has a wonderful evening!

Host Dan

PS Carol and Wally, I FINALLY met up with Captain last night. It was a real pleasure to see him! :)

Dan,

Send all the great Legend staff my greetings (Specials hellos to Bronson and Joseph). I was on June 17th and was so impressed with everything. The staff and food could not have been better. After 24 months of sailing Seabourn, Regent, Crystal and Silversea, I think Seabourn fits me the best.

Have a great trip!

James

Dear Dan - I am so "pea green with envy" right now - like a two-year old "I want it NOW" myself. Here's wishing you a wonderful, wonderful time and I am really looking forward to all your posts. Not playing blackjack - now there's a bummer as Sophie would say. Since Kit taught me I have been thoroughly enjoying my little minimum bid flutter when I cruise. Hopefully it will all be happy and smiling by November. (I can't remember - are you guys joining us on the Transatlantic?) Continue to have a great cruise, and thank you for taking the time to let us all live vicariously through the great posts. Sue:o

Dan,

I am thrilled to know there will be a three week commentary of your trip.

Thank you so much for sharing with us. I am anxious to know what your honest opinion of '2' is. We enjoyed the Verandah at night with their theme dinners and the fact that our standing order of esgargot followed us from the Restaurant automatially down to the Verandah when eating dinner. I don't think that will happen with '2'.

Also, we remember Casey from the Pride in September 2004 when we did a 14 day NYC to Quebec and back. She was dynamite then, as well as the rest of the Seabourn Family, and certainly still is as evidenced by your report. I hope she will be on the Spirit when we go in November 07.

We will be departing in August 06 for a two week trip and can't wait. Your reports make it all the more enjoyable.

Many thanks

Like Sue Marco. I am also green at the moment and I have soooooooooooo long until my next cruise......suppose I will just have to spend the next 18 months sitting at my computer reading everyones travel journals!

Enjoying reading about your trip Host Dan...have a great time.

Blackbird...dont get over excited about the WiFi......a lot of us on the Spirit couldnt use it in our suites........for me it worked for 1 week out of the 8 that I was on board. I had to either go to the Club (sometimes wouldnt work there either, but was closest for me as we were on Deck 6) but most of the time had to carry the laptop to the Horizon Lounge.

As always it sounds like you are having a wonderful time:) . Just wish I was there to say the least.:mad: Loved following you around while you were doing your logue's on the past number of cruises. Would love to hear more about the casino and the " tiff". Sounds familiar.:eek: Keep up the good work and can't wait to hear more. Best to Phil and everyone else that I know.

Kit:D

Hi CruiserKit, So glad to see you posting! Those of us that can only cruise a few weeks a year have quickly learned how to cruise vicariously through the travelogue threads here on CC. Going OT for a moment, a little seagull told me that you and Joanne were waitlisted for the Nov. 2007 Legend crossing and I hope you both can get oboard. The west FL contingent of the "Comeback Cruisers" will be missed this year :( and I hope you all have booked for 2007 as Carol, Wally and I booked our reservations the first day they were availble for booking on March 31.

Take care and, like a lot of other posters here, are waiting with baited breath for Dan's next newsy installment! :)

Happy 4th of July all! Fireworks to everyone!

Last night was a bit of a snafu... "2" was not experienced, and may not be at all this trip. We made reservations, arrived at the proper time, and were shown to the only available table for 2, on the side, in the sun, and looking at a blank wall. When asked to move, we were told that there were no other tables available and we could basically move-in on another reserved table, hoping no one else would show up (sure). The maitre'd then said that we could come back in another couple of days. This did not leave a good taste in our mouth (no pun intended).

On the other hand... Dinner was excellent in the dining room, scallops and braised short ribs..yummy! Dessert and dancing under the stars, and losing my last green chip at the casino.

This morning is another glorious day. We are in Sanary-Sur Mer, France. Havent had a chance to get off the ship yet. I plan on exploring the town, as most are on shore excursion to Aix en Provence and other destinations. I have had the opportunity to explore Aix in the past, so I decided to forego this excursion. I'll report more later on today!

Host Dan

PS Great to see you posting Kit!! :)

 

Blackbird...dont get over excited about the WiFi......a lot of us on the Spirit couldnt use it in our suites........for me it worked for 1 week out of the 8 that I was on board. .

But the WiFi Fairie has promised me she would be good on the Pride...:D:D

my last green chip at the casino.

The chip I lost that I miss the most was ~$5 clip I took from the Casino at Monaco. Part of the writing on the clip end with "del Mer", and I carried in my pocket for years.

Hi Dan,

I think we (Larry and Shelagh) will be getting on the Legend as you will be getting off (July 22nd?) Enjoying your travel log enormously. Doesn't sound as though your experience at 2 was good though. Will you try it again?? We know both Sanary and Aix very well as we had a house in Bandol (just down the road from Sanary) for many years and our daughter now has an apartment there. They are both worth visiting.

Shelagh

Hi Dan

So sorry that your first experience at "2" was not good. We loved it and thought it was really a highlight of our last cruise. Perhaps you should arrange a night a few days ahead and ask for the "best" table since you had this bad experience - and I am guessing you will find it really great!

Who is in charge of the sky bar? Is Sasha there, or Daniel? We are trying to picture everything :)

Hi Kit - Good to see you posting. We should all be heading for trivia about now, right??

Carol & Wally

Sanary Sur Mer, my new favorite place! The farmers market was UNBELIEVABLE!! The smell of fresh berries and vegatables, the sights of fresh meat and cheeses, these are things that true memories are made of.. Very charming port town. I know Aix very well, so we decided not to go on that particular tour.

We now have a standing order of Sashimi and sushi for lunch! My very favorite, and not MY idea! I was offered this earlier for lunch, and couldn't resist. Another Seabourn experience! "2" will be visited and tried in a day or two, as Luca assured that we would have a private table, right at the back of the ship. You gotta love him!

Tonight is the deck bar-b-que...The first of 3. I'll be sure to post more later.

Till then.... Happy 4th!

Host Dan

PS, Met a terrific British couple, that we have sailed the crossing with. I mentioned Independence Day, and they said that it was their "Thanksgiving" Day. When I pursued, they expalined "Yes, it was the day we got rid of you!" (Americans) LOL!! :D

You really reach me when you speak of Luca.We have enjoyed him from the time he was a hireling. When he says you will be cared for...rest assured.

You also got to me with the market at Sanary Sur Mer...we absolutely loved it. We never miss one..but this one is special. We have fabulous pictures as a remembrance. We also like the marketplace at Aix. Thanks for sharing! Lola

Sounds like a wonderful time at your past two ports. Sorry to hear about your experience with "2". :confused: But if Luca is now involved I am sure your next visit will be fantastic.:) Please make sure you tell him hello for me. Following your journey without being there really makes me look so forward to my next trip on "Our Legend". :p Thanks for all of the info. Keep up the good work.

Boiling in Naples

Kit

A Happy 4th of July to all! The Shuttle blasted off from Florida this afternoon and lots of fireworks will fill the skies tonight:cool: .

I'm glad you are having a great time Dan! I can't wait!

Our best friend goes back to work tomorrow.:(

If Luca is in charged, you are in great hands!!!:o

Please extend greetings to Capt. G-A. if he hasn't left yet!

Take care!

Hi Dan & Kit & Paul & CeeJay & Sue etal,

So great to see you all online - missing everyone real bad up here in the very windy north will now be glued to your posts Dan so keep them coming - like Sue & Carol I am really jealous. Enjoy your nice long trip - we are going to miss you on the crossing. Big hug and kiss to you and Phil. Paul does Ceejay have your email address - we have booked our week in Malaga so I know where we are staying? Kit call me.... Happy, happy cruising and have a few for us. Bon Voyage - hope there are no kidnaps this trip;)

Dan - great posts - I really enjoy them, despite a jealous green tone to my eyes.:( Kit - it's lovely to see you on the boards, now we just have to get together at home. Hopefully you saw my accolade to you for your wonderful teaching skills - I managed to come away with a very, very small profit on my last cruise thanks to you - all of about ten dollars, but at least I'd had some fun. Not nearly as much fun as when we were all together on the Crossing though! And yes I am boiling here too. Lesley - where are you staying in Malaga - I think that we are independently staying at the Seabourn hotel. Dan - I am eager to hear more news of how you got on at the 2 restaurant. I always enjoyed it when it was the old Verandah and you could be outside for dinner, and I love lots of different little bits to eat so it should be good. I can't visualise where you were put facing the wall - was it inside? Thanks for all the posts and happy sailing - Sue.