***Live from the Legend Athens-Mumbai***

[Seabourntraveller]

SB traveller.

 

Thank you for the updates. You certainly did not have a very good tour!!

 

You inferred that SB did the tour to St Katherines-

 

''I explained that the ship's tour had already departed at 7:45am''

 

Did they have a tour there or was this some other one?

 

Thank you so much for your narratives.

Have a pleasant evening-snowing here!!

 

Kind regards

Tony

 

Tony the ship had a tour running to the Monastary today but don;t know if they actually were able to tour the inside since it's suppose to be closed on Friday's and is only open normally from 9:00am-12 noon. Ours was booked independantely with another tour operator.

[Tony & Trevor]

Many thanks,

 

 

Kind regards

 

 

Tony

[Seabourntraveller]

We went to the Sky Grill tonight since the weather is so warm outside and very little winds. The only drawback was that it was the exact same menu as last night...I don't understand why they would repeat the same "Surf and Turf" menu when they could had easily put something else on.

They had approx. the same number of people tonight as they did last night.

 

Tonight there is a chocolate lovers dessert buffet at 8:45pm by the pool....hmmm glad I saved some room after dinner!

 

More to come later from our "Floating Castle" soon about to depart for Safaga, Egypt in an hours time on the Legend!

[redheadednancy]

Things are much more lively around here when Host Dan is asleep.

Expect to see all references to Greece, China and geographically challenged individuals ( along with this post) expunged shortly.

 

......Enjoyable thread, btw, Seabourntraveller.....

I agree, love the thread! Leave it alone, Dan. (I love you, but leave it alone)

[Caroldoll]

you are a she? We are going on the Pride in Asia in a week and whenever you describe something--I get more and more excited. Even though I am from California where it is RELATIVELY warm..I am looking forward to everything you have described. I don't want Host Dan to take down the thread but for me, I can leave the political part and the snide remarks. I ADMIRE you for all the time and effort you are putting into your posts. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Carole

[Seabourntraveller]

Day 9: Safaga Port, Day 1 of 2 on an Overnight

 

Good Morning from the "dusty" port of Safaga. We arrived this morning a little later than scheduled and were tied up alongside our berth just shortly after 7:30am. We went to the Verandah Cafe just shortly after 8:30am for our regular breakfast routine. Surprisingly, there were about 10 other people still having breakfast as the morning tours left shortly after 8:00am for Luxor, Karnak and the Overland Tour for 2 days. They are running a complimentary shuttle bus here in the Port of Safaga every hour on the hour until 16:30pm.

 

We plan on going into town shortly after lunchtime for a quick look around as we have already gone to Luxor and Karnak on previous cruises. Today is quite windy and grain is flying all over the place out and about the ship as we are tied right beside 4 huge silos. There is a flury of activity here in the Port of Safaga with Bedouin people moving there goods, cows, sheep and other commodities...certainly not a place to wear white shoes if you know what I mean!

 

Lunch in the Verandah will be served from 12 noon until 2pm and the Sky Grill will be closed while we are in port as well. The Shops, Casino and Onboard Cruise Sales are all closed for the next 3 days while we are in port. I have to admit looks like we will have the ship all to ourselves over the next 48 hours which suits me fine.

 

More to come later today from our "Parked Castle" the Legend!

[Seabourntraveller]

you are a she? We are going on the Pride in Asia in a week and whenever you describe something--I get more and more excited. Even though I am from California where it is RELATIVELY warm..I am looking forward to everything you have described. I don't want Host Dan to take down the thread but for me, I can leave the political part and the snide remarks. I ADMIRE you for all the time and effort you are putting into your posts. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Carole

 

NOPE I am a "He"...glad you are enjoying this blog!:D

[Martita B.]

I so look forward everyday to read of your Legend Castle adventures! Have you thought of writing for a travel magazine? Or perhaps writing a best selling Seabourn novel?

As to wearing "white shoes..." Of course, not!!:confused: It's way after Easter!! Would be a boo boo and so un-chic! As a Southern gal, I do not own even one pair of white shoes....(maybe we ladies don't own them because we're always trekking thru' dirt & rocks !)

Please don't forget to order your platter of sizzing hot onion rings when you go down for luncheon in the dining room ~Martin is the fry Chef on the Spirit, but I don't know who fries them on your Legend ~ask your kind waiter "who" deep fries the onions.

Have a continued wonderful day and evening ~we're all awaiting your next "tales" from "This Is My Yacht" ~the beautiful Legend floating Castle.

Martita B

[Caroldoll]

You make an excellent presentation. I missed the white shoe thing..I am not a Southern girl--California--and we mostly don't wear shoes! LOL. I noticed from the way you spell traveller, you must be from UK or somewhere like that--Canada or something???

[Seabourntraveller]

Restaurant Dinner Menu

 

First Course:

 

Grilled & Roasted Vegetable Terrine, spicy greens, tomato vinaigrette, marinated feta cheese

Mousseline of Chicken Liver, Sauterne Jelly, grilled pears, toasted brioche

Crisp Codfish-Potato Brandade Cake, composed tomatoes

Caramelized Onion Consomme, sherry braised oxtail

Sweet Corn & Scallop Chowder, wild mushrooms

Melon & Arugula Leaves, crisp bacon, poppy seed dressing

Mediterranean Pasta & Poached Salmon Salad, semi dried tomatoes, artichokes

 

Main Course:

 

Pan Sauteed Sea Bass on Cheese Cabbage Ragout,green apple and onion, grain mustard beurre blanc

Prosciutto Wrapped Shrimp, olive oil laced potato, warm tomato-fennel vinaigrette, fresh basil

Duck a L'Orange, almond croquettes, braised red cabbage, orange glaze

Original Weiner Schnitzel, warm potato and cucumber salad

Vegetarian-Morel & Swiss Chard Risotto, parmesan cheese and chives, mushroom reduction

 

 

Restaurant 2 theme is "Tasting"

 

Chefs Cocktail: Seared Tuna Mojito, Shaved Watermelon, Minted Lime Dash, Pop Corn

 

Cured Salmon, Crunchy Root Vegetables, Olive Tapenade Drizzles

Lobster & Chorizo Croquetta, Eggplant & Olive Relish

Marinated Red Beets, Creamy Goat Cheese, Shallot Vinaigrette, Pine Nuts

 

Lime Kissed Duck Presse, Soba Pasta, ****ake & Bok Choy, Grilled Chili Balls

Clam Cappuccino, Cilantro Foam, Coriander & Mascarpone Crisp

 

Spiced Halibut, Crisp Foie Gras, Roasted Pineapple Chutney

Marinated & Glazed Hanger Steak, Corn Cake, Poached Tomatoes

 

White Chocolate Mascarpone Cheese Cake, Cherry Jelly & Sorbet

[Seabourntraveller]

Tonight's Entertainment onboard in Safaga

 

9:30pm After Dinner , "Claudia & Oliver" at the Club

9:30pm Popcorn Movie: "The Help" in the King Olav Lounge

9:45pm Late Night Trivia in the Midnight Sun Lounge

9:45pm Guitarist Adam Green for after dinner music in the Sky Bar (Weather Permitting)

 

I suspect it will be VERY quiet tonight onboard as a lot of people went on the Overland Overnight Tour to Luxor and Karnak and also the 1 day tour to Luxor which is 13.5 hours long will arrive tonight after 9:00....room service will most likely be "off the hook"!

 

More to come from "This is my Yatch" the Legend while in Safaga on an overnight!

[Seabourntraveller]

I so look forward everyday to read of your Legend Castle adventures! Have you thought of writing for a travel magazine? Or perhaps writing a best selling Seabourn novel?

As to wearing "white shoes..." Of course, not!!:confused: It's way after Easter!! Would be a boo boo and so un-chic! As a Southern gal, I do not own even one pair of white shoes....(maybe we ladies don't own them because we're always trekking thru' dirt & rocks !)

Please don't forget to order your platter of sizzing hot onion rings when you go down for luncheon in the dining room ~Martin is the fry Chef on the Spirit, but I don't know who fries them on your Legend ~ask your kind waiter "who" deep fries the onions.

Have a continued wonderful day and evening ~we're all awaiting your next "tales" from "This Is My Yacht" ~the beautiful Legend floating Castle.

Martita B

 

I will actually be ordering room service tonight before the mad rush from the tours hit them and will see if they will make the "Famous Onion Rings" for me and ask who is the "Fryer" onboard my "Floating Castle"....stay tuned for my Onion Ring Reviews.:D

[Seabourntraveller]

Day 10: Day 2 of 2, Port of Safaga on an Overnight

 

Good Morning from the "Armpit of North Africa" the Port of Safaga! A cool and crisp morning here just 60F and windy. If you haven't booked anything in terms of tours you will be greatly disappointed as there is NOTHING to do here in the town of Safaga. I would suggest taking a taxing and going to Hurghada or nearby Kempinski Resort for the day as this port offers nothing except being the gateway to Luxor and Karnak.

Many people were shoked to learn after taking the shuttle bus into town that there were virtually no shops and nothing to do.

Today we plan on going snorkeling just outside the town of Hurghada and will be back by end of day as the ship spends one last night in port and we leave tomorrow morning at 8:00am to make our way thru "pirate alley" before reaching Salalah, Oman on Dec 17th.

 

Will be heading out soon for breakfast in the Verandah Cafe.

They plan on having a open Deck BBQ tonight onboard which I can't wait to see.

 

More to come from the "Floating Castle" the Legend!

[Tony & Trevor]

SB traveller

 

Thank you for the on going narrative-fascinating.

 

Did you hear any feed back from fellow passengers to their 'closed' tour

to St Katherines. We are there on a friday also.

Did SB have any other tours of interest put on?

 

Is Adam Green a young chap from NE England if so we have seen him on SB before.

 

Do hope you and all the passengers have a pleasant Sunday- the snow has turned to rain here.

 

Kind regards

 

Tony

[Seabourntraveller]

SB traveller

 

Thank you for the on going narrative-fascinating.

 

Did you hear any feed back from fellow passengers to their 'closed' tour

to St Katherines. We are there on a friday also.

Did SB have any other tours of interest put on?

 

Is Adam Green a young chap from NE England if so we have seen him on SB before.

 

Do hope you and all the passengers have a pleasant Sunday- the snow has turned to rain here.

 

Kind regards

 

Tony

 

Apparently the Seabourn Tour to St-Catherines Monastary only was able to tour the outside as it was closed on Friday's. IMO I don't think that tour would be worthwhile doing if you can't go in at all.

The other tours that the ship were offering while in Safaga were the Luxor and Karbak one day tours and also the 2 day Overnight. One other tour on Day 2 in Safaga that was offered was the Resort Day at a hotel and beach.

[Seabourntraveller]

Restaurant Dinner Menu

 

First Course:

 

Black Pepper Sauteed Salmon, fennel and potato salad, anchovy dressing

Bresaola, braised vegetables, arugula coulis

Marinated Calamari, warm citrus vinaigrette, mesclun greens, virgin olive oil

Yukon Gold Potato & Chorizo Consomme, braised escarole

Clam, Corn & Potato, basil essence

Tossed Arugula Leaves, mango, red radish, crisp onion, lemon and lime dressing

Pickled Cauliflower & Shaved Carrots, bitter greens, curry raisin vinaigrette

 

Main Courses:

 

Pan Sauteed Orange Roughy, crayfish wild rice, dill infused tomato coulis

Caramelized Sea Scallops, fresh linguini crab and lemongrass emulsion

Barbequed Quail with Chipotle Glaze, apple-onion soubise, black trumpets and hominy

English Cut Roast Beef, sauteed vegetables, truffled duchesse potatoes, jus natural

Vegetarian-Swiss Chard & Salsify Gratin, porcini muschrooms-garlic cream, semi dried tomato-lemon confit

 

***Restaurant 2 closed due to outside Deck BBQ***

[Seabourntraveller]

Day 11: At Sea EnRoute to Salalah, Oman

 

Good Morning from the "Floating Castle" the Legend. We left the port of Safaga, Egypt ahead of schedule at 6:00am with strong headwinds and sea swells of 4Ft enroute for the next 5 days at sea until we arrive in Salalah, Oman. We are currently still in the Red Sea and will be approx. for the next 2 days or so before we hit "pirate alley".

This morning was fairly quiet aboard the Legend as I suspect most people slept in from an exhausting two days of touring Luxor and Karnak and the Valley of the Kings.

 

There is a lecture on the Middle East this morning that I might attend. They are planning on opening the Sky Grill for lunch today from 1:30pm-3:00pm and again for Dinner from 7:30pm-9:00pm (weather permitting)...seems to be very windy so I wonder if they will indeed open it tonight. Last night's Outdoor BBQ was very good and had a huge turn out...seemed like the whole ship that there in attendance! They had invited an Egyptian Folkloric Dance Troop to come onboard around 9:30pm by the buffet outside.

 

The ship is moving quite a bit more than usual as I suspect we are heading directly into the swells and coupled with the high winds makes for a little "Rock and Roll" onboard.

We received a notice yesterday that the night we arrive in Salalah, Oman there will be a deck party themed "1001 Arabian Nights" which should be fun.

 

Will be heading out soon for a nice alfresco lunch in the Verandah Cafe outside terrace.

 

More to follow later today from our "Floating Castle" making it's way ever so slowly towards "Pirate's Alley"!:D

[johnnycruise]

Day 11: At Sea EnRoute to Salalah, Oman

 

Good Morning from the "Floating Castle" the Legend. We left the port of Safaga, Egypt ahead of schedule at 6:00am with strong headwinds and sea swells of 4Ft enroute for the next 5 days at sea until we arrive in Salalah, Oman. We are currently still in the Red Sea and will be approx. for the next 2 days or so before we hit "pirate alley".

This morning was fairly quiet aboard the Legend as I suspect most people slept in from an exhausting two days of touring Luxor and Karnak and the Valley of the Kings.

 

There is a lecture on the Middle East this morning that I might attend. They are planning on opening the Sky Grill for lunch today from 1:30pm-3:00pm and again for Dinner from 7:30pm-9:00pm (weather permitting)...seems to be very windy so I wonder if they will indeed open it tonight. Last night's Outdoor BBQ was very good and had a huge turn out...seemed like the whole ship that there in attendance! They had invited an Egyptian Folkloric Dance Troop to come onboard around 9:30pm by the buffet outside.

 

The ship is moving quite a bit more than usual as I suspect we are heading directly into the swells and coupled with the high winds makes for a little "Rock and Roll" onboard.

We received a notice yesterday that the night we arrive in Salalah, Oman there will be a deck party themed "1001 Arabian Nights" which should be fun.

 

Will be heading out soon for a nice alfresco lunch in the Verandah Cafe outside terrace.

 

More to follow later today from our "Floating Castle" making it's way ever so slowly towards "Pirate's Alley"!:D

 

Enjoying your travelogue ... do you know if you will be refueling at Jeddah?

[Seabourntraveller]

Enjoying your travelogue ... do you know if you will be refueling at Jeddah?

 

As far as I know no, we had a bunkering go on alongside the ship last night all night and I think we are fully stocked with fuel to make the 1807nm trip to Salalah, Oman. I'll let you know if the Captain announces that refueling stop.

[Seabourntraveller]

Restaurant Dinner Menu

 

First Course:

 

Lime & Coconut Scented Scallops, preserved lemon, slow roasted peppers

Foie Gras Torchon, apple chutney, hazelnut brioche

Escargots a la Bourguignonne, snails in a burgundy baked in herb butter

Double Beef Consomme, sweet garlic flan

Tomato Cream Soup, polenta croutons, three pepper cream

Chicory Salad, Thyme Roasted Apples, caramelized honey syrup

Artichoke & Potato Salad, 4 minute fried egg, prosciutto and truffle vinaigrette

 

Main Course:

 

Seared Tuna Steak, sauteed bok choy and wasabi creme

Crab Spring Rolls, papaya and coriander

Roast Rack of Lamb Provencale, gratin potatoes, ratatouille, sweet garlic rosemary jus

Seared Veal Scaloppini, three cheese tortellini, lemon caper butter

Vegetarian-Cavatappi Pasta, wild mushrooms and goat cheese

 

Restaurant 2 Dinner Menu theme "Indian Spice Market"

 

Starters

Potato & Chicpea Tikki, Cummin & Fresh Yogurt Sauce

Chicken Kebab Masala, Kuchumber, Green Chutney

 

Soup/Salad

Mulligatawny-Curried Chicken Soup, Paneer Samosa

Asinan-Shrimp, Fruit & Vegetable Salad, Peanut Dressing

 

Mains

Malabar Jhinga-Lightly Spiced Coconut Shrimp Curry, Lemoney Basmati Rice

Beef Chettinard, Saffron Pulado Rice, Papadums

 

Desserts

Oven Baked Yogurt, Berry Compote

Roast Pineapple, Pistachio Kulfi, Rice Crispy

 

***Also the Sky Grill is open tonight from 7:30pm-9:00pm serving "Surf and Turf" Filet Mignon and Nigerian Jumbo Shrimp***

[Seabourntraveller]

Tonight's Entertainment Onboard

 

9:30pm After Dinner, "Claudia and Oliver" are in The Club

9:45pm Guitarist Adam Green in the Midnight Sun Lounge

9:45pm Showtime: From Sydney's Opera House to London's West End with Penny Mathisen

 

We have been having a water problem onboard since late yesterday whereby all the water either in the toilets, faucets and/or bath and shower is coming out canary yellow and won't stop for reason. It is affecting everyone on the ship although they have reassured everyone that the water is safe and they are working on resolving the problem.

 

We will be going to the Sky Grill in an hours time as we really enjoy dinning outside with the stars and the fresh air even though the menu is somewhat limited.

 

More to come from our "Floating Castle" making it's way towards "Pirate Alley" on the Legend!

[Seabourntraveller]

Day 12: At Sea Enroute to Salalah, Oman

 

Good Morning from the Legend enroute on Day 2 of our 5 days at sea before we arrive in Salalah, Oman. Seas are quite tranquil this morning, the winds have died down somewhat as well and the temperature is on the rise, currently it's 26C or 78F at 10:15am!

Sunny day ahead us again at sea. This morning the Verandah Cafe was extremely busy at 8:15am for some reason everyone wanted to eat outside and take in some fresh air.

 

I ordered two poached eggs on dry brown with a long black coffee. I plan on taking in some sun today up on deck as the conditions are perfect for doing so....ever so light winds from the north east today. We are currently 300 nm miles away from Safaga, Egypt and 20 miles from the nearest land point which is Saudi Arabia. We can't see any land due to the current haze.

 

At 11:00am today there is a Special Interest Lecture: "Arabic Calligraphy in Islamic Art and Architecture". Again at 2:30pm there is a workshop on Learning Arabic words and phrases.

 

The Verandah is open today for Lunch from 12 noon until 2:00pm and the Sky Grill is open today for an alfresco lunch from 1:30pm-3:00pm. Will most llikely be going to the Verandah Cafe for a late lunch and back out by the open decks for some more sun tanning.

 

More to come from the Legend in open seas heading ever so closer to "pirate alley".

[Seabourntraveller]

Further Afternoon Update

 

We had our daily announcement from the Captain on the Bridge whereby he told us that the ship is currently burning 40 tons of fuel per day as we make our way to Oman. We had approx. 1.5 hours ago a small speed boat come up alongside us approx. 20 miles off the coast of Saudi Arabia, (Jeddah) to drop off gunriffles and other amunitions for the 4 private security detachment personnel we have onboard currently with us until Oman. It was quite the site to see them toss over these guns and crates of amunitions and fire arms. The private security people are patrolling the open decks currently as we ate outside on the Verandah Cafe. They are planning on closing all the outter decks as of tomorrow night and possibly including the deck of the Verandah Cafe the following morning for breakfast only. We will apparently have access to the outside on deck 7 by the pool and jacuzzis.

 

I have to admit I have NEVER seen any type of firearms allowed onboard ANY Carnival owned ships....this is a first for me. We are currently alongside a small convoy of other ships and tankers making our way at 14 knots heading South East.

 

The weather is really heating up this afternoon and winds are very light.

 

On a side note, the German themed lunch in the Verandah Cafe was EXCELLENT! For those interested in knowing, we still have only Fox News and yellow water coming out of the toilets, sinks and shower...LOL.

 

More to follow later today from the Legend!

[Martita B.]

Thank you again for posting ~I am following you by using Ship Tracker. ( "sailwx")

http://www.sailwx.info/index.html

Click upper left: Ship tracker (by name)

Happy you enjoyed your German luncheon!

Sorry about the "yellow" water ~on the Pride TA's we would experience black water! Bubblebath water's weren't much fun!

SAFE sailing ~

Martita B.

[Seabourntraveller]

Thank you again for posting ~I am following you by using Ship Tracker. ( "sailwx")

http://www.sailwx.info/index.html

Click upper left: Ship tracker (by name)

 

Happy you enjoyed your German luncheon!

Sorry about the "yellow" water ~on the Pride TA's we would experience black water! Bubblebath water's weren't much fun!

 

SAFE sailing ~

Martita B.

 

Hello Martita B. Thanks for the link and heads up about tracking us....maybe we might need your services for later on when we go thru "Pirate Alley"..LOL

 

Probably going to have a cheeseburger and those yummy onion rings you suggested the other day in an hours time.;)