Live from the Odyssey on our way to Sydney

[redheadednancy]

Chairsin and Sailor Boy returned to Ft Laud on Jan. 5th ~I've been waiting for her postings ~I hope they are safely home and not ill with colds or flu. Perhaps they made stops on their way back to Az.

 

Please, when you see Carol F., tell her the Cowgirl sends a big Texas hug'! Carol is from Austin ~and yes, a very favorite Seabourn Dest. Team member ~she knows her 'business backwards & forwards":D

By the way, your Deck 6 suite is perfectly located! I enjoy being by an elevator! So convenient ~

Have more fun~

Martita B

Yes, we love our suite for location and hopefully will be stable! Gorgeous sunny day. I will write more later. Our virtuouso hosts, Maureen and Paul are from Austin also. Everyone knows you Martha and your spot is empty at Sky Bar!...today is the crossing of the equator ceremony. and dancing under stars tonight. have to go to trivia now. more later.

[Yorkiebargirl]

I just showed my wife your justification for the purchase based on your one-third off the "real" price because of your winnings. Her comment? As you'd obviously been prepared to lose your original $10 stake on entering the casino, you can take that off the price as well, meaning your shirt actually only cost $30 and was thus a very good bargain! If Chairsin is reading this thread she will apparently understand the logic! Guys, don't even try!

 

Mine kind of logic:cool::cool:

[Yorkiebargirl]

What are nigerian shrimps and why are they so special? Is it just because there can be a surfeit of them? We are in Portugal at the moment and I saw some "shrimp" yesterday they were at least 10in long. Quite ugly looking.

[fairbourne]

What are nigerian shrimps and why are they so special? Is it just because there can be a surfeit of them? We are in Portugal at the moment and I saw some "shrimp" yesterday they were at least 10in long. Quite ugly looking.

 

 

Yorkiebargirl - They are sooooo delicious - they are about 10" long - almost small lobster size but you know how lobster can sometimes be a bit too "meaty" and IMHO a bit tough, these boys are so succulent and tender - well the way Seabourn cooks them they are, simply grilled with a little butter or oil. I think they are a firm favourite with a lot of the Seabourn sailors and everytime they are mentioned I start dribbling. My goodness they taste yummy! :D

 

RHN - I'm with you girl on your purchase. Men will never understand, my DH has long given up even trying LOL! You're on a great deck - the spa tub on the bow for those romantic moments with the DH and a glass of something and watch the sunset or sunrise. Perfect and you can run along in your bathrobe! ;):) But of course, you may have done this already;)? But expect you won't share that moment with us eh??!! :D

[redheadednancy]

I just showed my wife your justification for the purchase based on your one-third off the "real" price because of your winnings. Her comment? As you'd obviously been prepared to lose your original $10 stake on entering the casino, you can take that off the price as well, meaning your shirt actually only cost $30 and was thus a very good bargain! If Chairsin is reading this thread she will apparently understand the logic! Guys, don't even try!

I did explain this to my husband and also reminded him that I was really playing with FREE money because the cash came off our onboard credits! I should have bought shirt to begin with with no hesitation! What a good wife I was to save free money for things he might like to do...like excursions!

[redheadednancy]

I did explain this to my husband and also reminded him that I was really playing with FREE money because the cash came off our onboard credits! I should have bought shirt to begin with with no hesitation! What a good wife I was to save free money for things he might like to do...like excursions!

I can't post, keeps saying it is contacting CC Boards and then nothing happens. Just wrote a long update. Have to get on island now. I'll see if this works.

[redheadednancy]

This is the largest of the six inhabited islands of French Poly. We docked at 8:00 and we were off on the first tender. Met our local English speaking guide and with another couples crammed into a 4x4 to bounce on unpaved and paved roads for seven hours. Hairpin turns are part of it all Luckily very little traffic and an excellent local driver. Beaches are black sand. Our guide was from England and a sailor that had lived on the island for 17 years. He lives on his boat. Very beautiful and unspoiled terrain with chicken and pigs and horses all over the place.. We went to many scenic locations, lots of areas that were built for the festival (arts) they have once a year. Our guide was a little irreverent at the amount of money spent that could be used on a filtration system. He essentially explained that the people who worked for the government lived well and didn't do much. We told him America wasn't much different. If you had land and qualified they would build you a government house for $5,000.

 

Today it was about 75 when we started out and he said that was about their coldest weather. No bad storms, just gusts of wind. We went to a restaurant and had local fish and shrimp and lots of fresh island fruit, bananas, limes, watermelon, papaya and very good Tahiti beer. Saw many crew members from the ship enjoying their day off. The area is predominantly Catholic and the secondary students are sent to Papeete for high school. They fly there and come home three times a year. They sort of regulate who they spend the money on to make sure they will be good students and that the parents can afford to give them pocket money.

 

Back on ship we were tired, ordered room service and watched the ship leave from our balcony. Our stewardess was delighted not to have to service us and we were delighted to give her a night off. Heading for Hive Oa tomorrow to just wander around. No tours and nothing going on that we know of so we will be in no hurry to get off ship. Time for my bubble bath!

[redheadednancy]

Lovely day today. At noon today we were going at 12.7 knots. 11 degrees 59. 51S; 144 degrees 53. 42 West. light winds 234 degrees course. 563 miles to Papeete. Sea depth is over 15,000 feet. Air is 86 with 54% humidity.

Sunrise was 5:43 this morning and sunset is 6:29 tonight. Clocks go back 1/2 hour tonight.. We did the other last last week and then an hour the other day. We are trying to stay with local times.

 

It was a busy day between exercising, eating, drinking and going to trivia. We had another team join us today...one couple!! The trivia phobia question was to define venusphobia (sp?). I thought it was fear of women but they wouldn't give it to us as it was fear of beautiful women! Bonus question was how many husbands did Liz Taylor have....8. Captain Dexter's question was to name largest body of fresh water: Lake Superior and then questions on what was Paul Gauguin's career before coming to the islands...he was a stockbroker. Also what book was co-authored in Tahiti....Mutiny on Bounty. Pays to stay up with what is going on as we visit islands, etc.

 

Gorgeous perfect South pacific Day. ST: I did like the Grandma cake but again..I have the recipe and made it years ago so very familiar with it. Tonight was the Club party to recognize members days at seas. Just amazing. Over 70% of ship were repeats. A ton of people had over 100 days and three had over 200 hundred. One had 500 and one (on our trivia team) had 1,000. We had been invited to have dinner with Nicholas Botha. Training and Personnel Manager. Very nice young man and a really fun table of just 8 so we could all talk. I had met him on Sojourn. The group all had many days with Seabourn except one couple who had 300 days with Regent and was a defector. I can't tell you how many people I have met who are defectors from Regent, SS and Crystal...one with 300 days from Holland America. They are here because of discontent with the other lines. (Regent seems to be the most discontent) They ALL love Seabourn. I have to say this is an excellent cruise...it has it all...people, itinerary, staff, etc.

 

Tonight was the Chef's dinner and I don't normally post menus, but this dinner was prepared so well and was really excellent.

 

Siberian osetra caviar, smoked salmon & crunchy potato latke with lemon cream

White Plum tomato soup with basic foam

Warm potato & ricota cheese ravioli with truffle pan sauce

Blood orange & campari sorbet with champagne topping

PAN ROASTED FILLET OF TURBOT WITH PESTO FORKED POTATOES, RATATOUILLE, OVEN DRIED TOMATOES, NOILLY PRAT SAUCE

OR

TOURNEDO ROSSINI WITH SAUTEED FOIE GRAS, POTATO STICKS, GLAZED VEGETABLES, MADEIRA JUS

 

Porcini stuffed rigatoni with parmesan mushroom broth, haricots vert, caramelized onions

 

choco pyramid passion fruit creme, pistachio tuile, raspberry coulis

 

Selection of petit fours and pralines.

 

OUTSTANDING presentation and cooked to perfection...the beef especially.

 

Sophrano opera singer on board and she was fabulous end to a great evening Sang a lot of light opera...many of Bocelli's songs and also the theme from the Titantic and she said she debated on that one!

 

At sea tomorrow, suppose to be just like today. Good night to all!

[sassyw]

Thank you so much for your commentary! It is really interesting. We were on Three legs of the 2010 world cruise on the Odyssey-Sydney to Athens. And we will be on her again Sept 20, 2010 to Oct 21, 2012 ( Venice to Venice) Just did the Amazon on the Regent Navigator--does NOT compare to the Seabourn!!

Sassy W

[Seabourntraveller]

RHN where are you?...did you fall off the face of the earth half way to Papeete!!!..LOL:D

[redheadednancy]

Yes, I did fall off of the computer...too much good life! By the way ST, found out there is going to be a Capetown/Seychelles/Srilanka/more India trip on one of the big girls in 2014. Anxious to hear about that and check India out. It's like a 30 day one or so. Don't know much about it, just know it is coming.

 

PAPEETE: We went shopping with the Chef. He had been to the fish market and gotten his fish already (bought mahi mahi we had night before last and swordfish last night...so good) and so took us to the big fruit/veggie/everything else market. He didn't know what he would find but it was fun! SO expensive on the islands. Tshirts that would be 3 for $10 are $40. We walked around. Stopped at the French McDonalds...Big Mac $8 and then the proverbial chicken in the parking lot. Of course I had to feed him, such a pretty rooster with his hen! Weather disappointing. Lots of showers. The people who went to Morea (very expensive $250 pp tour) said it was so rainy they didn't see much. We are moored right next to main street so we came back for lunch on ship and then went back out for a few hours just to explore but still off and on rain. Traffic heavy...very commercial. We didn't feel bad since we had seen so much natural beauty in Nuku Hiva. We got back at 4:30 in time for the island dance show in the Grand Salon. Excellent. Costumes and of course we got our pictures taken with the dancers. They were really well done. Bob and I ordered five course room service and went to bed at 9:00. I'm really glad it wasn't sunny because so hot and humid it would have been worse.

 

BORA BORA: Oh to die for. I could skip a couple of the islands and spend two days in BB. Beautiful day. We did the shark feeding and sting ray ballet. They are huge, 3 feet and more and the sharks four feet (lemon sharks) They are so tame but gave me goose bumps everytime they touched me. Sting rays are very curious. I got in the beautiful water...no pollution, gorgeous. The dives here are 130 feet because you can see so far. I held raw fish under the water and had yellow/white/black zebra fish fighting to get them right in front of me. I was holding the zebra fish in my hand. Snorkeling was amazing. Anyway back to the ship for lunch and then a short tour of the island and then to Bloody Mary's...got the tshirt and had the bloody mary! Half the ship there and as many crew!

The island is very slow for tourism. Two reasons..the economy. Many hotel chains with the bungalows over the water have failed and are in disrepair. Hotel Bora Bora is in bankruptcy and waiting for new owners. The Intercontinental and the Hilton are in great shape and very pretty. No problem there. We toured the Intercontinental and loved it. The other reason is that it is not the best season for South Pacific. Actually best time to visit is April/May. The trade winds have died down, rainy season is gone and the ocean is like glass.

[redheadednancy]

Well, this is gorgeous place BUT....we got in at 8 to try to disembark. Seabourn has been here twice and never gotten in. They hoped three times was the charm. It's not the weather, its the swells. We were only to be here from 8:30 to departing at 1:00. IT was a nightmare getting the tenders off and we didn't get on island until 10:00. It took many tries to get people on tenders. We walked around a town that had nothing but tourist shops. The tours were sold out before we were really even on the ship (those that advance purchased). The Lagoon glass bottom boat tour they said was great. The people could take a shuttle to the beach ($40 for two back and forth) but we didn't do it because last tender to go back was at 12:30 and we didn't know if we could make it. There was a 4x4 tour of the beautiful island that everyone said was great. Part of the problem was that the Holland American Rotterdam was in port and they had a lot of the tours but in defense Seabourn called and Rotterdam who was here for the day gave up their tours so Seabourn could have the boats for the morning. (one advantage of the administrative move).

 

The other problem just a small town with limited facilities. No building can rise higher than a palm tree on the island Fruit-packing plants on the island but...big industry is tourism. The New Zealanders come to vacation.

 

We got back to ship about 1:00 and had to wait for tenders and one couple so it was about 2:00 before we left. What a challenge getting the tenders up in these swells but the water is sapphire blue. Someone said we were on a reef and there was no vegetation or fish below the water...it was like a desert on land and that is what made it so pure. Anyhow the views of the islands and the water is unbelievable...

 

Back on ship. Last night had dinner with Chief Purser, Theres and Hotel Manager, Joerg such fun. Had a fun table and the fresh fish was wonderful.

Had a new singer and he was okay, watched the show.

 

At pool this afternoon with free massages, great food and Marcus Rodriquez at the pool bar is wonderful. He's very creative, makes a great margarita, not sweet with lots of fresh limes, and a pomegrante drink he infuses and of course my mohito with champagne instead of club soda.

MarianH is going to die but they just brought on NZ Alice White chardonnay...slightly below Lindeman's Bin 67. They have "footprint chardonnay" and a Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio....I stick with the Irony pinot noir.

 

Okay, all, we are on ship for four days...it would be five BUT we cross the international date line and we lose Friday. Tonight when we go to bed it is Thursday night and we get up tomorrow morning and it is Saturday. Instead of putting your clocks ahead 23 hours, you put your clock back one hour and you wake up and it's Saturday. I'm sure it will be all clear to me!

 

I say this again, this is a great Seabourn cruise of classy unassuming people (who could be if they wanted)...I keep looking for a weirdo and have had no luck.

Not a perfect cruise but nothing is perfect. I have asked several people if they have heard about the "Legend" and they haven't but Janey and her mother are on there. I don't think they were near "the pot smoking heathen" and I think she referred to children as very young and the pot smoking heathen was in the 20's. It is also going too fast! Meeting friends for dinner, everyone is a friend, so nice! More of ship days next time I write.

[Seabourntraveller]

Yes, I did fall off of the computer...too much good life! By the way ST, found out there is going to be a Capetown/Seychelles/Srilanka/more India trip on one of the big girls in 2014. Anxious to hear about that and check India out. It's like a 30 day one or so. Don't know much about it, just know it is coming.

 

I have done this cruise on Pacific Princess in 2006 and it was AMAZING!!!

It's so funny because while on the Legend I told them that it's a shame they didn't do the cruise you described above.

RHN, put your investigative sleuth instincts to work (the ones I had in discovering scandals onboard the Legend) and try and get more details please as to approx. when in 2014?

[fairbourne]

Aka RHN!

 

This sounds like a fabulous itinerary, so please if you can we'd love to hear more!

 

Sounds like you're having a great trip and thank you for sharing. :)

[redheadednancy]

I have done this cruise on Pacific Princess in 2006 and it was AMAZING!!!

It's so funny because while on the Legend I told them that it's a shame they didn't do the cruise you described above.

RHN, put your investigative sleuth instincts to work (the ones I had in discovering scandals onboard the Legend) and try and get more details please as to approx. when in 2014?

I am already on it! Of course all is rumor and nothing locked down but I do know it is planned for January/Feb of 2014 and starts in Ft. Lauderdale (going to Capetown) and they are waiting to see how the feedback is from guests this year on the Capetown portion (think it is the Quest going there because when we were on Quest in November, the Capetown portion was waitlisted). Still working on getting more details...one of my sources said it would come out in March, but technically the 2014 wouldn't come out until June but there is no rhyme or reason to the way they do it...I guess it is when the itinerary is ready we get it!!!:D More as I find out. We are VERY interested in it also. Met someone in pool yesterday that confirmed they were on the list for it when it comes out, and I am checking on that "list" today!!! Not sure what is rumor and what is fact altho the above details of the trip were from an impeccable source. They just don't have all locked down. (heard it was Sojourn).

[cwisleman]

In the event anyone from Seabourn management is monitoring this, we like others would jump on the chance to do the South Africa trip!

[redheadednancy]

In the event anyone from Seabourn management is monitoring this, we like others would jump on the chance to do the South Africa trip!

Seabourn is aware. They are just being cautious. Heard the Maldives is a big pirate area and they are doing that this year. When Seabourn had that incident a few years ago they backed off from these itineraries and now are carefully coming back as evidenced by the Legend trip this year through Pirate Alley,,, We will just have to wait until March for the final itineraries.

[redheadednancy]

They ran out of raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and bananas today!! However, plenty of fruit to substitute.

 

Marcus Rodgriquez, bartender of the pool bar par excellence! He's from Brazill and been on the Odyssey a year and a half. Absolutely the best on fruit drinks. Makes amazing smoothies every morning and his afternoon drinks are the best!

 

Crew show today at 6:45. They ought to hire some of them, better than some of the entertainment.:) Our stewardess Helene did a great dance with Hungarian guy.. Candys who is a professional did fabulous songs and she works in collonade and restaurant 2. Had six from engine room, wait staff and pursers office do "she's so sexy" and it was great. A married couple ...he's the chef from patio grill, Glen, beautiful songs. A philipino from the engine room was great. They also had a bartender that juggled drink bottles and glasses and he was so much fun. We really enjoyed it...packed house!!

 

Went to Restaurant 2 for dinner. Outstanding tonight, changes every three days.

 

Rock the Boat show tonight, great night to have it but 10:00 and the old folks need to go to bed...so we bowed out. More tomorrow!!

[redheadednancy]

I have done this cruise on Pacific Princess in 2006 and it was AMAZING!!!

It's so funny because while on the Legend I told them that it's a shame they didn't do the cruise you described above.

RHN, put your investigative sleuth instincts to work (the ones I had in discovering scandals onboard the Legend) and try and get more details please as to approx. when in 2014?

I have found a very small scandal!. The swells were so rough getting into Rarotonga BUT had had two senior deck officers helping people get into tenders..in addition to normal staff. Anyway when we were back on ship they announced over the loudspeaker that people had to pay attention to instructions for safety and follow directions or they would suspend tender operations. Found out later there was one man who ignored instructions and stood up and wanted to sit where he shouldn't and they had to really "work with him" Best scandal I can find so far!

[Seabourntraveller]

I have found a very small scandal!. The swells were so rough getting into Rarotonga BUT had had two senior deck officers helping people get into tenders..in addition to normal staff. Anyway when we were back on ship they announced over the loudspeaker that people had to pay attention to instructions for safety and follow directions or they would suspend tender operations. Found out later there was one man who ignored instructions and stood up and wanted to sit where he shouldn't and they had to really "work with him" Best scandal I can find so far!

 

What That's It?...no pot smoking heatens, drug smuggling cannibis degenerates, naked grandpas's with open doors to thier Suites, rug rats abound creating mayhem in public areas, drunken seniors at the Sky Bar cut off from alchool for the rest of the cruise, a mosh pitt to get off the ship, fist fights for Nigerian Shrimp on the BBQ....what a dull cruise compared to mine....LOL

[Martita B.]

Seabourntraveler

Here's one for 'ya.......On a Pride Crossing one Spring there was a mother & daughter (she was about 40) aboard.The mama became real sick ~went to the hospital. Ohhh, they were in Owners Suite 04 ~ wellll, the daughter would call room service, then answer her door stark naked!!! YES, "in the naughty!:eek:" NOT a stitch on her body! 'Poor waiters did not want to deliver her orders ~~long story short.....when we arrived Funchal, days later, both disembarked~~ all their luggage in hand! mother and daughter left in an ambulance ~ Mama went to the hospital.

'Course, I got all the "scoop" from my sweet Night Bell Captain who brought my coffee every morning at 7:00 a.m. ~~they know everything that happens on the vessel!;) Needless to say, the Sky Bar was 'buzzin' with tidbits of gossip every morning.

Takes ALL kinds ~TA Crossings are interesting voyages :eek:

Martita B

[redheadednancy]

No news and no scandals so I thought I would post days activities. Worst thing is not only are they out of blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and bananas, they are now out of strawberries. The pineapple and kiwi still flowing and good! P.S. Martha that cheese fudge recipe sounds good but such an odd combination!

 

9:00 Book Give Away and Exchange

9:15 Beginning bridge

9:30 Church Service

9:45 Coffee Chat with Rebecca

10:00 Port Update: Auckland

10:15 Intermediate bridge

10:30 golf putting - prizes

11:00 Enrichment lecture: Captain Cook's Exploration of the Pacific

12:00 Trivia

2:00 Duplicate and social bridge play

Enrichment lecture: The Call of the South Seas

2:15 - Mah Jong

3:00 Caviar in the Surf (served in the pool)

3:00 Dance Class - Jive section

3:30 Shuffleboard

4:00 Afternoon tea time

6:30 Lecture: British Colonisation of New Zealand

Observation bar Nick Messina on piano

Club Cocktails with guitarist Gary T'to

9:45 Showtime: Francis Diatschenko...classical and jazz guitarist

10:45 Star gazing with Nick Hale

 

Restaurant 2

Chef's Cocktail: Vegetable tempura, green papaya & celery margarita, orange aioli

 

Seared beef tataki, pickled vegetables, ponzu jelly, tahini puree

Crispy curried vidalia onion rings, bitter greens

Navy bean fritter, yogurt raita

 

Clear tomato presse, goat cheese panna cotta, tear drop confit

White tomato cappuccino, chicken and pesto strudel, basil foam

 

Grilled fresh mahi mahi, preserved lemon sauce, ricotta gnocchi, parmesan gremolata

Slow roasted lamp shank and potato moussaka, red wine jus

 

Coconut and passion fruit gelato, almond foam, blackberry sorbet, red beet tuile

[Host Dan]

Great information Nancy- another terrific blog! Keep it coming! :)

 

Host Dan

[redheadednancy]

Great information Nancy- another terrific blog! Keep it coming! :)

 

Host Dan

Thanks Dan, you were sweet to say something. I think the trip just doesn't have any excitement compared to Seabourn Traveller!! Then again i am not sure I want that excitement! I did want to mention we had a predinner crew entertainment show last night for an hour and it was just wonderful. Packed with guests in every chair and standing room only in the back...that was also full of standing people! We had a young Philipino who works in the engine room do a ballad and it was outstanding. He looked 12 years old and had the most beautiful voice. Then an assortment of young guys from the engine pursers office, waitstaff, kitchen (six of them) did a jive type dance called "she's so sexy" and Haylee from the Colonnade came in for the dance in a sexy dress. It was just darling. THen we had Diana Ross and Supremes imitations, very cute, complete with black wigs and costumes.

 

Our stewardess, Helene from South Africa did a dance with her partner...think he was from Russia and they both looked good enough to be on "dancing with the stars" Then Candys sang (she's professional but works in Restaurant 2 and Colonnade. Another couple who is married, her name was Suzzette and I don't know what her husbands was. They were wonderful also The final act was one of the chefs in the Patio...Julian, I think did a juggling act with wine bottles and cups and it was also wonderful. I've run out of adjectives because everyone enjoyed it so much. I told Nick he should hire them all! The guests really enjoyed it.

 

We are now at full speed heading within assistance range of New Zealand. A guest is seriously ill and needs help. We don't know who but hope things go well. Must be pretty serious if they can't handle it here.

 

I'm heading to "caviar in the pool", just back to the room for a minute and I meant to mention the wonderful crew show!

[redheadednancy]

It is a cloudy, not so nice morning today. However, we all know at sea that changes fast. Yesterday was gorgeous and perfect for "Caviar in the Pool". Nick Hale, Captain Dexter and Raj, our executive chef didn't miss it either. They were right in the water serving! Lots of MarianH's favorite champagne, NF, :p was served. I took a lot of pictures...we have some VERY good looking servers in the pool area!! We had a lovely dinner in our room. It is so luxurious when you don't feel like getting dressed to have the same food you would have in the restaurant delivered hot to your balcony with all the flourishes and of course the bread sticks!

 

Went up this morning early to Seabourn Square to get my double expresso. I think it is interesting...never really see women there early in the morning..mostly men. It's pretty busy at 6:15 in the morning. Today the sea is very quiet with hardly a ruffle. That is good because we are moving at what is considered top speed...20 knots to get closer to New Zealand for the ill passenger...about 500 nautical miles to go until Russell. The Captain said we had to get into "assistance range", not sure what that is. Makes you realize what a speck we are in this large ocean. The other good thing is we might have more than FOX news. It gets old fast especially on football Sundays. Thank goodness for the internet but still can't watch the game. It seems with all the technology in this world there ought to be a way to get more than FOX news in the middle of the ocean!:(

 

Going to go see how cold the pool is. Need to exercise a little as today is the Galley Lunch! More good food.

 

For those getting on in Auckland and Sydney, hope you have preregistered for tours. Many have been waitlisted and a lot have no possibility of increasing so you are just out of luck if you didn't do it early and want a particular tour. I think they under anticipated the demand for the tours. Carol Frey is doing her best to get them increased but some places do not have the ability to do that or there are other ships in port and have same requirements. A lot of people want the same tours in certain areas and that crowds things also. There are two we really want and can't get on. I am shopping independent operators at this time.