SD I -July 14, Venice to Athens

[mimito4]

:D Seriously. Let's do it! However, I think you should pay in order to have our charming company. ;) Our roost is in Ft. Myers Hey, the way I look at it, Barcelona is 7 1/2 hours flight from JFK, so all in all, it's a hell of a lot shorter than driving to Ft. Myers.

 

We did a similar thing when we took a Crystal transpacific crossing in order to begin a big old 3 week land trip of SE Asia a few years ago. I feel like I need to do an Atlantic crossing to even things out.

 

My apologies FT & Z for hijacking. Go with us?

[whatnot]

I too have been looking forward daily to your next post. There are many more than 6 of us reading your reviews!

[DisneyJen]

Definitely more than six readers:p

 

Croatia sounds incredible. It and the Corinth Canal are on my leap/bucket list for sure after reading your reviews!

[frequent traveler]

:D Seriously. Let's do it! However, I think you should pay in order to have our charming company. ;) Our roost is in Ft. Myers Hey, the way I look at it, Barcelona is 7 1/2 hours flight from JFK, so all in all, it's a hell of a lot shorter than driving to Ft. Myers.

 

We did a similar thing when we took a Crystal transpacific crossing in order to begin a big old 3 week land trip of SE Asia a few years ago. I feel like I need to do an Atlantic crossing to even things out.

 

My apologies FT & Z for hijacking. Go with us?

 

I wish I had enough ETO to do another crossing but I can't since the family is booked on brand xyz at thanksgiving and Mimi I used "xyz" instead of just "x" expressly because I knew you'd think it was Celebrity if I used the X but no more discussion of xyz . Glad to see that others are considering Croatia and Corinth Canal on SD . Hopefully better scheduling will be available

[js2x]

We did Athens to Venice in September 2011...best trip ever. Perfect time of year. In a few weeks we are trying Seabourn with a couple we met on Seadream-and we are all a bit nervous since we love Seadream so much ! (we have already booked the Barbados to Costa Rica, and more Costa Rica, in Nov 2013...)

[vandrefalk]

FT, you know I love your reports!:) And I go back and read them again and again!!

We loved Kotor -- especially that evening when we had dinner topside and the fort on top of the mountain and the trail were all lit up. Fabulous!

 

We're going to book the June Istanbul-Venice trip, so some of your ports we'll be seeing. Looking forward to our second trip through the Corinth Canal -- last time it was dusk. And guess Venice will be crowded, but nothing we can do about that. We'll likely do the Hilton.

 

Js2x -- we'll look forward to meeting you! We'll be on the Barbados - Caldera (2 weeks!) as well!

 

Vandrefalk

 

P. S. FT, hope you survive the mass market :eek:

[frequent traveler]

FT, you know I love your reports!:) And I go back and read them again and again!!

We loved Kotor -- especially that evening when we had dinner topside and the fort on top of the mountain and the trail were all lit up. Fabulous!

 

Vandrefalk

 

P. S. FT, hope you survive the mass market :eek:

 

Hi vandrefalk, you were one of the original 6 readers I was counting on:D I had forgotten to mention the lights of Kotor - they were amazing. And the headlights on the switchback roads - the roads aren't visible during the day (and I dont' think I would want to be driving on them - or even riding wihtout al lot of alcohol).

And I hope I survive mm too:) - but after really really resenting the amount spent for the week with children I thought why not - give it a try one time and then ZQVol will never say again - Try it - you will like it if I don't. And at least if I don't I won't resent the price.

 

I'll try to get the rest of the ports and Spa items up tonight.

[frequent traveler]

Skipping order – going to Spa, just because its easy. Will get back to ports later

 

The spa therapists are each very good – I had a couple of 80 minute massages, a spa pedicure and then a perfect legs, along with a Shellac manicure. Resort price but very very relaxing.

 

Spa managers changed mid cruise and there was difference – not in service, but I didn’t see as much of the spa manager the 2nd week at the front desk as I did the first week. Each had lovely personalities.

 

First week there was a highlighted “special” every day on the daily program. 2nd week there was only 3 daily specials. Don’t know if there was less demand, therefore more need for specials the first week – maybe people hid from the children in the spa the 2nd week. Or we had a travel writer on the 1st week, so maybe the specials impressed him or our star, Ms. Hatcher, or perhaps it was just management style . . . Either way we used our 15% coupons for returning guests. And a nice change – there was no limitation on hours that the coupons could be use.

 

 

Here we go –all prices $USD

 

Week 1

 

Exotic Body Glow Scrub & Massage 50 min $129

 

Spa Indulgence –Try any 3 treatments 60 min for $119

 

Couples Treat the SeaDream Way with a Relaxing Massage and an Exotic Body Scrub or a Hydrating Mini Facial from La Prairie $199 & a Harnn Foot Treatment with a Complimentary Gift $100

 

La Prairie Mini Facial –hydrating your skin deeply like a waterfall. We include a very relaxing Foot Reflexology or Scalp Massage and treat you to heaven 50 min $135

 

Exotic Scalp Treat and take a bottle of Virgin Coconut Oil Home with you 25 min $89

 

Skin firming facial & Eye Lift Treatment 90 min $250

 

Week 2

 

Foot and leg massage relieving tension and fluid build ups. Have feather light legs and feel like walking on clouds 25 min $89

 

No more puffy eyes –have a relaxing acupressure eye massage reducing fine lines and puffiness. 20 min $45

 

The wonders of virgin coconut oil – relax with a heavenly scalp massage and have the most effective and healing treat for your hair 25 min $79 (but no bottle of oil to take with you like last week in the $89 treatment

 

I always move from the check in desk to the spa table when boarding just to get my preferred times - on some voyages the afternoon slots go fast. If you are really ambitious you can make appointments on line but I try to figure out sailing schedules once on board.

 

My spa bill was less than usual this time – since we had such lovely sails into a few ports when I wanted to be out on the deck and a couple of excursions were long so I didn’t have as much time as on other cruises. Oh well, perhaps another time. Because the spa services are excellent. I always melted down the hall – oozed into my cabin and hated to do anything to wear off the “spa glow” Very relaxing and one of the best SD attributes. If you like pampering, make this one your favorite places on the yacht.

 

back to ports soon;)

[mimito4]

FT, I'm typically not big on spa services on cruises because the price is typically outrageous, but on SD, my experience was great with those little Thai masseuses. They're the best, and I felt it was worth every penny! Also, they never bother to sell you stuff. That makes it all worthwhile.

 

As for mass cruise lines and spa services. My opinion is take a pass. Outrageous prices, bad service. They spend their entire time trying to sell you on products. Ugh. The only way I ever go now is to tell them a white lie up front. I just say, "oh, I was just on a cruise last month and bought $500 worth of product so I am set, thank you very much."

 

It's either that or risk p***ing them off and getting bad service by telling them to p*** off. I choose to lie. That or not bother with the aggravation, and I'm thinking that a spa service should not be aggravating.

[knotheadusc]

My very first cruise was on a Royal Caribbean ship. We toured the spa and they were actually doing treatments as we walked through. It was a huge turn off. Also, the prices were outrageous and one of the spa ladies got pissy with me because something she said struck me as funny. SD's spa services were cheaper and, I'm told by a SeaDream exec, the spa is owned by SeaDream instead of an outside company. I think that's why they are so much less pushy about selling stuff. I don't mind paying for spa services on SeaDream because they really are worth every penny. Even my husband agrees! :D

[mimito4]

Yes indeed, Knot, they are most (if not all) run by Steiner on the mass cruise lines. I also believe Steiner owns the ever present Elemis, the skin care line that they all push, and push, and push. The commission must be great because that's all the employees are interested in.

 

Ugh. Ugh. Ugh.

 

Indeed, I believe SD owns their own services, making the spa employees SD employees. Huge difference, I think.

 

Ok, here I go again. Sorry, FT. Please carry on.

[Jim Avery]

I wish I had enough ETO to do another crossing but I can't since the family is booked on brand xyz at thanksgiving and Mimi I used "xyz" instead of just "x" expressly because I knew you'd think it was Celebrity if I used the X but no more discussion of xyz . Glad to see that others are considering Croatia and Corinth Canal on SD . Hopefully better scheduling will be available

 

There is an interesting comparison thread for Cunard/Celebrity over at the Cunard board.:D

[frequent traveler]

Nightime gifts

Just a quick post - I thought I'd briefly mention the nightly gifts, no variety in the 2 weeks and nothing as spectactular as the glassware on our Christmas voyage on SD II.

 

Each week we received

 

Embroidered pjs (i love these dark pjs - too hot for the summer, but really nice). ZQ Vol got different names embroidered on each set. I still have my "FT" from another voyage.

 

A Glossy SD voyage book - think it goes through December 2013. What I call Swedish size - that A4 paper, Large, in color and with pretty pictures.

 

Chocolate covered strawberries (on SD II in past trips since I'm allergic to them, I got something special but here ZQ Vol enjoyed my share)

 

petit fours (not much of a treat since I kept bringing our dinner tray with us!)

 

tin of mints

 

SD post cards (do wish they'd change the pictures - still the same for probably the past 5 yrs).

 

I think one night it was a rose and we didn't get anything due to my allergies . . . or else I've forgotten what it was. Only one towel animal each week but the 2nd week it was soo cute.

 

Nice, but for the pajamas, nothing to write home about.

 

FT

[Zimmy]

Nightime gifts

 

tin of mints

 

FT

 

I love that tin of mints. I carry it in my handbag and when it is empty I refill it with mints I buy at the grocery. While there is nothing special about the mints, when I reach in my bag for them I'm reminded of SD. Kind of in the same category as the Bulgari products.

[frequent traveler]

I love that tin of mints. I carry it in my handbag and when it is empty I refill it with mints I buy at the grocery. While there is nothing special about the mints, when I reach in my bag for them I'm reminded of SD. Kind of in the same category as the Bulgari products.

 

I once triggered a baggagge check in airport security in Mexico City with that tin in a carry-on! So now it stays in my desk drawer at the office. The tin this trip is white with blue lettering. Didn't they used to be dark blue with white lettering?

[frequent traveler]

There is an interesting comparison thread for Cunard/Celebrity over at the Cunard board.:D

 

And Jim, if I were going to do another crossing, I'd bit the bullet on that single supplement and go on SD. I can't imagine a crossing on any other line. I've never encountered children on any of my 4 fall crossings (I've only heard of 1 child, one time on a spring crossing who was extremely well behaved) and a fall crossing on SD is amazing. If you haven't done it - put it on your bucket list.

 

FT

[Zimmy]

I once triggered a baggagge check in airport security in Mexico City with that tin in a carry-on! So now it stays in my desk drawer at the office. The tin this trip is white with blue lettering. Didn't they used to be dark blue with white lettering?

 

Yes, I just checked in my bag and mine is dark blue with white lettering, and lots of scratches from abuse. Only two months until I can replace it!

 

That little tin triggered an alarm? Wow. I guess I'm happy that they check that well, though. I have a metal jeweled compact that they once thought was a grenade. But then the next time it went right through without question. Maybe we're not so secure.

[frequent traveler]

Yes, I just checked in my bag and mine is dark blue with white lettering, and lots of scratches from abuse. Only two months until I can replace it!

 

That little tin triggered an alarm? Wow. I guess I'm happy that they check that well, though. I have a metal jeweled compact that they once thought was a grenade. But then the next time it went right through without question. Maybe we're not so secure.

 

In Mexico City, security has twice taken an exercise band from my carry on (what am I going to do with it - make someone hold still while I get it out of my bag and choke them?) and seized enough nail scissors that I finally gave up. . . .But at least half the time I don't have to take my shoes off.

[frequent traveler]

Next item in guest survey- condition of the yacht

 

(yes, I will get back to ports and this is another easy one for the IPad.)

A guest in another thread made a negative comment about the age of the yacht and yet another coat of paint. I am not sure what age has to do with anything. The yacht is immaculate. The teak is well maintained, the brass is polished and the paint is spiffy. Bathrooms were so clean they sparkled and were always well stocked. I am picky picky about facilities and the only nit was the wear in the carpet in our cabin in the main traffic pattern. Yes we had a temperature problem in one cabin but we had a almost new air conditioner fail at home while we were gone. Stuff breaks and has to be repaired but you can tell SD doesn't cut corners on maintaining the yachts.

 

Top scores in my opinion (but please redecorate or make better use of the library - it's wasted space. Maybe enlarge the casino with some slot machines:rolleyes: or give the salon an atrium roof?)

FT

[CDreamer]

 

".....(but please redecorate or make better use of the library - it's wasted space. Maybe enlarge the casino with some slot machines:rolleyes: or give the salon an atrium roof?) FT

 

And while they are at it, turn the thermostat up a degree or two!

 

You occasionally see someone in the library picking out a book or jumping on the computer, but the frigid temps in that particular part of the ship may be one of the reasons you don't see a lot of people hanging out in there! :eek:

[Jim Avery]

And while they are at it, turn the thermostat up a degree or two!

 

You occasionally see someone in the library picking out a book or jumping on the computer, but the frigid temps in that particular part of the ship may be one of the reasons you don't see a lot of people hanging out in there! :eek:

 

In the Med, during a rainy few days, the place was packed. (Main Lounge was showing kiddie movies--Owner and his entourage). Crew even set up some card tables. We needed all those air conditioner units that time.:eek::D

[frequent traveler]

And while they are at it, turn the thermostat up a degree or two!

 

You occasionally see someone in the library picking out a book or jumping on the computer, but the frigid temps in that particular part of the ship may be one of the reasons you don't see a lot of people hanging out in there! :eek:

 

It was actually stuffy during the one day I was in there for a couple of hours. The temp was fine when it was packed to the gills for the return guests party each week. 40 percent one week and almost 50 percent the next week were repeat guests. With the advent of kindles and iPads I haven't seen very many actual books being read on board the past few trips.

[frequent traveler]

Ports -Part 2

 

Week 2

 

Parga – You can shop almost all the way up the hill to the Venetian castle on the left side of the harbor. Parga sits at the foot of the mountains and is a pretty little village. Its clearly a holiday haven and the beach was crowded the Sunday we were there. But access was easy and so close to the ship that it was very easy to beach, browse and enjoy your choice of beverage. Lots of little cafes to choose from. And a variety of types of shops. Little churches tucked in the most unexpected places. Definitely worth a stop. In my daily posting I mentioned the church only accessible by sea. I’d visit again to paddle boat over and explore.

 

Galaxidi – not sure if I would visit here if I didn’t want to see the Temple of Apollo and or the the Temple of Athena (which isn’t include on the SD tour). However, this is a must do. The village of Itea offers more than Galaxidi which does have a number of cafes waterside close to the tender area. The “new” village of Delphi just a mile or so from the Temple of Apollo also looks worth exploring. However, the Temple of Apollo is a MUST DO. You can see the sparkling Gulf of Itea from the Temple which is near the top of Mount Parnassos. We had an excellent guide. It is absolutely beautiful and awe-inspiring. More compact than Delos. The trip was only marred by the 3 yr old grabbing my hair from the seat behind me on the bus and talking loudly in the museum tour. ON the ride there – you will pass a number of boxes with candles and icons. These are roadside memorials – either remembrances to people injured or killed in accidents or thanks you for being uninjured in accidents. The different architecture of the boxes can be very elaborate.

 

Hydra – probably my favorite shopping port this week. An aside – art gallery we paid cash to actually shipped the small sculptures to us. They arrived yesterday – I can’t believe the number of stamps on the brown wrapping paper. Appears to have gone through the Greek and US postal system!

Shopping, great swimming and cafes abound. A short walk away appears to be a beach area – recommended by the owner of the art gallery and another store. You can rent a donkey to take you there if you don’t want to make the 15 minute or so walk. This seems to be a very popular place for day trips from somewhere as the ferries came in regularly with lots of people. I would definitely go back again . . . and be prepared to spend the day beaching and shopping, with lots of cash.

 

Patmos and the village of Skala – the Monastery of ST. John is a definite do. The city wall around it contains a number of small shops and cafes and apartments. It appears a number of residents live in the remainders of the fortress. There is a wonderful pottery shop – if I wasn’t worrying about luggage weight, I would have bought quite a bit. As mentioned in the daily post – you can hike but its very steep. The views are very beautiful from the top and you can see for miles. I’m not sure this island is worth a second trip but its definitely worth visiting.

 

Kusadasi - this is the place where I never planned to get off the yacht. We had done a private tour of Ephesus on the last trip along with several other historical stops and the requisite rug shopping. Originally we had talked about taking the “steps of Alexander” tour but the heat dissuaded us since the tour was almost 7 hours long. If you have never visited Ephesus its amazing. We will visit again if we sail in the shoulder season.

 

Santorini – One of my favorites. This is the place where I walked the donkey trail up and the cable cars down from Fira Town last trip. We tend to shop for leather and jewelry here and if you want to feel like you are in a Greek movie or picture post card, the classic blue roofs of Oia will call to you.

 

(Corinth Canal not being a "port" will be discussed in general comments)

 

If I’d had my druthers, I would have preferred Mykonos to Kusadasi, but who knows how crowded that would have been in July. Santorini had six ships in for parts of the day we were here and ZQVol chose the donkey ride since the cable car would have taken hours at one point, the line was so long.

 

In summary the ports were great. Being on SD allows us to visit places we would never have seen. I can’t imagine visiting the Greek Islands any way but SD

 

FT

[Reunionmama]

I've also been lurking for the past 6 weeks. We were booked on the Dubrovnik to Venice Aug 4 departure, shortly after your trip, and I used your daily snippets to get warmed up for our trip.

 

Things I would echo:

 

1. Sukesh - wonderful food, wonderful chef. He did a tour of the galley our week, which we really enjoyed. The kitchen crew has been together for years - I am sure that teamwork pays off in such a cramped space.

 

2. Ports - our cruise included Dubrovnik (worth an extra day), Mljet, Hvar, Split, Sibenik, Rab, Rovinj, and Venice. All the Croatian stops were impossibly cute (in a good way), with walled cities or beautiful scenery. Completely agree that you should do your own research in advance. Finished up with a sail up the canal in Venice, which was a trip highlight.

 

3. Kids - unfortunately, I need to echo this as well. One very large family grouping with 6 kids, tweens down to a 3 year old ( who was tired and unhappy a lot). I do not think the hot tub had an adult in it all week.Stroller stored on the pool deck. When we observed to the Activities Director that this was not quite what we had expected, we were told that the 3 year old was paying full freight too. Hmm. Okayyyyy.

 

The cruise was totally booked for this week, and NOT at a discount, soI was surprised by all the kids on board. However, the service was great, the weather spectacular, and the ports all we could hope for.

 

Reading your detailed report brings it all back - thanks so much.

[frequent traveler]

Comments – the next item on the Survey.

 

Here’s where I go back to the tale of two vacations or the best and worst of SD. As I re read the daily postings, the review reinforced my belief that the two weeks were two different trips. On both we had excellent food , excellent wait staff and cabin attendants. Chef Sudesh and his kitchen team are the best overall and we could not tell a difference in quality between the two weeks.

 

With only a couple of exceptions, service was always smiling and striving to please, sometimes under the most trying circumstance and often when it was hot as Hades. SD has the best staff service staff and that’s what has kept us coming back over and over

 

No trip is ever absolutely perfect – week one had its glitches, inadequate air conditioning so that we had to change cabins and an excursion gone bad – which SD worked very hard to remedy as best it could (BTW, they need to get flexible ice packs – square hard ones don’t work for limbs such as knees). But week 1 was one of the best if not the best week we’ve had on SD, probably only topped by our 2010 btb Greece to Istanbul. A great mix of people. Please note – there were a few children, but all extremely well behaved and only a few and none were under 10 as far as we could tell.

 

Second week, we had the Corinth Canal which was a major reason we selected this voyage. And its another MUST DO or bucket list item. Captain rearranged the schedule so that we went through in full daylight, not at night as originally planned. It is so narrow, you can practically reach out and touch the sides of the Canal. As you approach, you see the narrow sides and the bridge that is lowered for your passage. You may see people fishing. The Canal is uneven in height and there is quite a bit of history behind the starts and stops of its construction. Unfortunately we learned more about it from our cab driver in Athens than we did from the on board narrative while actually going through the Canal. During the Corinth Canal party service was iffy, I know its exciting for staff but when a member of management who is critical to service is taking pictures with the concierge girls on the back of Deck 2 for 20 minutes, service is not the best it can be.

 

Second week, dinner dining service was much slower most nights – not due to the extremely hard work of our waiter and backwait but due to Donatas’ departure and lack of an equivalent replacement in our section. BTW, I understand Donatas left SD permanently for a position as a manager of a hotel in his home country. Opportunities like this don’t come around very often and this was a big promotion that SD could not match.

 

In both weeks, lack of attention of activity staff to anything other than bike rides and an occasional hike was disappointing. James Cabello sets the standard. SD has had experienced directors before – Amy from England was one. You will not learn anything significant about the ports or history of the area from the activities staff so research on your own is critical for these ports. This doesn’t matter to us in the Caribbean but it’s a downgrade in the Med.

 

I was actually ready to get off SD in Athens. This has never happened before – sometimes I am almost in tears when I have to leave. I thought at first – well you just have a bug, so you are tired. Then I thought back how much time I spent in my cabin during the 2nd week. How many times I walked away from the pool because I didn’t want to deal with the fins and snorkels or the full hot tub (unlike adults, children don’t get out – they can stay in for hours at a time). The boy running back and forth in front of my table at lunch one day until I said “please stop running” and his mother making a snide remark. Management didn’t corral the children until almost the end of the voyage.

 

I’ve hesitated to post this, typically I don’t post conversations with staff unless specifically requested to, but late in the 2nd week a member of SD mentioned that someone had been reading my "blog" - meaning CC and this had caused a decision to do something about the children. Well, I’m glad something was done – but why does what is posted on CC make a difference v. the complaints of multiple on board guests and what crew actually see before their eyes? I’m a broken record, but SD doesn’t market itself as a family ship and more than 25% of my non-crossing nights have had unruly children.

 

Had the voyage ended after week 1, I’m sure we would have had more than one booking when we left the ship. That 15% on board discount is great. Not a big fan of the $2500 open deposit to get the 15% discount. Crunch the numbers and that’s a huge deposit on some voyages. We left Athens with a booking for March but ended up cancelling – its just too much money and too risky for spring break and/or a possible mark down in price allowing children on board.

 

In summary – SD is an awesome line when it delivers what it markets. You can’t ask for better service anywhere. I wouldn’t hesitate to make it my only vacation choice if I could somehow guarantee that I wouldn’t be exposed to unruly children. But until we can travel in September or early May, it will be last minute bookings when we can confirm that 10% of the passengers won’t be 12 and under. SD is the ideal ship for Croatia, the Corinth Canal and Greece. Take loose clothes if you enjoy good food - it is amazing. Please go - but I don't recommend July and do your homework on ports if you are a person interested in history or exploring the locale and more than biking.