***Live from the Sojourn 14 Day Grand Med***

[Seabourntraveller]

Update Evening Apr 20th, Day 8:

 

Went down to the Boutique and noticed that on this cruise as we are staying within all of the EU a VAT tax of 21% will be charged on EVERYTHING in the Onboard Shop...my shaving cream just cost $3.90 more. The shops are virtually empty because of this and sales suffer on these cruises whereby Seabourn does not stop in Monte Carlo to bypass charging these taxes.

 

It is VERY VERY quiet onboard tonight and it's only 7:20pm, no one in the Shops nor in Seabourn Square or Future Cruise Sales...completely empty although the ship is sailing FULL again this week.:confused::eek::confused:

 

Winds have picked up a little out on the outter decks but nothing serious and sea conditions are moderate 2 meter swells currently and almost no movement onboard the ship tonight.

 

More to follow later this evening onboard Sojourn making our way towards Livorno, Italy.:D

[RachelG]

Do you know if the couple in 623 ever turned up?? I would not like to be them.

[Seabourntraveller]

Do you know if the couple in 623 ever turned up?? I would not like to be them.

 

They NEVER turned up in the Restaurant at their Muster Station, but what we do know is that they were onboard at the time the Drill was going on....go figure!:rolleyes:

[Seabourntraveller]

Further Evening Update:

 

We just got back from dinner at the Patio Grill and all I can say is bbbbrrrrr. We had on our coats plus the orange blankets they supply you at the Patio Grill and decided to brave the elements again tonight. There were only 8 people all night that ate at the Patio Grill. We pulled up at 8:30pm and decided to start with the Calamari Pizza and Lobster Bisque Soup and then I had a change of heart and ordered the Pork Chop with potatoes lyonnais and ratatouille which was so so tasty and cooked to perfection. For dessert, I had the tiramisu which was a cloud that melted in your mouth....just heavenly! We had the Pascal Bouchard, Petis Chablis which we killed a bottle to ourselves easily.

 

While in between courses, we had someone and elderly gentleman in a bathrobe and nothing else, that was trying to untie the netting of one of the jaccuzzi less than 20 feet away from our dinner table. We tried telling him that the pool area at night is closed but he was waving us all off. The wait staff attempted to approach him and he wouldn't have anything of it other then he wanted to soak his feet tonight. Finally security was called and the man got very upset that he couldn't soak his feet in the jaccuzzi and they escorted him away we presume to his cabin. Poor man just wanted to soak his feet.:confused::confused::confused:

 

We've now come back to our Suite and are debating what type of movie to watch since on embarkation night the ship is deserted and not many people are out and about.

 

More to come later from the Sojourn making our way ever so slowly towards Livorno, Italy.:eek:

[MARIANH]

Further Evening Update:

 

 

Finally security was called and the man got very upset that he couldn't soak his feet in the jaccuzzi and they escorted him away we presume to his cabin.

 

.

 

623?:eek:

[macsback]

ST -- I'm another lurker! :D I was just wondering if you were "required" to leave the ship as the first cruise ended and next one started. Could you have stayed onboard if you wanted to? :rolleyes:

[Seabourntraveller]

ST -- I'm another lurker! :D I was just wondering if you were "required" to leave the ship as the first cruise ended and next one started. Could you have stayed onboard if you wanted to? :rolleyes:

 

No you could actually stay onboard all day and not have to leave the ship at all. If you are on a b2b cruise your cruise key card is imprinted on the first day when you embark, with your disembark date and therefore no re-issue of keys or check-in formalies are needed.

[Seabourntraveller]

623?:eek:

lol!!!!:d

[Martita B.]

On our recent March/April Spirit TA Crossing there was a couple that did not show up for muster ~they called and called their suite # ~no show!! Captain Bathgate came on the speaker ~again, called and warned them to go to muster dril ASAP ~no show! Wellll, later we heard Captain was so mad at the couple (as they were aboard) he gave them a long lecture ~I'm sure he did not mince words ~~'Guess they thought, "well, we've done this before, we'll just take a nap!

I bet they attend the drill next time they board a ship!:eek:

Martita B.

[Seabourntraveller]

On our recent March/April Spirit TA Crossing there was a couple that did not show up for muster ~they called and called their suite # ~no show!! Captain Bathgate came on the speaker ~again, called and warned them to go to muster dril ASAP ~no show! Wellll, later we heard Captain was so mad at the couple (as they were aboard) he gave them a long lecture ~I'm sure he did not mince words ~~'Guess they thought, "well, we've done this before, we'll just take a nap!

I bet they attend the drill next time they board a ship!:eek:

Martita B.

 

About time you show up Miss Martita B.!!! ..LOL I am sure this couple will get an earfull or already have this evening.:rolleyes:

[Lefty Bob]

ST

I think your posts are great.

Old story

Like you a pax was on a back to back. Some wanted

to know what he did on the changeover day.

He said he barked. ?????

He was asked what is barking.

Well, I was not disembarking or embarking.

So I guess I was barking.

Also you said earlier that the Capitan was calling

for “rain and bad weather.”

I suggest you ask him to stop that and call for good weather.

LB

[mariner]

Bathrobe and nothing else. Thank goodness he just wanted to soak his feet.

[Roxburgh]

Further Evening Update:

 

We just got back from dinner at the Patio Grill and all I can say is bbbbrrrrr. We had on our coats plus the orange blankets they supply you at the Patio Grill and decided to brave the elements again tonight. There were only 8 people all night that ate at the Patio Grill. We pulled up at 8:30pm and decided to start with the Calamari Pizza and Lobster Bisque Soup and then I had a change of heart and ordered the Pork Chop with potatoes lyonnais and ratatouille which was so so tasty and cooked to perfection. For dessert, I had the tiramisu which was a cloud that melted in your mouth....just heavenly! We had the Pascal Bouchard, Petis Chablis which we killed a bottle to ourselves easily.

 

While in between courses, we had someone and elderly gentleman in a bathrobe and nothing else, that was trying to untie the netting of one of the jaccuzzi less than 20 feet away from our dinner table. We tried telling him that the pool area at night is closed but he was waving us all off. The wait staff attempted to approach him and he wouldn't have anything of it other then he wanted to soak his feet tonight. Finally security was called and the man got very upset that he couldn't soak his feet in the jaccuzzi and they escorted him away we presume to his cabin. Poor man just wanted to soak his feet.:confused::confused::confused:

 

We've now come back to our Suite and are debating what type of movie to watch since on embarkation night the ship is deserted and not many people are out and about.

 

More to come later from the Sojourn making our way ever so slowly towards Livorno, Italy.:eek:

 

You do seem to attract the 'characters' :D:D

 

Or, perhaps, you are just more observant than me.

[Seabourntraveller]

Day 9: Livorno, Italy 7:00am-9:00pm

 

Good morning from the sleepy Sojourn, just making our final approach into the port of Livorno. We have just taken on our pilot just now and making our final turn into the port of Livorno.

 

The weather this monring is completely overcast and high winds. My wake up call this morning was a large thump at around 6:15am whereby stuff moved in our cabin. The winds seem to have picked up again as we had such nice weather leaving Civitavecchia last night. she should be tied up alongside our berth in less than 15 minutes time.

 

Plan on going up for breakfast in 1 hours time and let the early morning rush "attack" the Colonnade as most tours are being dispatched by 7:30am-8:00am for Pisa and Florence. We will wait thank you very much.;)

 

Hopefully the rain showers stay away today here in Livorno, Italy.

 

More to come later today here onboard Sojourn arriving in Livorno, Italy.

[Seabourntraveller]

You do seem to attract the 'characters' :D:D

 

Or, perhaps, you are just more observant than me.

 

As my mother used to say..."I am a magnet to chaos";):eek::D

[Seabourntraveller]

Onboard Activities Today;

 

7:00am Arrival into Livorno, Italy

8:00am Local Hospitality Representative, Seabourn Square Deck 7

9:00am Shuttle Service, last shuttle back to the ship is at 6:00pm

10:00am Computer/Wifi Assistance, Seabourn Square, Deck 7

10:30am Golf Putting Enthusiasts, the Retreat, Deck 11

12:00 noon Colonnade opens for lunch, Pasta

12:30pm Patio Grill opens for lunch, Al Fresco

2:00pm Informal Bridge Play, Card Room, Deck 7

3:00pm Spa Seminar, "Detox for Health and Weight Loss", the Spa Deck 9

3:30pm Chess, Checkers & Backgammon Get Together, The Club, Deck 5

4:00pm-5:00pm Afternoon Tea Time & Melodies, Observation Bar, Deck 10

5:00pm Friends of Bill W Meet, Conference Room #1, Deck 5

 

Tonights Activities Onboard;

 

Tonight's Attire: Resort Casual

 

6:30pm Panoramic Piano Moods with Pierre

6:30pm-8:00pm Club Cocktails, The Club, Deck 5

7:30pm All Aboard

8:00pm Departure, Sojourn sails for Ajaccio, Corsica

9:30pm Smooth Melodies with Pierre, Observation Bar, Deck 10

9:45pm Captain's Welcome, Grand Salon, Deck 6

10:00pm SHOWTIME: "Encore", Grand Salon, Deck 6

[Seabourntraveller]

Mid Morning Update;

 

We came back from breakfast about 30 minutes ago as we had gone up to the Colonnade around 8:40am and virtually the whole place to ourselves. The outside verandah was way too chili as the winds were hitting the ship from the stern so we decided to eat inside. We have such great service from Pietor and Mario the Assistant Maitre'd's and Lena our usual server which knows what to order every morning.

 

This morning they had those beautifully presented parfait glasses filled with different yogurts, muselis, fresh fruit....a medley of colours on display.

 

Mario made us a French Presse coffee the way "he likes it"...my goodness it was so strong it would grow hair on your chest....but we love strong coffee but this was one hell of a strong coffee to keep me perky all day and night!:D

 

We got invited to Bobby Broughton's (Cruise Director) dinner table tonight in the Restaurant but declined politely as we had already made other plans with another couple to eat together tonight, weather permitting of course at the Patio Grill. I am sure we will have another opportunity to do so maybe before the end of this cruise.

 

The weather has cleared up miraculously with sunny skies currently and 17C or 66F but strong winds persist this morning at 10:30am. As I am looking outside one of the windows here in Seabourn Square, I can see white tips.

 

We plan on going into Livorno later this afternoon, as we love the Lavazza coffee they serve here in Livorno with cannoli and/or mascarpone biscottis....yummy yum yum!!!!;). The shuttle bus drops us off right besides the MacDonald's every 30 minutes until 6:00pm today.

 

Moer to come later today onboard Sojourn in Livorno, Italy until 8:00pm this evening...stay tuned for any further sightings of "foot soaker":eek:

[Seabourntraveller]

Further Mid Afternoon Update;

 

We had just came back from having lunch in the Colonnade, and had an exquisite "al fresco" luncheon outside. I started off with the 3 white bean soup, then followed by a mixed arugula and ahi tuna salad with balsamic vinaigrette and grilled salmon with crispy french fries...yum yum. Of course lunch would not be lunch without a double espresso (with a nice crema)with a tiramisu and a side order of cannoli (can you say oink oink:confused:).

 

We are not going to attempt to continue on our tans that have been put on stand-by for the past couple of days. Current temperature outdoors is a balmy 17C or 64F and sunny skies and light winds. As we were leaving the Colonnade a bunch of tours were returning and they were just starting to get attacked and hit right before closing time.

 

More to follow later today onboard Sojourn in Livorno, Italy....CIAO!;)

[Seabourntraveller]

Further Further Mid Afternoon Update;

 

Just came back from Afternoon Tea Time in the Observation Bar on Deck 10 and the place was PACKED...not one empty seat in the house. I asked the wait staff if they were giving out FREE CASH and forgot to call me.:confused:

Had the usual scones, Choclate Pecan Brownies, Raspberry Panna Cotta, Ole favourite Grand Ma Cake, Sugar Key Lime Pie which was delicious and didn't taste sugar-free at all. Fritz with the Mitts is still on the ship and saw him in action once again upstairs at Tea Time.:rolleyes:...now we are just missing Mr. Foot Soaker to arrive in his bath robe.:eek::rolleyes:...stay tuned!

 

Now that I am STUFFED, going to sit on my balcony and snooze a while with the nice breeze blowing even so gently across the deck.

 

More to come later today from the Sojourn in Livorno, Italy.;)

[DottieD]

Just wanted to let you know that we are not in cabin 623! Like you enjoying the Livorno sunshine on our balcony after room service lunch. Had lovely day in Pisa today. Would you like to meet us for a drink sometime?

DottieD

[RachelG]

Bathrobe and nothing else. Thank goodness he just wanted to soak his feet.

 

Exactly wHat was he going to soak!?

[Seabourntraveller]

Exactly wHat was he going to soak!?

 

His Feet!!!!!:confused::confused::confused:

[Seabourntraveller]

Evening Update; Enroute to Ajaccio, Corsica, France

 

 

We just started to pull away from our berth approx. 20 minutes late as we were waiting for some final "stragglers" to show up. We have approx. 179 nautical miles to cross before we arrive at the island tomorrow morning at 8:00am local time.

 

Sea conditions tonight look to be good and calm from at least from what I can see from our balcony and light winds coming out of the west. Since the weather is looking to cooperate, we will pull the trigger again and eat at the Patio Grill tonight hoepfully sans electric blankets, ear muffs and mittens.:eek::eek:

 

Since I took a bit of a "siesta" menu are late in being posted and will be posted after dinner tonight...stay tuned!;):D;)

[Seabourntraveller]

Just wanted to let you know that we are not in cabin 623! Like you enjoying the Livorno sunshine on our balcony after room service lunch. Had lovely day in Pisa today. Would you like to meet us for a drink sometime?

DottieD

 

Absolutely DottieD...you know where we live...let us know.;)

[Seabourntraveller]

Patio Grill Dinner;

 

We had another amazing dinner at the Patio Grill tonight and although are speed tonight at 14.7 knots did not bother us at all by the pool due to the winds being mild.

 

Started off with a glass of Pascal Bouchard, Petit Chablis and had the Salsify and Black Truffle Veloute which was so velvity and creamy..."just like butter!"

 

Then I followed this some slices of Parma, Brie and Artichoke Pizza, a small side dish of Ceasar Salad and the 12 0z Veal Chop cooked to perfection with mixed vegetables, sauteed spinach and of course more Petit Chablis.;)

 

As I was knawing and enjoying my Brontesoris Veal Chop I could hear this high pitch sound in the background near the Patio Bar that kept on repeating .."no cookies, no cookies, no cookies." Now I don't know if this woman was not happy that they didn't have any cookies or she was telling her husband not to have any cookies?:confused::confused: no sooner than I return to my carnivorous activities, low and behold an elderly couple was pirouetting around our table and pretending to dance albeith without any music. in the background in there own little bubble and world. I don't know if it was the aromatic smells of excessive amounts of meat in the air ttonight hat was attracting these individuals or what but I was only waiting for Mr. Foot Soaker to pull up any minute!

 

The dessert menu option in the Patio Grill tonight were not that exciting so instead we have now ordered a Floating Island and Creme Brulee from Room Service which just arrived.

 

More to come later tonight onboard Sojorn making our way now for Ajaccio, Corsica, France.