Last day

It's Wednesday and another sea day and my final day.  Yesterday was another typically great sea day with the exception that we traversed the straights of Gibraltar.  Interesting having morocco on one side and Spain on the other.  Unfortunately it was a bit hazy so photos of the rock of Gibraltar are poor.  But  there were whales and dolphins swimming around so that was fun.

The previous night they did another outdoor party with the band playing by the pool.  They had the heaters on as it got a bit cool but still a good turnout.

Tonight is the last formal night and I've been invited to a table of 10 or so.  People have been amazing, very friendly and lots of fun.

I can't believe the weather.  Someone mentioned the forecast is for rain in Barcelona but this morning is perfect again on board.  Except for some reason we seems to have been infested with bees.  They are everywhere.  We were a few miles from shore yesterday, could they fly that far or did they come on in Madeira?  I don't know.  They seem pretty mellow.

Last day of trivia.  We did ok today but overall finished 10th out of 12.  But luckily everyone got a nice prize of an umbrella and visor.

Back at sea

It's Monday and we are back at sea.  It was a really nice sailaway from Funchal.  It's a pretty island with the homes lining the steep hills, and there are lots of other islands, mostly uninhabited that we sailed by,  it started to cool off last night as a few of us sat out.  

I have to say that I've joined the smoking crowd!  Smokers get to know each other well because there are so few places they can smoke.  The group here are quite fun and so sometimes I get coffee or a drink and hang out with them.  It's a hilarious group and it's outside so it never really seems smokey.  

Back at trivia today I'm upset with my team.  I gave them one of the answers for the 200 point bonus question but they didnt believe me.  What two countries that are landlocked by other countries that are landlocked, thus being doubly landlocked?  I suggested Lichtenstein but mr know- it-all said it bordered Belgium.  We had the other one, Uzbekistan, and we really could have used those points.

It is cooler today but didn't stop having another nice afternoon on deck.  They did a big lobster BBQ lunch which people went nuts over.  It looked really good and another example of something you won't see on most ships.  Then there was some music on deck, wouldn't have minded if they played longer.  

Closet land is now morocco, that's pretty cool!  Tomorrow afternoon we will pass the rock of Gibralter, close enough to see it apparently.

Booze cruise

It's Sunday and we are in Madeira.  Yesterday had a booze theme,  the whiskey tasting was followed by tequila cocktails pre dinner.  There was also cognac and cigars under the stars late at night.  I didn't try the cigars but did try some cognac.  So I was a little slow to get going today.

It's a very nice day in Madeira, around 23 degrees.  I was going to do an organized walk but it left at 830 so I knew i wouldn't be able to make it that early.  So I walked into town around 11 and took the cable car to the top of one of the mountains.  There is a really nice botanical garden there.  Strange because it is in a Japanese theme...just seems out of place but I still enjoyed it.

More awesome music

The mix of people on this cruise has been really good.  Yes there are some elderly but there really all different ages from all over the world.  Two South African couples that I've gotten to know stopped me yesterday morning saying that they were talking to the musicians about doing a special party before the guest musicians roger and Ollie get off the ship in Madeira.  And they did in fact convince the cruise director to make it happen.  So at 11 last night the amazing house band along with these two played an hour and a half of unrehearsed jams.  It was one of the best musical experiences.  They were doing their own thing, having a blast, doing everything from micheal jackson to some funk.  And the word got around to the guests so it was packed in a small room. It was fantastic...all started by the guests!

Continuing the party theme, tonight pre dinner the mixologist is hosting a tequila tasting.  This will follow his talk and tasting on whiskey this afternoon!  Omg!

On the negative side, the captain announced that there have been cases of noro virus on board so they are busy disinfecting the ship and serving at the Buffett.  

I went back to trivia and actually helped answer one questoin but the Mason Dixons ar pretty much at the bottom of the standings!

Wine tastings and more nice weather

There is a guest onboard who runs a small winery in California.   She hosted a wine tasting out on one of the back decks.  Seabourn did a complete setup and spread including cheese, fruit, appetizers and tables and table cloths.  With the sea as the background it was a stunning setting. The weather has been really nice.  As we moved quite far north everyone was expecting it to be cool by now but it was 26 and sunny today.  Seas are calm today with just a gentle rolling...it's very pleasant.

I was at another hosted table last night, this time it was Ollie, the guest sax player.  He was great and the table was nicer then some of the others I've been to.  I've met a lot of people that way though. After that it was name that tune! The team i joined finished third out of about ten.  I was surprised by the attendance.  I would say the crowd is younger and more out going than other ships.  

We lost another hour last night so we are now 4 hours ahead of eastern time.  I think we will loose one more tomorrow night before Madeira.  

Music

I didn't have high expectations for entertainment on board but it has been very good.  For starters they house band is excellent and play a variety of music from jazz to pop.  Afternoons by the pool they sometime have music, two days ago the guitarist and singer played and were excellent,  last night they had the band playing at night for a deck party which was very well attended.  So nice to have warm nights when they can do this.

They also brought on good talent,  one singer was one of the original leads in the lion king in londons west end.  He did some broadway numbers but also some Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye etc.  They also have a young Brit who plays the sax who is also great.  It makes a big difference when there is really enjoyable music on board.

They had a fun and games event on deck yesterday afternoon.  Pretty corny but still fun and a change of pace they do try hard.

I went to trivia again today but so far have still been no help at all.   It didnt help that we lost another hour lsat night, and another tonight,  time for a nap!

Mixology

I went to dinner with the bridge instructor.  Yeah it's crazy here!  She was nice and has her husband on on board.  Second marriage for both, as they were both widowed but met on match.com...in their 70s, 12 years ago!  There were people of equal age to her on my other side at the table and no one could hear. So I spent most of the evening telling one about what the other said.  It was a bit tiring!

After dinner A woman at the bar was not impressed with a drink.  She ordered a Hemingway daiquiri which , when she got it, was not like the one she had previously had.  I saw her again today, Wednesday and she told this to there head mixologist, who also works for Thomas Keller at Per Se in NYC.  When she described how he made it he was not impressed.  I think Juan the bartender might get a scolding...or worse!  This mixologist is on board to train the bartenders...they take it seroiusly here.  He is also on the food network...Brian van Flandern in case anyone knows him. He gave a talk and tasting on rum today.  He was quite good.

Also at my table last night were a couple from Atlanta.  They invited me to join their trivia team today.  I've never done trivia but did go today to join their team, the Mason Dixons! Unfortunately I didn't help them at all so not sure if they want me back.

Seas had moderated today but the captain says we will have some swells all the way to Funchal.

Rolling rolling...

I had a few naps on Monday, only one of which was on purpose.  Sitting in the heated ceramic chairs or in a lounge chair on deck, add in the gentle rocking and it is a recipe for dozing  off.  By late afternoon the swells that we were warned about appeared.  The ship was really moving both rolling and pitching.  Everyone was having a tough time walking around the ship.  It continues today Tuesday.  Looking out to sea now it appears calm, no white caps but looking more closely there are huge swells that seem like they could swallow this little ship.  I had a lot of trouble sleeping due to the movement.  I felt like I was rolling off the bed, just like the bottles of water rolled off the counter on one such roll.  My things in the bathroom were also thrown around.

But it is warm, around 27, and the wind is down so it is actually very nice on deck.  I have moved between sun and shade to make sure I don't burn.

This morning was an emergency drill by the crew.  They broadcast all the announcements as they would in an emergency.  I know they need to practice so glad to have them do it.  But it made me wonder why I've never heard crews do this on any other crossing.

The captain just gave his noon update and said the swells peaked at 5 meters and will moderate over the next couple of days.  He is quite hilarious.  He is Scottish and finishes his updates by reading some poetry, usually about the sea. Today it was Robbie burns. 

I was invited to another dinner last night, this time hosted by Kitty the Arts and Crafts instructor.  I kid you not.  She is a recently retired teacher who seems to have found a pretty good way to travel the world, doing painting glasses on high end cruise ships.  (And wouldn't it be better if they called it painting classes instead of arts and crafts?). But kitty was a lot of fun, I will give her that.

First day at sea

The weather ended up being quite nice Sunday with a high of 80.  Seas were smooth so decks were busy with everyone enjoying it.  I have a cold I'm trying to get rid of so decided to use the spa area and try to sweat it out in the steam room.  They also have the heated ceramic chairs where I read and may have dozed off for a bit.  Not sure if it helped the cold but it was definitely relaxing.

Before dinner I was chatting with two couples from Phoenix.  Turns out the men were partners in the narcotics division in the NYPD for many years.  They had some great stories.  Bill also just walked the entire Camino de Santiago so we had lots to talk about.  So much that we all went for dinner to their table.  It's not typical to have your own table here, nor is it typical for the wait staff to pour some of their better wines.  But they sure did for these folks.  Peter told me, in his new York accent, "they say you don't need to tip on Seabourn but I tip them before and I tip them after.  What's a few hundred dollars when they treat you like this !"  It was a hilarious evening.

Seabourn has an association with Thomas Keller, the famous chef.  Last night they had his items on the menu.  The hand rolled agnolotti were amazing but the mushroom dish wasn't impressive.  Glad I didn't pay any more for it.

Back in the cabin there were some Easter treats.

It's Monday morning now and I was woken by the ship loudly shuddering as it hit a swell.  Seas are getting a bit choppy and could be rough tomorrow.  I tried walking for half an hour to try to clear my head.  The head cold isn't getting any better but at least no worse.  

Embarking on Seabourn Odyssey

After a couple hours on the beach I packed up and got a taxi to the port.  The ship is very small by today's standards but is large next to the ship we were docked next to: seadream.  It too is sailing the Atlantic. After seeing it, I can't imagine how confined it would be for 10 days. Wow!

Within 10 minutes I was on board and sitting outside for lunch.  The staff greeted me with a offer for Perrier and or wine.  I took both to which I was offered a selection of wine which is all included. The only other all inclusive line i sailed was crystal 4 years ago.  It makes a huge difference when there is no pressure to sell you drinks.  You might think the service would suffer but quite the opposite.  Service was fantastic which meant drinks were flowing.  As I was unpacking in the afternoon doesn't the stewardess knock offering a glass of champagne....just before I was to crack the bottle that was sitting on ice in my room when I arrived!

It continued through the beautiful sail away from Barbados.  A couple of glasses of wine and I thought I better slow down and drink some water if I want to make it through dinner!  For dinner I was invited to a hosted table where two of the singers hosted 9 guests. Apparently seabourn does this every night and invites a variety of guests.  It could be regulars or those who are travelling solo such as myself. It was a fun dinner.  Besides Ryan and Beth, the two singers, there were two couples from the Uk, a Canadian, German, Dutch and an American travelling solo.  Food was fantastic.  The highlight for me was the homemade porcini ravioli, as good as I could imagine anywhere.

Unfortunately we pushed the clocks forward and hour last night.  As I went to bed the ship was really moving.  My cabin is near the front so that is part of the reason.  But I really didn't think the seas were rough.  The ship is not an ocean liner in any sense so I fear there could be motion for the entire trip,  especially when we hit the low pressure system in a couple of days that the captain warned us about. Could be interesting. 

It's Sunday: Happy Easter !  It was overcast when I got up but the sun is breaking through now.  It's nice and warm and the chairs around the pool are starting to fill up.  Still it doesn't fell crowded.  I think the space to passenger ratio is quite high.  This afternoon there is an Easter egg hunt!

Another crossing?

It's been a couple of years so some thought I had got it out of my system after 5 transatlantic crossings. but after a busy and nasty winter in Ottawa I got the itch. In the past I thought I booked last minute but this time I think I pretty much literally did just that. It was a mere 14 days ago that I took the plunge and booked a crossing from Barbados to Barcelona. Today I flew to Bridgetown and checked in to the Hilton hotel.  It's quite a mix of poeople here, from families to surfers to those that I'm sure are cruising tomorrow on one of two cruise to Europe tomorrow, the small Seadream ship or, the Seabourn odyssey that I'm taking.

As I had a glass of wine before dinner, 3 of my predictions were confirmed as I overheard a gentleman and a couple talk about boarding the two ships tomorrow.  A German couple sat next to me at dinner and I suspect I will see them on board tomorrow.  They weren't terribly impressed with the service at dinner. I'm starting to conclude that if the country produces rum, then expect to have "relaxed" service.  Everything I've experienced so far in Barbados has been very slow. But hey, it's 30 degrees and surrounded by white sand and turquoise water so what's the rush? I will try to take it slow Saturday by spending some time at the beach before heading to the ship.