November 6 - Around the Seabourn Quest

It’s another day at sea with sunny skies and calm seas. The internet is finally working again so I caught up on e-mails and the blog.  Then I decided to do a walkabout and take some ship photos.  While she is not very big, the ship is quite lovely.

Up on Deck 10 forward is the Observation Bar which has a marvelous view of the ocean.  In the evening there’s a little buffet with various hors d’oeuvres and a pianist playing nice music.  One deck up is a sun deck with views of the bow of the ship.  I tried taking photos but my camera fogged up. It’s more than a little humid here!

The Observation Bar - a great place for evening cocktails

On Deck 9 aft is the Retreat.  It’s  sort of a Sanctuary and Thermal Suite combined.  Inside there is an area with a Kniep Pool in the center.  One side of the pool is warm water and the other cold.  It’s not for swimming just putting one’s feet in.  Around it are heated recliners.  Outside on the stern deck are recliners with comfy cushions.

The Retreat and it's little pool

More of the Retreat

Deck 8 is home to the Colonnade, the casual dining venue with tables both inside and out and the Pool Grill as well as the main pool.  There are many recliners around in both sun and shade.  Also on 8 is Restaurant 2, the alternative dining place which serves a tasting menu.  It’s the only place you need to make a reservation (no upcharge).  We ate there a few nights ago and it was excellent with some very creative and interesting combinations.

The Colonnade - Buffet for breakfast and lunch but with made to order things; table service at night

More Colonnade

Restaurant 2

On Deck 7, our home, is Seabourn Square which is kind of the central place on the ship.  Here are the guest services people, destination service (shore excursions), and future cruise person.  They all sit at little desks and you sit with them while they take care of whatever your need is.  Shipboard accounts are available on the interactive TV in the suites. Around the area where the staff is located are couches and tables and computer terminals for those who didn’t bring their own.  There are newspapers available.  There’s also a coffee bar which operates all day and evening where you can get whatever kind of coffee concoction or tea you like.  There are also drinks available, as well as sandwiches, pastries, cookies and ice cream.  It’s a little like an International Café except there is no charge for anything you order. We decided to invite our team for drinks and hors d’oeuvres tomorrow evening.  The Bar Manager met me in the Square to go over what we would like to have.  Tomorrow evening he’ll send a bar steward and stewardess to set up and serve in our cabin. 

Seabourn Square

Coffee Bar at the Square

On Deck 6 is the Grand Salon where lectures and shows are held.  There was a lecture going on when I went there so no photos of that. Deck 5 is the location of Club 5 aft.  That’s where we play Trivia and in the evening there is music and dancing.  Next to it is the little casino. Aft is another nice pool area with recliners and tables.

Club 5 - also known as Trivia Central!

Finally on Deck 4 is the main Dining Room.  It is very nicely decorated and can actually hold all the passengers at one time if they all decide to dine there at the same time.  We have eaten there all nights but one and have enjoyed both the service and the food.

Main Dining Room

So enough about the ship.  At noon we had the first round of the new Trivia game.  We’re 20 points back from the leader.  We told the others we’re lulling them into a false sense of security.  In the afternoon we started running into rain squalls. Seas were still pretty calm though.  At 5:30 we met the other Virginians on board at the Observation Bar for drinks.  We had a nice chat.  Then we joined some of our teammates at another table.  One couple is from Australia and the other from Scotland but transplanted to Marbella in Spain.  We eventually all went down to dinner in the dining room and we were the last to leave the place; we were having such a good time!  We headed off to bed then.  Our friends who are senior to us went off to the club for more partying.  We can’t keep up with them.