Seabourn Spirit - Venice and Adriatic Gems

On Seabourn, nearly anything is possible... all-suite accommodations, fine dining, champagne at every turn, and a staff anticipating desires you didn't even know you had.  Spending 10 nights sailing the 200 passenger Seabourn Spirit on a round trip Venice to Venice voyage in August of 2012, Liv Life enjoyed living life while sailing the Adriatic Sea with ports of call including Kotor, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Rovinj, Split, and Brindisi.

Living Life in Dubrovnik, Croatia

Watching the world of travel open to my teenage children became an unforgettable experience.  From the canals of Venice to the ancient walls of Dubrovnik, the world became real as they not only visited, but touched history.  My 16-year old son, somewhat of a history buff, rattled off facts ranging from war to architecture as we toured buildings older than our country, and Liv quickly learned that shopping is actually more appealing without a mall.  Returning to our floating home away from home after spending the day port brought a special indulgence, and a touch of luxury to our transportation.

An all-inclusive line, Seabourn spoils you from the moment you arrive.  Greeted at registration with smiles and bubbling glasses of champagne, our family found ourselves situated in our suites in mere moments.  Room attendants somehow know you've arrived and appear quickly with champagne refreshers and light canapes, setting a trend of excellence which never dimmed during our entire voyage.  With a staff ratio of about 1.4 to 1, the Spirit workforce spoiled our weary, much in need of vacation, family to no end.

Happy Birthday Liv!

Our first evening in the dining room found the meal finishing with a surprise cake for Liv's 13th birthday and a crew of happy waiters singing their hearts out to my smiling birthday girl.  The next morning she was greeted by different waiters at breakfast who called her (as well as the rest of us) by name, and asked if she had enjoyed her special dinner.  A trip to the spa for a birthday pedicure brought a celebratory "mocktail", the fruity/coconutty Miami Vice, and a gushing exclamation from my newly teenaged daughter of, "Mom!  I love Seabourn!!!"

The Spirit, affectionately known as one of the "Little Sisters" (larger ships carry up to 450 guests), offers two featured dining areas with several alternate dining choices available.  The Restaurant on Deck 3 offers a full service restaurant for all meals of the day in a fine dining venue.

Mommy's happy place.... The Veranda Café

My personal favorite dining spot for breakfast and lunch, however, has always been the Veranda Café.  Affectionately known to me as, "Mommy's happy place", the Veranda offers outside seating with a more casual atmosphere.  Service however, remains as attentive as the main dining room.

For off hours, one has the option of the Sky Grill, afternoon Tea in the Observation Lounge, or the ever present 24-hour in suite service.  In the evening, The Veranda transforms into Restaurant 2, serving themed small plate tasting menus with extraordinary views of the passing sea in the fresh outside air.

Taking advantage of "order whatever you want from the menu", my Filet Mignon loving girl did just that.  Cooked to perfection filets arrived at our table night after night, while my son's choices tended to include meals he'd never tried including Lobster, Veal, and his favorite Duck Egg Rolls.

Innovative fresh salads, soups and appetizers began each evening meal accompanied by wines from around the world.  While simple entrées of Grilled Salmon, Filet Mignon, or basic chicken met our every standard, notable standouts included the Twice Baked Goat Cheese Souffle with Roasted Sweet Garlic Cream, Oven Baked Duck Spring Rolls with Chili Spiced Cucumber Salad, Oven Roasted Capon "Saltimbocca", and a simple Three Pea Salad.

Desserts ranged from Crepes Suzette to Creme Brulee to Sorbet to plain 'ole Chocolate Cake.  For myself though, I found taking advantage of a not-so-American offering, the Cheese Plate bringing various cheese tastes along with sweet chutney and sugared or flavored nuts, to be the ideal finale to a wonderful meal.

Twice Baked Goat Cheese Souffle with Roasted Sweet Garlic Cream

Joining the sea day Galley Tour, my husband and I received a behind-the-scenes peek at the food production areas as well as some of the staff who make the magic happen.  With particular interest in the baking area, my appliance envy grew at the sight of giant, sparkling mixers near the rows of trays laden with rising bread right next to a wall of waiting hot ovens.

Every loaf of bread, pastry or croissant served on the ship is made right there in that kitchen by just a few staff members as the rest of us receive our beauty sleep.  Seabourn's signature breads sticks remain one of my favorite offerings, and a never ending production brings some 1,000+ sticks per day to the table.  Might I also note how much I enjoyed the flavored butter offering of the day featuring various herb butters which only served to enhance those addictive little bread sticks.

Galley Tour

Moving through the kitchen along with Executive Chef Martin Kitzing, one can't help but be amazed at the precise organization which keeps the food and all of our special requests arriving to our tables timely and almost always correctly.  Prep areas are arranged ahead of time, and large vats of steaming broths bubble away all afternoon in preparation for the guest's orders.  I can only imagine the beehive of activity that occurs nightly as nearly every guest is treated to an extraordinary dining experience which the Seabourn staff makes look easy.

Dinner is served...

Taking a moment with the Chef after the tour, I explained my son's dairy free diet, asking if any of the breads were made dairy free.  Chef Martin took the time to make suggestions along with taking my suite number.  Later in the day as I made my way past reception, the Restaurant Maître d happened to be crossing at the same time, and calling me by name, he mentioned he was just on his way to my suite with a printed list of dairy free foods served at all meals.  In addition, he explained that Chef Martin would be altering some of the recipes, and that tomorrow this additional list of foods would also be dairy free.  You see... on Seabourn nearly anything is possible.  

Days later we met up with Chef Martin once again in Split, Croatia while joining his "Shopping with the Chef" tour.  Leading us to the local fish market, Chef Martin navigated the fish laden tables while selecting ultra fresh ingredients for our lunch and dinner.  The market itself proved to be a treat for us grocery store shopping Americans, but the haggling for price was an exciting experience in itself.

Shopping with the Chef - Split, Croatia

A ship guest from Majorca, Spain followed the Chef closely, and on his second stop she stepped in.  Throwing a hand into the face of the vendor while bellowing, "No!!!  Too much money!" she proceeded to haggle with the vendor, and eventually got the final price somewhat reduced.  A resounding cheer went up from our crowd as she and the vendor smiled, obviously enjoying the act of haggling as much as we all enjoyed watching, and we moved on to the next table of selections along with the next round of haggling.

*Not listed on the excursion itinerary for your voyage, check with the Chef himself or reception for dates and times of the enjoyable Shopping With the Chef tour on your Seabourn voyage.

Marina Day - Triluke Bay, Croatia

Triluke Bay, a small bay off the coast of Croatia, became the kids 2nd favorite day of our voyage (right after our day in Corfu).  With the back end of the Spirit becoming a fun-filled marina, the kids spent the day kayaking, paddle boating and being pulled about the bay on a banana boat.  While they didn't have time to take in every activity, the ship also offers wind surfing, water skiing, swimming, and sailing.

With guest of all ages taking advantage of the marina activities, my advice is to sign up early for the events that interest you as the day seems to fill up quickly.  Clear Adriatic waters, light breezes and balmy temps had this day right up there for Liv as, "One of the best ever!".

A favorite evening for the crew and guests alike followed our day in Dubrovnik.  As the passengers enjoyed tours of the ancient historic city walls, the crew put together a fabulous BBQ dinner.  Set outside on the main decks, tables laid with linens and silver became the meeting place for new friends.  Tables laden with fish, meats, gigantic Nigerian shrimp, and endless desserts tempted us as we watched the historic walls of Dubrovnik glow as the sun set into the warm Adriatic sea.

Deck BBQ

Dubrovnik Sunset...

Within days, the kids also came to love and look forward to my happy place, the Veranda Cafe, for breakfast.  Offering cooked to order items as well as a buffet featuring those breads the bakers work so hard to bake all night, we also chose from fresh fruits, yogurts, cereals, meats and cheeses.  Always filling my plate just a little too full, I never found myself wanting for anything.

Nino!

Most special about our morning though, was Nino.  Yes, Nino had us living the Seabourn advertisement.  The part that reads, "Our award-winning staff is driven only by their sincere desire to please, and with a smile that comes from the heart."  and, "whose knack for anticipating what you might like borders on the clairvoyant."  Nino exemplifies Seabourn, and personally, I have never been treated to better service which indeed came from the heart.

Greeting us each morning with, "Good morning Mr. and Mrs. Kelly!  Your coffee orders are being placed, Liv, your tea is on the way, and young Mr. Kelly... I have your eggs and 6 sausages ready to go."  Note we mentioned only once that we were creatures of habit, and from then on, after verification that we didn't want to change anything, our meals, drinks and treats arrived without us saying a word.  Occasionally we received surprises in addition to our "usual", like a much welcomed Mimosa, or for Liv, a 2nd donut of her favorite kind simply appearing by her side with Nino's happy smile and an "e voila!".

Spirit Staff - never without a smile

Yes, we were ultimately spoiled.  The staff of the Spirit worked together like nothing I have seen before.  Complimentary and courteous to each other as well as to the guests, they formed a team that any company should be proud to have.  I have sailed Seabourn in the past, and while I have always been treated well, this trip was truly "living the advertisement".  From the Captain on down, I received smiles at every turn, an extra towel by the pool, a chilled glass of champagne as I read my book in the late afternoon, and Nino's exemplary "E Voila!" in combination with a heartfelt smile at every meal.

Lunch on our last day had me remembering a tidbit I'd read on Cruise Critic regarding Seabourn's incredible Onion Rings.  I had read that the precious rings were not on the menu though, and did require a bit of notice for preparation.  As this was our last day, I thought I'd ask anyway, knowing my request may not be possible.  The server confirmed just that, and since we were actually outside of the Veranda operating hours the chef might not be able to meet my request.

"Not a problem," I responded, "This will leave me something to come back to Seabourn for.". 

Without much further thought, we continued our meal along with a recap of our day wandering the alleys and canals of Venice.  My husband, looking over my shoulder, noted the servers talking, and mentioned he didn't think my onion ring request was going to happen.  Sure enough, our server approached again, mentioning that indeed, the chef could not make the rings now, and he was sorry.

A minute or so passed, and again my husband continued to look behind me.  Confused at his ear to ear grin, seconds later I felt a small tap on my shoulder followed by a flourished, "E Voila!", and surrounded by our special Nino and the rest of our friendly staff, a plate piled high with some of the best onion rings I've ever had descended to the center of our table.

You see... on Seabourn nearly anything is possible.

E Voila!

New friends from around the world... miss you all!!

Corfu, Greece - Excursion with Nautilus Daily Cruises

What better way to see Corfu, Greece than from the water?  With land temps rising to near 100ºF and humidity to match, a day cruising the Ionian Sea on a the 12 metre yacht, Nautilus, is the way to go.  Add in an abundance of traditional Greek food, generous Greek hospitality and an attempt (on my part) at Greek dancing, and one has a day that will not soon be forgotten.

The second stop on our July 2012 Seabourn Venice and Adriatic Gems Cruise, had us pulling into the Kerkyra port in Corfu at 11 AM.  Iakis and Alex, of Nautilus Daily Cruises, met us meters from port customs, ready to take us on our Greek adventure.

Heading back into the Ionian Sea, Iakis began our day with a leisurely tour of the local coastline while his godson, 16 year-old Alex, pointed out landmarks and points of interest along the way.  Soon stopping in a little cove, the waters turned a brilliant shade of turquoise which contrasted beautifully with the deep blue of the deeper sea.  Alex quickly jumped into the water while pulling the rope, and within moments Nautilus was moored and Iakis was pouring his guests a traditional Greek Ouzo to toast the beginning of our day.

Heating up on the sundeck, our group of two families could no longer resist the inviting waters, and we soon found ourselves swimming with local fish through nearby caves.  Paddling about for nearly half of an hour, time flew as we explored the small beaches and enjoyed the clear, refreshing waters.

Back onboard, Iakis provided refreshments and we were soon underway cruising along more of the beautiful coastline.  Stopping in various coves, Iakis and Alex gave us a running commentary of the local happenings along with descriptions and history of the buildings we passed by.  Relaxation settled in, and the 8 of us sighed with pleasure and contentment as the light winds kept us cool.

Mooring once again, our group found ourselves on a beach reachable only by boat.  Here is where our appetites were fed.  Equipped with a grill on the back of his boat, Iakis, a former chef, tempted us with Greek delights many of us had never tasted.

The fire quickly lit and in no time our ultimate host had plates of Saganaki ready for us to try.  A dish I've never tasted, I can honestly say this cheesy appetizer remains a highpoint of my vacation.

Greek Kefalotiri (cheese) is basted with milk (and eggs, so I've been told, if one wishes to make it even more tempting!), then dredged in flour with a little black pepper.  The cheese is then fried in a very hot olive oil and served quickly thereafter with fresh bread.  Topped with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, Saganaki is a little slice of Greek heaven.

Next up, another cheese appetizer had pans of onions, peppers, tomatoes, garlic and olive oil topped with Feta set on the grill to simmer.  Aromas of the grilling veggies and garlic had stomachs rumbling and mouths watering in anticipation.  Again with the bread, this cheese dish had us gushing and reaching for more.

This was the point that Iakis set the squid onto the grill.  Now I didn't admit it to him, but I've never really liked squid.  The aroma of this squid however, had me sorely tempted to try.  Stuffed with more cheese, garlic and whatever else Iakis had in there, this squid was beyond amazing.  As one of the girls from the other family took her first taste, a broad smile spread across her face and 6 other forks eagerly reached for pieces of their own.  I'll shamelessly admit here that I think I ate almost an entire one all by myslef...

And the food didn't stop there.  Admittedly we did order extra as we had our new Scottish friends with us, but the shrimp, chicken, fish, grilled peppers, Greek salad and a delightful, creamy Tzatziki in addition to our first courses had the eight of us soon holding our bellies and proclaiming we simply couldn't eat any more.  Iakis is indeed the ultimate chef.

Oh!  And did I mention the wine?  Turns out Iakis is not only a fabulous chef, but he is also a talented wine maker.  Bringing a sweet white in addition to a refreshing red, the adults of the group sipped homemade Greek wine with our phenomenal Greek delicacies while the kids and Iakis chose from an array of sodas, juice and water.

Ultimately satiated and slightly sleepy from the food and wine, our group enjoyed a nice, leisurely lounge on the deck of the Nautilus, but it wasn't long before the cool, inviting waters had us back in for a quick swim.  Alex joined us and Iakis tossed a few inflatable rings into the water for us to float on.  What a way to spend an afternoon!

Back onboard the Nautilus, Iakis asked if we would like to head back to our ship or find another swimming area?  The resounding answer was another swimming area!

Cruising us back up the coast he pulled into another beautiful cove as the kids quickly spied some rocky cliffs to jump from.  Scrambling up the cliffs, the kids and dads took turn after turn jumping off of what seemed to be 20 stories from the top, but was maybe (not quite...) 20 feet in reality.  Alex and Liv did a tandem jump and she screamed with laugher all the way down.

Slightly sunburned, ultimately satiated, and completely relaxed, our group finally made its way back to the Corfu port.  Over the next few days our families would meet for dinner while enjoying the rest of our Seabourn Cruise, and more often than not, our conversation returned to Iakis, Alex, our day on the Nautilus and the fabulous Saganaki in addition to the other wonderful food.

Thank you, Iakis for a fabulous day!  Liv has already requested that our next vacation please include another day in Corfu.

With that I leave you with a taste of Greek entertainment...

Scotland, Greece & the USA come together - Living Life in Corfu!