Buzz’s comments on his Cruise from Barcelona, Spain to San Juan, PR on the Seabourn Ovation Oct to Dec 2025

 

Another great trip on Seabourn!  This trip consisted of 3 legs: Barcelona to Rome, Rome to Barcelona and Barcelona to Jan Juan.  On all of the legs all of the cabins were full – 550 guests.  Since I have been medically advised to stop drinking alcohol, I was pleasantly surprised that Seabourn offers several alcohol fee cocktails that I enjoyed. I learned to make my favorite and have ordered all the ingredients so I can make it at home.

MON 27 - TUE 28 Oct-25 AA 742 PHL-BCN.  I flew Economy Plus using miles on this 8 hour overnight flight.  The seats were comfortable with plenty of leg room but did not recline enough to comfortably sleep.

TUE 28 WED 29 Oct-25 Four Points by Sheraton Barcelona Airport.  No complementary transfer from the airport resulted in a 25 euro cab ride.  There are also public transportation options but I did not want to use them with all of my luggage.  Nice room with refrigerator, stall shower, in room coffee maker and a safe.  A very nice breakfast buffet was included in my rate that I booked with points.  There is a bar/restaurant in the hotel. There is a shopping mall a short walk from the hotel.                                             

WED   29OCT25      Barcelona, Spain.  Short and efficient check-in.  My room was ready when I got on board. I went to the Cruise Director introductions, the solo travelers get together and the show Silverscreen.  I was at a hosted table with Georgia Flax, Entertainment Manager.  I watched the conversation Islamic Spain by Jennifer Eremeeva.

THU 30OCT25         Mahon, Menorca, Spain I booked a 4 hour excursion with 31 other passengers: Ancient Talayotic Sites with 22 other passengers: After a  drive to Torre de Galmes we visited to one of the largest talayotic (tower) monuments in Menorca and all the Balearic Islands. It perches atop a small hill that provides an ideal panoramic view of much of Menorca's southern coast.  We enjoyed a snack at a local café.  At the Taula (temple) enclosure of Trepucó, discover a magnificent talayot (prehistoric tower) built from large cyclopean stones. We viewed the large temple and the beautiful sanctuary, which is now surrounded by an 18th-century defense wall. Remnants of a different wall suggest the influence of Punic military engineers and, thus, the presence of a Carthaginian settlement between Talayotic populations.  I played Team Trivia and Social Bridge.  I was at a hosted table with Nicole Fava, one of the Seabourn Six.  I went to the concert performed by CH2.

FRI 31OCT25           Palma de Mallorca, Spain.  Since I had been to this port before, I did not book an excursion.  Instead, I took the shuttle bus to the Cathedral and walked around the downtown area.  I was at a hosted table with Jennifer Eremeeva.  I watched the conversation Beyond the Horizon; Voyages of Exploration, Isabella of Castile and Milestones In French History by Jennifer Eremeeva.  I went to the Halloween Let’s Dance Party.  I played Team Trivia.

SAT 01NOV25         Sea Day – I had a hosted lunch with Nick Martland, Cruise Director, and Georgia Flax, Entertainment Manager.  I had dinner at the Suchi restaurant with its special Formal night menu. 

I went to the Diamond get together, the Port Briefing: Sete & Toulon and Showtime Tonight: Star Of ‘The Voice’ Karl Loxley.  I played Team Trivia.

SUN    02NOV25     Sete, France. I booked a 4 hour excursion with 42 other passengers: Aigues Mortes – Aigues Mortes, a fortified city located in the heart of the Petite Camargue. It was built in the 13th century and stands quite alone in a melancholy landscape of ponds, sea marshes, and saltpans. Aigues Mortes originally served as a departure harbor for the crusades of St Louis. Its Constance Tower is one of the most majestic pieces of architecture from medieval times and served as a lookout post to fend off the Saracens.  We enjoyed a guided walking tour which will cover the history of the town.  I watched the conversation by Jennifer Ereeva: La Superba: A History of Genoa.  I went to the Show:  Can’t Stop the Music performed by the Seabourn Six.  I had a wonderful dinner at Earth and Ocean.

MON  03NOV25     Toulon, France. Since I had been to this port a couple of times before, I did not book an excursion.  I played Team Trivia and social bridge.  I was at a hosted table with Chelsea Zeno, one of the Seabourn Six.

TUE 04NOV25        Monte Carlo, Monaco. Since I had been to this port a couple of times before, I did not book an excursion.  I walked to the Casino and back.  I played Team Trivia and Social Bridge.  I went to the conversation by Jennifer Ereeva: Urbs Aeterna: A History of Rome from Kingdom to Empire. I went to the magic show performed by Romany.  I had a wonderful dinner at Earth and Ocean.

WED   05NOV25     Portofino, Italy – tender port. Since I had been to this port a couple of times before, I did not book an excursion.  I played Team Trivia and social bridge.  I was at a hosted table with Nicole Fava and Ben Garrett, two of the Seabourn Six. I wondered around the port area. I went to the Seabourn Club cocktail party.  I went to the show perfomed by the multi instrumentalists the Ayoub Sisters.

THU    06NOV25     I’ille Rouse, Corsica, France – tender port.   The original itinerary had the ship porting in Calvi but because of race being conducted on the following two days the port was diverted.  I wandered around the port area and took the shuttle bus to Calvi and wandered around the town.  Many shops were closed because the tourist season finished on October 31st.  I went to the performance by Nick Martland featuring caviar service and songs by Elton John and Billy Joel.  I played Team Trivia and social bridge.  I went to the Show:  Detroit City Sounds performed by the Seabourn Six.  I had the Chinese dinner at the Colennada.

FRI      07NOV25     Olbia, Sardinia, Italy.  I booked a 5 hour excursion with 33 other passengers: The Valley of the Moon - Traverse the countryside by coach toward Tempio Pausania -- a city with imposing but elegant architecture.  We walked with your guide to see parts of the town and, at a café in Tempio, try some Sardinian pasteries.  We returned to the coach for the scenic drive to Aggius, passing beautiful rocks that are a natural work of art sculpted by the wind. We also saw the Valley of the Moon -- a Dante-esque landscape of granite rocks rising from the ground.   I played Team Trivia and social bridge.   I had dinner at Solice.  I attended the Abba on deck and the final variety show.

SAT     08NOV25     Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy.  This was the end of the first leg.  205 passengers connected to the next leg.  I did not book an excursion because I spent a week in Rome in 2024.  I wandered around the port area.  I went to the Cruise Director introductions, the solo travelers get together and the show Better Together.  I was at a hosted table with Nick Martland, Cruise Director

SUN    09NOV25     Amalfi, Italy. I did not book an excursion.  I wandered around the port area which was mostly restaurants. I played Team Trivia and social bridge.  I had the special Formal night menu at the Sushi restaurant.  I went to the show perfomed by the multi instrumentalists the Ayoub Sisters.

MON  10NOV25     Lipari, Italy – tender port.  I did not book an excursion.  I played Team Trivia and social bridge.  I was at a hosted table with Mathew Steel, one of the Seabourn Six.  I went to the conversation by Jennifer Ereeva: Military Order of Knights. 

TUE     11NOV25     Mgarr (Victoria), Gozo, Malta – tender port.  I did not book an excursion since all the ones that I was interested in were all listed as strenuous.  I wandered around the port with very steep climbs. I played Team Trivia and social bridge.  I went to the sail in Classic and the Dance Party.  I had dinner at Earth and Ocen hosting members of the Band, Lanie, Miles and Pablo.

WED   12NOV25     Valletta, Malta. Since I had been to this port a couple of times before, I did not book an excursion.  I walked to the Fort Elmo Museum about an hour round trip walking.  It is an excellent museum.  I played Team Trivia and social Bridge.  I went to the sail away Beatles performance and the show Skyline.  I was at a hosted table with Frederick Omana, the Environmental Officer.

THU    13NOV25     Trapani, Italy.  I wander around the port before my excursion.  I booked a 4.5 hour excursion: Medieval Erice – We visited a medieval village.  A 45 minute panoramic drive brought us to Erice, where a panoramic hilltop position offers views of Trapani, the sea and the Egadi Islands. Norman influence is apparent here in the stone buildings, towers and fortifications among the lovely English-style gardens scattered throughout the town.  During a walking tour of Erice, we stopped at the famous La Pasticceria di Maria Grammatico. This enchanted little corner of Sicily offers an amazing taste the famous Sicilian Cannolo.  I was at a hosted table with Ellie Mc Asprun and Nicole Fava, two of the Seabourn Six.  I went to the conversation by Kay Burley: My Life in the News.

FRI     14NOV25       La Goulette (Tunis), Tunisia.  I took the bus to Tunis about a 45 minute ride each way. I was surprised that the trip included a walking tour of the city.  Our guide showed us the various forms of architecture and buildings built int eh the 14th, 15th and 16th century.  We walked through the huge covered shopping area and spent about 45 minutes in a rug shop where we served mint tea and a local cookie.  The shop’s personnel explained how the handmade rugs were made and aggressively tried to sell their wares.   I played Team Trivia. I was at a hosted table with Melanie (Lanie) Del Corral Gonzalez, Seabourn Singer.  I went to Cavair & Abba on deck and to see a performance by Tony K. Irving.

SAT   15NOV25      Sea Day.  I went to the show: Can’t stop the Music performed by the Seabourn Six.  I had dinner at Solice.  I went to the Diamond member event.  I played Team Trivia and social Bridge.  I went to the conversation by Kay Burley: The Windsor Love, Loss and Legacy.                                                    

SUN   16NOV25      La Ciotat, France.  Port cancelled due to weather. I watched the conversation by Kay Burley: The Windsor Love, Loss and Legacy.  I played Team Trivia and social Bridge.  I watched the conversation by Kay Burley: The Windsor Love, Loss and Legacy. I watched the conversations by Jennifer Ereeva: Walking the Camino de Santiago de Compostela and The Rise of Islam.  I went to see ShowManShip.

MON  17NOV25     Rosas (Roses), Spain – Tender port.  I booked a 5 hour tour: Gorona City. A scenic one-hour drive southwest from Rosas brought us to the beautiful town of Girona, known as the Immortal City. Girona is rich in historic treasures and is one of the most interesting monumental cities in Spain.

We visited the Bonastruch Ca Porta Museum on the site of the old synagogue, as well as the medieval walls of the city and the remains of the Gironella Tower, destroyed by Napoleon during his retreat in 1814.  We travelled through the El Call area. This is one of the best-preserved Jewish Quarters in Europe and has been continuously inhabited for almost seven centuries. At the very heart of the Jewish Quarter are the Arab Baths with their beautiful arches. In spite of the name, the construction of the baths is in Western Romanesque style. The baths' style imitates old Muslim bathhouses with an apodyterium for changing, a frigidarium for cold baths, a tepidarium offering warm water, and a caldarium for hot baths.  I was at a hosted table with Chelsea Zeno, one of the Seabourn Six.  I played Team Trivia – we won for the second leg of the cruise.  I went to the performance by Tony K. Irving.

TUE     18NOV25     Barcelona, Spain. This was the end of the second leg.  Since I had been to this port a couple of times before, I did not book an excursion.  I went to the solo travelers cocktail party, the cruise director’s Introductions, and the show Silverscreen performed by the Seabourn Six.  I was at a hosted table with the Human Resources Development Manager and the Head Nurse.

WED   19NOV25     Sea Day.  I went to a conversation given by Dennis Molnar: The Two Best Spies of World War 2.  I went to a conversation given by Andrew Johnson: The lesser known factors of life in Morocco.  I played Team Trivia & Duplicate Bridge.  I went to Showtime Tonight: Steinway Artiste Panos Karan.  I had the formal night dinner at the Sushi Restaurant.                                                                             

THU  20NOV25     Tangier, Morocco. Since I had been to this port a couple of times before, I did not book an excursion.  I had dinner at Solice.  I went to the Introduction by Dennis Molnar for the movie Casablanca.   I went to the comedy and magic performance by Mandy Muden.

FRI     21NOV25     Sea Day.  I played Team Trivia & Duplicate Bridge.  I went to the show Better Together performed by the Seabourn Six.  I went to the conversation given by Andrew Johnson: In the Wake of Christopher Columbus.  I went to Erin Mannings conversation: Travel Photo Basics. I was at a hosted table with Panos Kararn.

SAT   22NOV25     Sea Day.  I played Team Trivia & Duplicate Bridge.  I went to the show John V Joel performed by Nick Martland.  I went to the performance by Richard Afonso: A Life through Song.  I went to Erin Manning’s conversation: Get Creative with the IPhone Camera App.  I went to a conversation given by Dennis Molnar: The 30 greatest Movie Lines of All Time.  I watched a conversation given by Dennis Molnar: The World War 2 Spy who was the real James Bond.  I had dinner at Earth and Ocean with two passengers and Erin Manning. 

SUN  23NOV25     Sea Day.  I played Team Trivia & Duplicate Bridge.  I watched the conversation given by Andrew Johnson: Spanish and Portuguese Legacies.  I went to a conversation given by Dennis Molnar: The Surprising Flaw of the Greatest Leader in the 20th Century. I went to Erin Manning’s conversation: Photo Editing with the iPhone Photo App.  I went to the show Detroit City Sounds performed by the Seabourn Six.  I went to the conversation given by Andrew Johnson: The Ocean Race for Speed.  I was at a hosted table with Dennis Molnar.

MON  24NOV25    Sea Day¸ I played Team Trivia & Duplicate Bridge.  I went to a conversation given by Dennis Molnar: Stop Wasting Your Time – Your Guide to Selecting Great Movies.  I went to Erin Manning’s conversation: Organize Your Images with the   iPhone Photos App.  I was at a hosted table with Chelsea Zeno, one of the Seabourn Six.  I went to the performance by Richard Afonso: Icons.

TUE   25NOV25     Sea Day.  I went to coffee with the Officers.  I played Team Trivia & Duplicate Bridge.  I watched the conversation given by Andrew Johnson: European Diaspora.  I went to Erin Manning’s conversation: Photos and Camera App Workshop.  I went to the Abba & Caviar Party.  I was at a table hosted by Darwin Hasfian, Chief Purser and Karen Smith, Crew Purser.

WED  26NOV25    Sea Day.  Formal night.  I went to Showtime Tonight: Steinway Artiste Panos Karan.    I played Team Trivia & Social Bridge.  I had dinner at Earth and Ocean hosting Nicole, Ben and Jacob from the Seabourn Six. I went to the conversation given by Andrew Johnson: Divided by a Common Language.  I went to Erin Manning’s conversation: Fun and Fabulous Photo App

THU  27NOV25    Sea Day. I went to the Thanksgiving Special Galley Market lunch. I played Team Trivia & Duplicate Bridge.  I went to the conversation given by Andrew Johnson: From the Grand Tour to the Grand Voyage.  I went to Erin Manning’s conversation: Smartphone Food Photography.  I went to the Classique concert.  I was at a hosted table with Agnes Lee, Bridge Instructor.

28NOV25    Sea Day.  I played Team Trivia & Duplicate Bridge.  I went to Erin Manning’s conversation: Look Great in Selfies.  I went to a conversation given by Dennis Molnar: Behing the Berlin Wall – Life for Familes in the Cold War East Germany.  I went to the show: Can’t stop the Music performed by the Seabourn Six.  I had dinner in my stateroom and watched the Eagles lose to the Bears.

SAT   29NOV25    Sea Day.  I played Team Trivia & Duplicate Bridge.  I went to Erin Manning’s conversation: Photo Editing in the Snapseed App.  I went to a conversation given by Dennis Molnar: The Icconic Record Album that changed our music forever.  I was at a hosted table with Lames Lyne, Entertainment Manager.  I went to the show: Showmanship performed by Nick Martland.  I went to the performance by Panos Karan: A Night at the Symphony.

SUN  30NOV25    Carambola Beach, Saint Kitts and Nevis. Since I had been to this port a couple of times before, I did not book an excursion. I played social bridge. I had dinner at Earth and Ocean Hosting Chelsea and Matt members of the Seabourn Six. I went to the Beach BBQ.  I went to the variety performance by James Lyne & Ricardo Afonso.

MON  01DEC25    Road Town (Tortola), British Virgin Islands. Since I had been to this port a couple of times before, I did not book an excursion.  I wandered around the port area.  I played social bridge. I went to the Officers on Deck & Team Member Salute.  I was at a hosted table with Andrew Johnson, Seabourn Conversationalist.  I went to the show: Skyline performed by the Seabourn Six. 

TUE   02DEC25      San Juan, Puerto Rico   I booked the excursion A Walk through San Juan with Airport Transfer.  

TUE   02DEC25 AA 2433 SJU-PHL            

                                                                                                                                                       

 

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