Travelling2Some

Blu is smaller and quieter than the MDR. My husband is a "people watcher" type who likes a crowd so he did not find that a plus. I found myself ordering from the MDR menu at least half the time anyway. The service is more attentive in Blu but we don't feel any need for that.

We loved the little Spirit even before the refurb. I always keep an eye on her itineraries but so far the stars have not aligned as far as going where we want to go and when we are able to go.

We're pretty much about itinerary first and foremost. I like any ship as long as the entertainment is good. My husband enjoys the energy of big ships with lots of action. We're doing a European "Side2Side" on the Celebrity Constellation (very old small ship) followed by the Viva next month, so that should be an interesting contrast. We've sailed on the Constellation before and were both fine with it. The Viva cost well over twice as much, which will make the comparison even more interesting.

Like many older people, we can't eat a lot at one time so Moderno just wasn't a good fit for us, especially since meat is heavy. The concerned wait staff repeatedly urged us to eat more with the manager even getting into the act. I know they meant well but it was pushy to the point that they were making us feel embarrassed and uncomfortable. Just curious if anybody else had this issue?

I had lunch with someone recently who ordered pasta with pesto sauce and was absolutely horrified that it was GREEN. I was thinking she might need to get out more. . . Like you, I do not find a measurable difference between Veuve and ordinary champagne. Maybe I need to drink more 🙂

Very true. Florence, Rome, Barcelona, Paris . . . Just wanted to add that Magellan's makes a great theft-proof women's pocketbook and Clothingarts.com has men's pickpocket-proof pants that my husband has used for years. We also pare down our wallets before leaving home, taking only those cards/credentials we will use abroad.

Jamaica = Sea day. Same goes for Nassau. We're not big on the Caribbean anyway but actively avoid itineraries with these ports.

Yes. Almost as bad as those Royal Caribbean TV ads. I'm always amazed that so many youtubers make such motion sickness inducing videos too.

When we considered the very high cost of the excursion plus the 6 hour r/t travel time, it made more sense for us to visit Berlin separately after the cruise. Two nights in a Berlin hotel cost less than the excursion.

Have been through Brussels on a land trip and found it skippable, Brugges is much nicer. Loved Amsterdam but it needs several days to see it properly. Can recommend Riga and Hamburg (go to Miniature Wonderland) as enjoyable ports. Berlin is way too far from the port but we did very much like our day Warnemunde. Spend as much time as you can in Stockholm - wonderful city. As others have mentioned, Prima is not a good ship for colder weather. Another vote for the Dawn.

Agree. Ever have well-meaning dinner guests who insist on "helping" you clear away but have no clue where anything goes? I have a system and I really would rather do it myself.

I was staying several nights at a guest house attached to a governmental installation in a third world country. After a couple of mornings an employee implored me to stop making my bed because she was supposed to make it. Being a democratic sort of person I said it did not seem right to me because, after all, I do not make her bed so why should she have to make mine? She said she needed her job and might get in trouble if I kept cleaning up after myself. Whoops! I stopped, of course.

We did this cruise on the Dawn with zero sea days and loved it. One of our best trips ever. The main reason we chose the particular sailing we did though was because it embarked in Copenhagen and ended in Stockholm, enabling us to spend five additional days in each of those cities. I don't know if that would be a factor for you. Which two ports do you give up if you choose the Prima rather than the Dawn?

Second the recommendation for Spain Day Tours. Have gone with them many times and always very good and reliable.

Probably the work of the Anti-Magnet Faction (or some goofy kids). This would be a concern for the Legion of the Over-served!