cruisemom42

I think this is one area where getting input from frequent cruisers, especially ones who recently used the services is important. Not sure I'd trust a TA -- unless that TA fits the criteria above. Things can change rapidly in ports. One service I used to use reliably changed after Covid and is now more expensive and restrictive. Fortunately I was able to locate a new/better option.

The Domus Aurea is fabulous but be warned that it's a work in progress. Lots of scaffolding and some areas are off limits. They are currently doing a lot of work to restore and stabilize it. I've been three times, most recently last November and I really saw a lot of progress. Some of the frescoes that have been newly cleaned and revealed are wonderful.

This is the one I originally booked in the early days post-Covid. Back then they allowed you to cancel and rebook at a later date if you were concerned about Covid, and it's been on the books a long time.... I think I asked you about your hotel in Bordeaux, but I ended up booking one that's a bit closer to the area I want to be in. I'm taking 2 daytrips from Bordeaux but will also have about 2.5 days to explore the city.

I wouldn't be surprised if they haven't loaded the May tickets yet. The link you included is for the Scavi (excavations) under St. Peter's, not the Pantheon.

You can reach Erice by cable car or bus (very twisty road, hairpin curves, not good if you get motion sick or fear of heights). Once in Erice, the town is hilly. Not a lot of stairs but the roads are steep in places. If you arrive by bus you'll have to walk maybe a quarter of a mile from the bus dropoff place to the heart of the town (with a lovely church enroute). It's worth it IMO but it's not an "easy" trip. Strenuous? Depends on your level of fitness and ability to walk.

Hi everyone -- sorry I haven't posted in a while. Not much new for me. I've just been vegging at home, watching the condo project proceed and doing lots of reading. All of a sudden I realized it's time to get ready for my Bordeaux and river cruise trip. (I leave in 8 days!). I've started watching the weather so I can decide what to pack. Hoping for nice weather and not the horrible early heat wave they had last year. Today I'm going to a retirement lunch for one of my team who had decided to take the plunge like me. It will be fun to see her and I'm hoping a number of other former colleagues. Melody, the prom pics are cute. You guys are such a photogenic family. You could be in a commercial. For Chicos! 😄 Lois, hope your health is improving!

My father was a mid-level govt employee and my mom was an elementary teacher. We traveled to Europe and we cruised annually. Travel was just important to us.

Not so sure about that. My parents weren't wealthy but we started cruising (as a family) in the 1970s. I like cruising but as a solo every cruise costs me about twice as much per dium as for a couple. I'm not willing to give up the amount of time I spend traveling in order to pay more per trip. It's not that I don't see the value, it's just that my priorities are different.

I'm guessing most are in either the luxury or the exploration categories. Not an option for some of us. I know Viking keeps churning out ships that are just under 1,000 passengers, but very few of their itineraries appeal to me. Even Oceania's new ships are more than 1,000 passengers.

Yes. It's really not far. Sounds like you're overthinking it a bit. I wouldn't really call the "old port" a port -- it's more like a tender or dinghy drop-off point right at the middle of Mykonos Town. As I said, you can take a short sea bus/water taxi or a shuttle bus (land) along the road that skirts the water. You can also walk it but the walk can be hot and unpleasant (no real sidewalk), so for the small cost I'd take transportation.

The Galata location won't give you the great views of Sultanahmet. I prefer the latter location. At least for a dinner. The evening cruise was a while ago. It was on a smaller vessel (no dinner) and had commentary. For me, I enjoyed the sunset views around departure but it was dark too soon and as you sail farther away from the city, it gets dark and isn't that well lit except in a few spots. What I enjoyed about the daylight cruise was being able to see some of the old-style wooden Ottoman mansions, though more and more of them are being torn down and/or rebuilt as modern luxury dwellings.

I've done the Bosporus cruise in the evening and during the day and I much preferred it during the day. At night the best views of the lights would be from a nice rooftop restaurant in Sultanahmet area, where you can get great views of Haghia Sofya, Blue Mosque, etc. all lit up. (IMHO).

When was your experience? In October 2022 there was no port shuttle.

Small ships for me. Itinerary is about equally important but I would never choose a great itinerary on a huge ship, whereas I might choose a less-than-stellar itinerary on a small ship. When I say small, I mean small. The smaller Oceania and the Azamara ships (all same size) are ideal for me. Around 700 passengers. I will cruise on ships up to about 2,000 (give or take) but have decided anything larger is not for me.

I love the R-class, and I've showered in a non-suite cabin. I hope O holds on to at least a couple of them. Perhaps for longer, more interesting itineraries.