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Another day at sea on our way to Puerto Vallarta.

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We have arrived in Mexico and our first port is Huatulco which we do explore by sea and land.

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I haven´t seen anyone being strict about the knees for quite a time in Italy. Shoulders you can cover with a leight weight scarf.

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Eurodam has arrived in Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala. We explore Antigua on our own.

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BTW, a former chief engineer of the Countess told me that there never have been any plumbing problems.

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Some more dolphins and more on sea day number 5.

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@Globalfish the article is correct. So far - according to ACL - there is no final decision about the fate of the AQ or American Empress. The article states that the AQ is in storage at MARS in Houma. There is a slight hope she might find some new owners but then it´s pretty sure that she won´t be back as an overnight river cruise boat.

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The Eurodam arrives at Puntarenas, Costa Rica. We visit the sloths and see orchids and ox carts.

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First day at sea in the Pacific Ocean with lots of dolphins.

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The American Queen has arrived at MARS (Modern American Recycling Services) in Houma and Captain Bert Suarez pushed the "all out" button.

The end of an era of overnight steamboating on the US river systems which started in 1811 with Robert Fulton´s "New Orleans".

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Today´s the day - the Panama Canal transit

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The American Queen has left New Orleans yesterday afternoon under the command of her last master who is bringing her to Houma. Hopefully this won´t be the last trip under own power for this historic steamboat.

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@notamermaid I saw a current video on an Hungarian website showing the boat and I realized that the colors were not nico anymore. Also the name "nicko cruises" was missing next to the entrance door. I found older photos online under the nicko cruises brand.

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@notamermaid yes, the MS Heidelberg is not with nicko cruises anymore. I didn't try to research the current operator.

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In the meantime the captain of the MS Heidelberg has been put into custody by the Hungarian police. He´s accused for not helping and not even informing the crew that there has been an incident.

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We finally reach our first port of this cruise, Cartagena, Columbia. We explore the bay of Cartagena by sea and walk through the walled city. Plus we learn more about local food and coffee.

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Another day at sea in the Caribbean...

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Today´s entry is covering the first day at sea (out of 8).

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@BertieRulesOK you can prebook online. It's usually a bit cheaper. But they so have a booth right at the baggage belt where you can also book without prebooking.

Yes you have Access to your suitcase. You have to pick it up as usal and then you drop it with Bags & Go.

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Capri is my favorite island... but it took me almost 40 years to go into the Blue Grotto (and only because during the pandemic there wasn´t any crowd and our sailing yacht stopped directly in front of it). So I join those saying don´t waste your time on that.

I usually jump off the ferry, buy my bus tickets (also valid for the funicular) and hop on the next bus to Anacapri. Yes, there can be a wait and it is definitely crowded and if you have fear of hights take a taxi. I love it ;-). Then you can explore Anacapri (Ville Axel Munthe, chair lift to Monte Solaro). Then I take the next bus to Capri town and do my things there (Augustus gardens, Faraglioni... in August I might skip Villa Iovis). The Via Krupp opened recently. Something I haven´t done yet. In that case you need another bus from Marina Piccola back to Capri town. Walk down to Marina Grande (or take the funicular).

Taxi is more convenient but also more expensive.

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So today´s the day - we finally go onboard the Eurodam in Port Everglades.

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I fell back behind, but anyway yesterday´s entry is only covering our trip from Munich to Fort Lauderdale. So it´s a bit boring for you anyway.

Today's entry is featuring our balcony cabin.

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ACL has now confirmed that the Duchess and Countess are going to be scrapped. Obviously there´s no final decision for the American Queen yet. But it doesn´t sound that she will be back in service as an overnight river cruise ship.

So at least there is a bit of a hope for the AQ. BTW no word about the Empress.

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7 hours ago, Swiss traveler said:

Hallo aus der Schweiz!  Ich bin begeistert ihr Review gefunden zu haben, weil ich und meine beste US Kollegin am Eurodam in April 2025 das gleiche Kreuzfahrt wie du, machen werden!  Ich bin auch ein person der viel schreibt, so freue mich auf was kommt jetzt von dir zu lesen!!   Eine Frage in voraus:  Hast du eine Visum gebraucht für die vershiedene Länder, die wir besuchen?  Ausser eine ESTA für den USA, denke ich eine „ein Tag“ stop in die vershiedene Länder braucht kein Visum.  Danke!!

Hallo zurück,

Nein, wir als Deutsche brauchten außer ESTA für keines der Länder ein Visum.

No, as Germans besides ESTA we didn't need a visa for any of the visited countries.

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