Hlitner

We are big fans of piano bars, and HAL used to have some excellent piano bar players/singers. That being said, we are surprised that nobody sees this for what it is. Another HAL entertainment cut-back. They are going from 2 players to 1 which comes with an obvious financial benefit to HAL. So, in the past 6 months they have eliminated the Lincoln Center Stage groups, and now they are eliminating 1 piano player. We look forward to reading about what HAL is "adding" to its entertainment line-up. Hank

If you have a choice on where to fly, Haneda is a better choice (for getting to Yokohama).. From Narita, you have multiple choices and if you cross post this question on the Ports of Call/Asia blog, Brucemuzz (who lives in Japan) will likely give you whatever detail you desire. If you are looking for the easiest way to get to Yokohama, use a transfer provided by your cruise line (which is often part of a pre-cruise hotel package). It can be done by train with the Narita Express offering a relatively fast way to get to Yokohama and it is a comfortable train. Here is some easily readable info on that special train: 12 Must-Know Things About the Narita Express Train Before Booking Your Ticket - Japan On Cloud Nine If you are relatively mobile then the train is a terrific option. If you have trouble handling your luggage, Japan has excellent luggage shipping services (done by truck) and you could actually drop your luggage at Narita (inside the airport) and arrange to have it shipped directly to your hotel (assuming you are going to a hotel). That luggage service does take some time to arrange and there is a fee (very reasonable). Alternatively, you can take your luggage on the train. Once at Yokohama Station you would likely want to use a taxi to get to your hotel or the ship. We do not ever recommend flying-in the day of a cruise, but there are some folks who do it. Another option (the most expensive) is to simply grab a taxi (or pre arrange private transportation) at Narita to Yokohama. I am not sure of the current fare, but it is over $200. Hank

Very true. For us, one of the delights of travel is to sample food all around the world. DW and I fall into that category of folks who live to eat:). Even when we have overnighted on ships, around the world, we note that many cruisers only eat onboard.

I want to toss out a thought/experience and hope some others can add more recent experiences. We have ported at Bilbao a few times, used the train and also used a shuttle bus service. And it is this latter experience worth mentioning. A few years ago we were on a HAL cruise that had a long day at Bilbao (a place we had previously visited on our own driving trips). DW and I decided to walk out of the port and take the train/metro (we have no problem with long walks). HAL did have a shuttle/excursion, but it was a bit pricey and we preferred to do our own thing. As we entered the small port terminal we became aware that there was free shuttle bus service paid for by the local businesses/government in nearby Bilbao. The folks on our ship that had paid for the cruise line shuttle were not happy folks (when they saw that there was also a nice free shuttle service). Of course, HAL neglected (on board) to mention this free shuttle service. I do not know if this shuttle still exists. Hank

Its always a great question (which sometimes inflames passions here on CC). We Americans are ingrained, from birth, with our "tipping culture." Many of us have some difficulty adjusting to the differing tipping/non tipping cultures around the world. We often suffer from "tipping guilt" which makes it hard for us not to tip. To simply say "get over it" and follow local norms is easier said than done for many North Americans. That being said, do some online reading about the tipping culture in each country you will visit. Within Europe, there are various suggestings from no tipping to some tipping (perhaps just rounding up) to real tipping. You will also find other European cultural issues such as added-on service charges, cover charges (called "coperto" in Italy) and even fees to eat bread (sometimes found in Italy). My advice, to fellow North Americans, is become familiar with local/national norms and follow that practice. No need to be the "ugly American" and force our own tipping culture on other countries :). Hank

The possibility is slim. As a general rule, you should be able to start connecting to shore-based cells when about 10 miles out to sea, but even this is not guaranteed. However, cruise ships generally cruise much further out to sea where your only cell service is what is provided by WiFi and Cellular at Sea (very expensive) onboard. One obvious hint is that if you do want to get shore-based cell service while nearing ports, the best service is on the highest points of the ship with an unobstructed view of shore. Just be very careful that you are connnecting to a shore-based cell, and not the dreaded "cellular at sea" system (which can cost many dollars per minute). Hank

I actually like the early Acropolis time (very doable with your own taxi tour/driver). It avoids the later crowds and also gets you to that site before the sun/heat makes many uncomfortable. Pireaus is actually an efficiently run port, so getting off (and through the terminal) should not be a big problem. Hank

Just some thoughts for the OP. We consider Marseille (a place we have been many times) as more of a gateway port for Provence rather than its own destination. Yes, we have spent a couple of days in Marseille just exploring local things, but this is not what we would suggest for a first-time visitor. Much has been written (some by me) about all the many options for a port day in Marseille and there are ideas for all kinds of wants/desires Hank

When DW turned 50 (we will not mention when that happened) I surprised her with a long weekend trip to Paris (her favorite city in the world). Although there is many things we love about Paris, it is the cuisine that is always a magnet for our visits. For my 50th (decades ago) DW surprised me with dinner reservations at Le Bec Fin (arguably one of the best USA restaurants at the time). To say we are "foodies" is an understatement. But loving food does not always mean going to very expensive restuaurants. Here in Puerto Vallarta (our winter home) we both look forward to the amazing local tacos al pastor! These can cost as little as a dollar! Hank

When I see a post like the OP's, I find myself thinking about RCI (a line which we no longer cruise). Why? Their ships (especially the larger vessels) offer something for just about everyone. Hank

Agree with most of what has been said. As an avid cruiser, we must still admit to a big problem with cruising in various parts of the world including Croatia and Kotor. There are simply too many huge cruise ships and they have done more than their part to contribute to overtourism. Cruisers tend to stay relatively close to the cruise ports (usually necessary because of limited time) which contributes to cruise destinations like Kotor and Dubrovnik being too darn crowded during the height of the cruise season (which has also become longer in those waters). The unfortunate fall-out is that once charming destinations (like Dubrovnik) have taken on more of a Carnival atmosphere. They are still nice to visit, but many of us do still seek out the charm that we knew in past years. This leads me to our personal solution which is to combine cruises (we still love to be on ships) with independent driving trips. Those that are resistant to the idea of driving can accomplish something similar by combining a cruise with some kind of extended land tour (by bus, river boat, etc). These days when DW and I plan a driving trip (such as after an upcoming cruise that ends in Trieste) we look at inland destinations out of the range of port days. While we still love our cruises (and even visiting ports) we find ourselves looking forward (more and more) to our driving trips before or after European cruises. I post this to get some readers to put some thoughts into the heads of fellow cruise lovers. Perhaps instead of planning a 2 week Med cruise, one might want to consider a 1 week Med cruise coupled with a 1 week land trip/tour. Also consider that the large majority of Europe is not accessible to port days on Ocean cruises. Another plus for spending some significant time on land is being able to experience the wonderful cuisine that one finds throughout Europe. Hank

I just want to comment about the MDR (The Restaurant) for breakfast and lunch. On our SB cruises, both venues have generally been open. If one were to go into the Restaurat at breakfast (even on a sea day(they would likely find not more than a dozen occupied tables (mostly with couples) and that would be a busy day. At lunch, it was about the same. Folks will say that they want the MDR opened for breakfast/lunch, but then they go elsewhere (or order room service). On one of our Ovation cruises, I convinced DW that we should try breakfast in The Restaurant. As I recall, there were 3 or 4 other tables, and the offerings were not as good as what we could get in the Collonade. When it comes to breakfast, we have become fans of the Collonade and usually find one or two watiers that we truly enjoy. The combination of ordering and having access to the buffet works for us. At lunch, we have been underwhelmed by the Restaurant menu. SB needs to enhance the lunch offerings in the Restaurant, which might actually attract a crowd. Hank

The answer is anything to nothing depending on where you are in the world :). Hank

Absolutely loved our visit (a few years ago) to Caserta (thanks to Euro Cruisers suggestion). Hank

We would certainly book dinner at one of the better restaurants :). There is plenty to see in town (if you do not want to shell out the big bucks for a tour) and the gardens at Jardin des Plantes would excite and plant/flower lover.

We have had some terrific Indian food on Seabourn. On one particular cruise, the executive chef was Indian and he did a lot of the cooking for the "Indian Night" in the Collonade (a buffet/service combination) which was simply amazing. Hank

We generally eat better at home than on cruises (DW is like a personal chef). That being said, the cuisine we recently had on Explora 1 was, by far, the best cuisine we have ever enjoyed in 50 years of extensive cruising. The only slight negative on that line was the steak (on our cruise it was all sourced in Europe). We have heard rumors that they are now sourcing their beef in the USA (they are currently cruising in the Caribbean). Hank

Just to update, we have been on quite a few buses during the past few weeks (2 this morning) and NONE of them would accept dollars or make change. You can use coins (drop them in the coin box at the front door) totally $10 (Pesos) per person or there is a slot (on the windshield side of the coin slot) where you can drop peso bills (no change). A $20 Peso bill (very common) is prefect for a couple. The drivers appreciate if you let them see that bill before you slide it in the bill slot :). Uber is also alive and well here in PV for those that have the app. They are generally about the same price as taxis (assuming the taxis do not charge you "gringo fares") but they do use surge pricing (just like at home). If the price on the App is not good, than you might want to use other options. Between the port area and centro it would not be unusual to see $150 peso fares (for the entire taxi or Uber) with a lower price desirable. As I write this post the Uber price is about $120 (pesos). Hank

This news might answer some questions: Boeing 737 Max 9s: FAA approves a path for grounded planes to return to operations | CNN Business Hank

We have done at least 50 TA cruises. On those voyages we have had everything from gorgeous weather and glassy seas to 6 days of awful weather and 25-30 foot seas. Take your pick. Hank

Not having yet been on the Vista, we do not have a first hand opinion about the sound insulation. But we have cruised on more than 75 different cruise ships (16 cruise lines) and have had varying degrees of sound insulation. There is no mystery to insulation on cruise ships and its just a matter of a line spending the extra money for extra insulation (and perhaps move space between the bulkheads. So, if it is true that the Vista has awful soundproofing, than its on O and its architect. Kind of sad for a "premium line." Hank

We know a few who have suffered from this ailment, and the suggestion (from their physicians) was to take Meclizine Hcl (one brand name is Bonine) for a few days. Personally we would suggest talking to your own physician to see if he/she agrees or perhaps has a better option. Hank

Interesting that you found the cruisers on SB, friendly. The first time we cruised on Seabourn we were concerned that fellow passengers might be somewhat snobby and entitled. What we found was completely the opposite and have found fellow passengers on all of our SB cruises to be very friendly, sociable and outgoing. Even in the restaurants we found SB passengers often wanting to share and enjoy mealtime conversations. One fellow cruiser told us she compared Seabourn to being in a country club with that type of social atmosphere. It's like a club where the price of admission is simply being on the ship. SB also has a lot of interaction/socialization between some of the staff (senior officers, entertainers, etc). On one long SB cruise, where we were in a lower category suite, we dined with the Captain, Staff Captain, Chief Engineer, the Cruise Director and most of the entertainers. Some of those folks would also regularly join us in the various lounges. After COVID, some of this socialization was reduced as the Senior Officers reduced their possible exposure to COVID..but things now appear to be returning to pre-covid norms. One Senior Bridge Officer told us the company actually encouraged them to dine with passengers at least twice a week. We are looking forward to our upcoming Vista cruise as it will finally give us an opportunity to see how O compares to other lines. Hank

Many cruise/travel agencies charge their own fees for cancellations and/or changes. When we advise folks about choosing decent cruise agencies we always tell them to read the policies regarding these issues. Ironically, some of the best cruise agencies we have found do have these kind of extra fees (which they may sometimes waive for their better clients). One could argue it is reasonable for an agency, who invests their time servicing a client, to expect some compensation for their work. When folks book, and later cancel cruises, the agency gets zero commission from the cruise lines. Unfortunately, there are many cruisers who routinely book/cancel cruises because they simply cannot make up their minds...so they block out multiple cruises and later cancel most. My favorite cruise agents do not even want these kinds of clients and having fees does help weed-out those type of customers. Hank

I think you need to understand that when you talk about 700-1200 passenger ships, that is generally going to be in the so-called "Premium" or "Luxury" category. Small to medium size vessels generally come at a higher price, but also will usually give you higher overall quality. Since most of the luxury lines focus on longer itineraries that is also a problem with your criteria. You could look to a luxury line such as Ponent, which has a 7 day Adriatic cruise in June. Ritz-Carlton (a very high end expensive line) also offers some interesting cruises in the Adriatic such as their 7 day cruise (June) on the Evrima. If you are looking for value, then forget about the smaller ships and look to a line like MSC which has many 7 day itineraries in those waters. While MSC will give you a very large mass market ship, on their vessels that have the ship within a ship "Yacht Club" you can find a small ship atmosphere (within the Yacht Club environment) on a mega ship. Hank