PurpleTraveller

You're welcome. 😊 No, we didn't do any flights over Nasca. The leading travel sites do recommend going to Machu Picchu in the dryer season however we were glad that we went when we did and got to experience Machu Picchu in relatively good weather - we were in T'Shirts on the first day. Good luck with your plans.

We went on the last Princess cruise of the season from Buenos Aires to Santiago from February 28 to March 14, 2018 specifically so that we could go to Machu Picchu as late in the wet season as possible. After the cruise we spent ten days in Peru including visiting Machu Picchu on March 18 and 19. The only rain we had was a very brief 15 minute shower on the first day at Machu Picchu and in the later part of the morning of our second day at Machu Picchu after we had already spent three hours there. The first day at Machu Picchu was lovely - partly sunny and mild. The rest of the time in Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Lake Titicaca the weather was fine though sometimes cloudy and mild. Possibly you could look at cruises late in the season to try and miss the worst of the wet season or alternatively at the beginning of the cruise season.

Wow!!! What fantastic photos. You were fortunate to have such a beautiful day. I can only dream that I will get there after missing it twice. One day!

I was on the last Princess ship to go to Kusadasi in 2016 and we had our following port of Istanbul cancelled due to safety concerns. I was not at all concerned about my safety in Kusadasi and have enjoyed my two visits. Ephesus is a great site to go to while you are there. I don't think Princess or any other cruise line would go there if there were any safety concerns.

Thanks for letting me know. Hopefully the link now works. Hope you enjoy the reviews and that they may be of some help. I love the Dorset coast - such a lovely part of the world!

Ooh! I will definitely look out for your blogs. Which ship are you going on to the Baltic? I went there on Crown Princess in 2017 and loved it. My review is in my signature in case you are interested. 😊

Thank you for your great review and wonderful photos. I have enjoyed following you on your adventure and are so pleased that you had such beautiful weather. Will look forward to your next review whenever that may be. Thanks. 😊

I am none from 2 and my father-in-law is none from 3! We joke that whoever manages to get into Milford Sound on a cruise will get a prize. 😀 My father-in-law is going for his fourth attempt in January so fingers crossed for him!

I have just seen the fabulous photos of the Sounds! I am so pleased that you got there and that you had such beautiful weather. All that finger crossing must have worked. 😄 Hope the rest of your trip is just as wonderful.

I second MeHeartCruising's suggestions. You could also visit the castle and do a tour. While the castle doesn't look like much from the outside the tour was fairly short and interesting. St Stephen's Green is also lovely for a quiet interlude or picnic lunch.

Wow Norris, you have excelled yourself! This has been a wonderful review with all of your excellent photos. Cuba and Azamara are now definitely on my radar for the future. Thank you so much for taking me along with you and Carol on your journey, I have thoroughly enjoyed every step along the way. I'm always sorry when your reviews finish but now I can look forward to your Norway review. I hope you check in on my Norway review. I will probably start posting in mid July upon my return. It is a big trip - two nights in Rome, four nights in Malta, two nights in Southampton, 14 nights on Sapphire Princess and then ten nights visiting family and friends in the UK! I don't know which ports you are going to in Norway but mine are Stavanger, Flam, Geiranger, Trondheim, Honningsvag, Tromso, Lofoten Islands, Alesund and Bergen. Thank you once again. Allison

I will be following along. Hope you have a wonderful trip and I still have my fingers crossed that you will get into the Sounds! 😊 Bon Voyage!!!

On my cruise on Majestic that started on November 24, 2018 from Sydney we did not have to take our life jackets to the muster drill. If your muster station is in the theatre there are plenty of seats (the crew seat you row by row) but I have once had to stand when I have been in the Casino (not on Majestic).

Thank you for sharing your wonderful penguin photos and videos. It looks like you had good weather for your day. Volunteer Point is my all time favourite excursion I have been on.

Congratulations, what a great location to have! Hope you have a great cruise!