LibertyBella

My husband has been a historic reenactor for both the U.S. Victorian Society and the Civil War reenactors, and he and all his colleagues have a deep appreciation for authentic dress and style, and customs, etc. He has some clothes from the period, as do I, but people were a lot smaller in those days, so it is difficult to wear many of the items. When I was younger I knew friends in the Society for Creative Anachronism, who like to wear medieval dress. There are many scholars and lay people interested in fashion and history, and it is a fascinating area to study! Husband always says to me about dandies and the quote of Beau Brummell, "Fashions come and go; bad taste is timeless." I like Oscar Wilde, "One should either be a work of art, or wear a work of art." We do our best to hold up the fashion tradition whenever we cruise Cunard!

What is your budget? Where do you want to be? We prefer the heart of the action, near San Marco. We splurged a few years ago before and after a cruise, and went all out to stay at the well- located and famous Hotel Danieli. It is a gorgeous historic palace, and was worth every penny, but it is rather expensive. We did eat both breakfast and dinner on the terrace, quite memorable. Right next to it is the lovely Savoia & Jolanda, which includes breakfast, and is much more reasonably priced. Londra Palace nearby also rates quite highly. All three of these are very convenient to canal transportation, and one can walk everywhere. There are hundreds of places to choose! Husband said he was happy that we were not in a hotel that was far down from the canals, or we would be dragging our suitcases too much. We also do not like places that are so small they really have no lobby to speak of. There was nothing better than having all the historic areas to ourselves later in the evening or early in the morning, before the hordes of day-trippers descended upon the city. There are tons of shops, restaurants, and historic sites, so you will have a lot to see and do. Make sure to stop in the famous Caffe Florian for a snack, as you will be following in the footsteps of Casanova, and hundreds of other famous visitors!.

Weather conditions can always impact the quality of a cruise. There is a reason the terms "high season" and "low season" were created. If traveling in Europe in March, cold weather is always a possibility. We are leaving for a Viking river cruise in less than two weeks, and still debating about taking our lightweight Winter jackets. I prefer the Mediterranean in the warmer Summer months. (I am also a sun worshipper!) Since Viking is advertised as the "thinking person's" cruise, I would not expect the highest quality entertainment, but I consider all ship activities and entertainment bonus experiences above and beyond my port visits. P.S. I would never spend less than three days in Venice. It is just that kind of city!

Well, we were on Cunard last Summer, and at a table near ours were an elderly couple celebrating their 60th or 65th wedding anniversary. They were cruising round trip from England, then a U.S. cruise, and then return transatlantic (approx. three weeks), and we were just on the U.S. cruise portion with them. The assistant waiter automatically cut up ALL their meat and food during our entire cruise. Obviously he knew their needs, and had been doing this already for the first week. I would not hesitate to ask for help, even though the staff are busy. People at your table will certainly be sympathetic and patient. As to the other folks, they have to remember this is a DINING room, which means food is to be savored, and conversation is encouraged. Those who wish to eat as fast as possible should move to the buffet.

Well, we leave for our Viking Danube Waltz river cruise in less than two weeks, and my husband, who is an excellent bicycle rider (yes, he has his own road bike, as well as a mountain bike), refuses to do any of the bike tours as he thinks e-bikes are not for true bicycle riders! Also, he is a pretty fast rider and does not like when the bike tours go too slowly, which in his opinion, are most of them. (We are older than you, but very active and in great shape.) We are taking most of the included excursions, but did book some optional ones (Cesky Krumlov from Linz), and then plan on doing independent touring afterwards for the rest of the day. I did not book the horses tour in Vienna, as you are just looking at them (definitely NO horseback riding and we like that, also). We will visit Schonbrunn palace, a must-see for me, and perhaps go to the the evening music performance, although it has mixed reviews. We decided to pass on the thermal baths in Budapest because some reviews I have seen say that you do not necessarily go to Szechenyi, although that is what Viking shows in the photos, and we just went to the Blue Lagoon in Iceland a few months ago, so we would prefer to walk all over Budapest and explore independently instead. I am hoping we can take afternoon tea at the New York Cafe in Budapest. Our cruise is only a week, and we plan to be as non-stop as possible, but if we were on a three week cruise I could see that breaks would definitely be needed from all the daily port calls. No matter what you do, I am sure your trip will be memorable and wonderful. Enjoy and bon voyage!

I, too, am researching, although I have been to Egypt before on an independent land trip. We are planning tentatively for 2025. Strangely enough, I am a person who really likes hot weather, so I would prefer to go when it is warmer, and not all cruises are offered in those months. The sites are also not as crowded as they are during cooler times. I am sorry to say that the boat and food quality are a bit less important to me than the itinerary for this particular part of the world. Some cruises are short, three or five days, others offer a week on the ship. Most include a land component. Tauck offers a comprehensive shorter cruise/tour that is not inexpensive, yet it does incorporate some of Egypt's most famous hotels. Viking's week-long cruise is getting a lot of high praise, and even includes security guards! My local Pennsylvania operator, Gate 1 Travel, has a very budget-friendly cruise/tour. Abercrombie & Kent is also a well-respected luxury tour company. I know there are many other lines and options, and it may depend if you have a list of must-sees, and what your budget is. If time and money were no object, I would also choose Royal Egypt, as Dr. Zahi Hawass is a legend in archaeological circles. I have done graduate work in archaeology, so I know exactly what I want to see and do, and I have some knowledge of many of the sites. I really want to see the new Grand Egyptian Museum (not yet opened), and return to so many of the famous places that are a part of world history. I will always remember crawling along the tunnel in the Great Pyramid and going up and down the rope ladder--not for the claustrophobic! Yes, it is a wonderful destination to visit. Have fun planning!

Well, welcome to the club! I cruised Cunard QM2 last Summer, I am cruising Princess this Summer (Med), and right before Covid we cruised on Celebrity, and they are my three favorite lines, although Holland America is up there as well. When we cruise we usually choose itinerary as our priority, but for only a few times in my life I have chosen Cunard just to sail on some of their magnificent ships! I will say that all of these brands are adult-oriented, sophisticated, and reflect the traditional style of cruising. Cunard adds a special element as it is indubitably British, and that makes everything across the ship quite old world elegant. Husband and I love to dress up for formal evenings (we always pose for photos!), and when we sail Cunard he always brings his tux! I find that I dress a little more trendy/sexy with my long gowns on the other lines as compared to Cunard. I think the formality is what makes Cunard so special--there are also a lot of die-hard ballroom dancing fans who cannot wait to take their finery on the dance floor and show off--even if you do not dance it is quite fun to watch. Of course, everything is similar across the cruise lines in terms of lots of activities, great entertainment--evening shows, lectures, etc., but Cunard will frequently bring in something extra -special like Shakespeare actor shows, or the English Ballet, guest authors, etc. We never needed reservations for breakfast or lunch, and ate in both the formal dining rooms as well as the buffet areas for those meals. Yes, you can do packages or a la carte. There are multiple nice pool areas, shops, a library, and spa services as well. Not sure about the loyalty issue, but it never hurts to try. Have fun planning and bon voyage!!

My husband is scuba certified (he did it in the Dominican Republic at a resort), but before that he booked a few of those discover scuba trips (he is an excellent swimmer.) Some of them were simplistic, but others took you down a bit deep for a beginner! You do not need to have any previous experience to sign up for them. Now when we cruise he signs up for the certified scuba diver two tank dive. If they do not have it offered on the ship, he will research a local company and make the arrangements, if possible. The challenge is most dives leave early morning, so if the ship docks late at port it might not be possible to arrange it. He loves scuba diving, and has gone many interesting places underwater!

And I also received another! I had the same questions about Alaska and the Caribbean. I am not sure if they are concerned because I have not yet booked another Cunard cruise, but I am on a Princess cruise this Summer as I like the itinerary better...

We are cruising on a Viking river cruise in a few weeks, and my mother wanted to gift a similar cruise to my brother and his wife for their 25th anniversary. But because children under 18 are not permitted (the kids are 14 and 17, and extremely well traveled including multiple cruises), my brother refuses to go. They prefer to travel as a family unit. I see the same thing with the standard cruise lines--Carnival used to be mainly for swinging singles or couples, RC specializes in families, and Disney is for children of every age. Parents are very willing to spend a lot of money to ensure that special memories have been created. We have sailed multi-generation on a number of cruise lines, starting in the 1970s! I have never had an issue with children on cruises, but I do think many of the river cruise boats are not really designed to accommodate those young ones with high energy and short attention spans!

I took my first cruise as a child, and I have always enjoyed having children on cruises. The sense of enjoyment and discovery they experience is extremely precious and special. Additionally, parents more or less have peace of mind that their children are safe and meeting new friends. Yes, some cruise lines definitely cater mainly to families, but every time we go on RC my DH has to attempt the rock wall, etc., as he is a big kid at heart. I agree with all the other comments that if you book a (short) cruise during a holiday time you will DEFINITELY run into lots of children and families. It is the same with Spring Break college students--they can be loud and boisterous, so stay clear of their destinations if that bothers you. Hopefully you still had a great cruise, as being on the water and wined and dined is always a great time for us!

Thanks so much for the update! Our Danube cruise departs the end of March, and I specifically chose the Spring season to avoid the lower water levels that often occur in the Summer. I did hear this has not been the best year for snowfall for ski resorts in the Alps, so the melting snow may not help the rivers as much. Please continue to share your important and useful information. DANKE!!

Gosh, I took my first cruise in 1973, and I was hooked ever since, even though--I slept in a bunk bed, the room had no television or radio, there were many halls without carpeting, everyone ate at the same time in the single dining room, kids' clubs and kids' meals did not exist, computers did not exist yet, calling ship-to-shore cost a fortune and was only for emergencies, and you had to sort through hundreds of black and white photos posted on the wall to find your family. It has ALL improved!! I would say cruising has truly come into the modern age-- if we have it on land, we more or less have it at sea! I will also note that luxury is more or less available for everyone--not just those in the first class suites. My first Princess cruise was on the original Loveboat, the Pacific Princess, back in 1982. I am so happy to be a cruising aficionada!

There are deals if your schedule is flexible. We travel mainly in the Summer, so most of the Fall/Winter dates do not work for us. I am trying to find a Venezia cruise for next Summer, but they just have the regular prices. If you can fly to SIngapore or Australia, Carnival has a couple of great cruise offers open to anybody!

I am also already checking out these itineraries. The truth is, Carnival's prices are terrific compared to some other cruise lines. The challenge is going to be the cost of the air. I am going on a Princess cruise to the Mediterranean (Rome) this Summer and the air is close to $2000.00 pp!! There are lots of great cruises posted for Europe 2024 across all lines, so I have to consider what really appeals the most. Not sure of London air RT cost, but maybe it is a bit more competitive....

Your choice of hotel all depends on what, if anything, you want to see and do in NYC. If you want to spend a day being a bit of a tourist, then Times Square is where all the action is! Personally, whenever we go to NYC for a weekend, we usually select hotels in Midtown East, always take the train and pull our suitcases along for those blocks. We are in very good shape and do spend a lot time walking all over in NYC. Hotel costs are going to be higher in these popular areas. If you just want to be close to the cruise port, then you could take the train up, then take a taxi to a cheaper hotel closer to the port. You will be away from most of the tourist sites. We actually drove up straight from Philly the same day as the cruise last year and parked at the port. The rate is set and was about $30.00 a day. It might depend how long you are gone, and if you are taking a TA and back or flying one way. Have a great time!

If you have never been to Paris, you need to add in more than one day. The city is beautiful and magical. Of course, there is the Louvre, but also not to be missed are the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame (but since you cannot really tour inside yet, head to my father's favorite church, Sainte-Chapelle.). I cannot even begin to list everything else to see, but we are always enchanted with Versailles and Fontainebleau. Our favorite hotel in Paris is the Crillon, but prices are now sky-high, so to keep in budget, you may want to go down to the four stars category of hotel. We are leaving for a Viking Danube cruise in less than a month, and heading to Rome this Summer (I do not mind the heat, either--in fact I love sunshine!), but my heart is always in Paris. Have a wonderful trip!!

I'm guessing this isn't your first cruise. The tension between booking in advance and getting exactly what you want, or waiting until the last minute and taking whatever is left has always been a part of cruising. I have done both, and it just depends on how much I want a specific cruise itinerary and date, or if I am flexible and I just want to cruise. If you have not yet made your final payment you can request a price adjustment, or cancel and rebook. However, sometimes you can negotiate for OBC or a better cabin after final payment. The way I always look at it is I was willing to spend the money before the price dropped, so I suppose I thought it was a reasonable price at the time of booking. Yes, later travelers are getting a better deal, but hopefully I have a better cabin! Enjoy your cruise!

If you scroll down about 16 topics, you will see there was a big discussion about Carnival in Europe.

They are FINALLY cracking down on potential bad behavior to ensure the cruises go well. Someone on another posting stated there were dogs checking suitcases for drugs at their Carnival embarkation. Doesn't matter if it is Spring Break or not--civility and good behavior should always be a part of every cruise.

When, oh when, will Carnival announce if it is going to Europe (and which ship(s) will be used? Many other cruise lines have their 2024 itineraries UP, and some also have 2025. I am strongly considering Carnival for Europe next Summer, as we have a lot of credit card points to use. Should we try to communicate with them that there is a lot of interest?

I am booked on a Princess cruise to Turkey (both Ephesus and Istanbul), and my first thought when I heard the earthquake news was, "OH, NO." I said the same thing when the terrorist bomb went off last year, because I was already booked on this cruise. And yes, I know my geography exceptionally well, but one can never predict how an event will affect a country or tourism. I say all this because I was actually planning a return cruise to Istanbul back in 2016, but the coup attempt stopped all cruises there for YEARS. Of course the earthquake is a major tragedy, and we all need to support the recovery. I would highly recommend that the cruise lines create some kind of donation process for travel contributions as well. Every day we are surrounded by noble causes of need, and I wish there was a way to ease the suffering. I try to use my travel experiences also as a way of learning more about the people and the countries of this world, and they also help me appreciate my own blessings even more.

For Ersheajr-- I think many prices will drop as time goes along. That is the way of any new product--fashion, cars, electronics, etc.,--when they are first introduced, because they are innovative and attractive, they are usually at their highest price. As time goes on and demand weakens, and other, newer choices appear, there is frequently a price readjustment. The challenge is whether you absolutely must go on a certain itinerary, ship, or time period, and you want to plan far in advance. Then you just have to book it, then wait it out and see if you choice will go down in price. Sometimes it happens, sometimes not, if it is popular or rare. I have seen many, many cruise bargains out there, and so many great offers came my way (and are still coming) that I was almost overwhelmed. Unfortunately, our work schedules did not allow us to "drop and go," sometimes the airfare was too expensive or too limited to book, and above all, we have dogs that need to be boarded, so we have to reserve for that well in advance. If you absolutely must have the British isles cruise, then book it, or you can wait it out until half a year or less before the cruise to see if there is a downward adjustment, which I think will probably happen. In any case, it is very kind and generous of you to gift a cruise to your mother! I did that for my m-i-l, and she became a dedicated cruiser afterwards!

We have been on tours in Halifax and walked around independently as well. I am in love with the public gardens--just gorgeous! The Citadel is also quite impressive. Peggy's Cove is scenic. Shopping is only fair, as many stores closed down to Covid. Overall, I consider Halifax a somewhat non-strenuous touring day. Last year we had to fill out a lot of Covid paperwork for Canada, and Cunard was strict ensuring everyone had completed this before arrival. I will say last Summer on our cruise it was rather cool and pouring rain when we arrived in Halifax. We tramped around with our umbrellas until we were soaked. Many people did not even get off the ship due to the poor weather. I did see a few of the ship officers eating in the restaurants in the area, but we decided to return on board. I hope you have a great day!

I started cruising as a child back in 1973 before loyalty was even a "thing." I have many decades of cruising which could never be claimed, and some cruise lines I sailed on no longer exist. I have never really paid attention to my status because--I have all those little pins but who wears them anyway; I have never once done laundry on a ship (my clothes are too nice to risk); I am not a big eater so specialty restaurants are no great deal; I rarely drink alcohol so all those free drink parties are just times to smile and meet the staff, and we take all-day shore excursions so cabin service is not needed as we are rarely there! I have been on at least ten different cruise lines, and I go on who I want, when I want, and where I want, and I have no regrets and no worries. I am loyal to cruising!!