newlondon

Jacquie, We're looking for the right itinerary. Wanted to do PC but Wendy vetoed it. Hope to find one for '18:D

To all the bloggers BZ. to the photos +1.

Rachel, you amaze me! I would have left the table after the BV meltdown, and George's equanimity is way past my patience level:halo:

If anybody can get through you are the one. Go for it:)

Jacquie, I know you are not naive, but that response about enforcement was wishful thinking. On our Sydney/Singapore/ Hongkong trip I must have spoken 5/10 times to various officers about the problem. Answer always was concerned; but no action was ever taken. We even spoke to some of the pool attendants as to whether there had been any directive from above; answer always not yet.

Hi Wes, Great pic of the 5" 38. Thought the guns on Corregidor were bigger.

I am so envious:')

Hi Pam, You are so right. My battle station was right next to a 5" 38 on board USS Essex CVS 9 during the VN war. Nothing like the big boys but loud enough that one ear-the closest is much less reliable than the other.

Gilly, Of course I do:evilsmile:. Your hero can take it though:halo:

Tc, You got it.

Jacquie, We agree on something else! After we were scrubbed on another thread, I think we will survive here.

We have found almost without exception, and whatever cruise line, that a reach out to the crew generates a similar response.

One of our most interesting experiences was talking to a well educated butler on SS who was leaving after his contract to return to India and marry a woman chosen by his parents that he had never seen. We were stunned.

I'm sure there are crew members who don't reach out, but that has not been our experience.

Most excellent order of the British Empire, bestowed by the Queen.

Laurie, I am a Bill also so I'm not sure who your post was directed to as we are trying to figure out the same issues you commented on. We also have already been to St. Pete and therefore were looking intensely at the train trip. BTW we love trains, have crossed the US three times, and if younger would do the TS Express.

No matter which Bill we will take your comments under advisement and Thanks.

Kwaj Girl, Being a personal friend of Gilly and her Hero--we spent time with them in the UK-- be ready for two live wires;p.

Also because I didn't find this out until we got home her Hero is an MBE. Practice your courtesy:D

I'm not giving away his name because that's Gilly's choice:D:D

Having sailed both Voyager and Nautica I can give my not so humble opinion. We loved both but the price points are quite different. On Nautica we chose an OS and on Voyager a PHB. We have two cruises scheduled and our choices are the same.

Sorry Jacquie, I don't understand your comment about the larger suite being more expensive on O. I compare a lot and an OS on Nautica is a great deal particularly when you compare the perks such as many extra specialty restaurant res and skipping lines etc..

Now as to a subjective matter-- we definitely found the food on Nautica to be superior to Voyager.

Our next evaluation will be this Fall after trying the new configuration on Voyager. Don't get me wrong both were excellent in the past, O was just a little bit better (subjective, obviously).

Chatcat and Suitetravels, Couldn't disagree more about jeans. Consider the slippery slope we have been on and where does it stop. If jeans are next when do shorts appear and a few years later muscle shirts. Hard to believe I'm talking from experience as that costume was worn by an individual from a very casual country on a Uniworld river cruise in France. Unfortunately they allowed him to eat.

Gilly, You are so baad:D but I already knew that!

Sorry folks, My experience was pre-cruise and done solely with my TA and an agency in St. Pete.

Hard to believe, Keith, US porters being so accommodating; our experience in Venice was so different.

:):) Double indeed

Deepfreeze, We loved our cruise in that part of the world. DW while ecstatic was still ready to go home.

PF, We did a longish cruise in an OS on Oceania. There was a scale in the bathroom. Thank Goodness. After 5 days the increase was 5 lbs. I changed from my full breakfast to oatmeal or similar and by the time we left Nautica the gain was down to 3 lbs. What a bummer as a big breakfast is one of my pure joys.

It shows, however, care does pay and serious problems can be avoided.

Visas are always a pain, but if you do a private tour even with an approved Russian guide in our experience you will need a Visa in your passport.

While we were in Viet Nam we visited the house of a Colonel in the Viet Cong army. He was fluent in English and we were able to examine the remaining emotions. We felt because of the differences in approach the resentment was not a problem for the VC. Interestingly one of our guides in Hue was the son of a South Vietnamese soldier who had been sent to a re-education camp for three years. His attitude toward the VC was still quite, although not violently, bitter.

Freddie, I love your posts! Must admit that I didn't get your superb play on words either--but I'll pay more attention in the future.

I did know liptastic was Jean and of course, duh, should have picked it up:p

This is an interesting question as it is constantly discussed in our household. DW and I are in our mid-70s but still cruise and travel extensively.I prefer 20 days or more and she says 10 days are enough. We did a Sydney/Hong Kong cruise a few years ago and to be polite a lot went wrong. When it ended, however, we both said best cruise ever. We always discuss leaving our corgi twins--nearing 10 as a limiting factor; and it will be, so I would say the reason for reluctance is important.

Neither of us have ever felt the experience of traveling has been a problem; here I include the ship or itinerary if we are on land.

We do opt for PH or above depending on ship and itinerary.

Conclusion, lots of discussion ahead of time to be sure we are on the same page. After decision enjoyment:D

Scot, I have done Tauck river cruises and as you say tips are "included". I would say, however, over 50% of the passengers tipped and I was among them. Same was true on Uniworld.

Wes, Those photos of the complimentary Bordeaux's look quite good. Are you a fan of Bordeaux, and have you tried them? Reaction?

Bill

Caroldoll, That is truly creative:D