mchell810

Lovely pictures of the interior of Casa Mila. I hope ot make it inside someday.

Another vote for Albergo del Senato. I also suggest you check out the ports of calls page for Italy where you will get a broader audience and a lot of options. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/464-italy-ports/

I, too, recommend disputing the charge with your credit card company. I have found this gets quick action from companies that take their time to issue a refund. You have been more than patient waiting for the refund.

That's a great idea! 😋

Love Love Love the matching map dresses!

Looking forward to reading about your trip and all of Gen Z's adventures 😀 I will be traveling myself for a few weeks so I am very glad I can mark this now. I won't get the "live" version but will still catch up after I am return.

Thanks to all for sharing your day in Salvador. The pictures and videos are lovely. I am really enjoying following along on your cruise (especially as I am considering this trip for 2024).

I haven’t sailed Viking nor Seabourn; I’m shifting more to Silversea now. I would still sail with Azamara for a special itinerary. As long as one knows what to expect it will be good (I find the included wines are hit or miss & that is an issue for me). I love small ships and the decor of the R-ships is appealing; however, they are aging— newer ships have much to offer. I hope this helps.

Just an FYI: Azamara still sails into Seville. I had two nights there in November on their Pursuit. It was the driving factor in selecting the itinerary; it was lovely!

I think it’s safe to say it’s always a fun sailing if Charla is on board 😉 🥂 I have to seek out that Penner-Ash Pinot. It seems to be your “go to” so I’m sure it’s tasty.

I love Trapiche wines! Looks like yo had a lovely meal.

Yay 💃💃 ! Looking forward to your adventures.

I believe it's a matter of questioning what is presented rather than just accepting it. Last year, SS gave me flights with multiple stops when more direct routes were possible. I wrangled a bit, and ultimately did get better flights at no extra cost (after refusing one route with a huge extra cost). I suspect part of the problem, for me, was having a TA in the middle -- she wasn't very good at follow up. For my upcoming trip I was assigned flights with just over 1 hour connection time; I called my SS rep and he requested a change. It took a week but I then got good flights with a reasonable connection time. Sometimes in life people need to remember: you don't get if you don't ask.

Oceania has designated those cabins as Solo Cabins on their R-ships. Based on what I read on the Oceania boards I believe there is no solo supplement for said cabins.

Just to ad a thought about the tablets for immediate feedback: I find the idea of touching this object that everyone was touch disturbing. Yes, one can sanitize afterwards but the germophobe in me was a bit freaked out. The one time I did use the tablet I found the questions pretty generic and there was no space for real comments. I wish Azamara would use paper surveys and/or just send an email to give tour feedback.

Try the flight matrix. It will show a lot options and is easy to use if you want to play with departing from different cities. Once you see things you like you can go to the airline website for more detailed information. https://matrix.itasoftware.com/search

Appreciate your replies; it's really helped me make a decision. Thanks

Yes, this is helpful; I am hoping to avoid a situation like that. I am thinking I will just go ahead and apply for the the longer approval the week before I leave home. Even if it ends up "pending" until I am actually onboard at least I am not worried about it. Thanks

Thanks for this. One more question: When you applied for that full year was it approved ahead or did you have to wait until onboard? I am thinking I will just go ahead and get the longer approval but would hate to have it "pending" until I am actually onboard.

I know as a US citizen I am required to get an eVisa for Saudi Arabia. I have found the appropriate site to do so (direct from the Saudi government, NOT a visa agency). I have read posts about people getting the visa for $22 with approval "only granted 48-hours before arrival" but all those refer to MSC cruises (perhaps they have a special arrangement?) I'd rather not spend the $140 for the visa if I don't have to and I'd rather not have the application pending for a month if it won't be granted until just before arrival anyway. Therefore, my question is: do I need to do this now for my March cruise or can I wait and apply a few days before we actually arrive in Jeddah? Can anyone share their experience in getting the Saudi visa for a SS cruise? (No matter what I will apply while still on land -- I won't rely on wifi to work for this). Thanks.

Regarding dress code: If visiting a mosque women must have their hair covered as well. @little britain Thanks especially for the information regarding the visa. May I ask: was Dammam your only stop in Saudi Arabia? Was your visa good only for that day or would it have worked for multiple days (if you stopped in other ports)? Thanks.

Under different circumstances I might agree with you. We had been very friendly with this waiter all evening and his line about a recommendation was delivered with a smile, not as a real rebuke. When he delivered the souffle he didn't go far, I suspect so that he could quickly whisk it away, which is exactly what happened. As I noted above he did -- immediately-- offer to bring something else.

Have to share a funny story about the chocolate souffle in Aqualina on Pursuit in November. When my friend ordered the chocolate souffle the waiter suggested the Grand Marnier; she stayed with the chocolate. When it came out it was horrible -- not fully mixed and tasted terrible. When the waiter saw she was not enjoying it he offered to bring something else and said, "I did recommend the other." We all had a good laugh. Lesson learned: if the waiter steers you away from something believe him! I am not saying it's always bad but clearly the waiter knew it was not a good night for chocolate souffle.

Thanks for coming back with your summary and final comparison. I've marked my calendar for July 😀

No shuttles needed for Seville or Malaga; ship docks right in the center of town.