Barkeeper

When we cruised from Venice 2 years ago there were 4 cruise ships with about 10,000 passengers who spent time before and after their holiday in Venice. They will have spent loads of money. We had a cruise and stay and spent loads on our 2 days before and one day after cruise. We saw numerous cruise ships come and go with passengers spending a day in the city spending their Euros.

Venice does not have enough hotels to put up visitors if those who came on ships were banned. Would they come if not on a cruise? The canal the cruise ships use is very wide and they go very slow with very little wash. Venice appears a city dependant entirely on tourism. They can't afford to ban cruise ships in my humble opinion.

On our Baltic cruise the Jewel changed ship time to reflect local time, +3 hours eastwards, - 3 hours westwards. Made life ashore very easy with no need to worry about any time differences. Can understand problems if ship time does not match local time. How does anyone manage to keep track, especially tour operators who have to get people back to ship at correct time. Wouldn't it be much easier if fleetwide a policy be set so all ships followed the same procedure. Or are Captains so powerful they can decide which side of the ship is port?

Our vote goes to Clo O'Connor.

Might not be a large vote in the overall scale of things as this was our first cruise, Jewel Baltics Aug. 2007. But it was special as it celebrated our 30th anniversary. We don't usually do this sort of holiday, usually hiring a country cottage and making our own vacation. We don't want someone imposing themselves on our holiday enjoyment. This was just what Clo was about. If you wanted to be close to your CD she made herself available and friendly which was very visable. If not she still took time to acknowledge you as individuals. At the Captains welcome party she could see we were nervous and took time to make us welcome and commented on our formal wear and how we had taken time to make ourselves fit in.

A very classy dresser herself on every public occassion

She is a natural performer with a great comic timing and added value to the evenings entertainment. Always about and friendly during the cruise.

If, when we cruise again then Hi Clo for us

Fell in love back in the 70's and married the girl. 30 years later celebrated on a Jewel Baltic cruise and fell in love again. Our first ever cruise and so worth the wait. The ship was beautiful and the crew amazing, down to the lady watering and pruning the flowers. Dining great in both Windjammer and dining room. Formal nights a real treat. So much space for a "small" ship even when full. Nightlife excellent and varied.

If we can afford another cruise we would not look further than RCI and the Jewel in particular