alexandra cruiser

info at check in.Then got a receipt which showed we had OBC,at end of cruise a final bill was left in room nite before disembarkation.So you could see details and chose how to spend OBC(for tips,etc.).Ours was more so had to pay the balance.Can always check for updates re this at check in.;)

most of time.So can just walk off.They also provide maps,audio guides,town info,etc.at front desk.

Also, let guide know when you re taking off on own,have seen them wait around or look for people who just left.Can go to museum,etc,and wander off at own pace that way.

Sure you ll like river cruising,like a floating hotel.Unpack once.Great perks.;)

now IF they d just send me a brochure.Asked my TA and was told "he only deals with premium and luxury lines". Guess that s why I get the 5%cash back.But ,it seems,if I book Penthouse it would be similar price as some of the luxury lines.Confusing.

Sometimes too much research and info gets a bit overwhelming.Was ALMOST sure I d book on Oceania,Seabourn,or Silverseas.Now more to review.haha:confused:

and sure you ll LOVE the area.We did it with another company,but think you ll prefer the luxury of Scenic.From the brochure it looks GREAT.Will take our first with them in June.Also have a north France on hold with them for 2015.

All the ports are lovely, we googled the tourism site in ea.town.Then determined what to do.Took the inc.town exc.then often went out on own to see what we wanted,window shop,have lunch,etc.Can do what YOU want,just be back on boat in time.

We spent 3 post cruise nites in Nice, and loved it.Took the HOHO bus for 2 days to see all the sites.Can buy tickets right on it,can also google Nice HOHO to get more info.Go to both great musuems,town market,old town,beach walk,etc.Also got a guidebook for France,for more details.

Sure you ll have fun, can always get a drink and go on topdeck and watch the scenery.:)

making me rethink clothes to bring.I m from FL.and it sounds COLD at 57 or even wearing shorts in 70s.WHEW.I m used to 80s..haha

Re.ship.May look at Celebrity now,since you seem to enjoy it.Took 1 mass market RSSC 3 mos ago and hated it.Too many people,long lines,poor food,no room service breakfast,,I mean...??Is this one better?? Don t mean to sound snobby,but hate to be nickel and dimed.Like luxury,or at least premium.Have never tried Celebrity.

Like the 14 day itinerary, DH still works and many of the other lines have 16 day.Not counting flight days,etc.

PS.DID order a brochure,but it never came.Called and told it would be there,but 2mos and NADA.Hate to rely just on computer.

:confused:

and had a great butler.Sorry,name escapes,Yes, I know.thats a real help.

But I never knew you could request a specific one,just thought he came with the PH,no?:confused:

it MAY be cheaper to do air on own?I always check both ways,remember,nothing is ever FREE,you ARE paying for it.

I HOPE that's for 2 people??seem pricy to me.Check other cruiselines too.I m paying much less on Scenic for jr.suite(but did ny own air).Hope you have a TA too.;)

but NO LUCK.No problem,just wanted dates,and copied them.Put a hold on one for July already(for 2015)but exact dates weren t available then.

The prices really went up,I see.Supposed to get the 2014 prices,we ll see.Since I put HOLD down in 2013.;)

soon, or just back.What was your opinion??

Love to read all the details.

Hope you have(or had)a great time.

Let us know.

Thanks in advance.:)

Yes he did - look up post #22 of this thread

must have missed it.:)

and rather upset that you had to go thru such rough seas,missed ports,late arrivals,etc.

At least you liked the rest of it,but the weather does not sound as if cooperated at all.

Have been reading other cruise threads ,,and you re not alone.Others sailing at same time had similar complaints.

And most were on larger ships,but still lots of rough going.:(

did you chose the Solstice?Have to make a choice of cruiselines and was avoiding the mass market lines.Know you ve been on luxury lines in past.So why this one?

Glad you inc.weather info, sounds like a real mix of temps and rain,sun,etc.Good to know.

Have been reading other threads and they also complain about the rough seas.

Love your blog and look forward to it .Thanks.:):)

There won't be much difference in the weather in January or February, both are summer months in NZ and Aus. However I would avoid January as it is school holidays in both countries and the chance of children on board will be higher (unless of course you love to travel with other peoples children!). We enjoy summer weather until late March, so cruising in February should be no problem. I am sure you will love the diversity of a NZ and Aus summer cruise, plenty of very different landscapes, cultures, experiences.

never knew the school holidays ALL month,but just like OUR summer school vacation.

Will chose Feb.to be on safe side.

The heat is not really a problem,as I m from FL.Used to it.

But other peoples KIDS,,,NO WAY.haha.That s why I prefer smaller luxury lines,not mass market.

Was also thinking the large ships may NOT be able to get in some small port towns,or the Milford sound,etc.right?

Hate to think we re limited to 18 days TOTAL,but that s it till we retire.;)

tried to get one sent,by only for you guys,not US....it seems.

Will have to wait to read it more easily when new brochure available here.but did see new dates,and prices(whew,gone up).

Hold is on north France one,with new boat(just for that area,it seems?)So hard to figure out what happening now,much less in 2015,whew.But I know they sell out fast.:p

sail in either Jan.or Feb.So not much choice.Will be hot.

But sad to hear 2 people have similar complaints.Esp.re passengers being sick,was that food bourne or norovirus thing?I wonder.

And so strange that 1 leg of cruise would be fine and awful for the next,what gives with that?

I m now leaning on trying another ship,unless I read a few positive reviews.Do NOT want to spend so much money and time on supposed trip of a lifetime to go thru that.Sorry,Regent.Must be CONSISTENT to rate luxury rating.

Any others out there??:confused:

when would YOU chose cruise,Jan or Feb? That s when the majority of cruiselines go there.Want to see both countries,either start in Sydney and end in Auckland,or opposite.Will stay at least 1 day in ea.,but know I ll never see it all,just a matter of time off.

Would love to come back and do Sydney to Bali(to seen rest of Australia east coast).

Thanks for tip re weather,will dress in layers,with raincoat.

Ordered guidebooks and now have to research.;)

have put this one off in favor of Australia in 2015.But still on my bucket list.Been cruising 20 yrs and still places I ve not been,what a problem,right??:p

so I guess I ve been lucky. I use one I got from googling luxury TAs that give cash back.I get %5 cash back prior to cruise.Get BEST price I can find on internet and then ask for THAT(just to be sure I m gettin a good deal).

This one based in Dallas,sorry can t give names.Try it for Australia,I m going with Scenic for 2014 and put a hold on 2015 one.The one for this June is fully booked ,they seem to fill up OVER a yr.in advance.

Good luck,hope you find one that helps.Also, they deal with all the questions and not end up on HOLd for ages everytime.PS.am NOT a TA.haha;)

anyhow, we did the first day tour with Uniworld.Then went off on our own the next day.We got a guidebook and determined what we wanted to see.Ended up a a few small musuems(sorry forgot names,but I m an art lover,DH gets dragged there).Ate lunch and dinner at restuarants I found on Tripadvisor,and guidebooks.Walked around a lot and REALLY enjoyed the city at a relaxed pace.

Look at tourism site on web also,lots of info.

In Porto, we took inc.city tour and also did much the same thing.Very easy to walk the town,and boat is right across the bridge.Very convenient.Great shops and restaurants right along boardwalk and great views from ship of town.

Sure you ll love it,think there are some you tube videos if you check of cruise.I envy you.:)

and can now determine which date I want.Put a hold and they said I d get cruise at 2014 prices with it.We ll see.

Taking first Scenic one in June 2014.Hope I like it,that will determine if I indeed book that next one.;)

but Tauck does NOT have the full balcony that I prefer.

They DO offer river cruises,just go to their website.

Considered luxury,but after having the full balcony on AMA,and all the amenities on Scenic,would only take TAuck IF they get newer boats.;)

Scenic,AMA,or Tauck.

Look at their websites,order brochures,compare everything.Whats incl.and then get a luxury TA who deals with that type cruise to help.They also offer a %5 cash back.Sorry, not allowed to give names.But try googling same.

These are generally considered top of the line and you DO GET what you pay for.Bigger rooms,butler,tubs,room service,all drinks,tips,exc.inc.in some lines.

Do lots of research and find out which is best for YOU.;)

that had lower fares DID NOT inc.gov.fees and taxes.And he felt it should not have been sent out "that way" as "its a bit confusing".

Ya think??

Did not even see the small print on THAT ONE,where was it inc.??

Am NOT appreciating this new brochure game,its VERY CONFUSING and frustrating to say the least.

I HOPE O reads these posts,at some point,and realize the tactics are not working and making regular cruisers on O very upset.!!:mad:

you will find numerous threads for Douro.Not so much on Saga,but with other companies.We did the Uniworld one.LOVED it.very scenic,great small ports,Porto great.Did Lisbon pre tour and fantastic.

One of the cruises I d do AGAIN.Can t say enough about how lovely it was,and I ve been on 10 river cruises.We took a few of the excursions provided,but easy to do towns on own.Docked right in center.Great food too.:)

already,but dates were nt certain.Will have to check.Thanks for heads up.Not sure if US will have it yet.Have not heard from my TA about it.

Think you can post the link.Try it and see.Thanks.:)