Chuckler

Opinions on Villa Ephrussi vs lingering around Cannes for the day? Also is it a reasonably easy walk from Beaulieu sur mer?

To answer this : it is a pleasant walk from Beaulieu to the Villa Ephrussi and Madame Rothschild's home and garden is spectacular. There is a liile cafe and if energetic you can walk on further to the very exclusive St Jean Cap Ferrat!

Sorry I posted a duplicate by mistake

I think you are missing a trick here Don and denying yourself of a very good cruise line. I have sailed both and enjoy both but I had a bigger smile when disembarking Azamara as the crew are a step up compared to Oceania.

This is certainly true. We have sailed with both Oceania and Azamara both three times. Our worst experience of aloofness was on Riviera where the Master was unfriendly and the officers were not helpful. The rest of the crew are fine on both. But the Captains on both Journey and Quest were outstanding and not intrusive but very informative and the hotel directors likewise. We did meet a very good hotel manager Dominique....on Nautica

See above

We paid 5 euros for a day pass which you can buy on the bus in Monte Carlo or 8 euros for a 2 day pass which you have to buy in a tourist office or just go for another 5 euro next day on the bus. You can plan your routes and get on and off at will. Frequent stops all round the city.

Does anyone have recent experience with shuttles in Marseilles, Monte Carlo and Barcelona. I am starting to make plans for our August cruise on the Riviera, and would be interested in what is available at these ports.

See above we bought our bus tickets at tourist info in port en route to town.

Does anyone have recent experience with shuttles in Marseilles, Monte Carlo and Barcelona. I am starting to make plans for our August cruise on the Riviera, and would be interested in what is available at these ports.

See above

Marseille has a shuttle from port to town. I believe Barcelona has one to the Ramblas (there may be a nominal fee?)

/.In Monte Carlo no need for shuttle. Easy walk and you can buy a town bus ticket for a few euros which you can use all day for getting around so no need for Ho ho bus. We went all over including Grimaldi Forum and Exotic gardens and more

Should have also reminded, that you will have to pay an additional 10% tax onboard for alcohol purchases when sailing from any Spanish port. So if you are considering corkage, by all means, take that into consideration as another reason to bring your own to dinner.

I have just checked with the Oceania office in UK and they assured me there is no additional 10% attached to wine purchase on board in Spanish waters. Just the usual 18% as standard.:)

Should have also reminded, that you will have to pay an additional 10% tax onboard for alcohol purchases when sailing from any Spanish port. So if you are considering corkage, by all means, take that into consideration as another reason to bring your own to dinner.

I have just checked with the Oceania office in UK and they assured me there is no additional 10% attached to wine purchase on board in Spanish waters. Just the usual 18% as standard.:)

We stayed at The Britannia which is a lovely Art Deco hotel:)

We have been in veranda cabins on Nautica and had no problems with noise and even slept through force 10 gales!

Could anyone tell us the best time of year (weatherwise) to do a river cruise down the Mekong?:confused:

Hear hear!