txladycruiser

Looking forward to your reports, TC!

We were on the Voyager in 2011 for 60 days (part of the WC). My husband and I came down with bronchitis, along with many other passengers. We went to the on board doctor. He prescribed antibiotics and breathing treatments for both of us. The cost was almost $2,000. We paid it and then were reimbursed through our travel insurance in a timely manner. Just be sure and keep your receipts!!

Karen

We will be on the Crystal Serenity next year for the WC 2015. We are especially excited about going to South Africa. I found this article on Capetown that might be of some help:

http://www.travelstart.co.za/blog/40-things-to-do-in-cape-town-under-r200/?utm_source=SocialMedia&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=Facebook_TSZA_CPT40things

We were on 2 segments of the Regent WC 2011. I think there were some cliques but also think that some people on the WC were ready for some "fresh" faces! We never felt like an outsider.

I know you'll have a fabulous time and look forward to your photos and comments!

Karen

We did this excursion 2 years for the very reason you stated. Here is our blog entry for that date:

http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/thewrens/4/1336060641/tpod.html

I would recommend this if you have already done the Rome tourist "stuff". It was nice not having to get into the Rome traffic.

Karen

How did you go about making arrangements for your safari? What tour group did you use? Did you feel it was considerably less expensive than the ships excursions?

Thanks!

Karen

Arriving here in the busy port of Napier and appreciate all of the continued nice comments. We had a great and interesting time in Wellington yesterday. All went well, including the super sunny and nice weather. Looks like just . . . "MORE OF THE SAME" today. Is it getting boring with this kind of weather? NO!! Schools are closed again back in Central Ohio, making these "conditions" so much better here in NZ. Tomorrow is a sea day and I hope to catch up more on posting lots more photos at that time.

 

Looking ahead (yes, sadly, this cruise port is getting closer to wrapping up), here is what AccuWeather is predicting for Auckland on Mon., Jan. 3: partly sunny and nice, high of 77°, low of 60°, historic average on this day of 73°, low of 60°. On Tues., Jan. 4, mostly sunny, high of 72°, low of 62°, historic average of a high of 73° and low of 60°; Wed. Jan. 5, clouding up, high of 71°, low of 61°. We can deal with those kind of weather challenges.

 

Through our great Travel Agent (that I cannot name here on the CC Boards), we will be doing a private tour for our group of fourteen to see, up-close, Cape Kidnappers and do a "Gannet Safari". Then, we will do lunch at "The Farm". It is a five-mile drive off of the main road to reach this luxury, rustic lodge built in 2007 atop the summit of this 6,000-acre working farm. The road winds through a dense forest, over a stream and past random encounters with goats and sheep. The ride leads to the ultimate panoramic views of Tom Doak's famed Cape Kidnappers golf course and the Pacific Ocean on the horizon. 

The lodge looks like a cluster of farm buildings from the outside, including a silo that's actually a circular sitting room called the "snug." The main section houses a casual dining room and veranda, a library and business center. A wine room and fitness center are downstairs. The 27 cottage suites are all within walking distance. 
 This five-star destination is not like most farms. It's all play -- and no work -- for guests at this luxury lodge. Head Chef Tim Pickering sources produce as locally as possible, including from its own vegetable garden. Daily menu’s are based on what is freshest and most seasonal. Dining here is limited to only those who are overnight guest at the resort. Or, those, like us, that have an "in" to be able to visit here without needing to pay the high, high over-night charges.

 

I will be getting lots of pictures here at these scenic location, plus hopefully a few in the art-decco city of Napier as we travel back. Am still working on answers for the mast height on the ship and the ice-topped bar repairs.

 

As noted below, the live/blog from my last cruise on the Solstice just went over 160,000 views. Appreciate those who have tuned into that adventure, asked questions, etc. This series of posts, still a work in progress, is now over 13,000 views.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Celebrity Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 160,172 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

Terry - what tour operator did you use for your Cape Kidnappers excursion? Sounds like an interesting tour! We'll be there next year.

Really enjoying your posts!!

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.:):)

I do believe Terry did answer this but I'm not sure where in this blog.

Karen

When we were on the 60 day cruise, I mostly ate from the Canyon Ranch selection at night. We had room service for breakfast every morning - usually just fruit and then had lunch, of course. I really liked the Canyon Ranch selection for dinner. And I did eat desserts quite frequently. We did do a lot of walking and I used the gym also. I gained 3 lbs over the 60 days and my husband lost 10 lbs. We did not starve!!!

Karen

Well, we went from a 7 day Baltic cruise on Regent to a 60 day cruise on Regent (4 segments of the WC). We loved being on the ship for 60 days! So many nice sea days intermixed with ports. Now, we have trouble finding cruises that aren't very port intensive. I doubt we would do a 7-10 day cruise again. It's just not worth all the work that goes into it plus with the shorter cruises, our body just starts to adjust to the time changes and then it's time to go home.

Karen

Great pics Wes!! Looking forward to your daily posts! Wishing you and Ida a wonderful cruise!

Karen & Wayne

g

Rachel - Enjoying your live posts! We did a AmaWaterways Christmas Market cruise from Prague to Budapest 3 years ago. We had perfect weather for it - cold and snow but no rain. Since we don't get hardly any snow here in TX, it was a nice change.

Enjoy your cruise!

Karen

So, Bucket, have you managed to go on a world cruise and not gain any weight?

Not Bucket, but have done a WC and gained 3 lbs. It really wasn't that hard. Lots of walking and did go to the exercise room. But, I sure didn't deprive myself of all the good food, either!

Karen

In February 2011, we did 3 segments of the Regent World Cruise. We had 7 bags plus carry-ons. But, we were going to be in both hot (Vietnam, Thailand)and cold (China) climates plus everything in between so had to bring a little of everything. One suitcase was completely empty.

After leaving China, we did ship home our cold weather clothes along with things we had bought along the way or else we would have had a lot more to deal with.

I will say we loved the 3 segments of the WC. In fact we came home for 3 weeks and then flew back to Rome to pick up the last segment of that WC.

We are seriously thinking about the 2015 Crystal WC.

Karen

We just spoke to someone at Scenic regarding a May 2013 (Jewels of Europe). We asked about the "all-inclusive" and she said, "No". Only butlers on certain decks, charge for internet, complimentary wine and beer at lunch and dinner only, etc.

 

Is there someplace in the 2013 Brochure that states this? If so, what page? We don't have a brochure or I would look myself.

 

 

Thanks.

 

 

Karen

I did find it on their website. We called back and spoke to a different girl who confirmed the all-inclusiveness for 2013. I guess the first girl wasn't aware of the changes!

Karen

We just spoke to someone at Scenic regarding a May 2013 (Jewels of Europe). We asked about the "all-inclusive" and she said, "No". Only butlers on certain decks, charge for internet, complimentary wine and beer at lunch and dinner only, etc.

Is there someplace in the 2013 Brochure that states this? If so, what page? We don't have a brochure or I would look myself.

Thanks.

Karen

Al, we have two and a half days in Stockholm before our cruise in July. I'm trying to decide if we should take one of those days and go to Grinda, Sandhamm or Vaxholm. Or, would we be better just staying in STockholm the whole time?

Thanks.

Karen