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👋Hello Fieldofdreams! Oh I'm so glad that you enjoyed all my pix and commentary.. especially sweet that you have similar interests about the Jewish tour in Rhodes. It was a really interesting one for sure. How exciting that you are cruising on the Mars in February! Enjoy every moment. Thanks again for your compliments.😃

So glad that the COVID test situation went smoothly.. one less thing to fret about. And yes! Let's hope this is all in the rear view mirror very soon.😃

Ahaaa! Yes! Thanks again DGHOC! I knew exactly which thread of mine you were referring to.🤗

👋Hello DGHOC! I truly can't thank you enough for your sweet and positive words about my blog. Will treasure that you compared it to "Mediterranean sunshine" as that is the best compliment ever. I'm so glad that the happiness and excitement of our trip was loud and clear and "shined" through to you. Love the name Tinkerbell!!! 🧚‍♀️ Thank you again.. your post made my day.😃

👋Oh thanks so much LibertyBella!! Your sweet compliments about the happy tone of my blog truly made my day! And yes.. Greece is a scorcher in the summer but as you said.. it's still a thrill. So glad that you enjoyed the "Jewish Tour" of Rhodes. It's always so interesting to learn the history of our ancestors and I really didn't know much about the Greek Jews and their tragic fate in WWII so I was fascinated by it all. There actually happened to be a big tour group from Israel visiting that day from an Israeli cruise ship docked next to us and they were singing Hebrew songs while waiting to go into the museum. It was quite an experience. I wish you many happy travels in the future as well and thank you again!😍

Hi! We were on this cruise last November so I can help you a bit. In Barcelona we took the included tour and then took the shuttle back into town and walked around. In Montpellier we took the optional all day tour to Carcasonne and it was FANTASTIC! In Marseilles we took the included bus tour in the morning and then took the shuttle back into town and walked around in the afternoon. In Monaco we took the included morning tour of the city and then stayed after and took the local train back to the ship as it was docked in Villefranche Sur Mer. In Livorno we were there for 2 days.. The first day we took the included afternoon Pisa tour. The second day we took the optional "Renaissance Treasures of Florence" tour and it was fantastic. Hope that helps.😃

Hello! I actually know the answer to this question as we just boarded the Sky a few weeks ago (June 25th) in Athens. We didn't get tested before we left the USA since Viking didn't require it. We had no idea that Greece did and when we got to the pier and got off the Viking bus transfer there was a rep (not sure if it was Viking or somebody local) who asked us if we had been tested within the last 24 to 72 hours. We said no and so they quickly and pleasantly whisked us to a testing area a few yards away where we were swabbed, and then sat comfortably, while we waited around 10 minutes for the results. No charge and no issue at all. We were happily negative and then were free to go to the check in area.

👋Hi Lisaatric! Yes.. the "concentrator" (which is shown in the picture on the box) at the tip does come off and the end is round.. looks just like this.😃 I don't know about diffusers.. I hope yours will fit.🤞

👋Hello again! Another movie just added to my "I miss being on our cruise" list. "My Life in Ruins" starring Nia Vardalos. A little cringy and not quite as funny as "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" but still worth watching for more than a few chuckles and that Greek scenery fix! I found it on youtube.. full movie for free.😊

Oh yay.. wonderful that you will be blogging Dr Koob! I will be looking forward to it.😃

👋Hi lanzie99!! Well thanks so so much! I'm so very glad that you enjoyed my words and pictures. I'm so touched that you labeled it "incredible." That's a huge compliment!😍 How exciting that you will be going to Iceland and Greenland.. truly a trip to be EXCITED about. 🙋‍♀️Have the best time ever!! Thank you again.

👋Hello Catlover54 and thank you so so much for your sweet compliments about my blog. I'm so glad that you felt the enthusiasm jump off the page! I felt that way the whole week.. so lucky and so happy to be aboard enjoying such a lovely cruise. Would I change anything? Hmm... I can't think of anything really. Every i was dotted and every t was crossed.. all with a smile. So no.. I don't think I can think of anything. I guess that's the mark of a successful cruise!😃 Whatever line you decide.. have a wonderful time!!

👋Hi ohiojohn! I'm so glad that you enjoyed my trip review.. it was so much fun to write and have to look back on.😃 As far as the luggage.. these are great suitcases that we have had for a few years already. They are made by Hartman and called are called "Vigor." They are the large 29" size. I was super lucky and found a matching pair at Marshalls a few years ago as I think they were updating the model and this was the "old" style. They are very light and roll like a dream! One negative is that if you forget to pack something you can't just unzip it a bit and stick something in at the last minute. You have to lay the whole suitcase down and open the zipper up totally. That is a negative. Here are their current model of the style Vigor. https://www.google.com/search?q=hartman+vigor+suitcases&client=firefox-b-1-d&sxsrf=ALiCzsb8zdW2S2Nvs4qYfZKvoBweOiIznA:1657640360075&source=lnms&tbm=shop&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwirhM_G1_P4AhXapIkEHeYVBV8Q_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=2560&bih=1224&dpr=2 Belk seems to have the best price by far. https://www.belk.com/p/hartmann-extended-journey-suitcase-/0438515637242.html?feed=shopping&cm_mmc=PLA-GOOGLE-Ssc_Home_NewCustomer_PLA_NA--0438515637242&s_kwcid=AL!5203!3!587622063265!!!u!296671616293!!92700070197357364&campaignengineid=GG_16570801661&adengineid=587622063265&adgroupengineid=133918068185&gclid=CjwKCAjwt7SWBhAnEiwAx8ZLanmw3liW8hH-De0uwQXlkefhHtL8_QS5orzUNq9mLXUgXDfOivmzhhoCm2sQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds Anyways.. Have a WONDERFUL trip to Iceland!! Enjoy every moment!!

👋Hellooo gr8-2travel! Oh lucky you going in a few short months and even better that it won't roasting hot as it was for us!🔥 Also.. thank you so much for your FANTABULOUS compliments on my blog. I'm so glad that it made you extra excited for your trip! Enjoy every moment!! November will be here before you know it.😃

Oh thanks so much cadburysmom for the kind words.. so glad you enjoyed my report!! I will gladly accept the kudos on finding that airfare.. it was a true miracle. I think that coach was very full and business class empty so they had a sale? on the return trip? At first the lower price was only on the Air France code share flights and then a few days later they lowered the Delta price. However.. within a week all of them zoomed back up again. Just like you we only fly Delta since we have all our miles with them and we can be assured of booking an exit row when we buy the tickets. There was no special for Viking Air so we booked the flights ourselves which unless Viking Air is substantially less (or free) we always do. Yes.. you do have to pay for the transfers but by booking it yourself you can choose exactly which flights you want and which has the exit row seats available since Sam is 6'3' a regular seat is a no go. Many times though if the first row of Economy Comfort is taken already we will just sit in the "main cabin" but in the exit row as it has tons of legroom. Oo.. and sorry we missed you at the lounges.. I usually like the Delta on since it's closer to the gates and they have that delightful outdoor deck but now that you bring up an espresso martini.. yum.. maybe I will give the Centurion Lounge a second look.😁

Hi minka34! I had a whole long response typed out to you last night and it seems to have disappeared! Well anywhoodle.. Thank you so much for the sweet compliments about my review and for being a "Co-Sister of the Traveling Hairdryer!"😍 Thanks for coming along on the virtual trip and it would be so nice if our paths crossed in the future.. I would recognize you by your perfectly styled hair!.🛳️

Oh thanks so much TheEs2022! I'm so glad that my report had a ton of great info for you! You are going to have the best time. Viking is truly wonderful and I always think your first cruise on a new line is the most magical. As far as hairdryers.. a subject I know very well.. 🤣 The one in the cabin is fantastic. I have very thick hair and I have never used a hairdryer that a hotel or ship supplied that I loved and this one is the best. So you are set on the ship. As far as pre/post cruise at your hotel do you have a travel hairdryer that is dual voltage? Brookstone (which went out of business) had a great one and I stocked up for travel but unfortunately are not available anymore. I only tried the ship's dryer because on our first Viking cruise I thought that since the cabin had USA plug that a USA hairdryer would work and I brought my Dyson dryer with me and it didn't even turn on. A Dyson hairdryer when you are at home is awesome though. I just googled "best dual voltage travel hairdryer" and came up with these.. https://top10best.how/dual-voltage-travel-hair-dryer?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Search&t_source=64&utm_campaign=6192&gclid=CjwKCAjwq5-WBhB7EiwAl-HEkiQbcPDmZ9TSvRnS94VY60FG5SkBa4qEpDQJnWk4exZv6ticKwMXXxoC2uYQAvD_BwE Hopefully one of these will work well for you. Good luck!! Have fun!! Any questions I am always happy to answer.😃

Oh yay!! I"m so thrilled you came across it too. Thank you so much for all the sweet compliments about my blog norahs-lot!😍 I'm so very glad that you enjoyed it so much and that it will help your in planning. Your upcoming cruise will be twice as good because it's twice as long! Enjoy every moment and thanks again.

Good morning! Or should I say Kalimera! I was missing our cruise from last week and watched the movie "The Two Faces of January." It begins in Athens and ends in Istanbul. Written by the same author as "The Talented Mr. Ripley" it's a bit dark but has great acting and scenery. The entire movie is available for free on youtube.😃 Here is the link.

"Four weeks.. jump overboard!"🤣

Oh.. something that our daughter just corrected me on.. This picture of a carving at Ephesus that I incorrectly identified as a Caduceus is actually a Rod of Asclepius. Could be considered nonsense but if any of us are ever on Jeopardy this might be a question! 😃 Copied and pasted.. The Caduceus is a symbol of Hermes or Mercury in Greek and Roman mythology. Caduceus symbol is identified with thieves, merchants, and messengers, and Mercury is said to be a patron of thieves and outlaws, not a desirable protector of physicians. The symbol originated when Mercury once attempted to stop a fight between two snakes by throwing his rod at them, whereupon they twined themselves around the rod, and the symbol was born. The Rod of Asclepius belongs to Aesculapius, who was the revered Greek god of healing.

Helloooo Howell and Kelly! Yes.. it was so nice to meet you and what funny timing that it was the first hour of the cruise! I agree 100% that the time just seemed to drift away.. one lovely day just following the next. Thank you so much for the compliment on my review. The best thing you could say is that I captured the truly delightful essence of it all. I also thought it was so interesting that we had the same overall feeling but different experiences.. the World Cafe vs the Restaurant and the different tours. So many choices as you said and all of them stellar. That's so exciting that you booked your next cruise on board. Sounds like it will be amazing and so special since you have a unique tie to Buenos Aires. It was lovely to meet you both. I do hope that our paths cross again. Be well and happy travels. Claudia and Sam

We are all truly honored to be "blamed."🤭 Yay that you booked it!🙌

Ahh.. plying the waters of the Med for 2, 3 or 4 weeks sounds TRULY heavenly.. At this point we can only go for a week at a time but it still was wonderful.😊 Can't wait until our next one!

I just looked at the longer itineraries.. wow. So comprehensive. One day.🤩