Winner

The airport Hilton has scheduled shuttle service (free) to downtown Rome. Since you are able to stay free at that Hilton I would suggest you do so, travel at no cost to and from Rome via their shuttle and make your way to Civitavecchia using a taxi or whatever Hilton can offer.

Have a wonderful time in and around Rome and, of course, on Windstar!

Great photos, as always, but please indulge us and tell us where they were taken. The last city you mentioned was Venice; doesn't look like Venice to me.

Thank you, jozi. You have found the best adjective to describe Seabourn: civilized!

was a wonderful, carefree, very 70's sailing vessel cruise line; so it bought fish from local fishermen and all onboard enjoyed local fresh seafood for dinner. Thank goodness your PC police weren't created yet to ruin the fun.

Lighten up, Dan--

Part of me thinks "no loss... we can keep Seabourn for ourselves" and part of me thinks "oh no, without new Seabourn cruisers on Cruise Critic where are we all going to troll for new $400 referral bonus candidates?!" :D:eek::p

Silly me: I was worried about Seabourn losing future cruisers. How wise of you, Jenidallas, to recognize what is truly important!

Planning European itineraries for 2017/2018 cruise, especially in the luxury market, must be the most thankless job in the industry. Northern Africa is out, Turkey is out, Black Sea/Ukraine is out. Most of us have been to Greece and its glorious isles.

Don't keep saying "been there, done that"---re-live what you enjoyed about destinations in the past, or explore different areas from a familiar port. We cruise first of all because of our addiction to cruising.

The Eastern Med may be more hospitable in 2018--or beyond. For now I plan to enjoy the company of good friends, lovely Western Med weather, familiar and new ports and the hospitality, caring and ambiance of Seabourn.

Or you can stress out and plan to dress in layers, knowing you will probably have sunny but cool days and cool evenings. Restaurants are usually cool aboard so plan on a jacket for men or a shawl/sweater for women.

I never said--or even implied--anything about using someone else's address.

Quite frankly, it is beyond me why someone would want to cheat the system. IMO, honesty is always the best policy and I personally would not want to sail with someone that has lied in order to receive special benefits, pricing or airfare. Oceania is a quality product - if Oceania caught a passenger doing some of the things posted on this thread, I would hope that they would be banned from future cruises on Oceania. If they are a TA, they also should be banned from booking any cruises on Oceania, NCL or Regent.

 

Sorry for being harsh but cheating is intolerable in my humble opinion (not only on Oceania but in general). Agree with Jim and Stan 100% on this issue. I also wonder why this type of thread is allowed to exist on Cruise Critic.

What I stated is NOT illegal: an American citizen may purchase a product (including a cruise) from a UK seller. Confirm this with Oceania if you wish.

I grew up on the East Coast (Philadelphia area) in the 50's. We dressed in what is now referred to as the "preppy" look: white collared blouses with circle pins, plaid skirts or kilts, white knee socks and penny loafers. We NEVER wore pants, long or short until college, when we discovered Bermuda shorts, also worn with cashmere and pearls.

I was raised to always wear clean underwear every day--weren't you?

As an aside, I bought my jeans when I was 35; there are no such things as "dress" jeans.

As a US citizen you may use a British TA to book your cruise, even without setting foot abroad. Fares are quoted in pounds sterling and converted to US dollars when billed to your credit card. With the latest favorable rate USD to GBP due to Brexit, this may be a good time for bargains.

I have friends who use British TAs (they only admit it when he exchange rate is in their favor). It is not illegal; if it were I would be visiting them in jail, not on a cruise ship!

I am in California; if it easier for you, contact me at dtierney at sonic dot net and I will take care of all the details.

Definitely yes, Lincslady. The biggest problem was with the thrusters but also numerous learning-curve adjustments made before launching Sojourn and Quest.

Since you would change planes in San Juan anyway, why not research alternative routes to St. Martin; the last time I flew there it was San Francisco-Newark-St. Martin. I also advise arriving on the day before (at least) you embark in case of any delays. There is a delightful hotel with its own beach in St. Martiin: Holland House Hotel.

Keep asking away--Seabournites love to share.

Add my vote to the Ritz Carlton. You will LOVE the loo!!!

A truly professional Travel Agent's primary concern should be for his/her client and the client's happiness and satisfaction. Any Travel Agent who pushes a cruise line because of higher commissions does his/her clients no favors and risks losing those clients--and their friends.

is on the waterway close to the port. Rates are not bad and food is quite good. You will probably be able to share a van to the ship with other cruisers staying there (just check the luggage tags in the lobby).

A Travel Agent specializing in upper-tier cruise lines will be your best advisor.

Rachel--are you willing to share your driver's name and contact information? It would be helpful to know of another CCer recommendation.

TYIA

Did the Archbishop of Monaco give an invocation or blessing, and if so, how long was it? In what language?

 

When the Voyager was christened there, the Archbishop, who was expected to speak for just a couple or at most a few minutes, bloviated on for ±a half hour, all in French, which few present understood.

 

The official language of the Principality of Monaco is French; if few misunderstood that is not the Archbishop's fault.

The taxi fare seems a bargain, especially with the present favorable exchange rate of GBP to USD since Brexit. Do NOT use Travelex in the US to buy GBP--mark-up is outrageous. Check with your bank or broker or use a credit card that does not charge a conversion rate.

PS:I am SOOO jealous!

In all my years of travel, for business as well as cruising, I have tucked a paperback in my handbag or carryon. I recommend the latest best-seller, or your favorite mystery writer, or any book you have always wanted to read (or re-read).

You will be amazed how quickly the time will pass--and how low your blood pressure will remain!!

Oh I don't know, Manhattan vodka connoisseurs seem to be pretty well split between Tito's and Ketel, these days-

Which esoteric brand are you rooting for? :confused:

Belvedere, or in a pinch, Grey Goose, unflavored. I no longer live in Manhattan; guess that's why Tito's and Ketel are not on my list. ;-)

Or a vodka connoisseur!

If you are able to contact your TA, why waste precious holiday time asking on CC? Book the lower rate or upgrade. No one here knows how long the lower rates will last.