Famsw

We were just in Bruges (Trade Routes cruise) for the 1/2 day included excursion in Bruges. I think the demanding is the long walk (both from the bus and city) on cobblestones with challenging (though fairly flat) walking throughout the city. We did 15k steps in 3 hours. You can possibly do the boat tour on your own, but the lines were very long as Bruges was extremely crowded. Yes, we enjoyed chocolate and beer and the churches as well as fries. Have fun!

We've had sourdough on Viking Saturn that was decent but I agree on the sameness of the bread-except of course at Manfredis. The gorgonzola bread is delicious 😋.

The upgrade fairy visited us on our current cruise one week before we left on the Trade Routes Middle Ages cruise. Complimentary upgrade from PV to PJS on deck 8. It's our 41st anniversary so perhaps that's it but our travel agent said it seldom happens in her experience. It's a lovely cabin, larger bathroom, free laundry and more but we won't pay for it. Once in a lifetime for us.

You can ask for 2 water carafes each day. We drink a lot of water plus refill our own water bottles and the cabin attendant was happy to provide. I also ask for extra hangers the first day plus foam pillows.

Azulann: I remember meeting you on the Aquavit Terrace on the Malta cruise. We were the extended family of 9 (several mid 20 kids with us) and enjoyed our conversation. We've been on the British Isles and Rhine since then, and have a few more cruises booked. I'm glad you are heading across the pond again! Will enjoy following your travels! Judy

Don't do what I did and pack away my little clutch with the card into the suitcase I set out the night before disembarkation. Yes I had to get a new card at guest services before I could leave the ship.

Husband brought along an extension cord, which was almost confiscated when boarding. When he mentioned CPAP, they let him board with it. He sleeps on the side of the bed opposite the plug-ins (after almost 40 years no changing that side) and needed the cord. So, all good. When we disembarked we we saw a bunch of folks collecting their confiscated extension cords...they are very strict on that rule.

None available from cabin steward. Yes, normally they are in a separate tube. Also, our poor single cabin steward cleaned 17 cabins...all by himself. He did a great job and got double the normal tip.

We just returned from a Caribbean cruise, aboard the Caribbean Princess of course. It has been a few years since we cruised with Princess. We liked the shampoo and body lotion in eco-friendly dispensers in the shower! But we had no idea hand/body lotion was not supplied. In the Caribbean of course its very necessary with the strong sun and pool time. So, just a warning to all, bring your own!