Vineyard View

Is this smoking area in addition to another indoor smoking area?

I am actually shocked that they have a smoking lounge. Most lines only allow it in a certain outdoor areas, which is in my opinion the right thing to do. No way can you open a door to any smoking lounge and not have smoke escape.

Thank you for confirming that you very much enjoyed Seabourn. We are excited to experience them. Looking forward to enjoying caviar a couple times as well.

You are probably one of the last persons on this board that I thought I would read such a post. It’s honestly taken me by surprise. I also have appreciated and learned much from your experiences and insights over the years. I can only imagine what it must have taken to come to this decision, and then to post about it. You do not mince words, and you do not speak negatively. You are often the reasoning voice. We are venturing out to a different line this year, and are watching several lines for the future. Viking is not off our list, but there are concerns (same itineraries over the years, pre payment, hefty price increases) that have caused us to open up to others. We’ve had some front office issues, but yours must have been completely off the charts for you to make this decision. That is extremely sad in my opinion. And it’s just pretty unbelievable to me that they let this occur Wishing you the best. Hoping to hear from your voice of reason, expertise, and experience in the future….somewhere.

Was able to download boarding passes this morning. 14 days out. No boarding time listed. Still wondering how that will roll out with taking busses from Venice cruise terminal to the ship. Will be sure to let you all know when I do for any future Venice cruises this season.

We enjoyed Murano as well and are planning on going there one of the days pre cruise. The hotel we are staying at provides transportation there. It most certainly can be a great day. What a good memory you brought home to cherish! It will likely be a day that we find treasures to take home as well. It was the last time. And a perfect way to start holiday shopping early! ‘thank you for your input and insights. Much appreciated.

Thank you for this observation. I am really not planning on buying any…..but then that isn’t how it always goes! Is this an all day type of place? I will take a further look. I wasn’t really impressed with how pretty Mirano was, but I did find some beautiful items there years ago. I am looking for a special piece this time, but not sure Murano is the best place to buy from a price standpoint. It does sound like making the trek to the hotel just after disembarking though is the smart play. Then returning to Venice, Burano, or some other place someone might suggest for the day.

We have. We do want to go back. Our hotel provides a free boat there. ‘we have not been to Burano though. We loved the needlework in Croatia last time and not sure major differences- - also not sure we need more! ha!

I read an article last week. Cannot remember, the source but a good travel one. It suggested that with bookings even higher this travel season than last, and staffing not completely back up to even pre C days, that it’s fair to anticipate some real craziness again this year. Add in the strikes in the EU and pilot strikes in the US and it’s not a very pretty picture. I used to travel regularly to Vancouver on business. This is way before C. Their immigration then was often a nightmare. Loved working there, but didn’t like that piece.

Thank you. I will hold for a bit and watch weather forecast.

We will have four nights in Venice pre cruise and can’t wait to be back. It’s been a long time. Thinking this through after your good advice seems like we should take a taxi to the hotel after we are bussed to the cruise terminal. Then either take shuttle to airport and vaporetto back to Venice or taxi back to Venice. I think at the end of the day we then vaporetto back again? This just will eat up a lot of time, but we do not want to spend the day at the hotel with nothing to do.

Thank you for this informative. I will reach out to Marriott and see what I can find out. I think disembarking at 0800 or whenever that time is, and spending the day at the Marriott Courtyard until out 0600 departure the next day is very unattractive sounding. So all your input is very helpful in trying to figure this out.

Looking at weather forecasts for two woks out in Italy and Croatia. It is looking quite rainy. If anything like here, that can change multiple times between now and then. We have a boat excursion booked that I do not think we would want to do in the rain. Yes, they may cancel it due to weather if needed. What is the deadline in advance that we are we able to cancel with a full refund?

I absolutely agree that it’s a pain, but a non optional pain to sail from Venice. I am just happy that it is not 2+ hours away as are many cruises. We are so looking forward to visiting Venice again!

I have thought about that. I think that I need to find out if Seabourn will transfer us to the airport after we disembark even though we did not purchase airfare through them. Then we could catch a Marriott Courtyard shuttle to them, return to the airport and use the vaporetto round trip for the day. it seems like that would eat up quite a bit of time though. I am sure open to any thoughts and suggestions

We are not. Going into Venice several days prior. Our hotel will arrange transport for us to the old cruise terminal. I am hoping that soon we will know, via Source, what time to be there. According to previous communication that should be available this Saturday, 14 days prior. We are also hoping to take the bus back to Venice morning of post cruise - with permission to park our bags at the hotel we stay at pre cruise, to spend the last day in Venice before taking the vaporetto to the airport later that day, then transfer to our hotel nearby. Our flight is at 6a the following morning.

Okay well that’s good to know. Not a great situation for sure but better to know ahead.

Thank you once again. I do have two of these converters for use in the hotel pre cruise and for on the ship. Most of the devices I looked at did not have more than one usb c port so I just purchased an Anker charger with two usb c ports too,use with one adapter. With DH CPAP I should be able to use the other adapter next to one side of the bed. I think this should work without an extension cord. Am I correct?

Okay. Thank you. They are probably USB-A so I will need to use an adapter with a USB-C I will have two adapters with me so hopefully we can make DH CPAP machine work on one side. That is the priority. We will figure it all out. I appreciate all the input

Of course. Not sure what I was thinking. Kinda embarrassed

Thank you. If the only thing that I need while in ports is texting an Uber driver or sending a picture via text then WhatsApp works? If I want to download maps or access apps then eSim is the way to go? But neither will cover a call to Uber - that will trigger international phone carrier plan? I guess I am trying to determine if I do not really plan on using apps in port, or the internet much, how important that is when I can pop into a place that has Wi-Fi and enjoy a coffee or glass of wine to access.

I am trying to figure out what their advantage truly is then if you can’t make phone calls to places for no charge. If I have WhatsApp I can text without charges and not buy an eSim. or am I completely confused. Which is entirely possible!

So Quest will only have one power outlet on one side of the bed?

Thank you both very much. This is very helpful. When we were last in Venice years ago we did not have tickets and it was impossible to get in if you didn’t want to wait all day in line. I was on the website early this morning purchasing tickets, they called it the Bell Tower. I thought that strange. I am really glad that I did this today. In the week we will be there only two time slots were left available. I purchased them, received confirmation number and payment - but no tickets as of yet. I am not sure that is okay. I sent them an email asking and hope by tomorrow to have that straightened out. The further info you both responded with is much appreciated. Thanks again

I just tried to find cruises in the Mediterranean that are available. There are none populating in the search. For this whole 2023 year. I wonder if there is something going on with their system