marco

For some, a European "ocean" cruise just does not offer enough time to see a country. They (obviosuly) only dock at coastal port cities, usually they are there for just the day. There is rarely an opportunity to spend evening/night hours in the city and excursions usually offer an opportunity to see one or two of the citie's attractions. On the other hand, we do very much enjoy European river cruises, whch offer a better opportunity to explore and experience where they stop.

Cruises around Chritmas/New Years are usually at a premiun (price wise) And if you have to fly from Wisconsin to take the cruise, airfare will probably also be higher than at ptjer times as will hotel prices if you fly in or stay a day or two pre/post cruise..

We prefer the sitting area nearer to the balcony. If you're not out on the balcony, it's nicer to sit there on a sofa and look out the door/windows. However, I would never not book a ship just because the beds were closer to the balcony then the sitting area.

I was just digging through some old cruise line memorabilia and came across a Home Lines Bar guide.from the Oceanic. I think it's from the early/mid 70's. Most cocktails IE: Bloddy Mary, Screwdriver, Sidecar,etc were 70 cents, as was a Martini, extra dry. If it was not extra dry, it was 60 cents, as was a Manhattan. Assorted frozen daiquris were and OUTRAGEOUS 85 cents. Scotch was 50 cents for 1 and 1/2 oz shot, but if you wanted soda with it, it was an extra 10 cents.

If the ferry is not running from the Dockyard to StT George's, then the best alternative (I think) would be the ferry to/from Hamilton and the bus from Hamilton to/from St George's. Taking the bus all the way from/to the Dockyard to St George's is (I think) too long a trip.

I'd take the ferry to St George's, do a little site seeing, shopping, etc then it's a fairly easy walk to Tobacco Bay for some swimming.snorkeling etc. I'd walk back to St George's amd take the public bus to Hamilton. The ride is rahter picturesque and a plesant alternative. Spend a little bit of time in Hamilton and then I'd then take the fery back to St George's from there. We've cruised to Bermuda many times and almost always go to St Geroge's and this is pretty much our standard routine.

We've just returned from a trip to Europe. It seemed that credit cards were used more than here in the states. Some places had signs that said "credit cards only/no cash. We were away for 2 weeks and never used any euros or local currency. EVEYTHING was on a card. In some places, even street performers accepted credit cards. If you have an ATM card, you can always get a few euros or whatever local currency if you must have some local cash.

Depends where. We are not too fond of European cruises as they pretty much visit only port cities (obviously). They are not there long enough to really explore and most offer excursions that you choose THE site you want to see. YOu don't have the opportunity to see the rest of the country. Rarely do you get to enjoy evenings/nights on land. We do enjoy European river cruises as opposed to "big ship" European cruises. ALaska/Caribbean.....a cruise is our 1st choice. As live in close proximity to NY airports (and we'd still fly to an ALaska or Caribbean cruises) and if we were going to Europe we almost always can book non-stop flights, so the airport "expeience" is not too horrific.

I was thinking about that on that day. Four days later, we got on the QM2 in Southampton for our crossing to NY. Nice....but not like taking the "Sunny Southern Route" in days gone bye on the Italian Line.

Started crusing back in the 60's. It wasn't "better" or "worse", it was just different. But then, what else isn't from the 60's to now?

We just returned from T/A Southampton to NY July 29/Aug 5. They just asked at check-in if you are "negative" for Covid. No test results required, no documentation of vaccination.

Do you have family/friends who travel? If so....would they recommend anyone?

One of our favorites was a cruise along the Croatian coast on Katerina Cruises. It was more like a yacht, carrying only 30 or so passengers. All spoke English, but the pax were from US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zeland and South Africa. We stopped as several ports the "big ships" can't go to. We overnighted in one port city where the population was around 250 people. There was no pool on the ship, but we'd pull into a little lagoon and jump off the stern platform with tubes and noodles and we were close enough to swim to shore beach if so choosed. The guide was excellent, whch made our shore stops that much more enjoyable and they were included in the cruise fare as were 2 nights in Dobrovnik at the end of the cruise.

We have been using one agent for a number of years, now. I include the contact info. It facilitates dining as we end up with a few tables near each other and we "round robin" every evening. We also get a better rate doing the group booking and more/ better perks. Our agent takes VERY good care of us!

You'll be fine in whatever you choose. In NE, early Sept sometimes can be pretty warm. i remember years ago we took a cruise to Bermuda leaving labor Day weeekend out of NY and the temp was in the upper 90's

U Usually my b-i-l and I will choose 2 or 3 options and send out to "the group" to see if there's any that just will not work with someone's schedule, preferences of date/itinerary/line-ship. wait for feedback and then choose. After we do, we let everyone know what the choice is and invite folks to invite other freinds and family to join.

I/we have also been cruising for over 50 yrs now and on just about every line that is or was in existance. We've met many folks who we now consider to be close freiends. We've been and they've been to weddings, graduations, anniversaries, etc etc. We've visited and had them visit us and folks are from all over the country. This coming Jan will be the 32nd "Friends and Family Annual Winter Carribean Cruise". Not everyone comes every year and the group is usually between 18-30 people. Some who came that 1st year will be joining but unfortunately, some are no longer with us.

Thanks for the update. Question....on a QM T/A, what exactly would "smart attire" be? Same as "Business casual"? Would a sport coat/jacket be required?

Today marks the 60th anniversary of that tragic event. It was the first ship I ever sailed on. I was 6. We were on the 2nd to last eastbound (NY to Italy) sailing before it's fatal voyage. We were supposed to come home on it later in August but got transferred to the "Cristoforo Columbo"/