frantic36

Agree with all of this plus I like to keep up to date with world events as sometimes they impact the cruise I'm on. For example last year a few days before we arrived in Casablanca there was the terrible earthquake near Marrakesh. Since there was an overnight tour planned there the ship did give some information but I was able to flesh out more of the story by checking the internet.

And this is why even when included I prefer to do my own transport. Cruise line transfers invariably mean waiting for everyone to get organised to board the bus and then you have a large group arriving at the same time so the check in process takes longer. @PacificView when were you told that boarding would be late so you could arrange a taxi for 5pm? I've had bad starts before though not losing a whole day but have had to have extra sea days for various reasons. But you have to learn to make the best of it otherwise you just waste a cruise being angry.

I do the same and take a copy of my invoice after final payment which lists all my OBC. This means there is no question what is due. My Virtuoso credit isn't usually applied till I'm onboard. Last cruise was the first time it wasn't there but it was a glitch sorted out in a few days. As we are usually on for a few days we also check the source account every few days but that's just us. They have an unusual accounting method so sometimes we need to get clarity at Seabourn Square, ie they would debit us for the laundry but since we get included laundry they then credit it back. I am not clear what is meant by the charging for every day of the cruise means?

It looks very mystical, though I know in a practical sense could be concerning if you can't see where you are going.

Unfortunately I can't help with La Goulette as we didn't stop there. I just checked our itinerary for last year in case my memory was faulty. It looks very interesting and I have never been to Tunisia.

Thank you for your input about your cruise. I am sorry you weren't able to do your snorkelling trip as I know you were looking forward to the experience. I am sorry this won't help now for you but for future travellers if they are diverted to Pago Pago we did this private tour: https://tisasbarefootbar.com We did the full tour but another couple just got themselves to & from the private beach and had lunch and multiple snorkels on their own. We were happy to just have a fuller tour and more limited snorkelling but the other couple did 3-4 snorkels from the beach which they enjoyed. I hope you are enjoying the Signature Suite as we are booked to stay there in the cruise from Honiara at end of May.

I love my Camilla for the space and weight savings 🙂.

I am not a light packer as I like choice. My next cruise in May is tricky as we will have a charter flight to Solomon Islands from Sydney. Luggage restricted to 23kg + 7kg carryon away for 28 days. Because it will be hot & humid I will want to change clothing during the day. Thankfully I have laundry included but it will be a two day turnaround. My plan is to cut right down on my shoes and be more ruthless with clothing selection but it will be a challenge.

Enjoy and I hope you get clear skies to enjoy the view. As you enter Erice through the Town Gate to your left is a small shop selling various flavoured Arancini. There was a small queue but it moved fast and it was a nice snack after all the walking. No tables to sit at so I found a low wall to sit on while I ate 😁. Off topic but a question for you please, we are thinking of a Western Med cruise in April Barcelona - Barcelona via the Canaries what might we expect weather and seas to be like?

As we spent a long time in Erice we didn't see much of Trapani but what we saw near the port we liked and if we go back would definitely spend our time there. People we chatted to on the ship who spent time in Trapani really enjoyed it. We had to walk through a building at the port and the visitor information people in there were very helpful as we asked about getting a taxi or bus to the cable car. So I am sure could help with planning your visit. The other place of interest near Trapani is the large salt pans which are still harvested and exported plus a sanctuary for both local and migratory birds. The Mysteries of the Chiesa del Purgatorio is on my list to visit as the mysteries are 20 wooden statues depicting Jesus Christ's Passion carved by local artisans and paraded through Trapani every Good Friday. I am not religious but fascinated by local artwork.

@texasstar My husband and I did it last September by taking a taxi to the Cable Car Station and then walking. We are in our mid 60s with reasonable fitness and it was fine, but, there were many inclines to walk. The various churches were lovely and we were lucky and the view was good. The cable car people and the visitor centre at the dock in Trapani were very helpful and gave us maps to help locate sites. The other good thing about doing an independent tour, if the weather was raining and misty we might have skipped it as there would be no view up there and the cobblestones would be slippery.

I am not sure if I want to return to Antarctica as I dislike the cold, however to return for the scenery and wildlife is very tempting. We know people who have done this 2-3 times so everyone is different. We haven't done the northern Arctic region but will one day and again I know people who have done this region a few times. We did a Kimberley cruise last year on True North an Australian Company and their prices are more per diem than Seabourn and alcohol generally isn't included and yet their sailings book out quite frequently a week in advance by return cruisers. We are doing a repeat on Pursuit later this year of the Kimberley because we loved the amazing scenery. Lots of people enjoy exploring places like Papua New Guinea, Indonesian islands etc. Some of those well known conversationalists you mention are not as interesting, as informed or up to date as some of the Expedition Team who are well experienced in their field. What I will agree with is the lack of details for non-Antarctic expedition cruises is a problem and hope that is rectified in the future. I personally am looking forward to our cruise on Pursuit as we enjoyed sailing on the smaller ships Pride, Legend and Spirit and will wait and see and make up our own mind.

This is true flossie as we have some friends we met that way but we have also encountered people we could definitely never want to spend time with again. To difficult to explain here. That's why now we prefer to meet people elsewhere and then hook up of dinner after a pre dinner chat.

I'm glad this works for you and my husband and I have worked out what works for us,.

I did discuss this prior to our first cruise that we wanted to have independence but didn't realise they expected to meals most times together and thought we were only excluding excursions. The second cruise was an accident as we had booked well before and they at the last moment decided to join us which we didn't ask them too. My husband was concerned, the first half wasn't bad but this was a long cruise so it got difficult later.