cruiservirginia

For our September 21 sailing, shore excursions aren't posted. In checking yesterday, I was shocked to see I hadn't been notified about an itinerary change. Instead of being in Nice the day before disembarkation, we will be in Cannes. Of course, I already had the itinerary planned and privately booked.

In 2018, we spent a full day on a private tour with Spanish Trails. They picked us up in Barcelona and drove us to Montserrat and Penedes.  The travel planner worked with me to plan the perfect itinerary including customized wine tasting and a fabulous lunch. Our guide was excellent. I would travel with them again.

We were very happy with Spanish Trails. 

https://spanish-trails.com/

I recommend requesting this in advance of your departure. You or your travel agent would submit the appropriate form. If approved, you would pay a fee. Since our cruise was canceled due to the pandemic, we never actually took the cruise where we were approved to disembark early.

Several years ago booked a private tour with Spain Day Tours from Granada to Alhambra. Wasn't happy with the guide. Had great tour with Spanish Trails from Barcelona to Montserrat and Penedes. You might want to ask if they service Granada.

You can find recommended vaccines on the CDC's website. A local travel clinic can advise you and administer the vaccines and write any necessary prescriptions.

Several years ago we used Spanish Trails for a private tour from Barcelona to Montserrat and Penedes. I highly recommend them.

We're not going on a cruise, but booked two days of private wine tours with Explore Sideways for January 2023.  They were recommended by our South African travel agent/safari operator. I worked with them to customize the tastings by selecting the vineyards and wines.

Stayed in suite under the pool twice on Journey. Was awoken early each morning to chairs being moved as pool deck was cleaned. Spoke to Guest Relations without results. Will not stay in that location again. 

We typically dine at the specialty restaurants each night and leave a tip. We also give our direct servers a cash tip at the end of the cruise.

Suggest contacting Karen Richards at &Beyond.  We booked a safari through her after our January 2022 South African cruise.  Deferred to 2023 after cruise was canceled. She is very responsive and I was very happy with the itinerary.  She books &Beyond and other camps. 

karen.richards@andbeyond.com

https://www.andbeyond.com/destinations/africa/

Currently on Quest. 11-night Caribbean voyage which ends on Feb. 4. Staff tested routinely and, fortunately, no covid cases.  

Boarded Quest on January 23 for Caribbean Sunsets cruise.  162 onboard including approximately 10 guest lecturers and performers .  Testing at the port was very efficient.  No additional testing planned for passengers unless required to return home.  Captain said all crew members have exited quarantine.

There are no Panama Canal cruises at this time. One will be offered in January 2024 as the first segment of the world cruise. It’s not yet available for booking as a standalone cruise. I was told booking should open up in February 2022.

Thank you so much for the very helpful posting from onboard!  My husband and I are booked on the Quest January 23, 2022 sailing and are struggling to decide whether to go or cancel.

Thanks for sharing the menus.  I'm very disappointed my favorites are gone, especially dover sole in Aqualina.

I am booked on a South African cruise departing January 2022.  After the cruise, we'll be taking a safari.  The safari operator (&Beyond) booked all of the private shore excursions for us.

Ushaka Tours: Durban, Richards Bay

Mosaic Tours: Port Elizabeth, East London

Took an European river cruise with Scenic several years ago.  Definitely think their offering is comparable to Scenic.  

Bonnie,  Does this apply to existing bookings or only to new bookings?  Thanks for your assistance.

I highly recommend Henri Challeau.  He's a sommelier and customized the perfect itinerary for John and me.  We spent 5 days with him in May 2019 on the left and right bank.  Pam

Henri CHALLEAU

Bordeaux Wine Travel

85 rue des Pelourdes
F-33300 BORDEAUX
Tél: 0033 664 653 852

www.bordeaux-wine-travel.com
contact@bordeaux-wine-travel.com
 

We had a great day of touring with Spanish Trails.  The guide/driver was excellent.  The office was very responsive in customizing the itinerary.  We also had a good experience with Spain Day Tours who offers tours in many ports/cities.  If we go to Spain again, we'd definitely book with Spanish Trails.

In fall 2018, we docked in Seville.  There were no taxis.  Ship's staff called for us and other passengers, but taxis took a while to arrive.  We were also very late disembarking since port staff couldn't get gangway set-up.

Xcelsior, thanks for your review.  In cabin 8073, did you hear noise from Windows Cafe above?

I suggest contacting Spanish Trails to ask if they can arrange the tour.  We were very pleased with the wine tasting they planned for us from Barcelona to Penedes.  We they met our specific tasting requirements and included a wonderful lunch at a local restaurant.  The guide was excellent.  We wanted a customized itinerary with specific tastings and Spain Day Tours wasn't able to offer it.

We toured with Spanish Trails last year and would definitely use them again.  They picked us up at our Barcelona hotel for a tour of Montserrat and wine tasting in Penedes.  Isabel customized the itinerary to our preferences and our tour guide was excellent.