Catchum

When you embark grab a beverage and join the que for cruise next, sign up for the behind the scenes tour, wine tasting and ask about the laundry. On previous trips it seems like the decision on how many bags is made on board, but they will be able to give you a definitive answer.

Our big bags have clothes, and toiletries. Our carry ons have meds, paperwork, valuables and electronics. If my bag got lost I would not be happy but as some of my dresses are 20+ years old (still look fabulous so can't pass them on) it might be an opportunity to retire them. I don't travel with "carefully curated cruise wear." Or vintage clutch bags owned by Russian royalty.

We are on a July Croatia intensive, the Azamazing evening is apparently a performance on board in Split. Despite OBC to burn there is not a single excursion of interest. Everything can either be purchased through Viator for a fraction of the cost (tuk tuk rides and such like) or is a private driver for $100's where you have to determine your own itinerary. Not an issue for us as planning each port is half the fun of the trip, but on recent "budget" cruises there have always been a couple of excursions we have considered.

Charming and Heathrow are not usually used in the same sentence. I suggest the train to Portsmouth and the wonderful historic dockyards, you can easily spend two days there. The charming cities/ towns of Chichester, Winchester and Salisbury are all with reach by train. Heathrow is not a good base for any thing other than catching a flight.

Waistcoat, shirt and skinny jeans also make great day wear. IMHO

No one can guarantee you a sooth sailing. A ship on calm water will be stable ship on rough seas will be ... not so stable. A lower deck midship cabin will be better than a high one forward but we have had a midship cabin on a low deck on a large ship with the waves making the porthole into a washing machine and struggling to stay in bed (not a hardship to cling on to DH) Did you enjoy your Hurtigruten cruise despite the seasickness?

If you use a TA I would make sure they have travelled to Rome and understand the differences in accommodation vs the US. Also watch out for pickpockets not something to fret over but never put valuables in your backpack.

Pisa is awesome not too big a place and definitely go up the tower, the sensation of walking uphill whilst going down is just plain weird. Frequent stops for pizza, gelato and wine will get your whole group through the trip. For pre and post cruise stays Airbnb or booking.com are my go to places for apartments anywhere in the world. Choose ones with no penalty cancellation and keep looking to see if a better one comes up. We love having a kitchen with a fridge (for wine) and a coffee maker neither of which are common in European hotels.

I would second missing Gibraltar and or Marseille. Gibraltar we found somewhat strange really it is not like England which seems to be a major selling point, there is history which is interesting and the apes which are aggressive. Several people ended up in the medical centre for scratches or bites from the apes, on our last visit. Marseille is a pretty town to walk around and there were political protests last time we were there which made it extra exciting. It is not a bucket list place. In August the cities Rome, Florence ect will be hot and crowded. Don't try to see everything, eating ice cream next to a fountain is as valid an experience of Rome as seeing the Vatican. Barcelona Park Guell is wonderful for all ages, you needed to pre book when we visited.

I would say stick with what you have. Excursions in the Med are very easy to book with local providers or use local transportation. The included alcohol is more than adequate, WiFi depends on your needs, if you just want to check your email and look at a couple of maps included is great, if you want to stream movies not so much. Check out getting a Europe sim card to put in an old mobile phone (or esim if you are tech savy) so you have a working phone off the ship.

Canaries In December can be balmy calm and warm or really exciting sea conditions we have experienced both. But you are on a cruise so all is good. Honestly if you want reliable weather I suggest Fairbanks Alaska in January or Alice Springs Australia in March. Both reliable but not recommended. Yes have done them too.

We have managed to solve the problem completely by booking an inside cabin. Only booked now because the itinerary and date works for us. Usually cruise older smaller ships on NCL, Princess or Celebrity. On all the lines basic WiFi, alcohol, entertainment and bathrooms are infinitely better than Azamara. The service is maybe not quite as good but for the price difference I'll cope. Yes Azamara has better food but if I want really good food I will stay home and let DH cook.

The pool bars can be slow as so many people order frozen mixed drinks. If the four people ahead of you want beer your good. We found a bigger issue is finding a bar that stocked what you wanted. On our last trip the bar in the buffet and by the pool often ran out of wine by 7pm except maybe a Riesling.

Never had any confusion over our bags they all look like this

A cruise is a voyage taken for pleasure. If you sleep on the water then life is good. Have done 10+ sea days in a row which was wonderful and a port every day which was equally wonderful. My preference is that the final day is a sea day as I get stressed about packing. My next cruise is on our canal boat for a few nights no sea days. FYI you don't have to get off the ship.

Am washer too, also being brought up with meat safes and a larder to keep cooked food in - the fridge was purely for milk - I have a cast iron stomach. Not recommending it but having been on a number of plague ships over the years I have yet to be afflicted.

The Norwegian Dawn also had issues during her cruises from Cape Town in February. Reported on CC that disembarkation was not allowed in ?Mauritius? until negative Cholera tests were received. We were on her for the previous South Africa/ Namibia cruise and suffered very mild symptoms which we attributed at the time to too much food and wine.

Make friends with the bar tender at Vines two double doubles will arrive in no time. We had the plus package and were more than happy, but we are not picky with wine. Coffee and Champagne are another matter entirely.

Three weeks ago we were easily able to walk to the port gate where there was a huge market. We walked to the waterfront area to pick up our sandwich bay 4x4 excursion. We were inches away from pick pelicans, saw more flamingos than you could shake a croquet mallet at, had champagne and oysters in the dunes and survived despite our driver thinking gravity didn't apply to him when he headed up vertical sand dunes. Honestly one of the best excursions we have done. On our return we asked to be dropped off at the raft restaurant, then moved to the waterfront for more wine and souvenir shopping.

Just back from eight nights post cruise in Cape Town. You don't need a private guide, ubers are plentiful, very cheap and safe. Similarly the HOHO bus will get you pretty much everywhere you want and run every 20 minutes. Botanic gardens, table mountain - go early, take a jacket and pick a clear day, afternoon tea at the Mount Nelson Hotel, the waterfront for superb food, a sunset cruise and the diamond museum, grassmarket for crafts and souvenirs, citi sightseeing who run the Hoho bus also do a great day trip to Cape point and boulder beach to see African penguins.

Just back from 8 days post cruise in Cape town. We stayed on Bree Street - 15 minutes walk to V&A 10 walk minutes to Grassmarket area. We look the 3 day HOHO to get to the Botanic Gardens (amazing), table mountain, where we spent half a day exploring (get there early for no queues), we also spent time at Holt bay where we had faboulous fresh seafood at Muriel's looking out to the harbor. We also did the HOHO Harbor cruise and the canal cruise - recommended. High tea with champagne at the Mount Nelson Hotel was out of this world and yes we did it on Valentines day❤️. Also a day trip to see the penguins at Boulder Beach and Cape Point lighthouse. Need to go back to do a wine tasting tour, Bo Kaap and a township tour and to try a Gatsby. We also did Karibu the safari platter (not on the menu) for two, a nice bottle of wine, tip and the most impressive dessert ever for $75 total. Pictured.

Just taken this picture from our balcony in Cape Town where we are spending time after our (not Azamara) cruise.

You pay the free at sea charge then nothing else. The package covers the total cost of all drinks (gratuity as well) that are included. Alcohol up to $15 a glass, soft drinks and juices.

Princess is our go to if not NCL. No fixed dining, food a little better, entertainment not quite so good and the plus fare includes alcohol, coffee, water, tips and unlimited WiFi. The older ships on both lines are our preference.

Le Havre is a acquired taste, the church is a must see. But the bee bus to Honfleur was fabulous- book in advance as they fill up. We had a wonderful meal with a carafe of local wine by the harbour, wondered the medieval streets and rode the gallopers. The guide on the bus was also very good.