Bucephalus53

Good info. I imagine it will be changed again by the time I leave for my June/2024 Cruise around the UK. 

I keep waiting for the moment to jump back in and reserve a cruise...then I read stuff like this and realize it would be foolish (for me) to do so. 

I’m waiting for an actual Northern European cruise to successfully complete its journey before re-booking a bucket list trip (the one canceled last May) to Great Britain. Reading the board this week has destroyed my confidence it will happen anytime soon. 

5 hours ago, cruiseej said:

 

I'm guessing you're never sailing again then, since I'd guess that every carrier has some similar wording. 😉

That wording was not an issue before Covid...and I am anticipating it won’t be an issue at some point in the future either. Right now...it’s an issue. 

I'm in the old Steel belt of NE Ohio TLC.

As a history nerd...I need to see all the obligatory "touristy" stuff on the first trip like I did in Paris and Rome.

My SS Mediterrean Cruise was a great introduction to great cities like Rome, Monte Carlo and Barcelona. I was hoping to do the same with the London to London Great Britain trip last May, 

Then on the next trip to each location, we really want to do what you are talking about and dive in with more depth to other parts of the country like Tuscany...and (NERD ALERT) battlefields of the second Punic War for example in Italy.

Lord willing, I figure we are still young enough to do both while I am still healthy. As we all know, tomorrow is not guaranteed. We have so many things left to experience on our list. 

I'd prefer the Cruise route for my first time in an area, but....it now makes more sense to just fly into London for example, rent a car and set up in B&B's around Great Britain for a couple weeks. It is likely less expensive...and definitely less risky of an investment. 

28 minutes ago, Roger88 said:

My friend, I am sorry to say this but apparently all the companies, all over the world will have this particular wording. You really need to be taking care of yourself first and not rely on anyone else... even if you have paid money for it. Its sad but its true  

I hear ya'....but I've never been worried about being denied entry for a fever or positive test and left on the docks in a foreign country until now. 

I will never sail, with any carrier, that has that wording in it's Terms and Conditions. 

I am so glad I asked...Thanks for all the responses. 

Thank you. My first thought was that all those condiments would hide the taste of the caviar. Like turning a great bottle of wine into sangria 😉

However, I do not have a palate for caviar so I just don't know. 

Can someone explain how the condiments are typically used with the caviar to this novice?

Fortunately I only know one person who had Covid.

Unfortunately, I know many who lost jobs or businesses.

Back to sailing, my wife and I have decided it us highly unlikely we will be sailing next year so we decided to use the refund for a significant home improvement instead. Lord willing, Great Britain or St.Petersburg in 2022. 

This board has been a tremendous help throughout the 2020 mess and I thank you.  

Did anyone go to Peter's Cabin that he built with his own hands? I think it's open to the public. That would definitely be on my list. 

Fantastic TLC.

I have my eyes on that one as well. I've had a desire to go there ever since reading Massie's "Peter the Great: His Life and World". I strong urge you read it before going. He was fascinating. 

https://www.google.com/books/edition/Peter_the_Great_His_Life_and_World/ekdTC72st9QC?hl=en&gbpv=0

I hope you're right my friend. 

TLC, as if 2020 couldn't get any worse. Now no Buckeyes to watch. 

Thank you for the link. Interesting read!
I thought I had read everything about Napoleon, but had not recalled that letter. 
 

I wonder where he would have settled if he had been allowed to emigrate here in the US. 

(Sorry for hijacking the thread, but I’m bored out of my skull)

9 hours ago, FlyerTalker said:

 

Remember, the British created a civil service job in 1803 calling for a man to stand on the Cliffs of Dover with a spyglass. He was supposed to ring a bell if he saw Napoleon coming. The job was abolished in 1945.

A job well done I must say. 

I use some of the credit for Cuban cigars in the lounge 😉

4 hours ago, MJN1 said:

First visited there in 1970 while in college and doing a EuroRail adventure.  Loved being in this town then and when we came back in 1997.  

 

Terry,

yes, the times of Europe on $5 a day..... I guess today one may make it on $50/day, but $500 (and more) may be more realistic. 🤣

 

Is that festival the one with the painted cows (IIRC)?

 

Bucephalus53,

not sure what you mean with "IIRC". The Salzburg summer festival was founded in 1920 and focuses on classical music, operas and theater plays.  I can't recall any "painted cows" being featured, but Salzburg's "painted bull" story goes back to the middle-ages. When the city was under a siege and had only one bull left, they citizens decided to paint this last bull in different colors and shades every day. They then walked the animal along the ramparts to show the enemy  that they had enough supplies to hold out and the enemy finally left. "Fake news" several centuries ago....

Thank you...I remembered that story from our visit to the castle almost 20 years ago. Obviously, I did not recall correctly that it was a bull and not a cow 😉

I loved my visit to Salzburg. 

On 7/14/2020 at 12:10 PM, MJN1 said:

For MJN1, I also love your Salzburg, Austria.  That's an amazing location with such exciting history, architecture, people, etc., etc.

 

Terry,

many thanks. The city is filling up with tourists again and "life" here looks deceptively normal. Even the Salzburg summer Festival will take place in August, albeit in a much reduced format.

 

Is that festival the one with the painted cows (IIRC)?

I still want to do my London, Wales, Ireland and Scotland trip. Lord willing, 2021. 

3 hours ago, CruiserFromMaine said:

 

We had a casino dealer from Kursk on one of our cruises. Is there anything there for a visitor to see? (Not sure I want to go there, really, but I’m curious.)

Literally, just a huge field. It just happens that the greatest tank battle in history occurred there. 

6 hours ago, Randyk47 said:

Thanks Terry.  When we get back to planning and booking I’ll probably come back and pick your brain on your St Petersburg visit.  I will say the cruise we had our eyes on did indeed have three full days in St Petersburg.   Wife’s specific interest is Czarist Russian so plenty of history to soak up in St Petersburg.   

As will I, it has been on my list since reading Massie's book on Peter the Great. The only "must see" place in Russia for me to be honest. Except maybe a very large plain in Kursk.