LibertyBella

I took my first cruise in 1973-- so now I've been cruising half a century this year! I never bothered to do online stuff till I semi-retired from a very busy career. For the little ones, I recommend the octopus with the towels--just too cute. Even the adults might like the beach towels and the caps. Another thing that is a great souvenir is a ship t-shirt, which you find on board in the stores. We have a nice collection. I've never been into cut flowers as they are just too transitory. Have a wonderful time!

If you travel the world you have to be ready to accommodate world events. Safety is always the priority for the ship captains, no matter how much the non-port calls may upset passengers. Right now I am watching the election coverage in Turkey, as I will be cruising to Istanbul in a few months. The last time I tried to go to Istanbul there was an attempted coup, and cruise ships stopped going there for almost five years! Tunisia is still on my list to visit as well. Thankfully I have been to Machu Picchu, as the recent protests made many travelers miss the trips they had planned and saved for for years. Poor RC. They are scrambling right now--how great they were able to offer two ports in Greece, one of my favorite countries in the world to cruise to and visit. I am glad everybody on the ship is safe and comfortable. I hope to visit Israel in the next year or so--definitely NOT by cruise ship!!

I am from the East coast, and also took this same Carnival cruise a few years back, but first we stopped in LA for a few days and toured Hollywood, Beverly Hills, La Brea and Disneyland, and then booked a private car to take us down to the port. We went in the middle of the Summer, and it was pretty warm and beautiful. My husband actually went scuba diving in Catalina among all that kelp. It is very walkable, and we enjoyed our visit there, as it reminded us of historic beach towns like Cape May, NJ, and Galveston, TX. Ensenada is a bit tourist-oriented with many vendors. We went to see the blowhole, and the famous Riviera del Pacifico, the historic hotel where they claim the Margarita was invented. This is a great little getaway cruise with nice stops and an enjoyable sailing experience. If I lived a bit closer, I would be happy to sail it again! Thanks for sharing as your report brings back some special memories.

When I take a cruise (or a land tour) that has a certain itinerary I really like, I try to travel when weather conditions for those places are at their ideal. My favorite mantra from a cruise is, "the sea is calm, the sky is clear." I have been on cruises that missed ports, due to late departure from home port, or racing a storm, and I must say that I do not like it at all, and I find the compensation usually a bit pitiful. Therefore, I try to avoid those types of poor outcomes which could be caused by weather. I also avoid certain cruise lines that have a reputation for being sloppy with their itinerary stops due to issues other than weather, unless I travel on them just for the enjoyment of the cruise. Finally, unfortunately, there are some challenges that are beyond anyone's control, such as mechanical failures, picking up migrants at sea, freak waves, death, illness or man overboard, etc., etc. Sea days for me mean sitting by the pool in the sun with a good book and just relaxing. However, the Baltic usually means indoor activities. By the way, so sorry you missed Gdansk--we visited Malbork castle at that stop, a very special place. At least Viking tries to address the issue of missed ports, which many other cruise lines do not. I

What a sweet and kind gesture. Yes, the balconies can be a nice upgrade experience for someone who is usually booked with an inside cabin. You do not have to "hide" your decision, simply say you received a great offer, and nobody deserves a splurge more than your mom. Have a great cruise!

I get emails and brochures regularly from Viking. My most recent email listed in small print at the very bottom all the due dates for final payments. Yes, for 2025 it is about a year and a half to two years! I like to plan somewhat far in advance, but I do not want to tie up all my funds that long, earning interest for Viking. For that reason I am going to be patient and book closer to sailing dates, should I choose Viking. I think Viking does a pretty good job trying to provide information and answer questions, but remember there is a lot to know and cover, and individual agents only have a smattering of knowledge across all these diverse areas. Always read the small print, and T & C, etc., etc. I have been on more than ten different cruise lines, and I found Viking staff to be some of the most helpful and friendly. The only other challenge I have with Viking is the fact that on Viking Ocean higher-priced cabins select their shore excursions first. We are very active, and shore excursions are sometimes the highlight of the cruise for us (not the cabin, or the food, or the service). Husband always says he is more than willing to rent a car and drive around a country to see all the sights that are our priority, but I prefer the "moving hotel" concept of a cruise ship.

What is your point in wanting to book this group cruise? Are you trying to be kind-hearted? Do you think you will be getting some kind of travel agent experience? Do you think you are doing them a "favor?" Well, unpaid work at this level is just silly. There is a reason most large group bookings give a free cabin to the organizer- that person deserves a gift for all the time spent organizing. Nowadays most large group bookings are overseen by an expert agency that will work directly with all the individuals traveling to: discuss payment options and deadlines, take deposits by card or check, explain the different cabin sizes and prices, dining options, shore excursions, etc., etc. They may also have to address travel logistics, such as flights, insurance, extras, changes, etc. I've been involved with several group cruise bookings, including with my own family, and I also second those above who say Never Again. I especially shudder at wondering why the previous booking was a "dismal failure,"--could it really be only the fault of the vacation planner, or did the retirees have too many demands and needs that could not be met easily. The fact that they all want to "share" the incentives is already sending a message. There are agents who specialize in group travel, and they will receive a nice commission for doing all that work, so you should be happy to delegate to them. If you put yourself in the middle, you could be legally liable as well as emotionally distraught for any and all unhappy outcomes. Think this over carefully before you commit- the effort is not as "fun" as you may think. Good luck!

Everything is worth the effort if one really wants to see the world. I have been lucky enough to sail out of Venice twice in my life, the last time in 2019, and it was a fantastic experience, although I was so worried about all the little gondolas scurrying away nearby. However, I respect and appreciate that Venice had to stop allowing huge cruise ships to enter, due to the damage they were rendering to this beautiful historic area. I would absolutely return to Venice again and again, because it is a remarkable city. We learned how to ride all the local canal transportation, quite fun and scenic. Last month we did a Danube river cruise, so we had to fly to Frankfurt, then Munich, then bus down for a few hours to the river. This Summer I am sailing out of Rome--, excuse me, Civitavecchia, and although the train transport is also cheap and easy, we will probably take a private car just to avoid carrying the suitcases too much around central Rome. I have sailed to Southampton (drove to London in a rental car), and so many other ports (many by tender) that I have lost track. Happily this year I have been cruising for half a century. For me, travel is always an adventure, and I can't wait to go on my next cruise!

Gosh, I am going to Italy in July, and I had my seats and ticket numbers via EZAir confirmed as soon as I did my cruise final payment (early April). Of course, it may depend upon which airlines you choose, and also if you have a frequent flyer number. Due to advice on this CC website, I immediately logged in to my airline websites to make sure all my flight information was visible and confirmed, the same as what EZAir had posted. I would NOT wait for EZAIR to ticket at 45/30 days, but instead ask for ticketing immediately so you can lock in the flights, prices, and select seats. Right now Italy is very, very popular and prices keep going up.

I am cruising Princess on the Med from Rome to Athens in a few months. I really enjoy the Princess itineraries and ambience, and I find Celebrity and Holland America to be comparable. All three offer a sophisticated, elegant and more adult-focused experience, although children and families are welcome. We also sail on Cunard if we really want to dress up and be a bit more formal. We still like the large cruise ship format the best, as it is full of activities, nightlife, and entertainment. For casual we go NCL, RC and Carnival, especially when other family members with children are involved. We have no plans to ever sail on MSC, and I have heard that in the Med their cruises are more like a ferry, with people getting on and off constantly at every stop. I am a rarity-- I adore hot weather, and prefer to go to the Med when it is Summer so I can enjoy the beaches and the ship pool after tramping around visiting archaeological sites during the day. Because we like ancient places, we prefer the Western Med with the Greek islands. However, the Eastern Med going from Barcelona to Rome is also quite nice, as the cruise will introduce you to some of the pretty port cities of Spain, France and Italy. Summer is quite busy in Europe, and prices can be high. Note that Med cruises usually visit a port almost every day, so shore excursion costs can add up quickly, and the schedule can be a bit rigorous if one wishes to sightsee all day every day (yes, that is the way we roll.) We try to always fly in at least three days in advance to Europe to ensure all luggage arrives safely, we recover from jet lag, and we have time to do a bit of sightseeing. I will admit that we were on a Viking Danube river cruise just last month, and we flew in the same day the cruise was departing, but I never recommend that unless it is absolutely necessary with one's schedule. Make sure you purchase some reliable travel insurance in case of emergencies (like your return flight from Europe being cancelled at the last minute, which has previously happened to us!). Right now airfares to Europe are quite high. I will say that sailing in the Mediterranean is probably my favorite cruise destination in the world, and I never tire of going there.

If I am traveling on a cruise itinerary that is very important for me, then I am willing to book the cruise far in advance and be comfortable with the price I pay. Yes, it is nice to get the discounts, but I had my cabin chosen far in advance, and usually all my shore excursions and air arranged as well. However, there are times when I choose to travel just because the price is great, and I have the flexibility to travel last minute. Two months is last minute for me if the cruise is in Europe, or out of the USA, because I also have to arrange for boarding for my dogs. Recently I have been inundated with cruise offers, including a Carnival 10 day British isles cruise for less than $200.00 pp in August. Yes, I was quite tempted, but I am cruising on Princess to Greece and Turkey in July (booked two years ago, so no discounts, boo-hoo, but a fantastic itinerary!). All cruise lines want to fill their ships before they sail, so there are often bargains if one can hold off. I just went on a Viking river cruise last month, and we had a great time. Viking offers a very comfortable experience and takes wonderful care of all passengers on board. Sometimes you cruise on a budget, sometimes you splurge, but usually they are all special experiences. I am not loyal to one particular brand--I am loyal to cruising!

My name and number are on the list for multiple cruise lines. I understand that part of the work responsibilities for the agents is for them to call customers and try to convince them to book future cruises. I appreciate their dedication and I know they are just trying to make a living. I rarely if ever answer the phone, however. They can leave a message, and if I am interested, I will get back to them. They also send me emails which I can review at my leisure. I do NOT consider cruise calls as SPAM, because it was my decision to allow this communication by originally booking the cruises and talking to the agents. I agree that patience and kindness are great virtues, and frequently lacking in this country.

Well, people who are not beach fans probably do not understand. Going to the beach means lugging a tent, umbrella, towels and mats and setting them all up. You have to bring a cooler with drinks and lunch, or walk up to the boardwalk to buy some pizza. All fun, but involves a bit of labor. There are some beaches that forbid all alcohol. Going to a private cruise island is like going to a hotel resort---everything is taken care of and ready and waiting. Food is plentiful and paid for! Drinks are everywhere and permitted. Yes, I love to lie in the sun, and DH will snorkle, and scuba. The Caribbean has some of the warmest and clearest water in the world. We love those lazy, relaxing days. Hopefully we will never tire of that wonderful experience!

Well, I also sailed on the original love boat, Pacific Princess to Acapulco in 1982, and I can honestly admit that party times on the cruise ships then were MUCH better than they are now. (I was young and single.) Yes, a lot more crew-passenger interaction, late night dancing, crew deck parties, NO social media or cell phone cameras, so all was quite private. The cabins were definitely not like the television show! (And crew cabins were very tiny with bunk beds.)

Well, I read this entire thread just for the interest of this financial adventure. I had a similar issue with a gift card and my husband's local ski resort, and I was unceasingly persistent to get it resolved because it is the principle of the situation! So glad it all worked out for you. On another note, it is certainly fun to plan your special Europe cruise. It will be a wonderful experience for everybody. Having been to both Mont Saint-Michel and Paris, I would NOT want to choose between doing one or the other--I would have to do both. I frequently have all my excursions booked as soon as I make a cruise deposit. Have a wonderful trip!

I visited my first Mayan ruins at age eight. I can only remember that I was very hot, and I learned the name of the place, and I could hardly wait until I got out of the sun to drink a Fanta soda. Looking back I definitely needed sunglasses! My younger brother was four, and he remembers NADA. We visited Mayan ruins again about five years later and we all had a fantastic time! We were old enough to climb everything and understand some of the history. I actually studied archaeology in the university. I travel to visit ruins all over the world now almost every other year! Yes, stamina is needed as well as heat/humidity tolerance. Of course, Altun Ha is a minor Mayan site. Some of the more impressive places to visit are Chichen Itza, Uxmal, Tikal, Ek Balam, and so forth. Teotihuacan (not Mayan) is a wonderful ruin, as is the Inca site of Machu Picchu. Why bother making a young child do something that has no meaning to him/her? It will be tiring and exhausting, and I agree, roads, drivers and traffic law are a bit crazy south of the border. Just spend the day at the pool or go to a nearby beach--your child will have a much more enjoyable day! And for the person (Stick93) who knows NOTHING about the history of Latin American cultures, please do not bother to share such a silly statement because it only makes YOU look bad, not the Maya.

Check and double check any and everything before you hit that purchase button. I also went right to the airlines' websites after I purchased EZAir to ensure all was well with my reservations. If you make it fine onto the planes and ship, and the only problem is just checking in online, I do not think I would spend all that time and energy trying to resolve the error.

Yes, Jazzbeau, I do love sailing slowly and peacefully on the river, but every once in a while it is an adrenalin rush for my DH to hit the autobahn at over 100 mph and still have to be in the slow lane. I also have become an expert map/sign reader in multiple languages! But I promise, we will never give up cruising.

We have stayed and dined in S. Kronberg several times. It has been our choice hotel if we arrive in Frankfurt and we are renting a car, as it is a bit outside of the city. When we stayed there, the prices were quite competitive with modern hotels. It is a very pretty estate, but not the most beautiful castle/palace/chateau/parador we have ever stayed in. Even more than cruising, we love to do driving trips and stay in these famous and historic hotels. Each one is memorable and wonderful, full of quirks. A great guide for Europe is the Relais & Chateaux organization (now online). I have been perusing their hotels for about 40 years now! There are other similar organizations around the world that also offer stays in special places. Of course, I would never turn down a river cruise, especially with Tauck, but in the past it has been a bit cheaper and more adventurous to drive and stay. I recall when we stayed at Burg Hornberg, the baron himself carried in our suitcases!

MVJ is the main resource for all available excursions. Anything on the website or a PDF may or may not be included, for multiple reasons. Sometimes your specific itinerary or dates may be a factor (traveling during a holiday in that country, for example). I frequently check MVJ for updates. I will say that on my most recent Viking cruise last month, we had a new excursion appear only three weeks before departure, so it is never completely clear how decisions are made.

I almost always vote for the longer cruise if price is not a factor. That extra day means an extra day of relaxation and great meals, and not needing to pack/unpack so quickly. Is the weather warm enough there yet to even really use the balcony? When I am out on excursions I rarely use my balcony. The truth is, either choice is better than no choice. Have a great cruise!

The fact that they did not get the owner's suite is disappointing, but NO DAMAGE has been done to them, therefore, no compensation is needed. Hopefully they will enjoy their cruise.

Well, guarantees mean take the dice roll and see what appears. If cabin choice does not matter, then why not? Many times the cruise lines offer what they consider higher quality cabins for an increased price, but if you search enough you can find a cabin choice with a reasonable price. Sometimes I find better choices and offers on travel agent websites rather than on the Princess website.

Perhaps it is just the brand. Viking seems to have many, many posters here, as well as Princess and Cunard, all of which I also sail. RC appeals mainly to a younger, more family-focused crowd, and those passengers are probably much more media savvy and happy with diverse social media postings. BTW, I do not do FB (or other sites) either, and I will certainly die happy and not caring that I was ever on it (them), and I am quite sure I will have missed nothing. After fifty years of cruising, actually being on board a ship is the only thing that really matters, not what anyone "posts."

Once my SIL left a cruise dock in NYC, and completely forgot she had brought a certain bag, and left it sitting on the dock and drove home. Luckily her identification was on the bag, and a few days later the cruise line (NCL)/port shipped it to her. I have also heard stories of bags accidentally being placed in different sections in the port during disembarkation, so it always helps to do a walk-through before departing. Honestly, the responsibility belongs to the port staff, NOT the cruise line. Hope your bag turns up soon!