newlondon

Forgap, You are right it is more of a banquet than a romantic dinner. Still a lot of fun if you know what you have signed up for. I would never expect to have a romantic date on a shore excursion, jmo.

I have done the Chateaux tour with dinner in St. Emilion. Well worth it although it was 1yr pre-covid.

Can't imagine a tried and true formula has changed much.

Agree on Pinot Blanc. You don't see it often, but delicious. 

So PaulaJK what has been your solution? We are doing Montreal to Boston on Grandeur next year. Both of us over 80 and I need a rollator to prevent falls. I can do distance but not sure about DW.

I spoke to Regent when reserving, the answer obviously was "no problem". Right

We are doing Montreal to Boston next year. I queried my TA about private tours, almost none except Quebec and Montreal. I actually have enjoyed many of the Regent tours, especially the one on Komodo. I have also taken private tours that were terrible, the one that comes to mind is the Scavi under St. Peter's. Guide didn't really speak english- she was Polish. 

I second visit the Intrepid. I served 3+ years on USS Essex the first of the Essex class.

The Intrepid is one of only two still floating. 

You nailed it pingpong1

If you are an old time movie buff you can get luncheon reservations at Rick's Cafe in Casablanca. Obviously not a Regent shore excursion but we were denied by our cruise being canceled by Covid. Give my eye teeth for another try but not to be.

Linda VH. So right.

Second the praise for Eze. Wonderful old town and a center for the perfume industry.

You are in for a treat at the Londra Palace. Try to get one of their lagoon facing rooms. Some even have a balcony!

Absolutely on board. I don't remember about the lounge in Istanbul

I second forgap. Turkish Air was excellent. Have flown them 4 times. Istanbul lounge can be very full.

Loved your pictures of Bergen. When we were there the water was coming down sideways.

Karen, I sympathize since DW and I canceled a trip to Casablanca with a lunch at Rick's Cafe and we also only got a FCC. I knew, however that we were saying good bye to the cash and tbh I feel your mother should have known that. If you travel, being aware of what might happen is crucial; as it frequently does.

Far more important to us is what will cruising be like when it restarts. We are around 80 and if there is no vaccine we may not be able to use the FCC as a highly restricted environment, although safe, may not be much fun.   

tocruiseguy, Remember that legitimate news organizations like to sell content. Soothing reassurances don't accomplish that objective.

workstocruise, We are on the same cruise and are going. As I wrote on another thread today's NYT has an article in travel section which convinced us!

susiesan, I understand exactly where you're coming from. We,however, are booked in an Oceania suite on the 5/1 cruise on Marina. I would be upset if O decided to upgrade everyone without making at least a comparable monetary offer to me. My take away is what is fair? The company has a very difficult balancing problem.

BTW we have talked long and emotionally and are going. The article in today's NYT travel section sealed the deal unless things change dramatically. 

Hawaiidan, Having served on USS Essex I will attest to the fact that you got a permanent cure for mal du mere. I watched as DDs in rescue destroyer duty were thrown about mercilessly. We were 33,000 tons and I never had a problem but in one storm 2/3 of the crew was hors de combat. 

Regarding the towels in the public washrooms: I prefer paper disposables AND they are safer.

We have cruised SS, R, O but not V or A. Without question SS matches R and is a step up from O. Our problem is we are not fans of formal nights so we woud prefer R or O. 

All comments about food as previously mentioned are subjective, but we would challenge anyone to find SIGNIFICANT differences between all the "luxury" lines.

TBH we are happy to cruise any top end line depending on itinerary.

Well said Mura

Hawaiidan +1

I would also add that Mura has it right. You need more time than a shore excursion can provide. In addition a private guide will take you to the top of Pointe d'Hoc, I still can't believe the rangers made it. You also need to see the remaining impressions from the carpet bombing. Private tours also will have time for St. Mere Eglise not to be missed. 

I've been 3 times and am now too old to go again. Twice were riverboat excursions OK but the highlight was a 3 day private tour with a knowledgable guide.

Don't be too proud at Colleville sur Mer 

That sounds like it😐

It will be very difficult for Marina to be refurbed in May of 2020 as the whole month is scheduled. We are on the 5/1 cruise which has been sold out for over a year.