crusinbanjo

That’s great advice Terry, knowing the size and colors that will work with your decor is very important if you intend to buy a rug. Mrs Banjo and I bought 2 rugs in Istanbul in 1996 that are still as beautiful today as they were then. The quality is really exceptional. Also, coincidentally, they keep your name and contact info. We were contacted a number of times over the year, just in case we wanted to buy another carpet. In any case, we have not purchased any more carpets on any of our return trips, but I love to look at them. Here we are in 2019, at Ephesus, caught Mrs Banjo a little confused I think. We also went to the house of Mary and then the carpet store, but the evening concert was not offered on this trip, otherwise we would have done it again……. And yes it was hot!

Exactly correct. I am double vaccinated, but choose not to be boosted because of a heart issue that manifested itself after the second shot. I’m not going to take a chance on another shot that MIGHT make my situation worse.

Wow, that took a long time. Mrs Banjo and I had planned to sail on her in 2021

Very true, and until the protocols are no longer needed and removed, I suspect people will continue to vote with their feet. For many people, the trust has been broken and it will take a long time to change that perception.

Not for me, I would say, “have a nice cruise” then go make an insurance claim.

likely you are correct. We saw much the same in the late 1080’s and early 1990’s as M & A activity went bust.

Yes, very hot. On every occasion that we have visited, it has been VERY HOT!

Here are two pictures I dug out of a very young Mr and Mrs Banjo at Ephesus from 1996. This cruise we sailed on the Silver Wind . Istanbul to Venice 14 days. Great memories!

Mrs Banjo and I did this on our first visit to Ephesus in the mid 1990's while on board our first SS cruise. I don't remember the long ride back to and from the ship, but I do remember being totally exhausted after the full day tour and carpet shopping, thinking that we might just stay aboard and skip the concert. Thankfully one of the officers told us not to miss the event, so we cleaned up and went on what was called at the time a "Silver Experience", (I think that's what they called it), and was a complimentary excursion that SS has long ago done away with. It was fabulous and I am glad we did not miss it and is one of those hi-lites of a cruise that you never forget!.

So, yes the price is for both and that is without the air. But it is all academic, because when I tried to book the P to P, it came up as no space available, but if you booked D to D, even with no air, all categories were available . Oddly enough, when I checked again this morning, Deluxe and Superior Verandas were available. I guess somebody is reading this board

Mrs Banjo and I are considering a restart to cruising this fall with a Canada, New England cruise. We like these because we can get to both embark and debark points without air travel. So, I went on the SS website to attempt booking. When I selected the port to port option, no suites were available, (in any class), if I selected door to door, (at $4000 more), all suite classes were available. Arghhhh. Guess we will go look at Seabourn and others for our first return to cruising cruise. Very disappointing!

I can feel your frustration. Mrs Banjo and I are of the same mind. The only difference being we have not cruised since Jan of 2020 when this all started. We are ready to go, just as soon as our anxiety can be managed with some consistency in expectations of rules and restrictions. Until then, sadly, no cruising for us.

Same here. Mrs Banjo and I have used SS hotels and air on occasions. But generally prefer to book our own. We are hoping these things get sorted out before we return to cruising. (Hopefully in 2023).

Yes still much confusion. With the announcement that the USA will no longer require Covid testing to enter via air, hopefully Canada will drop its entry requirements as well. Hopefully we can get back to some consistent requirements instead of the ever changing headaches.

https://financenews.upexampaper.com/cruise-stocks-may-face-trouble-as-demand-seems-to-be-eroding-bofa-more-finance-news/ I found this posted on another board. Pretty interesting

Ouch that had to hurt!

Interesting, yes comfortable and enjoyable…….. not so much. I so much hope I am wrong!

Wow, Terry great story and information as always. I’m thinking, as a licensed pilot, maybe I should apply for a job? With all the inflation and such I could use the extra cash, Oh wait, I’m past the mandatory retirement age. Oh well. your story of your wife’s brother’s experience is exactly why we are again abstaining from cruising and international travel. The flight difficulties just add another uncontrollable block to stumble over. (Stumblefoot, please don’t take offense at all the stumble references. haha)

Thanks Terry an congratulations on 50 years! Mrs Banjo and I will be 42 years this May. You Always have the most interesting info. For us with the cv-19 variations still going around, sadly we will refrain from cruising again this year. Hopefully, someday this will end and we can get back to cruising, but right now, just too many stumbling blocks are still in place.

And that is why Mrs Banjo and I do not do online banking or transfer of funds. I still love paper checks, or I let my investment house do an old style wire transfer of funds. Just me being old fashioned and cautious.

I would go to my credit card company and file a dispute. No company likes it when they have to justify their failure to deliver. Credit card companies get results if your claim is accurate.

totally agree. Mrs Banjo and I frequently book the Canada New England cruises and do not need D2D as we can get a car service to the cruise terminal and rent a one way car to return home. No flights, etc. Now when we book something else, it may be different, but we will evaluate the cost/benefits when considering additional bookings on SS and compare to other lines as well.