Brissle

I stand corrected. You make some very good points. We, too, have been on many cruises with different cruise lines. We like to think we are independent in our planning, which is one reason why I have found Roll Calls a useful source of information, e.g. about independent tours rather than ship tours. On several occasions we have linked up with other passengers to rent a minibus to visit an attraction at our own pace. I have used recommendations from other folk (on Cruise Critic and Trip Advisor) to find private guides, car hire companies etc. or to discover better ways of visiting places. And I like to hope that, in return, we have been able to help others - maybe new cruisers - with their questions. However - and possibly most importantly - I take your point about personal security. When signing up for websites I always try to give a false location, phone number etc. But personal/home security is more and more important. And hackers are more and more skilful. Which is why we have recently invested in a remotely monitored comprehensive video recording home security and alarm system. I had no intention of making deprecating remarks about the Saga generation - we are well into that category ourselves!

Well, that makes 4 of us on this cruise. The Roll Call appears to have been discontinued. We find Roll Calls for Princess and Oceania are very active, but maybe Saga people don't use the internet....

Hi everyone, The Roll Call for 7th June SOD cruise isn't very active, so I thought I'd ask a question here. We visit Leixoes (for Porto) on 19th June. I read elsewhere that a shuttle bus is likely to be provided into Porto. We are thinking of finding a TukTuk tour (booked privately). We had a great experience with one in Lisbon last year. Has anyone here tried this? Can they recommend a company?

Thank you for this information. A great help. We have virtually decided to book Junior Suite 7304 on MV Pollux in late April 2025. Port side would interest us - we like watching what's going on in port (maybe not in the middle of the night.....). Our TA has just told us that the Gold package is being changed from April 1st. No details yet but we'll gamble on similar benefits. It will include access to the Hildring and tea/coffee maker in the cabin. Thanks for your help.

Thank you all for such brilliant info about cruising with Havila. My wife and I are just talking to our travel agent about a round trip cruise in April or May 2025 (to celebrate our 60th anniversary) and all these reports and comments have been most useful. Can anyone please tell us what are the "perks" that come with a booking for a Junior suite. We're thinking of splashing out..... I can't find anything on the Havila website but have seen comments in other postings. I think we get the non-alcoholic package included? And access to the speciality restaurant? We would be grateful for any advice.

Wonderful photos and wonderful memories. You illustrate why cruising is such an attractive type of holiday. And you demonstrate how varied are the experiences that people seek when on holiday. For us, a cruise is a break from a busy life. We seek cruises with fewest ports - in fact I would describe a port as an annoying interruption to a good cruise. In 25 years we have visited many, many ports all around the world and now we enjoy the sea days best. Lectures, concerts, shows, reading, relaxing, swimming, the gym - oh I nearly forgot the outstanding food - all things we don't seem to find time for at home. Everyone should make the most of the wonderful experience we are offered - in their own way. That's why the library is a factor in our lives.

This is open to a huge range of suggestions because tastes vary so much. But here is a list of fiction authors whose books are often in big demand: Susan Lewis; Erica James; Jo Jo Hayes; Lucy Diamond; Barbara Erskine; Sophie Hannah; Amanda Prowse; Jane Fallon; Lucinda Riley. There are plenty more. None of these are represented in the current very small stock on Spirit of Discovery.

On board Spirit of Discovery now. I cannot agree that the library is FULLY stocked - at least half the available shelves are empty and there are cardboard imitation books on other shelves. There is a distinct lack of fiction - but the value of that comment does of course depend on your taste in books. My wife is an avid reader of historical novels and she says there's virtually nothing of interest to her. Luckily we brought a dozen or so books with us, which will be donated to the shelf of passenger books. At least our luggage will be lighter going home ....apart from the litre of pink gin just bought in Gibraltar.!

I phoned Saga direct yesterday as we are joining Spirit of Discovery on Sunday. The lady assured me, without hesitation, that the library is now fully stocked as before and that the books are not just ones left behind by previous customers. Who do we believe?

Anyone of Discovery at the moment ? What news about books in the library? My wife is an avid reader - a book a day at least, so it would be good to know how many she needs to bring! And yes she has a Kindle but says that there's nothing like a "proper" book..... We are joining on April 9th - see you there!

That's good info - many thanks

It's easy for me, but my wife is trying to decide on packing for the Spirit of Discovery Venice and Adriatic on 9th April. Approximately how many formal nights should we plan for? The Saga website isn't very clear. Thanks

OK, thanks for that info. It looks like our plans will have to be flexible......

Hello everyone, We will be on Spirit of Discovery calling in to Venice on 21st April. We want to arrange to meet some friends in Venice and I'm trying to discover exactly where the ship will dock. Google maps doesn't show a cruise terminal in Marghera. I tried calling Saga but all they can suggest is that I enquire when we get on board. The lady thought there would be a shuttle but didn't know where it took us. I'd prefer to know sooner if possible so we can plan how we get from the ship into Venice. Any advice gratefully received. Thanks

Thanks again

Thank you for that entertaining (and informative) reply. I've just started planning for the cruise and on the basis of adverse comments about the "included" tours we are looking to be independent in most places. Our experience of paid tours provided by the ship on other cruise lines has left us a little bruised (financially anyway). The lady I spoke to at Saga the other day said that information on excursions to be booked would not be available until 4 - 6 weeks before sailing anyway. thanks for your help.

Hello everyone, My wife and I will be on Spirit of Discovery April 9th cruise Treasures of the Adriatic. This will be our first experience of Saga. Can anyone please tell me if Saga provide shuttle buses in ports, to the nearest town centre? Thanks

OK thanks everyone for your input and suggestions. The Cruise Critic option is the closest to what I'm seeking, but still does not provide the full list of filters that I would like. As Idubs suggested this is an opportunity for someone to develop a full searchable database of all cruises anywhere at any time. I wait with bated breath. Thanks again....

I hadn't tried that. Actually it's getting nearer to what I want - and there are filters t narrow down the cruise lines. Thanks for that suggestion. More research tomorrow....

Thanks everyone. I'm guessing that you guys in the USA have far more helpful agents sites than I can access here in the UK. A Google search as suggested came up with a few regular agents, who I am aware of, but they all want to know where I want to go, when and on what cruise line. before I can search. The website suggested by Essiesmom is the closest to what I want (many thanks) but it still isn't a "proper" database where I can do a refined search by specifying (say) six cruise lines and three or four geographic areas and a range of up to four or five months to search. I'll keep trying - the data exists, it's just a matter of finding someone who has organised it in a searchable format.

I'm starting the plan ahead for a cruise in autumn 2023 or maybe the winter 2023-24. We have no particular area we wish to visit (have done many over the years) although we would exclude southern hemisphere. We have no fixed length (anything between 15 and 30 days). We don't mind whether we cruise from the UK or a foreign port, although the former has attractions. We have a long-ish "shortlist" of preferred cruise lines and ships. Is there a data base of ALL cruises by ALL cruise lines in calendar format where we could look and filter down to get ideas? It takes far too long to search each individual cruise line and most don't do a simple calendar list of where all their ships are going. We just want an easy way to get ideas - and maybe find something new and different. I'd be very interested in any ideas or links. Thanks