Solent Richard

Ah, it's you who causes the chaos in the serving areas when folk are trying to get served. 😃

Who on earth could these chaps be 😂......

She then continues round to Keelung (for Taipei), or so cruise mapper says. Like you @sfred , I too have done Taipei (from Keelung) and Taichung. Indeed, if my memory is correct I placed a photograph of Keelung Cruise Terminal on this thread during the pandemic... and sailing into Taichung...

Hah, I can get in a little closer, the brickwork above the entrance says the 'Bute Docks Company'... *****

I can help you there @bluemarble . Puerto Princesa The Welcome.... Puerto Princesa Bay Walk Promenade Puerto Princesa is a very good visit. As one who usually seeks out some military history there is also to be found here a particular piece of WWII infamy at Plaza Cuartel... ******

If your cruise ship provides a free shuttle bus then that will take you to Place Perret. Otherwise my ‘taxi to the bus station’ is your best and cheapest option.

I would hazard a guess that even if you took a taxi from the Cruise Terminal to the bus station it would still work out cheaper than booking a ship's excursion. Also. why not google the other 'private' bus company website and see if they pick up from the cruise terminal.

And a third @alibabacruisers for this morning, Montevideo... https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2014/01/28/one-way-to-do-montevideo/ Indeed this was such a good visit with Queen Mary 2, it was when they offered World Cruise Grills passengers special events. @Bell Boy will no doubt also recall that exceptional evening at Jacksonville ... ******* ****** If you get an opportunity to visit the Jacksonville Estate, pull out all the stops.

Here's another for you @alibabacruisers ,this time Buenos Aires... https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2013/05/30/one-way-to-do-buenos-aires-part-1/ *****

Good morning. I'll make the assumption that you are more interested in the ports of call and can offer you one or two 'Blog' reviews that hopefully will be useful for your visits. The first, Ushuaia... https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2013/12/30/one-way-to-do-ushuaia/ *****

With so many cruise ships visiting Le Havre this year I took the decision to write a review on my cruise blog on how best to get to the attractive and popular town of Honfleur. Hope you find it of use.Here's the link.... https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2023/04/10/one-way-to-do-honfleur-from-le-havre/ *****

With so many cruise ships visiting Le Havre this year I took the decision to write a review on my cruise blog on how best to get to the attractive and popular town of Honfleur. Hope you find it of use.Here's the link.... https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2023/04/10/one-way-to-do-honfleur-from-le-havre/

The Grills Terrace.... *****

Thank you. Yes, I do have an account so will just keep my eyes peeled .

I may be able to advise you here. We did a call at Volos with Hapag-Lloyd's Europa 2 and did their Meteora excursion which turned out to be amazing. I covered the excursion on my cruise blog, just scroll down to the Itinerary section.... https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2014/10/03/europa-2-raising-the-bar/ *****

Newbie to Azamara here. When exactly can one do these 'check-ins' online please? We aren't sailing till the Fall.

Hi Ellie, it's me again. We were in both La Rochelle and La Coruna on our most recent Celebrity cruise. Once again, both ports are covered in my cruise blog, just scroll down to the 'Itinerary' section to see how we did both ... https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2022/10/19/celebrity-silhouette-9-night-spain-france-cruise/ There's also a couple of my made up maps that may be of use, La Rochelle... ***** ...and La Coruna... ***** And from atop the Torre de Hercules... Hope they help.

Here at your request @Bell Boy ***** ***

We too are about to become 'first' Azamarians and for the very same reasons as you state. We consider ourselves 'traditional cruisers' and, with the exception of Cunard's Queen Mary 2 trans Atlantics, we crave new ports which Azamara just happened to provide. We too are fans of Viking and have sailed with Seabourn, Silversea and Hapag-Lloyd. I am most encouraged by @brazilgirl 's comprehensive review and am determined to sail Azamara with an open mind and no pre-conceived perceptions.

Good on you and pleased to hear your excursion was worthwhile. There were so many places I personally wanted to visit that we were forced into doing it ourselves. So glad we did but not everyone has the confidence. As a nautical chap one couldn't have missed climbing the Menara Syahbandar Tower… including a walk along the Sunda Kelpa...

Following some posts elsewhere I see Queen Elizabeth is in Jakarta, Indonesia today and will be followed there tomorrow by Queen Victoria. I'm not sure whether these are 'maiden' calls but Jakarta is certainly a fascinating and interesting port of call not usually on the cruise lines beaten track. My wife and I visited Jakarta some years ago though not with Cunard. I was so impressed with the place I wrote a review... https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2018/02/23/one-way-to-do-jakarta/ Let's hope these two visits are a success and see Cunard repeating the visits on future Asian cruises. *****

Well I never knew that about Germany. As for your 'incorporated' remark, all I can say is it certainly hasn't affected P&O's business since they went down that route.

It's about time the Grills charge was split due to the simple fact that Queens Grill receive a Butler Service plus an enhanced dining service with 'off menu' ordering. Slap another $2.00 on the Queens seems appropriate. 😈

And I believe that it’s Queen Mary 2’s maiden call at the new terminal….

Some lines even provide a convenient receptacle for one's drink glasses....