Mrs Miggins

Seems to me that the UK deal is no better than those being offered recently plus its a very reduced list.

The email was dated Nov. 2nd. and was headed "Escape the British Winter". it offered special prices not available on the website. Prices from £1599 per person for 24th Jan Ancient mediterranean Treasures. First e mail dated 25th October was "Last Minute Winter Escapes to the Mediterranean" and that offered Journey to Antiquities from £1799 and Greek Odyssey 11 days from £2999. A Silver Spirits Beverage Package also included. Might still be worth a phone call if you are interested.

They were emails from Viking. Also mentioned on the UK section of Viking on FB

Cyprus is very much a holiday island for those of us in the UK. Most visit the south of the island but tourism to Northern Cyprus is also expanding. Apparently nearly half a million tourists arrived in June 2023 for example. Most from the UK, but growing numbers from Scandinavia, Germany etc. Used to be lots of Russians also - not now of course. There are political divisions in many countries but in Cyprus the apparent status quo for 50 years means that tourism has continued to expand. It is a lovely island. English spoken everywhere. Many of my friends visit annually. They have no hesitation in visiting. Sometimes it is difficult for me to understand some of the reservations those from North America have about destinations in Europe. Of course the reverse is also true. I can recall a time that it was said that you could get shot for jaywalking in some parts of the US etc etc. There have been many cancellations because of the re routing of cruises away from Israel. I have seen offers of prices from Viking which are more like those we used to enjoy when Viking started operations. Lots from the UK have jumped aboard and will enjoy the lovely Greek Islands at a very good price.

Yes, we have done this Scenic cruise before, and this time we are going with friends. Just love Bordeaux especially since our first visit some 20 years ago when my son was at University there. The French really look after their students - wine appreciation, a little light bull fighting (calves - not hurt) and a coach pick up at 3 in the morning from the city centre to their student accommodation. I was so disappointed that we didn't have longer in Bordeaux at the end of our Azamara cruise. I had neglected to notice our arrival time was 7.30 pm somehow I had read it as 7.30 am.

Last June we ended our Azamara cruise in lovely Bordeaux. Our BA flight was at 12.45 and we were on the last coach departure to the airport at 9 am. The transfer was booked onboard using OBC. There had been several other coaches leaving much earlier. The debark was seamless - just picked up cases and onto the coach. We had arrived in Bordeaux the previous evening. Next July we are again in Bordeaux on a Scenic River cruise and are booked on an 09.30 flight from BOD. Obviously Scenic are not expecting problems and they run cruises from Bordeaux regularly. The airport is a short distance away - and of course you could book a taxi. However Bordeaux is lovely so an extra day there would be great.

Interesting continuing Azamara v Viking thread on the Azamara board.

Very often we would have a drink at the bar by the MDR even though we could walk right in. If there was a short delay then it is really no hardship to have one of the included drinks whilst waiting.

Jane no longer presents the TV cruise shows. She has moved on to land based travel. Latest called "Lost in Japan" Cruise shows now presented by Susan Calman a Scottish Comedian.

Sorry I am from the UK - Laura who ? In many places in Europe, including the UK, it has been fashionable over the past couple of years to wear white 'sneakers' (not a term we usually use in the UK we call them 'trainers') with dresses of all lengths. Now we are going into Autumn the white shoes are often replaced with boots - short, medium or knee high - sometimes with high heels but often flat and chunky. Skinny trousers (sometimes called jeggings) would be fine, provided they are not worn with an athletic type vest. For the age range onboard a longish top, to cover our midriffs and possibly our tummies and rear ends would be preferable. I am happy with whatever people care to wear, but the "I just climbed up to the Parthenon and haven't bothered to shower or change my clothes" is not nice. It really does not take much time to wash. Personally I like to dress up a little and not wear what I would for an afternoon gardening. I like to think of dinner onboard as an occasion.

No details except it says from £1799. Lots of those on the other UK Viking site have jumped to book at these rates but only available on the phone apparently. They also say free upgrade and drinks package.

In the UK Viking have sent out emails offering excellent deals on sailings on the 12th(Athens -Athens) and 20th December (Athens - Rome)and 17th January. (Athens to Istanbul) i would have no hesitation in taking any of the offered itineraries (not available on website - phone for details).

In the UK the word ‘hobbyhorse’ might be used to describe the contribution of some.

I apologise someone else did indeed use Duh. I must brush up on my slang words and learn to use them correctly in the written word, especially on Cruise Critic. However I might have mentioned that irony is a dying art.

In fact I did look Naw up before posting and of course I use slang myself. I love your examples ! It seemed strange to use Naw and indeed previously Duh whilst claiming know how to use the dying art of using language correctly. Sometimes I read the Viking board for amusement. Obviously Irony is also a 'dying art'.

I agree. “Naw” is not a word I recognise however. Could it be slang of some kind ?

Seems a strange reply from someone on a Cruise Forum. I wouldn't presume to comment on ships I have not sailed on but perhaps you have an extensive portfolio of previous cruises on many different lines. However from your previous posts I think you may have different criteria from most on this thread who are generally lovers of cruising. I guess my real favourite is Star Clippers on their glorious sailing ships and I also like Azamara. I have certainly visited some splendid locations that I could not have seen on land trips, certainly not "conveniently" as you put it. For those in the UK, in the older generation, i have tried Saga once and it was really excellent, especially for those less mobile. Pick up from home, really helpful and caring crew. In fact at night it was certainly much more lively than Viking where many seem to go to bed at 9.30 ! We tried it because the ships seem to be the same design as Viking. In 2019 we thought we were too young, now I am not so sure as time marches on.

We love Azamara. You would need to be in at least a Club Continental Suite if you are used to Viking. Lovely crew, good food, well travelled fellow passengers. They are also much better at finding alternative ports when necessary. ie reversing the Santorini and Mykonos stops if there are too many ships in Santorini. They seem to be able to find alternative ports on the 'hoof' much better than Viking.

Just a word about Tarragona. We embarked there in Sept 2022 instead of Barcelona. We really enjoyed our visit there, especially since we have been lucky enough to visit, and stay, in Barcelona many times. It made a very welcome change and the included tour was excellent. There was also a shuttle. We did the included then stayed on and took the shuttle back to the ship.

Have you checked out the Archeological Site at Pella on Google Street View ? Have followed your postings on other sites and I know how interested you are in ancient history and I applaud your wish to visit this site. However many would take the Azamazing evening over Pella. However I have found many of your previous posts really interesting and I love the fact that you are a knowledgeable enthusiast. Some onboard have absolutely no idea where they are going - of course that is their choice.

We had free access to the spa on Journey in June. It's really not much of a perk and I certainly wouldn't pay for it. Very little shade. About 8 loungers - a phone to get drinks which didnt work although once a crew member did walk through and offer us drinks. Good views but little else.

Not exactly moderately priced sadly.

Thanks very much. This way I can see my points and correct loyalty level.

Have just logged in to my account. However I cannot see where my loyalty level is posted. There does not seem to be any options to view. It said "hello Pamela" next option "View upcoming cruise" ( don't have any) and then "log out". Have previously been able to view my loyalty level so help appreciated.

So glad you are going to be on Azamara again. I often think of our lovely Saga cruise. Haven’t returned to them but would certainly fit into the age profile !