JDincalif

Regarding sights in and around Bari, Matera with its complex ancient cave dwellings is a unique experience.

Our experience with TravelGuard in quite similar situations has been the same as yours.

Aboard the Oceania Nautica in July 2012, prior to visiting Torshaven passengers were notified about these traditional hunts and cautioned that these might occur during the port visit.

During an Alaskan port stop J purchased an ulu knife, which was (unsurprisingly, in retrospect) on return to ship confiscated by security. J was provided with a signed receipt which, when presented to guest services, allowed for return of the item the night prior to disembarkation.

Corrected for accuracy. Thanks to all for some interesting options.

We've stayed in R class rooms near these and experienced no disruptive noise from the reception area.

Along with the spa and other amenities already mentioned, we like the elegant Scandinavian decor - no glitz - and spacious serene public areas that still provide plenty of cozier areas for conversation and relaxation.

We've been on six Oceania cruises, two Viking cruises, and one Regent cruise. For our personalities and interests, the Viking shipboard experience is a notch up from Oceania's. Regent appeals to us for itineraries where we want to have more comprehensive assistance and guidance.

Forgot to address your question about the timing - we think the ceremony was scheduled for a sea day not long after the crossing

Witnessed the Blue Nose ceremony on the Sky in March 2019, probably a day or two after crossing the Arctic Circle. The (what was normally the) hot tub under the dome was filled with icy water. Initiates in swim wear would then jump into the pool one by one (although a father-daughter pair plunged together, hand in hand) then scramble out as quickly as possible to be greeted by attendants standing by with robes and shots of aquavit. Fortunately for us, our own initiation in August 2016 on the Azamara Quest involved only stepping into a pan of ice water then kissing a large frozen fish, followed by a shot of aquavit.

Just for smiles - this old menu suggests that Oceania was experimenting with sorbet flavors that even Humphrey Slocombe hasn't dreamed of 😱

Agree - Thorough documentation is key to receiving appropriate insurance claim reimbursement. Even such items as boarding passes can be crucial for some types of claims.

Our understanding is that Viator itself does not organize and conduct tours. Rather, it's a platform that helps travelers to find and book with independent tour operators who pay Viator commissions on bookings made through the site. This helps explain the variation in experiences and degrees of satisfaction with Viator.

We've used Travel Guard primarily. In the instances where we submitted claims, reimbursement was reasonably prompt and complete. In one case where we'd submitted substantial expenses we actually received more reimbursement than we requested as we'd inadvertently overlooked some covered events in our claims documentation. The representative called to clarify before finalizing and gave us that happy news.

Sites like Viator and Get Your Guide can also be useful tools to help identify the variety of tour options potentially available at a given location. Online recommendations and reviews can do the same, if one trusts the sources. We've used Viator and Get Your Guide over the years without any of the issues that others have reported.

Andy's knowledge and experience with all aspects of the maritime industry, along with his clearly evident and well-communicated insights and expertise related to cruising, is unsurpassed among regulars on this board. Agree with you, sadly, that the grass may not be greener elsewhere, but remain hopeful

Secure sun/glasses with straps if goggles are not provided by RIB operator

You've been an exemplar of clear, credible, civil communication of expert insight and informed opinion on this board.* Those of us who've followed your posts for any amount of time know beyond a doubt that the issues must be serious indeed and that those same qualities are coming into play as you pursue resolution. Please keep us posted. We'll be looking for you on other corners of Cruise Critic as well. *fascinating anecdotes, too!

😂 Great advice! Hope you feel better soon...or that you feel the same soon...or at least that you don't feel worse soon!

Viking also has buffet serving staff to help prevent spread of norovirus, coronavirus and other contagious organisms. Additionally, we've generally observed - and always tried to give - reasonably common consideration for others among fellow Viking passengers. (Others' experiences may have been different, of course.) Smaller ships with relatively uncrowded public spaces may provide the original poster with a more relaxed cruise experience.

We had dinner at Le Jules Verne. It was undeniably very expensive but what a way to experience the Eiffel Tower and Paris itself: long, leisurely dinner with fine food and wines and attentive service, incredible views of Paris from full daylight through dusk, lights slowly illuminating the city and its stunning monuments, boats twinkling on the Seine, even a brief rainstorm that provided a dramatic backdrop to the sparkling display on the Tower itself (no less dramatic seen from the inside). For us, this was truly a once in a lifetime experience and remains a cherished memory.

Wonder if he was the same Sky officer who addressed us from the atrium after the ship was out of immediate peril...His message from the captain was either "Shouldn't have happened" or "S**t happens" (we're still not sure). Seasickness was among the many real issues during that storm. Physicians and other clinic staff came through the atrium multiple times cheerfully offering pills and injections from well-stocked trays that, weirdly, reminded us of depictions of "cigarette girls" in old movies. Thanks to everyone for this compendium of remedies.

Darn the luck! Hope to share another voyage with you some time!

Thanks for calling attention to this new itinerary. We've booked it for February 2025.

Our TA got us a good deal at the plush Park Hyatt Auckland, right on the harbor, less than a mile from the wharves. It's a great location for strolling and sightseeing We were there in January during record breaking rains - 12" in 24 hours - and actually appreciated being 'forced' to remain in and savor our elegant and well-appointed shelter.