Markanddonna

I much prefer the time changes on the eastbound route. You arrive in Europe with sufficient energy. A few captains change the time at noon rather than overnight. They do that for the benefit of the crew.

I have been in about seven TAs and the ocean, fall or spring, was always like glass. I have experienced seasickness on three cruises but had no problems with the worst storm we have ever experienced...a medicane, which are hurricane winds in the Mediterranean. The schools were closed in ports . It was wild! The outside decks, dining and buffets and the elevators were closed. We did just fine. You just never know. I was seasick yesterday with storms near the Bahamas. Side to side, aft to bow and then a stir in the middle. Was better as soon as the storm waves ceased. Btw, don't ever say you never get seasick. I didn't until after my 15th. It just depends. Also, the ships give out seasickness pills like candy. They like clean carpets.

Please correct me if I am wrong, but people at the corporate office make most of the entertainment decisions. They contract the entertainers and orchestrate their movement between ships. The CD is given the entertainers (and likely has little input) and then fits them into the appropriate venues onboard the ship. This is more noticeable on longer cruises like TAs, where an entertainer or group that is well-received is asked to perform at a matinee or special evening performance. A good CD enhances a cruise. Unfortunately, I have mostly seen blah, mediocre ones.

The first is the Hippodrome in Istanbul. The second is in Caesarea Maritima. My point is that if you are on a cruise, there may be more outstanding things to see, considering the limited time.

I was in both Kusadasi and Istanbul last Nov-Dec. Personally, I consider going to Kusadasi as relatively safe and easy to navigate. Istanbul, on the other hand, was quite the disaster. We had never been there, so we arranged for a private guide with a small group from the ship in a van. The Blue Mosque was being renovated, and we were told it wasn't worth the wait. Others who visited that day agreed- it wasn't worth it. Hagia Sophia had very long lines, and people paid to cut in or just did. I have to say that visiting it was worth the wait and irritation. The Grand Bazaar may be worth it if you really want to buy something, but it really is a confusing maze of shops. Glad I went so that I could say I was there. The Topaki Palace was also worth it but very controlled. The Hippodrome was really just a park with a few pillars. If you've ever been to the one in Caesarea Maritima in Israel, you would be disappointed. The biggest problem was the traffic back to the port. It was an absolute gridlock. The crew later told us it is like that all the time (confirmed by locals), and they all use the tram to visit. After sitting in the van with no movement anywhere, our group decided to leave the van and just walk to the ship. It was a struggle for some who were not used to the required fast pace that was necessary. Ultimately, we had plenty of time, but of course weren't confident that the ship would indeed leave late. The buses from the ship excursions sat in that traffic for hours, and of course, the ship ended up leaving quite late. Istanbul really is quite lovely but not without danger. One of our ladies was assaulted by some young men who thought she would be easy prey. She fought them off, and they scattered- they just wanted her purse, which they didn't get. This happened when the guide allowed people to walk to Hagia Sophia on their own after lunch. So, I'm not a big fan of Istanbul. If you ever get to go there, do your homework and know what you are getting into. Take the tram! It goes right to the main sites, which are close to one another. There are some tours where the guide meets you at the ship, and you go with them on the tram. Kusadasi, on the other hand, is fabulous only because you can go to Ephesus.

That's about what I paid for my medical center visit for my UTI. A little more detail...I had my first UTI onboard a ship and went to the medical center, was given an antibiotic and another med. About $160. Things were going fine until I reached a small village in Poland where I was staying with my husband's cousin, who is "the rich man in town." I told him I needed to go to the doctor, and he said, "That clinic is run by a horrible old Russian doctor who often doesn't show up... I'll see what I can do." An hour later, we met a nurse on a bicycle who gave me a strip of antibiotics. Never had another UTI since that time. Sometimes, when you travel, things get a bit desperate.

I had my first UTI ever onboard a ship. The doctor was very good and prescribed an antibiotic. It worked for about 10 days when the UTI surfaced again, but I was safely in Europe. Different ships work their medical center differently. Sometimes, you can just show up. I agree with those who arrive early. Our travel insurance paid for everything. All the recommendations for what to drink or eat are really for prevention, not when you have a full-blown infection. Get the antibiotics.

One of the worst cabins we ever had was on the NCL Jewel in a penthouse suite. The anchor was obviously close by, and it sounded like a train going by our window in the early morning. The fog horn was also right above these cabins in the bow. The cabin itself was lovely, and the balcony was so large that I could have held a dance party on it when docked. The wind was fierce when moving.

If you want to see Israel, go on a land trip. Israel already stated that this is going to be a long war- months. So many sites aren't opened as a result. For all who want to visit Israel, realize there are windows of opportunity. Israel is always on edge but there are safer times than now. Go when the window opens again.

I would also not consider anything less than seven days. Some people want to wet their toes with a short cruise, which is often very different from "typical" cruises. You might be joining a booze cruise of loud, obnoxious locals who stay in their friend and large family group.

While I also believe that my time will come when my time will come...I also get to decide what places are important enough for me to risk it. Jamaica isn't one.

We were assigned at a table for ten on a Celebrity TA last April/May. Only six of us showed up the first night. Two of the single ladies bolted after that. The other couple and us are rather outgoing, and we invited others to join us. Within two days we had a full table of ten, and everyone showed up almost every night. The chemistry was great and everyone shared their plans and experiences. The maitre'd and our waiters were very accommodating. Those who joined us were often the only ones at their former tables.

We had an apartment in west Jerusalem last November. You have to experience Shabbat to see why that is a good idea. Even the McDonalds had some restricted hours. Keep in mind that store owners often close down a few hours before Shabbat begins, not at sundown. We were the last people served at 1:30 PM at a restaurant on Shabbat. The owners need to clean up and maybe stop at a store for their own preparations before everything closes down.

We leave our passports in a safe only on ships (unless it is mandatory to carry them, which is rare. I don't trust hotel safes since I've heard some horror stories.

I would cancel. If peace breaks out by then, you can rebook. I would hesitate through the first half of 2024. I was there independently last December (even to the fence borders of Lebanon and Syria- what was I thinking!!!???) . Even in more peaceful times, Israel has tensions that aren't seen elsewhere.

Ever since I began cruising on MSC, the website has been awful. You often hear "Wait until the weekend is over. On Monday, the problem should be fixed." I suspect that is written on a plaque above each MSC agent's desk.

For your Italian heritage, the choice of Rome is sort of a no- brainer even though Barcelona is closer to the port. It really isn't hard to get to from the port, and I agree with others to look on the Italy board for suggested companies to hire with a larger group. There are so many popular areas around Rome. I would do my homework, choose a hotel, and pounce on the reservation when you get your dates.

I have been on about 8 MSC cruises. I was on the Divina around 2018 and thought it was a great ship. After a horrible B2B on the DIvina in 2023, I believe it is fully deserving of at LEAST a full point drop. The crew was so unhappy, the ship was WAY oversold to primarily central and south American passengers, and there were fights onboard. Probably the rudest, most angry passengers I have ever witnessed. The food was blah. I couldn't give it zero stars, so it had to be given a one star. I believe it would have been a five star back in 2018. Since the vast majority of passengers are not in the Yacht Club, a prospective passenger has to keep that in mind. I have heard that even the YC has gone downhill. To be honest, I think our cruise was the absolute worst sailing the Divina has ever experienced. People were traumatized.

I did a nerdy analysis of the MSC Divina and their ratings in the last year have dropped a full point.

I was on two different cruises, one last November that ended in Haifa. Why don't you take a day trip to Masada and the Dead Sea at the port of Ashdod? We took the train to Jerusalem from Haifa- not recommended as you have great difficulty with luggage. It is more of a commuter train. Find shared vehicles instead. We stayed at Shamai Suites in Jerusalem, which was a good, walkable location with lots around. We took a taxi to the top of the Mount of Olives, walked down into the Kidron Valley, and then to the old city of Jerusalem for a short walk. Hopefully, the war will be a distant memory when you travel. BTW, don't think too harshly of the ship's decision not to let you off early. Israel, as you can see from the news, has many security concerns. We were stopped on route to the Tel Aviv airport near the Palestinian areas and the Israeli police were very assertive. After examining our passports, we got through. We were also in the Golan Heights at a kibbutz and traveled close to the borders. I shudder now thinking of the difference a year makes! There were times when our driver would not stop because of potential snippers from Lebanon and Syria. If anyone is thinking of taking a cruise or visiting Israel in October 2023, I would say you will be forced to cancel. You also don't want to be a burden to Israel. Wouldn't Hamas or Hezbollah love an American held hostage! Pray for the peace in Jerusalem and all of Israel.

In the end, it worked out great. I had three flights and was given all the boarding passes at the first gate. I was one of the few fortunate ones to have all three middle seats free so I could stretch out on the red-eye flight. I had a free seat into me on another flight. If I was traveling with someone else, I would have ponied up for the fare when I could select my seats. I consider this just another travel experience and I would do it again to save a few hundred, but only if flying alone.

The Alliance seems to be quirky. I have to get my seat at the airport for the leg to BOS but Air France issued my seat and boarding passes for the other two legs. The Delta app isn't showing my boarding passes at all. Ugh. So, printing out passes is the way to go for these flights.

That's what it sounds like. Hopefully, since there are seats available, I should be okay. Lesson learned...after about 100 flights under my belt.

I am traveling solo so booked Delta Economy to Europe which stipulates I can't get my seat assignment until check in. I have three legs to this trip and have to get the seat assignment at the gate and also don't seem to be able to check in for the 2nd and 3rd leg. Advice?

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