bissel

The nicest love letter I've ever read.

I have seen it happen several times and I only take one stick figure or bus tours. I agree that 2 stick plus could really be too difficult for people who would need the front row seat but again there may be exceptions.

Thanks also to Got2Cruise for those good added suggestions. If one needs to be in front seats, she or he will need it for the whole excursion. And everyone changing seats at random times leads to disruption for many.

Irishwitchy and others, I implore you not to do this. You cannot always know who needs this seat. When one returns to the bus and finds her seat usurped it is terribly distressing.

Thank you for considering this.

Great idea on reserving seats with names or suite number! The competition for these seats can be quite stressful for those of us who really need them.

All added comments very helpful. Thank you.

Thank you for your observations. I think many able bodied people would not be as sensitive to these situations that you are. It is helpful to those of us who have some mobility problems.

I have found your postings always very perceptive on many issues. Thanks again.

Flossie,

Could you give some examples of the unfriendly to disability features on the Explorer? Appreciate it, thanks!

The loss of a longtime animal companion brings a pain of tremendous force. I am sorry for your loss of Ashley and know sweet memories will often come unbidden and bring you comfort, smiles and joy.

Your stunning photograph of Ashley nestling in that beautiful flowing hair, with similar coloring entwining both figures, and those huge and deeply expressive eyes takes my breath away. It is just beautiful.

No, you're quite right, quite right.

Sophia, I hadn't realized what this particular itinerary meant to you. I hope you enjoy everything you see and experience!

Carolyn

We just watched The Trip movie with Steve Coogan, filmed in Yorkshire. I want to go! Time to get away from all this!

C.

Wow! Terrific itinerary. I'm sure she will enjoy herself even though she will be working hard!

Looking forward to the virtual lunch.

Carolyn

Welcome to your number one daughter to the West Coast,Southern California, where it is extremely hot and humid right now ( and will continue to be for the next couple of months).

I hope she enjoys her sojourn here very much.

I'm cheered! I'm so cheered! AND it portends good luck for the rest of the day when you see a white horse in the field. Everyone knows that's true.

Carolyn

Suite Travels, You are so fortunate to be able to travel like this! Those are good words "no matter how you go, you will have an amazing experience."

Thank you all for your responses. Very kind of you to share your experiences.

Carolyn

"you guys" made me shudder too. I fervently hope that that was paraphrased.

Sophia, Your itinerary looks very nice. When you're in New York, do you plan to go to the Frick Museum? There is an El Greco exhibition then which looks good.

I always love the Frick!

Anyway, it looks like a great trip!

Carolyn

For us too. We watch a few things, my husband watches some sports and I watch things like Boardwalk Empire, Last Tango in Halifax, PBS News Hour. Otherwise we have on Sonos for music that fills the house.

Where are you going in october, Sophia?

Another morning, Coolers!

I sent an earlier message but I must have pressed the wrong key. I had asked about these obscure ( to me) English soaps and their characters and also inquired, along with Spin, what is in the bowl please?

Carolyn

Thanks but the reviews are bad and also a couple of years old. There are some better ones listed on Amazon than this. I can't remember off-hand but one's in my cart.

I've used Luggage Free now about six times for cruises and have recommended them to relatives who have used them for bicycles to be shipped from Italy back to the U.S. We all have been very happy.

The last time was a bit fraught as we needed to ship 2 bags to Athens. If we declared value over $1000 the tariff the Greek government charged was horrendous. Something like 20% of the value or something.

The other unpleasant surprise was finding when we received the charge, not only was weight used but also the dimensions of the suitcases. I had not thought about that when we bought these large but lightweight suitcases nor is there any mention on the website or phone discussions that size is also a factor in final billing. If you call beforehand and give them an approximate weight and suitcase dimensions, they will give you a close estimate.

Using Luggage Free is an expense I gladly pay, along with insurance, as a necessity for our cruise. Using them on our return is not usually so important and it depends on the gateway city home.

That's our experience.

Thanks for the stool suggestion, Spindrift.

I will definitely check this out. (The ones I see on Amazon run around 9 pounds.) Could be very useful for those busses that do not "bow", although those seem to be more common now.

Jhp, thanks for your observations about the step stools. Maybe I won't carry one along with me. I have given serious thought to that.

Sometimes in certain itineraries i.e., safaris, the Antarctic, the Arctic, scuba diving, etc, the stars of time, good health and money have to align just right. If you're a bit short in any area you have to be creative! It is a shame to miss out on anything but sometimes...........

I will be content to do the Regent Game Reserves excursions from the ship. But here too 4x4s are used and I don't want to get in anyone's way.

Sorry for my diversion on this topic. Please carry on and thank you.

Carolyn

Dave, Thanks very much for your reply. We have not booked a safari camp as I am afraid I will not be able to make that step. I thought there might be variables in the vehicles used. We will be doing the game reserves from the ship and there will be variation from there too.

Thanks again. (Good to have a helping hand from behind!)

Could someone comment who might have noticed, please. Is it difficult to step up into the 4x4s? Is a step stool ever provided for anyone who might need a little boost?

Thanks very much. This topic is important to me.

Carolyn