English Voyager

@vistaman Wishing you a speedy recovery.

It is very easy to get lost in the Grand Bazaar---- 4,000 shops spread over 60 streets. I still remember the vivid colours in the specialist spice shops.

@DTtravelers Istanbul is well worth an extended stay. While you were there did you visit, what is for me one of the city's highlights, the Basilica Cistern?

All the comments about wine reminded me of

On the Pride, after dinner one evening I asked the waiter if 'After Eight' mints were available. He said he would check. The Head Waiter apologised that they were not available, but they would obtain some at the next port of call which was Copenhagen, and two days away. True to his word I was duly offered the mints.

Two particular memories of the Diamond are the restaurant with it's stern floor to ceiling windows, and the first time on a zodiac travelling between the twin hulls.

Cruising does create some great memories. Our very first luxury cruise was on the unique Radisson Diamond catamaran which departed from Greenwich. This spoilt us for small ships, as we then moved onto Seabourn's 'three sisters' which departed from Tower Bridge. On one occasion the Pride was moored alongside the warship HMS Belfast, and we had to walk across it's deck to board the Pride. On that cruise, in St. Petersburg, Seabourn had been given permission to cruise up the Neva river and dock opposite the Hermitage Museum, and what should be in front of us...the Europa. Enjoy your upcoming cruises.

@Catlover54 Thank you for your kind words. Unfortunately due to various factors I have not been able to travel abroad since Covid, but I do enjoy greatly reading threads on Luxury Cruise Lines in general, and HL cruises specifically. Enjoy the remainder of your current cruise.

You have not answered my question. Rather, by emoji and word, yet again denigrate Vistaman. If you have cruised with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises you would know that it is neither pre World War 2, nor upper crust. What it does do is attempt to live up to the word 'luxury'.

Perhaps you would care to explain the difference between an 'European'....'old school' perspective of luxury and a new school perspective. Does the USA have a different definition of the word luxury?