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Do you even want to cruise again?


crusinbanjo
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A "bummer" for me will be bridge.  I just can't see playing anytime soon because of the close quarters.  Wearing a mask for 2-3 hours at a time isn't appealing.  Giving "suspicious" looks to your table mates & worse than suspicious (terror, horror?) looks when someone coughs or sneezes?  So anxious to go again but then reality dawns.  We have about 2 more days to decide on the 30 Oct. Moon cruise & I'm rapidly talking myself out of it.  I wish we knew more about any boarding requirements Silversea will impose.

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One line in the Ponant article caught my eye:

 

Re-boarding after shore excursions will only be permitted after temperature check and disinfection procedures (individuals and personal belongings).

 

Wow! Can you imagine waking up, feeling great, having breakfast, going off for an excursion, and coming back to the ship for lunch to find that you're registering a temperature and can't reboard? So will they have crew members rush to your room, throw everything in your suitcases and toss them off to join you on on pier in a foreign country with no place to go, maybe or maybe not sick? Now that makes me concerned about traveling!

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I am happy sad.....let me explain that.   I am happy we don’t have a cruise planned, we simply don’t want to be on a ship anytime soon.   At the same time I am sad because this is the first time in years we don’t have a booked cruise to look forward to.   We have kind of an easy non-pandemic excuse as Mrs K is in post graduate school and won’t graduate until late July 2021 so we already knew we were not cruising until that’s finished.   The bummer is that I promised her that we’d take her number one bucket list cruise after she graduated but can’t bring ourselves to book right now.  

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8 minutes ago, Randyk47 said:

I am happy sad.   The bummer is that I promised her that we’d take her number one bucket list cruise after she graduated but can’t bring ourselves to book right now.  

 

Inquiring minds are curious!!  Where would that "number one bucket list cruise" be for your wife?  All of us like to dream and be creative.  Like hearing of the unique and special places that others seek to experience.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

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59 minutes ago, Randyk47 said:

I am happy sad.....let me explain that.   I am happy we don’t have a cruise planned, we simply don’t want to be on a ship anytime soon.   At the same time I am sad because this is the first time in years we don’t have a booked cruise to look forward to.   We have kind of an easy non-pandemic excuse as Mrs K is in post graduate school and won’t graduate until late July 2021 so we already knew we were not cruising until that’s finished.   The bummer is that I promised her that we’d take her number one bucket list cruise after she graduated but can’t bring ourselves to book right now.  

Hi Randy, yes, tell us what that bucket list cruise is!😀

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1 hour ago, TLCOhio said:

 

Inquiring minds are curious!!  Where would that "number one bucket list cruise" be for your wife?  All of us like to dream and be creative.  Like hearing of the unique and special places that others seek to experience.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

49 minutes ago, Lois R said:

Hi Randy, yes, tell us what that bucket list cruise is!😀


My wife’s minor in college was Russian history which is interesting because her bachelor’s degree was in mechanical engineering but probably no stranger than my degrees in psychology with minors in Ancient Egypt.   We did my number one bucket list cruise Rome to Dubai with extended stops in Egypt on the Spirit in 2017 so I was looking to return the favor with a Stockholm to Southampton cruise again on the Spirit with extended stops in St Petersburg.   

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9 minutes ago, Randyk47 said:

My wife’s minor in college was Russian history which is interesting because her bachelor’s degree was in mechanical engineering but probably no stranger than my degrees in psychology with minors in Ancient Egypt.   We did my number one bucket list cruise Rome to Dubai with extended stops in Egypt on the Spirit in 2017 so I was looking to return the favor with a Stockholm to Southampton cruise again on the Spirit with extended stops in St Petersburg.   

 

Great that you did that Rome to Dubai adventure, including extended time in Egypt.  We did a similar cruise in late 2018 and super loved in and around Luxor for two days.  Fascinating history, design and architecture there.  

 

YES, St. Petersburg and Russia are amazing for many of the same reasons as what you have experienced in Egypt.  Hopefully, your potential future sailing to the Baltics will allow three days for St. Petersburg.  Right?  One or two days is not enough for that fascinating location. During our 2008 trip to Russia, we went to Moscow on one of the three days.  Plus, we had a custom, private, two-day tour for just the four of us in doing St. Petersburg.  That arrangement made a huge, positive difference in order to understand better and more in-depth ALL of the history and background for there.  Seeing both Moscow and St. Petersburg allows experiencing the sharp contrasts between these two historic Russian capital cities.  Need more background as to your wife's top choice is a must-do??

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

 

From late 2018, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East. Now at 18,464 views.  Connect at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

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25 minutes ago, TLCOhio said:

 

Great that you did that Rome to Dubai adventure, including extended time in Egypt.  We did a similar cruise in late 2018 and super loved in and around Luxor for two days.  Fascinating history, design and architecture there.  

 

YES, St. Petersburg and Russia are amazing for many of the same reasons as what you have experienced in Egypt.  Hopefully, your potential future sailing to the Baltics will allow three days for St. Petersburg.  Right?  One or two days is not enough for that fascinating location. During our 2008 trip to Russia, we went to Moscow on one of the three days.  Plus, we had a custom, private, two-day tour for just the four of us in doing St. Petersburg.  That arrangement made a huge, positive difference in order to understand better and more in-depth ALL of the history and background for there.  Seeing both Moscow and St. Petersburg allows experiencing the sharp contrasts between these two historic Russian capital cities.  Need more background as to your wife's top choice is a must-do??

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

 

From late 2018, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East. Now at 18,464 views.  Connect at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/


Thanks Terry.  When we get back to planning and booking I’ll probably come back and pick your brain on your St Petersburg visit.  I will say the cruise we had our eyes on did indeed have three full days in St Petersburg.   Wife’s specific interest is Czarist Russian so plenty of history to soak up in St Petersburg.   

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We certainly want to sail again.  We were refunded, at our request, for the Dawn’s inaugural cruise in late September 2021.  After receiving our money back, we rebooked with a promotional deposit.  We are holding out hope that this virus will be history and that the Dawn will actually be built and delivered and sail on time.  I know that is a whole lot of hope, but that’s all the cruise industry has to offer at this point.  If the restrictions are too cumbersome, then we will reconsider.  

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6 hours ago, Randyk47 said:


Thanks Terry.  When we get back to planning and booking I’ll probably come back and pick your brain on your St Petersburg visit.  I will say the cruise we had our eyes on did indeed have three full days in St Petersburg.   Wife’s specific interest is Czarist Russian so plenty of history to soak up in St Petersburg.   

As will I, it has been on my list since reading Massie's book on Peter the Great. The only "must see" place in Russia for me to be honest. Except maybe a very large plain in Kursk. 

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Yes yes  I'm up for cruising again as soon as it resembles the reason that I cruise,I have mentioned before unless it's as it used to be chilling around the pool & bars & restaurants meeting people chatting close up & personal that's what makes my cruise holiday so special meeting people from all over the world.. it's funny to hearthat lots of you have on your bucket list( I call it to do list..) that it's Europe that gets a mention lots of times , I feel very privileged to be in UK with only couple of hours away from the places mentioned,when all we want to do is get to go to USA,Canada,etc etc

But I never tire with the Mediterranean & Russia,Norway to name but s few.. sorry about your special birthday cruise daveywavey70. 

Next cruise is Oct 2021 silver moon ...can't wait

Happy cruising ..the cruise is dead long live the cruise( hope our friends across the pond know the saying..)👙

 

 

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22 hours ago, Randyk47 said:

Thanks Terry.  When we get back to planning and booking I’ll probably come back and pick your brain on your St Petersburg visit.  I will say the cruise we had our eyes on did indeed have three full days in St Petersburg.   Wife’s specific interest is Czarist Russian so plenty of history to soak up in St Petersburg.   

 

YES!!  Happy to provide any and all help for when you are able and ready to plan, research, etc., for that visit to Russia.  Why is that preparation so important?  The options and potentials for St. Petersburg and Moscow are so many and highly varied.  Unlike some port stops that are somewhat "one-trick ponies", you need to prepare and carefully consider, IN ADVANCEwhat you might (or not) do in St. Petersburg.  So many, many great potentials to consider there, plus whether or not to do Moscow.    Definitely, having three-days for that port stop in St. Petersburg is a "MUST" from our great experiences.  

 

Below are only three of my many visual samples from St. Petersburg to help build excitement for doing this "adventure" at a future date.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Wonderful scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 239,698

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

 

From St. Petersburg, here was the welcoming band as we prepared to enter Catherine's Palace.  Second, is just one small sample of the amazing outdoor gardens at the Peterhof.  The greatest technological achievement of the Peterhof is that all of the fountains operate without the use of pumps. Water is supplied from natural springs and collects in reservoirs in the Upper Gardens.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger/better!)

DSC_4318.thumb.jpeg.c817c8069533032c78fb088739a0dd01.jpeg

 

DSC_4416.thumb.jpeg.ac8b2f2287dc7afb17fa39abe55cddef.jpeg

 

Private, personal tours can be well worth it, especially in St. Petersburg.  Here our group of four, with our guide, are viewing and learning more about this one (Madonna Litta or Madonna and Child) of two Leonardo da Vinci masterpieces at the Hermitage.  There are only fifteen such paintings by this famed artist existing in the whole world. We did an early admission at the Hermitage, lessening the crowd battles and adding to the enjoyment for this spectacular place/setting of five palaces AND museum.  It is both!  Even without the art there, it is a spectacular location to browse and experience.:

DSC_4523.thumb.jpeg.96f398d3efb458c75c72df7f0700c8db.jpeg

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3 hours ago, CruiserFromMaine said:

 

We had a casino dealer from Kursk on one of our cruises. Is there anything there for a visitor to see? (Not sure I want to go there, really, but I’m curious.)

Literally, just a huge field. It just happens that the greatest tank battle in history occurred there. 

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28 minutes ago, crusinbanjo said:

Those are great photos Terry, When Mrs Banjo and I were in St Petersburg, we hired a private guide as well.  It was one of the best decisions we made on that trip!

 

Agree strongly with crusinbanjo above as to the high value when visiting certain key locations for having a private guide.  For us, we love being able to have a "CONVERSATION" with our guide.  Listening to a "canned speech" is OK, but that can get rather boring and old.  Being able to ask questions, go deeper in our areas of personal interest, customize our logistics, set our best "pace", etc., makes that travel experience so much better through a private guide.  Some of our best memories in recent years from visiting South Africa, SE Asia, Bordeaux, Portugal, etc., benefited from that direct connection with a private guide.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

 

Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights.  On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings.  Now at 230,446 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

 

 

Here are two more visuals that summarize our love for St. Petersberg's famed Hermitage.  As noted, it is not just the art/paintings on the wall, but it is the entire mix of these historic settings and the many varied items on display are totally amazing.  Having the early admission and not being too crowded this day really helped to enhance the experience!!  People who have not been to Russia also underestimate the skills of their craftsmanship as shown in that highly-detailed round table below.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger/better!)

DSC_4548.thumb.jpeg.bc29563cc9b35dd42e7cbc81cb311b8f.jpeg

 

DSC_4512.thumb.jpeg.6b70e2487e27057b177d9f1305808310.jpeg

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I have just booked a cruise for 2022,  and asking the agent (UK based)  how business was he was very upbeat. Said that they are really quite busy and that business is actually surprisingly very good. He was pretty confident about the industry going forward.

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More great photos Terry.  And I agree completely. Mrs Banjo and I frequently skip the cruise line tours and hire private guides.  Many times we try to get with a small group Or if not possible we hire a guide for just us.  It is a far better experience, but I always worry about getting back to the ship on time.  We have never been late, I always tell our guide I want to return 2 hours before “all aboard” time.  That leaves us time for the occasional traffic jam. 

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21 hours ago, Bucephalus53 said:

It just happens that the greatest tank battle in history occurred there. 


Right...And I did find this, should either of us end up there. https://commons.trincoll.edu/historyblog/2017/04/26/belgorod-russia-visiting-the-battle-of-kursk-museum/
 

Now, back on topic.

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Private Guides are normally excellent but I have found since SS has much fewer guests, their ship tours have been

quite good (the ones I have taken anyway).  It is a bit different when you sail solo........sometimes I can't find a private

tour guide that only wants to help 1 guest BUT there have been a couple of times I did.....one in Venice and one in

Rome..........it was just me and the guide.  Made it pretty nice for sure🙂

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Another one to read before visiting is "Nicholas & Alexandra"  which explains a lot about the sites you will see in St. Petersburg.  Also, remember to check on a Russian visa if you use anything other than a ship tour.  It's (or at least it was several years ago) a bit complicated.  

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Have usually preferred Privately arranged excursions but always enjoyed SS excursions where it suited us better.The big plus for SS is they will arrange for the ship to wait if you are held up beyond sailing time.This can be costly on DIY excursions to play catch up once the ship has gone,From experience it can run into Thousands of pounds to catch up and you have to arrange it yourself in a foreign land.!

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I’ve never got back late from an excursion. We can’t always find what we want to do on the ships excursions so I often book a private tour. Many of the operators offer free cancellation if the ship can’t dock and a guarantee to get you back in time or pay your expenses. It pays to read their t&c’s before you book. We’ve had some amazing private excursions that actually worked out cheaper and better than the ships excursions. I’d never book anything too tight or too risky with a private firm but where you’ve got some leeway it’s certainly worth looking at the tours on Offer on the various websites. There are some absolute gems out there.

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