Voyages to Antiquity July August 2014

After a really great cruise with VTA last year (Sicily is the Key to Everything) I shall be on two cruises with them this summer:

Athens - Istanbul 5th July (includes two hotel nights in Athens and Istanbul)

and

Venice - Athens 11th August-21st August

So, for anyone considering VTA it might be helpful to set out why:

I really like the look of both itineraries, and I know that my fellow passengers will be a varied and interesting bunch of people. The lecturers they appoint are extremely knowledgeable without being condescending, and the young interns are enthusiastic and cheerful. There are no art auctions, nor casinos, and nobody tries to sell you things unless you've walked into the shop and asked to buy something. Wonder of Wonders, the spa doesn't add a service charge on the price for treatments.

Wine is provided with dinner, and other drinks are reasonably priced; bottled water is provided as you head out on excursions and cold towels when you get back.

I'm also looking forward to the food; last year I also did Mumbai-Athens on the Azamara Journey, and the food on the Aegean Odyssey was far better. Obviously it's harder to get fresh supplies on long voyages but Azamara uses the same flash frozen dishes on its short hops.

My balcony cabin on AO had a proper walkin glass panelled tiled shower whereas Azamara Verandah cabins have tiny showers with plastic curtains. My AO cabin was bigger than the one I had on the Journey.

Azamara markets itself as a luxury brand, but in my personal experience the AO was more luxurious; the difference in stress levels is remarkable. I fully appreciate that it's not the fault of the Azamara staff, who are simply doing what they are told; it's just that fending off the hard sell is tiring. Hiking up to the Acropolis is tiring as well, but in a good way.

I agree with much of what you say. Voyages to Antiquity seems to do a great job of filling the "niche" that I'm in..... I particularly like the small ship ambience, the can-do attitude (rather than, "I'm sorry, I have to check with 18 people to find out if we are allowed to do that for you, ma'am").

The excellent lecturers and itineraries seals the deal for me. I have cruise #4 booked in October and #5 in February 2015. :)

Well, I'm happy to say that we've got off to a great start in the King George Hotel here in Athens and I'm looking forward to boarding tomorrow; perhaps we'll meet on some occasion!

We are booked on the Venice to Athens cruise. May be we can meet on board.

We are booked on the Venice to Athens cruise. May be we can meet on board.

That would be great!

Well, I'm happy to say that we've got off to a great start in the King George Hotel here in Athens and I'm looking forward to boarding tomorrow; perhaps we'll meet on some occasion!

Looking to hear more. We are considering this same itinerary with them next April. It looks like an aggressive itinerary with so many excursions. I'll be curious what you think of the pace.

After a really great cruise with VTA last year (Sicily is the Key to Everything) I shall be on two cruises with them this summer:

 

 

 

Athens - Istanbul 5th July (includes two hotel nights in Athens and Istanbul)

 

 

My balcony cabin on AO had a proper walkin glass panelled tiled shower whereas Azamara Verandah cabins have tiny showers with plastic curtains. My AO cabin was bigger than the one I had on the Azamara.

From the deck plans it looks likes balcony rooms vary some in size. Do you have recommended rooms on AO? Which rooms were you in on your cruises?

Well, I'm happy to say that we've got off to a great start in the King George Hotel here in Athens and I'm looking forward to boarding tomorrow; perhaps we'll meet on some occasion!

Looking forward to a review of your cruise.

We are Beth and Walt, and we will be joining you on the Venice to Athens cruise! And, I will add my dittos to everything the others have said. This will be our 4th cruise on V2A, and each one has been everything we expected and more. Overtime, they have held on to those things that have worked well, and they have tweaked those things that fell a little short in the first year. It's nice to know that V2A listens to its passengers and makes adjustments. It feels a bit like a happy homecoming when you board the Aegean Odyssey for subsequent cruises. Counting down . . .

We are very interested in V to A cruises and look forward to your cruise reports.

After a really great cruise with VTA last year (Sicily is the Key to Everything) I shall be on two cruises with them this summer:

 

Athens - Istanbul 5th July (includes two hotel nights in Athens and Istanbul)

 

and

 

Venice - Athens 11th August-21st August

 

So, for anyone considering VTA it might be helpful to set out why:

 

I really like the look of both itineraries, and I know that my fellow passengers will be a varied and interesting bunch of people. The lecturers they appoint are extremely knowledgeable without being condescending, and the young interns are enthusiastic and cheerful. There are no art auctions, nor casinos, and nobody tries to sell you things unless you've walked into the shop and asked to buy something. Wonder of Wonders, the spa doesn't add a service charge on the price for treatments.

 

Wine is provided with dinner, and other drinks are reasonably priced; bottled water is provided as you head out on excursions and cold towels when you get back.

 

I'm also looking forward to the food; last year I also did Mumbai-Athens on the Azamara Journey, and the food on the Aegean Odyssey was far better. Obviously it's harder to get fresh supplies on long voyages but Azamara uses the same flash frozen dishes on its short hops.

 

My balcony cabin on AO had a proper walkin glass panelled tiled shower whereas Azamara Verandah cabins have tiny showers with plastic curtains. My AO cabin was bigger than the one I had on the Journey.

 

Azamara markets itself as a luxury brand, but in my personal experience the AO was more luxurious; the difference in stress levels is remarkable. I fully appreciate that it's not the fault of the Azamara staff, who are simply doing what they are told; it's just that fending off the hard sell is tiring. Hiking up to the Acropolis is tiring as well, but in a good way.

Anyone on the December Christmas/New Years Africa cruise?

We are sailing on the December Africa cruise on VTA. Is anyone else sailing on this cruise in December 2014?

We are sailing on the December Africa cruise on VTA. Is anyone else sailing on this cruise in December 2014?

Yes, we are and there is a roll call for this cruise. Only us and another couple on it so far so would be good to have you joining.

Jean

After a really great cruise with VTA last year (Sicily is the Key to Everything) I shall be on two cruises with them this summer:

 

 

 

Athens - Istanbul 5th July (includes two hotel nights in Athens and Istanbul)

 

 

 

.

Can you share how the trip went last month? How were the ports, etc.?

I have been on a number of AO cruises.I have loved every single one.The lectures are genuinely enriching and thought-provoking,the food is wonderful,the layout and "feel" of the ship is great,and the itineraries are of course one of the main draw-cards.I have cruised also on a number of larger ships,but always head back to this one that is starting to feel like family!I recognise the lack of fancy fittings,waterslides and casinos,but if you want real rejuvenation combined with history and adventure....AO is the ship for you! I am rebooked on not one but two cruises!!!:):):):):):)

Yes, we are and there is a roll call for this cruise. Only us and another couple on it so far so would be good to have you joining.

Jean

Jean,

How do I find the roll call?

Kenda