Catchum

Imagine the last cruise you were on, remember what the passengers looked like. Do you want to see them without clothes on? Everyone looks better dressed

We have a booking for July, only with Azamara do I use a travel agent and book the flights and transfers as a package so if anything gets cancelled it is straight forward. The Web site is a nightmare, though my flights are ticketed and I have chosen my seats, according to my cruise planner I have no flights. My TA contacted Azamara who confirmed the flights were in order but couldn't explain why they didn't show up.

Last time flying out of US there were multiple passport checks before boarding, chatting to crew on board apparently a lady had managed to board an international flight without a passport in the previous weeks which resulted in the airline facing all sorts of issues over illegal people smuggling. If you carry someone on your ship/plane or in you car boot who doesn't have the correct paperwork you have questions to answer.

If you are already planning midnight cravings I suggest packing a stash of zip lock bags and snagging a couple of sandwiches from the afternoon buffet to keep in the fridge in your room. Also pack a big bag of peanuts. DH always says not to bring any, then gives me the puppy dog eyes at 10.30pm saying I wish we had peanuts so I pack them regardless. Otherwise budget for room service. Before anyone comes at me for food hygiene breaches, I took my packed lunch to school unrefrigerated carried it round all day and eat it on my way home for years. Microbes are good for me.

You seem to have quite a few short port days so you need to plan accordingly, as someone who never takes ships excursions I would advise one in Athens, we travelled to and from the acropolis on our own by public transport but had a longer day. You will want to see the major sights and a ships tour will do than and get you back for an afternoon departure. Livorno take the train to Florence (most popular) or Pisa (smaller and our preference). Naples go to Pompeii a excursion booked through viator or get my guide would work but again check the times to make sure you arrive back early. If departure is 4pm all aboard is 3.30pm and we want to plan to be at the ship at 2.30pm. If on a private tour. Top tip, and I am not being snarky, it took me a while to learn, Google naples CRUISE PORT. Or where ever. You will get a bunch of information on how to get to the Town, excursions which other ships are in port if there is WiFi at the port terminals etc. Much more use than searching for visit Naples to find info on Florida golf courses.

My point was that I choose to enjoy my experience. If other people don't enjoy their trip for whatever reason that does not invalidate my enjoyment. I'm sorry that the ship running out of a beverage you don't drink spoilt your Mediterranean Cruise.

Have been on multiple cruises where my wine of choice was unavailable after a while. Guinness is good (for you) but other beverages are available. If Guinness is your priority a week in Dublin - it tastes much better there - is a more sensible choice than a Mediterranean Cruise. Also if your Guinness is golden I would definitely be asking for a refund.

When ever someone says "have a good trip" my response is always "if I don't it's my own fault".Having been on a covid cruise in 2020 where all ports were closed and the ship ran out of milk (Baileys in coffee is an acceptable alternative) and one where influenza swept through and mortuary vans lined up with the excursion coaches at ports I still haven't had a bad cruise.

I agree, except on a Cunard cruise the price for just the drinks is between $95 and $55 per person per day. Add the gratuities of $16.50 or $14.50 a day and cost per day for a two week cruise is minimum of $86.50 per day. That is a significant amount more than Princess where you additionally get unlimited wifi with the package no matter what your status. When considering a cruise the total cost of the trip is a huge factor for us, given we have unlimited vacation time and limited income the less we spend per trip the more we can travel.

Well, a Bloody Mary or Bucks fizz together with Irish cream in your coffee make an excellent start to the morning.

The princess plus is not a category, you don't get special privileges like suite guests, you simply don't have to pay for some things on the ship because you have pre purchased them. I might have the cheapest inside cabin or the most expensive suite if my card is marked as plus (yes I know it's a medallion) then when I order a glass of wine, beer, soda or expresso I don't get charged, likewise at the end of the cruise I won't receive a bill for service charges and I can check my email and order room service without any additional cost.

Princess plus is $60 per day per person which includes all tips/gratuities/service charges. Unlimited WiFi for one device, Unlimited sodas, premium teas and coffee. Room service and 15 alcoholic drinks a day (covers most drinks and if you want something not covered then you only pay the difference- so an Irish coffee is covered but an expresso martini will be $3 ish). If you plan on paying your gratuities anyway and drink more than four drinks, alcoholic or nice coffee then basically you get free WiFi room service and one or two other bits and pieces. If like us you enjoy a couple of coffees or decadent hot chocolate in the morning, a beer at lunch, wine with dinner and maybe a nightcap then they are definitely worth it.

I don't like books, I don't enjoy books - I need books. On a cruise I take a kindle a kobo, apps on my phone and a real book. On a trip to the supermarket i just have my phone app. I don't read at the supermarket but I panic if I haven't got access to a book.

I'll keep an eye out for those. There are so many ways to serve shrimp and crab but you rarely see anything interesting done with lobster. I generally just hand mine over to DH who is part Labrador.

We cruised Iceland last year (not Azamara) and simply did self resarched walking tours - has a wonderful time. Everything in Iceland is very expensive including tours. Reykjavik we walked along the coastal path to the city and saw the major sights, concert hall, Hallgrimskirkfa, viking ship sculpture, penis museum. Gurundarfjord get off the ship turn right to see some of the most spectacular scenery I have experienced. Come back to the ship for lunch then turn left for more breathtaking views at Gurundarfoss. DH is from Alaska and is totally over scenery but he was in awe of this place. Akureyi the botanic gardens are beautiful, check out the church and walk along the coast - turn left off the ship. Seydisfjordur is a tiny community, you may want to consider and excursion though we very much enjoyed walking to the waterfall (take a couple of beers with you to reward your efforts) then simply went and had a couple more beers in the local bar.