TERRIER1

I haven't been there for several years put I don't believe things would have changed much. You need a jacket since the temperature inside the the cave is about 50 degrees  F.  The walls and floor of the cave are wet. They have skid resistant floor mats on the floor. We really enjoyed the tour which was a private tour. I can't remember if we booked through Viator but another couple was also on the tour. 

I noticed that none of these tours take you to the Terrace Houses within Ephesus. The Terrace Houses were a highlight. They cost extra. You might want to find a private guide.

There is a bus from the airport but if you are in the city than take the train. The train is takes about an hour and is only $10 to $15. It leaves from the Sants station. You can also take a bus.

4 hours ago, GKTV32162 said:

World Cruise Day 143/152 Viking Homelands - Oslo, Norway - Nearly a sea day, and now sailing alone

 

 

https://kolbsontheroad.blogspot.com/2022/05/world-cruise-day-143152-viking.html

I wish your wife posts negative as soon as possible and you stay negative. I can't believe you guys stayed negative this whole trip until now. Best of luck.

I have absolutely enjoyed your commentary and pictures. Your comments have been honest and amusing. I think I will be just as sad when you when you finally depart the ship. I hope you do a followup about the highlights, downfalls and what you wish could have been different (not the weather of course). Looking forward to the next 2 weeks.

We were on a 32 day cruise comprised of two 16 day segments. From the first day of sailing there was person on the deck above smoking on the balcony. Oceania has a very strict policy of no smoking anywhere on the ship except in the designated area to the point where they will put you off the ship. This person didn't have an occassional cigarette but smoked nonstop. We couldn't sit out on our balcony. We along with the adjacent cabins complained many times. We asked them to simply make an announcement as to the smoking policy and they wouldn't do it. They acknowledged that there was smoke but said it would not be easy to identify the cabin. We told them to simply ask housekeeping since they would be able to smell the smoke. Nothing happened. Unfortunately this smoker was also on the second segment. It would now be a piece of cake to identify him/her since there was only so many cruisers staying on for the second segment and very few were on the port side on the deck above. The crew still did nothing.

Meanwhile my TA asked how the cruise was going. I said great except for the smoker that the ship personnel refused to address. We went on our excursion and when I got back there was a message to meet with the General Manager. I don't know what my TA did but she contacted someone with the power to be to fix this problem. There was no more smoking and I got a whopping $500 credit for not being able to use my balcony for 17 days.

I do not believe they would have done anything if my TA didn't intervene.

17 minutes ago, basenji56 said:

As I said, I had booked the solo cabin on three Vista cruises.  Two transatlantics and one ten day Caribbean.  All in 2024.

 

The O life credit for the solo rooms was $300 for the Caribbean and $400 for the TAs.

 

When I saw how small and cramped the solo bed was, I asked my travel agent to rebook to a B2 veranda.

 

Now my O Life credit was doubled--to $600 and $800 for the TAs.

 

The difference in prices, after considering the increased O Life credit, was only $600 more for the Caribbean and $800 more for the TAs.

 

To me, that extra price was worth it for having a large bed.  

 

I like the idea of the solo cabins but if think Oceania needs to reprice them.

 

A 10 percent discount is not enough for a bed like that.

 

But if you are looking for a solo veranda on these sailings, my cabin is now available.

On the cruise I was looking at the savings was about 15% and not worth the tiny room.

I checked out fares for a May 11 2024 cruise on the Vista in several categories with interesting outcomes.

The solo deck 9 cabin cruise only with Olife credit is $7009. The A4 cabin with 100% single supplement is $8200 a difference of $1200. However, a B4 with balcony with single 100% single supplemt is $7608. For another $600 I would rather be in a larger cabin although not on a concierge floor although this is not for everyone. On this 11 day cruise the solo cabin is about 17% cheaper than a A4.

56 minutes ago, PhD-iva said:

OK here are some actual numbers for a Vista Solo Concierge cabin compared to twice the price of an A4 (which is a bit of an over estimation because 100% single supplement does not equate to exactly double).

My 20 day 23 September 2024 cruise cost 14,000 compared to 23,000. (round nums) for twice the price of an A4.

So the savings in this case are pretty significant.

Where do you see the solo pricing for Vista? I can't find it on the website. Thanks.

6 hours ago, DENIE said:

Good to know!  On our 6/15/2022 Riviera cruise, we are doing this same thing in San Tropez.  We have a pretty busy itinerary, so felt this would be a good day to do our own thing.

First time there with Oceania we took their hilltop villages tour and it was very nice. The tender ride is short - perhaps 15 minutes. Second time we walked around town,  then through the cemetery and found this lovely cove Plage des Graniers and a beach bar. The town is very walkable on your own.

4 hours ago, GKTV32162 said:

In Viking's defense, hey did mention that change in the port talk, but yes, they could at least update it in the app.

Did Viking explain that you would not be seeing the Asian side in the port talk as well? 

13 minutes ago, Heidi13 said:

 

Definitely agree with you. We visited on our 1st WC and will definitely return again next year.

 

So, we have to cover up to visit Hagia Sophia, to comply with local customs, isn't that just part of being a respectful traveller, rather than a tourist. 

Now that it is a mosque and not a museum you need to cover up. I agree that it is being respectful same as with Vatican rules. They are covering only the Christian religeous mosaics that face Mecca and only during prayer time. The rest of the mosaics are uncovered all the time. I thought the Hagis Sophia was so much loveier than the Blue Mosque because of the mosaics.

15 minutes ago, Twitchly said:

Seeing this has convinced me to pass on ever seeing Hagia Sophia. Just too sad.

The Hagia Sophia is beautiful. We did it on our own so perhaps it was the guide and the excursion's issue. At the time we were there they were in the process of uncovering all the beautful mosaics.

4 hours ago, GKTV32162 said:

World Cruise Day 113/152 - Rhodes, Greece - A modern, ancient castle

 

 

https://kolbsontheroad.blogspot.com/2022/04/world-cruise-day-113152-rhodes-greece.html

 

 

I love Rhodes. Your pictures are delightful and the weather looks like it was cooperating. The first time we were there we did a DIY and it is good thing Oceania had a late port day because we got lost in the back alleys. The next time we got off the ship early and hopped on a "boat" that went down the coast for swimming in the coves. If I get back I would like to do Lindos. May I ask want time did Viking leave port? Thanks.

I have been to Rhodes twice on Oceania cruises. Rhodes Town is lovely. We spent the whole day there on our own the first time following a Rick Steves guide and then getting lost in the back alleys. The second time we went on an excursion on a boat from the harbor that takes you down the coast and we swam in several coves along the coast. It was great. I don't know how long you will be in port so that plays a factor what you do. I am not a fan of "in house" tours and you shouldn't miss the town itself. Other have gone to Lindos and visited the acropolis but it has a lot of stairs. The town of Lindos is small but very quaint. If Viking tours are booked, just book your own privately.

You can take as many bottles of wine on the ship as you like. When sailing around Europe, we would stop at a grocery store/department store/wine cave and purchased local wines. They are inexpensive and very good. We would take them to the dining rooms and pay the $25 corkage fee.

44 minutes ago, DrivesLikeMario said:

Air France doesn't fly on Tuesday.  We get off on Monday so have to spend a little time there until the early AM Weds. flight.
Moorea is not our last port.  Raiatea is, so that won't work but maybe what we'll do is get off the ship and take the ferry to Bora Bora for a night, then take the ferry back to Tahiti and stay near the airport for the last night before the early morning flight. 

I believe the ferry is only between Tahiti and Moorea. I could be wrong but there is no ferry to Bora Bora.

45 minutes ago, 1985rz1 said:

Here it is

 

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/middle-east-cruises/barcelona-to-athens-MNA221018/

Aha. I selected Med cruises since the embarkation port was Barcelona and it did not appear. Thanks.

When I look on the Oceania site there is no Barcelona to Athens cruise. Only the 24 day Barcelona to Rome appears.

I don't  know what your situation is but if you are that far from home and have the time then I would take the ferry to Morea and spend some time there. It is lovely. 

The airport is very close to the cruise dock. The issue is what time Oceania will let you disembark and have your luggage available for pick up. You can always wheel your own luggage off the ship which saves time. The airport is small and the airline counters ony open up a couple of hours (if that) before a flight. I would make sure there will be taxis available or have a private service pick you up. Also, the airlines could change the flight to an earlier time. Currently, the flights are going out at 7:40 am. to LAX.

10 minutes ago, GKTV32162 said:

World Cruise Day 87/152 - Dubrovnik, Croatia day 2 - two towns and 1080 stairs

 

 

https://kolbsontheroad.blogspot.com/2022/03/world-cruise-day-87152-dubrovnik.html

Some of the best pizza I had was in Cavtat waiting for the ferry to go back to Dubrovnik. Looks like you had wonderful weather.

17 hours ago, Twitchly said:

You’ve convinced me not to cruise to Venice. What a hassle.

 

We loved Venice years ago; we went in December, and the place was empty. Glorious. We’d go back in a heartbeat, but only in off season, and not on a cruise ship.

So much comes into play in liking a place such as weather, crowds and docking location. We were very fortunate to have ship overnights on Oceania and Azamara and docked at San Basilio not the Maritema. We would just get off the ship and walk into Venice. Venice at night is lovey. No crowds. We were also there on the shoulder season so the weather was perfect. We stayed away from St Marks during the crowded day.

10 hours ago, chloemonkey said:

Now you have me doubting whether or not it was Foxy's where we spent so many great days! lol......it was on the same stretch of beach as the Soggy Dollar.....just a longer walk and MUCH less of a party atmosphere.....and I do agree with you about the palm trees.  Our first trip back was about a year later?  And there was ONE where we placed two loungers under......last couple of times was a bit better?  But nothing like it used to be.  I am a cancer patient and one of the items on my "bucket" list is to live long enough to return to Jost Van Dyke to see it back to its original glory!  Maybe you can clarify if I was indeed incorrect about naming Foxys as our preferred stop......as I would not want to steer anyone wrong.  But anywhere on this stretch of beach is pretty darn near perfect!

 

We were there in 1980 when there was just the Soggy Dollar Bar and Restaurant. They also owned 3 cottages on the beach so we had all our meals (and drinks). The Soggy Bar is on White Bay. The only way to White Bay at the time was private boat. We were the only people on the beach until dinner time when the private yachts came for dinner. They were our entertainment as they tried to align the triangle into the square on the roof of the bar so they could pass through the reef. Not all made it lol. Trying to get back to their yachts after a evening of painkillers was fun to watch. Back then the owner had a black and white marble school notebook at the bar. As occupants of the cottages we just wrote our name in the book and used stick figures to keep track of our bar bill. We made our own drinks. Those were the days.

Foxy's is in Great Harbor over the ridge from the Soggy Dollar. The ferry comes in there. There was no ferry when we were there but they run them now. Sidney's Peace and Love is in Little Harbor. That was a nice quiet bar and restaurant.

I would love to go back but I think it would break my heart to see so many people partying on that beach. It was lovely. 

On 1/16/2022 at 12:21 PM, Hawaiidan said:

II am on the 2022  August 18 BCN-FCO  Riviera.....    so  is it on that that cruise  that Salerno will be the port for the Amalfi stop?      Carmine says he is flexible as to Sorrento or Salerno  .  Already had those bases covered..    By the way the guy is  super communicative and flexible.    emailed him Saturday evening PST and got an answer within 2 hours.     I am impressed. 

 

By the way while many use and love Tours by locals, you should know they take a big comission . 

  If you can book direct you might consider it.   As an example Tours by Locals charged 535E for a tour for 2. with+ 50  for food.   Whereas, by booking direct with same tour guide he charged 450E AND that included a 3 course lunch, wine and desert too!!!     So, sports fans that 135E ot $155USD different..........       Worth  considering the option.... well for me anyway.  Ciao/Tschuss   Dan

The August 18th Riviera cruise anchors in Amalfi/Positano. If all goes well then you will tender into one of these ports. If the weather does not cooperate then Oceania may anchor in Sorrento or even dock in Naples.