Traval

We have used UK based cruise agencies for a couple of cruises,also an American online agency but this time have booked directly with Windstar.

The only hassle with WS was that they would not take deposit on credit card by email.We had to speak with them which took a while to sort out as they are Seattle based and at the time of booking we were on holiday in Madeira so it was not easy to make contact with the agent who was dealing with us.It took a couple of days to get sorted.

Because of guidelines about advertising I won't give you details of who we have used but I could pass them to your daughter on board The Legend if you are interested.

Whilst I have always had my husband with me,we have met several singles on our previous cruises.

If you are the sociable type you would be fine.You get to meet different people when dining and even if you didn't 'pal up' with anyone in particular would not feel left out .You can take the ship's tours where people chat to each other and I am sure you would find someone to talk to on deck on sea days.

If I were on my own I would not hesitate in taking a Windstar cruise but would not wish to go on one of the mega ships.

Livinforcruisin---our cruise ends in Lisbon leaving Tenerife on April 9th and ending April 17th.

I'd love to take a cruise from the UK sometime and not have to fly out to catch the ship!

Bob and I will be looking out for Rachel and Peter.

Can't help with your question about the port I'm afraid.However,we are on the Legend sailing from Tenerife on April 9th so I assume we'll come across your daughter and son in law.In what capacity will they be working on the ship?

For what it's worth,and from someone living in the UK,I would never dream of travelling without full insurance cover.

As a UK citizen,we have a card which entitles us to basic emergency care in EU countries but would not cover us to be flown back to UK for specialist treatment .Nor does it cover for 'world wide' travel.I should hate to be in some out of the way place without it or in the USA where I know that the cost of medical care can be huge.

We take out an annual policy which we renew each year to cover medical,travel delays,loss of luggage,theft and many other things.It's not cheap,especially as we are now in the 65+ age group and on medications but for peace of mind is certainly worth it.

No, sorry, can't help you there.

It's quite a way to the port at Civitavecchia.

You could take the ship's transfer,pre-book a private taxi or take the train.

We have always used the train. From the airport you take the Leonardo Express to Termini station in Rome.From there you can take a train to Civitavecchia and then either walk along the front to the port---flat and easy,or get a taxi.

The airport train takes about half an hour and the mainline train about 45 mins.

I can't remember the train prices but would be a lot cheaper than a private car.

I expect many people on Trip Advisor Rome forum would be able to help with prices.

I,too, love Sicily although we've only been on day trips from cruises.I have it mentally planned that we should return and spend some time there and on the Amalfi coast,another favourite place.

Only glad to have been of some help.

The company we used twice on Sicily was called Sicily Life.

Well we were on this cruise in reverse order--Athens to Rome back in summer 2012 and just loved the itinerary.We sailed mid July and it was hot,hot,hot all the way.

We arrived a day early in Athens and took the metro to Syntagma Square and trundled our cases to our nearby hotel.It was mid afternoon and about 38 degrees but we had an Acropolis to climb and sallied forth with suncream and sunhats in place.This was hard going in the heat but I wouldn't have missed it for the world.We used up all our water during the climb but there is a drinking water tap at the top where you can replenish.Walking back down we took a look at the Dionysus and Herrodius Atticus theatres.I studied some Greek drama at college so was very interested in these.

In the evening we had simple salad in the old town and the following morning went to see the changing of the guard in Syntagma Square before catching a bus to the port. Unfortunately we did not get to the museum.

Our first cruise stop was Monemvasia.We tendered here and went off the ship at our leisure to start a slow walk towards the rock over the causeway and up the gentle incline,which although a hot climb was not arduous.Once in the walled town we just wandered up through the streets stopping here and there to make small purchases.

At Gythion we took the ship's tour to Mystras.This is a very old Byzantine walled town which I found absolutely fascinating.As usual,it was very hot in the open air but there are plenty of lovely old churches to visit for a cool down.We were glad to have a guide here to tell us about the place.

Back near the port we found a place to buy olives,olive oil and wine.

In Sicily as it was my birthday,we had booked a car and driver for the day to do the 'Godfather Tour' taking in some of the places where scenes from the film were shot.It was over 40 degrees this day and we were glad of refreshments at the Bar Vitelli where Michael first sees Apolinia.We walked up to the church where they had filmed the wedding.

Back down in Taormina we visited the amphtheatre and walked the length of Corso Umberto stopping for gelato.

On a previous Windstar cruise when we had been in Giardino Naxos we'd used the same tour company for a trip to Mt.Etna and then wine and olive tasting.Taormina is a very busy place but has a magic of its own and you do get wonderful views of Mt.Etna from here.

The island of Lipari is very popular with Italian holidaymakers and local ferries were coming and going here.We just wandered about here taking in the local shops,church,the castello and the archeological museum.

Previously,in Sorrento we had taken the local train to Pompeii and this time decided to do Herculaneum but as it was so hot I just couldn't face it.Instead,we wandered around Sorrento stopping for a drink here and there.

It's very busy and always full of tourists.Pompeii is a must though!

Back on the ship it was very peaceful as most people had gone on a tour.As there was only a handful or so of us the captain was giving out cooling vodka cocktails!.That night we had the on deck barbecue with the lights of Sorrento as a backdrop.

On Capri we bought tickets from Capri town to Anacapri taking the funicular first then a bus.At Anacapri we took the chair lift to Monte Solaro which is a lovely ride giving wonderful views.Capri itself is very expensive for shopping and eating out.You can also walk from Capri town to the ruins of Nero's summer villa.

We disembarked at Civitavecchia and trundled our bags along the front to the station.At Rome's Termini station we took the Leonardo Express train to the airport.We had stopped over in Rome on previous cruises and have done a lot of the usual tourist sights.

If you are having a few days in Rome before the cruise I can highly recommend the 'Scavi tour. This is a very special tour beneath St.Peter's in which you get to walk along the streets of ancient Rome which the early Christians walked along,see some of their coffins and catch a tantalizing glimpse of St.Peter's tomb .Numbers are limited and issued by the Vatican and you can only book on line in advance

I hope this gives you some idea of what to expect on this cruise.I see that Windstar have many more tours on offer than when we went but certainly the Italian ports are easy to do by yourself.

If you are considering going,I advise September or October when it should not be so hot.

Thank you. One less thing to pack then.

Do they still give out casual bags in your cabin? I find it useful for taking things up on deck or strolling around a port.

I do have a couple of old ones from previous sailings and I'm not sure if I need to bring a bag with me when I next sail.

Only six weeks to go now but who's counting!

Thanks for all the useful information about the Star Legend.We'll be on her for the Tenerife to Lisbon cruise in early April. So you will be boarding later that day after we are off.It will be our first time on one of the motor yachts and we are looking forward to seeing how it compares to the sailing ships.

We'll make sure to book Candles early on and try for an evening when there is a late sail away.

We are booked on the Canary Islands to Lisbon cruise in April, hoping the ship will compare favourably with the original yachts and that any issues will have been sorted out.

Well, I am doing quite a bit of research at the moment.

I have found a company called Get Your Guide.They can do a 4 hour private tour for £113 .This would be better for us than being on a bus in a group.That seems a very good price.

I am also trying to find an alternative hotel to the Intercontinental which I understand can be very busy with tour groups.The advantage of staying there though is that they have a restaurant which gets pretty good reviews.Most restaurants seem to be closed on Sunday evenings so we may have to resort to dining in.It is also within walking distance of a museum I am interested in---Museu Calouste Gulbenkian which has a collection of both ancient and modern art.

So,I am now on a mission to find an hotel which can offer similar facilities to the Intercontinental,in a quiet area with either a good restaurant of its own or within easy distance of somewhere open on Sundays.

Thank you. Our cruise is not until April so I have plenty of time to sort out the best option for us.

I am trying to sort out about three different holidays we are taking by next summer --other two land based though.

Well we only have the one night as we managed to get flights out to Tenerife and back from Lisbon using BA avios points and went with what was available in club class at the time of booking.My husband also needs to be back in London the day after we get back.

We normally like to do our own thing although we have in the past done day tours with private car and driver which gives one plenty of flexibility in the itinerary.

I was a little concerned about trying to see lots of things in one day in what I understand is a very hilly city.It was all the to-ing and fro-ing with luggage to hotel then wandering about trying to fit too many things in.One of my knees sometimes gives me a spot of bother so I thought a half day tour and then just the rest of day doing maybe one or two things on our own would be the way to go.

Your reply though,has given me food for thought.We could certainly look into getting a car to meet us and take us around in comfort.

We've only sailed on the Windsurf and Windstar before.This time we are trying Star Legend.I wonder if we'll miss the sails?

Thank you for your reply.

We are considering staying at the Intercontinental Hotel in Lisbon at the end of our cruise.The main reason is that if we take the morning ship's tour of the city we will conveniently be dropped off there afterwards with our baggage and the tour would give us a reasonable idea of where things are in the city.

We've never used a ''Windstar'' hotel before and was wondering if their rate is better than booking directly with the hotel or using one of the many booking sites.

Has anyone ever independently booked one of Windstar's designated hotels?

Hello Mrs Miggins. Like you,I live in Surrey and I can highly recommend Windstar cruises if you like a more laid back,relaxed environment.

We've done three cruises on the Windsurf and one on the smaller Wind Star.

We buy our own airfares and book with an online agency.It is worth shopping around to see what deals you can get.

I am re-reading Angels and Demons as we have two days in Rome prior to our cruise.I shall also take with me a book I found in a second hand book shop called 'The Captain's Log' by cruise captain Hans Mateboer.