indigosails

Yep, and you can Google each port to find out what's there. Or get a tour book (e.g. Rick Steves, Fodor's) and start learning. You can go to the ports of call section of this website and search on each port...lots of been there done that tips and tricks.

Sorry if I'm repeating any replies, I didn't read all the responses.

It has to be dark (and very cold, they tell me) to see the aurora, and in cruising season, it's light almost 24 hours. Ships don't travel to northern climes in the winter when it's dark.

As I understand it, there is some measure of predictability with aurora, as they follow an eleven-year cycle along with solar flares...something like that, here's a link: http://www.aurorahunter.com/aurora-prediction.php

We went to Alaska in March (not on a cruise ship) to see the northern lights...it was a low point in the cycle so not a grand show, but we saw them. You could look up northern lights tours (that's generic), they do have them, as some cultures go there to conceive, believing that it will endow the child with special gifts.

Hands down, The Drake! It was like glass going south from Ushuaia to Antarctica, but on the way back waves were breaking over the top of the ship. The crew stowed all the vases and art-things, and we were told to secure everything in our cabins. That night I wondered why they don't have "bed-belts" to keep you fastened down.

Taxi will run you about €35.

Or you could queue up for a taxi (about €35). Check your paperwork, you may have already been charged for airport-to-ship transportation.

There are a lot of stairs at MP, but that doesn't mean you have to climb them all! One of the persons in our group was extremely limited, so she sat on the bench just inside the entry and waited for us, just taking it all in. The train ride is smooth, the bus on the Hiram Binkham Highway is not bad, and the rest of the time you are riding in a minivan or relaxing in a hotel. Most, if not all, of the walking in the Sacred Valley and Cuzco is on flat surfaces. We all grumbled about walking anywhere at all because of the altitude, so you won't be the only one! A couple people sat and waited for the group at Ollentaytambo.

Richard, I enjoyed your "One Way" tour very much. We have been to Venice several times but this fall we are going with friends (cruise) who have never been there. I think this is an ideal way to show them Venice. Thank you.

Rian

I agree with this revised order. Along with your time on Las Ramblas, be sure to wander around the Barri Gotic. You can spend your entire evening doing this.

Getting around, you could use the HOHO bus. You can pick it up anywhere, but Placa Cataluna is a good central spot. Then when you've completed the loop you just hop off there and you are at the start of Las Ramblas. Going away from Placa Catalunya, the Barri Gotic will be on your left.

My question is, can I debark the ship, get to the airport in Lima, deal with customs and fly to Cusco that same morning. How long would this process take?

I don't remember any "dealing with customs." We simply walked off the ship, gathered our luggage, and got on a bus to the Lima airport for Cuzco. We were with a land tour group. We disembarked the ship at 6:30 AM and were in Cuzco by 11:00. It's about a half hour ride to the airport (traffic) and a one-hour flight. Easy.

If it were me I would completely forgo this trip through the cruise line & do it with a land based group who will provide excellent local guides in every place your visit. Also you will see much more of Peru & enjoy this trip more visiting areas you cannot reach via the cruise ship. Seems this excursion is very expensive & you have no guarantee of having a good time.

We just returned from Cuzco and Machu Picchu. Totally agree with what John said about using an independent tour company. We used Kuoda and they were outstanding. Also, drink the coca tea. It's available in every hotel, and it's good.

We too are senior citizens, had no problems at the sites in the Sacred Valley, but only when we first landed at Cuzco we were short of breath. Hubs took the Diamoxx, I did not because it made me feel "funny." I had a slight headache, that's all. Most of the people in our group of 12 (all seniors) took Diamoxx and fared well. One other person did not take it and he was fine.

I have very short legs and climbing up and down the many steps was challenging. We took trekking poles and were glad we did. You have to put rubber tips on them, but they let you take them in. They helped a lot. One guy bought a telescoping trekking pole at Ollentaytambo for $10.

Don't miss this wonderful place! True it's easier when you're 45 than when you're 65, but go!

It has been our experience that if you do get offered an upgrade, you have to pay for it. It's not a free upgrade.

We just now got a room assignment for a GTY we booked one year ago. It was the worst cabin on the ship so we asked for an upgrade. We got it, but we had to pay the difference.

True the ship sails at night, but it "usually" sets sail around 6 PM, and because it stays light so late in the summer in Alaska, if you go out on the aft deck (not so windy back there) you can see beautiful vistas as late as 10PM.

I have been in Southeast Asia (& HK) in June and in December. December is definitely the better time to go.

You will be surprised at how many Europeans speak English, at least the folks you will encounter in taxis, restaurants, etc. But it is a good idea to practice a few phrases like Buon Giorno, Por Favore, Grazie, and Ciao is universal! So is a smile.

You will (both!) have a wonderful time and you'll come home with great memories and some new best friends.

Ciao!

Usually I think you mean rarely.

Thank you for that.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/t595/kompass7/HAL/a41_zps7658b372.jpg

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3294/2955524970_f24a919c40_o.jpg

Go to Hawaii, have a beautiful beach wedding and reception, then board the ship and sail back to the mainland.

The pool is usually "inside" with windows all around and a sliding glass "sunroof" that they can open/close to get it just right. If you're in the tropics they will slide it open each morning. Not too much wind. Very little, actually.

You can get a decent pair of (e.g. Nike) aqua shoes online for around $20.

DH gets it real bad. He takes 2 Meclazine when he boards the ship, then one every morning. Bada bing.

My experience(s):

Oceania: MDR

HAL: Outside on deck

Celebrity: Show theater

Princess: Casino

There will be a European socket and an American one. Dual voltage.

If they do not fit, your cabin steward will happily stow them somewhere else.

I use a variety of Zip Locs when packing - have never thought they added a great deal of weight...

The excess weight comes not from the plastic bags themselves but from the increased space in the suitcase...you can cram in so much more stuff when the air is squeezed out.

You're right...but it makes me feel better somehow. The best thing you can do to stay healthy is wash your hands with soap and water. And sing happy birthday while you're at it.

Those little Mio squeezables are great, and they come in many flavors. Except they are sweetened with Aspartame, just FYI.