CPT Trips

@Got2CruiseNo, we didn’t plan either of these on our own. When we began looking to go to the Galápagos we discovered that there were a lot of decisions needed and logistics that were more complicated than I wanted to take on. We found those same complications same with Australia/NZ planning. _________________________ shameless plug follows. 😉 😉 We are traveling with OAT (Overseas Adventure Travel) which is owned by the same company as GCT (Grand Circle Travel) for both trips. They, OAT & GCT, keep us coming back with interesting itineraries, great trip leaders, travel credits for subsequent trips, a “bounty” for referrals along with a small discount to the travelers we refer, and good overall value. After a few trips customized air travel is available at no cost (unless you upgrade). We don’t travel on points and the cost of air fare through them has, so far, been better than I can do on my own and transfers are included when we buy “their air” so there’s another saving.

First, sorry for OP’s losses. I also am not an insurance expert. That said, I had a couple of trips (for which I had third party insurance) canceled, one due to Covid and the other due to low sales. The tour company was offering credit, plus a bonus, for a future trip. I contacted the insurance company as soon as I had written confirmation of the cancellation, credit, and other details of the tour company’s offer and inquired about what insurance options were available. TBH, at this point I’m somewhat fuzzy on all the details and time frames. I was able to transfer the policy with its existing terms and conditions to an undetermined future trip. There were time limits on how long I had to book the trip and advise the insurer of the dates, destination. I don’t recall exactly how much time I had, but it was quite reasonable. A higher price for one trip meant a higher premium which also seemed reasonable. As I didn’t need to file a claim, it’s purely speculative that whether I would have been reimbursed had I cancelled for a covered reason. That said, I don’t know of any basis they would have for denying a claim.

Well not exactly a river cruise, although we will travel on the Napo River. Part of a trip to Quito, Ecuadorian Amazon, and the Galápagos. Off topic, but responsive to the question, later in the year Australia and New Zealand on a land/air tour.

Yes it is definitely doable. But as others have noted it’s necessary to discuss your plans with the ship's staff. Personally, I would only do this if I had cell and data service with WhatsApp loaded on my phone.

A more modern unintended consequence of Soviet architecture can be found in Berlin. Because the funds raised for reconstruction of the Dom were “borrowed” to fund its construction, it is also known as “The Pope’s Revenge.” Given the Olomuoc Clock it’s a good thing the Dom’s interior reconstruction didn’t occur until Reunification.

Based on the different areas of expertise that the lecturers have it seems that the choice of itineraries might well be based on whether one is more interested in arts or politics. And extra time on each end would be well worthwhile.

Interesting article on the history of Christmas Markets. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/a-brief-history-of-christmas-markets-180981308/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=pocket_hits&utm_campaign=POCKET_HITS-EN-DAILY-RECS-2022_12_20&sponsored=0&position=11&scheduled_corpus_item_id=ec827985-e907-488a-a6a0-278d71e5af40?utm_medium=email&utm_source=pocket_hits&utm_campaign=POCKET_HITS-EN-DAILY-RECS-2022_12_20&sponsored=0

Curious/nosy, what was changed? Was it an improvement?

It looks like there will big doings in Rouen, Tall Ships in from June 8 to 18. It will certainly affect the river ships docking there. https://en.normandie-tourisme.fr/highlight/rouen-armada/?ct=YTo1OntzOjY6InNvdXJjZSI7YToyOntpOjA7czo1OiJlbWFpbCI7aToxO2k6OTU7fXM6NToiZW1haWwiO2k6OTU7czo0OiJzdGF0IjtzOjIyOiI2MzlhYjhkMmEyZmQzMDQ3ODg4MTQ2IjtzOjQ6ImxlYWQiO3M6NjoiMTYxMDU2IjtzOjc6ImNoYW5uZWwiO2E6MTp7czo1OiJlbWFpbCI7aTo5NTt9fQ%3D%3D&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=12152022-GP-EN&utm_content=voeux ETA There is also a new DDay museum in Arromanches-Les-Bains opening this spring. https://en.normandie-tourisme.fr/museums-and-heritage-sites/d-day-museum/?ct=YTo1OntzOjY6InNvdXJjZSI7YToyOntpOjA7czo1OiJlbWFpbCI7aToxO2k6OTU7fXM6NToiZW1haWwiO2k6OTU7czo0OiJzdGF0IjtzOjIyOiI2MzlhYjhkMmEyZmQzMDQ3ODg4MTQ2IjtzOjQ6ImxlYWQiO3M6NjoiMTYxMDU2IjtzOjc6ImNoYW5uZWwiO2E6MTp7czo1OiJlbWFpbCI7aTo5NTt9fQ%3D%3D&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=12152022-GP-EN&utm_content=voeux

Here’s what I get.

We were on the sister ship Artemis in April. The ship was in great shape. Covid precautions were in effect, so lounge and dining room capacity were limited to allow distancing.

Vantage doesn’t commission TAs, they do direct sales.

Back to the Apple - Wintel wars?

Ever since I was part of a roll call where some people wanted everyone to share contact information I realized the rationale for not enabling PM. There were some behaviors that bordered on stalking both before and during the cruise.

TBH I don’t expect a cruise line to attempt to appease everyone and I don’t cut them a much slack when it comes to maintaining safe and sanitary conditions on the ship. I expect them to take the actions proven and necessary to protect the crew and passengers from spread of a known illness. And I continue to hope (despite what I alltoo often see) that my fellow passengers take precautions so they don’t put me and others at risk. ITA. That’s the problem with preaching “individual responsibility.” We’ve all observed fellow pax picking food from a shared serving plate or tray with their hands. The kitchens and food service areas on cruise ships likely follow sanitation protocols more better than many restaurants in the US. Don’t forget to sanitize your hands after handling shared utensils. No, I don’t expect a cruise line to throw everybody off; I do expect them to isolate people that are clearly contagious. Yes, I do expect them to institute enhanced sanitation protons throughout the ship. Even if there is not a problem with food borne disease I expect them to procure safe food, store it in a safe and sanitary manner, wash/prepare it properly, and maintain proper temperature until it is served.

As an alternative, have you considered going on the Viking excursion just for the transportation and arranging for your own guide?

The reference to disliking polls full of beer drinkers reminded me of

What? You have a problem with liquid litter boxes? But it seems from a later post you have no issue with the ools on the “ship within a ship.” Guess there’s no beer there.

That doesn’t change how zoom interviews are conducted for those required to interview.

Vienna is definitely worth a couple days and the markets are especially wonderful in the evening. Of course so was Nuremberg and Strasbourg with spectacular markets. And Mainz, with a large, and several smaller markets. Or even the Thurn and Taxis Palace market in Regensburg. Whatever you decide on, you definitely want to research the city before you go. There are a lot of Christmas festivities (concerts and choirs) that you can attend if your ship stays late.

It seems that more booths at the markets are accepting credit cards, reducing the need for cash. One positive stemming from Covid.

Another resource quilters will likely enjoy. https://www.kutztownfestival.com/quilt-barn-star-auction and https://www.kutztownfestival.com/quilts. July 1 to 9, 2023, homepage https://www.kutztownfestival.com I think there is also a fall event/auction in that area.

You need to log in to the website and set up date and time for the interview. They then send you the information so that you can connect to the interview at the appointed time.

I just read the attached in a travel newsfeed and thought some here might find it interesting. France and Ireland announce new combined ferry and train tickets As an American, I'm already constantly envious of how easy it is to travel between European countries. Now, France and Ireland have announced plans to make travel between the two countries easier by launching a combined train and ferry ticket. Way to rub it in. In an effort to promote "green mobility" between France and Ireland, the French and Irish governments are launching a single ticket in the summer of 2023 that can be used for flight-free travel in both countries. At the moment, passengers traveling between Ireland and France must purchase individual tickets for the French trains, Irish trains, and ferry legs of the journey. These tickets can be booked on the two countries’ national rail websites. Through the new Ireland-France pass, travelers can purchase just one ticket that will cover all three modes of transportation. The Franco-Irish initiative is still in its infancy, but it is anticipated to be very similar to the Franco-German ticket, which offers young people discounts on trains between France and Germany. More details on the Franco-Irish initiative will be released in January 2023. In a push toward greener travel, France and Ireland follow the lead of countries like Portugal in announcing a high-speed rail and new European Sleepers that connect Brussels to Prague via Amsterdam and Berlin. https://www.euronews.com/travel/2022/11/28/flight-free-travel-france-and-ireland-announce-new-combined-train-and-ferry-tickets

Thanks. Would you believe an iPhone 7, handheld. Take enough pictures and every now and then, one like this. Everything just fell together that evening. We had an overnight there on a London to Lisbon itinerary and docked about a kilometer from where I took that shot on an after dinner walk.