wills47

Thank you for all of the responses.  They are very helpful!  I thought it would be easier to line up a transatlantic crossing with another cruise around Ireland but it isn't proving so.  I thought Cunard's crossings were more frequent than they are. It seems like such a civilized and gentle way to get across the Atlantic and easier on my elder parents.

Thanks again!

THAT is a great idea.  I'll check that out.  Thanks!

Thanks!

Greetings, I apologize if these questions are rudimentary but google was unhelpful.  My parents have always wanted to do a transatlantic Cunard crossing.  They are older, however and frail.  I would like, as a singleton to do this with them, but I'm having trouble figuring out the rules.  They would travel in one of the upper suite cabins which are the Princess and Queen's Grill?  Does this fare class remove a lot of the hassle factor?  Easy embarkation and calm service?   Then the question is for me.  Are there singleton cabins in that class?  Do they have single supplement fares in the upper class cabins?  I can't seem to discern that.  Although undesirable, what is the feasibility of me sharing their suite?  Do they have a suite amenable to three people?  Due to the class difference on Cunard, it isn't really possible for me to book a lower cabin and then dine with them, correct?  The idea is to spend time with them on the voyage, if I am in a different fare class how hard is that? 

Many thanks!

What great responses!  Thanks so much!  I forwarded Flossie's links to the Busy bee and she saaaaiiidddddd she would look at them.  I will forward Lana's as well! 

Much appreciated!  If I don't get her on this boat it won't be for lack of information or trying!

Wills

Thank you very much for all of the replies.  I am trying to "coax" this family member to try cruising because I think she really would like a proper cruise.  Her only one was on HAL and she was underwhelmed, but she really is a busy bee, so I need to make sure there are ladies activities for her.  Alas, she doesn't cook and is only mildly interested in shows.

Thanks very much!

Wills

Greetings CCers!  I did a search but I didn't come up with any kind of detail on the activities available on Regent. Their website doesn't reflect what I am looking for, and I am not sure if it doesn't exist or they just do not include it.   I have a family member who is basically a workaholic even in retirement, and needs to be busy!  She likes crafting, sewing and that type of thing.  Does Regent do any of this kind of thing on their ships?  Are there opportunities for socializing with other ladies on board?  Are there many group tables for dining with others?  My cruises have been on Celebrity, Crystal and Seabourn, so I am not familiar with Regent.  The cruise that we are looking at is a transatlantic, however  a lot depends on the onboard activites available.   Any information you can offer is much appreciated!

Thanks, Wills

Hi CCers! I rely on this site for cruise information and I thought perhaps I could add something in hopes of helping someone else. Tangier was a problematic port for me and there wasn't a whole lot of information on it. I used tripadvisor and got some good information, but largely from travelers who have been there more than once.

Tangier is not a big port, Crystal had a transfer that took everyone to the town, just outside the medina. As expected and reported, we were immediately approached by many individuals wanting to give us a "tour". We avoided them and replied "La Shrukran", but they are persistent. This port was unpopular with many on our ship simply because it is rather stressful, being followed and constantly approached.

So here's my view. It has a good amount to see, and the medina and market are worth walking around in. We got lost a lot, and we were walking a neighborhood for a while and admired all of the pretty doors and paintings on the houses. That was actually the best part, as no one followed us there. There is so much history in Tangier, and the American Legation museum is worth doing. Humorously, it was there that we dealt with our first money cheat attempt. When questioned why our change was short, the clerk said "we don't have change". That repeated in a different form after having lunch. Apparently the view is that tourists can't do math. My humble opinion is that if your ship transfers you to the town, get off the bus and look for a teenager, no doubt hanging around. Tell him very firmly that you will give him X amount if he leads you to the tourist office. (If you have a good sense of direction and don't wander off, you can do this yourself). Go to the tourist office and hire an official guide. We wandered Tangiers and while we saw everything, we were consistently followed, and ended up falling prey to a tout. Best to just get a guide and then the touts will stay away from you. It would be worth the cost just to avoid all of the stress that comes with that port and you'll learn more too. You do not need a ship tour, just a guide. I knew this, but got diverted and began wandering. Get the guide, then wander.

At the end of it, I was so fed up with the port that I paid a kid to lead me out back to my ship. That would not have happened with a guide. I really thought that we could do this port by ourselves, but I would definitely do it differently if I went again. Tangier really needs to create a tourist "safe zone" within the medina and market, it would pay for itself ten fold. We didn't buy anything, but there's a lot to see and buy.

Hope this helps someone!

Hi CCers!

We are going to be in Tangiers for a day during a Crystal cruise. This is my first cruise outside of the Caribbean. Does anyone know of a good map/ site to obtain a map of Tangiers city? We will be doing it ourselves- I've done lots of reading, but I'd like a map in hand before I get there!

Amazon is not much help. They have one book but it's unclear as to whether there's a proper map of Tangiers.

Would Crystal provide them? We would like to explore the Kasbah and the Medina.

Thanks for any replies!

Wills

Thanks JP! I use Tripadvisor a lot as well, however my experience with renting cars in Europe is limited to Germany-love the autobahn. I looked at your other trip reports and I admire how much you see! I was enthralled by the Cappadocia report and that is definitely a must do destination for me now, whether cruise or land travel!

I also like that you seem to be a kindred soul in the value department. I use public transport from airports to town and for getting around cities unless it's overly inconvenient not to, but then I prefer business class airline travel and luxury cruises!

I will definitely be referencing your trip reports in the future! Thanks!

Hi Jpalbny, I just want to thank you for such a great re-cap of your Cappadoccia part of your trip. It looks like you were able to cover so much ground on your own. Would you kindly consider sharing some of your research or just give advice as to the resources you used? Rental cars and getting around stuff?

Really enjoying your report!

Thanks!

Wills

Hi CC! I am just about to book a cruise on the Tere Moana for the Greek islands. I am really excited about the itinerary as it hits a lot of ports that I really want to visit, however I am a little leery as there is not much on CC about this ship. I realize that it had a rough debut, but I am hoping that they got their act together?

I am a relatively new Seabourn addict, but they just didn't have this itinerary at the time that I wanted it, so. . .

Will I be happy with the Paul Gauguin product? I do not expect it to be as good as Seabourn, but hopefully close? It's a small ship and I do prefer that.

Any advise/ counsel is welcome!

Thanks,

Wills