Voyages to Antiquity 2015 Winter Schedule

[has been]

Very good.

 

More questions ( since I am getting such good answers, I should keep going ).

 

Is there a deck that you can walk all the way around the ship? I can't tell from what I see on-line.

 

Is the library as good as it's reputation?

 

I dislike wearing jacket & tie. Would I feel uncomfortable going to diner in a nice shirt instead? Maybe the tie but no jacket?

I find slipovers an ideal item of clothing to wear on ships. Not too hot, a bit of warmth for the A/C & can be quite dressy.

 

Steve

[Ontariotrekker]

Nice shirt and slacks seems to be okay for the MDR.. some people really dress up all the time but really not necessary. I admit I much prefer the Terrace Grill - sunsets, fresh air, same wine, excellent service and casual.

 

The library is small but mighty housing maps, history and travel books + a small section of donated novels. I've also found copies of all of the recommended reading material they send you on a pre-cruise book list. There are also magazines and daily print-outs of the news. I still take my e-reader so I don't get history overload.

 

Shar

[cruisemom42]

As an enthusiastic Voyages to Antiquity cruiser, let me say in addition to the other great information on shore excursions that the ship's excursions are generally fewer people (by a good margin) than one would find on larger ships.

 

Also, we have experienced some shore excursions where the lecturer had a special interest/expertise and would "co-lead" it along with the local guide. For example, in Malta we had an excursion to the pre-historic Tarxien temples where the lecturer had actually been part of the group that did excavations/studied them.

 

Finally, I also like that most of the shore excursions do not include the forced shopping stops that are so prevalent on the mass-market lines.

 

I find the library good and have always found an interesting book or two related to my cruise to read (ones that I didn't know about beforehand).

[librarian]

Has been,

 

There is no deck you can walk around the entire way. You can use one but to walk around you have to walk up stairs and come back down stairs. This is not really a walking ship unfortunately. That was about the only downfall we found on our wonderful voyage last April. Neither my husband or I dressed up other than in black pants and a nice top. My husband took a jacket and wore it once or twice in the month's time. When we do it again he said he will not take it as it takes up space that he could use for everyday things.

[has been]

Hello,

 

The more I hear, the more I like it but September is an awful long way off. Good thing I have some things to do in the meantime.

 

Cannot think of anything else I would like to know. Thanks to everyone who responded.

 

Steve

[cruisemom42]

 

Also, we have experienced some shore excursions where the lecturer had a special interest/expertise and would "co-lead" it along with the local guide. For example, in Malta we had an excursion to the pre-historic Tarxien temples where the lecturer had actually been part of the group that did excavations/studied them.

 

 

Oops sorry. Just realized that the Malta example I gave above was from my Swan Hellenic cruise, not Voyages to Antiquity. :o

[has been]

It was apt anyway - I am on a Minerva cruise too, January 2015

 

Steve

[has been]

I see on V2A website that they issue headphones for commentaries on the excursions. Is it a recording or are you hearing the guide? Is it clear? Does it cut you off from the "outside"? What are your opinions?

 

Steve

[myotis]

They are not recordings but amplification of the guide's discussion. Easy to use and very clear. When on occasion a problem arises with one, an assistant from the ship is on hand to correct problem or switch headphone. A wonderful system that I wish Swan Hellenic would adopt as it allows you to fall back to further examine or wander slightly away and still hear the discussion.

[cruisemom42]

You are hearing the guide. I like the system because I am often lagging a little behind the group, taking photos and I can still hear what the guide is saying.

 

You can adjust the volume so that you can hear the guide and yet still hear other ambient noise if you like. So it's up to you as to how much you feel cut off from what's going on around you.

[has been]

I like the system because I am often "LAGGIN A LITTLE BEHIND" the group, taking photos.

 

Yes - Lagging can be a problem. It's amazing how quick a group can get away if you are not paying attention. An excursion I was with in Rome did a great job of avoiding that. We had a tour guide with us from the ship to Rome & then a specialist Rome guide going round the city.The first tour guide did not disappear as had happened on other tours. She stayed at the back & the specialist was at the front. They both had little sticks in the air so you could see where the front & back of the group was & it was easy to stay between the two. Like being herded by a sheep dog. A very comfortable way to do it. The Rome guides stick had a sunflower on top & I accidentaly got it in a photo in the Vatican. After that I tried to get it in more shots. It felt funny at the time!

 

Steve

[ozscotart]

Hello all

I am considering a cruise on Aegean Odyssey for January 2015, have just ordered the brochure, but have a few questions if you don't mind ?

 

1. what is the entertainment like ? others have referred to it as 'low-key', and I know there will be a good lecture programme, but what would the music programme consist of ?

 

2. some reviewers have commented on the food being 'bland', I like getting Asian and other exotic meals on board as DH has very bland tastes, so it is another part of the holiday to be able to indulge my preferences.

 

No doubt I'll think of other things, but wouldn't mind your comments on the above.

Cheers

[librarian]

While we were on the cruise Delhi to Istanbul the entertainment consisted of a 3 piece Romanian group playing instrumentals and another woman who played the piano. There was never a vocalist. The entertainment is not the reason you travel on this ship. They would play during cocktail hour before dinner and sometimes during the afternoon and evening. Food I found was good. However, it was not exotic. We had a lot of pork, lamb, fish, beef and the restuarant manager would daily go out to see what could be purchased locally. So there were many surprises. Once in Israel we commented on the strawberries we saw. So in Turkey he found a good deal and we had them dipped in chocolate the next day. Fish was always delicious. Never had mexican food while on board. Did enjoy the lamb, beef and fish. Lots of fresh things on board in cafe outdoors. I think food is different for each person. One cruise ship we had a lot of sauces made by French chef. That was not on here. Sauces were not in abundance. Evening entertainment sometimes was a local group brought on board, but mostly the 3 piece group or pianist. If you travel on this ship you have to be able to entertain yourself.

[cruisemom42]

I agree with the comments by librarian with a few additional thoughts:

 

On busy itineraries lectures were often held after dinner (as most people would be ashore during the day), leaving little time -- and indeed energy -- for entertainment. Sometimes following the lecture they might show a movie in the main lounge.

 

As regards food, I have only been on board the Aegean Odyssey in the Mediterranean. On the Terrace, food offerings would occasionally be geared to the country or area being visited (e.g., Greek salads and starters one night, etc.). I have no idea whether this is done on Asian cruises but if so, it might provide a little extra variation. Meals in the MDR are mainly as described above; not overly ambitious and not exotic but generally pretty good.

Edited December 2, 2013 by cruisemom42

[has been]

 

I've also found copies of all of the recommended reading material they send you on a pre-cruise book list.

 

Shar

 

Are there any organised discussions about the recommended books or is it just left to the passengers. Any idea how long in advance they make their recommendations? Do they recommend fiction or is it all factual?

 

Steve

[Robocat]

Great to see the recent activity on this thread, which is really helpful. Hope I can join in with a question.

 

We are looking at the Jan 2015 Asia cruise to Singapore and have a question about the cabins.

 

Some past reviews have complained about noise/vibration on the lower decks and as long as there is lots of natural light in the cablin, the view does not really matter to us. So we are looking at one of the "obstructed view" outside cabins on the Bridge Deck.

 

Is anyone familar with these cabins? Any thoughts about possible noise from the open Lido deck and pool above? Other things we should think aobut in selecting a cabin?

 

Thanks for your help.

[cruisemom42]

Are there any organised discussions about the recommended books or is it just left to the passengers. Any idea how long in advance they make their recommendations? Do they recommend fiction or is it all factual?

 

Steve

 

There aren't any organized discussion on the recommended books, but it really helps to have read some of them ahead of time; I generally get much more out of the lectures that way (and have some questions to ask). It seems to me that most if not all the books are nonfiction. But if you look on the ports of call boards here, there have been posts from people asking for good fiction recommendations on certain ports/areas and I've gotten some good ideas there.

[has been]

Hello,

 

I had not thought of using books to enhance the lecture experience in that manner. That's a good move on your part.

 

Thanks - Steve

[Wendy The Wanderer]

.\. Given that the ship only carries 350 pax at a time, the odds are against too much chatter.. of course unless it's to complain:)

 

Don't be too sure. The Paul Gauguin is a similar size, and there's usually lots of chatter here on CC. Of course they have their own forum, a legacy of being managed previously by RSSC. If you guys had your own forum, I bet there'd be more participation.

 

I too am in Ontario & it looks very pretty with the first snowfall of the year. Now it can go away again.

 

Ha ha, and what are you thinking now about that snow?

 

Seriously, I haven't looked at this cruise line for a couple of years I think, since the fairly spotty start-up the ship had. Have the problems been ironed out?

 

How are the cabins? They are very small, but are they comfortable? Service on the ship? The public spaces? Love the whole idea of the focus on history, and the size of the ship, just not sure I can get my head around cabins that small. Smallest cabin I've ever had was 200sqft.

Edited December 15, 2013 by Wendy The Wanderer

[has been]

Ha ha, and what are you thinking now about that snow?

 

Apparently the Innuit have many words for snow. I have two. I leave you work out what they might be. Suffice to say, when February rolls around, Cuba will be very inviting.

 

Steve

[patseacruiser]

Are there any organised discussions about the recommended books or is it just left to the passengers. Any idea how long in advance they make their recommendations? Do they recommend fiction or is it all factual?

 

Steve

 

They do have a recommended reading list though. Without reading back to what your itinerary is - tell me and I can see if I already have that recommended list.

[has been]

They do have a recommended reading list though. Without reading back to what your itinerary is - tell me and I can see if I already have that recommended list.

 

Hi,

 

Athens to Istanbul & Istanbul to Istanbul round the Black Sea. Heres the full itinerary.

 

http://us.voyagestoantiquity.com/cruises/grand-voyage-to-the-aegean-black-sea-505/cruise-features.html?date=2014-09-22

 

And no need to mention " How Carrots won the Trojan War", I Have that on the go right now.

 

Thanks

steve

[Ontariotrekker]

Obstructed view on the Bridge deck is the lifeboats in front of your window... I still got lots of light though.

 

Re the entertainment - the trio and the pianist are standard on all of the cruises + some interesting extras - on the Black Sea cruise a Russian Mans chorus performed along with dancers and an amazing little band. On my recent Bangkok to Bali - an Indonesian band with dancers performed right on the ship.

 

The reading list is usually all non-fiction but I've been able to supplement with fiction titles by just searching my local library collection or an on-line store.

 

As for the cabins - post which ones you are considering and one of us may have actually had that one or one close.

 

Shar

Edited December 24, 2013 by Ontariotrekker

[Traveler+]

We've requestsed a call back for the Singapore to Delhi March '15 cruise.

 

From reading the CC reviews things have improved since earlier cruises.

 

Since there is no thread just for this line, am I correct in assuming that there's no way to connect with fellow cruisers.

 

Ruth

 

Ruth, I am on the March 15, 2015 Singapore to India cruise. Was on one for this Nov that was canceled. I preferred the other itinerary but will make do. Anything to finally get to India.

 

Adding a few days in Delhi...

 

Cathy

[lorsan21]

Greetings,

 

My husband and I have booked March 2015, Delhi to Athens on the Aegean Odyssey. This will be our first time on VTA as well as the longest cruise for us, 18 Days in the South Pacific is the most days at sea we have enjoyed. I have searched CC and they do not seem to offer a thread for the Aegean Odyssey. Cruising is one of our favourite ways to travel, but, this will be quite a different type of ship, we are looking forward to the change. If there are any "experts" who can give us some hints for our comfort and planning, please pass them on.

 

Liz