I just hope what happened to me several years ago does not happen ever again, to any of you! I flew into Nice solo for the Voyager shakedown cruise, late March 2003 as I remember. Got off the plane and out the door to get a taxi just to Nice town, not Monte Carlo. Taxi's were on strike! So a nice lady tells me no problem, I'm going to town, too, get on the bus with me.

End of the line was the bus station, and that lady was so nice, but had a life other than me, and says take a left, and go here and there.

I trudged along pulling my big suitcase, looking for water (not to drink, but where I might see the ship), knew "somewhat" where I was going as I had sailed from Nice port before (a follow your nose sort of thing). My hotel, La Perouse was around the corner and up the hill from the cruise berth, I knew that much. I swear I was walking maybe 30 minutes, but it felt like two hours. What a relief when I saw the harbor, and the brand new Voyager sitting there.

But this time, no taxi for me. A private transfer at any cost!