We are going to book the Diamond 10/15/05 and the 10/22/05 to Barcelona. 2 for 1 is too good a deal to pass. This year it is the Baltics on Aug27th. Waiting for Ngaire to get back and give us the Browne & Jeene prices for the Diamond.

Joanna,
Sent you an e-mail re: Ireland.

We booked Jan.5th ,19-days on the Voyager, alot of sea days, but lots of R&R, two/for one. Great price.

I'm torn between the 7/2 and 7/23 2005 Diamond Med . Basically same itinerary(in reverse) but the 7/23 skips Hvar, Croatia and overnights in Sorrento. That's very appealing to me because I would love to go back to Capri and also have the time to do some sightseeing along the Amalfi coast. The trade-off is not going to Hvar. Is anybody familiar with that port? Thanks

Maria, I looked at that one as well. We decided on the 7/2 for the following reasons.

1. Overnight on the ship in Venice, giving you a full day there before sailing the next day.
2. Leaving Venice at Sunset. I have heard from others that there is no experience quite like it.
3. For me, the fact that it is over July 4th, gives me an extra day (non-vacation time)

Though you make a good point about an overnight in Sorrento.

Now you have me thinking.....

Bobbi
We have kind of looked at Windstar.
I know I will go through all this research and will stay with Radisson. Always seems to be where we belong.

Don,

You're absolutely right with your analysis of the pros of leaving from Venice. I forgot to point out that a big trade-off is missing out on cruising out of Venice. My parents have done it and said it was spectacular. Years ago I sailed into Venice in the AM and I don't recall being that impressed, so the time of day must make a difference.

Health and peace willing, we will do one of:

Pip B2B
Pip #1
Diamond Rome to Venice
Bermuda
Alaska

(All around our anniversary--we can't do all, only one, we have other things to do than cruise, like go to our summer cottage,renovate various abodes, and work so that we can afford the above!)

PiP is the most appealing, but further to go. Bermuda is the easiest and cheapest (plus we love NY). Alaska is one that David wants to do, but it's not actually on our anniversary!)

Time will tell! Part will depend on our reaction to the Diamond.

(Oh, and it also depends on the strength of the Canadian $$--we may have to lock in a CDN fare early, rather than risk a big hit next year--this makes it a bit of a crapshoot.)

Maria,

Cruising out of Venice was a sight I won't ever forget. What a magnificent city!

Denise,

Now you and Don have me thinking! Hmmm. My husband doesn't even know what I'm up to. I better get my act together and decide about the itinerary before I can make a coherent "sales pitch" to him.

I just wish I could take ALL THE CRUISES that I thought about taking!!!

When I think of heaven, I think it must be like a really spectacular cruise that never ends!!!

I just wish I could take ALL THE CRUISES that I thought about taking!!!

When I think of heaven, I think it must be like a really spectacular cruise that never ends!!!

TA DA, I have finally decided on which cruise to take. We are going on the Voyager October 15th, Rome to Monte Carlo

Civitavecchia (for Rome)
Sorrento
Portofino
Livorno (for Florence)
St. Tropez
Barcelona
Port Mahon, Menorca
Monte Carlo

I sure hope we have some LCTers with us! the Voyager free air sailings turned out to be a better bargain for us than the 2 for 1 Diamond sailings as I would have to upgrade several catagories to have a balcony. Plus, I have have never been on the Voyager!

Karen ,

What a great itinerary! Rome , Florence, Portofino and Sorrento all in one trip! WOW! If I had to design an ideal MED itinerary this one would be close to it.

...and I was standing next to Denise...and Suzanne, Ngaire, Ken....etc. as we sailed out of Venice! :D Spectacular! The sun was setting...champagne in hand....ahhhhh.....a not-to-be-missed experience!!

Ah, Sheri, what a great and picturesque departure that was! Such a wonderful memory!

Karen, you've chosen a super itinerary.

Maria, please do your best to convince your husband. You both won't regret the choice.

My problem is that I want to do them all!! Guess I can't do that.

Karen.....great itinerary.....great ship....great choice.

Betty

I agree...I would LOVE to do that itin. with Karen...love the ship too! C'mon powerball....

What a perfect itinerary! How many days will it be ( how many sea days?)..

Claudia, 7 days with none at sea :( I think we will do a day post cruise in Monte Carlo to make Mark happy.

KarenS-
I love this itinerary - I have always wanted to go to Menorca - it's where my father's family came from many, many years ago to settle in St. Augustine. Hopefully one day I'll get the chance. Looks like you've picked a winner!

Kathy

:( :( :( :( :( :( :(

Marc, are all those blue faces sad because Karen and Mark won't be joining you? I sure would like to travel with them, too.

YES

I would love to travel with KarenS, too, however, she maintains her own agenda, and I appreciate that!

Besides, that means I will not be able to travel with her in 2005! Maybe 2006?

My goal used to be to travel on every Radisson ship, now it's to travel with all of you! I have a feeling there won't be many LCTers on my sailing and I will miss on the fun on PIP! I guess one of us has to stay home so I can stalk everyone in Tahiti!

Well, my DH has given me the green light to tentatively book the 7/23 Diamond Roma- Venezia. It's tentative because he will not know his 2005 business travel calendar until later this year.
Don, he also liked the 7/2 so if it works better with his calendar we might switch. The thought of going to Rome two years in a row is just too good to be true!

Karen - wasn't that the Voyager cruise I suggested to you?? :) We might be joining you on that one ... still need to see the details on that convention that we would be going for.

Masaki

Woooo Hooooo! I would so love to meet Amanda and you! Please keep me informed of your decision!

I talked to Dad about that one as well. He really wants to do the Med next year - and we haven't been on Voyager yet. We'll see how he copes with the size on Mariner - Navigator is the largest ship he's been on in years.....

I posted on the other thread that I would float this past Paul tonight....

R

Sue, I don't think your Dad would notice a lot of difference on the Voyager v. Navigator. There are two more dining venues on the Voyager which is great for variety. Plus the theater is bigger, and very nice. There are more bars on the Voyager, I think, but the bars are never crowded. The Horizon Lounge v. Galileo seems bigger. I can't tell when I go from one ship to the next any difference, except that the standard cabins on the Mariner are a bit smaller than the identical Navigator/Voyager cabins, which are just the best!
He should not hesitate to sail on any of these ships!

Our only planned cruise for 2005 so far is the Diamond, Venice to Athens, including the Greek Isles, starting on May 28 for 7 days. They had a good special on this for onboard booking when we were on the VTC. And we had been wanting to see Venice, and this cruise includes two days there, and does not go to Istanbul where we personally do not want to go. The prices started at well below $2000 pp excluding air, so we felt it to be a good deal.

We are also looking out for a good deal on Silversea, at a time and on an itinerary we like. My TA told me about a 7 day leaving on Dec. 14, '04 for Pacific Mexico for about $1700 pp excluding air. GREAT price, but a bad time for us, and an itenerary where we've just been!

Thanks,
Richard :) :) :)

I have booked the Diamond 2005 - Istanbul to Barcelona. Of course, this is subject to change - hopefully lower single supplements, etc. But I am ready & willing to serve. Come on aboard.

Richard there are some other Silverea deals out there for the end of the year. Barbados to Barbados in November, 6 days for $1500. Aruba to Aruba in December 7 days for $1700, Barbados to Costa Rica, through the Panama Canal in November for $2000 just to name a few.

We were just sent an extensive list. They just added a bunch for the end of this year. Nothing much on next year yet though.

Richard there are some other Silverea deals out there for the end of the year. Barbados to Barbados in November, 6 days for $1500. Aruba to Aruba in December 7 days for $1700, Barbados to Costa Rica, through the Panama Canal in November for $2000 just to name a few.

We were just sent an extensive list. They just added a bunch for the end of this year. Nothing much on next year yet though.

Very excited...booked the Diamond for Sept. 10,2005 sailing from Rome to Monte Carlo! This will mark my 4th cruise with RSSC and I am excited to see what this ship is like. In the mean time I need to consider the pre cruise hotel offerings they have and ask for recommendations for those that have done pre-cruise stays in Rome.......in the mean time I can't wait till the PG this September! Life is good!

Richard, that Aruba to Aruba Silversea cruise is calling your name! Hadn't you mentioned you would like some time pre cruise in Aruba?

I'm in the process of booking the 1/8/05 Navigator to the Caribbean. Also considering another cruise to Bermuda and a Panama Canal cruise.........

Claudia