What a joy to be back here and pick up where we left off after all these months of hiatus.
I hope you’ll enjoy the story of this little trip around the Eastern Mediterranean. This cruise was the perfect way to satisfy our longing to return to Greece and Istanbul. The end of the season, until late November, is the best time to visit the Mediterranean in my opinion—when climate disruptions don’t get in the way.
Departing from Trieste, our stops were Katakolon, Piraeus, Kusadasi, Istanbul, Corfu, and Bari, before returning to Trieste and then Venice, where we planned a very short 24-hour stay.
We left home at 6:15 AM—our first cruise departure since moving to Normandy. What I miss most about living in the Gard is how close we were to Marseille Airport. No more hopping over to Marignane in an hour; now we have to plan for a three-hour trip to CDG, even under the best conditions on an early Sunday morning.
It was impossible to book a hotel night before our flight because, starting in April, the Ibis was priced at 450 € per night, and the Mercure was flirting with 800 €—breakfast not included, of course. 😏
I had a feeling there must’ve been a conference or something going on… Turns out, it was just the auto show. They simply adjusted the room prices to match the cost of the cars. 😛
Our flight took us to Venice, where we caught a FlixBus to Trieste. We arrived at Trieste’s train station in the afternoon and walked to our hotel in the city center.
After treating ourselves to an amazing pizza at a restaurant (Di Napoli Maestri Pizzaioli, Via Armando Diaz 10) for a very reasonable price, we enjoyed the mild evening temperature while exploring the stunning buildings of this charming city by night. These magnificent structures are a testament to the city’s past. Trieste became Austrian in 1382 due to its complicated relationship with Venice, and it wasn’t until 1918, at the end of World War I, that it became Italian again. The city’s lighting beautifully highlights the architecture of the buildings.
The terraces were lively, and the atmosphere was so warm and inviting that we wanted to stay out even longer.
But we’d been up since 4 AM, so we were happy to retreat to the quiet of our hotel, located in the pedestrian center just a few steps from the port (Urban Hotel Design—highly recommended).
You can’t imagine how happy I am to read your travel journals—I really love your writing style.
As for hotel prices, it’s insane, and sometimes I wonder if they even realize it. They treat tourists like cash cows.
The worst I’ve seen was in Los Angeles, and don’t even get me started on breakfast prices. It’s ridiculous!
It was definitely more convenient for you to reach the port of Marseille when you lived in the Gard. But hey, you shouldn’t regret the quality of life (much more peaceful) you have in Normandy now.
It’s always a pleasure to follow your posts—thank you for this review. You really have a way with words!
I’m so happy the forum is back; we missed it.
M.Madeleine
A heartfelt thank you to everyone for your warm welcome.
Monday, October 21st, Trieste – Embarkation
After an excellent and generous breakfast filled with great Italian products, we set off to explore the city under a radiant sun.
As soon as we left the hotel, a church towered above us at the top of the hill.
A few flights of stairs later, and we’re there.
The church of Santa Maria Maggiore is one of Trieste’s grand Baroque-style churches. It was built in the 17th century, and its construction took decades.
From its forecourt, you can glimpse the sea.
Continuing our walk along the heights of the city, just a few hundred meters away, we reach the Cattedrale di San Giusto Martire, a Romanesque-style cathedral.
Inside, we’re greeted by a more surprising style. Stunning 13th-century Byzantine mosaics cover the domes, though it’s a shame they aren’t better lit.
A chat with the servants of God costs just 1 €—just dial in to hear the monument’s history directly.
You can see the ruins of the Roman theater in Trieste from the sidewalk on the path that leads down to the city.
This theater dates back to the 1st century and was expanded in the 2nd century. It could hold between 3,500 and 6,000 spectators. Imagine that back then, it was located outside the city, right by the sea. Now, it’s about 400 meters from the water. The view from the stands must have been amazing.
A family seems to have taken up residence there.
The Grand Canal is an artificial waterway built in the mid-18th century to allow merchant ships to reach the city center. This made it much easier for them to load and unload goods coming from Dalmatia and the Adriatic regions. At the time, Trieste was a very busy merchant port.
Today, the Grand Canal has a lovely atmosphere. The facades of the surrounding palaces, the churches, the bridges, and the colorful boats all contribute to the feeling that time has stood still...
On the edge of the Grand Canal stands the Church of the Holy Trinity and Saint Spyridon. Behind that very long name is an impressive church built in the late 14th century with Byzantine architecture. The colorful facades, rounded domes, and decorative mosaics make us really want to visit it. But no matter how much we walk around and check every corner for even the smallest open door... we have to face the facts—it’s closed.
Your story confirms what I thought about Trieste... it's a beautiful city with plenty to see.
I had planned visits for a cruise that was supposed to leave from this city, but I canceled it.
Trieste is indeed very beautiful and really interesting to explore, with a great vibe. We only saw it quickly, but we’ll definitely go back—it’s also perfect for boarding a ship located right in the city center.
Hi there!
Thanks for this new review—it’s great to see you back! 😊
I didn’t know you’d moved! If it was your choice and you’re happy in your new life, that’s awesome!
Yes, Italian cities are gorgeous. This summer, we sailed with RCI from Ravenna, and it’s stunning too—those mosaics are incredible!
Norvégian Gém NCL, Horizon CDF, musica MSC, Allure of the seas RCI, sérénade of the seas RCI, Symphony of the seas RCI, Régal PRINCESS, Fantasia MSC, seaside MSC, explorer of the seas RCI
It’s great to reconnect with you too. This cruise is our first of 2024 because we moved at the beginning of the year. We deliberately chose it—we’d had enough of the heat, mosquitoes, drought, and water shortages. We’re really happy here and don’t regret our decision at all; life is sweet in Normandy.
The Church of Sant'Antonio Nuovo stands majestically at the very end of the Grand Canal, with six large columns adorning its immense façade. Built between 1827 and 1842, it replaced an earlier church that had become too small for the growing population of the city, which was originally constructed in 1771.
The Galleria Tergesteo, now filled with restaurant terraces, is a charming, bright, and pleasant detour worth visiting.
A wide pedestrian avenue leads to Piazza Unità d’Italia.
This is the city’s main square, rectangular in shape, and bordered on three sides by magnificent buildings with Austrian influences. It was here that Mussolini announced the introduction of fascist laws to the Italian people in 1938. The fourth side, open to the sea, offers a sweeping view of the Gulf of Trieste.
We arrived a little early for our scheduled boarding time, and we were the only ones there for the Yacht Club. Everything went very quickly with no waiting at all—just enough time to enjoy the glass of Prosecco offered to us while the administrative formalities were completed, and we were already on board.
In the cabin, we noticed that the welcome bottle of Champagne and the little treats that came with it had disappeared. The managers had been at work once again…
We had a lovely view of La Piazza dell’Unità d’Italia, the city, and the Molo Audace, a stone quay built in the 18th century, a reminder of the city’s important maritime activity at that time.
I was happy to rediscover the pleasure of the mini buffet at the One Pool. There wasn’t much choice, but the quality was excellent, with attentive and warm service.
The sun was just right—gentle and warm enough to lie back under its rays with a good book and just relax… Simply enjoying the present moment. Pure bliss!
The sun sets quickly at this time of year, its rays bathing the city in a warm glow.
Then, the city began to light up softly.
This evening, service was minimal at the TSL (Top Sail Lounge, the Yacht Club lounge). There was only one waitress, and naturally, at aperitif time, she was overwhelmed, assisted by just one bartender behind the bar. The table of appetizers remained empty after being raided. The pianist was virtual—just a few notes playing on their own.
It was tricky to get to the Olivo restaurant at the other end of the ship. We didn’t pay attention and ended up right in the middle of the theater’s post-show rush. We’ll avoid that time slot on the following evenings.
A few minutes of waiting at the restaurant entrance, but after that, the meal was good, and the servers were charming.
I really love your writing style—it’s such a treat!
You should go on trips more often so you can write more reviews for us.
I agree with Catherine—Trieste is absolutely gorgeous!
On the other hand, if there’s no welcome champagne or little treats... is it still worth getting a YC?
Given the prices, I think it might be better to look into luxury cruise lines instead.
Anyway, you’ll tell us all about it in your conclusion.
Thanks Alfred, of course I agree about going on cruises more often. 😉
The real shame is that this is yet another perk that’s disappearing. The only things left are the "all-you-can-drink" Champagne in the bars and the bottle you can choose from a list. The evening chocolates and other treats are still around—those are Venchi chocolates, the best I’ve had from any of the cruise lines we’ve tried, or macarons and other really good stuff that’s sometimes a bit out of the ordinary.
As for whether the YC (Yacht Club) is worth it, it depends on the price and the deal you find.
This time when I booked my cruise, the Oceania cruise that could’ve interested me in the Eastern Mediterranean was 4,125 € per person for a week, and I paid 2,640 € per person for this 10-day cruise on the Splendida.
Thanks Alfred, of course I agree about going on cruises more often. 😉
The real shame is that this is yet another perk disappearing. The only things left are the "unlimited" Champagne in the bars and the bottle you can choose from a list. The evening chocolates and other treats are still around—Venchi chocolates, the best I’ve had from any cruise line we’ve tried, or macarons and other high-quality goodies that are sometimes really special.
As for whether the YC is worth it, it depends on the price and the deal you find.
This time, when I booked my cruise, the Oceania cruise that had caught my eye in the Eastern Mediterranean was 4,125 € per person for a week, and I paid 2,640 € per person for this 10-day cruise on the Splendida.
Ah, okay, I get it!
At that price, the YC is still a good deal, but beyond that, you really have to crunch the numbers.
On the other hand, I think Oceania is getting more and more expensive (unless there’s an exceptional promo), and according to Cruise Critic, the service quality is going downhill.
Maybe it’s time to start looking into Silversea, Seabourn... I think they offer very attractive rates and more appealing itineraries.
On the other hand, I find that Oceania is getting more and more expensive (except for exceptional promotions) and according to Cruise Critic, the services are declining.
Hi Alfred,
I also find Oceania more and more expensive with fewer and fewer included perks. As for the quality, that’s exactly what I noticed on our last Oceania cruise in September 2023.
We always prefer having breakfast in the YC lounge rather than the traditional restaurant. The selection is wide enough for us, and the products are really good. We watch the sunrise live over the horizon against a blue sky—perfect for a day at sea.
Before it gets too crowded, we head out for our morning walk. Being in the middle of the sea with a 360° horizon is always a special pleasure. Then it’s time to relax, sunbathe, and read. We skip the 11 AM cocktail—we’re too comfortable on the pool terrace soaking up the sun.
The afternoon is very hot, and the jacuzzi and pool areas are packed. First downside of traveling during school holidays: a one-year-old in a diaper in the jacuzzi!!! The "flavor" of the broth will only get richer and more fragrant.
We’re not thrilled by the evening show, so we leave between two acts before it ends.
The gala dinner is excellent—foie gras, lobster, tournedos Rossini, etc. The chef is Italian, and the meals are really good, with high-quality ingredients.
The ship arrived at 7:00 AM and we all had to be back on board by 2:30 PM—it’s a bit short, but that won’t spoil our fun as we reunite (once again) here. We’re starting to get used to the place.
We head out as soon as the excursions have left and the path is no longer crowded, for a little hike on the other side of the peninsula. When we walk through town, almost none of the shops are open yet, and it’s a bit chilly.
The little train to Olympia for 10 € is on time, and its return is scheduled for 2:00 PM. The road out of Katakolon is dangerous—there’s no sidewalk, and cars drive pretty fast. But we quickly turn left, and traffic becomes almost nonexistent.
It’s olive harvest and pruning season in the fields and private gardens. Large tarps are spread on the ground, and the trees are combed with specialized motorized tools. Many branches are broken, and the woman rakes them to sort through. The people working are very kind and friendly.
We start to see the sea, but reaching it is another story. Most access paths are privatized and tightly secured.
After several unsuccessful attempts, we find a very discreet little staircase with no "no entry" signs.
A few steps later, we’re on a tiny, charming, wild, and deserted beach. A little slice of paradise. But the temperature is a bit too cool for a swim.
Back the same way with a beautiful view of the mountains we missed on the way out.
This pretty little church is right next to the railway track leading to Olympia.
On the way back, we avoid the dangerous road by walking along the long beach in Katakolon all the way to the port. A prime spot for a camper van.
This walk is really pleasant, the weather is lovely, and there isn’t a breath of wind. The little port has kept the same charm for the 20 years we’ve been visiting regularly.
After a few errands (ouzo and honey—a producer sells oak honey, which is really good), it’s time for one of our little pleasures when we’re in Greece: a glass of Retsina at the port before heading back to the ship.
The afternoon is spent resting and reading, lazily stretched out on the ship’s deck. You can hear the wind blowing, but we’re nice and sheltered behind the protective windows at the bow. This afternoon, a new record in the jacuzzi—10 people! 3 adults and 7 kids.
The day hasn’t broken yet when the boat docks at the port of Piraeus.
Bright sunshine and wind this morning. We’re at the very end of the new port, at the Themistocles Cruise Terminal. A bus stop to get to the Acropolis was set up right at the port exit, but by the time we arrive, the bus has just left—the next one won’t be for another hour or so.
We’d rather stick to our plan and walk to the metro, 2.7 km away, along the port. The stroll isn’t the most pleasant, with the frantic traffic, cigarette smoke, makeshift camps, and the smell of urine… Everything you’d expect from a big-city port, really.
To get to the historic heart of Athens by metro, you take the green line, No. 1. The train is waiting. For 2.30 € round trip, we’ve got 8 stops before getting off at Omonia. Monastiraki is closer to the Acropolis, but this way, we can walk up a nice avenue.
From Omonia Square, Athenas Avenue leads straight to the Monastiraki district. It’s on this avenue that you’ll find the Athens Central Market, the city’s main market. It’s organized by type of goods, and at this hour, it’s in full swing. Dozens of butchers are lined up, working side by side.
On the other side of the butchers’ street, fish stalls are overflowing with the day’s fresh catch. The bonito, the size of large mackerel, make us wince. Check out the prices displayed.
This little detour wasn’t originally part of the plan, so we missed the market’s basement and the nearby side streets.
Along the way, squeezed between two imposing, charm-free buildings, a tiny church stands its ground.
The climb up to the Acropolis at this time of day is pleasant without the heat.
The higher you go, the more crowded it gets, and when you reach the top, it’s tourist hell—huge crowds and endless lines.
The viewpoint over the city is dangerous because the stones on the ground are so worn and polished they’re extremely slippery—it’s like an ice rink, and everyone’s very careful.
It’s also a climate nightmare for the olive trees dried out by the summer’s scorching heat. Their leaves range from yellow ochre to brown ochre—what kindling for fires!
Heading back down into the city through quiet, peaceful little streets is much more enjoyable.
The Orthodox Cathedral of Athens, built between 1842 and 1862, is stunning. Its beautiful façade on Syntagma Square is imposing, and its richly decorated interior architecture is breathtaking.
In this neighborhood, traffic is completely gridlocked, and I feel bad for people stuck in taxis. It’s better to get around on foot—you end up walking more.
The little tavernas we used to know now have hundreds of tables stretching as far as the eye can see. Slim chance they’ll have Retsina—it’s more like beer and burgers. This overtourism vibe makes us want to leave.
We should’ve gone back to eat in the market district—we didn’t even think of it.
The shops in the Plaka neighborhood are the same as everywhere else in big cities around the world, stocked with containers straight from China. No personality, no charm, and sometimes even tacky.
We start thinking we’d be better off going back to eat on the ship. Ten minutes later, we take the metro, then a taxi (10 €) to return to the comfort and quiet of the One Pool—without the crowds. Plus, there’s no one around since everyone’s off on excursions. Perfect for us.
This afternoon, we have the choice between lounging in the sun or continuing our wanderings in search of new horizons. The question doesn’t linger for long.
The goal of our walk is the old small port of Piraeus, which has changed a lot since the first time we visited. Today, it’s called Zea Marina.
At the entrance of the port, on the sea side, the most beautiful yachts are showing off, side by side, each one more stunning than the last. They’re truly magnificent, equipped with the most luxurious amenities imaginable.
Numerous trendy bars and restaurants, all dressed in black, line the port, with no originality to set them apart from one another.
As we get closer to the city center, the boats become more reasonably sized.
The heart of the port is reserved for small fishing boats, quite charming with their friendly faces.
The small tavernas that lined the port many years (or rather, decades) ago have turned into large bars and restaurants with lovely terraces overlooking the marina.
This lovely stroll saved our day because we were quite disappointed by central Athens.
After walking over 19 km on foot, it’s so nice to return to the cozy comfort of the boat and relax in peace (as always) with a good book.
The Virgin Scarlet Lady, docked next to us, sets sail just before our departure. When I hear the noise and blaring music from the upper deck, I have no desire to try out this cruise line.
The wind is blowing hard as we pass Cape Sounion—it’ll rock us to sleep nicely.
Hello and thank you for your very helpful and interesting review!
The jacuzzi story horrifies me. How could MSC staff not intervene in a case like that?
I see you were in the YC—is it the jacuzzi at the ONE POOL that’s involved? That would be the last straw!
We’re interested in an itinerary this spring on the Splendida, which I never considered before because it seems the YC on this ship only recently opened. From reading your review, it sounds great (aside from the jacuzzi ).
I’ll keep reading your review carefully.
See you later,
Hello and thank you for your very appreciated and interesting review!
The jacuzzi story horrifies me. How can MSC staff not intervene in a case like that?
I see you were in YC. Is it the jacuzzi at the ONE POOL that’s involved? That would be the last straw!
We’re interested in an itinerary this spring on the Splendida, which I never considered before because it seemed the YC on this ship only existed recently. After reading your review, it looks great (apart from the jacuzzi ).
I’ll keep reading your review carefully.
See you later.
Hello Gilberte,
Thanks for reading and enjoying my story—it makes me happy.
Yes, it’s the jacuzzi at the One Pool, and the staff never says anything.
The YC has been on this ship since the beginning; it was one of the first ships to have one, if I’m not mistaken.
Croisières › République Dominicaine / Italie · 18 replies
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Hello,
We’re back from this cruise.
Boarding in Dunkirk: The doors opened around 12 PM. Since we were a bit early, I asked if my husband, who uses a walker, could wait inside instead of outside. I left him with the two suitcases and our two backpacks in the small hall while I parked the car in the reserved CFC parking lot for 10 € per day.
The shuttle that was supposed to take people from the parking lot to the model pavilion was supposed to arrive in 5 minutes, but after 15 minutes, nothing. After waiting 15 minutes, I saw a man walking and asked if I could follow him. In 15 minutes, we arrived, and still no sign of the shuttle—it must have passed us. Arrived at the model pavilion.
My husband had already checked in the suitcases with the help of a CFC staff member. The remaining formalities were completed quickly. We were on board by 12:15 PM. Headed to the buffet on deck 11 and waited in a lounge to access our cabin.
At 2 PM, we discovered our balcony cabin on deck 9 at the rear: spacious with a large balcony compared to MSC/COSTA.
Since we were at the rear, cabin 9202, there was always an issue with elevator number 4: "priority."
Elevator number 2 stops at deck 10... and elevator number 3 was often out of order, leaving only number 1 for those with mobility issues to reach the buffet, especially for people who struggle with stairs. Note: only one child on board and lots of "gray hair."
DAY 2: At sea. Lots of activities offered.
Day 3: GOTHENBURG (Sweden). Sunny, 19°C at 11 AM.
Excursion booked with CFC: Gothenburg and Haga for all.
Interesting visit with a great guide. The HAGA district, in our opinion, is full of cobblestones and nothing special, not suitable for people using a cane or wheelchair. Elevator number 3 was out of order again.
Day 4: Copenhagen. 15°C in the morning, showers in the afternoon.
We didn’t book an excursion since we’d already stopped here with CFC in 2025, and based on advice from this forum, we took the hop-on/hop-off bus right in front of the ship. I still went to see the Little Mermaid again.
No TV, but the elevator was fixed.
DAY 5: At sea. Still no TV.
DAY 6: GDANSK (Poland). 15°C, rain all day.
There’s a shuttle to get to the city center.
We took the excursion: Panorama of Gdansk.
The guide left us at the entrance of the city center for 45 minutes, telling us what to visit. Meet-up for the rest of the tour at 3 PM. The bus left at 3:15 PM to cover 10 km to see St. Mary’s Cathedral. We arrived at 4:16 PM... The guide said there are often traffic jams in that direction. We had 10 minutes on site before heading to see the lighthouse and the Westerplatte monument, where we also had 10 minutes.
Many of us wondered why we didn’t do the tour in the opposite direction since they knew there would be traffic...
I went to reception to complain about the organization. The staff member read me the program: we were supposed to start with the lighthouse, then go to the cathedral and stay for 30 minutes before heading to the center of Gdansk for a short guided walk with some free time to buy souvenirs, etc.
The guide did the complete opposite of what was planned and didn’t even give us a guided tour—just dropped us off in the city...
DAY 7: Bornholm Island (Denmark). 14°C, a few sunny spells.
We saw in the excursions that there was a walking tour of RØNNE. So, like many others, we explored on our own. There was a small orchestra welcoming us at the port and two people with city maps. We took the shuttle to leave the port—it ran every 15 minutes. The tourist office was next to the "shuttle bus." A pleasant visit at our own pace.
DAY 8: KIEL (Germany). 18–23°C, nice weather.
We took the "Kiel for all" excursion. Great guide and interesting visits.
The port is in the city, and in 10 minutes, we were in the city center by following a blue line on the ground from the port. Elevator 3 was stuck again... and the TV was back.
DAY 9: At sea. Elevator 3 works.
DAY 10: At sea. Elevator 3 is out of order again...
DAY 11: Disembarkation in Dunkirk.
Cabins had to be vacated by 7:30 AM. Buffet open until 9 AM.
Elevator number 1 was "reserved," leaving only number 2, which doesn’t go up to deck 11... a problem for people with mobility issues who had to cross the entire deck 11 and try to use one of the four working elevators at the front, which were crowded.
My opinion: Interesting stops.
The onboard staff were always welcoming, smiling, and mostly French-speaking.
Evening shows were better than in March/April 2025—better singers, dancers, and presenters, and the costumes were improved.
I liked the "magician" shows less.
There were three onboard lectures by a very cultured person, but they went off-topic and were too historical for my taste. I didn’t attend the other two; my husband went to the second but not the third.
For this cruise, there was a bridge theme, but we’re not players or interested.
We didn’t take a drink package on board—water, coffee, tea, and herbal teas were available.
We had a water leak in our cabin the night before disembarkation. We reported it, and after the technical staff came (with a translator who didn’t speak English), we were asked to leave the cabin for a while for repairs. We went to a lounge, and after 1.5 hours, I checked in at reception. The repair took longer than expected... we had to change cabins... not ideal the night before disembarkation. No balcony cabins were available, so we got an ocean-view cabin, 6075, with a bathtub (impossible for both of us to use). We packed our suitcases, took a shower in our cabin, and moved to the new one. Noise from chairs until 12:30 AM because the cabin was under a lounge, and constant ventilation noise in the hallway... sleep was hard to come by.
Disembarkation: Well organized. We were helped with transporting the two suitcases and bags to the waiting room while I took the shuttle to get the car.
Guylène
Hi there,
Here’s the 2027 cruise schedule.
It’s a great way to get ideas and maybe even meet up with other members!
2 essential rules:
1) Never "quote" the schedule when replying—this avoids any confusion.
2) Follow this format:
DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port
DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / /
REMINDER Despite my requests, few people follow the requested format. Cruises that stray too far from it won’t be listed anymore—sorry about that. IMPORTANT Please respect the templates!
PLEASE COPY AND PASTE THE FORMAT BELOW AND REPLACE WITH YOUR DETAILS IF YOU’RE HAVING TROUBLE
DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port
DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / /
It takes time to fix mistakes, so THANKS TO EVERYONE for your help!
YOUR TURN 😉
NUMBER OF 2027 CRUISES: 1
JANUARY
14/01 - poupou10 / AZAMARA JOURNEY / 74 days / South America Tour / Miami
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
Hello!
After a lot of hesitation between different cruise lines (Explora, Oceania, YC, HAL, NCL) and several destinations like Norway, Ireland, and Iceland,
I finally chose NCL’s Star for Iceland.
I had already looked at this itinerary when I went to Scotland in April with CFC, but it was really expensive.
You should know that CFC often offers last-minute deals 45 days before departure (the point when you can no longer cancel or modify).
So, I got a great opportunity and grabbed it.
Departure is on August 23rd.
hi there
Here’s the cruise schedule for 2026.
It’s a great way to get ideas and maybe even meet up with other members.
2 essential rules:
1) never "quote" the calendar when replying—this’ll avoid any confusion
2) follow the format below
DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port
DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / /
REMINDER Despite my requests, few people follow the requested format. Cruises that stray too far from it won’t be listed anymore—sorry!PLEASE respect the templates!
COPY AND PASTE THE FORMAT BELOW AND REPLACE WITH YOUR DETAILS IF YOU’RE STRUGGLING
DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port
DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / /
It takes time to fix mistakes, so THANKS TO EVERYONE for your help!
YOUR TURN 😉
NUMBER OF CRUISES 2026:
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
We’re taking an MSC cruise in May, and after the Cinque Terre, we’ll be stopping in Naples. We’d like to know if it’s possible to walk out of the port quickly and reach a nice area of Naples on foot (we’re two older people). While we’re at it, I’ll ask the same question for Palermo, since we’ll be there the next day. Thanks for your replies.
Hi everyone,
I’m staying in a suite on the Pacifica in October and I can’t find any details about the suite benefits beyond the elite restaurant, the butler, and the espresso machine.
What about breakfast and meals served free in the cabin, and the spa?
Costa’s been cutting back on perks for Gold members, and it seems like suites are next.
Thanks for your replies!
hi,
I’m leaving Hamburg for Iceland at the end of July. The boat arrives in Reykjavik on Tuesday, August 4th at 8 AM, and I’d like to book a day trip like the Golden Circle or Secret Lagoon… The sites like GetYourGuide and others list departures at 8 AM. If you’ve used these sites with the MSC Preziosa, could you let me know how to go about it?
Thanks! 😉
allyMB007
Hello everyone,
It’s with immense sadness that I learned this morning of the passing of our friend Nathalie (nadu). Many of us knew her through this forum, which she loved so much. She enjoyed reading your travel stories, joining discussions, sharing her cruise reviews, and offering valuable advice—always with kindness, gentleness, and discretion.
For me, Nathalie was so much more than just a cruise enthusiast. She was a friend, a deeply kind person who was always there to listen, despite the many health challenges she faced with tremendous courage. We corresponded regularly, and sometimes we had the chance to visit each other’s homes or attend the cruise show together with our respective husbands.
We shared a common dream: when we both retired, we had planned to finally go on a cruise together. Life had other plans, and that trip will forever remain a journey we never had the chance to take. That thought weighs heavily on my heart today.
I’ll remember her as a gentle, generous woman who was always ready to help others. Her presence on this forum will leave a huge void, just as her friendship has in my life.
I send my sincerest thoughts to her husband, her family, and all those who had the chance to know her.
Fair winds, Nathalie. I like to think you’re now sailing on an infinitely calm sea, under an eternally blue sky. You’ll remain in our thoughts and hearts every time we talk about cruises or set off on a new journey.
Rest in peace, Nathalie.
For those who’d like to send a message of comfort and sympathy to her husband, you can send me a PM, and I’ll pass it along.
THANK YOU
Hello everyone,
So happy to be back on this Forum!
We’re heading off on another cruise—our 7th—after a 5-year break...
We’ll be leaving from Venice on April 26th with stops in Kotor, Mykonos, Santorini, and Ancona.
Could you help me plan the stops by sharing tips, tricks, and advice?
For those who already know me, you know we prefer not to take the cruise line’s excursions but instead organize everything ourselves.
Thanks in advance to everyone, and looking forward to chatting with you all!
Hello,
We’re taking a cruise to Northern Europe with a stop in SOUTHAMPTON.
We’d like to visit the Stonehenge site.
Is it possible to get there on our own (my husband is a wheelchair user), since the MSC excursion to Salisbury is priced at 127 € per person?
There’s also a stop in Rotterdam, and it seems there’s a "miniature village to visit" nearby. Has anyone here been there, and if so, how did you get there?
Thanks so much for your tips. Mum49
If you're traveling on the Costa Diadema from October 17th to 28th, 2026 to Lisbon, we can meet up for a drink. Share our cruising experiences, an excursion, a table...
hi there, a group of friends and I are going on a cruise at the end of June with CFC in Norway. I’d love to get some info on the different stops we’ll be making. Most of them are one-day stops (from around 10 AM to 8 PM on average). Here are the stops: Andalsnes, Trondheim, Honningsvåg, Alta, Hellesylt, Sandane, Austefjorden.
Thanks in advance to anyone who can share what there is to see or do in these places.
When I get back, I’ll post what we did—it might help others who come after us.
Also, does anyone know if the boat sticks to the arrival time in Dunkirk for catching tickets to head back south? We’ll plan a buffer just in case.
Hi there, The day before boarding the Costa Favolosa for the Norwegian Fjords cruise departing from Hamburg, I'd like to book a hotel. Which one would be the most convenient location-wise relative to the port?
Thanks in advance for your reply.
Hello,
We’ll be sailing on the Renaissance with CFC to southern Norway from July 4 to 11, 2026, departing from Dunkirk (the cruise was booked through "Planète Croisière").
When entering some personal details or pre-selecting options on the CFC website, I’m wondering about the "optional" categories for drinks and WiFi.
I’m actually a bit surprised by these extra charges, as we weren’t used to them on other cruises (Australis in Patagonia; Hurtigruten’s Coastal Express in Norway and Alaska; Rivages du Monde in the Arctic or on the Douro River; a Nile river cruise in Egypt), where we sometimes had access to basic drinks at meals and free WiFi when near land.
Anyway, for those who’ve already taken a CFC cruise on the Renaissance, could you share some advice? Specifically about the most basic drink package, called "Fraîcheur" (238 € for two), which doesn’t seem to be described anywhere. The "Premium" package seems excessive (490 € for two for the week) for light drinkers.
As for WiFi, it’s 10 € per day per person. While I find that price acceptable for parking our car in Dunkirk, it feels overpriced here (especially since it was free on the Nordlys "Coastal Express" just 3 or 4 years ago).
So, I’d love to hear from experienced cruisers who’ve been on this ship!
Looking forward to seeing the excursion prices, which should be available soon! 😐
Hi there,
I’m considering a cruise on this ship in the recently introduced Yacht Club category.
Have any forum members tried it?
What are your thoughts? Positive or negative? Which cabins should we go for—or avoid?
We’re already familiar with the Yacht Clubs on the Splendida, Fantasia, Preziosa, and Divina series.
We weren’t as keen on the one on the Seashore—we found it too big.
Thanks in advance for your feedback!
Best,
Claudine
We're considering a new cruise soon and would like to try the Renaissance.
The uniqueness of the promenade cabins appeals to us, but could anyone give us some insights on the following points:
- Is the glass door sufficiently tinted to prevent outsiders from seeing into the cabin?
- Is the soundproofing good enough to block out conversations on the promenade deck?
Thanks in advance to anyone who can help!
My husband, our two teens, and I are going on a cruise on the COSTA Esmeralda at the beginning of July. We’re thinking of exploring the ports on our own. Do any of you have recent experiences or tips to share? Are there shuttles between the port and the city center? Are they free? Looking forward to hearing from you.
As promised, here’s my review of the cruise I took from the 5th to the 19th on the MSC Virtuosa.
As you know, I had initially booked a cruise with Mein Schiff departing from Dubai (from Dubai to Cape Town). It was a 22-day cruise. Due to the issues in the Persian Gulf, my cruise was canceled by Mein Schiff.
So, we started looking for a Plan B because we really wanted to go. Especially my wife, who had just had a minor procedure and needed some rest. Since she had already taken time off, she was determined to travel. However, we were looking for an affordable Plan B since we weren’t sure when Mein Schiff or the airline would reimburse us.
While browsing online, I found a 15-day cruise departing from Pointe-à-Pitre (including flights, transfers, the cruise, and drinks) for a price of 1,200 € in a Fantastica balcony cabin. We thought, *Why not?*
I should mention that I’m not usually a big fan of MSC. My last experience with them was post-Covid (I took two cruises, one in 2021 and another in 2022), and it was honestly a disaster. We didn’t want to repeat that, but after talking to Catherine, who told me she was very happy with a short Christmas cruise, we decided to give it a try.
I have to say, I was left speechless. Honestly, the cruise was absolutely perfect. There’s nothing to complain about (or just a few minor details). In terms of service and food, I felt like I was on a premium cruise line. I’d even say MSC has nothing to envy from some of those companies. While premium lines like Holland, Celebrity, and Royal are cutting back on services, I think MSC has made huge improvements. Seriously, I wasn’t expecting this at all. You’ll see what I mean as we chat more.
I won’t do a full review like I usually do because there weren’t many stops:
1. We boarded in Pointe-à-Pitre
2. We stopped in Saint-Martin
3. Then it was a direct crossing to the Azores...
This cruise was really about relaxing, even if it’s not the kind of trip we usually take.
First off, I’m not a big fan of "flight and cruise" packages. I asked if we could leave two days early, but they said it wasn’t possible. We had to take the flight, then the bus, and board the ship directly.
It’s not really my thing, but given the price we paid and since we really wanted to relax, we thought, *Why not?*
Here’s the itinerary:
Boarding in Pointe-à-Pitre
Saint-Martin
Five days at sea
The Azores
Four days at sea
Hamburg
One day at sea
Le Havre
But as I mentioned, it wasn’t about the itinerary. It was really about taking a break and unwinding. Honestly, I came back thrilled.
We’re stopping over in Rovinj this coming May, and since we’ve already visited the main sights (port, church, etc.), is there a walk we can do on our own—no boat needed—that would fill a morning?
Thanks to anyone who knows the area…
My wife and I are going on a cruise on the MS Vesteralen on August 4th. The ship stays close to the coast to deliver mail and packages. My wife is a musician and is sensitive to the movement of the boat. Which deck and cabin should we choose?
Hi there,
So, I booked this cruise...
I know CFC gets a lot of criticism—
- And that it’s not really like the ships I usually take.
But the destination really interested me...
So, I’m giving it a try...
I’m going in with an open mind, thinking I got a good deal, so I’m not expecting the same experience as when I travel with Yacht Club or The Haven.
We’ll see... soon!
hi, we’re going on a cruise with MSC Virtuosa in the Caribbean. Has anyone done this cruise before and could give us some tips for excursions on the different islands? Thanks for your help
😉Hi there,
A few months ago, CFC put the EN VOGUE experience on sale, departing from Dunkirk.
I booked this package to test the boat and onboard services for myself.
I’d read a lot of reviews mentioning numerous issues on board, so I wanted to see for myself what it was really like…
Okay, I’ll stop rambling…
The package included boarding at 6 PM on Friday, dinner, a show, an overnight stay, and breakfast.
We chose an interior cabin for this experience—since the boat wasn’t leaving the dock, we didn’t see the point in paying more… All in all, it cost 130 € per person.
My mom joined us; she got the same cabin for 130 € with no single occupancy supplement.
We’d checked in online to board faster.
We took the train to DUNKIRK, then a taxi to the shuttle pavilion—7 € for the ride.
When we arrived at the pavilion, we were told to wait because there was a connection issue with check-in. Great start…
After about ten minutes, we were finally allowed to proceed.
At the counter, they said they didn’t have our cabin cards and no record of our check-in… Very odd.
With no solution, they put us on the bus and said we’d sort it out at reception. Perfect.
We went through security, and they confiscated our water bottles—never seen that before! Then they said my mom had a corkscrew in her bag, so they searched it… but there was no corkscrew. Total amateur hour… They eventually dropped it.
We got on the bus for a ten-minute ride…
We boarded the ship with a crew member and headed to reception.
Turns out, we weren’t the only ones in this situation.
The nightmare began… Only two staff members were handling all the issues, and everything seemed complicated.
They told my mom her cabin had been given to someone else 😲.
That was the last straw…
It took forever—they had to redo the entire check-in.
Finally, they told my mom her cabin was good to go; they’d mixed her up with someone else… After a solid half-hour, we could finally head to our cabin.
I’m determined to test everything: the pool, jacuzzi, show, restaurant, spa, etc…
TO BE CONTINUED
Hi there,
I'm looking at a cruise in the north.
Hi there,
So, I booked this cruise...
I know CFC gets a lot of criticism—
- And that it’s not really like the ships I usually take.
But the destination really interested me...
So, I’m giving it a try...
I’m going in with an open mind, thinking I got a good deal, so I’m not expecting the same experience as when I travel with Yacht Club or The Haven.
We’ll see... soon!