Croisière Grande civilisations antiques sur le Costa Deliziosa du 22 octobre: excursions
by Sylvie84660
This discussion is in French, the community’s main language.
Original post
Bonjour,
l'escale à MESSINE ayant lieu un dimanche peut on aller a TAORMINA par nous memes avec un taxi ?
Y a t il des personnes susceptibles d'être intéressés par cette visite ?
A MARMARIS, j'aimerai bien aller à KOURION; quelqu'un est il également intéressés ?
Merci de votre réponse et surtout à bientot sur le bateau. Enfin les vacances !!!!!
😉😉😉Bonsoir SYLVIE,
84660 et moi 84830..... Comment va ma chère voisine !!!!
Concernant Messine, il n' y a pas de problème pour aller à TAORMINA.
Vous trouverez des infos dans la discussion que j'ai commencé sous ce lien :
voyageforum.com/voyage/deuxieme_album_vos_escales_recits_photos_en_croisiere_D3725789/
Pour la visite de MARMARIS, personnellement, j'ai opté pour DAYLAN et CAUNOS et là, dans le bas de ma page, il faut cliquer sur le lien du Méditerranée.
Voici des infos sur KOURION :
Ce site se trouve à 15 km de LIMASSOL et non de MARMARIS comme vous pouvez le voir sur cette carte :




Ce qu'il faut voir :
La maison aux mosaïques d'Achille. Autrefois construite dans la proximité de la porte de Paphos, cette maison s'élève sur la route Limassol-Paphos. Autour des vestiges d'une cour à ciel ouvert, étaient groupées des chambres précédées d'une galerie couverte protégeant le beau dallage de mosaïque du IVe siècle avant J.-C. Cette mosaïque représente une scène qui a lieu à la cour du roi Lycomède : Achille, déguisé en jeune fille, est reconnu par Ulysse (lui-même déguisé en marchand). Ce dernier présente aux femmes de la cour des bijoux et des armes; Achille se trahit en préférant les armes aux bijoux et Ulysse l'emmène au siège de Troie (ville, qui selon les prédictions de Calchas ne peut être prise sans Achille... Achille j dont les oracles ont prédit dans l'enfance qu'il périrait sous les murs de Troie, de là déguisement, représenté ici, préconisé par Thétis, sa mère). La maison des Gladiateurs. Le sol de deux salles de cette ancienne villa est orné de scènes de combats de gladiateurs. Les couleurs de ces mosaïques sont dans un état de conservation exceptionnel. L'acropole de Kourion fut détruite par un tremblement de terre au IV siècle après J.-C. La fraction du site qui fait face à la loge du gardien est un chantier de fouilles depuis le milieu des années soixante-dix. C'est ici, en l'occurrence qu'ont été mises au jour les mosaïques mentionnées plus haut. Plusieurs Colonnes à chapiteaux corinthiens ont déjà été relevées et réinstallées à leur place d'origine. La basilique. Si l'on en juge par le style des chapiteaux, la basilique - cathédrale des évêques de Kourion - fut construite au V, siècle de notre ère. La nef centrale était séparée des nefs latérales par douze colonnes de granit. L'abside unique était flanquée de salles orthogonales, elles-mêmes séparées des nefs latérales par des couples de colonnes Un déambulatoire dallé de pierres conduisant à l’extérieur, longeant l'extérieur des nefs latérales. Un baptistère dallé de mosaïques ouvrait sur la cour, ornée d'une fontaine hexagonale, qui précédait le narthex. Depuis le parvis de la basilique un panorama magnifique sur la côte, abrupte à cet endroit de l'Île s'offre au regard; la plage est visible, très loin en contrebas. Le théâtre pouvait accueillir quelque 3 500 spectateurs. On accédait aux tribunes de l'orchestre en hémicycle par un passage voûté percé de cinq entrées de l'amphithéâtre. Le mur de scène s'élevait, à l'origine, jusqu'au niveau des rangs les plus élevés. Au III siècle de notre ère ce lieu fut, pendant un court moment désaffecté de sa fonction première et servit d'arènes ou l'on venait assister à des combats d'animaux. Les thermes et la maison d'Eustolios. A l'est du théâtre et de sa tour d'escalier s'étendent les murs d'une construction palatiale du Ve siècle après J.-C. La zone des bains, spacieuse et confortable, semble indiquer - par l'échelle - qu'il s'agirait là de thermes publics. Une inscription fragmentaire dans la mosaïque (partie orientale de l'édifice) indique le nom de l'architecte de ce «frais refuge à l'abri du vent»: Eustolios. En outre l'inscription fait référence à Apollon, dieu protecteur de la Kourion paÏenne. Mais une autre inscription encore - contemporaine de la première - indique le nom du Christ. L'élément le plus fastueux de l'installation est un dallage de mosaïque admirablement conservé dans la salle principale (partie nord). La qui incarne la Créativité (Ktisis) est remarquablement belle. Elle tient, représentation d'une jeune femme dans la main droite, une règle qui correspond exactement à la longueur du pied romain. Non moins fascinante est la partie de la mosaïque qui représente une perdrix entourée d'oiseaux et de poissons. Des bains de pieds peu profonds relient la salle principale aux bains froids, tandis qu'à l'ouest sont encore visibles les chambres ou était chauffé l'air qui servait lui-même à chauffer les thermes. Une représentation théâtrale ou un concert au théâtre antique de. Kourion. (Paphos) sont des événements inoubliables auxquels contribue l'acoustique fabuleuse du lieu, On y donne, pendant les mois d'été, les pièces des auteurs grecs classiques ainsi que des drames shakespeariens. Des informations à ce sujet sont dispensées par l'office du tourisme ou la réception de votre hôtel. Le stade. A 1 km environ à l'ouest de l'acropole, en bordure de la ville, s'étend le stade qui fut construit au IIe siècle après J-C. Il fut utilise pendant près de six siècles. De cet édifice immense qui pouvait accueillir 6 000 spectateurs, ne subsiste que l'enceinte en forme de fer 1 cheval, dotée de trois accès. Les tribunes ont été partiellement reconstruites. Le sanctuaire d'Apollon. Un kilomètre plus loin à l'ouest, s'élève le sanctuaire d'Apollon Hylatès «APOllON protecteur des forêts »). Ce lieu, l'un des plus sacrés de la Chypre antique, se trouvait jadis au milieu d'une réserve sauvage (bois sacré); on y célébra dès le VIIIe avant J-C. le culte d'Apollon protecteur des forêts, ainsi qu'il été démontré. La plupart des décombres dégagés par les fouilles appartiennent à un autre temple, ��rigé bien plus tard, vers l'an 100 de notre ère. il est très vraisemblable que ce dernier ait été considérablement endommagé par le séisme du IVe siècle après J-C., mais qu'il n'ait toutefois pas été désaffecté avant le Ve siècle. Comme cela se voit fréquemment à Chypre, le temple reconstruit est un édifice de dimensions relativement petites, la plupart des rituels ayant lieu en plein air. Une large volée de marches et un porche à quatre colonnes conduisaient jusqu'à l'autel. Oser porter la main sur l'autel était sacrilège et puni de mort, rapporte Strabon (géographe et historien grec de la dernière période hellénistique) ; le fautif était précipité dans la mer du haut de la falaise. Les éléments architectoniques les mieux conservés sont les chambres qui étaient destinés aux pèlerins et les thermes d'époque romaine L'élément le plus intéressant du point de vue archéologique a été dégagé en 1978-1980 (il est encore entouré de palissades); de plan cruciforme il est d'époque pré-chrétienne et sa section la plus large est de 18 mètres mieux conservés sont les chambres Il est possible que de jeunes arbres sacrés aient été qui étaient destinées aux pèlerins plantés à l'intérieur des remarquables dépressions circulaires, et qu'autour de ces arbres les pèlerins aient exécuté des danses rituelles ou bien les aient contournés en longues théories. Rien qui leur soit comparable n'a à ce jour été découvert dans le monde méditerranéen.
JC
84660 et moi 84830..... Comment va ma chère voisine !!!!
Concernant Messine, il n' y a pas de problème pour aller à TAORMINA.
Vous trouverez des infos dans la discussion que j'ai commencé sous ce lien :
voyageforum.com/voyage/deuxieme_album_vos_escales_recits_photos_en_croisiere_D3725789/
Pour la visite de MARMARIS, personnellement, j'ai opté pour DAYLAN et CAUNOS et là, dans le bas de ma page, il faut cliquer sur le lien du Méditerranée.
Voici des infos sur KOURION :
Ce site se trouve à 15 km de LIMASSOL et non de MARMARIS comme vous pouvez le voir sur cette carte :




Ce qu'il faut voir :
La maison aux mosaïques d'Achille. Autrefois construite dans la proximité de la porte de Paphos, cette maison s'élève sur la route Limassol-Paphos. Autour des vestiges d'une cour à ciel ouvert, étaient groupées des chambres précédées d'une galerie couverte protégeant le beau dallage de mosaïque du IVe siècle avant J.-C. Cette mosaïque représente une scène qui a lieu à la cour du roi Lycomède : Achille, déguisé en jeune fille, est reconnu par Ulysse (lui-même déguisé en marchand). Ce dernier présente aux femmes de la cour des bijoux et des armes; Achille se trahit en préférant les armes aux bijoux et Ulysse l'emmène au siège de Troie (ville, qui selon les prédictions de Calchas ne peut être prise sans Achille... Achille j dont les oracles ont prédit dans l'enfance qu'il périrait sous les murs de Troie, de là déguisement, représenté ici, préconisé par Thétis, sa mère). La maison des Gladiateurs. Le sol de deux salles de cette ancienne villa est orné de scènes de combats de gladiateurs. Les couleurs de ces mosaïques sont dans un état de conservation exceptionnel. L'acropole de Kourion fut détruite par un tremblement de terre au IV siècle après J.-C. La fraction du site qui fait face à la loge du gardien est un chantier de fouilles depuis le milieu des années soixante-dix. C'est ici, en l'occurrence qu'ont été mises au jour les mosaïques mentionnées plus haut. Plusieurs Colonnes à chapiteaux corinthiens ont déjà été relevées et réinstallées à leur place d'origine. La basilique. Si l'on en juge par le style des chapiteaux, la basilique - cathédrale des évêques de Kourion - fut construite au V, siècle de notre ère. La nef centrale était séparée des nefs latérales par douze colonnes de granit. L'abside unique était flanquée de salles orthogonales, elles-mêmes séparées des nefs latérales par des couples de colonnes Un déambulatoire dallé de pierres conduisant à l’extérieur, longeant l'extérieur des nefs latérales. Un baptistère dallé de mosaïques ouvrait sur la cour, ornée d'une fontaine hexagonale, qui précédait le narthex. Depuis le parvis de la basilique un panorama magnifique sur la côte, abrupte à cet endroit de l'Île s'offre au regard; la plage est visible, très loin en contrebas. Le théâtre pouvait accueillir quelque 3 500 spectateurs. On accédait aux tribunes de l'orchestre en hémicycle par un passage voûté percé de cinq entrées de l'amphithéâtre. Le mur de scène s'élevait, à l'origine, jusqu'au niveau des rangs les plus élevés. Au III siècle de notre ère ce lieu fut, pendant un court moment désaffecté de sa fonction première et servit d'arènes ou l'on venait assister à des combats d'animaux. Les thermes et la maison d'Eustolios. A l'est du théâtre et de sa tour d'escalier s'étendent les murs d'une construction palatiale du Ve siècle après J.-C. La zone des bains, spacieuse et confortable, semble indiquer - par l'échelle - qu'il s'agirait là de thermes publics. Une inscription fragmentaire dans la mosaïque (partie orientale de l'édifice) indique le nom de l'architecte de ce «frais refuge à l'abri du vent»: Eustolios. En outre l'inscription fait référence à Apollon, dieu protecteur de la Kourion paÏenne. Mais une autre inscription encore - contemporaine de la première - indique le nom du Christ. L'élément le plus fastueux de l'installation est un dallage de mosaïque admirablement conservé dans la salle principale (partie nord). La qui incarne la Créativité (Ktisis) est remarquablement belle. Elle tient, représentation d'une jeune femme dans la main droite, une règle qui correspond exactement à la longueur du pied romain. Non moins fascinante est la partie de la mosaïque qui représente une perdrix entourée d'oiseaux et de poissons. Des bains de pieds peu profonds relient la salle principale aux bains froids, tandis qu'à l'ouest sont encore visibles les chambres ou était chauffé l'air qui servait lui-même à chauffer les thermes. Une représentation théâtrale ou un concert au théâtre antique de. Kourion. (Paphos) sont des événements inoubliables auxquels contribue l'acoustique fabuleuse du lieu, On y donne, pendant les mois d'été, les pièces des auteurs grecs classiques ainsi que des drames shakespeariens. Des informations à ce sujet sont dispensées par l'office du tourisme ou la réception de votre hôtel. Le stade. A 1 km environ à l'ouest de l'acropole, en bordure de la ville, s'étend le stade qui fut construit au IIe siècle après J-C. Il fut utilise pendant près de six siècles. De cet édifice immense qui pouvait accueillir 6 000 spectateurs, ne subsiste que l'enceinte en forme de fer 1 cheval, dotée de trois accès. Les tribunes ont été partiellement reconstruites. Le sanctuaire d'Apollon. Un kilomètre plus loin à l'ouest, s'élève le sanctuaire d'Apollon Hylatès «APOllON protecteur des forêts »). Ce lieu, l'un des plus sacrés de la Chypre antique, se trouvait jadis au milieu d'une réserve sauvage (bois sacré); on y célébra dès le VIIIe avant J-C. le culte d'Apollon protecteur des forêts, ainsi qu'il été démontré. La plupart des décombres dégagés par les fouilles appartiennent à un autre temple, ��rigé bien plus tard, vers l'an 100 de notre ère. il est très vraisemblable que ce dernier ait été considérablement endommagé par le séisme du IVe siècle après J-C., mais qu'il n'ait toutefois pas été désaffecté avant le Ve siècle. Comme cela se voit fréquemment à Chypre, le temple reconstruit est un édifice de dimensions relativement petites, la plupart des rituels ayant lieu en plein air. Une large volée de marches et un porche à quatre colonnes conduisaient jusqu'à l'autel. Oser porter la main sur l'autel était sacrilège et puni de mort, rapporte Strabon (géographe et historien grec de la dernière période hellénistique) ; le fautif était précipité dans la mer du haut de la falaise. Les éléments architectoniques les mieux conservés sont les chambres qui étaient destinés aux pèlerins et les thermes d'époque romaine L'élément le plus intéressant du point de vue archéologique a été dégagé en 1978-1980 (il est encore entouré de palissades); de plan cruciforme il est d'époque pré-chrétienne et sa section la plus large est de 18 mètres mieux conservés sont les chambres Il est possible que de jeunes arbres sacrés aient été qui étaient destinées aux pèlerins plantés à l'intérieur des remarquables dépressions circulaires, et qu'autour de ces arbres les pèlerins aient exécuté des danses rituelles ou bien les aient contournés en longues théories. Rien qui leur soit comparable n'a à ce jour été découvert dans le monde méditerranéen.
JC
Cap Saint-Jacques, Foucault, Leclerc, Brazza, Mangin, Mermoz, Romanza, Massalia, Mélody, Club Med 2, Concordia, Magica, Victoria, Mediterranea, Atlantica, Epic, Deliziosa, Favolosa, Divina, Fantasia, Serena, Deliziosa, Pacifica, Magica, Preziosa, Meraviglia, Magnifica, Poesia, Splendida, Orchestra.
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Hi,
We’ll be visiting Barcelona for the first time on our upcoming cruise.
I was wondering if it’s better to book a taxi in advance to get from the train station to the cruise terminal, since there’ll be four of us. Are there enough taxis around that we won’t have to wait too long?
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I came across this site below—has anyone heard of it?
https://taxibarcelona.taxi/fr/
Thanks! !
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hi there
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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!
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NUMBER OF CRUISES 2026: JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER
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
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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!
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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 😉
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Thanks a million for your replies! Marie
For a first cruise, I’d prefer a short one (maximum 8 days). Do those exist? And on the smallest boat possible. I live in Marseille, so a departure from Marseille would work, but I’m open to other ports too. If you have a cruise line to recommend and a destination you’ve enjoyed, or if you’ve had a great experience on a more intimate-sized ship, I’d love to hear about it!
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Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’d like to discuss! Happy planning to everyone! !
We’re looking for a group of people available to share an excursion to the Trollstigen (Trolls’ Road). We’ve contacted a local provider who’s offering us the following rates: - 6,325 NOK for 4 people - 6,874 NOK for 5 to 8 people
Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’d like to discuss! Happy planning to everyone! !
Has anyone here ever done an excursion with privatetunisia.com?
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https://privatetunisia.com/fr/excursions/croisiere-carthage-sidi-bou-said
Hello,
We just returned from a cruise from 08/13/26 to 08/20/26 on the MSC ORCHESTRA with stops in Tarragona, Valencia, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Genoa, and back to Marseille. The ship was fully booked. Deck chairs were already occupied by beach towels early in the morning, and there were only 1 or 2 people in the pools... However, on the day the Italians disembarked, there were very few towels on the deck chairs. We found the Italians less talkative.
We had a balcony cabin on deck 9, starboard side. The cabin was spacious, but the sofa was facing the desk, making it a pain to watch TV (neck strain guaranteed). So, we changed the sofa’s orientation to face the TV (we put it back in place on disembarkation day). There were 325 French speakers on board, and a lot of staff from Mauritius, which made communication easier.
No annoying announcements about bingo, etc.—a nice change from COSTA.
For dinner, we were at the first sitting at 7:45 PM, at a table for 6. On the first night, we were two "gray-haired" couples at the table. The second night, two young women joined us but asked to change tables after seeing us... The show for our dinner time was at 10:15 PM and ended around 11:00 PM. We found that a bit late for us. The shows were varied and of good quality. The restaurant menus offered plenty of choices, but at the buffet at lunchtime, there were a lot of dishes with quite a few carbs. Afternoon tea from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM included some great pastries, among other things.
We had an issue with the air conditioning and bad odors in the cabin one afternoon. I reported the problem to the reception, and staff along with our cabin steward came to check the cabin. The issue was resolved that same afternoon. Two days later, we were surprised to find a bag with items inside: 2 MSC mugs and 2 MSC thermos flasks that keep drinks hot or cold for 10 hours. It was a gift from customer service following the bad odors in our cabin. We weren’t expecting this at all and thanked MSC’s customer service.
For excursions, MSC always offers port-to-city-center transfers for 14 € per adult in Valencia and Tarragona, and 12 € per child. In Livorno, it was 10 € per adult and 7 € per child. In Civitavecchia, there was a shuttle to the train station for 6 €. On the MSC for Me app, there were "promotions" on certain excursions. We really enjoyed this cruise, but we couldn’t revisit some stops (Tarragona and Valencia) on our own because it was too hot. Great evening: Mum49
We just returned from a cruise from 08/13/26 to 08/20/26 on the MSC ORCHESTRA with stops in Tarragona, Valencia, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Genoa, and back to Marseille. The ship was fully booked. Deck chairs were already occupied by beach towels early in the morning, and there were only 1 or 2 people in the pools... However, on the day the Italians disembarked, there were very few towels on the deck chairs. We found the Italians less talkative.
We had a balcony cabin on deck 9, starboard side. The cabin was spacious, but the sofa was facing the desk, making it a pain to watch TV (neck strain guaranteed). So, we changed the sofa’s orientation to face the TV (we put it back in place on disembarkation day). There were 325 French speakers on board, and a lot of staff from Mauritius, which made communication easier.
No annoying announcements about bingo, etc.—a nice change from COSTA.
For dinner, we were at the first sitting at 7:45 PM, at a table for 6. On the first night, we were two "gray-haired" couples at the table. The second night, two young women joined us but asked to change tables after seeing us... The show for our dinner time was at 10:15 PM and ended around 11:00 PM. We found that a bit late for us. The shows were varied and of good quality. The restaurant menus offered plenty of choices, but at the buffet at lunchtime, there were a lot of dishes with quite a few carbs. Afternoon tea from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM included some great pastries, among other things.
We had an issue with the air conditioning and bad odors in the cabin one afternoon. I reported the problem to the reception, and staff along with our cabin steward came to check the cabin. The issue was resolved that same afternoon. Two days later, we were surprised to find a bag with items inside: 2 MSC mugs and 2 MSC thermos flasks that keep drinks hot or cold for 10 hours. It was a gift from customer service following the bad odors in our cabin. We weren’t expecting this at all and thanked MSC’s customer service.
For excursions, MSC always offers port-to-city-center transfers for 14 € per adult in Valencia and Tarragona, and 12 € per child. In Livorno, it was 10 € per adult and 7 € per child. In Civitavecchia, there was a shuttle to the train station for 6 €. On the MSC for Me app, there were "promotions" on certain excursions. We really enjoyed this cruise, but we couldn’t revisit some stops (Tarragona and Valencia) on our own because it was too hot. Great evening: Mum49
We're leaving on August 25th for a Danube cruise from Vienna to Bucharest. The travel agency refuses to postpone this cruise despite navigation changes due to the exceptional drought, which include bus transfers that don’t interest us.
Have you had any experiences with this that you’d like to share?
Hi there!
I’m going on a cruise with MSC on the World Europa this coming October.
Stops: Genoa, Naples, Messina, Malta.
Has anyone visited Mount Etna and Pompeii?
Could you share some tips for each of these stops?
I’d like to explore on my own without booking the ship’s excursions.
Thanks for your advice!
hi everyone!
are there other cruise formats besides the coastal express to see the northern lights in Norway in winter?
Just back from our first cruise on the Renaissance, and I’d like to share a few thoughts about life on board. Our feelings are mixed—we wanted a change after several MSC cruises, but the value for money on this repositioning cruise left us torn.
After taking advantage of successive promotions, we finally secured a well-located balcony cabin for 2600 € (almost 50% off the brochure rate). Given the amenities and the ship’s age, this now feels like the absolute maximum we’d pay for that period.
Overall, we were happy with our vacation on board, but a few details—when added up—left us with a somewhat mixed impression.
The pros: - Ship size - Reasonable noise levels, except in the restaurants (aside from the covered pool area) - Spacious balcony cabin (20 + 5 m²) with plenty of storage and a bathtub with jets - Understated, tasteful decor - French language spoken on board - Friendly staff for the most part - 100% French-speaking clientele - Decent food with French dishes (even with an Indian chef) - Tables for two available (though the ship was full, so no changes possible) - Some high-quality shows, thanks to an excellent English-speaking troupe - Interesting lectures (especially on history and cetaceans)
The cons: - Unreliable air conditioning in common areas (you’d go from a freezing lounge to a hot one, as if the system only worked in certain spaces at certain times) - Aging ship with a few glitches (noises, AC, toilet flushes, lights) reported at reception (luckily, our only issue was the bathroom door not closing...) - Industrial, thawed-out bread and pastries (a letdown for a ship with a French image) - Limited fruit selection (often just apples and watermelon/melon) and not much variety in vegetables - Worn, sometimes stained restaurant towels
We’re not ruling out another cruise on the Renaissance—their itineraries are unique—but only at a very competitive price.
The pros: - Ship size - Reasonable noise levels, except in the restaurants (aside from the covered pool area) - Spacious balcony cabin (20 + 5 m²) with plenty of storage and a bathtub with jets - Understated, tasteful decor - French language spoken on board - Friendly staff for the most part - 100% French-speaking clientele - Decent food with French dishes (even with an Indian chef) - Tables for two available (though the ship was full, so no changes possible) - Some high-quality shows, thanks to an excellent English-speaking troupe - Interesting lectures (especially on history and cetaceans)
The cons: - Unreliable air conditioning in common areas (you’d go from a freezing lounge to a hot one, as if the system only worked in certain spaces at certain times) - Aging ship with a few glitches (noises, AC, toilet flushes, lights) reported at reception (luckily, our only issue was the bathroom door not closing...) - Industrial, thawed-out bread and pastries (a letdown for a ship with a French image) - Limited fruit selection (often just apples and watermelon/melon) and not much variety in vegetables - Worn, sometimes stained restaurant towels
We’re not ruling out another cruise on the Renaissance—their itineraries are unique—but only at a very competitive price.
Hi everyone ...
We’re planning to do the 83-day Cunard cruise ...
departing from Southampton on January 10, 2027 aboard the Queen Anne ...
has anyone done it ... or have any info ... or tips ...
for example ... deck and cabin choices ... drink packages ... excursions ... etc.
... anything good to know about this ship???
Thanks everyone ...
Hi everyone! 😊
I discovered solo cruises last year, and it was a wonderful experience. Since then, I’ve decided to do one every year, usually between October and March, departing from Marseille or Le Havre.
I travel alone, but I enjoy sharing certain moments with other travelers: having meals together, attending shows, enjoying the evening entertainment, grabbing a drink, or going on a few excursions. Of course, everyone keeps their freedom—the goal is simply to have a good time in a friendly atmosphere.
For the end of this year, I don’t have a cruise planned yet. However, I’m already booked on the MSC Magnifica from October 29 to November 3, 2027, departing from Marseille with an itinerary to Spain and Italy.
If you often travel solo or if you’re on this cruise, I’d love to chat with you before departure. Looking forward to meeting you! 🚢😊
I discovered solo cruises last year, and it was a wonderful experience. Since then, I’ve decided to do one every year, usually between October and March, departing from Marseille or Le Havre.
I travel alone, but I enjoy sharing certain moments with other travelers: having meals together, attending shows, enjoying the evening entertainment, grabbing a drink, or going on a few excursions. Of course, everyone keeps their freedom—the goal is simply to have a good time in a friendly atmosphere.
For the end of this year, I don’t have a cruise planned yet. However, I’m already booked on the MSC Magnifica from October 29 to November 3, 2027, departing from Marseille with an itinerary to Spain and Italy.
If you often travel solo or if you’re on this cruise, I’d love to chat with you before departure. Looking forward to meeting you! 🚢😊
Hi everyone,
I’m doing some research to find our dream cruise for next year and just came across this site that offers absolutely incredible packages!
For example:
https://www.cruisemonks.com/ALL-CRUISE-OFFERS?AppID%3D%20UYC6JxBtzrZEs2vD35IKg%3D%3D%26latest_deals%3D866834
Has anyone heard of this site? Looking forward to your thoughts! Best, Stéfanie
For example:
https://www.cruisemonks.com/ALL-CRUISE-OFFERS?AppID%3D%20UYC6JxBtzrZEs2vD35IKg%3D%3D%26latest_deals%3D866834
Has anyone heard of this site? Looking forward to your thoughts! Best, Stéfanie
We're considering a Danube cruise that stops in Bucharest.
Are there any travelers currently on the river, which is at its lowest level?
Hi there,
I’m taking a cruise on the Costa Pacifica in December—what should I expect in terms of rough seas?
contact me to get referred at MSC, for your first cruise or if you haven't traveled with MSC in over 5 years
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.


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 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!
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
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,
I'm looking at a cruise in the north.Which one do you think is more interesting? Thanks
Hello
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.
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,
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
Hi
Has anyone taken the CFC recently?
Thoughts?
Thanks
Thoughts?
Thanks
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
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!







