The Emerald Princess is listing noticeably from the wind while docked.
Two hours later, with the help of a tugboat, we set off for two days at sea before our next stop in Edinburgh.
Once again, the captain addresses the passengers directly. We’ll face strong winds during the 6-hour navigation through the fjords, lasting until around midnight. Things will get trickier after that when we reach the North Sea. The winds are expected to ease up tomorrow afternoon. That’s the plan.
Little bags start appearing at the bottom of the staircases.
Meanwhile, sailing through the fjords during dinner (even if the ship lists a bit) is still stunning, despite the mist, and we’re making the most of it.
Tonight’s buffet specialty is Shrimp Fra Diavolo (pasta and prawns).
It seems lessons were learned from the paella night—plates are now being filled by a server. Once again, this specialty dish is really good.
As we move toward the exit of the fjord, the wind picks up, waves grow choppier, clouds gather, and the sky darkens.
Phew, it's working again—I was worried I'd miss out on the storm 😕
Whoa, it's rocking even at the dock!
This city is pretty when it's not raining 😎
Thanks, Catherine, for sharing all these great (and not-so-great) moments 🙂
The storm did arrive as predicted, but I still don’t get why they warn passengers 24 hours in advance? 😕
I really loved Trondheim—along with Molde, those were the two most welcoming and pleasant cities to explore, when it’s not pouring rain. 😉
See you later for the rest, if the system cooperates…
"Welcome to the dance floor!" That’s how the maître d’ greets me at breakfast. And he’s spot-on! The floor is literally dancing under our feet, which I don’t mind at all—quite the opposite.
The night wasn’t too rough; we didn’t fall out of bed, just gently rocked.
This morning, the sky is overcast, and the sea is gray with some nice swells, but nothing alarming or out of the ordinary. Every now and then, the ship shudders as if shaking itself off. Based on my experience, it’s far from the storm that was forecast.
What’s worrying us is our bill—those wrongly charged drink packages are still showing up. We complain again at reception, but they ask for two more days of patience. We’re not laughing anymore because disembarkation day is approaching, and after that, it’ll be too late.
After pushing back and hitting a wall of stubbornness, we hand them an exact list of our drinks with dates and plan to go back this afternoon.
Two hours later, after an info session in the theater about our next stop in South Queensferry (Edinburgh), we’re pleasantly surprised to find an updated bill in our cabin—without the packages! Phew!
But was it a gift? Or just a system glitch that couldn’t be reversed? The drinks we listed aren’t on the bill either.
The wind’s still blowing hard. It’s funny how a listing ship can put a smile on passengers’ faces and lift the mood on board.
The wind eases in the mid-afternoon, but the sea stays choppy. The clouds break, revealing patches of blue sky. We’re almost out of this rough patch, but it’s still too cold to sit outside. The hours stretch out slowly and eventually pass.
A lovely moment at the Irish Café, listening to music and singing over an apéritif. For years, we’ve known this bar as empty, sad, and freezing—no one ever went there. On this cruise, with live music, it’s packed. Sometimes, all it takes is the right touch.
System failures aren’t easy to deal with...
What I loved about my two Princess cruises was the entertainment, especially the "British Isles" theme with a stop in Liverpool: two days of Beatles shows in the theater and atrium with an incredibly similar tribute band 🤵, plus Scottish and Irish groups matching the ports of call 👍
We also really enjoyed the Beatles-themed activities during our cruise around the British Isles in 2014—they were great. On this cruise, though, it was the atmosphere and music of the Irish Café that won us over.
Hi Catherine,
Thanks for the update, and I’m glad to hear things worked out with the unfairly charged package.
The storm was a bit more “cool” than expected—good for everyone!
Have a great day, and looking forward to your other photos and comments. Guylène
Thanks Guylène! Actually, the storm wasn’t too bad—or maybe our captain was a total champ who knew how to ride those waves just right to spare us any hassle. 😏 😉
I just tried again, and it’s still impossible to upload an image today... Maybe tomorrow?
Bright sunshine, calm sea, and mild temperatures this morning made this second day at sea very different from yesterday. Time for the deck chairs and sunbathing!
That is, until that pretty cloud with its unusual shape warned us of the arrival of many more… much less pleasant ones, and the bad weather that was about to set in.
This was a test, and since it worked, I’ll post the rest this afternoon if all goes well...
During this stop, the ship docks at South Queensferry, about fifteen kilometers from Edinburgh. Disembarkation is done by launches and tourist boats—just like the other times, it’s perfectly orchestrated and very quick.
The bridge that allows the train to pass is stunning, but I find (with no chauvinism at all) that Monsieur Eiffel’s structures from the same era are lighter, more airy, and graceful.
A musical welcome during stops is becoming increasingly rare, so it’s all the more enjoyable when it happens.
I had planned to take a bus from the Slip Road stop to Edinburgh, but everything was already arranged—a double-decker bus was waiting for passengers right on the quay, just in front of the launch disembarkation point, for £25 round-trip.
We were dropped off on George Street, right in the city center, just steps away from the historic town. But that’s not what I had planned to see first. We’ve already been to Edinburgh a few years ago.
The neighborhood I’m interested in is Dean Village, an old and picturesque area just a short walk from the city center. We’re not far from it.
The history of Dean Village dates back to the 12th century, when it was mainly inhabited by millers. The village took advantage of the powerful currents of the Water of Leith river to operate its mills and grind grain to feed the growing population of Edinburgh, which at the time was limited to the Old Town.
Over the centuries, the mills kept turning, and Dean Village became a neighborhood of Edinburgh. By the 18th century, the village still had numerous factories and eleven mills, but urbanization and industrialization in the 19th century led to their decline and disappearance.
To explore it, we follow the Water of Leith, the small river that runs through Edinburgh and flows into the sea a few kilometers further on. This walk along the river is a true haven of peace in the heart of the city.
The first buildings of the village line both sides of the river rather sternly.
And the village reveals itself with its old buildings set in a charming, peaceful, green, and idyllic setting.
The village was renovated back in the 1970s. What a beautiful environment for the people who live here.
The walk continues along the river under the tall trees, with no one to disturb the serenity of the place at this hour. We don’t take the time to walk the full 4.5 km of the promenade to the sea—we’ll regret it later when we’re in the city crowds.
To reach the historic center of the city, we cross Princes Street Gardens at the foot of the castle. The gardener’s work, perched on a ladder to create this masterpiece, is truly admirable.
We arrive on the main street—the busiest shopping street leading up to the castle—via a staircase and a small passageway.
In front of the cathedral, a sea of people makes it hard to take photos. Entry to St Giles’ Cathedral is free. The stained glass is stunning, and the cathedral is beautifully highlighted by subtle lighting.
It’s magnificent, adorned with gorgeous fresh flower arrangements that have just been put in place.
The Old Town is a bit disappointing—all the activity is concentrated on the shopping street leading to the castle and its souvenir shops. The castle courtyard is cluttered with construction for temporary stands. It’s a bit chaotic, and there are way too many people for our taste, so we make a quick exit.
The city’s musical scene is lively and delightful—we encounter it in many places.
On our way back to the bus, we walk up Rose Street, the pub street in New Town. It comes alive in the evenings and on weekends, but at this hour, it’s deserted.
Two pubs are iconic in this neighborhood.
Open since 1859, the Dirty Dick’s bar is one of the smallest pubs in the city, with just a few tables and a tiny counter. The pub is known for its exuberant decor, made up of a collection of old objects—a real jumble that covers every nook and cranny. It’s even said you can barely see the walls because the decor is so abundant.
The pub gets its name from a real person, an 18th-century English merchant famous for never washing after the tragic death of his fiancée. His shop and warehouse quickly became known for their extreme filth, so much so that letters were addressed to "The Dirty Warehouse".
A local restaurateur later took up his story, decorating the pub with macabre relics (mummified rats, various remains) from his old warehouse, adding to the place’s eerie and unique atmosphere.
The Kenilworth is better known for its heritage value and prestigious interior. It’s one of the few island pubs in Edinburgh. It’s adorned with tiled walls, a monumental advertising mirror, and Art Nouveau stained glass.
Its name is inspired by the literature of Walter Scott. In the 1970s, it was one of the first "central street" bars accessible to the gay community.
But we won’t see any of it since both pubs, like all the establishments on the street, are closed.
We get on the bus and wait for it to fill up so we can leave. Between the ride and the time it takes for the tender to bring us back to the ship, it takes an hour and a half to return on board.
After the meal, we take the water shuttle for a quick visit ashore—we’re the only ones in the boat. I’d planned a hike along the shore, between nature and the sea, but with the gloomy, overcast sky, no sun, and low tide, the conditions aren’t ideal for enjoying a seaside walk.
Instead, we head toward the small village of South Queensferry, close to the dock where the tender drops us off and a place we don’t know yet.
And there, we discover a charming and picturesque little town with pretty colored houses and well-kept little gardens.
The walk is really pleasant—this village is a lovely discovery to end the afternoon.
Tonight, the ship is celebrating Canada Day. Four cocktails in the country’s colors are being offered for the occasion. Like everywhere, it feels like people are deaf with how loud the music is.
Hi Catherine,
Your review reminds me of my layover in Edinburgh on Princess—I also ended up visiting that pretty village.
One of the few days when the weather was rainy and cold, which is normal for this lovely city, unfortunately 😉
Once again, I can't download photos. I've had enough, and I'm wrapping up without the latest ones, which were just illustrations.
Wednesday, July 2nd, at sea
Our last day before disembarking, and the weather isn’t kind to us. We’re sailing through thick fog, and the ship’s horn blares regularly.
Packing our suitcases will keep us busy for part of the afternoon to pass the time. I’d have preferred a sunny day by the pool.
Finally, the sun decides to make an appearance at the very end of the day, just enough for us to catch a glimpse of the English coast on one side of the ship and the French coast on the other. It feels good to be on deck after these chilly, damp days, enjoying the last sunset of our cruise.
Thursday, July 3rd, disembarkation
A few treats are offered in the lounge where we have to wait to be called for disembarkation, in case we’re still hungry after breakfast.
Once again, the disembarkation is perfectly orchestrated—smooth and quick. We just walk through the lounge where we’re gathered.
But Princess has a little surprise for us... We’re not at Berth 46, the company’s usual dock where we boarded. We’re over 5 km away, well past the IKEA store for those who know the area. 😏
We wanted to see fjords and Norwegian landscapes, and we were spoiled beyond our expectations. We had plenty of scenic cruising in the fjords, which we fully enjoyed and greatly appreciated. The itinerary was superb, very well balanced between days at sea and numerous stops.
Nature is truly the best and most beautiful thing in this country—the landscapes are stunning. I wanted to take this cruise at the start of the season when rivers, waterfalls, and runoff are abundant, and it was the right choice. This abundance of water everywhere enriches and magnifies the scenery.
During excursions or transfers, replacing guides with audio recordings makes the trip boring—it strips the experience of all its depth and humanity. Treating travelers as a product to exploit and herding them like cattle shows deep disdain.
The welcome, in general, seemed quite cold to me. Most of the Norwegians we crossed paths with or met (if not almost all) didn’t strike me as very cheerful or welcoming. Only some of those who work in tourism make an effort to be friendly, and even then, not all of them. Hikers are rarely pleasant, and politeness seems absent from their way of life.
This cruise is an excellent way to see a beautiful and large part of southern to northern Norway on a reasonable budget. It cost us 2400 € per person for 16 nights in a balcony cabin after discounts from Croisiland. A land trip would have been much more expensive in this country, where everything is very pricey and the quality of welcome is minimal.
This cruise also allowed us to make the most of the beautiful fjord cruising. You’d need to budget between 100 and 200 € per person for a short cruise on a tourist boat in the fjords. Nothing compares to our organized aperitifs on our terrace while the landscape passed before our eyes.
If I ever return to this country, it will be in winter to see the landscapes covered in ice, but as you’ve gathered, it won’t be for the quality of the welcome.
About the cruise, the ship, and the company
Access to the restaurants in the evening is too long and tedious—there’s far too much waiting to get a table, too much waiting to be served, and the waiters are so overwhelmed and stressed that you feel like you’re bothering them despite their kindness. We’ve encountered this issue with Princess for years, and clearly, the company hasn’t managed to resolve it.
The staff is much less warm than at Celebrity or Oceania. But everyone is efficient and does their job very well. Tables are cleared and cleaned quickly.
The musicians—violins and double bass—that I loved so much have been replaced by a saxophonist and a pop singer, which I found much less appealing. But that’s a matter of taste.
In the evenings, a few musicians and a leather-clad singer provide loud rock music in the atrium. Far from the violin and double bass concerts that Princess used to favor just a few years ago. So many young artists have talent and know how to reinvent music for these instruments—it’s a shame. Fortunately, there was Celtic music at the Irish Cafe.
At Princess, cruising has become much more accessible. Many, many passengers are Chinese from American Chinatowns, and they have an unfortunate tendency to behave like buffet looters (smoked salmon, mango, candied ginger disappear very quickly). The company isn’t responsible for this and has no choice but to put up with it.
The languages on board are English, Chinese, and Spanish. No one at the reception spoke French on this ship. We met only one Mauritian waitress in a bar. She confirmed that there were only two people who spoke French on the entire boat. She was happy to chat a bit with the few French-speaking passengers.
Drinks are very expensive—a beer costs $9, a glass of Champagne $20. Wines range from $14 to $18 per glass. Cocktails go from $11 to $28, and they’re very sweet. A specialty restaurant costs $55 per person, but it can go up to $145 for certain occasions. All these prices are before tax.
The payment method on board is the Medallion, like the sea card used to be. At the start of the cruise, it allows the waiter with a connected tablet to recognize people placing orders by their photo. Later, you just need to give your cabin number to pay for your drinks.
A $12 cocktail I had appears on the bill as $16.50. Is that 37% in unannounced fees? Or did the waiter charge for another cocktail? There’s no way to know or verify with this system, which validates payments without a signature or receipt.
Another error slipped onto our bill after the wrongly charged packages were removed—a drink at the bar at 9 AM... That wasn’t us. We didn’t say anything since they offered us our drinks from the start of the cruise.
Errors are far too easy and frequent—three times just for us. The French people we met also had the issue of packages wrongly charged (problem resolved for them too). This payment system really isn’t reliable; you have to be very vigilant.
But the Medallion has many advantages beyond the payment system. When approaching the cabin, it recognizes us and unlocks the door—that’s really nice.
At disembarkation and embarkation at each stop, it makes the process quick and easy.
The organization for disembarking in tenders is very well done. I’ve never seen it handled so well on any other ship—no lines, no jostling, a disembarkation as smooth as docking at the pier. Fantastic.
The World Fresh Market’s opening hours are very broad, from 6 AM to 10 PM. On port days, lunch is often available until 5 PM.
Part of the café is privatized in the evening for paid meals.
The buffet is organized in islands like at Celebrity, which makes circulation easier and avoids crowding. Since the opening hours are very broad, we rarely saw too many people at once.
The buffet is as well-stocked at the start as at the end of service. Missing dishes are replaced before they’re completely empty—the organization is excellent.
What enchanted me the most during this cruise was the quality of the meals. A cuisine very different from what you usually find on most ships. We ate much better than on our last Oceania cruise in September 2023.
It’s fresh, healthy, and natural cuisine, without artificial flavors or preservatives—just know-how with fresh products and vegetables, prepared and cooked on site. The recipes are original and varied. Every day, new dishes appear with different flavors, vegetable dishes that are actually cooked (not just steamed, as is often the case), improbable salads, and regional cuisine from all over the world. Seafood dishes are always available, and without sulfites!!! (when in France, they make us believe it’s impossible).
The buffet was incredibly rich and diverse, and everything I tasted (a lot of things) was always very good.
The bread and pastries, however, weren’t the best quality.
The pizzas and ice cream by the pool were very, very good.
And the desserts... Though it’s not my weakness, I almost always took two, and only a few times... three . They were irresistible and delicious—light, melting, crispy... everything... and not too sweet.
Every meal was a delight. And would you guess? Our chef was English—so much for clichés!
On the last day of the cruise, we received information about dining on board. It confirmed everything I thought and wrote above. The products are fresh and cooked on board by 250 people who work to prepare the meals, and just as many others ensure the service.
We were surprised not to have "gratuities" or service fees (depending on the company) charged at the end of the cruise.
I didn’t expect much from this cruise beyond the Norwegian landscapes I wanted to discover. It turned out to be much better than I initially imagined. Not everything was perfect, but is it ever? The few hiccups we encountered were resolved, so I’m completely satisfied with this cruise, both for the itinerary and the ship, with a very good quality-to-price ratio. It was a nice surprise.
A big thank you to everyone who participated and left a little note.
Hi Catherine,
Your review reminded me of my stop in Edinburgh on Princess—I also ended up visiting that pretty village.
One of the few days when the weather was rainy and cold, which is normal for this beautiful city, unfortunately 😉
Hi Catherine,
One of the great things about reviews is how they bring back all those good memories—mission accomplished. 😉
Hi there, By sheer chance, a family housewarming in Brussels gave us the opportunity to depart from Zeebrugge for our first experience with CFC, allowing us to…
Hello everyone!
Just a little backstory—my username comes from the year I took my first cruise.
Sixteen years and nine cruises later, I’m currently on my 10th, this time in the Yacht Club interior.
I’m taking you along with me!
Left Marseille on Wednesday, October 21st.
After train troubles (issues on the Paris-Marseille line), then getting lost at La Joliette—years ago, I’d taken the metro and the port bus, thinking I had to go left once near the port, but no, the little gate is on the right after the shopping center.
Wait, she took the metro and bus to the Yacht Club?
Yep! After waiting 15 minutes for the shuttle, once the bus dropped us off, it was a 15-20 minute walk to the ship.
Finally, we made it to the boarding dock.
Headed toward the little Yacht Club flag, where a nice young woman checked our IDs and gave us luggage tags.
She walked us through security (we got to skip the line).
After that, we went to the Yacht Club lounge, where two butlers were waiting. They offered us drinks, and a third person arrived to check passports and handle registration. Then, they gave us a form to pick a complimentary bottle—I didn’t do it right away.
I felt a little rushed by everyone.
I’ll explain more later in my story.
Today, we’re in Barcelona.
A few photos to come in the meantime.
Hi everyone, I’m going on a cruise at the end of January with MSC and I’m looking into the excursions I could do. I’d like to know if I can do the excursions on my own or if I absolutely have to go through MSC based on safety levels.
We’ll be stopping in Montego Bay in Jamaica, Cartagena in Colombia, Puerto Limón in Costa Rica, Belize City, and Colón in Panama.
Thanks!
Emeline
Has anyone here tried GigSky’s “Cruise + Land” eSIM during your cruise?
I’ve seen on various forums that they offer some great deals. For my part, I found a one-month plan (5 GB) for 78 €, whereas MSC charges 290 € on board.
Since we can’t afford to go completely offline (especially my wife—we need to stay in touch for several reasons), we absolutely need an internet plan.
Hi there,
I’m looking into a Mediterranean cruise on the Splendida in YC.
I’d love to know if it’s a ship with a lot of triple and quadruple cabins in the Yacht Club.
The thing is, I’m planning to depart from Malta, and either the cruise ends during the French school holidays in October with a departure from Marseille—which means there’s a risk of lots of kids on board—or the other option is a departure on October 30th, which might also have some French kids during the first part of the cruise.
I read that some ships in the Fantasia class have more triple or quadruple cabins than others, but I’m not sure if the Splendida is one of them.
If anyone has that info…
PS: This isn’t about starting a debate on traveling with or without kids… I’d just like a quiet week, and that’s not always easy in a small space with lots of children around.
I'm considering a cruise on the Hurtigruten Coastal Express from Bergen to Kirkenes and back to Bergen over 11 days in mid-March 2027.
Has anyone already done this trip?
I think it’s a great way to discover the Norwegian coast with the chance to see magnificent northern lights, but isn’t the trip a bit *too* long?
There are about thirty stops, but most last only a few minutes, with just one daily stop of over 2 hours, which gives a quick glimpse of a few towns but doesn’t allow for a full excursion.
Is the supplement for an outside cabin with a porthole (800 € for 2!) really worth it?
It’s more pleasant than an inside cabin, but do you spend enough time in your cabin to make the most of it?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this journey.
Best regards.
Hello, I’ll be on the Costa Serena from April 27 to May 4, 2027. Given that the excursions offered by Costa can sometimes be pricey, what would you recommend for the following stopovers?
Cagliari.
Tunis.
Palermo.
Marseille.
Thanks for keeping in mind that we’re in our sixties and one member of our small group can’t handle very long walks (so no more than 6 km in a day).
Thank you for your help.
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
Hi, I’m about to go on a cruise on the Costa Smeralda but I’ve never been on a cruise before. Could anyone share the à-la-carte drink menu? I’d like to know if the prices are excessive, since the MyDrinks drink packages, for example, cost 266 € per adult.
Have a great day! 😉
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?
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.
Hi everyone,
I’m going on a Mediterranean cruise in November and I’m looking for some "tips" to visit the cities of Naples, Messina, and Valletta in Malta without booking the ship’s excursions, which are really expensive.
Thanks so much for your advice and suggestions. We’re a group of 6 people.
Looking forward to hearing from you...
Best,
M
PS: We’re also stopping in Genoa and Barcelona—even though we know these two cities, we’d still love any tips for visiting them!
Thanks
Hello everyone,
We’re a senior couple signed up for a 13-day cruise in Japan on the Princess Sapphire, departing from Yokohama on April 8, 2027.
Are there any other French speakers on this forum who’ll be on this trip?
Hoping for a reply...
Hi, we're heading to Venice soon. We have a hotel in Mestre and we'd like to know which bus can take us from the Mestre hotel to Marghera Port. Thanks.
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 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
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?
For the return trip, same question—are there enough taxis, since we have a flight to catch? Though I doubt we’ll know in advance which terminal we’ll dock at.
I came across this site below—has anyone heard of it?
https://taxibarcelona.taxi/fr/
Hi everyone, we're going on a week-long cruise and I have a question: can we travel by train and on a cruise with small refrigerated injectable syringes?
Do we need to complete any formalities?
And how should we store them?
Thanks in advance for your feedback.
Hi everyone! I’m used to sailing on a sailboat with two or three people—it’s amazing. But I’d love to try the experience of a cruise. Just to clarify, I’ll be going alone. My first question: are there other solo travelers on these cruises, or is it mostly couples and families?
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!
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
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!
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 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
This was a test, and since it worked, I’ll post the rest this afternoon if all goes well...
And there, we discover a charming and picturesque little town with pretty colored houses and well-kept little gardens.
Hi there,
I'm looking at a cruise in the north.