but I wonder how many passengers decided ''never again''.

I know exactly what you mean about being hassled. I too visited Egypt on a cruise but I can't see me rushing back! I also visited Israel and did a walking tour of Jerusalem and that was quite frightening. They actually tried to physically haul us in to the shops! It's a shame because most people have ambitions to see both of these countries!

Hi explorers
Great to have another one on our 3/7 Armonia cruise, look forward to meeting up with you.
Was the Caribean cruise confirmed then changed, or was it just altered from your initial allocation, did you have to push to keep a caribean cruise as most were changed to med.?
Did you have to pay to upgrade to Armonia?

My husband and I stayed at Kusadasi 2 years ago, and we found if you were firm and kept walking they were OK. We used to say we had purchased one ( of whatever) already or if a restuarant that we had already eaten. They didnt chase us up the street and were always polite and good humoured, trying to copy the accents and always having a friend who lived nearby.Ephesus is an absolute must as it is very close to Kusadasi within 10 miles I would think, you could probably do it under your own steam by taxi or there was plenty of locals advertising in the town but they might only go at certain times. We visited the site when we stayed at Bodrem the year before.
I never felt threatned or frightened in Turkey, but I would not let my daughter go there alone or with girlfriends as the Turkish men have their patter down to a fine art and they dont worry about age or size.The young men are very goodlooking I cant recall seeing many ugly ones.

Smokey - I am going on my own for the Cabby cruise, but we are going together on the Med one.

Ann - My wifes name is Vilma, she is Lithuanian. I'll ask Luci to update it for me.

Raych - The original had been confirmed, however they asked me nicely if i would mind changing, so i agreed to it.

Didn't have to pay to upgrade to Armonia, but I said that i would pay for the flights out to Venice and hotel, which probabley works out the same as an uopgrade price.

looking at peoples comments about getting hassled going into shops, I find that happens in a lot of places in the world, I should to keep on saying no thanks, but i found that then encouraged them to say somthing else. I found the best tactic was just to keep looking staright ahead and ignore them. I know its not polite to ignore people, but i found it to be the only way not to get engaged in conversation.

Advice please from anyone who has been to Naples and Pompeii lately in view of some of the comments made on this site.

I have spoken to locals and they tell me it is an hours drive from Naples to Pompeii and as we only have five hours ashore the trip is not worth it, and one should visit Naples. The trouble is not as bad as made out and one is ok in the main tourist areas.

Any comments?

LL

Hi Lobbylud,
I have been to Naples several times and have never seen anything untoward. Just above and very close to the port there is a pedestrianised shopping precinct where there are thankfully no scooters and I have never seen any beggars either. I am sure any crew member will be able to direct you to it.
Pompeei is well worth visiting but is probably best done on an excursion, if only to make sure you don't miss the ship sailing!
Capri is another place worth visiting, if only to window shop. You probably don't even have to leave the port area to catch a boat or hydrofoil for Capri!
Anyplace can be dangerous so I personally always take the precaution of removing jewellry and don't take much cash and carry a handbag with a strap that goes around the neck and across the body!

Hi Lobbylud

whenever i hear about dangers in various cities that i travel to, it dosn't worry me too much because you always hear about the minority of bad things that happen. If someone is aware of the dangers and takes precautions then usually it is okay. The same thing can happen in UK, you can be mugged if yuo go off the beaten path in places etc. I wouldn't worry too much, just be aware and alert.

Just in case nobody is aware of it, there is an excellent web site http://www.virtualtourist.com/ It is made of of members from all over the world putting their expeiences and tips on it. You can get totally independent information ranging from tips, what to see what not to see, where to eat, drink, where to stay how to get around etc. It also advises of the dangers. You don't need to register with it to look around. If you do register you can make your own travel pages and put your own journals of your travels and pictures. I have been registered for a couple of years now, but still not got around to putting much detail on it apart from where i have been. My user name is The_Explorer on there just in case i get round to writing my travel pages or putting pictures on there and someone would want to get totally bored to death by reading it

It is very good in so much that you can all that information on almost anywhere you can think of in the world.

Colin

Well Done and Congratulations from the Balcony Cruise

To all those with a confirmed cruise, well done the rewards are coming home.

Maureen has been VERY quite about her luxury cruise, perhaps it slipped out , come on tell us you are amongst pals - or I'll let Magsy loose on you. The threat worked on rumrat. So bewarned

Must go and finish packing and shopping for all the bits - I went to Boots this morning (number 2 said oh I need to go I'll meet you in Marks cafe, shorthand for you get the coffee in) No 2-4-1 on sun cream, I felt like saying to the manager 'I'm putting you on a new thread on H.T'. (I know how to scare 'em, but she looked so young and lovely - I also had number 2 with me). After spending £18 number 2 took me into 'Just Beauty' for her shopping and in there I found Niva sun cream for £2.99 Boots £5.99, number 2 responded by "Oh shup up dad ! your so mean". Next words were "Oh - - look at this Oh Dad lend me £10"

It may be Luci - but the folk have to be told where the good prices are.
Byeeee for now

Phil Morris

A lot of comments here seem a bit off topic for someone trying to keep up with the R*** situation. Would it be helpful to have a separate Forum for those wishing to share advice on what to expect on a cruise, land excursions, shopping tips for cruises etc?

Hi Waterlover

There are Roll Call topics for every DE/Rise cruises which has been confirmed so that people can exchange info specific to that cruise.

luci

In todays Daily Mail cruise pages they are doing Med Island cruises,£349 for inside cabin and £359 outside cabin fly Gatwick or Manchester..That seems cheaper for two than what rise want to charge to take your partner.I dont see anymore people being offered cash or are they just being quite.

Hi explorer, great news!!!! Bet you're really chuffed.

Luci

I agree that we have sites specific to allocated cruises, but if we use these only for details of a city being visited it will not give me the experince of those who have been to that city, or on that cruise, and who may not read the site relating to a allocated date.

Goodness, that's a long sentence but I hope not too complicated and/or off topic.

LL

I quite enjoy Phil's ramblings - half the fun is wondering what on earth he is on about



as the R*** topic seems to have dried up a bit now as most people are waiting for their cruises to actually happen


what I'd like to know is - are there any older HT members (in forum terms not actual!!) who haven't had their cruise confirmed yet, or is it just the new arrivals?

One day all this will be over and we can get back to our normal lives

and our lives will be enriched by all the new friends we will have made

Phil

Is it the other Maureen who is going on a luxury cruise - it is not me - well not with Rise Travel anyway.

Maureen H

Maureen, I think when you mentioned 'Cunard' Phil thought you'd got that as your £10 cruise!!!

It's probably the Bells that's fogging the brain.....



Hi William, I see you are on line. I'm at mum's sorting out her internet connection.
She says hello


I've just shown her your photos.

hello lobbylud

what can i recommend you to try in napoli? well i once got entangled in a protest march there and someone let me bang the marching drum...good fun but a bit risky if you need to keep to sailing times..

if you enjoy exploring old buildings there are churches at every turn some of them are murky and sinister and really show their dark history.. there is little of the chocolate box pretty churches found around tuscany.. but i enjoy them immensely.. stumbling through their interiiors is a bit like being in the opening shots of a black and white thriller..

if you enjoy taking home mementos then i recommend the workshops of the artisans in almost every alleyway leading off the via trbunali. there is always a cacophany of hammering sawing and singing going on but the articles for sale are beautifully made toys.nativity scenes,leather goods furniture and of course local wines pastas and incredible cakes..

pompeii is a very large site . in the summer heat it can be exhausting and the crowds that swarm around it with their constant chatter destroy any mystery. it is also difficult for anyone with mobility problems to move around as all paths are the original uneven boulders. for anyone with limited time rather than the hassle of pompeii i would advise ercolano, a smaller site with to my mind more interesting buildings with some incredible murals.

finally the traffic ...all i can advise is just do as the neopolitans do do not hesitate, dive directly in to the path of the traffic. somehow they will avoid you but if you shiver on the kerb then you will wait for ever for cars to stop for you..

enjoy napoli jackie

One tip for the ladies partic if on your own in Turkey, wear a ring on your wedding finger! I went to Turkey (Bodrum) when i was 18 with another female friend, had a great time but yes did get lots of hassle, but found saying no thanks worked if you walk off and ignore the men they will leave you alone! Ephesus was wonderful too but again a lot to see,busy and hot - coach trip a good idea!

I would say to do an organised trip to Pompeii - the guide i had was fantastic - found out so much, Pompeii is huge so easy to get lost and so hot and dusty (not much shade) it is overwhelming you only get to see a bit of it but its fantastic. The air con coach was good, took about 25-30 mins on the coach - driving is very fast and furious you do have to just go for it when crossing roads!

Will have to see if i can find the link to my cruise last year on Thompson spirit as it visited some of the places a lot of people are going to and i tried to write it from the single females view!

If i can help with any questions do feel free to send me a personal mail.

Alison

Good Evening from the balcony cruise 'Good Intent'

Luci and Van
Is someone at H.T. telling me someting in a sutle way, my watched topics keeps disapearing - I have to keep reverting to the 'search engine' I keep thinking the sites closed down again. (Lots of keeps in there perhaps I should be in one).

Now the window off, are you sure your not sending me to the keep
I could tell my mate (?) at Rise about you, and get you on the 'Sale Badly' my mates narrow boat, onto the Bridgewater canel for a two week cooking trip.(should Bridgewater in canel be as Bridgwater in Somerset and have no E)

Byeee for now

Phil Morris