February 13, 2020
These cruising tips and essentials are based on my experience. Cruising may be right for you, but it might not. The #1 thing to think about before booking your cruise is your health. When I cruised with Holland America in 2012, I learned many things about cruising that weren’t really explained in the travel brochures or guide books. Even the…
March 7, 2015
I had no idea that Kerala was a 1.5-2 hour drive from Cochin—I thought it would be relatively close. I was wrong. And the length of the drive depended entirely on the traffic and how much congestion there was. Luckily for us, the traffic wasn’t too bad, but the drive was uninteresting: lots of urban sprawl, large and small shops…
Today, we are sailing to Dubrovnik from Civitavecchia. It is a sea day, and I have done absolutely nothing, which I have needed to do. I ordered room service for breakfast and lunch, and snoozed and read my book in between meals. I have only just gotten up (it’s 1pm) and had a shower because I need to do some…
I have been on the Noordam for over a week, so feel I am qualified to make some observations about what it’s like to be a passenger. I’ve used a PMI to delineate my observations: Plus > You only have to unpack once – that’s it! > Cost of food is covered (except for exclusive restaurants like the Pinnacle Grill,…
September 28, 2012
Cabin fever This is the life! I’ve now spent two nights on the Noordam, and am truly impressed with the attention to detail. My cabin is kept scrupulously clean by my steward, Ivan. Every time I leave my cabin, things are straightened and wiped down. I have ship newsletters and notices neatly placed on the end of my bed, and…
In less than three weeks, I’ll be leaving this sunburnt country of ours and flying out to Europe. I’ll be cruising the Mediterranean for three weeks, followed by a two week tour of Italy. Jealous much? This is my third overseas trip in as many years, and I must admit I am starting to feel quite the seasoned traveller. Airports,…