Are we getting a little concerned about
all the turmoil going on in Istanbul??

See where some guests at some hotels
had to leave because of all the tear gas in the air.

Course I have no idea where these problems are
taking place in the city. Just hope not close to
our hotel.

Jim, don't worry, just make sure you have ample life insurance!

Now isn't that reassuring?

Had two emails today on this subject so copying basically what I sent back in an email today.

Things flare up all over the world and then die down again. Whether it be riots and demonstrations, airline traffic controller strikes, transporation strikes always something.

Most of the time the problems are isolated in an area of the city not the entire city. Tourists just avoid that area and usually all is well. Also remember TV and media are looking for the most sensational pictures and headlines.

By October this will probably be history and some other city will have demonstrations.

In fact the best example was Barcelona at the outbreak of the Iraq war. CNN headlines and prime story was all about anti American sentiment and Americans should cancel plans to visit Barcelona. Demonstration and riots ALL over Barcelona specifically against Americans. We were sailing in the next day.

We decided to stay on board the news affected us too and we had been to Barcelona many times before. Everyone was freaked about this port stop asking why are we going there? The Regent tours went out and we were surprised that tours went. So we decided to go out on our own too. We did the full circuit of the "hop a bus" route that we had not done before and went ALL over Barcelona. Had a great day the only thing we saw was a teenager that was wearing an anti George Bush tee shirt. All the tours operated perfectly everyone was glad they went out.

Back on board that night turned on CNN - riots every where in Barcelona, they said entire city disrupted.

If you talk to Europeans they say they will NEVER come to the USA it is way too dangerous. Think about our headlines over the last years!

Regent will not go to a port they feel is dangerous and they change itineraries or cancel ports if they feel that this is the best thing to do. Then they make it right by the guests.

We are also doing Rome to Monte Carlo and then spending two nights in Nice. Anyone know the best way to get from the cruise ship to Nice?

JIM, I have to agree with Ngaire here, our cruise is such a long way off, and I am not the least worried, not even a smidge, about Istanbul. It will make you feel better to know those demonstrations were nowhere in the vicinity of the Amira, and I mean far off. They were not in the "old" city, where your hotel, and everything you will want to see is located. I have booked my first night at Amira (doing the pre-cruise and this is what worked out) and I could not be less concerned. It is like Ngaire said, the TV's only go to the worst parts of any city, and exaggerate like the whole city is burning, rioting, or whatever.

VAL, I'm on the same cruise (the BK extended version of MARINER) I have written to a man I used last fall, for a pick up at the ship for a transport to the airport. I will ask him if he can arrange a transfer for you as well. I have to go to the airport, I forget the time, but it is somewhat early. Last time I came into Nice last fall, one of his associates took several of us to either Nice city, or Monte Carlo in two different vans.

There are also trains, and perhaps busses between Nice and MC. But if I were you, I would not do this. Not that I have, I just know what those ports look like for hauling luggage. Once I came to Nice airport when there was a taxi strike and had to take the bus to town and walk to my hotel. NOT fun. Where will you be staying? I will tell him. There may be others on this cruise who are staying over and would want to share the fare.

Val, I have heard from my friend Alain at Dream Tours. He has 3 vans, and perhaps there are more on this cruise who wish to get from MCarlo to Nice town for a hotel, or Nice airport on this cruise. I am willing to refer any of you, and with 3 vans, he can likely accommodate most of us. His prices are about the same as any other transfers. He's been doing this for years.

Val, I just edited to include you & Mike doing B2B. FUN that so many of us staying on....just couldn't resist that good pricing for the B2B.

Wish Jan and I could have extended our cruise and join
all of you to Monte Carlo but other commitments won't let us.

Thank you Olivia for you comments. That does help with our worries.

I know how you feel, Jim! I've been thinking the same thing. Why can't we stay on too?? Oh yeah, not enough vacation days or funds! boo

Did everyone remember to make there dinner reservations today?
I goofed it up some how and had to have Clay Keene help me.
thank you Clay!!

Thanks Olivia for all your help. It will be fun to meet you in person.

Hi Val !! Looking forward to seeing you and Mike! Alice and I are not able to do the B2B. But, we are going to Florence for 1 night and Venice for 2 nights. We thought might as well stay in Italy until Sunday. I have Fridays off (usually) and it will cost Alice only 1 more vacation day for us to stay thru the weekend. She gets 5 more vacation days than I do anyway. (Ohhh, the struggles of the non-retired! haha!)

Just received our cabin assignment. #772
So Marcie you can change the roll call to reflect that please.

Jeff and Helen are in cabin 744 so that also needs to be changed.

Thanks Jim.

Marcie - 773 for us!
Getting so excited!

Just got a email from Jeff.
Guess he is in #755.
Was a different cabin on a statement he received early on but
changed to Cabin 755 with initial down payment.
Sorry about that.

It will be 60 days from Tomorrow when we board the Mariner.
I am surprised that we have not more conversations about it.
Think it is less than 60 days for many as they are doing pre cruise excursions.

Don't have much to say other than I CAN"T WAIT!!

I'm with you on that, Kim!

Hmmm?
On Cruise Critic someone commented that they have
received their documents already.
Guess it won't be long now!

Ok.. so this thing that happened last night wasn't exactly a stalk, it was more like a stalk thru a wormhole back in time....
I was watching a show about train trips in Alaska last night. There was a ship in the background in one scene. I noticed it had the old Radisson logo on the stack. I backed up tivo, looked closer and it was the Mariner!! I checked the date of the program , 2005! But, seeing the ship really got me excited about being on it soon. Bring on the docs!!

Oh yeah.....we're getting so excited !! That is cool Kim seeing the Mariner on TV. Makes me wonder what year we were on MUSH in Alaska on the Mariner ? Anyone remember?

Marcie, it was 2006. Good times!!

yep 2006, first time we met many of you.......what a blast that was.

Yes it sure was.

and more good times ahead....our MARINER cruise docs arrived today!! We are sooooooooo excited !!

No docs for me yet, but did read over on CC a couple of days ago that our Captain will be Felice, Davor will be the GM, and Lorraine the CD. Of course, this was from another poster, so not official.

I know that Felice and Davor just adore Ngaire, they have both told me so!

Not only does Felice adore Ngaire, he is also the "good luck charm" for drawing the free cruise winner! Good luck to all of you!

haha, Kathy, may be good luck for you, but in most "chance" games, I never ever win! Well, most I ever did win was 5 pounds of dog food at some local fashion show in the other century!

Wish you and Al were on this trip with us, nonetheless! I am ready for another cruise right now! We are blessed with great weather here, and fall is my favorite season for travel, especially in the Med. We don't have many sea days, and some of us are back to back for another week.

Excited to see everyone again!

Docs have made it to the east coast! We're dancing!!

You are all lucky dogs!!!

Jan and I stopped by our house as we went through town.
Our doc's are here!

I just received an Regent email solicitation offering business-class air for $799 on this cruise...There must still be space available and I wish we were joining you guys!

Really? $799 huh?
Not to late Tim!!!!

OH MY GOSH!
31 days until we board the Mariner.

Hang in there, Jim! My docs arrived as well, and I love the new "folder" (my first cruise since they changed), it actually might find a purpose even if not for my iPad down the line, as it is so much more "packable".

Hi Olivia. I agree that is a nice folder.
We have to drive 145 miles to Billings on Oct 2nd
and catch our 6:20 a.m. flight the following morning
Arrive Istanbul 3:45 pm on Oct 4th.
Used Regent Air business upgrade round trip
but needed to use FF miles to get to and from
Billings to Minneapolis. Since they are separate flights
we will have to pick up our luggage in MSP and
go back thru ticketing and security again. With a 5
hour layover in MSP it won't be a big deal. Coming back
we are spending the night in MSP before returning to Billings.
Suppose to land at 12:30 pm on the 18th, stop at Costco, then
drive home. If everything goes right we should be home about
5:30 pm / 6:00 pm

Are people planning on getting the Turkish visa at the airport for $20? I don't like that it's $59 to buy it on line. But, if it takes too much time at the airport, maybe it's worth the extra money to get it on line and be done with it. I want to get out of the airport and squeeze in some touring Istanbul time in the afternoon. Our flight arrives at 1:40 pm.

Kim,

The cost of an online visa is still $20 for US citizens. See: E-visa for Turkey. Looking forward to meeting you and Alice on MARINER.

Kim, We bought ours at the airport a couple of years ago and it was quick and easy with a very short line. Make sure you give them exact amount, USD $20 bill or you'll get your change in Turkish Lira.

Awesome! Thanks Dave! The email we got from B&K back in June said it was $20 plus a $39 service fee on line. So, this is great! I just downloaded mine. Need to do Alice's now. It will be great to meet you too!!