Ok, I know I have been busy, but I couldn't help myself. I had to peak at the 2005 schedules and must admit that I like the Diamond from Rome to Venice.

That being said, any opinions on the Diamond as compared to, say, the Mariner?

Is this a good time of year for these ports?

Sorry for all of the questions!

Anthony

Good question. I just booked the Diamond for sept 10 2005, Rome to Monte Carlo. The weather should be nice in the Med and the summer crowds gone.

Hi Anthony,

I did the reverse cruise in mid October '03 on SSS. The weather was wonderful, a bit chilly in Venice. As I remember, Venice was the only crowded city, but I imagine it is like that all year long.

We were disappointed that we could not get to Pompeii, due to a mudslide, but we (Suzanne, Crystal & I) were able to get to the webcam in Sorrento. Hvar is a new port for Radisson, so can't tell you too much about it.

Being a 2 for 1 cruise, I would recommend it.
Can't tell you anything about the Diamond, as our first cruise is in July.

Beth

The Diamond is wonderful. But I have only been on the Diamond - trying the Voyager in June. We did b2b med trip last Sept. Weather was perfect. Joanna

Thanks for the wonderful answers. I think we are a definite for Sept. 24, 2005. Will wait to book probably until get on the MINT unless someone more wise than I can tell me if the perks of onboard booking can be applied to an already booked cruise.

Anthony

Look at the Voyager Oct 15 (007). We have done this time of year in the Med 3 times and had great weather.
2 for 1 is good. The Voyager has free air ($3381) or 1000 off ($2478).
We have now been on both the Diamond and the Voyager and I like them both for different reasons. The Voyager is much like the Mariner with a shower in the bathroom and a few other perks like a 24 hour coffee espresso bar. The Diamond is older and alot smaller(rooms have no walk in closets). The Diamond does have personality, which does make up for alot.
Please join us in Oct for the 007 or "VOF Part Deux"
John

As far as onboard booking email Ngaire she is the expert. I still can't figure out how she does some things.

John,

After having learned of the free air, we are now in serious discussions in joining the gang on the 007 sailing. However, I get to play the role of 'jaws' (Moonraker per Lawrence)

Anthony :banana:

LOL Anthony!

If pricing is a factor, the website really does not provide good comparisons unless you look into each and every cruise (one thing I noted in the poll). All those Voyager fall itineraries have free air or $1000 off. Since all those suites have balcony, to upgrade on Diamond to a balcony actually costs more, even thought at a glance the Diamond seems much less. Itinerary and fellow pax seem great on both!

Oh all this talk of Free Air! I want to go!

free air free air free air free air free air :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

free air free air free air free air free air free air free air free air <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" />

Hey 007'ers!

Before you all jump on the free air, don't forget it's not high season. That time if year, were I going, I could buy a coach ticket from the West Coast into Rome and out of Nice for under $800. Take the $1000 off!! Don't forget if you want to try and upgrade you can NOT do it with the fare class that RSSC books, you have to do it on your own. I would think that the price would be even lower for those of you on the East Coast...

Masaki is one case that the free air may be a bargain...

Just a thought...

Suzanne, don't burst my free air bubble :D The past few years when I priced air from MIA it was around $800-1200, depending on how many stops you wanted to endure. But, I was thinking the transfers were all included and it would work out price-wise and be more convenient. Mainly, just the trip from Rome to Cittevichia (sp?butchered). I think that trip is around 120E. Am I wrong, is that transfer included????

Kimmi,

This year you could do it on Delta FLL-JFK-FCO then NCE-JFK-FLL for $784 RT. The price will be ballpark the same next year, give or take...

If you're doing a precruise in Rome either get together with other people and rent a van, or take the train. 3 years ago Lyn and I took the train from the main station in Rome where it originates (meaning lots of time to get on with luggage, plenty of seats) to Citta. It was less than an hour trip and cost about $30 for both of us. (I just checked and this year it is $19 per person). We shared a cab at the other end for about $7.50 (?) per couple with some people we met standing there looking lost. Piece of cake, with the exception of the stairs at the train station in Citta. <img border="0" alt="[bang]" title="" src="graemlins/banghead.gif" />

Suzanne

If you get on in Rome, our tour van will probably pass you on the road or the train. Should I wave or just wait until you board for a big hug? Or just whoever gets there 1st be waiting for the other with a drink(s) in hand?
I have decided that being a "sex kitten" for almost 1 week is long enough at my age. Will be looking for something that show the real me. Leg on the table or riding a camel? What to choose??? What to choose??? Or I could start a poll. No, better not do that either. This group might really get in the gutter over that one. Right!!!!

I asked Ngaire about this, I am going to keep the free air until we can start checking Oct. 2005 air fares. If there is a deal, we can always change to the $1000 off.

Betty,

I said "were I going...", that's if ref. to 007! I'm still leaning toward B2B!!

Karen and all, of course, no need to decide now!! Just keep in mind that the $1000 off may cover more than just airfare and leave you with a couple of chips for the casino!!

You're right, Suzanne, we'll probably change and take the $1000 off. We were always to chicken to take the train, but maybe we'll try it this year. On CC we heard a few horrors stories about the strikes, delays. But, it sure beats the price of a car, unless we split it.
I do hate the thought of us all being in that part of the world and not being together, oh well :mecry:

The train was actually fun!

We sat across from a nun who beamed at us and spoke non-stop (in Italian) the entire trip. Lyn figured she was trying to tell us to repent our sins before it was too late. I said "no she's laughing, she's telling us to go on and enjoy ourselves!!" Unless perhaps she was in on something that we weren't aware of <img border="0" alt="[panic]" title="" src="graemlins/panic.gif" />

Suzanne

I did notice your - If I were going - but I didn't realize you were considering the B2B - Yea, Wow, Great!!! I thought you were only considering the Rome to Barcelona leg.
Somewhere I missed your last thoughts on 2005. Forgive me, dear Suzanne!!!!

Like Marcie, I am considering 43% of all that RSSC is offering for next year!

Suzanne, you mentioned steps at the train station. Is there no elevator? I stopped doing that after two experiences. First in London going up the steps (tube), then in London again going down the steps (tube). Also did train years and years ago somewhere in Europe with a bunch of women (I think it was Italy), we had a princess among us who said she would never do that again because of having to schlepp the luggage up the steps. Now that I have written all of this, I remember that Kimmie schlepped luggage in Venice! At least there was a funny thread going on a long tiime ago on cc about that! Kimmie, I'm sure you will be fine on the train!! (Just kept that other stuff on for people like me, otherwise would have deleted the whole thing!)

Olivia,

No elevator, no escalator, no ramp to even wheel the luggage. Cittavechia station is very small and definitely NOT high tech. Our choices were: take a cab/train back to the airport (not cheap in itself) to get a RSSC transfer at $50 per person, get our own transport to Citta. at who knows how much (no one to share with, and before I starting reading these boards to know the ins and outs), or take the very reasonable train which ran fairly often.

The stairs took less than five minuites of grunting and groaning (on my part). Lyn made me lug my own bag to try and teach me the benefits of packing light.

Suzanne - yeah, for me, the free air may still be the better choice ... but we'll keep an eye on the air prices. The other advantage of keeping it with RSSC is that if we end up cancelling (god forbid!), we won't be out the cost of the flight as well.

Going up a long flight of stairs with cruise luggage doesn't sound like a lot of fun though ...

Masaki

I'll return to the original question of the merits of the Diamond vs. the Mariner. Having sailed them both (as well as all of Radisson's current fleet), Here's our opinion of a comparisson of these two ships. The main advantages of the Mariner are that the suites are larger and all include a balcony. On the Diamond, at least in the lower category suites, the upgrade to a balcony means the size of the enclosed area shrinks. Some Diamond suites are a bit tight on closet space, whereas all Mariner suites have nice walk-in closets. And the Mariner suites are just newer and fancier. On the other hand, We actually prefer some of the public areas on the Diamond, and prefer her smaller size. For us, as 700 max. guest ship is "pushing the envelope" on being too big. The Diamond is slower, but rides very smoothly on thost twin submersible hulls. Because the Diamond is slow, it is a perfect match for the itinerary describes, as the ports aren't very far apart.

Hope this helps,
Richard :) :) :)