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    • Seabourn >
      • Goldring Travel's 2015 Culinary & Cultural (Food & Wine) Cruise >
        • Goldring Travel's 2015 Culinary & Cultural (formerly Food & Wine) Cruise - Seabourn Quest - Part I (A Look Back and A Look Forward)
        • Goldring Travel's 2015 Culinary & Cultural (formerly Food & Wine) Cruise - Seabourn Quest - Part II (Copenhagen & The First Day)
        • Goldring Travel's 2015 Culinary & Cultural (formerly Food & Wine) Cruise - Seabourn Quest - Part III (Flam & Alesund)
        • Goldring Travel's 2015 Culinary & Cultural (formerly Food & Wine) Cruise - Seabourn Quest - Part IV (Slovlaer and Tromso)
        • Goldring Travel's 2015 Culinary & Cultural (formerly Food & Wine) Cruise - Seabourn Quest - Part V (Honningsvag) - Ventures By Seabourn
        • Goldring Travel's 2015 Culinary & Cultural (formerly Food & Wine) Cruise - Seabourn Quest - Part V (Sea Days & Private Culinary Events)
        • Goldring Travel's 2015 Culinary & Cultural (formerly Food & Wine) Cruise - Seabourn Quest - Part VI (Bergen, Stavanger & The Last Two Culinary Events: Shopping with the Seabourn Chef and A Cheese Tasting)
      • Goldring Travel's 2013 Culinary & Cultural (Food & Wine) Cruise >
        • Goldring Travel's 2013 Food & Wine Cruise - Preparations and a Plan...Sort Of!
        • Goldring Travel's 2013 Food & Wine Cruise - Take Off...and A Fresh Perspective
        • Goldring Travel's 2013 Food & Wine Cruise - Air Travel, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Meat!
        • Goldring Travel's 2013 Food & Wine Cruise - The First 24 Hours and Ihhabela, Brazil
        • Goldring Travel's 2013 Food & Wine Cruise - The Little Things (Paranagua and Porto Belo, Brazil)
        • Goldring Travel's 2013 Food & Wine Cruise - Seabourn Quest's Chef Creates An Incredible Tasting Event
        • Goldring Travel's 2013 Food & Wine Cruise - The Event: Montevideo, Uruguay- Caviar, Caviar and Sturgeon
      • Goldring Travel's 2012 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Pride >
        • Goldring Travel's 2012 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Pride - Part I
        • Goldring Travel's 2012 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Pride - Part II (Perspective)
        • Goldring Travel's 2012 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Pride - Part III (Storms A Brewing...And A Double Rainbow!)
        • Goldring Travel's 2012 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Pride - Part IV (Fish & Chips...And A Great Beer)
        • Goldring Travel's 2012 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Pride - Part V (Cork, Ireland and a Lucky Leprechaun Named Darina Allen)
        • Goldring Travel's 2012 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Pride - Part VI (A Day at Sea with Special Events...And Then A Most Charming Port )
        • Goldring Travel's 2012 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Pride - Part VII (Bordeaux- Day 1)
        • Goldring Travel's 2012 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Pride - Part VII (Bordeaux- Day 2: Chateau Margaux and Chateau Lynch-Bages)
        • Goldring Travel's 2012 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Pride - Part VIII (Relaxing and "Basque"ing)
        • Goldring Travel's 2012 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Pride - Part IX (Shopping With The Chef)
        • Goldring Travel's 2012 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Pride - Part X (The Goldring Travel Food & Wine Tasting)
      • Goldring Travel's 2011 Food & Wine Cruise - Seabourn Sojourn >
        • Goldring Travel's 2011 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Sojourn - Part I
        • Goldring Travel's 2011 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Sojourn - Part II
        • Goldring Travel's 2011 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Sojourn - Part III
        • Goldring Travel's 2011 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Sojourn - Part IV
        • Goldring Travel's 2011 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Sojourn - Part V
        • Goldring Travel's 2011 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Sojourn - Part VI
        • Goldring Travel's 2011 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Sojourn - Part VII
        • Goldring Travel's 2011 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Sojourn - Part VIII
        • Goldring Travel's 2011 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Sojourn - Part IX
      • Goldring Travel's 2010 Food & Wine Cruise - Seabourn Odyssey >
        • 2010 Goldring Travel Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Odyssey - The Beginning...Almost.
        • 2010 Goldring Travel Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Odyssey - The Beginning...Leaving On A Jet Plane
        • 2010 Goldring Travel Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Odyssey - Oy, Such Problems!
        • 2010 Goldring Travel Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Odyssey - Doing So Much and Doing Nothing
        • 2010 Goldring Travel Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Odyssey - A Sea Day and Some Thoughts About The Dining Expereiences
        • 2010 Goldring Travel Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Odyssey - Shopping with the Chef and Sicilian Seafood Experiences
        • 2010 Goldring Travel Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Odyssey - Malta and Food for Thought
        • 2010 Goldring Travel Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Odyssey - Pizza or the Wintergarden Suite's Spa? Let's Try Both!
        • 2010 Goldring Travel Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Odyssey - The Food & Wine Tasting to Die For!
        • 2010 Goldring Travel Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Odyssey - Finding Pizza and What It Means to "Travel"
      • Goldring Travel's 2009 Food & Wine Cruise - Seabourn Spirit >
        • 2009 Goldring Travel Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Spirit
        • Goldring Travel's 2009 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Spirit - Some Pre-Cruise Thoughts and My Plan
        • Goldring Travel's Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Spirit 2009 - The Start: It's All About The Clothes???
        • Goldring Travel's 2009 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Spirit - Walking With Wine In Venice
        • Goldring Travel's 2009 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Spirit - Finally Onboard...Err, I Mean, Home!
        • Goldring Travel's 2009 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Spirit - Split, Croatia: Shopping With the Chef & Chilling Out Seabourn Style
        • Seabourn Spirit 2009 Food & Wine Cruise - Its About The Fish!
        • Goldring Travel's 2009 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Spirit - Meeting Up With The Big Sister & Chef's Surprises
        • Goldring Travel's 2009 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Spirit - Some Final Thoughts
      • Goldring Travel's 2008 Food & Wine Cruise >
        • Goldring Travel's 2008 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Spirit: Travelogue Part I
        • Goldring Travel's 2008 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Spirit: Travelogue Part II
        • Goldring Travel's 2008 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Spirit: Travelogue Part III (The Food & Wine Tasting!)
      • Goldring Travel's 2007 Seabourn Food & Wine Cruise
      • Seabourn Quest Pre-Inaugural Cruise 2011 >
        • The Pre-Inaugural of the Seabourn Quest - Part I
        • The Pre-Inaugural of the Seabourn Quest - Part II
        • The Pre-Inaugural of the Seabourn Quest - Part III
        • The Pre-Inaugural of the Seabourn Quest - Part IV
        • The Pre-Inaugural of the Seabourn Quest - Part V
        • The Pre-Inaugural of the Seabourn Quest - Part VI - The Photos!
      • Seabourn Sojourn Inaugural Cruise (2010) >
        • Seabourn Sojourn - The Inaugural & Maiden Voyage Travelogue
        • Seabourn Sojourn - The Inaugural & Maiden Voyage Travelogue - Part II
        • Seabourn Sojourn - The Inaugural & Maiden Voyage Travelogue - Part III (The Seabourn Sojourn Has Been Delivered!)
        • Seabourn Sojourn Inaugural and Maiden Voyage - Part VI
        • Seabourn Sojourn Inaugural and Maiden Voyage - Part XII - Some Videos and Photos
      • 2009 Seabourn Odyssey Inaugural Cruise >
        • Seabourn Odyssey - The Ca' Segredo Hotel Starts The Sojourn
        • Seabourn Odyssey - First Impressions
        • Seabourn Odyssey - Cuisine, Venues, People
        • Seabourn Odyssey - The Standard Suites - Part I
        • Seabourn Odyssey - The Standard Suites- Part II
        • Seabourn Odyssey - The Upper Suites
    • AmaWaterways River Cruises >
      • Goldring Travel's 2014 Culinary & Cultural (Food & Wine) Cruise - AmaWaterways AmaCerto >
        • Goldring Travel's 2014 Food & Wine River Cruise - AmaWaterways AmaCerto (Amsterdam to Budapest) - Part I
        • Goldring Travel's 2014 Food & Wine River Cruise - AmaWaterways AmaCerto (Amsterdam to Budapest) – Part II
        • Goldring Travel's 2014 Food & Wine River Cruise - AmaWaterways AmaCerto (Amsterdam to Budapest) – Part III
        • Goldring Travel's 2014 Food & Wine River Cruise - AmaWaterways AmaCerto (Amsterdam to Budapest) – Part IV (Georg Breuer Riesling Tasting)
        • Goldring Travel's 2014 Food & Wine River Cruise - AmaWaterways AmaCerto (Amsterdam to Budapest) – Part VI
        • Goldring Travel's 2014 Food & Wine River Cruise - AmaWaterways AmaCerto (Amsterdam to Budapest) – Part VII (Bamberg Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting)
        • Goldring Travel's 2014 Food & Wine River Cruise - AmaWaterways AmaCerto (Amsterdam to Budapest) – Part VIII
        • Goldring Travel's 2014 Food & Wine River Cruise - AmaWaterways AmaCerto (Amsterdam to Budapest) – Part IX (Food & Wine Tasting on the AmaCerto)
        • Goldring Travel's 2014 Food & Wine River Cruise - AmaWaterways AmaCerto (Amsterdam to Budapest) – Part X
        • Goldring Travel's 2014 Food & Wine River Cruise - AmaWaterways AmaCerto (Amsterdam to Budapest) – Part XI - The Tokaji Wine Tasting
        • Goldring Travel Experiences Azamara Club Cruises in Asia - Is it Amazing? Part VI (Hualien, Taiwan and Okinawa - The Kindness of Strangers)
      • AmaWaterways AmaLotus - Vietnam & Cambodia >
        • AmaWaterways Mekong River Cruise - Radio Interview
        • AMAWaterways' AmaLotus - 2012 Vietnam, Cambodia and The Mekong River Cruise- Part I
        • AMAWaterways' AmaLotus - 2012 Vietnam, Cambodia and The Mekong River Cruise- Part II
        • AmaWaterways' AmaLotus - 2012 Vietnam, Cambodia and The Mekong River Cruise- Part III
        • AmaWaterways' AmaLotus - Vietnam, Cambodia and The Mekong River Cruise- Part IV
        • AmaWaterways' AmaLotus - Vietnam, Cambodia and The Mekong River Cruise- Part V (Getting There & Day 1: Hanoi)
        • AmaWaterways' AmaLotus - Vietnam, Cambodia and The Mekong River Cruise- Part VI (Let the Tour Begin!)
        • AmaWaterways' AmaLotus - Vietnam, Cambodia and The Mekong River Cruise- Part VII (Halong Bay...and A Monk)
        • AmaWaterways' AmaLotus - Vietnam, Cambodia and The Mekong River Cruise- Part VIII
        • AmaWaterways' AmaLotus - Vietnam, Cambodia and The Mekong River Cruise- Part IX (The Ship)
        • AmaWaterways' AmaLotus - Vietnam, Cambodia and The Mekong River Cruise- Part X (The Egg)
        • AmaWaterways' AmaLotus - Vietnam, Cambodia and The Mekong River Cruise- Part XI (Happy Pizza)
        • AmaWaterways' AmaLotus - Vietnam, Cambodia and The Mekong River Cruise- Part XII (The Killing Fields)
        • AmaWaterways' AmaLotus - Vietnam, Cambodia and The Mekong River Cruise- Part XIII (Our Last Days)
        • Review and Reflection of the 2012 AmaWaterways AmaLotus Vietnam and Cambodia Tour and Cruise
    • Azamara Club Cruises >
      • Goldring Travel Experiences Azamara Club Cruises - Is it Amazing? Part I
      • Goldring Travel Experiences Azamara Club Cruises in Asia - Is it Amazing? Part II
      • Goldring Travel Experiences Azamara Club Cruises in Asia - Is it Amazing? Part III (Bali and Komodo Island)
      • Goldring Travel Experiences Azamara Club Cruises in Asia - Is it Amazing? Part IV (Upscale Meets ????)
      • Goldring Travel Experiences Azamara Club Cruises in Asia - Is it Amazing? Part V (Perspectives on Experiencing Developing Ports)
      • Goldring Travel Experiences Azamara Club Cruises in Asia - Is it Amazing? Part V (Manila, Philippines - By Day and AzAmazing Evening)
      • Goldring Travel Experiences Azamara Club Cruises in Asia - Is it Amazing? Part VII (Doing It On Your Own - Part A - Dontonbori, Osaka)
      • Goldring Travel Experiences Azamara Club Cruises in Asia - Is it Amazing? Part VIII (Doing It On Your Own - Part B - Kyoto - Why You Can't Rely Only On Guidebooks or TripAdvisor!)
      • Goldring Travel Experiences Azamara Club Cruises in Asia - Is it Amazing? Part IX - Reflections
    • Celebrity Cruises >
      • Celebrity Century (2011) >
        • Celebrity Century Cruise 2011 - How Close to Luxury Can Celebrity's Smallest Ship Get?
        • Celebrity Century Cruise 2011 - How Close to Luxury Can Celebrity's Smallest Ship Get? Part II
        • Celebrity Century Cruise 2011 - How Close to Luxury Can Celebrity's Smallest Ship Get? Part III
        • Celebrity Century Cruise 2011 - How Close to Luxury Can Celebrity's Smallest Ship Get? Part IV
        • Celebrity Century Cruise 2011 - How Close to Luxury Can Celebrity's Smallest Ship Get? - Some Final Observations and Thoughts
      • Celebrity Equinox (2009) >
        • Celebrity Equinox 2009- The Prologue to the Travelogue
        • Celebrity Equinox 2009 - The Adventure Begins...With a Bump or Two
        • Celebrity Equinox - Settling In Made Easy
        • Celebrity Equinox 2009 - Luxury Touches ...
        • Celebrity Equinox 2009 - Asian Flair ...
        • Celebrity Equinox 2009 - Private Tours, Israel ...
        • Celebrity Equinox 2009 - Egypt...Impressive and Depressing
        • Celebrity Equinox 2009 - Dining With the Captain ...
        • Celebrity Equinox 2009 - The Last Dinner ...
        • Celebrity Equinox 2009 - What Happens When ...
      • Celebrity Silhouette (2013) >
        • Celebrity Silhouette 2013 - How Upscale to Luxury is a Celebrity Cruise Experience? - Part I
        • Celebrity Silhouette 2013 - How Upscale to Luxury is a Celebrity Cruise Experience? - Part II
        • Celebrity Silhouette 2013 - How Upscale to Luxury is a Celebrity Cruise Experience? The Review - Part III
      • Celebrity Solstice (2008) >
        • Celebrity Solstice - An Absolutely Amazing and Impressive Ship - Part I
        • Celebrity Solstice - An Absolutely Amazing and Impressive Ship - Part II
      • Celebrity Summit "Solticized" - A Ship Inspection (2012)
    • Crystal Cruises >
      • Crystal Serenity - November 2015 >
        • Crystal Serenity - Lisbon to Monaco: Crystal As a "Move Up" & "Move Over" Luxury Option - Part I
        • Crystal Serenity - Lisbon to Monaco: Crystal As a "Move Up" & "Move Over" Luxury Option - Part II
        • Crystal Serenity - Lisbon to Monaco: Crystal As a "Move Up" & "Move Over" Luxury Option - Part III
        • Crystal Serenity - Lisbon to Monaco: Crystal As a "Move Up" & "Move Over" Luxury Option - Part IV (Food & Wine!)
      • Crystal Symphony - April 2011 >
        • Crystal Symphony - Part I
        • Crystal Symphony - Part II
        • Crystal Symphony - Part III
        • Crystal Symphony - Part IV
        • Crystal Symphony - Part V
        • Crystal Symphony - Part VI
        • Crystal Symphony - Part VII
        • Crystal Symphony - Part VIII
        • Crystal Symphony - Part IX
        • Crystal Symphony - Goldring Travel's Pacific Exploration of Crystal Cruise's Luxury Experience - "Reflections"
    • Cunard >
      • Cunard's Queen Mary 2 - A Winter Transatlantic Crossing on Her 10th Anniversary
    • fathom Impact Travel >
      • Immersing In fathom's Social Impact Programs
    • G Adventures - Amazon River Cruise >
      • Goldring Travel Cruising the Peruvian Amazon With G Adventures - Part I
      • Goldring Travel Cruising the Peruvian Amazon With G Adventures - Part II
      • Goldring Travel Cruising the Peruvian Amazon With G Adventures - Part III
      • Goldring Travel Cruising the Peruvian Amazon With G Adventures - Part IV (What Group Travel Should Really Be About!)
    • Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) >
      • Norwegian Gem - Budget Cruises Pitching Luxury: You Don't Get What You Pay For, You Only Think You Do.
    • Paul Gauguin >
      • Paul Gauguin (2007)
    • Princess >
      • Princess Cruises Doesn't Treat You Like Royalty; Celebrity Cruises Does! Which is a Better Value for the Upscale Cruise Guest? Part I
      • Celebrity Silhouette vs. Royal Princess - Which Is A Better Value For The Upscale Cruise Guest? Part II: The Standard Veranda Staterooms
      • Celebrity Silhouette vs. Royal Princess - Which Is A Better Value For The Upscale Cruise Guest? Part III: Treating You Right From The Start
      • Celebrity Silhouette vs. Royal Princess - Which Is A Better Value For The Upscale Cruise Guest? Part IV: The Wine Lists Speak Volumes (As Do The Beverage Packages)
    • Regent >
      • Regent Seven Seas Mariner (2005)
      • Regent Seven Seas Navigator (2006)
    • Royal Caribbean >
      • Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas Travelogue - Prologue
      • Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas - My First 24 Hours
      • Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas - A Hurricane Runs Through It...Almost
      • Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas Travelogue - The Last Days ...
    • SeaDream Yacht Club >
      • Goldring Travel Cruising on SeaDream Yacht Club - Italy and Corisca 2014 - Part I
      • Goldring Travel Cruising on SeaDream Yacht Club - Italy and Corisca 2014 - Part II (Getting There, The Stateroom and First Impressions)
      • Goldring Travel Cruising on SeaDream Yacht Club - Italy and Corisca 2014 - Part III ("You Can’t Teach Five Star Service" and Bonafacio, Corsica)
      • Goldring Travel Cruising on SeaDream Yacht Club - Italy and Corisca 2014 - Part IV (Calvi, Monaco, Portofino, Porto Azzurro...and Stale Bread)
      • Goldring Travel Cruising on SeaDream Yacht Club - Italy and Corisca 2014 - Part V (My Last Day...and How The Chef's Team Makes It Happen)
    • Silversea >
      • Silversea Silver Shadow Alaska Cruise Review - Part I
      • Silversea Silver Shadow Alaska Cruise Review - Part II
      • Silversea Silver Shadow Alaska Cruise Review - Part III
      • Silversea Silver Shadow Alaska Cruise Review - Part IV
      • Silversea Silver Shadow Alaska Cruise Review - Part V
      • Silversea Silver Shadow Alaska Cruise Review - Part VI
      • Silversea Silver Shadow Alaska Cruise Review - Part VII
    • Taipei, Taiwan - Independent Travel >
      • A Few Days in Taipei, Taiwan - Who Knew? - Part I
      • A Few Days in Taipei, Taiwan - Who Knew? - Part II
      • A Few Days in Taipei, Taiwan - Who Knew? - Part III (Spa, Beauty and Fashion)
      • A Few Days in Taipei, Taiwan - Who Knew? - Part IV (Cuisine: Street, Sublime & Surreal)
    • Windstar >
      • Windstar Star Breeze Inaugural Cruise >
        • Windstar Cruises' Star Breeze Inaugural Cruise - Part I
        • Windstar Cruises' Star Breeze Inaugural Cruise - Part II - The Transformation of A Cruise Line
        • Windstar Cruises' Star Breeze Inaugural Cruise - Part III - The Windstar Experience 2.0
      • Windstar Pride - Black Sea Cruise - September 2014 >
        • Windstar Cruises - Star Pride Black Sea Cruise - Part I
        • Windstar Cruises - Star Pride Black Sea Cruise - Part II
        • Windstar Cruises - Star Pride Black Sea Cruise - Part III
      • Windstar's Wind Surf - Caribbean - January 2014
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    • Goldring Travel's 2016 Culinary & Cultural Cruise - The British Isles and More on the Seabourn Quest (August 4, 2016) -
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My flights to Istanbul to join Windstar Cruises’ Star Pride (formerly the Seabourn Pride) were fine, but did remind me how much I dislike Frankfurt airport.  My flight from Newark to Frankfurt was delayed because of weather resulting in my having only one hour to connect to my flight to Istanbul.  Of course it was decided to disembark the 747 via buses about as far from the terminal as possible and then (and I kid you not) change the gate for my flight…which was about as far as humanly possible from where the bus dropped me…from Gate B26 to B20 to B46 to B32, so that we could take a bus to the aircraft which was literally next to where I was originally dropped off (A18).   But, alas, I did make the flight.


We stayed at Hotel Nena, which is a moderately priced hotel right in the heart of the Sultanahmet area.  It is very comfortable with friendly staff and, if you have a Deluxe room, sweeping views of The Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia and the Bosporus with a lovely balcony.  



If you are staying in Istanbul for only a night or two and want to be smack in the middle of the tourist areas (you are also walking distance to Topaki Palace, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, Yeribatan Saryari and the Hippodrome) it is a great price sensitive choice.

Our included private transfer from Ataturk Airport (usually 30 Euros if you stay less than three nights) brought us to the hotel where we were brought to a light, airy, lounge for a glass of wine and an introduction to the area,  providing us with maps and just enough brochures; a nice touch. 

After a short nap it was time to explore the area as the sun was setting on a Saturday night.  To be sure this is a more touristic area, so right after The Grand Bazaar closes, the rest of the shops close and the busy streets quiet.  It provides for a lovely stroll.  We stopped for a Turkish coffee for a bit of energy and then wandered gazing at The Blue Mosque lit up at night and a bit of people watching.  We stopped at the famous Pudding Shop for some kofte, borek, cicek and raki (flattened spiced lamb meatballs, goat cheese filled fried flaky pastries, yogurt with cucumber and dill along with a ouzo-like drink which you mix with water and ice).  This was, of course, instead of what made The Pudding Shop famous in the 60’s:  opium, poetry and travelers hooking up as they head off to, or were returning from, Asia.

After a couple of raki back at the Hotel Nena it was time for bed as the hotel arranged a private guide for us the next morning.

Our day started with a beautiful buffet breakfast (included at Hotel Nena) with a mixture of typical Turkish breakfast items and Western. 


Our guided tour of Istanbul started at 9:00 a.m. and didn’t finish until 5:30 p.m. visiting (again) all of the main sites of Istanbul along with a lunch of various Turkish meze and Iskender kebobs and lamb shish.  Then it was a stroll through the Egyptian (Spice) Market and then a ferry from near the Galata Bridge over to Uskudar on the Asian side – giving us a nice view of Dolmabache Palace – and then the brand new subway (Metro) which took us back to the Sultanahmet district.  Our guide was OK, but confirmed to me that other than waiting in lines, visiting these sites with a good guide book can be just as, if not, more enjoyable.

The Dome of The Blue Mosque
After a very short rest, it was time for a special dinner at the Ciragan Palace’s Tugra Restaurant where you can, if fortunate enough, dine on the same marble terrace as the last of the Turkish sultans.  This is pretty much the only thing that I am doing on a luxury versus a premium basis.  The Ottoman cuisine was exceptional and the ambiance was wonderful.  After a stroll around the beautiful grounds it was back to our hotel for a nightcap and a chat on our balcony overlooking the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia.

The next morning, before boarding the Windstar Star Pride, it was off to The Grand Bazaar.   I love wandering the Old Bazaar as it still has a bit of the charm that the now more touristic newer areas have.  Then it was off to the port.

Our boarding of the Windstar Star Pride was swift and easy.  Check-in was similar to when it was a Seabourn ship:  Ushered to the Lounge where check-in was quick and friendly.  Mimosas (really orange juice with a splash were offered as we walked in.  The Lounge is now refreshed with a blue color theme and comfortable chairs.  The Reception area remains as it was…which was recently renovated and updated by Seabourn.

It was then off to our suite, 310 a French Veranda suite.  But before I could get up the staircase, the hotel Manager, Nick Burger, greeted me. I was surprised; not knowing that this former Seabourn Hotel Manager was back with Windstar. (He was involved in the transformation of the ship…but more on that later.)

One thing I noticed on the way to our suite is the “artwork”.  It is a matter of taste, but photos of tropical beaches just don’t seem to fit with the itineraries of the Star Pride or the overall elegance of this ship.

The color palette in the suite is, again, blue with beige highlights and is quite pretty.  Gone are the ottomans that fit under the coffee table, but the blue sofa is quite comfortable as are the two beige chairs with nice pillows.  


Star Pride's Standard Suite Vanity


 There are a few small changes, but most of them are not significant.

-          As we purchased the beverage package (required for both passengers in a suite), the refrigerator was stocked with one each of a variety of beers and soda, a mini-split of a modest white wine and cava.  Next to the refrigerator is a rack with a variety of miniature liquors and a mini-split of red wine.  (These are restocked as needed.)  These would be extra cost if the beverage package was not chosen as in most other premium cruise lines.

-          L’Occitane quality bath amenities are provided, but gone is the fluffy rug and the thick towels; now being relegated to two thin bath towels and two thin hand towels.

-          As I mentioned on the Wind Surf, there is no filler piece when the beds are configured as a queen.  This, frankly, drives me nuts.

-          While the Stateroom Directory has a menu for room service, the hanger to put outside your door only allows for a continental breakfast.  The room service menu is quite limited, but there is enough offered to satisfy most.  (I rarely have room service and on this small ship I can’t see it being a big issue…other than for those that want a full breakfast served at a specified time without having to call in the morning.)

All in all it is a refreshed stateroom that works well and is extremely comfortable.

We then headed down to Amphora (formerly The Restaurant) for lunch.  Not much has changed other than lunch was a buffet.  The buffet was a mix of various salads, cheeses, breads, cured meats, three hot dishes and a carving station.  It was nicely presented and enjoyable.  Bar stewards were quite attentive and, again, having the beverage package made things quite seamless.


Now settled, it was time for a soak in “my” hot tub on the bow.  The hot tub was fine and the deck furniture the same as when it was the Pride.  What was not good was the lack of any towels.  I did not expect any bar service, but once the Star Bar server knew we were there, bringing a refill was not an issue.

After a shower – with a new showerhead – it was time for dinner in Amphora.  The service is friendly and definitely premium, not luxury, as one can see how Seabourn would have three or even four people tending to your water, wine, silverware, ordering and presentation where now two are tasked with the same.  One benefit:  As Windstar places all of the silverware you might possibly need on the table before you sit and Seabourn would provide/take away silverware dependent on your course, the noise of the silverware drawers is all but absent.  (I do miss the flare, but it is not a big issue.) The wait staff, however, is very friendly with a “can do” attitude.

I figured I would order a challenging dish:  prime rib and asked for it medium rare.  It was perfect.  (Meanwhile at the table behind me Windstar delivered it as ordered and the guests sent it back nonetheless.  No problem.  No issue.  It was addressed politely, quickly and with a smile.)  My water glass was filled regularly, but the wine glass was a bit of a challenge.  Desserts were OK, but overall too mass market for me.  We shall see how it goes…not that dessert selections are going to make my cruise choice!

After dinner it was up to the Star Bar (formerly the Sky Bar).  It is still a great space; now with its teak chairs covered with beige cushions and new upscale bar stools.  


One change:  drinks are served in actual glasses unless you are taking them to the whirlpools, in which case Windstar also uses plastic.   Service is friendly and while they asked me for my suite number, once they knew I had the beverage package it has been a very seamless experience.

It was a very nice first day and the Pride remains one comfortable and elegant ship.



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  • Home
  • My Blog
    • My Blog Archive - June 2008 Through July 2014
  • Cruise/Travel Reviews
    • Seabourn >
      • Goldring Travel's 2015 Culinary & Cultural (Food & Wine) Cruise >
        • Goldring Travel's 2015 Culinary & Cultural (formerly Food & Wine) Cruise - Seabourn Quest - Part I (A Look Back and A Look Forward)
        • Goldring Travel's 2015 Culinary & Cultural (formerly Food & Wine) Cruise - Seabourn Quest - Part II (Copenhagen & The First Day)
        • Goldring Travel's 2015 Culinary & Cultural (formerly Food & Wine) Cruise - Seabourn Quest - Part III (Flam & Alesund)
        • Goldring Travel's 2015 Culinary & Cultural (formerly Food & Wine) Cruise - Seabourn Quest - Part IV (Slovlaer and Tromso)
        • Goldring Travel's 2015 Culinary & Cultural (formerly Food & Wine) Cruise - Seabourn Quest - Part V (Honningsvag) - Ventures By Seabourn
        • Goldring Travel's 2015 Culinary & Cultural (formerly Food & Wine) Cruise - Seabourn Quest - Part V (Sea Days & Private Culinary Events)
        • Goldring Travel's 2015 Culinary & Cultural (formerly Food & Wine) Cruise - Seabourn Quest - Part VI (Bergen, Stavanger & The Last Two Culinary Events: Shopping with the Seabourn Chef and A Cheese Tasting)
      • Goldring Travel's 2013 Culinary & Cultural (Food & Wine) Cruise >
        • Goldring Travel's 2013 Food & Wine Cruise - Preparations and a Plan...Sort Of!
        • Goldring Travel's 2013 Food & Wine Cruise - Take Off...and A Fresh Perspective
        • Goldring Travel's 2013 Food & Wine Cruise - Air Travel, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Meat!
        • Goldring Travel's 2013 Food & Wine Cruise - The First 24 Hours and Ihhabela, Brazil
        • Goldring Travel's 2013 Food & Wine Cruise - The Little Things (Paranagua and Porto Belo, Brazil)
        • Goldring Travel's 2013 Food & Wine Cruise - Seabourn Quest's Chef Creates An Incredible Tasting Event
        • Goldring Travel's 2013 Food & Wine Cruise - The Event: Montevideo, Uruguay- Caviar, Caviar and Sturgeon
      • Goldring Travel's 2012 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Pride >
        • Goldring Travel's 2012 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Pride - Part I
        • Goldring Travel's 2012 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Pride - Part II (Perspective)
        • Goldring Travel's 2012 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Pride - Part III (Storms A Brewing...And A Double Rainbow!)
        • Goldring Travel's 2012 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Pride - Part IV (Fish & Chips...And A Great Beer)
        • Goldring Travel's 2012 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Pride - Part V (Cork, Ireland and a Lucky Leprechaun Named Darina Allen)
        • Goldring Travel's 2012 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Pride - Part VI (A Day at Sea with Special Events...And Then A Most Charming Port )
        • Goldring Travel's 2012 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Pride - Part VII (Bordeaux- Day 1)
        • Goldring Travel's 2012 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Pride - Part VII (Bordeaux- Day 2: Chateau Margaux and Chateau Lynch-Bages)
        • Goldring Travel's 2012 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Pride - Part VIII (Relaxing and "Basque"ing)
        • Goldring Travel's 2012 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Pride - Part IX (Shopping With The Chef)
        • Goldring Travel's 2012 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Pride - Part X (The Goldring Travel Food & Wine Tasting)
      • Goldring Travel's 2011 Food & Wine Cruise - Seabourn Sojourn >
        • Goldring Travel's 2011 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Sojourn - Part I
        • Goldring Travel's 2011 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Sojourn - Part II
        • Goldring Travel's 2011 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Sojourn - Part III
        • Goldring Travel's 2011 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Sojourn - Part IV
        • Goldring Travel's 2011 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Sojourn - Part V
        • Goldring Travel's 2011 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Sojourn - Part VI
        • Goldring Travel's 2011 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Sojourn - Part VII
        • Goldring Travel's 2011 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Sojourn - Part VIII
        • Goldring Travel's 2011 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Sojourn - Part IX
      • Goldring Travel's 2010 Food & Wine Cruise - Seabourn Odyssey >
        • 2010 Goldring Travel Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Odyssey - The Beginning...Almost.
        • 2010 Goldring Travel Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Odyssey - The Beginning...Leaving On A Jet Plane
        • 2010 Goldring Travel Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Odyssey - Oy, Such Problems!
        • 2010 Goldring Travel Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Odyssey - Doing So Much and Doing Nothing
        • 2010 Goldring Travel Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Odyssey - A Sea Day and Some Thoughts About The Dining Expereiences
        • 2010 Goldring Travel Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Odyssey - Shopping with the Chef and Sicilian Seafood Experiences
        • 2010 Goldring Travel Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Odyssey - Malta and Food for Thought
        • 2010 Goldring Travel Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Odyssey - Pizza or the Wintergarden Suite's Spa? Let's Try Both!
        • 2010 Goldring Travel Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Odyssey - The Food & Wine Tasting to Die For!
        • 2010 Goldring Travel Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Odyssey - Finding Pizza and What It Means to "Travel"
      • Goldring Travel's 2009 Food & Wine Cruise - Seabourn Spirit >
        • 2009 Goldring Travel Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Spirit
        • Goldring Travel's 2009 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Spirit - Some Pre-Cruise Thoughts and My Plan
        • Goldring Travel's Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Spirit 2009 - The Start: It's All About The Clothes???
        • Goldring Travel's 2009 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Spirit - Walking With Wine In Venice
        • Goldring Travel's 2009 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Spirit - Finally Onboard...Err, I Mean, Home!
        • Goldring Travel's 2009 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Spirit - Split, Croatia: Shopping With the Chef & Chilling Out Seabourn Style
        • Seabourn Spirit 2009 Food & Wine Cruise - Its About The Fish!
        • Goldring Travel's 2009 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Spirit - Meeting Up With The Big Sister & Chef's Surprises
        • Goldring Travel's 2009 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Spirit - Some Final Thoughts
      • Goldring Travel's 2008 Food & Wine Cruise >
        • Goldring Travel's 2008 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Spirit: Travelogue Part I
        • Goldring Travel's 2008 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Spirit: Travelogue Part II
        • Goldring Travel's 2008 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Spirit: Travelogue Part III (The Food & Wine Tasting!)
      • Goldring Travel's 2007 Seabourn Food & Wine Cruise
      • Seabourn Quest Pre-Inaugural Cruise 2011 >
        • The Pre-Inaugural of the Seabourn Quest - Part I
        • The Pre-Inaugural of the Seabourn Quest - Part II
        • The Pre-Inaugural of the Seabourn Quest - Part III
        • The Pre-Inaugural of the Seabourn Quest - Part IV
        • The Pre-Inaugural of the Seabourn Quest - Part V
        • The Pre-Inaugural of the Seabourn Quest - Part VI - The Photos!
      • Seabourn Sojourn Inaugural Cruise (2010) >
        • Seabourn Sojourn - The Inaugural & Maiden Voyage Travelogue
        • Seabourn Sojourn - The Inaugural & Maiden Voyage Travelogue - Part II
        • Seabourn Sojourn - The Inaugural & Maiden Voyage Travelogue - Part III (The Seabourn Sojourn Has Been Delivered!)
        • Seabourn Sojourn Inaugural and Maiden Voyage - Part VI
        • Seabourn Sojourn Inaugural and Maiden Voyage - Part XII - Some Videos and Photos
      • 2009 Seabourn Odyssey Inaugural Cruise >
        • Seabourn Odyssey - The Ca' Segredo Hotel Starts The Sojourn
        • Seabourn Odyssey - First Impressions
        • Seabourn Odyssey - Cuisine, Venues, People
        • Seabourn Odyssey - The Standard Suites - Part I
        • Seabourn Odyssey - The Standard Suites- Part II
        • Seabourn Odyssey - The Upper Suites
    • AmaWaterways River Cruises >
      • Goldring Travel's 2014 Culinary & Cultural (Food & Wine) Cruise - AmaWaterways AmaCerto >
        • Goldring Travel's 2014 Food & Wine River Cruise - AmaWaterways AmaCerto (Amsterdam to Budapest) - Part I
        • Goldring Travel's 2014 Food & Wine River Cruise - AmaWaterways AmaCerto (Amsterdam to Budapest) – Part II
        • Goldring Travel's 2014 Food & Wine River Cruise - AmaWaterways AmaCerto (Amsterdam to Budapest) – Part III
        • Goldring Travel's 2014 Food & Wine River Cruise - AmaWaterways AmaCerto (Amsterdam to Budapest) – Part IV (Georg Breuer Riesling Tasting)
        • Goldring Travel's 2014 Food & Wine River Cruise - AmaWaterways AmaCerto (Amsterdam to Budapest) – Part VI
        • Goldring Travel's 2014 Food & Wine River Cruise - AmaWaterways AmaCerto (Amsterdam to Budapest) – Part VII (Bamberg Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting)
        • Goldring Travel's 2014 Food & Wine River Cruise - AmaWaterways AmaCerto (Amsterdam to Budapest) – Part VIII
        • Goldring Travel's 2014 Food & Wine River Cruise - AmaWaterways AmaCerto (Amsterdam to Budapest) – Part IX (Food & Wine Tasting on the AmaCerto)
        • Goldring Travel's 2014 Food & Wine River Cruise - AmaWaterways AmaCerto (Amsterdam to Budapest) – Part X
        • Goldring Travel's 2014 Food & Wine River Cruise - AmaWaterways AmaCerto (Amsterdam to Budapest) – Part XI - The Tokaji Wine Tasting
        • Goldring Travel Experiences Azamara Club Cruises in Asia - Is it Amazing? Part VI (Hualien, Taiwan and Okinawa - The Kindness of Strangers)
      • AmaWaterways AmaLotus - Vietnam & Cambodia >
        • AmaWaterways Mekong River Cruise - Radio Interview
        • AMAWaterways' AmaLotus - 2012 Vietnam, Cambodia and The Mekong River Cruise- Part I
        • AMAWaterways' AmaLotus - 2012 Vietnam, Cambodia and The Mekong River Cruise- Part II
        • AmaWaterways' AmaLotus - 2012 Vietnam, Cambodia and The Mekong River Cruise- Part III
        • AmaWaterways' AmaLotus - Vietnam, Cambodia and The Mekong River Cruise- Part IV
        • AmaWaterways' AmaLotus - Vietnam, Cambodia and The Mekong River Cruise- Part V (Getting There & Day 1: Hanoi)
        • AmaWaterways' AmaLotus - Vietnam, Cambodia and The Mekong River Cruise- Part VI (Let the Tour Begin!)
        • AmaWaterways' AmaLotus - Vietnam, Cambodia and The Mekong River Cruise- Part VII (Halong Bay...and A Monk)
        • AmaWaterways' AmaLotus - Vietnam, Cambodia and The Mekong River Cruise- Part VIII
        • AmaWaterways' AmaLotus - Vietnam, Cambodia and The Mekong River Cruise- Part IX (The Ship)
        • AmaWaterways' AmaLotus - Vietnam, Cambodia and The Mekong River Cruise- Part X (The Egg)
        • AmaWaterways' AmaLotus - Vietnam, Cambodia and The Mekong River Cruise- Part XI (Happy Pizza)
        • AmaWaterways' AmaLotus - Vietnam, Cambodia and The Mekong River Cruise- Part XII (The Killing Fields)
        • AmaWaterways' AmaLotus - Vietnam, Cambodia and The Mekong River Cruise- Part XIII (Our Last Days)
        • Review and Reflection of the 2012 AmaWaterways AmaLotus Vietnam and Cambodia Tour and Cruise
    • Azamara Club Cruises >
      • Goldring Travel Experiences Azamara Club Cruises - Is it Amazing? Part I
      • Goldring Travel Experiences Azamara Club Cruises in Asia - Is it Amazing? Part II
      • Goldring Travel Experiences Azamara Club Cruises in Asia - Is it Amazing? Part III (Bali and Komodo Island)
      • Goldring Travel Experiences Azamara Club Cruises in Asia - Is it Amazing? Part IV (Upscale Meets ????)
      • Goldring Travel Experiences Azamara Club Cruises in Asia - Is it Amazing? Part V (Perspectives on Experiencing Developing Ports)
      • Goldring Travel Experiences Azamara Club Cruises in Asia - Is it Amazing? Part V (Manila, Philippines - By Day and AzAmazing Evening)
      • Goldring Travel Experiences Azamara Club Cruises in Asia - Is it Amazing? Part VII (Doing It On Your Own - Part A - Dontonbori, Osaka)
      • Goldring Travel Experiences Azamara Club Cruises in Asia - Is it Amazing? Part VIII (Doing It On Your Own - Part B - Kyoto - Why You Can't Rely Only On Guidebooks or TripAdvisor!)
      • Goldring Travel Experiences Azamara Club Cruises in Asia - Is it Amazing? Part IX - Reflections
    • Celebrity Cruises >
      • Celebrity Century (2011) >
        • Celebrity Century Cruise 2011 - How Close to Luxury Can Celebrity's Smallest Ship Get?
        • Celebrity Century Cruise 2011 - How Close to Luxury Can Celebrity's Smallest Ship Get? Part II
        • Celebrity Century Cruise 2011 - How Close to Luxury Can Celebrity's Smallest Ship Get? Part III
        • Celebrity Century Cruise 2011 - How Close to Luxury Can Celebrity's Smallest Ship Get? Part IV
        • Celebrity Century Cruise 2011 - How Close to Luxury Can Celebrity's Smallest Ship Get? - Some Final Observations and Thoughts
      • Celebrity Equinox (2009) >
        • Celebrity Equinox 2009- The Prologue to the Travelogue
        • Celebrity Equinox 2009 - The Adventure Begins...With a Bump or Two
        • Celebrity Equinox - Settling In Made Easy
        • Celebrity Equinox 2009 - Luxury Touches ...
        • Celebrity Equinox 2009 - Asian Flair ...
        • Celebrity Equinox 2009 - Private Tours, Israel ...
        • Celebrity Equinox 2009 - Egypt...Impressive and Depressing
        • Celebrity Equinox 2009 - Dining With the Captain ...
        • Celebrity Equinox 2009 - The Last Dinner ...
        • Celebrity Equinox 2009 - What Happens When ...
      • Celebrity Silhouette (2013) >
        • Celebrity Silhouette 2013 - How Upscale to Luxury is a Celebrity Cruise Experience? - Part I
        • Celebrity Silhouette 2013 - How Upscale to Luxury is a Celebrity Cruise Experience? - Part II
        • Celebrity Silhouette 2013 - How Upscale to Luxury is a Celebrity Cruise Experience? The Review - Part III
      • Celebrity Solstice (2008) >
        • Celebrity Solstice - An Absolutely Amazing and Impressive Ship - Part I
        • Celebrity Solstice - An Absolutely Amazing and Impressive Ship - Part II
      • Celebrity Summit "Solticized" - A Ship Inspection (2012)
    • Crystal Cruises >
      • Crystal Serenity - November 2015 >
        • Crystal Serenity - Lisbon to Monaco: Crystal As a "Move Up" & "Move Over" Luxury Option - Part I
        • Crystal Serenity - Lisbon to Monaco: Crystal As a "Move Up" & "Move Over" Luxury Option - Part II
        • Crystal Serenity - Lisbon to Monaco: Crystal As a "Move Up" & "Move Over" Luxury Option - Part III
        • Crystal Serenity - Lisbon to Monaco: Crystal As a "Move Up" & "Move Over" Luxury Option - Part IV (Food & Wine!)
      • Crystal Symphony - April 2011 >
        • Crystal Symphony - Part I
        • Crystal Symphony - Part II
        • Crystal Symphony - Part III
        • Crystal Symphony - Part IV
        • Crystal Symphony - Part V
        • Crystal Symphony - Part VI
        • Crystal Symphony - Part VII
        • Crystal Symphony - Part VIII
        • Crystal Symphony - Part IX
        • Crystal Symphony - Goldring Travel's Pacific Exploration of Crystal Cruise's Luxury Experience - "Reflections"
    • Cunard >
      • Cunard's Queen Mary 2 - A Winter Transatlantic Crossing on Her 10th Anniversary
    • fathom Impact Travel >
      • Immersing In fathom's Social Impact Programs
    • G Adventures - Amazon River Cruise >
      • Goldring Travel Cruising the Peruvian Amazon With G Adventures - Part I
      • Goldring Travel Cruising the Peruvian Amazon With G Adventures - Part II
      • Goldring Travel Cruising the Peruvian Amazon With G Adventures - Part III
      • Goldring Travel Cruising the Peruvian Amazon With G Adventures - Part IV (What Group Travel Should Really Be About!)
    • Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) >
      • Norwegian Gem - Budget Cruises Pitching Luxury: You Don't Get What You Pay For, You Only Think You Do.
    • Paul Gauguin >
      • Paul Gauguin (2007)
    • Princess >
      • Princess Cruises Doesn't Treat You Like Royalty; Celebrity Cruises Does! Which is a Better Value for the Upscale Cruise Guest? Part I
      • Celebrity Silhouette vs. Royal Princess - Which Is A Better Value For The Upscale Cruise Guest? Part II: The Standard Veranda Staterooms
      • Celebrity Silhouette vs. Royal Princess - Which Is A Better Value For The Upscale Cruise Guest? Part III: Treating You Right From The Start
      • Celebrity Silhouette vs. Royal Princess - Which Is A Better Value For The Upscale Cruise Guest? Part IV: The Wine Lists Speak Volumes (As Do The Beverage Packages)
    • Regent >
      • Regent Seven Seas Mariner (2005)
      • Regent Seven Seas Navigator (2006)
    • Royal Caribbean >
      • Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas Travelogue - Prologue
      • Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas - My First 24 Hours
      • Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas - A Hurricane Runs Through It...Almost
      • Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas Travelogue - The Last Days ...
    • SeaDream Yacht Club >
      • Goldring Travel Cruising on SeaDream Yacht Club - Italy and Corisca 2014 - Part I
      • Goldring Travel Cruising on SeaDream Yacht Club - Italy and Corisca 2014 - Part II (Getting There, The Stateroom and First Impressions)
      • Goldring Travel Cruising on SeaDream Yacht Club - Italy and Corisca 2014 - Part III ("You Can’t Teach Five Star Service" and Bonafacio, Corsica)
      • Goldring Travel Cruising on SeaDream Yacht Club - Italy and Corisca 2014 - Part IV (Calvi, Monaco, Portofino, Porto Azzurro...and Stale Bread)
      • Goldring Travel Cruising on SeaDream Yacht Club - Italy and Corisca 2014 - Part V (My Last Day...and How The Chef's Team Makes It Happen)
    • Silversea >
      • Silversea Silver Shadow Alaska Cruise Review - Part I
      • Silversea Silver Shadow Alaska Cruise Review - Part II
      • Silversea Silver Shadow Alaska Cruise Review - Part III
      • Silversea Silver Shadow Alaska Cruise Review - Part IV
      • Silversea Silver Shadow Alaska Cruise Review - Part V
      • Silversea Silver Shadow Alaska Cruise Review - Part VI
      • Silversea Silver Shadow Alaska Cruise Review - Part VII
    • Taipei, Taiwan - Independent Travel >
      • A Few Days in Taipei, Taiwan - Who Knew? - Part I
      • A Few Days in Taipei, Taiwan - Who Knew? - Part II
      • A Few Days in Taipei, Taiwan - Who Knew? - Part III (Spa, Beauty and Fashion)
      • A Few Days in Taipei, Taiwan - Who Knew? - Part IV (Cuisine: Street, Sublime & Surreal)
    • Windstar >
      • Windstar Star Breeze Inaugural Cruise >
        • Windstar Cruises' Star Breeze Inaugural Cruise - Part I
        • Windstar Cruises' Star Breeze Inaugural Cruise - Part II - The Transformation of A Cruise Line
        • Windstar Cruises' Star Breeze Inaugural Cruise - Part III - The Windstar Experience 2.0
      • Windstar Pride - Black Sea Cruise - September 2014 >
        • Windstar Cruises - Star Pride Black Sea Cruise - Part I
        • Windstar Cruises - Star Pride Black Sea Cruise - Part II
        • Windstar Cruises - Star Pride Black Sea Cruise - Part III
      • Windstar's Wind Surf - Caribbean - January 2014
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