Cruise

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Dear Globetrotter:

Edna R.S. Alvarez of Los Angeles, California, wrote, "I travel extensively as a solo and have done so for over 50 years. I enjoy it a great deal. Many friends had encouraged me to take a cruise, but, as a solo, I resisted because of the issue of closed (assigned) seating at meals. In June 2017, I finally took a short coastal cruise in Europe.

"For breakfast and lunch, when meal seating in the ship's dining room was 'open,' I had no problems joining other diners. People were welcoming and friendly.

Subscribers were invited to write in about places, outside of the US, where they've had rewarding sightings of birds. (We cannot accept more submissions.)

In addition to the types of birds they saw, we asked travelers to each tell us where they were and the year/month/time their visit took place. ...

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When you travel, don't forget to watch birds in cities. You will encounter them in parks and other green areas. Becoming acquainted with the varieties will enrich your travels because you will recognize them again as you continue your explorations.

In April 2015, my husband, Calvin, and I enjoyed a cruise on the waterways of the NETHERLANDS and Belgium, taking the 7-night "Tulip Time" cruise with AmaWaterways ... .

Viking River Cruises (Los Angeles, CA; 877/705-7631, www.vikingrivercruises.com) announced that, as of Aug. 1, 2018, children under 18 would no longer be allowed on their trips. Previously, children as young as 12 could go on cruises.

Sister company Viking Ocean Cruises (www.vikingcruises.com) has been "adults only" since its inception in 2015.

My husband, Jack, and I took a vacation to Russia, June 26-July 7, 2018, traveling on a 12-day river cruise offered by Value World Tours (Fountain Valley, CA; 800/795-1633, valueworldcruises.com). We had a fabulous experience both on and off the ship.

As for the cabins on the M/S Sergei Yesenin, only six suites were available on the sun deck, but they were brand new and well appointed. The pricing was great compared to that of other companies. We paid about $5,500 for two in an upgraded suite (No. 303).

Edna R.S. Alvarez of Los Angeles, California, wrote, "I travel extensively as a solo and have done so for over 50 years. I enjoy it a great deal. Many friends had encouraged me to take a cruise, but, as a solo, I resisted because of the issue of closed (assigned) seating at meals. In June 2017, I finally took a short coastal cruise in Europe.

"For breakfast and lunch, when meal seating in the ship's dining room was 'open,' I had no problems joining other diners. People were welcoming and friendly.

A major Atlantic storm, Storm Ali, which hit the British Isles on Sept. 19, was responsible for the death of one person in the Republic of Ireland and another in Northern Ireland. Injuries were reported throughout the region.

With gusts of over 100 miles per hour, Ali caused damage and knocked out power across Ireland, Scotland and northern England. An Oceania Cruises ship docked at Inverclyde, Scotland, was torn from its mooring, but company officials reported that there were no injuries to passengers or crew and that the ship was undamaged.

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It takes a bit of research to find a cruise that carves out but a piece of the world.