Comments for Rachel's Ruminations

Comment on Biosphere Expeditions: An adventure in citizen science by Rachel Heller

Rachel Heller — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 08:35:50 +0000

In reply to Zara. Thanks!

Comment on Biosphere Expeditions: An adventure in citizen science by Zara

Zara — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 22:45:17 +0000

It was so great to share this experience with you Rachel! Fantastic article.

Comment on A Princess Cruise review by Rachel Heller

Rachel Heller — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 07:11:47 +0000

In reply to Jennifer. It's hard to review cruises, isn't it? Every person has different things they want from the experience, different expectations, etc. Even if we'd taken the exact same cruise on the same dates, we very well might have drawn different conclusions. My review was my honest evaluation of the experience, as a person who hasn't taken very many traditional cruises. Thank you for sharing your impressions! What do you mean by AGM? Is that excursions? And by "Med season" you mean one of the Mediterranean cruises?

Comment on A Princess Cruise review by Jennifer

Jennifer — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 01:57:45 +0000

I was on Med season but was impressed only with food quality and entertainment. Customer service, Shorex staff – just ruined my cruise with poor misunderstandings and lack of knowledge.
It was bad that much that I chose to book private tours and to solve all the issues with AGM.
I do like and appreciate positive feedbacks, but he’ll yeah we have to be honest too.
I am earning no money from this however free opinion has must not have boundaries.

Comment on The night noises of Guadeloupe by Rachel Heller

Rachel Heller — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 16:57:48 +0000

In reply to Clarice. I'm not sure what you mean ... could you (or anyone else reading this) explain exactly what happens, because I'm not seeing any forced navigation to GetYourGuide.

Comment on The night noises of Guadeloupe by Clarice

Clarice — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 22:18:02 +0000

Your site is annoying with the forced navigation to get your guide etc…

Comment on Review of Audley Travel: Luxury bespoke travels by Freya

Freya — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 07:53:01 +0000

Thank you for this insightful review! I love how you highlighted the balance between independent travel and having experts handle the details. The private street art tour and rooftop Acropolis sunrise sound unforgettable. A truly helpful look at what bespoke Luxury travel can feel like.

Comment on Havila Voyages cruise review: An eco-friendly coastal Norway journey by Rachel Heller

Rachel Heller — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 12:44:20 +0000

In reply to Kirsty P. I'm glad it was helpful! We had a few hours each in Alesund and Tromso, and then we flew back from Kirkenes to Tromso, so we had more time in Tromso. As for Lofoten, there are several short stops, but you pretty much have to take an excursion, I'd say, to see much. With either Havila or Hurtigruten, you can book it so that you get off at any port, stay a couple of nights and get back on to continue the journey. But that means packing up more often, of course.

Comment on Havila Voyages cruise review: An eco-friendly coastal Norway journey by Kirsty P

Kirsty P — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 02:11:35 +0000

What a brilliantly informative article! I’m just in the process of planning a cruise / trip in February next year. It’s very early but I’m a planner… your tips and tricks have answered a lot of my questions. My main conundrum is whether to do port-to-port or a round trip or a mix of both! Reason being is that Tromso, Lofoten and Alesund in particular look so interesting that I’m wondering if I should spend at a bit more time in each. The idea of packing and unpacking is a bit off putting though…. So it’s interesting to read about how much time you had at those places, especially Alesund and Tromso. I guess if I love them that much, I’ll have to come back, perhaps in spring. Anyway, thanks for the insight 🙂

Comment on 10 Things the Dutch Think about Americans by Rachel Heller

Rachel Heller — Sun, 18 Jan 2026 20:22:55 +0000

In reply to Linda Barber.

Did you intend this comment on the other article, about how Americans see the Netherlands? I meant both articles to be rather light-hearted looks at some stereotypes I’ve come across – I don’t think I ever implied that everyone (in either country) believes these things! I certainly don’t, though there’s often some kernel of truth …