And happy sailing!!

Yes, I guess I'm just a trusting person - I've been caught out by that trait before! And with cruises I am in unfamiliar territory. You may have noted from my profile that my experience has been wholly in independent travelling, with a special interest in self-drive itinerary planning. Many friends (who include some TA's) have followed and rave about driving itineraries I planned for them based on their individual interests etc. But when it comes to coach tours, cruises (and the traps of forum reviews!) I guess I am, as you say, something of a "lamb"!

Since reading the CruiseCritic reviews you provided links for, I have done 2 things: I am now an email subscriber to CruiseCritic; and I followed the "Read more reviews" link to see more Aegean Odyssey reviews. They are a mixture, a few confirming the negative comments of the first review, others (especially the more recent ones) offering more kindly comments. As Ontariotrekker and one of the CruiseCritic reviewers (who went on an early V2A cruise and then a second more recent one) indicates, it seems V2A may have lifted their game since those early days. Can take comfort in that...or not...?

As you say, it's down to us (caveat emptor). But I'm doing my damndest to avoid getting it wrong. The best I can say right now is that the jury's still out on this one. We had put a tenative hold on a cabin before this thread started, but haven't confirmed or paid anything yet.

Watch this space.....!

OK. good luck. I would be more weight in the reviews on CC but thats just me. I'll stay tuned.

I got no problems with Ontario's comments.

Ont, we were posting at the same time. My stunningly wise words were not intended to be in response to your reply, rather a general response to twoflower's post just above it. You sound like a nice guy, trying to be helpful.

Opps I've been caught. I admit it, I'm a Fodor's board stalker. If you check you'll see that I usually participate in Cruise Critic postings, and you'll find genuine responses immediately following both of my V2A cruises. Just couldn't pass up a question like this original one. I guess since we were on the 2nd cruise of the inaugural year and obviously could find absolutely no info on V2A, I am sensitive to those looking for basic information on the ship. I still contend that V2A offers a great value for the money and we'd just like to see folks enjoy it just like we have.

Well I said “watch this space” and here I am. It’s only fair to report back and let posters know where it all went.

The glowing reviews which Dogster speculated may be suspect, and which he countered with links to some condemnatory reviews on CruiseCritic, led me to dig deeper. Among the more balanced reviews (i.e. those containing both praise and criticism) an oft-recurring theme is that VTA is taking criticism on board and improving things.

Another spin-off from the thread was some 1-to-1 email correspondence with a genuine VTA traveller who had done a trip report on a VTA cruises (I don’t know which forum) and could answer my specific questions. And by a roundabout set of circumstances I was also contacted, first by email and later by phone, by someone from VTA.

OK, so their marketing people do keep an eye on forums like this, and when they see a posting like mine they contact ex-clients and ask if they might join up and provide feedback. I don’t have an issue with that; in fact I welcome it – so long as they are ex-clients and not company officials. Nor do I have a credibility problem with it. I can very much imagine TA’s of my acquaintance doing exactly that.

The company contact confirmed that VTA did have problems initially, but that they took criticisms on board and addressed the issues raised. The particular super-critical review that set me off on my quest for more information is known to VTA as being from an early client who had a grievance and chose to deal with it by venting publicly.

The upshot of all this is that I am largely satisfied that VTA offers a good product, especially for those like me who fancy something destination-and-learning oriented (as opposed to cruises where it’s all about what fun you have on board)! That we cancelled in the end was partly us being cautious (we’ll give it more time and see what future reviews look like), plus something of a gap between what cabin standard we could get for what price.

Meanwhile, thank you everyone who had input. We’ll now start planning a different “next trip”. No longer a cruise after all, I’m afraid, but instead some independent touring, extending on where we’ve been and adding some new stuff as well. Thanks again....

well thanks for the update. You sure seemed to do your homework and the result has been a decision you are comfortable with. Good job! Happy travels. Larry :-)

google alerts my friend. When I see something on any page I can respond to I get an alert.

Your comment intrigues me, ICruiseALot - can you please explain 'google alerts' for me?

Up till now, I've been a fairly independent traveller; Fodors members have offered excellent advice about sight-seeing and general visiting details, but I've never relied on recommendations for accommodation before (mostly doing home exchanges for international travel).

I'm new to cruising, and am just beginning to find my way through all the reviews, cruise companies and websites. Thanks, Di

Anyone considering Voyages to Antiquity might want to check out the latest posting on Cruise Critic. Go to "Boards" and select Cruise Lines "A-O" then the last selection "Other cruise lines". Makes one want to be a bit cautious.