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kit9172
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| Joined: | Tue Feb 26th, 2008 |
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| Posts: | 23 |
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Posted: Sat May 10th, 2008 12:39 am | 1st Post |
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Just wanted to thank everyone for all the help before hand and especially Shoreguy. Here is my review:
We arrived at the port at around 11 am. Checked in, received a number and asked to take a seat till the number was called. This was done quick and efficiently. They were serving pound cake and banana bread as well as a cold and hot beverage. I think between 12 and 12:30 they started calling your number and you were allowed to board. Upon entering the ship you were handed a glass of champange and told to go to lunch either at the Grand Pacific or Buffet. We chose the buffet as it was such a beautiful day in New York we decided to eat outside.
At some point we were allowed to go to our staterooms drop off our baggage and pick up our life vests and head to our muster station. This is so painless now as it is held inside where you can sit down while you are given instructions. After the drill we went back to our inside cabin 9525 to return the vests and check if our luggage arrived. It did, so we unpacked. At this point I personally feel when this is done the vacation has started.
We went onto deck 12 to see the ship head out of the harbor and then decide what to do next. We ate that night at the Buffet which has several different stations with various foods, some Italian, Chinese, India and Amercian. Went to see the show and then up to Spinakers Lounge. This lounge would be where we would hang out after the shows if something was going on.
Sea Days-- Lazy, lazy, lazy. Ate, drank, played games, went to shows and had a great time.
Azores--- Ship excursion. Pineapple plantation. Nice and interesting.
Lisbon---- Ship excursion. Bus ride around the city. Ok
Cadiz--- Ship excursion. The information on this said moderate walking and a few steps. After the bus unloaded us it was a walk uphill for at least a mile and when I say uphill it was straight up. When we came down the bus was not there and we had to go down approx 160 steps to get it. Some people had canes and should have been told this before buying a ticket. The rest of the trip was to a winery where they had a sherry tasting. Outstanding sherry but since most of us had nothing to eat for 5 hours and was in the sun all day it was differcult to drink without being queasy. At the shop where you could buy the sherry it would have been more appealing to also buy crackers like at Napa wineries. Just a thought.
Malaga---Ship excursion--- Bus ride around the town and shopping. Beautiful city.
Corcisa----- Did a hop on hop off bus ride. Only 15.00 and scenery was beautiful.
Rome---- Private driver, mini van, holds 8. We had an outstanding day with Rome in Limo. Our driver Sal was great and his boss Duman was outstanding. Would definitely use them again, in fact four of our friends used them for Florence the next day and were even more impressed.
Florence-- Cinque Terre--- Ships Excursion-- Now I am torn into a review. It also was stated moderate walking and a few steps. It is five villages built into mountains. In order to get from one village to the other you must either walk, take a train or a boat. When the bus dropped us off we walked downhill about 1/2 mile, then we walked along what is called lovers walk for about 3 or more miles on uneven terrain plus steps up and down along the way. When we reached the area where we picked up the boat there was no dock, just a rocky area where they took the ropes and put them around the rocks, lowered a gangplank and up you went to get on the boat. The villages were awesome. Unfortunately the amount of walking held most of us up and therefore we did not see most of the sites of each village. I must pause here and say that I think part of the problem was the amount of people visiting this area, Rome, Florence and Monte Carlo. May 1st is a European holiday and it being a Thursday most people took Friday off. Each of these sites had as many people as New York City on New Years Eve. I have never seen nor have our guides seen the amount of people we encountered. My pictures of the Spanish Steps in Rome only shows people no steps. So in saying this I think part of my disappointment with these excursions were not being able to tour them like I would have wanted too.
Villefrance--- We hired a private van again and went to Monte Carlo, Monaco and Estes ( I think that is the spelling). I can say and I quote "I won in Monte Carlo" I put a 5 euro bill in a Star War slot machine and the next thing I know the Death Star comes down and I won 375 euros. Not a bad way to end an excursion.
I learned from this cruise that the way to do an excursion is privately with a firm like Rome In Limo and Revelation tours. I got together with people from my Roll Call and we hired these drivers before we left the States. We got to see and do more than others that did the ships excursion for a cost less than they were asking.
Transatlantic cruisers for next year on the same itineary, be careful about May 1st as the crowds are many. Plan accordingly,
Ship--- I thought the Gem was wonderful as well as the crew and officers. We had our meet and greet the first sea day and I believe at least 75 showed up. I made some wonderful new friends, Debbie and Brian, Joan and Mark, Connie and Tina as well as Tina's aunt and cousin ( miss you at meal times), Debbie and Amanada, Judy and Frank (thanks for my room sign), Paula and Leo and their great kids, speaking of kids thank you so much Lily for my post card. I'll cherish it. For those I didn't mention please remember I am getting old.
If you have any questions I will be glad to try and answer them.
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kathy32259
Funnel Deck Cruiser
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Posted: Sat May 10th, 2008 01:27 am | 2nd Post |
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Great review!! That sounds like a dream come true for me - someday maybe it will!! Thanks for posting this!
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"Born to Cruise"
Next:
Vegas 6/29/2008 AND 8/23/2008, DD Wedding 11/15/2008,
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S&S5
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hstrybuf
Founders
| Joined: | Sat Jun 17th, 2006 |
| Location: | Kansas |
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Posted: Sat May 10th, 2008 03:17 am | 3rd Post |
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| Thanks for posting your review! I never thought of checking for possible holiday crowds. I can see where that might make your tours a bit less enjoyable.
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Deb - Research, research, research!
My pics: http://community.webshots.com/user/hstrycrsr
Liberty 10/07; Miracle 10/06; Navigator OTS 10/04; Legend 04/04; Grand Princess 09/03; Dawn Princess 01/03; Enchantment OTS 10/02; Destiny 01/02; Sensation 10/99
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shoreguy
Charter Member
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Posted: Sat May 10th, 2008 03:38 am | 4th Post |
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| I got back online here again just in time. Great review it really sounds like a wonderful adventure with some sound advice for future cruisers. Note to self avoid Mayday
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NCL Jade,Gem,Pearl,Jewel,Dawn,Sun Pics
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