33 nights on the Ruby - Caribbean - TA - Med, Review with Pics

[Billy and Charlie's Mum]

The Blue Mosque

[Billy and Charlie's Mum]

Our tour guide Kagan...



As the Grand Bazaar wasn't open today we went to the Spice Markets... even though they weren't as big, they were still great for buying turkish delight and souvenirs. The keyrings with the "evil eye" were the cheapest here.









This little boy was dressed up for his special day... according to custom when they turn 5 they become a man by being circumcised. They have a special service in the church before this happens.... gotta feel for him!

[Billy and Charlie's Mum]

We stopped for a coffee - we were asked if we wanted a nescafe or a coffee, we chose a coffee Hahaha.... turkish coffee that is. Not bad actually, half the cup was sludge but it was tasty and gave you a kick.



Great little cafe around the corner from the spice markets, we went up to the balcony on the first level... it was very nice sitting up here people watching.

[Billy and Charlie's Mum]

The Byzantine Cisterns.... these cisterns are under Istanbul itself and date back 1500 years. It is quite a tourist attraction now and well worth the visit.







The Byzantine people were the original recyclers... these columns were left overs from other buildings that were being built around the same time.... hence the medusa head.





The fish helped it keep clean.... water still gathers in the cistern after rain...

[Pia1913]

I was first amazed when I realized most people visiting Istanbul know nothing about the cisterns. Now, thanks to you, so many will know there's an underground to visit.

[quincytoo]

This has been a wonderful review and the pictures are incredible

A huge thank you....ummm a caramel TIM TAM would have been great with that Turkish coffee.....the fallen bits of a TIMTAM would have made the sludge easier to drink

mental note for me...include Timmy's when packing for this cruise that I will take one day....

[WeBeGone]

We LOVED Instanbul. It was such a surprise.

[Billy and Charlie's Mum]

Originally Posted by Pia1913

I was first amazed when I realized most people visiting Istanbul know nothing about the cisterns. Now, thanks to you, so many will know there's an underground to visit.

I think it is a must see, don't you.... it is kinda creepy but really interesting especially if you have a guide that can explain the history and the link with St. Sophia.

[Billy and Charlie's Mum]

Originally Posted by quincytoo

This has been a wonderful review and the pictures are incredible

A huge thank you....ummm a caramel TIM TAM would have been great with that Turkish coffee.....the fallen bits of a TIMTAM would have made the sludge easier to drink

mental note for me...include Timmy's when packing for this cruise that I will take one day....

LOL... Yes, a Tim Tam would have done wonders, but maybe a rum and raisin one (I know you don't get them there but they are my favourite!)

[Billy and Charlie's Mum]

Originally Posted by WeBeGone

We LOVED Instanbul. It was such a surprise.

So very true... Italy and Greece were wonderful but Turkey (Istanbul and Kusadasi) were indeed a huge surprise and we just loved both ports.... such history.... coming from such a new country - the mind boggles!

[philly50's]

Eileen seeing these wonderful pictures has been a real treat for us. Thank you so much for the work that you've put into posting them.

[alreadypacked]

Wow, what a wonderful review! Thank you!

[cruiselvr1]

Originally Posted by Billy and Charlie's Mum

I wasn’t going to do a review of this cruise but we had such a fabulous time it is a shame not to. 33 nights on the Ruby Princess was awesome and we actually did a B2B2B…. 7 nights on the final Caribbean cruise of the season, then the 14 night Transatlantic and finally the first 12 night Med cruise of the season. So here goes…..

Our travel plan was as follows….. Sunshine Coast to Sydney on Virgin Australia, Sydney to Honolulu on Jetstar (not our first choice, but our original carrier went bust and this was the only airline that matched our connecting flight from Honolulu ….. might I say, Never again! I will never again fly Jetstar!.... more about that soon) Honolulu to Los Angeles on Hawaiian Air, Los Angeles to Memphis, Memphis to Fort Lauderdale on Delta.. PHEW!!!!! We were so lucky as all the flights were on time and we didn’t miss a connection!

We nearly didn’t get out of Sydney – The Jetstar “check-in chick” decided to wield the 4’x 2’ block of wood she carried around on her shoulder and get nasty with us. She asked us for our return tickets from America….. well we didn’t have any, did we? We were returning from Dubai in the UAE not America. Then she asked (not very nicely, I might add) for our airfare tickets from America to Dubai…. Well we didn’t have any, did we? We then explained to her we were leaving America on a cruise ship and cruising to the Med. Flying out of Venice, via Dubai and then home. She asked us for our cruise tickets….. when we showed them to her, she got exasperated and said NO!!!! I want your air tickets… OK! We said that is not what you asked for! (There was actually fire coming out of her eyes and that plank of wood suddenly multiplied into one on each shoulder!) My DH, who can’t tolerate this type of behaviour then decided to argue the point! OMG… you don’t argue with petty people on a power trip, especially ones who can stop you from getting on that all important flight! After a few kicks in the shins he stopped (sort of) after she threatened to not let us on the flight. I know English isn’t her first language but surely they could put people who were a bit more amiable into these positions of power. Oh well, this is Jetstar we are talking about….. I knew there was a reason we never fly with them, and never will again!


Honolulu from the air.... on our way to LA!

This is why we don't fly anymore. I used to work for the airlines and I know how Passengers can be, but now I have notice a difference in how employees treat the public.

[chamima]

Originally Posted by Billy and Charlie's Mum

LOL... Yes, a Tim Tam would have done wonders, but maybe a rum and raisin one (I know you don't get them there but they are my favourite!)

On everyone's recommendations I purchased the Tim Tams here and (since I'm, luckily for me, not much of a cookie person) was able to just eat a few.
HOWEVER, rum and raisin are a whole different story!!!!!!!!!!! My mouth is already watering for next January when I will be in Australia and it now looks like my first stop will be a grocery store!

[OhioDogLover]

Love your review. I am reliving the ports, one at a time. As interesting as Turkey was, and as much as we liked the rest, Florence will always be our favorite, I think.
Ohiodoglover

[lor74]

WOW, awsome review......killed so much time at the office going through this...THANKS!

[TheBestIsYetToCome]

Originally Posted by WeBeGone

We LOVED Instanbul. It was such a surprise.

Same here. I have photos of the light fixtures from all of the mosques we've visited, stylized into black-and-white, in a display in my kitchen. I have been all over the world, and on many cruises, but this city.....I just love it.

This review is bringing back such great memories -- it's a magical part of the world. Many thanks to the OP for a review that really captures what you see and feel there.

[Billy and Charlie's Mum]

Originally Posted by philly50's

Eileen seeing these wonderful pictures has been a real treat for us. Thank you so much for the work that you've put into posting them.

Glad you are enjoying it!

Originally Posted by alreadypacked

Wow, what a wonderful review! Thank you!

Thank you for reading it.

Originally Posted by cruiselvr1

This is why we don't fly anymore. I used to work for the airlines and I know how Passengers can be, but now I have notice a difference in how employees treat the public.

This woman was just plain rude and shouldn't have been in the job she was in.

[Billy and Charlie's Mum]

Originally Posted by chamima

On everyone's recommendations I purchased the Tim Tams here and (since I'm, luckily for me, not much of a cookie person) was able to just eat a few.
HOWEVER, rum and raisin are a whole different story!!!!!!!!!!! My mouth is already watering for next January when I will be in Australia and it now looks like my first stop will be a grocery store!

Rum and Raisin are yummy, but so are mint chip and the white chocolate etc, etc,.... you will have fun trying out all our flavours here and the coffee here is soooo much better than in the US (have I started something? LOL)

[Billy and Charlie's Mum]

Originally Posted by OhioDogLover

Love your review. I am reliving the ports, one at a time. As interesting as Turkey was, and as much as we liked the rest, Florence will always be our favorite, I think.
Ohiodoglover

We loved Turkey as it was such a surprise, not what we expected at all.... but we do LOVE Florence!

Originally Posted by lor74

WOW, awsome review......killed so much time at the office going through this...THANKS!

Glad I could help you get through the day

Originally Posted by TheBestIsYetToCome

Same here. I have photos of the light fixtures from all of the mosques we've visited, stylized into black-and-white, in a display in my kitchen. I have been all over the world, and on many cruises, but this city.....I just love it.

This review is bringing back such great memories -- it's a magical part of the world. Many thanks to the OP for a review that really captures what you see and feel there.

It is a magical part of the world and we would love to go back.... maybe some day!