Back to Black and the Med too.... Live from the Prinsendam

Well we are not on the ship yet....we sail on September 21st, but we are on our way:D

DH and I got up at 3:00 am this morning to fly to Halifax and then on to Toronto.

Normally when we fly to Toronto (or anywhere to connect) we have to take a puddle hopper. But since we were going to Halifax we were able to take a much nicer plane to Toronto. Of course, that came with a price. Instead of a puddle hopper we have to take a cucaracha to get to Halifax. DH calls it that as this plane is REAL small. Single seats, 18 passengers and no washroom on board.

So, we are relaxing in Toronto today (since flights to Barcelona are in the evening it would have made for a very long day if we flew the same day) and flying to Barcelona tomorrow to enjoy that marvelous city for a few days before we board the Elegant Explorer.

We're looking forward to meeting a CC member this afternoon, old friends this evening and showing off Barcelona to CC friends!

Our cruise is quite port intensive and there are a lot of tours arranged but we are hoping that we have done a balancing act so we don't end up needing a vacation from our vacation.

Here's our itinerary:

Looks like a wonderful itinerary, Kazu. Hope you have great weather and enjoy every minute!:)

Awesome looking cruise! Have a wonderful time!

Marge

Glad to read you and Jose got to Toronto safely. Great itinerary. Needless to say I love Venice and Katakalon. Can still see Fred and I in Katakalon sitting at a small cafe, outside with Greek Salad, Tender Kalamari and wine. Have a wonderful cruise.:):D:)

Have a great trip,

Have a great cruise. I'm looking forward to your reports.

Roy

I'm so glad you decided to do a "Live From" - we've been on the Black Sea itinerary on the Prinsendam, so I can't wait to hear your thoughts on both the ship and the ports of call.

I hope your flight to Barcelona is smooth and uneventful.

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

Bon Voyage, Jacqui and Jose! I, too, am looking forward to your reports. Have an awesome time....

Kasu

We've done that flight! What a puddle jumper! At least it doesn't take too long.

Looking forward immensely to your Live From: what a GREAT itinerary!!

Wishing you the best cruise on a beautiful ship!!

Can't wait to start the adventure with your great 'live' reports. Thanks a head of time for doing them. Safe travels over to Barcelona.

That looks like a great itinerary.

Looking forward to reading all about it.

Have a great cruise.

That is a wonderful itinerary.

I would love to get back to some of those ports but I know it will never happen.

Have a wonderful cruise.

Have a great time. It's a wonderful itinerary.

How were you able to load enough luggage onto the puddle jumper? :D They'd probably only let me OR my luggage fly. :D

Safe travels.......

Have a great trip. I'm really looking forward to seeing your posts (with lots pictures and information) on the Black Sea ports. I've never been to those ports; however, I have a future cruise (Royal Clipper in 2016) booked there.

Have a wonderful time Jacqui. Looking forward to your live reports.

Terri

Really looking forward to your live reports, but remember your first priority should be to have fun!

Thanks for taking the time to give us updates on your travels, Jacqui. That little plane sounds frightening. I hope it was not too long a flight! Enjoy Toronto and I will stay tuned for your future adventures.

Wahooooo!

Gail - Venice is my favourite - and I sure love kalamari and Greek salad - Jacqui can have my wine!! I know we will need a vacation when we return - maybe even before we start - Jacqui and Jose are our tour guides for Barcelona!

I've flown on that plane many times. We used to call it the Cigar plane. Everyone has both a window and aisle seat at the same time. You have to keep one foot in the aisle so you don't fall out of the seat.

Have a great cruise! We'll take care of things back on the home front! :)

Have a great cruise..

I've also been on those planes - glad you arrived safely. I, too, wondered about the luggage!

I hope you all have an incredible time. Looking forward to reading about the trip. May all your flights be on time!

ha! ha! on the luggage everyone. I don't know where it went but it arrived in Toronto with us (thankfully). No room for carry on's of course on that little plane. That is a pretty quick trip - just 40 minutes, so not too painful.

can't promise pictures, but I will see if I can. If my memory card fits in the ipad adaptor, I will try to do some in one of my 'quiet' ports.

Jose and I just had the pleasure to meet 1of4 - what a lovely lady. So happy we had the opportunity to meet her in person. Looking forward to meeting the other 3of4 on our cruise next April :D

Gail - Venice is my favourite - and I sure love kalamari and Greek salad - Jacqui can have my wine!! I know we will need a vacation when we return - maybe even before we start - Jacqui and Jose are our tour guides for Barcelona!

I too feel Venice is my favourite but now my husband has passed I don't want to go back. We had a great time in Venice where our 21 day TA cruise terminated. Even went to the island of Murano and had a chandlier custom made and shipped to our home. It graces my dining room today. That being said, I still envy you your cruise and so nice to have Jacqui & Jose as tour guides.

What a great itinerary.

Wishing you safe travelling, and a wonderful cruise.