Witsend1

Lol, Shot2bits. Def not as comfy as a gown.

Have been to Rovinj, it was a beautiful place. We walked around the narrow streets that climbed up to a church or cathedral that was on the top of the hill. Fabulous views from the top and lovely art galleries and buildings on the way up.

Think there was a market too, fruit, veg etc from what I remember, that was nice to stroll through. We Looked around the town in the afternoon as we went on a boat ride up the Lim Fjord, think that's the right name, in the morning. It was very relaxing and scenic, there were several naturists along the way, on shore and on small boats - they weren't part of the scenery though!

There were other places to go with ship excursions that looked interesting too.

I would happily return given the opportunity 😀

I have travelled with my family, husband and children, several times. I have also travelled with a friend, with my sister and more than once with my mam. There's often a mix of people.

On the Spirit a few weeks ago there was a table of 10 females of different ages in the dining room each night. I'm sure your daughter will find other people to get along with.

Hope you both enjoy the cruise when the time comes

The Spirit is due to dock at Marmaris on 18th March and 1st April. I will be on board on 1st April😀. She was also meant to be there on 4th March.

Look out for her on the dates mentioned, see if it is the ship you saw last week or not.

Really looking forward to boarding on 30th March. Have a soft spot for the Spirit, first ship I cruised on in 2003 and wonderful staff too.

I have used the hydrofoil, I think it was a hydrofoil rather than a ferry, from Naples to Capri. Did it independently with no issues. Was only a 5 minute walk from the ship to the ticket office. Weather was good so was fairly confident that there would be no cancellations, but it was a consideration. We went quite early and made sure we were going to be back with a couple of hours to spare before sail away just in case there were delays.

We had a lovely day, it was an October cruise so weather was warm but not unbearable. Beautiful island, hope you enjoy it.

Linda

Hi Norris, sorry for any confusion. I 'met' you virtually when posting on your Emerald Travelogue. Sadly I wasn't really on that cruise but your writing and photos made it a close thing.

Forgot to say I loved the Segway videos, still not certain I'm balanced enough to be able to manage one of those though. The ladies who sang on the train were very entertaining too, not heard Itsy, Bitsy etc etc Bikini for a long time.

The Venice photos, from your other Med report, made me realise I would love to go back there for a few days (rather than just a cruise stop) sometime.

Thanks again, Linda

Hello Norris, I've finally made it. Been trying to catch up with your posts for the last ten days, need to get my breath back now. 'Met' you during your Emerald cruise last year, have read the Venice - Rome report since then too.

Have really enjoyed your Gentleman's Journal. Amazing photos again, the sunrise ones are beautiful and I loved being shown round such a gorgeous ship. Your sense of humour is much appreciated I have laughed out loud, makes the rest of the family wonder what I am reading. The comment about the waiter, the rack and the asparagus - so funny. Loved the reference to northerners too, with 'I'll go to the foot of our stairs' people do really say that believe me!

Glad you are both well after your ordeal and I look forward to reading about your next trip. Will endeavour to check out some of your Alaska reviews in the meantime.

Thank you for entertaining me so well,

Linda

Brilliant review, really enjoyed reading it, great photos too. A beautiful part of the world that I'll probably never be lucky enough to visit but you showed it so well I could almost have been there !

Thank you so much for the time and effort you have put into this.

Linda

Thanks for the information, very comprehensive. It sounds like all was well other than the dining room situation. I have looked at these ships before as they do sometimes cruise from the north, which is better for me. I just need to be brave enough to try something new after years with Thomson.

Did you enjoy the ports and the Christmas markets?

Thanks again, Linda

That sounds great Colbrit. Always worried about all the sea days but most people seem to enjoy them. One day, when I'm retired I may get the chance to follow in your footsteps.

Enjoy your future cruises.

Shocking news Norris. So sad for you and angry that people think that it's OK to damage people and their property and take what doesn't belong to them.

Hope the dealings with police and insurance aren't to onerous and you can then spend time recovering.

Enjoy your trip and know that my thoughts, and those of many others here, are with you as you deal with this.

Take really good care.

Linda

Hi Norris finally caught up with your incredible review. Love your sense of humour as well as your photographs. What a wonderful journey. I have been lucky enough to to visit some of the places you have written about but you have shown me there is much more to see in each of them.

I will read some of your old reviews and will look out for the upcoming January one in due course.

Thank you so much for entertaining me for the last few weeks and for the time and effort you have put into this, much appreciated.

Linda

Searoses, I too am so pleased your friends are OK. Hope you manage to take your trip to France when the time comes.

Nicole, I fully agree with you, you can't let the bad guys win.

Doing this shows us all how wonderful Paris is. No one can change that however hard they seem to be trying. Still really hard to believe what has happened to so many innocent people.

Looking forward to reading the rest when you feel it is appropriate to post.

A bit off topic but this is how your report made me feel today.

It is quite moving looking back over your beautiful pictures of Paris after what happened there 48 hours ago. So glad you enjoyed it when you did.

So sorry for those who lost their lives or who lost loved ones.

Looking forward to Mykonos. Went there about 5 years ago, was in April and it poured for half the day so didn't see as much as I would have liked to. Hopefully your lovely photos will help to make up for that :).

Have really enjoyed reading your review. I'm from the UK so have been fortunate to have visited most of your ports of call. It has been great to read about some of the different things you have done.

I have been to Naples three times now, been to Pompeii, Herculaneum and Capri. All were fabulous but still want to visit Sorrento and see the beautiful coast on the way there and go up Vesuvius. Looks like I need at least two more cruises then.

Thank you for the time and effort you have put into this.

Had a tear in my eye reading this. Just shows how many lovely, caring people there are. Glad you enjoyed yourselves.

I'm also reading 'Stacey's girl getaway' review. She was on the same cruise as you. On post 52 there's a photo of a bus stop and you and the family are stood there waiting for the bus. Couldn't believe it when I saw you all on a different review.

Am really enjoying reading about you and the family. I'm from the UK and have only cruised the Mediterranean and Norweigan Fjords so love reading your reviews of new places for me.

Thank you so much for your hard work.

Lol, good for you. As we say up north 'shy bairns get nowt'.

Enjoy your breakfast chocolate.

Have been in outside plus on deck 7 2 or 3 times. Myself, OH and teenage son. Was plenty of room for all of us. King size bed or twins plus a large sofa bed. Son about 6 feet 3 and could stretch out with no problems so will be loads of space to sit. The cabins were quite large even with three of us. Had a bath with shower over, think there were two different shower heads IIRC, maybe one fixed and one handheld.

Don't get to travel with son now, he went on lads holiday to Malia this year rather than being with the 'old folks' 😃, so won't need the 3 berth cabin again.

Not been on dream for three years so could Have been some upgrades that others know about.

Hope you have a great time.

Have visited most ports from your two cruise options, live in UK so easy for me. Cruise 2 definitely leans towards cultural/historical sites while cruise 1 is more biased towards scenic/natural beauty. Some fabulous places to visit on both. Venice has stunning sail in, Santorini will depend on weather as it is a tender port and seas can be rough which may prevent you getting off the ship. Agree about the long journeys in Italy but it is worth it when you get there. Cruise 2 will be the more tiring of the two as it will involve long days touring. The number of sea/rest days may influence you too.

Whichever one you chose enjoy it and then start saving to do the other cruise in the future:).

Great review. Am now looking forward to the 'search for pasta'.

I have just found your review and have enjoyed reading it. Looks like you both had a great time. Hope you are still enjoying cruising.

Thank you so much for all the time and effort you put into this review. As I'm from the UK (North East) I have been lucky enough to visit several of these ports but it is great to revisit through your eyes. What are the ports of call for your upcoming May cruise

Am just about to start on the Alaska review. Will really enjoy this one too as I'll probably never be fortunate enough to go there so will have to imagine.

Thank you once again and hope you enjoy the Med again next year.