Znjan

On 6/24/2022 at 10:52 PM, pris993 said:

The ship is less important in the Mediterranean because cruises are very port intensive.

Correct, there is also an old saying about Caribbean cruising. The best Island in the Caribbean has propellers

On 6/24/2022 at 3:53 PM, CruiserBruce said:

Beaches in the Med are not anywhere near the concepts of beaches in the Caribbean

Sad generalisation, I sailed out of Miami for twelve years. There are some wonderful beaches in the Carib and Med. Where do you think this one is 

On 6/24/2022 at 10:22 PM, Hlitner said:

As to topless, while it does exist in Europe it is not as common as one might expect. 

Correct, here in Croatia It is a no no on public beaches. We have plenty of nudist beaches and islands if you want to go au naturel.

For those visiting Split tomorrow be glad your visit is not Monday. https://www.bbc.com/weather/3190261

9 hours ago, WomanRN said:

 

Planning on touring old town and then heading to a beach for a few hours. The water is so clear there (in pictures, never been there myself yet).  Have a suggestion for us?  We don't mind walking and will for sure want to get in the water but also wouldn't mind shade or chairs/umbrellas because some of the beaches look like they are stones rather than sand. Would also like to grab something to eat while on the beach (or close by) as well. 

Yes get a 15 bus from the stop next to the green market to Znjan beach (very frequent) ask the driver for the stop near the Amphora Hotel . For the able bodied there are plenty of benches under trees for shade. For the disabled or less able, there is one of the best beaches in europe. From a jetty you have an electric chair lift and  graduated steps onto a platform in the sea. Next to it is the Elderly beach with benches and umbrellas on a concrete platform. Full wheel chair access to the beach and sea. Toilets showers and changing room. The next door beaches are all stone. There are beach bars that usually have food like pizza. Me then my husband 

On 6/17/2022 at 6:32 PM, the_dylaness said:

Our "Croatian Adventure" was hands down the worst shore excursion I have ever been on.  It was a massive fail at nearly every turn.  Our guide and driver got lost several times which put us waaaaay behind schedule.  I notified our tour guide of a food allergy within the first 20 minutes of our trip, and he promised to contact the restaurant ahead of time...  

 

As a Croatian I apologise, if you read my previous post you will understand. If you ever get to Split message me. We will show you the real Croatia foc .

On 6/17/2022 at 11:39 PM, Ride-The-Waves said:

Consider it an "adventure" and relish the experience.  You are not in the "midwest" anymore, Dorothy.  Not everything is perfect.  By and large, touring in Croatia is wonderful.  Lived there for three years.  The people are great and friendly.  Again, chalk it up to an "adventure."

I was born in Pula and raised in Split. Split has a major problem. Tourism is relatively new here and it shows. Two pre covid government surveys rank Split and Dalmatia the worsted in tourist service. One of the reasons is when the season stats here and the requirement for staff explodes the unemployed are forced to take any job on offer. 

On 6/17/2022 at 10:36 PM, mollyredone said:

Lovely pictures!  We’ll be in Split in November. 

Good time for seafood

NB the pic above is RCL. Unfortunately only MSC Armonia does walk on's from Split. We have never sailed MSC but to me the deals here seem cheap. I was after some "horses mouth" advice but it appears the stable door is bolted.

On 6/16/2022 at 10:22 PM, Aussie Jeep said:

Hi Cruisers,  Once this board was a hive of activity, now virtually nothing.  Is anyone cruising?  No one is posting 

WOuld love to hear about current experiences (especially on Magnifica and Armonia as they are my next two cruises)

Have a great day.

Well my friend they are cruising, we sat having coffee on the Riva Split Croatia yesterday after buying some wonderful Langoustines for dinner. The Armonia disgorged a good few pax. https://slobodnadalmacija.hr/split/sezona-u-splitu-opasno-se-zahuktava-znamo-i-koliko-ce-ljudi-ovoga-vikenda-proci-kroz-resnik-iz-jadrolinije-javljaju-pod-pritiskom-smo-od-srijede-uvodimo-izvanredne-linije-1201789

14 hours ago, ldubs said:

 

"only 1 steak was properly cooked to order - that one was ordered "Well Done"."

 

This seems to have become a common problem in land-based restaurants too.  I wonder what is causing this.   Fear of undercooked food?  IDK.  

More likely sloppy communication and delivery. Initially before I got a grip of my brigade I would visit table complaints on the same sitting  "my steak is rare I wanted well done" "my steak is well done I wanted rare" I was salaried so tips hunting was of no Interest. Cunning waitstaff create a problem and reap the rewards when they solve it.

On 6/5/2022 at 6:54 PM, Heidi13 said:

 

With most cruise lines, the majority of the victuals are procured from a centralised corporate purchasing department, so each ship receives the same standard of ingredients.

 

The biggest difference in quality is based on the crew. In the galley, quality starts with the Executive Chef and how s/he manages and mentors their subordinates. If the Executive Chef sets high standards, the quality should be good, subject to the cruise line. Even the best Executive Chef on RCCL/NCL cannot produce the same standards as a luxury/premium ship.

 

Where the Executive Chef doesn't care, that attitude quickly spreads to the lower ranks.

 

The Master is also instrumental in setting standards throughout the ship.

I would sit in at the daily meetings in place of the maitre'd 3 times a week as part of my training. I had to report the pax interaction with my brigade 140 wait staff among other things. If the executive chef did not care he was toast. I also worked with three excellent Masters who would ask me to pick interesting pax for Captains nights. 

My first job in the industry was as an assistant Maitre d with Celebrity out of Miami. I then after a few years took the easier job as gift/duty free shop manager. 

The best food we have had on a Cruise was on Discovery Cruise line from Fort Lauderdale to Freeport and back. The ship was a old wreck but the dining room food was very very good. 

On 5/30/2022 at 4:53 AM, bclittle said:

I am going to Split on a RCL cruise this July and want to try to explore Split on our own while we are there, since it seems close enough to walk from the cruise port. 

 

I do want to visit Trogir if possible, has anyone tried taking the bus there? Was it easy to navigate? Trying to avoid paying $100 for 2 of us to go on a bus ride with the cruise line... 

Hello, just remember it is very hot in July and very crowded. At the market end of the Riva there is a model of the old town so you can orientate yourself on it.The bus depot is on the dock. Most people speak English, buses usually have good aircon. Trogir is older than Split, the Greeks were there before the Romans. Would I travel there by bus in July , not really.

On 6/12/2022 at 3:04 AM, lisaatric said:

We are going as well in October and I was researching just last night. Taking the ferry to Solta sounds nice. Has anyone done this?  

I live in Split (Znjan beach) with my British husband. I answered your post because we are planning to take a walk on on the MSC Armonia in October. We take the ferry mainly to Hvar and Brac. Anything else feel free to ask.