MMDown Under

[quote name='Kapricorn']Conte, thanks for providing an update about Ruby and how much she is enjoying herself. It will be interesting to see if Ruby will regard [I]Prinsendam a[/I]s "her" ship, in the same way that I consider [I]Mercury [/I]to be "my" ship.

Donald.[/quote]

Do you think Prinsendam might take over from the Saga ships, as Ruby's ship? She certainly sounds like she is impressed.

Why is Mercury your favourite ship? I notice you've cruised on her many times, with cruises yet to come.

I'm only now realising the importance of the actual ship, as I've been blinded by unique itineraries in the past. I'm trying to link the two together for, hopefully, the optimum outcome.

I am waitlisted on a 35 day return cruise in July on Maasdam from Boston to Rotterdam, via the Northern Route (Canada, Greenland, Iceland, etc).

I've also been looking at a 28 day Prinsendam cruise in August, which cruises from Greenwich, around Britain, to Rome, which might also sail past your house ships cat.

Both these cruises have interesting itineraries, plus both ships seem popular.

Any comments would be appreciated.

Delighted to hear Ruby is enjoying her cruise and looking forward to reading her review.

Reference Maasdam - I would avoid forward cabins on Main Deck.

 

We were forward on Main Deck, 11-95, on a crossing from Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale.

 

West of the Azores, it was fairly rough. Water entered the hull via the hawsepipe (anchor chainway) and flooded some half dozen cabins (including ours!) to a depth of about 6 inches. Luckily, there were other cabins available, and we were moved.

 

We have had rough crossings on other ships, but being flooded out of our cabin was a first.

 

Size-wise, a very nice ship, but we have been on other ships that we thought handled heavy seas better.

 

Thanks for your comment.

 

What a shock to be flooded. Hope it wasn't during the night, when you were in bed. Lucky there were empty cabins available, so you could be shifted.

 

I had thought it would be a good idea to avoid the front of the ship on a northern TA. My preference is as low as possible, mid-ship.

 

I felt, the Tahitian Princess, which is cruising a similiar itinerary, at the same time, would be too small a ship for a northern TA.

 

(My first experience of rough seas was from NY to Rotterdam.)

I liked your comments on a HAL thread re Volendam about getting the right fit for a cruise.

 

I couldn't agree more, as I tend to be blinded by unique itineraries, and only discovered the importance of the right fit after our last cruise.

 

Do you have any knowledge of the Maasdam, as I'm considering a return TA, via the Northern Route (Greenland, Iceland. etc)?

 

I haven't cruised on HAL before and am a bit concerned, as it appears that HAL has cut staff and services.

 

I am easy to please, however I take certain service standards, such as safety, cleanliness, friendly service, as a given.

The original suspects awaiting results were three crew, so yes the passengers have had the run of the ship.

 

However, two passengers are now awaiting results.

 

The numbers of people, who have tested positive to Swine Flu in Australia, are approaching seventy.

 

Later

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=3241

 

Three crew were confirmed cases, whilst the two passengers had seasonal flu.

 

The ship is now not stopping in NQ, but returning to Sydney, via Brisbane, three days early.

 

An interesting point is a number of British passengers had bought their cruise from P&O Australia, as the cruise wasn't sold in the UK.

 

The number of people, who have tested positive, is now approaching 150.

I don't think that there is an American accent. All of the accents are regional. The NYC accent is flat sounding. Then there are the various regional ones such as the Buffalo, NY and the Chicago among them.

 

The Toronto one is apparently the most clear and desirable. In the US many of the newscaster are or were from Toronto as they say that it is "without accent".

Fran

 

Thanks, Fran. That is interesting. Yes, I understand that all accents are regional, having travelled widely within the US and elsewhere. "Being without accent" could explain why I have mistaken more than one Canadian from Toronto to be American. I can usually pick that someone is from Canada, although I'm not good enough to pick the regions.

 

Once I was talking to a father and his children, from Boston, in Disneyworld. I mentioned that whilst his children sounded American to me, I thought he sounded Canadian. He smiled and replied that he was born there. As you say, you often can't take the accent out of a person no matter how long they have lived somewhere else.

 

I once watched an enjoyable TV show on original words/accents. They visited tiny places in the US, where English words were spoken, in the original accent, that were no longer spoken in their place of origin in the UK - fascinating stuff.

 

(Just a couple of words used in Queensland, which aren't used elsewhere in Australia -

 

port - suitcase

togs - swimming togs.)

I wonder if those people with swine flu are quarantined inside their cabins, to prevent the flu from spreading throughout the ship? The others would still have the run of the ship.

 

Donald.

 

The original suspects awaiting results were three crew, so yes the passengers have had the run of the ship.

 

However, two passengers are now awaiting results.

 

The numbers of people, who have tested positive to Swine Flu in Australia, are approaching seventy.

Later. The P & O ship is currently in quarantine, off Wilson Island, off the Cairns Coast.

 

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/cruises/item.aspx?type=blog&ak=67317161.blog&csp=34

 

Oops - Willis Island.

 

Pity is that people can't get off the ship at this tiny island.

I hope Ruby's ship is free from Swine Flu.

 

You may have heard that we've had a couple of ships disembarking passengers in Sydney with cases of swine flu.

 

So many people get sick on cruises, it is difficult for authorities to identify in advance swine flu from the standard flu. So cruisers were allowed to fly to their destinations across Australia, only to discover that they had the swine flu.

 

Later. The P & O ship is currently in quarantine, off Wilson Island, off the Cairns Coast.

 

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/cruises/item.aspx?type=blog&ak=67317161.blog&csp=34

Although I have been living in Toronto, Canada for the past 37 years and my accent has changed I can not hide my New York City accent. I guess that I never will.

Fran

 

Not after 37 years, Fran.

 

To my foreign ear, the Toronto, Canada accent is the hardest to pick from an American accent.

I hope Ruby's ship is free from Swine Flu.

 

You may have heard that we've had a couple of ships disembarking passengers in Sydney with cases of swine flu.

 

So many people get sick on cruises, it is difficult for authorities to identify in advance swine flu from the standard flu. So cruisers were allowed to fly to their destinations across Australia, only to discover that they had the swine flu.

Absoutely nothing Donald. I just felt more as if I was "home" over there, than I did back here at home. It seemed to be a better quality of life, people were more laid back and polite. I didn't hear any swearing on the streets. I loved it.

 

I loved Bar Harbour also.

 

I have met two people in my life, who could name the city I came from by my accent. One was in Bar Harbour and the other was Berlin (UK soldier).

 

Has that happened to anyone else overseas?

I too do lots of reading up of places before I visit, whether you like culture, people, architecture or history, I find it enhances your brief stay enormously. As a histroian, I suppose this is why I enjoy the Mediterranean so much, despite feeling more at home in Scandinavia.

 

Donald - if you ever get to visit the Black Sea area, the best book I found to read up first is Neal Ascherson's "Black Sea" . Brilliant..

 

I can see, as a historian, you'd love the Mediterranean.

 

I hadn't thought about it previously, but our shared history, could be why I enjoy visiting countries which are members of the Commonwealth.

 

Maybe I do like history after all, just not ancient history.

 

BTW I love the Scandinavian countries. We have a shared love of the outdoors, despite vastly different weather conditions. The same with Canada.

Also, Venice, the Egyptian, Greek, Mayan and Chinese civilizations, and many others existed for centuries before Columbus "discovered" America. That certainly puts a lot of perspective to our comparatively short history in North America (as well as Australia and other places!). That is really quite impressive, as well as humbling.

 

Donald.

 

I do like history, as it helps me to understand why the world is the way it is. If I go someplace new, I like to learn a bit about it first.

 

If I ever cruise on the itinerary that Ruby is currently doing, I would enjoy doing some historical research first. By the time I step ashore in these ports, I would have known a bit of each and understand how these places came into being, as well as their importance or unimportance in the history of their respective countries.

 

Thanks for your insight, Donald.

 

I can see why the above would add value to visit.

That is what I do for months before each cruise I do a lot of research as to the history and what if any places it represents. I do so much research that I did it as part of a wedding gift. My favorite young lady did an Eastern European cruise for her honeymoon. I was able to give them a booklet full of information about what they could do in each port.

 

The research that I do for myself whips up the excitement for me. The hype revs up my enjoyment. As I stated, I didn't like history in school. The Tower of London was my eye-opener. History was not Grimm's Fairy Tales any longer.

 

When I went to Florence and saw the magnificent buildings from the Renaissance and realised that they were already there when Columbus discovered America. Suddenly I started to be interested and it has enhanced my travel enjoyment.

Fran

 

What a priceless wedding gift you gave.

 

Perhaps I should explain what I mean about a real love of history enhancing overseas travels.

 

My first trip overseas, I did a short 10 week tour of Europe. After Europe, I drove around UK with 2 others. One of my fellow passengers was a young history teacher, who was passionate about history. Her pure joy pencil copying ancient drawings, whilst sitting on church floors, or talking to a B&B owner, until the wee hours, about a dig somewhere was wonderful to watch.

 

I also enjoy researching my travels in depth in advance. In fact, I think the preparation is half the fun. Maybe, I need to research the history a bit more. I know I enjoy books where history is a component of the story.

 

Museums like the famous Egyptian Museum in Turin don't excite me, so I'm out of there in no time. Yet, I have to be kicked out of an art gallery nearby, because it is closing time. I also spend a lot of time looking at old buildings, but it is more for the architecture, than the building's history.

I must admit that I too love the Eastern Med - much more than I thought I would. I am back again next April, at least as far as Istanbul, and back to Rome and Naples among other places. It is a lovely part of the world and completely unlike any other. I hope Ruby is enjoying her Black Sea trip and if it is half as good as mine last year, it will be wonderful. I hope she finds that red and white lighthouse, 'cos I never did!!

 

I agree it is a unique place of the world.

 

Whilst I also love Italy, it is for the people, their culture, and their way of life, rather than their history. Of course, I visit all the historic sights, but they don't move me as they do those that love history.

 

Of course, I love their art, art galleries and glorious churches.

 

I also hope Ruby finds her lighthouse.

All this talk about history is interesting because I graduated from university with a Bachelor in History!

 

Donald.

 

Do you find your qualifications enhance your travels? Do you love history?

The main reason that I love the Eastern Med. is that it makes my heart sing. The architecture, the art, the people, the history and the ambiance.It was instant love of Italy during my port stop in Italy in 1975. I had to return "some day". It was a dream that I never thought would be fulfilled but in 1979 I went there for 6 weeks with an Italian friend and my mother. It was a place that I have been fortunate to return to so many times. Visiting friends there and enjoying the Italy that most tourists do not ever see.

 

I found that very unlike North America, Italy had something special around every corner. Then I went to Greece and Turkey. In Greece there is more ancient history preserved than I could imagine. Suddenly, I started to understand my most hated subject of my school years. History was not dates in a book to learn by rote. It was places and peoples, conflicts and natural disaster.

 

I could go on forever but I need to be primed by a frutti di bosco gelato.

Fran

 

Thank so much for your insight, Fran.

 

I was aware of your love affair with Italy from reading your past emails.

 

Although I was an A student in history, I wasn't interested in the subject at all. Once I started travelling, I wished I had learnt to love it, as I've seen the passion in peoples' eyes, who have a love of history.

Greetings,

I think the best way to explain the dorm. is they are like the old Pullman sleepers on the trains. A large room with capacity for about 30-40 people. Upper & lower bunks with a curtain you pull for privacy. There was a drawer under the bunks for your belongings. The bathrooms & showers were down the hall. It was very peaceful and quiet, no loud partiers.

On our trip there weren't very many in the dorm room, maybe a dozen, so it wasn't crowded and we felt perfectly comfortable as far as privacy. If you have stayed in Youth Hostels, it's similar but with all meals and sightseeing included.

Hope this helps. I would do the trip again, in the dorm room, if I could convince my husband to repeat.

 

Let me know what you decide.

Joanne

 

Thank you so much for your comments, Joanne, which are much appreciated.

 

My husband wouldn't travel in dorm accommodation, but I would certainly consider it, if he doesn't wish to cruise.

 

I'll let you know what I decide.

Thank you Conte. Although I will be interested to hear about the entire cruise, I am most interested in Trabzon, Sinop and Sevastopol as I have not been to those ports.

 

On my Black Sea cruise we went to Odessa, Yalta and Varna, Bulgaria. Having cruised to many areas, I think that the Eastern Mediterranean is the one that continually warms my heart.

 

 

Fran

 

What is it that attracts you to the Eastern Mediterranean, Fran? Is it the scenery, the history, the people, or something else altogether?

Here is Ruby's itinerary for her Black Sea Adventure.

Between port webcams and GPS tracking sites, Ruby won't be able to escape us! We've got to keep track of our girl.

 

Wed, May 20 Civitavecchia Rome, Italy --- 5:00 p.m.

Thu, May 21 At Sea --- ---

Fri, May 22 Katakolon Olympia, Greece 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.

Sat, May 23 Nafplion Navplion, Greece 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.

Sun, May 24 Santorini, Greece 8:00 a.m. 10:00 p.m.

Mon, May 25 Kusadasi Ephesus, Turkey 7:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m.

Tue, May 26 Istanbul, Turkey 3:00 p.m. ---

Wed, May 27 Istanbul, Turkey --- 11:00 p.m.

Thu, May 28 At Sea --- ---

Fri, May 29 Trabzon, Turkey 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.

Sat, May 30 Sinop, Turkey 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.

Sun, May 31 Sevastopol, Ukraine 7:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m.

Mon, Jun 01 At Sea --- ---

Tue, Jun 02 Piraeus Athens, Greece 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.

Wed, Jun 03 At Sea --- ---

Thu, Jun 04 Naples, Italy 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.

Fri, Jun 05 Civitavecchia Rome, Italy 7:00 a.m. ---

 

Thanks so much for providing Ruby's itinerary. There are lots of interesting ports of call, in particular the highlighted ones of which I'm not familiar.

 

Following someone you "know" on a ship makes it even more enjoyable following a cruise. Guess Ruby is enjoying a valuable sea day today.

Ruby will be cruising on her old favourite from days gone by or as she had stated "I'm going on this ship to remember my days and weeks on Royal Viking." It is the Prinsendam, a HAL ship that she will be sailing from Civitavecchia after a few days in Rome.

 

The ship will be going to the Black Sea but I do not remember anything else except that she is due back on the 6 June. I can't wait to hear her thoughts about the ship and the trip.

Fran

 

Thanks Fran,

 

Yes, I remembered she was going on a Black Sea Cruise, and she'll "be standing on the deck as we pass First Bridge in Istanbul, trying to spot that red-and-white lighthouse on the lawn of "my" hotel".

 

I look forward to hearing of her latest adventure after 6th June, as she has a lovely unique way of sharing her stories.

 

(My younger daughter has been an unwilling participant in her own version of Border Security in Laos. Seems Immigration officials thought the Thai baht, which I'd given her from a previous trip to Thailand, was counterfeit. They weren't, just old notes, but it was a very unpleasant few days until the matter was resolved. She'll no doubt live out on that travel tale and the plane trip from Vietnam to Laos, for years.

 

Moral don't use old Thai currency in Laos, not at the airport for visas anyway. :) )

I checked the Holland America site but they've already removed Prinsendam's itinerary on which our dear Ruby is enjoying. :(

 

Donald.

 

Thanks Donald.

 

Looks like they want us to concentrate on future cruises, not current cruises. :)

Early sitting always for us, as we are early to bed, early to rise seniors.

 

Although we requested early sitting on our last cruise, we were given late sitting, so had to request a change.

 

As late sittings seem more popular, surely cruise lines should have a policy of giving seniors early sitting, if they have requested early sitting.