LOS - TA - April 2-16, 2011 MIA-BCN - TRIP REPORT

[foxesden1]

I would sat that 99.9% of the guests will love and gush all about your little daring. Lost of the "grandparents" we meet did.

 

WJ is hard when you are alone with your child, regardless. (as is any buffet).

 

We also did not do many tours with Miss Em in tow. Only two. We picked ones that were suited to children. (we all know how kids can be!)

 

We also fasted a table just for our family, it worked out great.

 

AO was fun. I think I scanned them, and the link should be posted A page or two back. I never did get around to putti g up all the CC. No one seemed to be reading them. :p

 

I brought toys for miss em in the room, but In truth shr did not play with them that much. But she did love the Teddy bear! She called it capt liberty.

 

What questions do you have about the AO club?

 

T

[Cshgrand]

Thanks for reply. We aren't so much into tours anyway, in fact Tenerife will be the only new stop for us and we'll head straight for a beach.

Was your daughter happy to go straight into AO or did she have any misgivings? I am glad she enjoyed it though, I was worried the service level might be diminished by the lack of children on board.

[eNomad]

Valencia, Spain

 

We did the Underground river/cave tour with RCL - it included a transfer, a great but short English city tour, a underground boat ride (no flash photos allowed) to see the rivers/caves - and the tour was only in Spanish. Very short amount of time to buy ice cream for lunch. Please make sure if you do this tour, you bring drinks/snacks (pre packaged) with you. It is a very long day. The tour guide did not allow much time for guests to use the WC - he was very stressed about time. Also, make sure you site on the RIGHT side of the bus. You will get much better photos. I was on the left, and really, had nothing I could get a clear photo of for the first 30min.

 

We arrived in Valencia, and it seamed it was quite a big deal - TV crews, newspapers, dancers, free drinks, bands the works - we were off very early, and the dock (which was very very far out of town) was packed.

 

We jumped on our tour bus with great ease, and headed out. (We had no idea but a group of us from CC had booked the same tour, so it was a BLAST!)

 

I also want to add on a side note, out of all the cities we went to our TA - Valencia was with out a doubt the best for me. I would go back and spend a week - there is so much to see and do. I felt safe at all times, enjoyed the city, the culture, and people. It was STUNNING. On our next TA- we will just take the transfer into town and walk around.

 

AND if you only ever get to go to ONE market in Spain, make it Valencia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, I have no idea where these photos were taken, as Miss Em had to go to the WC, so I missed MOST of this part of the tour. But where ever it was, (across the street from the Market) it was stunning!

 

I believe that these photos are of the Mercantile/Silk exchange.

[foxesden1]

Thanks for reply. We aren't so much into tours anyway, in fact Tenerife will be the only new stop for us and we'll head straight for a beach.

Was your daughter happy to go straight into AO or did she have any misgivings? I am glad she enjoyed it though, I was worried the service level might be diminished by the lack of children on board.

 

No she really liked the kids club. Some days more then others, she never wanted a full day.. Is she went in the am she would not go I. The afternoon, but at night she always wanted to go. (I think there were more kids)

[Dinks88]

We just got off Liberty on Saturday after a week cruising the med - to extend the holiday feeling I've been catching up on reviews. I've loved reading your review and your photos are incredible. Also wanted to add, we cruised on Liberty in April too, it would seem we were getting on just as you were getting off (April 16th), and I'm so pleased we didn't have the same CA that you did. Ours was wonderful and we were delighted to see that she was still there on this more recent cruise. Unfortunately she wasn't assigned to our room, and the new CA certainly left a lot to be desired, including spoiling my mum's birthday surprise by still decorating the cabin when we returned.

 

Anyway, thanks again for your fabulous & detailed review :)

[enidcruiser]

Did not catch your review till today but I started and couldn't stop. I am a RCCL fan and I know there are hits and misses.

We started in 1999, paid about the same as we pay now (balcony), food was better then than now but gosh, I love just being on the ship.

Your review was so thorough and the pics of the food, well, made me "Hungry".

You have a Darling daughter and patient DH. Not sure mine would have gone on a tour without me.

Wish I could hear all about your week in France, it would complete the whole tour package.

 

Thanks again for such a complete picture. I think your CA was an exception to the rule. Sorry about that. I think I would have been on top of the Customer Serv. desk with a loud voice.

The best part of the review was the last comment of the last day.

"ICE". I laughed out loud.

You were great to share the whole experience with us all. Thanks.

 

Julia

[foxesden1]

Did not catch your review till today but I started and couldn't stop. I am a RCCL fan and I know there are hits and misses.

We started in 1999, paid about the same as we pay now (balcony), food was better then than now but gosh, I love just being on the ship.

Your review was so thorough and the pics of the food, well, made me "Hungry".

You have a Darling daughter and patient DH. Not sure mine would have gone on a tour without me.

Wish I could hear all about your week in France, it would complete the whole tour package.

 

Thanks again for such a complete picture. I think your CA was an exception to the rule. Sorry about that. I think I would have been on top of the Customer Serv. desk with a loud voice.

The best part of the review was the last comment of the last day.

"ICE". I laughed out loud.

You were great to share the whole experience with us all. Thanks.

 

Julia

 

my daughter is at camp, i broke my foot, I have way to much time in my hands, happy to add more details (and photos of food if you can handle it.. )

[enidcruiser]

T,

You are too funny. You make life sound so exciting. Hope your foot gets better. No telling how you broke it and that is probably a story all its own.

Go ahead and tell us all about France. Been there, don't care for the people but love the buildings, museums and food.

 

Go for it. It's too hot here in Texas to do anything else but read CC.

 

Julia

[foxesden1]

Yoga, camel position. Google it, and feel the pain if you dare...:rolleyes:

 

And I have travelled a fare amount in my oh so young life. ;) I find I have meet good people, and bad people all over the world..:rolleyes: but I love France, and will be happy to share my France with you, who knows maybe you will go back!:)

[foxesden1]

AUG 16th - Departing the cruise, and heading off to France!

 

I was a Au Pair when I was in my 20's and lived in Paris. I have kept in contact with a few of my friends, and was looking forward to seeing them again - and having them meet my daughter for the first time!

 

We were going on a Barcelona City tour, so we had to meet in the Spinx lounge very very early. We were able to disembark very quickly once our turn came. It was a bit of a mad house, at the port. We were lead through a room where Spanish Port Staff just stamped peoples passports, no talking, no questions, nothing went into a PC (this was the start of the issues we had at the airport a week later). Because of the bag number mix ups the day before, everyone's baggage was all over the port - we ended up having to wait for over 45min to get our bags, and then another 30min for one last one. But that's travel regardless...

 

We rented a car from AUTOEUROPE and drove to France (2.5h all highway easy driving) it was by far the least expensive way to do it. We arrived at Avis (AUTOEUROPE is a broker) with ALL OUR BAGS in tow.

 

I knew that they were not going to fit in the car we rented - so I started to put a plan in action to get a free upgrade.. ;) and it worked. We started out renting a 4 door Golf, with Air, and it had to be automatic - so $400 dollars for the week. We pulled out in a $1200 Mercedes. We fit, but just.

 

So, that meant we had to drive direct to the house we rented, and one of us always had to stay with the car. (due to the large amounts of baggage we had, it had to be stored on the seats beside my daughter, and in Europe, it is not safe to leave ANYTHING in your car while it is parked. Even more so if its out in the open.

 

 

Driving holidays in Europe with kids is SUPER EASY. Parks, and Ice cream on ever corner!

 

 

My husband, never really wanted to go to Europe. That was always my thing. He does not like big cities, and large groups of people. So I knew if I wanted to ever make it back to France again, I had to get into it the back way, and work his way up to Paris. ;) (another trip)

 

The house we had rented from friends of ours was in a small town, coastal on the boarder of France and Spain in Argeles sur Mer. http://en.argeles-sur-mer.com/ very much a sea side town, family friendly not $$$. Cannes this was not. Lots holiday parks and vacation rentals. (Think Wasaga Beach for those of you from Ontario, Canada). Myrtle Beach for the Americans.

 

The drive, was super easy, we forgot the GPS but we were still able to make it in record time. The views were stunning along the Catolnia boarder. Castle look outs dotted the skyline (I am sure they have a better name, in fact I know they did, my husbands eyes lit up like a little boy when he saw them!)

 

 

We arrived in town, and then got lost. Totally lost. I mean, this town is not more then 6min to drive across, *the upper villiage and we spent 45min driving in circles. The owner of the house (and my friend Beth) ended up running behind my car screaming my name - very un french, I might add, but she is American, so what ever works right! :D

 

and then we made it!

[foxesden1]

 

Our home for the next 7 days.

 

 

 

One way street which our house was rented on. First stone house on the left side of the street.

 

 

We arrived to a wonderful welcome basket - and lots of local area info.

 

[enidcruiser]

I remember the car rental system in Europe, part of the adventure. ;)

Vineyards and castles are the icing on the cake as you drive everywhere. I like your review so keep it coming.........

 

Julia

[foxesden1]

will do! its just been hard with my foot! ;)

 

thanks!

[CBMRCM5882]

Just spent the afternoon reading your review..loved the details and the photo's..thank you for taking the time...enjoyed it...doing the LOS this November 2011.. You have a fabulous family..great dragon cake!!

[Pushka]

Thankyou so much, I have just spent a delightful hour reading your thread.

 

Now, did the bucket end up on the CA's head - coz that's where I would have put it.:D

 

 

 

 

and guess what I found in my cabin, on our last night..

 

.

.

 

 

ICE! :rolleyes:

[foxesden1]

LOL

 

Foot still in a cast, will finish review by say... November? :rolleyes:

[Pushka]

LOL

 

Foot still in a cast, will finish review by say... November? :rolleyes:

 

Works for me, I'm not cruising til next year!

Hope your foot gets better soon.

[RugbyChick333]

Just found your review and love it! I should be working but I'm drooling at your food pictures instead!

[CapsR1]

Absolutely loved your candid review and photographs. Sorry about your crappy CA, she should have done a much better job.

 

We were on the LOS July 2011 in Barcelona for 7 day Med. Cruise. It was our 2nd time on LOS, the first being 4 years ago.

 

I totally agree with you that much of the food was sub-par. I distinctly remember it being much better both in the MDR and buffet 4 years ago.

 

Our MDR food was generally cold, tasteless, bland and on Elegant Night (no lobster anymore, just "jumbo shrimp"), the shrimp were mushy and overcooked.

 

We ended up eating in the upcharge restaurants for 3 nights because we just couldn't stomach the MDR dinner menus anymore. The food in the Italian Restaurant and Steak House were unbelievably good which just shows that they are capable of providing much better quality and tasty food, but at an additional price to their customers.

 

The head waiter noticed our plates basically leaving untouched and listened patiently to our complaints and always offered alternative dishes. However, with 5 people, we pretty much already had a varied selection and we just did not like the food this time. Chicken breasts were rubbery, pasta dishes were overcooked, the fish dishes tasted awful, meat cuts were fatty and tough, I could go on and on. And the desserts, Oh, My. They looked so good on the plate, but after one bite we ended up pushing them away.

 

Where are you going on your B2B?

[Pushka]

I am not a foodie person, and was concerned about putting on too much weight during the cruise. Seems like I dont need to worry. What we do love, is Asian spicy food - we could eat curry every night. Is there the option to get the food that maybe the staff eat?:p

[ldl05]

Loved your review...spent a good part of yesterday reading it! Thanks so much for all the photos, especially the menus....I am having a hard time deciding which martini I'll have first! Thanks for your review:)

[Krickett]

Hello Foxesden1,

 

I have really enjoyed your review, so far can`t wait for the end.

I am leaving in 2 weeks to do the reverse journey:D

So I have one question for you, are there two or three formal nights?

I have heard different answers, three formal nights or two formal nights with one Black & White night but is this a formal night as well?

 

Thanks so much if you could take the time to answer me.

 

Hope your feeling better:D

[foxesden1]

Three.

 

But I found people with a late dinner ere more dressed then those with a early one.

[stephanie1]

back to my happy place :D

 

 

WAHOO! The chair hogs are all in PORT!

 

 

 

Now its at this point I am going to do a add for Kindle. LOVED IT. Perfect for a long cruise. I loaded up with 20 books, and off I went!

 

 

The view from Super marios office... as wel left port ;)

 

I am having a fabulous time looking at all your pictures and stories. I am going on Liberty next Saturday 11/26 and I cannot wait! I had a good time the first time and will have a better the 2nd time!

[mosiegirl]

We GOT IT! WE DID IT! We saw a KIDS MENU!

 

 

Em got to play, draw color, and eat kids french toast.. (this is AFTER she ate that WHOLE plate of breakfast from the buffet.. she can really pack it in. Breakfast is her best meal of the day and she can run for HOURS on it!

 

 

I have no idea what David had, for all I know he might still be wondering around the MDR going over the lack of breakfast selections.. :rolleyes:

Have you ever tried Carnival Cruise?? The food is the best in the industry by far.. and I think you might really enjoy it.. Their childrens programs are wonderful too..