LIVE from the Emerald - Mediterranean Medley July 12-26

[Happy62]

We're about to dock in Ajaccio and from the window here it looks touristy - beaches, yachts and high rise along the coast.

 

Just getting back to your queries...

Arlene - no cruise card swiping (as far as the staff know), but they agree it's a good idea.

Mike - new CD will be Billy London.

 

By the way, we picked a perfect morning for our Champagne balcony breakfast - there were 5 serving trays carried into our cabin.....delicious! It's a treat being spoiled :D

 

See you tomorrow....

Anna

Hi Anna,

 

Thanks so much for the day to day posts. My husband and I are traveling with Arlene on the Sept. 30th cruise. Lynn. :)

[trudog9]

Hi Anna,

 

Thanks for the Barcelona report. Just reading about it makes me more excited about our cruise. Looking forward to the rest of the trip and also about Corsica as that is our only DIY port. Also, thanks for the info on the washers and dryers.

 

Enjoy and thank you for doing this. It seems like you have a lot of people following you...you're like a celebrity:cool::cool:

 

Arlene:p

[Kinkacruiser]

Day after Ajaccio and 2 hours from Rome.....

 

Well a resort it was ...and a stunning vista of beaches, luxurious cruisers/ yachts and the old town greeted us. Flashy villas and high rise provided a dramatic contrast as we moved out of town, which was just a few minutes from the ship. Fresh food stalls in the centre of town was new to me, coming from a the air-conditioned supermarket lifestyle back home.

 

We hopped the little train (funny how the 7 Euro advertised turned magically to 10 as we paid the fare. ) The ride is about 80 mins and there is a commentary of sorts in both English and French. The coastal route is cool and pleasant and we travelled north to a fairly remote area and back on the same route.The pre-recorded commentary was adequet.

 

You won't be pressed to find a souvenir in one of the hundreds of shops or stalls. In between the souvenir shops you'll find alfresco eateries and restaurants. We enjoyed our first Italian style gelati here and it was delicious (2.50 euro for a small cone). Of course everyone hits the buffet on board when they return, so the eateries don't fare too well.

 

On the down side, some parts of the old town look tired and neglected. There are far too many cars and no parking lots congestion was a problem.

Overall an enjoyable day but on the warm side (expecting a high of 32c in Rome).

 

Peter- yes, a very different mix of pax (mostly Brits and many children/teens and babes in arms). Nightlife - we're back in the cabin after dinner and always asleep by 8.30pm, so I have no comment there. I know from the Patter that a lot is provided....even a special 18-21 event.

 

Arlene- always a pleasure :D

 

See you tomorrow after Rome...

Anna

[Esprit]

Thanks Anna

 

Asleep by 8.30 pm. Crickey! We'll be going to eat on second sitting then.

 

Have you discovered yet which bars sell draught Stella. Also do you know if the observation deck above the bridge is accessible to passengers or have they made it off limits.

 

Cheers

 

Peter

[merry mal]

Hi Anna

 

Finally managed to get the link to work thanks to my cruise buddies. You are a STAR. I really look forward to reading your adventures in the ports and I know we all really appreciate you taking the time to keep us informed.

 

regards

Marilyn(merry Mal) We are on the same cruise as Arlene on 30th September

[Colo Cruiser]

Day after Ajaccio and 2 hours from Rome.....

 

Well a resort it was ...and a stunning vista of beaches, luxurious cruisers/ yachts and the old town greeted us. Flashy villas and high rise provided a dramatic contrast as we moved out of town, which was just a few minutes from the ship. Fresh food stalls in the centre of town was new to me, coming from a the air-conditioned supermarket lifestyle back home.

 

We hopped the little train (funny how the 7 Euro advertised turned magically to 10 as we paid the fare. ) The ride is about 80 mins and there is a commentary of sorts in both English and French. The coastal route is cool and pleasant and we travelled north to a fairly remote area and back on the same route.The pre-recorded commentary was adequet.

 

You won't be pressed to find a souvenir in one of the hundreds of shops or stalls. In between the souvenir shops you'll find alfresco eateries and restaurants. We enjoyed our first Italian style gelati here and it was delicious (2.50 euro for a small cone). Of course everyone hits the buffet on board when they return, so the eateries don't fare too well.

 

On the down side, some parts of the old town look tired and neglected. There are far too many cars and no parking lots congestion was a problem.

Overall an enjoyable day but on the warm side (expecting a high of 32c in Rome).

 

Peter- yes, a very different mix of pax (mostly Brits and many children/teens and babes in arms). Nightlife - we're back in the cabin after dinner and always asleep by 8.30pm, so I have no comment there. I know from the Patter that a lot is provided....even a special 18-21 event.

 

Arlene- always a pleasure :D

 

See you tomorrow after Rome...

Anna

 

 

What port are you in?

[IECalCruiser]

What port are you in?

It was at the start of her post, Ajaccio, Corsica

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

Edited July 19, 2014 by IECalCruiser

[Kinkacruiser]

Day after Rome.... and 90 mins out of Livorno (for Florence)

 

Marvellous day in Rome with 8 of us (CC friends) sharing a RIL tour "Rome Highlights". We arrived early into Civitavecchia and were waiting for Nick right at the ship's gangway exit. I had imagined we'd need to walk up to the fortress/port gates. There were 5 ships docked on the long wall and 3-4 smaller ones at the other berths.

The run on the freeway way very swift and we were at our first stop in Rome (Pantheon) withing 80mins. That was just awesome and a fitting start to a day in Rome' (described often as a living museum). From there it was a look at the Forums, Circus maximus, Colosseum and other high points. Unfortunately the Trevi fountain was under restoration so we never went there to make our wishes.

Lunch in a charming 'secret' restaurant (pizza and beer) was followed by the Vatican museum escorted tour and visit to St Peters Basilica and Piazza. Nick brought us safely back to the ship by 5pm.

 

If you book nothing else on line, purchase your Colosseum and Vatican tickets online as the queues were HUGE. I was amazed how swiftly we got into both venues. It's also a huge help to organise a guide for the Vatican as RIL suggest....well worth the 150 Euro for our group of 8, which was in addition to the 550 Euro for the 8-9 hour tour day. Of course the highlight of the museum rooms is the Sistine Chapel, but crowd control was non-existent. There must have been 500 people crammed in there like sardines. Still, you get a feel of the magnificence of the Michelangelo's art. Our heads are still whirring about from the day- one sees and learns so much!

 

We have no guide in Florence today but the drivers of RIL (we will be with them again today) share so much before or while you're in the vehicle that it's not necessary. Florence I believe is all about the Renaissance architecture and art. We have the Accademia of Uffizi galleries booked. Hopefully we'll get a chance to try more gelati, pizza and shop.

Cheers till tomorrow...

Anna

 

Peter - I noted Stella in stubbies, but there's only 3 on deck bars and I've heard one of them has it.

Marilyn - I hope you have a great time with Arlene on your cruise. At least you won't have the heat and tourist crowds everywhere.

[trudog9]

Hi Anna,

 

Thank you once again for your wonderful commentary on your last two ports. Reading about Rome brings back fond memories of when Mark & I went there about 10 years ago. Sorry you didn't get a chance to see the Trevi Fountain and throw your coin in but hopefully on another trip you'll get to see it. I'm also glad that your experience with RIL was good as we are using them as well. Since we have been to Rome we are taking their "Alternative Tuscany" tour which I'm hoping will be excellent also.

 

It sounds like we also made a good choice for our DIY port in Corsica. I'm still hoping to get to the Tortoise Protection Center and then maybe a short tour around the city. Does anyone reading this know anything about the Center? If so please post here so I can find out a little more first hand. Trip Advisor has some good things to say about it.

 

Well Anna, hope you have as good a day in Florence as you did in Rome as I wait in anticipation for your next post. Have a gelato for me as there is nothing that quite compares to authentic Italian gelato. Arlene:p;)

Edited July 19, 2014 by trudog9

[Kinkacruiser]

Hi Arlene and followers,

It was a double rockmelon (cantaloupe) gelato for me in Florence - unbelievably delicious (and pricey at 10 Euro ...about $A16). Florence retailers definitely know how to charge the tourists, but then some of us will only there once.

Our RIL driver, Elisabeth took 20 mins to get to our first stop, Pisa's Field of Miracles.The leaning tower was better than what had been expected and it was very easy to get about at around 8.30am. The first busload of visitors arrived as we were almost finished there. Onto Florence via the beautiful Tuscan hills. It was interesting to see what crops were in and our guide Elisabeth knew so much about everything, providing an almost continuous commentary during the 1 hour journey.

 

We were dropped at several places in the city. Elizabeth provided the information necessary to enjoy the building, etc and gave us a time to return to the van. This gave us freedom to shop eat and visit places. Once again the pre-purchased tickets were an invaluable aide to the galleries, as queues were long. We chose the Accademia which was easily done in 30 mins, while the Uffizi took othersd about 90mins. The view from Michelangelo Place (view of the city) on the southside of the river was excellent, as was our first view of the real David in the Accademia. Perhaps it was the heat and or crowds, but I felt a little underwhelmed at the various examples of Renaissance architecture....then again, it could have been that I'd been spoiled by ancientness elsewhere, as well as so many old European city ports on the Baltic cruise.

 

The shopping is good - there are lots of souvenir stalls as well as upmarket designer clothing stores,jewellry/gold shops, leather markets, restaurants and gelati cafes (Florence must be the gelati capital!) The drive back took just 1 hour, arriving a little after 5pm.

 

I'll let you know if the gelati in Portofino tastes any better - our bus + ferrry Princess tour today.I can now see Genoa on the horizon - tall mountains behind the coastal towns and villages.

 

Signing off for today....:)

Anna

[born2cruize]

Hi Anna.

 

We were on the Pisa/Florence tour with Anna. Just some side notes.

 

Pisa we came in on the back side of the Field of Miracles. Where all the shops use to be have now been closed off with a Museum being constructed in the old buildings. If you're interested in going inside the Duomo DON'T go in the morning it's only for services. In my opinion the Duomo in Pisa is better inside than Florence. As Elizebeth said, inside the Duomo in Florence is plain.

 

Having been to the Duomo in Florence 3 times now, I feel that the Church of Santa Croce is more historically interesting as you have the tombs of various important people entombed there, including empty tombs for Dante and da Vinca.

 

We went to the Uffizi Gallery. If you've immersed yourselves in art in Rome and elsewhere, I found Uffizi an overkill. You go into a room with 6 Madonna and child painting or go into an other room with 10 icons of Christ on the Cruixfic (sp). But if you've not been exposed to much art this is the place to visit.

Edited July 20, 2014 by born2cruize

[PathfinderEss]

Enjoying your updates, looking forward to more reports.

[caribill]

We went to the Uffizi Gallery. If you've immersed yourselves in art in Rome and elsewhere, I found Uffizi an overkill. You go into a room with 6 Madonna and child painting or go into an other room with 10 icons of Christ on the Cruixfic (sp). But if you've not been exposed to much art this is the place to visit.

 

I assume you also saw "The Birth of Venus" by Botticell. This is the most famous painting in the Uffizi.

[Kinkacruiser]

Just back from Portofino(out of Genoa), so I thought I'd report back on that tour. If you enjoy an 80 min '2 star' ferry boat ride with 300 pax, then this tour will suit.We left from close to where the ship docked, so there was no bus ride involve. There's not much to do in Portifino except take photos eg.from Castille Browne and eat drink something at the tourist-priced alfresco restaurants. If I did this day again, it would access on the faster more comfortable private ferry.

Portifino is very pretty and well worth the visit, though visiting a few of the other ferry stop villages would have been a plus.

 

Just 5 cruise days left and 2 ports before Southampton. Pleased to report there has been no noro on both Baltic and Med cruises, as well as very few pax with cold/flu symptoms.

 

Thanks for your input re Pisa and Uffizi, Stewart.:)

Cheers All,

Anna

[mommasaurus]

We will be sailing on the Emerald in 6 days (Baltic followed by Norwegian Fjords). We were wondering what the entertainment has been like?

[Kinkacruiser]

We will be sailing on the Emerald in 6 days (Baltic followed by Norwegian Fjords). We were wondering what the entertainment has been like?

 

Sorry, I'm not into that aspect of the cruise, so best to get a user to reply here.

In house movies are very good , though some are subtitled in English :rolleyes:

 

 

The 2nd formal is tonight Monday and the 3rd is scheduled for Thursday. We are a few hours out of Monte Carlo (a tender port) and I'll report on the tour later.

 

Cheers,

Anna

[Colo Cruiser]

Just back from Portofino(out of Genoa), so I thought I'd report back on that tour. If you enjoy an 80 min '2 star' ferry boat ride with 300 pax, then this tour will suit.We left from close to where the ship docked, so there was no bus ride involve. There's not much to do in Portifino except take photos eg.from Castille Browne and eat drink something at the tourist-priced alfresco restaurants. If I did this day again, it would access on the faster more comfortable private ferry.

Portifino is very pretty and well worth the visit, though visiting a few of the other ferry stop villages would have been a plus.

 

 

One of my favorite Italian ports behind Sorrento/Amalfi of course. :D

[hiworldtraveler]

Anyone have anytime dining? Just curious who the Head Waiters are on board since I will be sailing on Emerald in mid-September. ;)

[Working 2 Cruise]

Anyone have anytime dining? Just curious who the Head Waiters are on board since I will be sailing on Emerald in mid-September. ;)

 

That could very well change between now and then! There probably isn't any way of knowing who exactly will be onboard at the time of your cruise. Contracts begin and end on a very regular basis....

[Kinkacruiser]

Monte Carlo is a vista photographer's dream. The 4 hr Scenic Drive Princess tour (5 bus loads) took us the eastern end (Menton) via the high road and then west via Eze to Nice. There were 2 stops of about 45 mins. You could also go into Eze's perfume factory. The busdriver handled the curvy mountain road exceptionally well and the guide never stopped sharing the 'good oil' with us along the route about her country. Just about anybody who's anybody has lived or is living here....millionaires, pop stars, movie stars. It may interest you that 50% of the country's income comes from VAT.

 

A nice surprise was that we could berth at the new pier and not tender.

 

This is our first sea day after 6 straight port days so it's quiet at 8.30am. It feels like a Sunday ;).

 

Re the Anytime dining room. I've no idea who the head waiter is.

 

Gibraltar tomorrow so I'll pop back then.

Cheers,

Anna

Edited July 22, 2014 by Kinkacruiser

[Kinkacruiser]

Our last port and private excursion for 8 persons in Gibraltar was another pleasant diversion from the urban landscapes. Carl Mesilio operates a terrific tour of the Rock - inside and out. It's no wonder he has the won several awards and I can recommend him most highly. His tour covers all the high points and more in 3.5 hours....Europa Point,the 100 Tonne Gun, St Michael's Cave (ooh-la-la!), the great siege tunnels (an amazing engineering feat), interactions with the monkeys, and many photostops. His van is the most comfortable/luxuruious we have enjoyed on any tour. There's even a surprise in-van screening of Timothy Dalton's road chase down the Rock (Living Daylights was filmed mainly in Gibraltar and Monte Carlo).

 

It was interesting to learn about the 250 monkeys that live in the Nature Reserve. They are very well cared for and number are controlled (females on contraceptives). I found them quite sweet and it would appear that they like being photographed.

 

If you are considering doing Carl's tour, then it's very important that you are in the first group off the ship. This allows Carl to lead the other tour groups up the rock.

 

We arrived to have our 'marching orders' for Saturday. As we have booked the Disembarking Windsor castle tour (for the flights after 4pm) we are in group 1.

 

If you have any questions about the Baltic or Med Ports covered in my "Lives", I'd be happy to reply once back home. I'm taking all the port guides so should be able to help out.

 

Signing off for this cruise. Wishing you all a wonderful time when your turn to cruise comes around.:D

Cheers,

Anna

[HRPro]

Thanks, for taking us along on your live from--I've enjoyed your review very much especially the port information. Very helpful!

[bcnvcanada]

Enjoyed both of your lives. Wish you safe travel home. Thanks

again for taking the time to report.

[Rosalieb1003]

Hi Anna,

Thanks for including all of us on your journey. I loved your posts, and enjoyed them as well. Have a safe flight home, and look forward to someday meeting you on one of our adventures.

Rosalie

[trudog9]

Hi Anna,

 

Thank you for your wonderful and insightful commentary on the Med cruise. I can't wait for our cruise so we can experience all of these wonderful ports also. I'm still hoping that one of these days we will be able to travel on the same cruise with you.

 

Safe travels home to you and Keith and when things calm down a bit send me an email and we can chat some more.

 

Cheers!!!

Arlene:p;)

Edited July 23, 2014 by trudog9