Sensational Serenade 12 night Med with Venice overnight and Montenegro Review.

[crvng4mr]

Awwww come on! There are no secrets between CC readers, didn't you know that? How would he find out anyway.

[windjamming]

A ten minute walk or so in the intense afternoon sun and we reached the entrance of the exotic gardens way up the top of the village. We each paid an entrance fee of 5 or 6 euro. The garden is full of beautiful plants including many cacti and various sculptures but what makes the garden is the spectacular view. Perched high above the glistening azure Mediterranean we could see the Serenade in the distance and it really was breathtakingly beautiful.

 

 

 

Oh! We went to Eze as well, but we never made it up to the gardens. (I think it is the Nietzsche Path?) Thank you for sharing what it looks like! In addition to the fabulous writing, awesome alliteration, and breathtaking photos, it's so much fun to see what we didn't see on our cruise!

 

(Maybe someone will write a review about the changing of the guard at Palais de Monaco, dining in the 3 Michelin starred restaurant in Hotel de Paris, purchasing cosmetics and nice smelling goodies, and visiting the Villa Rothschild! :) )

Edited August 6, 2014 by windjamming

[Irish Cath]

Unfortunately I cannot remember much detail about tonight’s dinner other than the star of the show being a starter of scallop gratin. We both had a portion and believe it was one of the tastiest dishes we had in the main dining room. It was one of the few dishes that arrived piping hot and the salty melting cheese on some fresh baked rolls was delicious. Our server tonight was a gentleman called Hurry, which I personally think is a fantastic name for a waiter. He was very good but unfortunately seemed to be very busy and yes you guessed it, always in a hurry!

 

After dinner we had another stroll on deck.

 

 

We then enjoyed a glass or two of wine before gathering in the centrum for the aerial show ‘Jack & his magic beans’. It really seemed like the entire ship were packed onto balconies from deck 4 right up to deck 9. The acrobatics of the show itself were very impressive but what made it very special was the beautiful singing. We don’t know who the lady was that sang and we never seen her again on board but she sang a song called The Voice by the artist Eimear Quinn. This song won the renowned Eurovision Song Contest years ago for Ireland. Anyone that is familiar with this competition knows that it is poked fun at by many but this particular song is beautiful. I recommend you all pop over to youtube or somewhere similar right now and have a listen. It may not be your cup of tea as we say here in Ireland but you have to admit that Eimear Quinn’s voice is beautiful and the lady on the Serenade did a very impressive rendition. She had red hair so I’m claiming her as Irish and if anyone has contradicting information about her just keep it to yourselves and don’t burst my bubble.

Ok go on then do tell us if you happen to know anything about her.

 

 

Jack up his bean stalk.

 

Jack falling off his bean stalk.

 

We headed to bed after a goodnight drink in the Schooner bar, excited that tomorrow we would be in Italy, my hearts home.

Edited August 6, 2014 by Irish Cath

[Irish Cath]

Awwww come on! There are no secrets between CC readers, didn't you know that? How would he find out anyway.

 

You mean to say you don't think he's reading my review :mad: How dare he ! :D

 

OK well i'l tell you part of one his tales. He and some of his colleagues were involved in transporting the luggage of a very very famous American pop star (who has been around for a long time). When they had carried all of the heavy baggage into the villa she was staying not only did she not give them any tip she didn't even utter a thank you. They were not impressed.

[craftymarie]

brilliant review, cant wait for more. and your photos are fantastic

[Irish Cath]

brilliant review, cant wait for more. and your photos are fantastic

 

Thanks Craftmarie. No time for a post tonight unfortunately but hopefully tomorrow I will get stuck in.

 

oh I see you're in Ireland too, not many of us on CC. :)

[jools28]

We are so enjoying you review, we sail on the Serenade Aug 27th can't wait...

 

Love the photos....

 

Many thanks Julie :)

[denisey]

Yay! Another Serenade review! Very exciting so far.

[DanTheCruisingMan]

Great review. Do you happen to know if they offered unlimited internet packages on the Serenade?? Thanks!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Irish Cath]

We are so enjoying you review, we sail on the Serenade Aug 27th can't wait...

 

Love the photos....

 

Many thanks Julie :)

 

Hi Julie,

 

Glad you are enjoying the review. You will have a phenomenal time on the Serenade and will have lots of your own amazing photos to show off.

 

Wish I was coming with you !

[Irish Cath]

Yay! Another Serenade review! Very exciting so far.

 

Thanks Denise.

 

Its so lovely to get some feedback as these reviews do take up a lot of spare time. Some times I wonder if anyone is reading along at all so its nice to be appreciated !

 

Catherine :)

[Irish Cath]

Great review. Do you happen to know if they offered unlimited internet packages on the Serenade?? Thanks!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Yes they definitely did, I remember towards the end of the cruise getting a flyer in the compass about new rates and packages. I will dig out the flyer later when I'm home and let you know !

[Irish Cath]

Hi again DantheCruisingMan.

 

The following plans came into play towards the end of our cruise. Here are the details -

 

Hourly - $29.95

 

Daily - $59.95

 

Unlimited plan - $225.95

 

These were for only one device to be connected at any given time.

 

There was also an unlimited plan but for 2 devices at a time for $269.95.

 

Hope this info is of help,

 

Catherine :)

[DanTheCruisingMan]

Hi again DantheCruisingMan.

 

 

 

The following plans came into play towards the end of our cruise. Here are the details -

 

 

 

Hourly - $29.95

 

 

 

Daily - $59.95

 

 

 

Unlimited plan - $225.95

 

 

 

These were for only one device to be connected at any given time.

 

 

 

There was also an unlimited plan but for 2 devices at a time for $269.95.

 

 

 

Hope this info is of help,

 

 

 

Catherine :)

 

 

Well done!! Thank you so very much. We will be on the transatlantic and are hoping for similar prices. Really appreciate your feedback.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Irish Cath]

This morning Serenade docked at 7.30a.m. By the time we had filled our bellies and readied ourselves for the day it was about 9a.m. Today we would be avoiding the wonderful but previously visited cities of Florence and Pisa and settling on a much slower pace of life. The Cinque Terre, as this stretch of five villages along the Italian Riviera is called is a national park and a UNESCO world heritage park. And boy does this area deserve these accolades.

 

We disembarked on deck 2 and caught a complimentary shuttle to the port entrance. This large and busy port is the main naval port in Italy and has an industrialised appearance. At the port entrance local tourist office employees provided us with maps, train timetables and any other information we could have needed.

We chatted about our plans for the day and the lady agreed that our choice of visiting Vernazza, Manarola and Riomaggiore was the right one. We knew that Monterosso the last or furthest away village was the largest and most commercialised of the 5. As missing the boat did not appeal to us today we were applying the start furthest away and work your way back strategy so starting a step closer to home (or the port anyway) sounded like the safest bet.

We mentioned Corniglia also but the lady told us that the other previously mentioned 3 villages were the most impressive. We had done our research before we left home but it is always reassuring to have it backed up by a local expert. Already getting very hot we decided to jump in a taxi to the train station where we would be making our way to the Cinque Terre. Also we weren’t certain just how long the walk would take and were keen to catch the next train at 9.51. The €15 taxi ride took about ten minutes and so once we got our tickets (there was a small line) we still had a good 15 minutes wait. However then we realised that the 9.51 train went directly to Monterosso with no stops in the first 4 villages, no Bueno senor, no Bueno at all.

Never mind, there was another train calling at all stations at 10.06 so luckily we didn’t have too much of an extra wait. Soon we were hurtling along on the short ride to Vernazza a 21 minute ride to be exact. The scenes out of the window to sea were just divine and were certainly an ample taster of what was to come.

 

 

 

[suekay]

Thank you not only for spending your precious time writing this review, but for the detailed information regarding how to visit the villages independently. Just what I was looking for[emoji4]

[Irish Cath]

Soon we exited the two platform train station in Vernazza and as we stepped out onto the traffic free main artery of the village I believe I let out a little shriek of delight. Towered at each side by four and five storied buildings of varying shades of pinks and yellows the road slopes down to the tiny port.

 

 

 

 

This harbour is overseen by a church and a ruined castle and is lined with restaurants with outside seating areas with umbrellas to shade pale Irish tourists from the blistering sun. We walked out along the promenade and spied hardened old fishermen tending their boats as their elderly wives rested in shady doorways.

 

 

 

[Irish Cath]

OK so none of that last sentence really happened but doesn’t it sound romantic. We spent some time sitting on the large boulders of the breakwater watching schools of little fish, tourists sunbathing on other rocks and the mountainside full of vineyards with many terraces.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think the fresh sea air may have gone to our heads and we were feeling a little rebellious. We made the impromptu decision to throw caution to the wind and visit the next village of Corniglia in spite of the advice given by the tourist rep earlier.

Back at the train station in Vernazza we waited about 5 minutes for the next train and as it turned out this wait was longer than the time it took the train to reach our next destination. We didn’t even bother to sit for the 4 minute journey.

 

Corniglia or the middle of the 5 villages is located 300 metres above sea level and is the only village which is not accessible by sea. The village is connected to the tiny train station by rumour has it 365 steps, yes 365, one for every day of the year.

Now I don’t want to give you the impression that I am some lazy exercise fearing princess, but this realisation, in the 1000 degree burning furnace of an existence I was currently experiencing did not bring out my better side.

‘Why oh why oh why did we change our plans, this was all your idea anyway and we all know I’m the one with good ideas, why did I listen to you, why did we even come on this cruise, look my ankles are starting to swell none of the lousy 4 pairs of shoes I was allowed to bring will even fit me after this, who’s idea was it to put the stupid train station down here or the village up there’ but ohhh hang on now, wait, what’s this I see approaching, is it a carriage with my fairy godmother ? Yes, oh yes a little bus approaching that’s going to take me up the hillside, do you think they knew I was coming. The fare was €2 or €200 each it didn’t really matter right now everything was right with the world again.

[suekay]

Loving your writing style[emoji4][emoji4]

[crvng4mr]

Hysterical!!!! I was looking for the fisherman with the elderly wives! Ha! You have an awesome writing style and the pictures are great!

[kirian]

I am still catching up on the past few days of your review... along with the other reviews going on (been an insane week!)... but I had to stop before I got to La Spezia just to say how STUNNING your photos from Villefranche are. I have never been there, but after getting a glimpse of it through your eyes, I am definitely going to have to go now :D

 

OK, now back to catching up on your posts! (And once I am finally caught up on my reading, I can FINALLY write-up the next installment of my review ;))

 

Melissa

[kirian]

 

Now I don’t want to give you the impression that I am some lazy exercise fearing princess, but this realisation, in the 1000 degree burning furnace of an existence I was currently experiencing did not bring out my better side.

‘Why oh why oh why did we change our plans, this was all your idea anyway and we all know I’m the one with good ideas, why did I listen to you, why did we even come on this cruise, look my ankles are starting to swell none of the lousy 4 pairs of shoes I was allowed to bring will even fit me after this, who’s idea was it to put the stupid train station down here or the village up there’ but ohhh hang on now, wait, what’s this I see approaching, is it a carriage with my fairy godmother ? Yes, oh yes a little bus approaching that’s going to take me up the hillside, do you think they knew I was coming. The fare was €2 or €200 each it didn’t really matter right now everything was right with the world again.

 

OK, I almost spit my coffee out laughing as I read this paragraph. Really, you should have put in one of those famous "disclaimers" first :p:D

 

Melissa

[Irish Cath]

Loving your writing style[emoji4][emoji4]

 

Thanks for taking the time to post Suekay and glad at least some readers are getting my sense of humour !

 

Catherine :)

[Irish Cath]

Hysterical!!!! I was looking for the fisherman with the elderly wives! Ha! You have an awesome writing style and the pictures are great!

 

I really appreciate that coming from such a fabulous writer as yourself. You are all too aware of how much time and effort these reviews take so it lovely to know people are following along. Glad you're enjoying the pictures also.

Looking forward to your next installment.

 

Catherine :)

[Irish Cath]

I am still catching up on the past few days of your review... along with the other reviews going on (been an insane week!)... but I had to stop before I got to La Spezia just to say how STUNNING your photos from Villefranche are. I have never been there, but after getting a glimpse of it through your eyes, I am definitely going to have to go now :D

 

OK, now back to catching up on your posts! (And once I am finally caught up on my reading, I can FINALLY write-up the next installment of my review ;))

 

Melissa

 

OK, I almost spit my coffee out laughing as I read this paragraph. Really, you should have put in one of those famous "disclaimers" first :p:D

 

Hey Melissa,

 

yes Villefranche sure was exceptionally beautiful - as were many ports that followed ! Glad you liked the pictures.

 

You better be up to date on your reading because there's been a serious absence of CM and CG adventures around here lately - i'm sure i'm not just speaking for myself when i say your missed.

 

Oh and as for disclaimers - i'm way too mean, I like to sneak up on you when you're least expecting it *evil laugh* :D:D