MSC Orchestra Eastern Mediterranean Live Trip Report

[trogmd]

Wow!! You`re doing a fantastic job Love2cruise. A big thank you from me for such wonderful pics, especially the food pics :D

 

Will be looking at doing a cruise with MSC in the future. Hope you enjoy the rest of your cruise and look forward to more when you get home.:)

 

Take Care,

Mark. :)

[Love2Cruz2015]

Yesterday was a water dat. After a few hours at Kourouta beach, we spent the rest of the day on the pool deck and whirlpool. Good music on the pool deck. Busy but enough room to swim. Two large pools and 4 whirlpools

 

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My DD liked the water fall

 

 

Mai tai-was weak

 

 

Dinner last night-which was gala. Lobster had a 21 euro up charge so I ordered the filet of beef, which was outstanding. The shrimp cocktail was good. The asparagus and marscarpone tortelli were a bit bland.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Love2Cruz2015]

Hazelnut gelato for dessert-excellent

 

 

Nightcap- I love their cappuccino..

 

 

Tomorrow I booked an early morning excursion at Santorini to Oia so we skipped the show, which was a French variety type.

 

BTW I didn't overpack for a change as I am taking advantage of their laundry package. 40 pieces for 50 euros-about the price of a blouse. It includes wash, iron fold and even dry cleaning. Going to give our steward a bag this morning.

 

Loved Korouta

 

Stay tuned....

 

 

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[Love2Cruz2015]

Santorini-the main reason I picked this it in

 

 

Rccl with us this morning

 

 

 

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[Love2Cruz2015]

Some teasers from today-more info to come later-Santorini was even more beautiful than I expected

 

 

 

 

The postcard pic that everyone knows....

 

 

 

 

And off we go...memories that will last a lifetime, home to return one day....only critique I have is the crowds!!! I can't imagine what it's like in July and August if June was this busy! Still worth it-be prepared to climb a lot of steps and to be blanketed in natural beauty.

 

 

 

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[Love2Cruz2015]

 

We had company

 

 

Cable car down

 

 

 

 

 

Iced Greek coffee at a caldera front cafe

 

 

 

 

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[BermudaBound2014]

Hey, there is my ship for August just resting in the background (Rhapsody of the seas). Can you please describe the crowds in Fira? We plan to hike from Fira to Oia along the volcanoes edge and cant decide which way we want to route.

 

Hope you are enjoying that beautiful island, aren't greek cats interesting? Their eyes and tails are quite different than our American versions.

[Ctrinh225]

So pretty....[emoji31][emoji24] I wish I was there!

 

 

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[Love2Cruz2015]

Hey, there is my ship for August just resting in the background (Rhapsody of the seas). Can you please describe the crowds in Fira? We plan to hike from Fira to Oia along the volcanoes edge and cant decide which way we want to route.

 

 

 

Hope you are enjoying that beautiful island, aren't greek cats interesting? Their eyes and tails are quite different than our American versions.

 

 

 

The crowds are substantial at both-we hiked most of Oia ....as I said so beautiful but be aware of the crowds-wear comfy tennis or walking shoes.

 

My cousin and his family are on the ship and he screwed up his feet pretty badly as he wore flip flops. Also be be prepared for long waits for the cable cars to get down-walking is faster- my mom has mobility issues so we were able to cut the line.

 

 

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[BermudaBound2014]

The crowds are substantial at both-we hiked most of Oia ....as I said so beautiful but be aware of the crowds-wear comfy tennis or walking shoes.

 

My cousin and his family are on the ship and he screwed up his feet pretty badly as he wore flip flops. Also be be prepared for long waits for the cable cars to get down-walking is faster- my mom has mobility issues so we were able to cut the line.

 

 

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Thanks so much- I know how bad crowds can be in Santorini :(- I'm hoping because rhapsody is first to arrive (7 am) and last to leave (8pm) that we may avoid crowds as much as possible.

 

When you say you hiked oia- did you hike the whole distance from Fira to oia? If so, how long did it take you? It's only a 5.5 mile hike but many reports say it takes nearly 3 hours.

 

I'm going to need your opinion for kotor and Corfu too- as I'm drawing a blank there. What are your plans for your day in Athens tomorrow!

[AmoMondo]

Really enjoying this and pleased you like my favourite ship.

 

Have been to all the places posted so far, so having a trip down memory lane. Never visited Kourata (sp?) before though, so may try it next week.

 

Waiting with bated breath for Kotor to find out if you dock or tender in!

[Love2Cruz2015]

Tomorrow we are doing a panoramic tour of Athens -chose an easy one for my mom. BB. No we actually did Oia first and Fira second-we took a tour bus to bottom of Oia and hiked up---did same for Fira. We walked 3-4 hours.

 

 

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[Love2Cruz2015]

 

Loving our balcony-snack when we reused-we were all exhausted.

 

Tonight I tried a Campari spritzer

 

 

 

As well as a Zaba-mini cappuccino with a zabaglione

 

 

 

 

White party tonight

 

 

 

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[Love2Cruz2015]

Food from today

 

Breakfast

 

 

Lunch

 

 

 

Dinner

 

 

 

Late night pizza

 

 

 

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[Love2Cruz2015]

We skipped the dining room tonight and did low key in the buffet.

 

Tomorrow a day in Athens. Stay tuned....

 

 

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[Love2Cruz2015]

Today was another day for a mishap-will explain later. Right now I'm back on deck and enjoying a Long Island iced tea, which is desperately needed.

 

 

Athens so far has been my least favorite port. The city resembles its state of financial issues. Many buildings are falling apart from abandonment. Lots of graffiti "art" adjacent or on its ancient ruins. I don't think I'll be coming back.

 

 

 

 

This is my only nice pic

 

 

And this one [emoji2]

 

 

 

 

 

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Edited June 16, 2016 by Love2Cruz2015

[Love2Cruz2015]

First games of olympics.

 

 

 

 

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[Love2Cruz2015]

Tomorrow I had planned surprise excursion for my DD to visit Greece's largest wAterpark but was informed they might be cancelling it as not enough people signed up-won't k ow until tonight. Bummer but I may just use it as a sea day and get a Bali or hot stone massage.

 

 

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[BermudaBound2014]

Tomorrow I had planned surprise excursion for my DD to visit Greece's largest wAterpark but was informed they might be cancelling it as not enough people signed up-won't k ow until tonight. Bummer but I may just use it as a sea day and get a Bali or hot stone massage.

 

 

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Hi There, I believe you are on the social package so I looked up aqualand for you in Corfu (I've been doing lots of corfu planning anyway :)). You can EASILY get there on your own. It's 20 minute taxi from the pier with lots of taxi's waiting for you to go back. The day pass is $27 for adults (13-64) and $19 for those under 13 and over 64 (not sure where your mom and DD fall). Park opens at 10 a.m. I know you were excited to surprise your daughter, so let me know if there is anything else I can look up for you. I'll post the entire website if that helps:).

[Love2Cruz2015]

Hi There, I believe you are on the social package so I looked up aqualand for you in Corfu (I've been doing lots of corfu planning anyway :)). You can EASILY get there on your own. It's 20 minute taxi from the pier with lots of taxi's waiting for you to go back. The day pass is $27 for adults (13-64) and $19 for those under 13 and over 64 (not sure where your mom and DD fall). Park opens at 10 a.m. I know you were excited to surprise your daughter, so let me know if there is anything else I can look up for you. I'll post the entire website if that helps:).

 

 

 

You're the best BB-we are at dinner-going to excursion desk afterwards to see status. My DD has been really loving the kids club so she's been there all afternoon, since we returned from Athens. I told her about the surprise and she also knows ship might cancel, she said its fine if they do as long she can stay with her new friends...so we'll see.

 

 

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[BermudaBound2014]

You're the best BB-we are at dinner-going to excursion desk afterwards to see status. My DD has been really loving the kids club so she's been there all afternoon, since we returned from Athens. I told her about the surprise and she also knows ship might cancel, she said its fine if they do as long she can stay with her new friends...so we'll see.

 

 

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Sounds like a plan. Just let me know if there is anything I can do for you stateside. I'll even reserve a taxi if the site will let me. It looks SUPER easy to get to the park. I bet this way is cheaper than the ship excursion also :).

[Love2Cruz2015]

Sounds like a plan. Just let me know if there is anything I can do for you stateside. I'll even reserve a taxi if the site will let me. It looks SUPER easy to get to the park. I bet this way is cheaper than the ship excursion also :).

 

 

 

Thank you-yes those prices are cheaper.

 

I'll see what she says later and go from there.

 

Here are some photos of the spa...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Love2Cruz2015]

Today's meals

 

Breakfast

 

 

Lunch-those are rice balls

 

 

Dinner-risotto with baby shrimp and arugula

 

 

Prime rib

 

 

Dessert-Apple streusel with warm custard-delicious

 

 

My moms gateau opera-she loved it

 

 

 

My DD is having dinner with the kids club

 

 

 

 

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[Love2Cruz2015]

 

Samurai

 

BTW. FaceTime also works on social time.

 

 

 

Grease

 

 

MSC mascot

 

 

Reception area

 

 

Marble staircase

 

 

 

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[Tee & Chilli]

Excellent review!!

Thank you and so many others for taking time to post during your vacation.