**Trip of a Lifetime Review - Italy and Rhapsody of the Seas 9.16.2016**

[Virtopia]

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've had a long day, so I will be back with more tomorrow!

[glittergal1]

Thank you for taking the time to post this wonderful review

We are sailing on Rhapsody next July can I ask your thoughts on the beds? would you say the bed was firm/hard I cant sleep on a too hard bed and Ive been reading about the beds being uncomfortable and im now getting worried

[Florida_cruisers]

I love your attitude and excitement. Awesome pictures!

[Virtopia]

Thank you for taking the time to post this wonderful review

We are sailing on Rhapsody next July can I ask your thoughts on the beds? would you say the bed was firm/hard I cant sleep on a too hard bed and Ive been reading about the beds being uncomfortable and im now getting worried

 

The bed was fine to me but beds are subjective. I had a bed all to myself so it was going to be comfortable regardless :D

[Virtopia]

Some leftover Mykonos pics:

 

 

 

 

 

Once back on the ship, I went for a light lunch and spent some time in the solarium with my new friends. It was my first time in there during this cruise and it was enjoyable. I loved the space. After spending some time in there, I went to my cabin and relaxed for a bit before getting ready for dinner, which was a Windjammer night. By this time in the cruise, the following had become my evening routine – I’d order one of my three free drinks at the bar, go to the windjammer for dinner, come back to pick up my drink, read and/or write on the pool deck and then collect my other two drinks within the allotted time while chatting to some regulars at the bar. There was about 4 of us that would happen to show up there each night and we’d chat for a bit, which was nice. I believe tonight was supposed to be the pool side party but it started to rain and they took it inside. However, I was off to my cabin. As much as I enjoy evenings on a cruise ship, this particular cruise I wasn’t really interested in that, so I was more than happy just hanging out in my cabin most nights with my book and my journal. Next up, the last sea day and Chops dining!

 

My journal for the trip - love the quote!

[Virtopia]

Yeah, a sea day!! I woke up pretty early since I went to bed at a decent hour and made my way to the Windjammer for breakfast. After that, it was my usual sea day routine – reading, writing, eating, drinking and napping. It really doesn’t get any better than that.

 

 

Nothing beats Deck 5 relaxation on such a beautiful day ...

 

Ahhhh, I was hungry ... sue me! LOL

 

I love seeing a man engrossed in a book ;)

 

Today was also the destinations talk for Kotor, Zadar and options for when departing the ship in Venice. I attending the talk as I had nothing scheduled for Zadar. Unfortunately, I didn’t find any actual excursion that I wanted to do so I decided to get the round trip transfer service into the town for $12.

[Virtopia]

After the talk was done, I spent a bit of time near the pool area until it got closer to dinner time, which had me excited. It was time for Chops!

 

I made my reservation for 7pm and got a nice seat in the centre of the restaurant … yay me! I really would’ve preferred a window seat but it was all good. I used my coupon that I won during the Meet N Mingle here since it was the more expensive restaurant. I also made sure to go to an outside bar first to get 2 of my Diamond drinks to accompany me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dinner, of course, was amazing! Everything was so flavourful and the service was wonderful. My evening ended the same way – drinks at the bar and having good conversation. I didn’t attend as many evening shows as I thought I would, but I was ok with that. If anyone is wondering what shows happened on what night, please let me know as I still have the compasses. Tonight was the East Coast Boys (who I’ve seen before and are amazing!) and it was also the 70s dance party in the Centrum. Up next, being introduced to the amazing city of Kotor!

[Virtopia]

I woke up to a glorious morning and excited about my tour in Kotor. I had heard good things and seen amazing pictures of this port, so I was happy when a member of the roll call organized this tour and for a reasonable amount at 38 euros apiece for 6 hours. The tour was with Monttravelers and the meeting time was at 8am.

 

 

 

 

This was a tender port and we were quite far away so it felt like a 15 minute sail, but boy was it beautiful. Being surrounded by the mountains was absolutely amazing. I met up with the group and tour guide and off we went! This was another small group tour, which was great. Our first stop was a quick drive to Perast, which was lovely. We walked around for about 15 minutes, taking in some of the magical views. I could’ve stayed right here and I would’ve been happy.

 

 

 

[Virtopia]

 

 

 

 

As a huge basketball fan, this was amazing to see ... I couldn't focus on this court!

 

Trying to find a reason to smile ... it was tough.

[Virtopia]

Next was the drive to Old Town Budva and Budva Riveria with a few photo stops along the way. I couldn’t get over how beautiful this place was and I was slowly falling in love. My camera kept clicking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ok, it is Thanksgiving weekend in Canada, so I will be taking a break from the review and spending some time with family. Be back on Monday ... I still have the rest of Kotor, Zadar, Milan, Lugano and Lake Como to go! :D

[heatherb1958]

Have a great weekend Deon. Looking forward to the rest of your review when you get back.

I see I eventually feature on the sideline in one of your photos from the Kotor tour. You are in a few of mine as I took a few of the group . Wish I had asked Dimitri to take a group shot.

Edited October 8, 2016 by heatherb1958

[swtonu]

Hey Deon,

Really enjoying this review! You just helped me decide on my next cruise after the Harmony! Beautiful Pictures!

[Virtopia]

Have a great weekend Deon. Looking forward to the rest of your review when you get back.

I see I eventually feature on the sideline in one of your photos from the Kotor tour. You are in a few of mine as I took a few of the group . Wish I had asked Dimitri to take a group shot.

 

Thanks Heather! Just about to get back to it now :D

 

Yes, I wish I had asked for a couple of group shots as well. I did get some pictures of others so that was a good thing.

 

Hey Deon,

Really enjoying this review! You just helped me decide on my next cruise after the Harmony! Beautiful Pictures!

Thanks, appreciate it!

[Virtopia]

Sorry for the delay, but I'm back to it now! It's so much fun to relive this amazing trip.

 

Once we got to Old Town Budva, we were shown where the washrooms were and given about an hour of free time to wander the narrow cobbled streets, which were so beautiful. I hung out with some friends from my tour and we grabbed lunch and gelato as we walked through the streets.

 

This is from the tour bus!

 

 

 

 

 

[Virtopia]

 

 

 

 

[Virtopia]

Once we left there, we made our way up up up the mountains. It was such a crazy ride, but it was oh so worth it. The views are indescribable so I’ll just leave you with these. It honestly doesn’t get any better than this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were also treated to some local brandy at the top of the mountain ... very good!

[Virtopia]

After this, we made our way back down to the mountain and our tour ended near the port around 2pm. For 38 euros, this tour was absolutely worth it and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I plan to visit Montenegro within the next two years and would use them again to tour more of the area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[wrdtrvllr]

Great review and pictures Deon!

[Virtopia]

Since the old city walls were right there, we spent some time walking through some more narrow streets and also went through the food market. We were able to get some samples of salami and pesto cheese, which was extremely tasty. I honestly wish I could’ve brought some of the food home with me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Virtopia]

Once we were done walking around, we made our way to the tender line that was starting to get long. I got a prime seat for the journey back to the ship and got some great pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Virtopia]

Once back to my ship (yes, my ship! LOL), I dropped my stuff off in the cabin and then it was drinks and dinner poolside with friends so we didn’t miss sail away. This was definitely a breathtaking sail off. Everyone wanted to catch a piece of it and I don’t blame them, especially when the sun started to set. After that it was more drinks at the bar, chats with the regulars and then off to the cabin. I started to pack a little bit (such a sad moment) and then it was reading, writing and finally, bed. Up next, the last day of the cruise and Zadar, Croatia!

 

Get ready for picture overload ... I couldn't stop snapping at the sights in front of me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Virtopia]

 

 

 

 

 

[Virtopia]

I'll leave you with these shots for the night. So sad to sail away from Kotor but so glad I was there.

 

 

 

Another one of my top pictures from this trip ...

 

[dancernl]

These photos of Kotor are so beautiful, I can't wait to see it in person. Thanks for the thorough review of your tour, I am going to pop over to my roll call and see if anyone has already got a group going, and if not I'm going to start one! It sounds like exactly what we would want to do while in this port.

 

Can't wait to read more!

[Shar27]

 

Trying to find a reason to smile ... it was tough.

 

Happy Happy!!!

 

Love the shirt!