Eclipse British Isles and French Open June 2017 review (long with photos)

[texasgirl29]

The bus driver stopped right in front of the Eiffel Tower, and idled there for about five minutes. At 11:00, the tower began to sparkle.

 

And there was a full moon. Sigh.

 

 

 

When we had our fill of photos and videos, the bus pulled away and stopped where we began, the Arc de Triomph.

 

 

 

We stopped for a few souvenirs and walked back to the hotel in the hot, humid night.

 

 

 

 

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[texasgirl29]

Sunday, June 11

Paris, Day 2

 

We walked down the street in search of breakfast, settling on a cafe within the HiltonHotel.

 

 

I felt all Parisian with my breakfast of an almond croissant and cafe au lait.

 

 

Norene and David decided Brian was not feeling well enough to venture out and they would stay at the hotel, then take a taxi to lunch and wait for the time for the bus at 4:45.

 

So, Rachel, Paul and I checked out and began walking toward the Seine. As we passed La Madeleine, we noticed all the runners and a group of drummers keeping up the best as the day began to swelter.

 

 

 

We entered the Place de Le Concorde, beautiful now but once a scene of executions during the French Revolution.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[texasgirl29]

We continued on to the Seine, looking for the place to take a boat ride.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We saw some of the buildings and bridges from the boat that we had seen the evening before.

 

 

 

 

 

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[texasgirl29]

The boat had a recorded announcement in five languages which just became background noise. On the top deck, it was very hot and sunny. Inside cool but loud. The side was a sort of compromise. At least we could move about.

 

 

 

We had a very nice view of the Eiffel Tower from the water.

 

 

I would recommend the boat ride especially if you have limited time. Wear a hat and sunscreen so you can enjoy the open air top deck.

 

After our boat ride, we walked back up the Champs Elysee and found a sidewalk cafe for lunch. Afterwards, shopping for macarons at LaDuree and browsing the stores, then we found our way to the Churchill statue to wait for our bus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[texasgirl29]

When we got to the park where we were to meet the bus, Paul's parents and brother were already there. It appeared Brian had hear exhaustion and began vomiting. As soon as the bus came, we got him settled into the air conditioning but he continued to be sick the entire way back.

 

As I mentioned earlier, this was the only ship tour we took on this cruise. And that turned out to be fortuitous because as we were heading out of the city and on a two lane feeder road, there was an accident ahead of us. We saw police and EMS vehicles speeding by us. Our bus, as well several busses behind us and the cars around us, were at a complete standstill for over an hour. The people in the cars got out and walked around. We got out of our seats and began to chat with fellow passengers. Slowly, we began to creep along for about another hour until we passed the accident.

 

So our return to the ship was delayed by about two hours. We managed to find some dinner in the Oceanview Cafe but they were rapidly taking food away and closing up stations. I saw one passenger speak to someone in charge that people had been delayed and still needed to eat.

 

We were tired and I was badly sunburned. We called it a night.

 

 

 

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[texasgirl29]

Monday, June 12

At Sea

 

After breakfast, we emerged from our room to see the medical staff moving Brian in a wheel chair. His symptoms returned during the night and he was taken to see the doctor. He returned to the room in the afternoon under quarantine. It was determined not to be norovirus but he was given intravenous medication for several days.

 

Paul chatted with our room steward, Connie. She said she has been with Celebrity 15 years. He apologized that our 17 year old leaves socks everywhere but she said she has a teenager herself.

 

I went to the "Beyond the Podium" presentation on Ireland. Ok, would have been nice to be a little more specific to the cities we are going to visit, Dublin and Cobh, instead of more generalized.

 

The rest of the day was quiet. We went to the "captains clearance sale" and I bought a Celebrity pullover as I'm expecting a very cool day tomorrow. The ship was gently swaying and Paul took a nap while I read. After lunch the swaying got more pronounced and I took a nap also; I generally do not get seasick but I was getting a bit dizzy and having trouble walking in a straight line.

 

Tonight was "Chic Night," but I wasn't in the "chic" mood so didn't dress up much. The show "Rock City" was great. The "bad-ass" looking performers sang and danced great but I imagined their mothers all made them take ballet lessons. The audience of mainly 60 and 70 year olds rocked out to the songs of our youth.

 

 

 

I've been impressed with the stage shows but disappointed with the daytime entertainment which mostly consists of thinly disguised infomercials for spa treatments and future cruises. Sue Denning, our cruise director, was just back on board so I don't fault her for the lack of daytime entertainment. Two years ago on the Eclipse Sue was the cruise director and there seemed to be more to do during the day, including Q&A with her, a cooking competition and a talk by the head chef on buying and preparing steak. I actually really like Sue and I was glad to see she would be our CD.

 

 

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[upwarduk]

Two years ago on the Eclipse Sue was the cruise director and there seemed to be more to do during the day, including Q&A with her, a cooking competition and a talk by the head chef on buying and preparing steak. I actually really like Sue and I was glad to see she would be our CD.

 

 

Glad that Sue is back with 'her ship.'

She has had a longish period away, including being CD on Millennium.

[HelenREMfan]

http://photobucket.com/gallery/user/HelenREMfan/media/bWVkaWFJZDoxNjQ3MzQxMzI=/?ref=1

[kevinyork]

http://photobucket.com/gallery/user/HelenREMfan/media/bWVkaWFJZDoxNjQ3MzQxMzI=/?ref=1

 

 

 

Not sure what you posted but the link results in a weird result with no option to view other pictures.

 

 

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[texasgirl29]

Tuesday, June 13

Greenock/Glasgow, Scotland

 

We arrived in Scotland, sailing amidst the cloud-shrouded hills.

 

 

We tied up at the terminal, a lone bagpiper playing and a person inside a strange blow-up Scottish figure doing some weird moonwalk dance.

 

 

 

We were docked at 9 and left our room by 9:30 to meet the tour at 10. The line to get off the ship was long and moved slowly.

 

We walked through the terminal and down the walkway, out of the gate where we met our guide David. We didn't stop to check out any of the items for sale or the information as we took so long to get off the ship. He checked us off and we went onto the brand new silver Discover Scotland 32-passenger bus. We were 20 minutes late by the time the last people arrived but we got back on schedule by cutting short our first stop just a little. (It wasn't the passengers fault, getting off was too unorganized.)

 

The first stop was the village of Luss. It was very bed-and-breakfasty with cottages with over flowing flower baskets and rock walls. Thanks to our driver and guide David, we got there before the crowds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[texasgirl29]

I shamelessly copied this from Wikipedia about Luss:

 

Historically in the County of Dunbarton, its original name is Clachan dubh, or 'dark village'. Ben Lomond, the most southerly Munro, dominates the view north over the loch, and the Luss Hills rise to the west of the village.

 

Saint Kessog brought Christianity to Luss at some uncertain date in the 'Dark Ages'. A number of early medieval and medieval monuments survive in the present churchyard, including simple cross-slabs which may date to as early as the 7th century AD, and a hogback grave-cover of the 11th century. A well-preserved late medieval effigy of a bishop is preserved within the modern church. The present Church of Scotland place of worship was built in 1875 by Sir James Colquhoun, in memory of his father who had drowned in the loch in December 1873. The church is noted for its online services as well as for holding over one hundred weddings per year, most from outside the parish. Luss is the ancestral home of Clan Colquhoun.

 

 

 

Our guide David played for us the famous song:

 

By yon bonnie banks and by yon bonnie braes

Where the sun shines bright on Loch Lomond

Me and my true love were ever wont to gae

On the bonny, bonny banks of Loch Lomond

 

Chorus

Ye'll tak' the high road and I'll tak the low road

And I'll be in Scotland afore ye

But me and my true love will never meet again

On the bonny, bonny banks of Loch Lomond

 

'Twas there that we parted in yon shady glen

On the steep, steep side of Ben Lomond

Where in the purple hue the hieland hills we view

And the moon coming out in the gloaming

 

The wee birdies sing and the wild flowers spring

And in sunshine the waters are sleeping

But the broken heart it kens nae second spring again

And the waefu' may cease frae their greetin'

 

He told us its very popular at wedding receptions but the story is very tragic, about two brothers. One is to be hung and one allowed to go free.

 

Here's David with Paul, Rachel and me.

 

 

 

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[texasgirl29]

I love old churches and what could be better than an old Scottish church in a drizzly highland morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[texasgirl29]

Back on the bus, Paul was happy with his "haggis-flavored crisps"

 

 

We traveled through the Trossachs with a stop at an overlook for a photo op.

 

 

 

And we stopped to see some highland cows:

 

 

 

 

 

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[texasgirl29]

Lunch was on your own at the village of Callander. David recommended a couple of places to eat, we chose the Taste of The Trossachs.

 

 

Paul and his dad had meat pies with haggis but I opted for a scone with jam and cream and a pot of tea, so they had that also.

 

 

We walked through town and looked through a few shops before heading to Stirling Castle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[texasgirl29]

In preparing for this cruise I watched some videos about Stirling castle on YouTube and Netflix. I attempted to read "Mary Queen of Scots" by Elizabeth George but didn't get too far. I bought the guidebook on Amazon. We prepaid our entrance fee (not included in our tour price) and I was ready for what I considered one of the main attractions of this cruise.

 

It did not disappoint.

 

We had only about an hour and a half here which of course is not nearly long enough. I'd love to come back some day.

 

 

 

The view from the castle is amazing:

 

 

 

 

We wandered up and down stairs and through passageways.

 

 

 

 

 

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[texasgirl29]

There were displays of clothing:

 

 

 

And kitchens

 

 

 

And gardens

 

 

 

 

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[texasgirl29]

The royal rooms

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[HelenREMfan]

Love the photos of Stirling castle. I saw R.E.M. there in 1999 and it was am amazing concert. The best ever; with the wonderful Highland scenery as a backdrop.

 

I have been trying all sorts of photo sharing sites etc to try and post some of my photos from the cruise but nothing works !! It is so frustrating.

 

We went along the coast to Larghs when we stopped at Greenock. My good friend lives in Glasgow and she met us and took us to the famous ice cream parlour in Larghs - Nardini's. Delicious :)

[texasgirl29]

Love the photos of Stirling castle. I saw R.E.M. there in 1999 and it was am amazing concert. The best ever; with the wonderful Highland scenery as a backdrop.

 

I have been trying all sorts of photo sharing sites etc to try and post some of my photos from the cruise but nothing works !! It is so frustrating.

 

We went along the coast to Larghs when we stopped at Greenock. My good friend lives in Glasgow and she met us and took us to the famous ice cream parlour in Larghs - Nardini's. Delicious :)

 

 

Thanks, Helen. I have my photos on my iPad and In the cruise critic app reply screen I just hit the icon with the rectangle with two triangles. It goes to my photos and I select. The photos upload and put a URL code in my text.

 

Here's what my screen looks like after I choose a photo from my iPad.

 

 

JoAnn

 

 

 

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Edited July 12, 2017 by texasgirl29

[kevinyork]

Thanks, Helen. I have my photos on my iPad and In the cruise critic app reply screen I just hit the icon with the rectangle with two triangles. It goes to my photos and I select. The photos upload and put a URL code in my text.

 

Here's what my screen looks like after I choose a photo from my iPad.

 

 

JoAnn

 

 

 

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I don't have the cruisecritic app but the tapatalk version is pretty much the same. If I hit the two mountain signs I can select from my iPad photos and they just upload. Not sure what is wrong here but maybe try the main tapatalk app?

 

 

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[HelenREMfan]

Ok.....have downloaded the app to my iPad ...let's see if I gave any joy now!

 

Ok Etretat on the coast north of Le Havre

 

 

Dieppe with the cliffs and Chateau in the background with the monument to the failed Canadian landing in the fore.

 

 

 

The Canadian war graves cemetery Dieppe.

 

 

 

 

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[kevinyork]

Sorted!

 

 

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[texasgirl29]

Ok.....have downloaded the app to my iPad ...let's see if I gave any joy now!

 

Yeah, Helen!

 

Now you can post your own review -- can't wait to read it.

 

JoAnn

[texasgirl29]

Our driver and guide, David, kept up a steady flow of information as we drove back to Glasgow. Traffic was getting heavy, so we did not have a chance to see anything of the city other than what we could see from our windows. We got back in time as promised.

 

I would definitely recommend Discover Scotland Tours. They have a variety of tours from cruise excursions to multi-day tours.

 

Back at the ship, from our window at dinner, we could see a cadre of female drum and bagpipers. We couldn't hear them unfortunately, but they played they marched off in formation, then turned and waved goodbye.

 

 

 

 

 

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[texasgirl29]

Wednesday, June 14

Liverpool, England

 

We arrived at the birthplace of the Beatles. We went to the terminal welcome area after climbing the 45 degree gangway (the river was at low tide) and used their wifi to contact Julie, my cousin's wife, to arrange to meet after our Magical Mystery Tour. Julie is married to John, and I have not seen him since I was about 2 years old. Besides being excited to be at the hometown of the Fab Four, my mother was from nearby Widnes, and I'd heard about it my whole life.

 

 

And of course the famous "ferry cross the Mersey."

 

 

At the welcome center there was wifi (a small donation requested for the sea man's fund), a band playing and this photo prop.

 

 

After we caught up on some email and Facebook, we went back to the ship's medical facility to check with Norene and Dave on which of them would accompany us on the Magical Mystery Tour.

 

It was decided that a Norene would go and Dave would stay behind with Brian. She was doing well enough to venture out without the walker although we probably walked a little more than she needed to.

 

Liverpool was such a great port because the ship docks right where all of the attractions are. We had a wonderful, sunny day ahead of us.

 

 

 

 

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Edited July 13, 2017 by texasgirl29