My first trip to Europe on Freedom of the Seas 9/3/17 with many pictures and video!

[aubreyc1988]

Then, look for a building that looks like this. There might be other vendors selling Calanque trips, but this is the one we used

 

 

We arrived in between sailings. So we could have waited for the 5 Calanques sailing (1 hr sailing), which we would have had to wait until 11:30 (about an hour and a half from when we arrived at the port) or pay a little bit more to do the 8 Calanques sailing (1.5 hrs) that was going to leave in 30 minutes. We chose to pay a little bit more to do the 8 Calanques sailing, because I didn't want to wait that long to do the 5 Calanques one, and it really wasn't that much more do the 8 Calanques. Here is the price list. Sorry it's not crystal clear, was pretty hard for me to snap a shot without people in front of it!

 

 

We were told to meet our boat, The Moby Dick III in 30 minutes.

 

 

My husband had to go to the bathroom. There is a public bathroom that costs around .60Euros to use, but there is a free one attached to the Calanques building. Don't go to the Office of Tourism which is nearby expecting for a free place to use the restroom, they will tell you to go use the one that costs money or the free one my husband used. My husband said it was "A weird experience" but to be honest, that is MOST of the bathrooms in Europe...just go with the flow teehee

 

I walked around and took in the scenery. SO quaint, definitely a place I'd love to return to.

 

 

 

[aubreyc1988]

 

And we are on the boat and ready to sightsee!

 

 

 

 

 

Up next, details and more pictures of the 8 Calanques sailing tour AND pictures of cute dogs on the boat with us :eek:

[Dennis#1]

Love the pictures. Enjoy reading your write-up. Thanks.

[no1racefan1]

I love this review!

[aubreyc1988]

Calanques in Cassis Continued...

 

Ok, so I promised you some cute dog photos, so here they are

I only hope my dog would have been so well behaved on an excursion like this....and I really want one of those dog chest harnesses, the cuteness factor is off the charts for that device! We have our own furbaby and LOVE dogs so it was hard to not go crazy over these guys

And in case you are curious, here is what our little guy looks like...he is a chinese crested powder puff...

[aubreyc1988]

So our boat ride began and once we started moving, it was a really nice, comfortable temperature

 

 

But soon I realized that the whole tour was being said in French, so I asked the tour guide if he had a brochure to read in English, since the people in front of us had some in German.

 

This is the one I received, which was pretty good. We followed along OK with the french and using the English paper handout. Now, there are some pros and cons with doing the tours on your own, vs through the cruise ship. I feel like we did lose a little of the information of the tour because it was in French, but we also weren't on a huge tour with a lot of people and it felt a lot more authentic. PLUS on this tour we got to hang out with dogs! :hearteyes:

 

the left side is the back, the "end" of the tour

 

 

And heres the inside of the booklet

 

 

So I won't have too much commentary about the tour, as most of the information I know is from the booklet, and the tour was in French. It's kind of one of those things where you don't need someone to tell you about it. It's very beautiful and going by boat was a great way to see the calanques. I hope you can tell from our pictures how BLUE the water is there and how tall the cliffs are! Also, I haven't had time to properly respond to all the followers of the thread, thanks for being patient with me and I am very glad you are enjoying the review so far! If you have any specific questions about this itinerary and you are departing soon and don't want to wait until I get there, feel free to ask and I'll try to answer them so you can plan in time for your trip.

 

 

[aubreyc1988]

 

 

 

 

 

[aubreyc1988]

As you cruise the calanques, it's crazy to look and see the people hiking them! It WOULD be pretty neat to hike them and see the calanques from that perspective, but believe me, you will do enough walking as it is on this itinerary.

 

 

 

 

[MCazer]

I can't thank you enough for all the details and pics! I have saved many of them!

 

If you could let us know what places you visited (tours) that would be great. This way I can ask specifics if we are doing the same thing! We leave for Barcelona on Monday!

 

" I haven't had time to properly respond to all the followers of the thread, thanks for being patient with me and I am very glad you are enjoying the review so far! If you have any specific questions about this itinerary and you are departing soon and don't want to wait until I get there, feel free to ask and I'll try to answer them so you can plan in time for your trip"

[Suzieanna]

Can't wait to get home and read this entire thread properly! (skimming through at work atm) - it looks like its a corker!

 

Where are you from Aubreyc? I want to study art history one day - but work is getting in the way for now.

[aubreyc1988]

I can't thank you enough for all the details and pics! I have saved many of them!

 

If you could let us know what places you visited (tours) that would be great. This way I can ask specifics if we are doing the same thing! We leave for Barcelona on Monday!

 

" I haven't had time to properly respond to all the followers of the thread, thanks for being patient with me and I am very glad you are enjoying the review so far! If you have any specific questions about this itinerary and you are departing soon and don't want to wait until I get there, feel free to ask and I'll try to answer them so you can plan in time for your trip"

 

 

Here is my itinerary with the excursions I had planned, see if theres anything you have questions about. A couple ship tips: If you don't have the beverage package paid for already, be aware that onboard, they charge 18% gratuity on each drink PLUS at least 12% VAT. I think the VAT depends on the ports visited and at which port you buy the drink, but on our sailing it was 12% for drinks. I believe VAT was more for merchandise. Not sure what it was for dining, but I would assume 12%. If you buy the drink package on cruiseplanner, you do not have to pay the VAT. You can also get your VAT taxes refunded on the way back, at customs, if you keep all your receipts, but I don't know much about how to go about it, since I didn't bother and just bought the package in advance.

 

This is what I had written out prior to my trip for plans, and we stuck to it for the most part.

Sept 4th – Marseille (Docking in Provence)9am-6pm

Uber to Metro Gare de St.Charles (€15, but could be up to €30), Metro to Cassis(€25,€6.50 per person each way), go through tunnel to get to Bus (€1-2 per person each way, pay cash), get off at Casino/Port, short walk to port, (QuaiSaint-Pierre 13260 - CASSIS

) Boatride on Calanques (€50) = €150 with lunch

https://www.trainline.eu

General info: Wear church clothes in casewe want to go inside a church. Cover shoulders, cover knees.

 

Sept 5th – Nice, France (Docking inVillefranche Sur Mer) 7am-7pm TENDERING PORT

https://www.trainline.eu

An easy walk from theship-just go to the right when you get off the ship past the buildings on theleft.

(justkeep the water on your right and walk until you see the steps on your left thatgo up to the station)

Train departs every 15 minor so. Train from Villefranche to Monaco (€12), Monte Carlo Casino (€200), Lunch (€50)

General Info: Nicest of clothes, no tennisshoes or flip flops, no shorts and cover shoulders.

 

Sept6th – Florence/Pisa (Docking in La Spezia) 7am-7pm (250.00)

-Florence and Pisa Independent Exploration with Smart Device LL11

Start time: 08:10 AM

End time: 06:10 PM

0:00 (Start of tour) Depart by A/Cmotorcoach from LaSpezia to Pisa.

0:45 Arrive in Pisa parking area.

0:15 Walk with the escort to Largo CoccoGriffi, outside the Leaning Tower square.

1:00 Free time at disposal for pictures andsouvenirs .

0:15 Meet again your escort and walk back fromLargo Cocco Griffi to the parking area.

1:00 Re-board the motorcoach and drive toFlorence.

0:15 Arrive in Florence and walk with theescort to Piazza Santa Croce.

4:30 Free time for individual exploration.(approx 11:30AM)

12:30pm Accademia (€37.50)

2:00pm Santa Maria del Fiore (€FREE)

2:30pm Uffizi Gallery

Record store on way back (Data Records 93)

0:15 Meet the escort in Piazza Santa Croce andwalk back to Lungarno della Zecca.

1:45 Reboard the motorcoach and drive back toLaSpezia and the ship.

PISA

Pisa Cathedral (Admission is free through the right doorfacing facade)

Camposanto €7

Baptistry €7

Check back August 10th to buy tickets

http://www.opapisa.it/en/tickets/buy/

General Info: No flip flops, no shorts, cover shoulders

400.00 or so.

 

Sept 7th – Rome(Docking in Civitavecchia 7am-7pm

- Train Transfer by Roma Express CVT3

 

08:00 AM - 08:20 AM Disembarkation and transfer by shuttle-bus to private train Roma Express.

08:20 AM - 09:10 AM Transfer by train to Rome - St Peter's Station.

09:10 AM - 03:40 PM Free time to explore Rome on your own and walk back to train.

03:40 PM - 04:30 PM Drive back to Civitavecchia by private train Roma Express.

04:30 PM - 05:00 PM Boarding on shuttle bus and transfer to ship.

 

Vatican/Sistine Chapel Tickets at noon (€40)

Pantheon=Free

Trevi=Free

 

* Kindly note that tour schedules are subject to change and only meant to be used as a reference/guide and not anexact measure. Local conditions such as traffic or weather may affect the orderand the time spent in each location. However, it is what our Tour Operators dotheir best to adhere to, so we do feel it is a good resource to have an idea onwhat to expect.

 

 

 

Sept 8th – Naples(Docking in Capri) Italy 7am-6:30pm

Amalfi Coast & Pompeii by Land and Sea

· Amalfi:Wander the charming streets of this former maritime superpower; the cathedral’scrypt is said to have St. Andrew’s remains.

· AmalfiCoast: Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of cliffs and grottos on a 45-minutecruise along Italy’s most famous coastline.

· Pompeii:Uncover lavish temples, villas and more of this once-flourishing Roman city,destroyed in 79 A.D. when Mount Vesuvius erupted.

Lunch and Pompeii tickets included.

Spend the day discovering two UNESCO World Heritage Sites:the iconic Amalfi Coast and the fascinating ruins of Pompeii. Delight inbreathtaking oceanfront scenery as you drive along the picturesque coastline.Visiting the town of Amalfi, take time to explore the charming maritime villageon your own, strolling the narrow streets to the Piazza del Duomo, seeing thestunning 12th-century cathedral and shopping for authentic souvenirs. Then enjoyspectacular coastal views and calming sea breezes on a 45-minute boat rideacross dazzling azure waters along the cliff-lined Amalfi Coast. Savor adelicious authentic Italian lunch with wine and champagne before exploringPompeii, one of the world’s most amazing archaeological wonders. Walking theancient streets, behold a city beautifully preserved in time, which was, forcenturies, covered in 20 feet of volcanic ash and pumice. Discover lavishtemples, villas and more of this once-flourishing Roman city, destroyed in 79A.D. when Mount Vesuvius erupted. NPK4

 

 

 

[aubreyc1988]

Can't wait to get home and read this entire thread properly! (skimming through at work atm) - it looks like its a corker!

 

Where are you from Aubreyc? I want to study art history one day - but work is getting in the way for now.

 

ORIGINALLY I am from Southern Indiana (near a little town called Santa Claus, IN, some of you may have heard of it) :')

 

I went to school at Indiana State where I majored in Art (2D and 3D) and had an automatic minor in Art History. We had to take like 8 classes of art history. That was YEARS ago though, but it's still incredible what I remember from classes...and more incredible what I don't. If you don't have the time or money to study, just buy some of those second hand books the students buy and read them in spare time, they really are quite good.

 

Then after I graduated, I got married, my husband got a job in Iowa and we lived there for 4 years. He got voluntarily transferred to Texas (I told him we HAD to get away from Iowa and all the cold) and we live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area now, for about 2 years or so. :hearteyes: I love the warm weather, would never go back to cold haha

 

We've been cruising since we have been married, we just LOVE it

[aubreyc1988]

Cassis (Calanques) Continued

 

So I am showing a lot of pictures of this, I know, but my husband did SUCH a fantastic job documenting I HAVE to show it you! Plus, you know how it is, if you show these on Facebook or to your family, people are like "Cool" but don't FULLY appreciate it like Cruise Critic people do :D

 

We spotted a drone

 

 

 

 

 

[butterfly529]

Why do your notes just above keep stating "cover shoulders", "no flip flops", "no shorts"?

[aubreyc1988]

Why do your notes just above keep stating "cover shoulders", "no flip flops", "no shorts"?

 

Those were my notes from research. Basically, some churches and museums, etc have strict dress codes. Some do not enforce it while others do. I wrote that to remind me what the clothing options I had for that day were based on where we were going. The no flip flops rule is for Monaco I believe, to go into the casino, they don't allow flip flops.

[aubreyc1988]

 

 

 

 

[aubreyc1988]

 

 

So my husband and I always laugh when we see people take photos with their iPad. Not only does it look ridiculous, but it's a good way to break your device. I've seen people go into rough waters, like at Maho Beach in St. Maarten, taking pictures with their iPad. Or holding it out over their balcony taking photos. Every time, I am just waiting for them to drop it. Anyhow, I MAY have made my husband a challenge to take a photo of every person we saw on our trip taking photos with an iPad :evilsmile: Unfortunately, my challenge was issued after Paris, so this is the first person he saw

 

 

There's actually been a decline in iPad phototographers...which I guess further proves the fact that iPads are a fast fading electronic device.

 

 

[aubreyc1988]

 

 

 

Ohhh, our iPad photographer has an assistant! I hope you guys don't mind us having a bit of fun :) - I mean no true offense to any of the iPad photographers out there

 

 

[aubreyc1988]

This dog is just LOVING his time on this trip! :hearteyes: I wanted to pet him SO bad, but don't worry I restrained myself :cool:

 

 

I wonder how hard it was to get where they are sitting???

 

 

 

[aubreyc1988]

 

 

Zoom in at your own risk ;)

 

 

 

[aubreyc1988]

And that concludes the Calanques portion of the day

 

 

We had a great time, always fun to be out on the water!

 

After the Calanques, we went to grab something to eat. All the places around here are pretty expensive but look very fancy. We finally chose this place, El Sol. I wasn't super hungry, so my husband ordered a meal and I just had some wine, with the plans to follow it with some gelato afterward.

 

 

 

 

 

[aubreyc1988]

 

 

 

I went to the restroom here and WOW it was complicated. There were all these levers underneath the toilet and not a single one was labeled so I had NO idea which one to pull. I just guessed and got the right one, YAY!!! When I came back to my seat, my wine was there, ready for me to celebrate the fact that I pushed the right button on the toilet! :')

 

 

Shortly after I got my wine, my husband's food came.

 

 

I asked my husband to rate his fish meal and he said "olivey but good, 8/10 stars"

[bearette]

Thanks for posting, makes me want to book a Europe trip!

[croozelyfe]

By far, one of the best and most detailed reviews I've read on here. Thank you so much, I love all the photos and tips!

[aubreyc1988]

By far, one of the best and most detailed reviews I've read on here. Thank you so much, I love all the photos and tips!

 

Thank you, so glad to hear you are enjoying it!