‘Live from Orchestra’ Christmas 2017 Cruise Review

[Beamafar]

The Black Card event was held last night. What a waste of time! An announcement was made about Seaside, a number of officers stood up on the stage. There were no introductions, no names called out; they then left the stage and exited the venue! That was it!

 

Apparently there are over 170 Black Card members on-board and the event was very well attended. It appeared that many were there just for the free drinks which were very plentiful. There was red wine, prosecco and Aperol spritz served as well as a non-alcoholic cocktail. The venue, which was the disco on deck 14, is very beautiful and I'm glad I went as I wouldn't have seen it otherwise. I plan to visit it during the day as I imagine there are some great aft views from the windows.

 

We skipped breakfast today as DH slept late so we had an early lunch - the MDR was open at 11.30am on account of our 12.30pm arrival in Piraeus. Here's today's lunch menu

 

 

We both opted for the sweet & sour pork

 

 

DH had gelato and I had the pear tart for dessert

 

 

The offerings at the buffet section were a bit silly as they had roast leg of pork (carvery) as well as pork ribs. So you had a choice of pork 3 ways today!

 

It looks like we won't be doing much over the next couple of days as DH has come down with a right dose and is running a temperature.

 

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[Beamafar]

Here's today's daily planner and specials

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's a little confusing as to what tonight's theme is. On the front of the planner it states white and red, but inside it says " White Christmas Party"?

 

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[Beamafar]

Thank you for posting your report. I will be cruising the Seaview in July and I am looking for some help with finding a tour operator for our day on Genoa. We would like to spend the day at Portofino. Do you have any tour operator recommendations that would work for us as cruise passengers? Are there any other port activity suggestions for Marseille, Naples or Malta? We want to make the most out of our trip. Thank you so much!

 

 

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I tend to steer clear of Ports of Call advice, OOT. We're just not the adventurous sort but I'll share my very limited experience with you:

 

The hop-on/hop-off is very handy in Genoa as you can get it just outside the terminal. It's also a very nice walk down to the famous aquarium. I like to walk along there any time we're in Genoa; I've never visited the aquarium, though.

 

I would love to go to Portofino and had even planned out the route for a previous Med cruise, but somehow we didn't make it.

 

We only ever went into Marseille once. We were with my parents so we took taxis and didn't see much as they are mobility challenged. We tend not to get off any time we're there now as the town is too far from the port for us to bother.

 

We've been to Naples twice. The first time we took the ferry across to Capri. I would strongly advise you disembark as early as possible if you're considering doing this. We had very little time on the island and didn't get to explore much. It's also quite pricey for the tickets, though I can't remember exactly how much they were; only that I didn't think it was worth it.

 

The second time, we did a ship's excursion to Mt Vesuvius and Pompeii. We really enjoyed that outing.

 

I find the Ports of Call forum very helpful so you could try there or perhaps others may chime in here with suggestions (though it's not a great time to be seeking advice at the moment with it being Christmastime).

 

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[CruiseIreland]

Nollaig Shona Daoibh, Bea! I know you're 2 hrs ahead!! Hope your cruise is going great! Ken.

[Beamafar]

Nollaig Shona Daoibh, Bea! I know you're 2 hrs ahead!! Hope your cruise is going great! Ken.

Go raibh mile maith agat, Ken .......... agus Nollaig Shona Daoibh freisin, a chairde!

 

Merry Christmas, everyone!

 

We're having a lovely time onboard. They had an amazing midnight buffet last night. When the doors opened, all the dining crew from the ship's m'D down to (some of) the waiters were lined up and started clapping and cheering as we all trooped in. The way everyone behaved, you'd swear they'd been starved for days! We were one of the first in and before we even sat down people had grabbed plates and were piling food on as though they were never going to see any again. Here's some random pics:

 

 

 

 

 

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[jay888]

I’ve never cruised with MSC my first will in January, thank you for posting. The food looks delicious and healthy.

[Beamafar]

Christmas Eve's dinner menu

 

 

DH had the Canadian lobster salad for his starter

 

 

I had the mains salmon dish for mine

 

 

I had duck for my main course (DH had the salmon with the sauce which looked more appetizing than mine, but I didn't get a photo of his)

 

 

And the Christmas log for dessert

 

 

The evening felt really special, altogether. The show in the theatre was an hour long and very enjoyable. The midnight buffet rounded the whole evening off nicely.

 

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[Beamafar]

We slept in again on Christmas Day as we were still unwell. The weather in Piraeus on both days was lovely and sunny with some people even sunbathing on the lido deck! We had planned to go for a walk after lunch to enjoy the nice sunshine as DH wasn't up to it the day before. After lunch I didn't have the energy and spent the rest of the day in bed.

 

Christmas Day's lunch menu

 

 

 

DH had the soup

 

 

and the Turkey supreme

 

 

I had the lamb

 

 

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[Beamafar]

I had to drag myself out of bed to go to dinner that night. I really didn't want to miss Christmas dinner. Boy, was that a mistake! It was a travesty! Here's the menu

 

 

 

 

We both opted for the salt cod, which was really delicious

 

 

Followed by the beef. I asked for mine without sides as the waiter couldn't tell me if 'au gratin' on the potato meant a cheese or breadcrumb topping. (I'm such a fussy eater, I know). Well, I got a double helping of meat to compensate. And it was disgusting! It was mainly grizzle and tough as old boots (the bit I could cut off, that is). It was also so oily with a very strong garlic flavour that even had I been well, I couldn't have stomached it.

 

 

DH got one slice of meat and a side of gratin potatoes the size of a scoop. That was it! Christmas dinner! No veg, no colour, no attempt to make the dish appetizing-looking. (I didn't take a pic of his).

 

Because we had told the head waiter a couple nights before, when he asked how the food was, that it was cold, they've been making sure that it's piping hot for us ever since and they keep checking to see that everything is alright. So there was a bit of a fuss when I returned my meal untouched. My appetite was gone so I didn't want anything else, anyway. But I was genuinely shocked at what was served to me for Christmas dinner.

 

 

 

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Edited December 27, 2017 by Beamafar

[Beamafar]

Dessert menu

 

 

I went for the Bavarian cake and DH ordered the mousse

 

 

 

The top of my cake had a layer of set custard which I didn't care for, so DH happily swapped as he loves custard. I just about managed a couple of spoons of the (delicious) mousse before giving it back to DH to polish off.

 

At this stage, I was feeling so bad, I went straight back to bed. There was a Christmas Carol Concert being held in the reception area plus a short version of 'Carmen' in the theatre, both of which I would have loved to have gone to, but I just couldn't. DH told me afterward that the Carols were all Italian ones which we wouldn't have known, so I'm glad I didn't push myself to go.

 

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[Kateann61414]

I had to drag myself out of bed to go to dinner that night. I really didn't want to miss Christmas dinner. Boy, was that a mistake! It was a travesty! Here's the menu

 

 

The first page of the menu won’t load. Would you mind reposting? Thank you!

[Beamafar]

Deleted

[Beamafar]

Kateann .........I've edited the photo back in. I'm having problems with my signal. I see the photo of DH's choice of turkey supreme for Christmas Day lunch didn't load either so I'll post it again here

 

 

A few carrots and brussel sprouts on that plate would have made all the difference, visually speaking!

 

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[Beamafar]

Christmas Day's daily planner and specials

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Beamafar]

We received a letter with yesterday's planner advising that all guests are to get €50 OBC and a 10% discount on a future cruise "to be performed as last exploitable date 31st December 2018" due to us missing out on 2 ports of call " as a gesture of goodwill and understanding".

 

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[kathleen21]

I’m so sorry you aren’t feeling well! I think a live review must be a challenge when a person is well rested and healthy, so I very much appreciate your continued efforts. Thank you! I am enjoying all the details.

[Beamafar]

Thank you so much for the feedback. I've been in bed for most of the day and have been trying to catch up. The signal is letting me down which has hampered progress. We'll be in Genoa tomorrow. Hopefully I can get a lot more done then

 

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[Darcy15]

Feel better soon Bea......that’s miserable, being poorly on holiday :(

[Beamafar]

Thanks, Darcy.

 

I had to cry off going on our only excursion (to Tuscania & Tarquinia) today. The weather was horrendous and there was no way I was up for it anyway. I hadn't eaten anything yesterday and I just about managed half a bread roll this morning. DH went down to the assembly area to inform them that we wouldn't be going so as not to delay the bus waiting for us to turn up. They were very grateful and apologised that they couldn't give a refund but would rebate us 50%. We were very happy with that. Just as well we didn't go as I'm still very weak and can hardly get about.

 

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[Kateann61414]

So sorry you’re so sick. That’s the one thing that really worries me about a cruise in January. Got a flu shot today as a precaution.

[TravelinGert]

Thanks for posting all of this! My goodness the food certainly looks delicious and quite ample. Hopefully they serve some of those wonderful recipes on the Seaside when we're aboard. You make the ship sound like quite a nice vacation, Bea. :)

[Babyeddiedog]

I really feel for you, its not nice feeling ill when you're supposed to be enjoying yourself, and posting everthing that you have is a credit to you. I think you should be given a free cruise!

[Beamafar]

Thanks for your kind thoughts, folks.

 

Despite being poorly, I'm as comfortable in the bed in the cabin as I can be, given the circumstances. The beds are really amazing.

 

In Ireland, the day after Christmas Day is known as St Stephens' Day. It was our second sea day. It was a beautiful sunny day and we had the sun on the balcony all day which made being confined to bed all the more tolerable. DH went to the buffet for lunch so I don't have the menu from the MDR. However, he get a photo of the posted dinner menu so I could put it up here

 

 

It is strange to see it in the Gallery on my phone being the only photo taken on that day! I usually have to check back and forth to ensure I'm posting the right pics.

 

 

 

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Edited December 28, 2017 by Beamafar

[Beamafar]

Here are the daily planner and specials from that day. It was our third Gala night

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Edited December 28, 2017 by Beamafar

[Beamafar]

DH wouldn't go to the MDR without me so he ate in the buffet and was happy enough with that - he likes the pizza! He would also go off for a coffee and a cigarette and come back and check on me.

 

My throat was extremely dry and sore and the only thing I could face was a couple of glasses of Bailey's over the course of the day which he would go off and get for me. It really did soothe the throat.

 

Later that evening, he came back to the cabin waving a casino docket at me. He'd gone and played the slots (something he doesn't normally do - I'm the gambler!) and won a few bob which he was chuffed with. I decided to chance getting up to go and play for a while, thinking it might help distract me from my malaise. It paid off in the sense that I won a nice tidy sum to go with his winnings but it sapped my energy so it was back to bed for the rest of the evening.

 

So, yesterday we woke up in Civitavecchia to the sky disappearing into the sea - it was abysmal! However, I dragged myself up and got into the shower and went to breakfast with full intentions of going on our tour. When I got back to the cabin all I wanted to do was fall back into bed. DH said "Thank God for that!". So off he went to tell them we wouldn't be joining the excursion.

 

 

I got up around lunchtime and went to the MDR to get a photo of the lunch menu. We didn't eat there so no food pics

 

 

 

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