Bravo! Orchestra! Review with pictures of Med Cruise April 18-29, 2018.

[kathleen21]

 

Eventually we kept going, finding a Costa coffee shop for espresso and free wifi. Valletta is so clean, there were public toilets available and the free maps even had street names on them. Seriously, the things you appreciate when you haven’t had them for a few days!

 

 

 

 

 

We made our way to the Palace square as a parade of boy and girl scouts went by. This was in honor of St Georges Day we were told. The crowds were starting to get bad, so we headed back to the main square to catch a bus to Mdina.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[kathleen21]

We had to ask directions, and were sent down some steps to a main road with a couple of bus stops.

 

 

There were a couple of buses that went to Mdina – the times were on the bus stops. Plus there were a lot of people around who seemed to know what they were doing, so we confirmed with them. The bus trip was about half an hour, air conditioned one way at least, and only 3E round trip. City shots on the way-

 

 

 

 

Mdina in the distance

 

When we got off at Mdina we noted the times that the buses were leaving to go back to Valletta – we didn’t want to take any chance of missing our ship! As a side note, we asked at the taxi stand and it would take 25 minutes and cost 25E each way.

 

Mdina was charming! Every few feet you wanted to stop and take pictures!

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[kathleen21]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[kathleen21]

We shopped a bit, then went to lunch at Fontanellla Tea Room, a recommendation from a Maltese friend for the food and the view. They were right about both. We sat upstairs on the patio with an expansive view of the island.

 

 

 

 

 

We ordered the traditional Malta sandwich (tuna, toasted), Fantanella classic pizza and the signature chocolate cake to share. Along with a bottle of Maltese white wine, of course. [emoji16] (17E/couple. We found Mdina to be very reasonably priced for food, drinks and souvenirs)

 

Watch out for these flying crooks. We saw them swoop in and take food off of peoples plates that didn’t even notice!

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[kathleen21]

I hope I’m conveying how charming we thought these cities were. Mdina especially was just so beautiful and relaxing to walk around in and explore. It’s hard to stop adding more photos to this already trip report! So here’s a few more before moving on [emoji41]

 

 

 

 

 

After lunch we wandered along the stone walls and explored more of the alleys and plazas before heading back to the bus. Timing: 1100 left Valletta, 1130-1345 Mdina, 1400 bus to Valletta. While there is always more to do we felt like our time in Mdina was perfect. This still left us with an hour to walk around and enjoy Valletta before taking the lift down to the port.

 

The afternoon view from the upper gardens, and looking down at a perfect wedding venue-

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[kathleen21]

 

 

At this port also there was a little duty free shop where we bought some wine to carry on. I didn’t hide it or anything, and was willing to have it put away somewhere until the end of the cruise, but no one said anything and I carried it onboard. And eventually drank it [emoji16]

 

We were back on board at 3:15pm, and up on the pool deck with icy drinks in hand for the sail away party. The music was fun, it was not too crowded, and the view pulling out of Malta was gorgeous.

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Nimloth]

Fantastic photos Kathleen! Valletta is also on our cruise itinerary and it looks beautiful.

[kathleen21]

Valletta Daily

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[kathleen21]

This was the free port map- although we still managed to get lost, with this, street signs and an online map...

 

 

We joined everyone for dinner, and I noted that our food was very good tonight. We had veal salad, lentil soup, prime rib, salmon, lasagna and hummus with falafel.

 

One complaint that I had read about on CC was the watery salad in the dining room. That actually turned out to be true for us. But it became kind of joke, especially after a nameless someone drained the water into the butter bowl[emoji33] ( no worries, we confessed 🤣)

 

 

 

Tonight’s show was opera, and Ray and I were the only ones that attended from our group. I do feel like we are getting a good musical education on this trip! By the time it was over, we were yawning and called it a night.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[kathleen21]

Fantastic photos Kathleen! Valletta is also on our cruise itinerary and it looks beautiful.

 

 

 

I think you will love Valletta. I’m embarrassed to say that I didn’t really know where Malta was before I started doing research for this cruise. Now, however, I would like to go back and spend a week on Malta.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[kathleen21]

The Daily from our first Sea Day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[kathleen21]

So as I was going through my pictures to get my next post ready I found this-

Party animals that we are, that’s all we saw of the white party[emoji42]

 

Monday, April 23, 2018 – CORFU and Our Anniversary!

 

One of the things that I really liked when I was exploring this itinerary was that we would be celebrating our anniversary in Greece, and that we would get a chance to sleep in too! Of course, I still woke up early, but not to an alarm at least. I got my coffee and did my run around the deck before joining Ray at “our table” on the aft deck of the buffet. It was fun that our friends surrounded us and sang “Happy Anniversary.”

 

At 1015 we went to the Covent theater for the “Behind the Scenes” video presentation. There was interesting information about the engine room and the amount of cleaning done on the ship. Not that much on dining or laundry because they want to sell that tour.

 

 

We went to lunch in the dining room again today. It is just so easy and relaxing, and uncrowded – even on what felt like a sea day.

 

 

 

Then it was time to explore Corfu! The four of us easily walked off the ship and took a short, free shuttle ride to the Port entrance. The store owners along the walk into town were very friendly and free with advice.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[kathleen21]

The historic old town was so charming with scenic architecture and shops down winding, narrow lanes. I bought a leather belt from a store owner that cut and fit it to me, and even punched an extra hole in Ray’s current belt, all the while smiling and talking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[kathleen21]

 

We kept walking until we got to a large plaza where a restaurant owner offered us a 10% discount to buy drinks at his place. He also had free wifi. Plus, it was hot and I really wanted to try a Greek iced coffee. Sold. Each of our drinks, and that included wine, beer and peach tea, were all good.

 

After that needed break we headed to the old fort. We ended up getting in free there because it was after 4pm. Which meant we couldn’t climb to the very top.

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[kathleen21]

 

 

 

But we walked around the rest of the area, taking pictures, then slowly headed back to the ship. This time we took the route along the sea.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[kathleen21]

We did 8 miles of walking in a fairly short time on Corfu. We were back on board at 7pm, about half an hour early.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[kathleen21]

Corfu Daily-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[kathleen21]

wow. I now really want to go to Corfu! incredible

 

I’m sure there is much more to explore, but what we did in that afternoon was perfect. Looking at the pictures reminds me of how clean and pure the atmosphere felt.

 

Corfu specializes in kumquats - so we brought some kumquat liquor and limoncello on board. Again, not hidden, no problems.:D

[Cullyman15]

Continuing to enjoy your fabulous review. Barcelona is a wonderful city, we enjoyed it as a port day and returned for a land based trip a few months later. Highly recommended. One of the great things about cruising, getting a taster of places.

I'm trying not to wish my life away but it's now less than 8 weeks until we board Orchestra and this thread is enhancing my excitement :cool:

We are sailing on Orchestra 30 Aug out of warnemunde

[Cullyman15]

Kathleen21

 

We also purchased the Thermal Spa pass for the entire cruise, can you tell us a bit more about that experience and what was and was not included

 

Thanks again for this great post

[kathleen21]

Kathleen21

 

We also purchased the Thermal Spa pass for the entire cruise, can you tell us a bit more about that experience and what was and was not included

 

Thanks again for this great post

 

 

 

Hi, Cullyman! I would be happy to. I bought the thermal pass for myself online before the cruise for $65. My husband isn’t at all interested, so he didn’t get one. On the first day I went to the spa and checked in, filled out a short form, then each time you go they hold your cruise card and give you a locker key. There are separate women’s and men’s rooms with toilets, showers, lockers and changing rooms down the hall from the desk and gym. That hall leads to the dry saunas and steam rooms. I bought the pass mostly because I wanted to experience this-

 

 

And that’s exactly how it was. I went almost everyday, first to the gym for some stretches and yoga, then to the jacuzzis and then the saunas. There are also lounge chairs in the jacuzzi room to relax and enjoy the view. The most people I ever saw was 6 in the 3 jacuzzis. Usually I was able to have my own jacuzzi. I think I only shared the sauna one time. I usually went in the late afternoon, and I don’t know if it was busier earlier in the day.

 

I never had to endure any sales pitches. There is cold water in a pitcher at the front counter too.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Cullyman15]

Hi, Cullyman! I would be happy to. I bought the thermal pass for myself online before the cruise for $65. My husband isn’t at all interested, so he didn’t get one. On the first day I went to the spa and checked in, filled out a short form, then each time you go they hold your cruise card and give you a locker key. There are separate women’s and men’s rooms with toilets, showers, lockers and changing rooms down the hall from the desk and gym. That hall leads to the dry saunas and steam rooms. I bought the pass mostly because I wanted to experience this-

 

 

And that’s exactly how it was. I went almost everyday, first to the gym for some stretches and yoga, then to the jacuzzis and then the saunas. There are also lounge chairs in the jacuzzi room to relax and enjoy the view. The most people I ever saw was 6 in the 3 jacuzzis. Usually I was able to have my own jacuzzi. I think I only shared the sauna one time. I usually went in the late afternoon, and I don’t know if it was busier earlier in the day.

 

I never had to endure any sales pitches. There is cold water in a pitcher at the front counter too.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

Awesome!!!! my wife and I both got these, you cant beat it for $65 for a 12 day cruise especially compared to what other cruise lines charge. we have 3 days so you can bet we will be using them on those days for sure. On another note - I noticed a lot of long pants in some of your pictures, was this because the weather was cool or people just preferred to wear long pants over there.

[kathleen21]

I noticed a lot of long pants in some of your pictures, was this because the weather was cool or people just preferred to wear long pants over there.

 

It was a combination of factors. We had checked the weather forecast and it looked to be in the highs 60’s to 70, so we each only brought one pair of shorts. We also wanted to be sensitive to any churches dress code. I brought light weight hiking pants which I think were the perfect protection from the sun, not too hot, and not as revealing as shorts can be. That being said, the men mainly wore jeans or hiking shorts, the women pants or sun dresses. Because it ended up being much hotter than we anticipated- many days were in the mid 80’s.

 

I think I remember that you are going in August? It will be very hot in some cities in the south especially. Another package we bought was laundry- 40 items for $50. You don’t have to send all 40 at once, so we did laundry 3 times over the 12 days. We left the laundry bag and form on our bed before 8 am and got the clean, folded clothes back by 5 pm the next day. I have the laundry form if you are interested in the regular prices.

 

Also, if you are from the US, there is a free water in the dining room beverage package available. You need to go online and scroll to the bottom of the food and drinks section to find it and add it to your accounts.

 

Please let me know if you have any more questions. You have a wonderful trip planned!

[Cullyman15]

It was a combination of factors. We had checked the weather forecast and it looked to be in the highs 60’s to 70, so we each only brought one pair of shorts. We also wanted to be sensitive to any churches dress code. I brought light weight hiking pants which I think were the perfect protection from the sun, not too hot, and not as revealing as shorts can be. That being said, the men mainly wore jeans or hiking shorts, the women pants or sun dresses. Because it ended up being much hotter than we anticipated- many days were in the mid 80’s.

 

I think I remember that you are going in August? It will be very hot in some cities in the south especially. Another package we bought was laundry- 40 items for $50. You don’t have to send all 40 at once, so we did laundry 3 times over the 12 days. We left the laundry bag and form on our bed before 8 am and got the clean, folded clothes back by 5 pm the next day. I have the laundry form if you are interested in the regular prices.

 

Also, if you are from the US, there is a free water in the dining room beverage package available. You need to go online and scroll to the bottom of the food and drinks section to find it and add it to your accounts.

 

Please let me know if you have any more questions. You have a wonderful trip planned!

 

Thanks againfor the info this has been a great help. We also purchased the laundry package but only the 20 pack, and we are from Canada so the water is also included, plus a wine package for dinner :D

[hun]

Hi, Cullyman! I would be happy to. I bought the thermal pass for myself online before the cruise for $65. My husband isn’t at all interested, so he didn’t get one. On the first day I went to the spa and checked in, filled out a short form, then each time you go they hold your cruise card and give you a locker key. There are separate women’s and men’s rooms with toilets, showers, lockers and changing rooms down the hall from the desk and gym. That hall leads to the dry saunas and steam rooms. I bought the pass mostly because I wanted to experience this-

 

 

And that’s exactly how it was. I went almost everyday, first to the gym for some stretches and yoga, then to the jacuzzis and then the saunas. There are also lounge chairs in the jacuzzi room to relax and enjoy the view. The most people I ever saw was 6 in the 3 jacuzzis. Usually I was able to have my own jacuzzi. I think I only shared the sauna one time. I usually went in the late afternoon, and I don’t know if it was busier earlier in the day.

 

I never had to endure any sales pitches. There is cold water in a pitcher at the front counter too.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

 

 

Was the $65 thermal spa a special discount? Or maybe prices are going up...? I’d love to have the thermal spa package especially as we also have a few sea days, but checking our booking, the site says it’s $101 for our 10 night Preziosa in September 2019. [emoji854]

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums