ace123 #126 Posted June 13 Such a nice balcony! Thank you for posting all the details on Vision OTS. I'll be sailing on Vision OTS in 2 months and appreciate your effort. Your postings of the cruise compass and pictures are very helpful. Have a wonderful time! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JBSteelerfan #127 Posted June 13 9 hours ago, Ashland said: Our lounge chairs in #8590 had movable (slide up/down and secured by a strap) head rests...first time I've seen those. That would also be nice to have. No matter what, we will have an aft balcony!! 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aring75 #128 Posted June 13 Sorry to be so absent. Internet speed is definitely lacking in our cabin. Okay in public areas, but next to glacial in the room. Formal night last night. Also, our 20-year anniversary. Had dinner in Giovanni’s. Bread basket to start: Appetizers were the oven-baked, almond crusted scallops and the prosciutto and mozzarella bake on crispy ciabatta. But I failed in my picture-taking duties. Just so you know, I excelled in my appetizer-eating. So, you know. It all evens out. Main courses- Mark got the 8 oz filet I got the baked jumbo shrimp. And we shared an order of the Maryland crab ravioli. The dessert cart. In order from left to right, Tiramisu, Chocolate Cake, Panacotta, and Canolli. 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grapau27 #129 Posted June 13 (edited) 6 hours ago, aring75 said: Sorry to be so absent. Internet speed is definitely lacking in our cabin. Okay in public areas, but next to glacial in the room. Formal night last night. Also, our 20-year anniversary. Had dinner in Giovanni’s. Bread basket to start: Appetizers were the oven-baked, almond crusted scallops and the prosciutto and mozzarella bake on crispy ciabatta. But I failed in my picture-taking duties. Just so you know, I excelled in my appetizer-eating. So, you know. It all evens out. Main courses- Mark got the 8 oz filet I got the baked jumbo shrimp. And we shared an order of the Maryland crab ravioli. The dessert cart. In order from left to right, Tiramisu, Chocolate Cake, Panacotta, and Canolli. Great photos. We love Giovanni's and dined there every night on Independence 25-28 May. My only criticism is when we dine from 8.30pm the Sweet Trolley looks quite sparse by 9.45pm. Edited June 13 by grapau27 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aring75 #130 Posted June 13 Cruise Compass - Day 2 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kernow #131 Posted June 13 Interesting to see the 'Appropriate Attire' comment in the compass, are they actually enforcing it? 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aring75 #132 Posted June 14 13 hours ago, kernow said: Interesting to see the 'Appropriate Attire' comment in the compass, are they actually enforcing it? I have not yet seen anyone enter main /specialty dining room in shorts, but I haven’t really been looking. We just had a small dinner in the Windjammer last night though. I will let you know if I notice anything crazy. Working on my Malta pics now. 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aring75 #133 Posted June 14 Sailing into Malta is beautiful. We had to be up early for a tour, so we were also able to watch the ship back into port. We booked our tour in Malta on our own through a private company (Online Malta). All of the private companies meet passengers in the same place at the end of the cruise terminal entrance next to a small jewelry store where the owner stands outside the entire time telling the women to come inside and he will help them “spend their husbands’ money.” Gag. Obviously I was thrilled when our tour guide, Antoinette, was actually a few minutes early so we could leave almost immediately. Originally, we were supposed to be with another couple (it was booked as a “small group tour”), but they cancelled last-minute so it was just us. Woo-hoo! Private tour. We drove to Mdina first to try to miss most of the tour bus trafffic. The majority of the ship’s tours start in Valleta. We arrived at the Mdina city gates first thing in the morning. Antoinette was well-versed in her countries’ history and gave us so much information. She had stories and could point out facts for almost every building, church, and palace we would walk past. Here in Mdina we were able to view St. Paul’s Cathedral, and walk through several small churches and a convent/abbey. St. Paul’s More Mdina 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aring75 #134 Posted June 14 We then made our way over to Valleta. It was still quite crowded when we got there, but we saw tour buses loading and passed several of them on our way. The Valleta City Gates have a much more modern look. Walking into the city We made our way to the Upper Barrakah Gardens. If you take the lift from ground level from the port area (costs 1€ per person) you will end up here. There are great views of the harbor, port area, and the ships in port. After the gardens, we made our way to St. John’s Co-Cathedral. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aring75 #135 Posted June 14 Vision docked in Malta Sail away was delayed by about an hour. We ended up having a light dinner in the Windjammer. Salad and a small dessert. After such a warm day, that was perfect. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aring75 #136 Posted June 14 Cruise Compass - Day 3 - Malta 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aring75 #137 Posted June 14 Crowded at the pool on our second sea day. Lots of towels on chairs, but also lots of people in the pool and hot tubs. So, not sure how many of those are “chair hogs.” The seas, though, are like glass. Beautiful. We are watching the pool-side festivities from the air-conditioned comfort of the Viking Crown Lounge. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grapau27 #138 Posted June 14 41 minutes ago, aring75 said: Vision docked in Malta Sail away was delayed by about an hour. We ended up having a light dinner in the Windjammer. Salad and a small dessert. After such a warm day, that was perfect. Fantastic photo's,we love Malta and the photos make us feel as though we are back there again. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aring75 #139 Posted June 14 1 minute ago, grapau27 said: Fantastic photo's,we love Malta and the photos make us feel as though we are back there again. Thank you! This is our first time in all of these ports, so it’s almost like sensory overload. We are loving this cruise and there’s still so much left. 😊 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grapau27 #140 Posted June 14 15 minutes ago, aring75 said: Thank you! This is our first time in all of these ports, so it’s almost like sensory overload. We are loving this cruise and there’s still so much left. 😊 There certainly is,this is why most of our cruises are around the Mediterranean and Adriatic seas. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bobmacliberty #141 Posted June 14 32 minutes ago, aring75 said: Thank you! This is our first time in all of these ports, so it’s almost like sensory overload. We are loving this cruise and there’s still so much left. 😊 Very much looking forward to seeing these ports through your eyes. Love it when you end up getting a private tour. 👍 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dreadpirate3 #142 Posted June 14 I've been quietly following, but the color of the water in Malta took my breath away! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aring75 #143 Posted June 14 1 hour ago, bobmacliberty said: Very much looking forward to seeing these ports through your eyes. Love it when you end up getting a private tour. 👍 Me too! It’s like the cruise gods are smiling. Not too sure about our tour in Santorini tomorrow. The tour operator has not been very communicative. Will keep you guys posted. My fingers are crossed! 52 minutes ago, dreadpirate3 said: I've been quietly following, but the color of the water in Malta took my breath away! Mine too! It’s the contrast, right? The stone right next to that blue, blue water? And the photos don’t even do it justice. I can see it now. I’m going to be showing my pictures to the folks back home and every single one it’s going to be, “And it looked even better in person!” Of course, that’s always the way. 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dreadpirate3 #144 Posted June 14 2 minutes ago, aring75 said: Me too! It’s like the cruise gods are smiling. Not too sure about our tour in Santorini tomorrow. The tour operator has not been very communicative. Will keep you guys posted. My fingers are crossed! Mine too! It’s the contrast, right? The stone right next to that blue, blue water? And the photos don’t even do it justice. I can see it now. I’m going to be showing my pictures to the folks back home and every single one it’s going to be, “And it looked even better in person!” Of course, that’s always the way. Yes! Just like this photo of the old fort El Morro in San Juan against the water is one of my favorites. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grapau27 #145 Posted June 14 (edited) 48 minutes ago, aring75 said: Me too! It’s like the cruise gods are smiling. Not too sure about our tour in Santorini tomorrow. The tour operator has not been very communicative. Will keep you guys posted. My fingers are crossed! Mine too! It’s the contrast, right? The stone right next to that blue, blue water? And the photos don’t even do it justice. I can see it now. I’m going to be showing my pictures to the folks back home and every single one it’s going to be, “And it looked even better in person!” Of course, that’s always the way. Santorini is fantastic. You have to tender in and cable car to the top. Edited June 14 by grapau27 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Biker19 #146 Posted June 14 2 hours ago, grapau27 said: You have to tender in and cable car to the top. Or share the walk up with the donkeys. 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grapau27 #147 Posted June 14 (edited) 24 minutes ago, Biker19 said: Or share the walk up with the donkeys. The donkeys look worn out and smelly plus the path up is dangerous. The cost is €5 for the donkey ride but we always get the cable car up and back down which is €5 pp each way. Edited June 14 by grapau27 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Biker19 #148 Posted June 14 3 minutes ago, grapau27 said: The donkeys look worn out and smelly plus the path up is dangerous. So, you don't enjoy Eau de ass? Biker, who did not find the path dangerous. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingmom2 #149 Posted June 14 following as we are looking at taking a trip across and think cruising would be the best option. 🙂 Looks like you are having an incredible time, thanks for sharing such detailed information. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grapau27 #150 Posted June 14 Just now, Biker19 said: So, you don't enjoy Eau de ass? Biker, who did not find the path dangerous. Dangerous on the back of a donkey. The cable car is only €5 each way and drops you off next to the shops. 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
