Live from the Splendida

[DCGuy64]

Greetings from the MSC Splendida! We embarked this morning at Trieste, the embarkation process was surprisingly quick. We arrived at the port right on time at 10 am. It took a few minutes to explain to the man at check-in that we hadn’t spent any time in the countries on the “no-go” list during the past 14 days. They checked our passports and our CDC cards, and after that we had an uncomfortable but rapid COVID swab test. We were whisked on board and enjoyed a glass of champagne at the concierge desk while various bits of information were provided. Apart from the two Italian ports we’re visiting, fully vaccinated passengers CAN go ashore without an MSC-sponsored excursion. Dinner  tonight was incredible: delicious vegetarian ceviche for me followed by freshly made cannelloni with veal and an amazing tuna steak. My wife had three vegetarian starters and then ice cream for dessert, while I opted for the Sachertorte. So far the most surprising thing was landing at Milan airport and having 0 problems, no checks, no tests, nothing. Done with passport control in under 2 minutes. Feel free to ask any questions. Thanks! 
PS the famous Arthur Javier was discussed at length with one of our waiters. 😊 

[BermudaBound2014]

I thought you were either just starting a cruise or just ending one and popped over here hoping to find you. I'm thrilled you are posting live. Sounds like a painless process. Wishing you a marvelous week onboard! 

[Preziosa]

Which country Can you go ashore by yourself

[portofrome]

Thank you for posting. Have a great cruise!

[DCGuy64]

2 hours ago, Preziosa said:

Which country Can you go ashore by yourself

Croatia and Greece

[soloadventurer]

Do you know if any UK passengers are onboard ?

[DCGuy64]

4 hours ago, soloadventurer said:

Do you know if any UK passengers are onboard ?

I haven’t heard any yet. Mostly Italians, German, Austrian, French, and some Czech passengers. No other Americans that I can tell. Had a beautiful day in Ancona and now relaxing at the One Pool in the Yacht Club. The YC restaurant is located at the back of the ship, so we get escorted there for dinner. It’s not a bad walk and the exercise is good after eating pasta, pizza and chocolate croissants. The American vaccination card was easily accepted at the grottoes in Frasassi that we visited earlier today. 

Edited August 29, 2021 by DCGuy64

[DCGuy64]

14 hours ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

I thought you were either just starting a cruise or just ending one and popped over here hoping to find you. I'm thrilled you are posting live. Sounds like a painless process. Wishing you a marvelous week onboard! 

Thank you so much! It’s fun to have my Cruise Critic friends along for the ride. 😊 

[soloadventurer]

Cheers DC - enjoy your cruise

[phred119s]

@DCGuy64 if you hear any chatter about experiences with recovery certificates, I would love to hear about it.  Thank you!

[DCGuy64]

Today we visited Dubrovnik on our own. It’s very touristy and quite expensive. We spent the equivalent of €42 for a couple of entrees and two drinks. The weather was really lovely, blue skies and very warm. Tonight we spent an hour in the Aurea Spa, it’s only available by appointment (you can do an hour each day), and they only have saunas open, no steam rooms or pools. We had a delicious dinner, tonight was Mediterranean themed so I had a plate of Spanish tapas, a Caprese salad and wonderful lasagna bolognese. I was stuffed but managed some stracciatella ice cream for dessert. Tomorrow we visit Bari. 

 

[At Sea At Peace]

23 hours ago, DCGuy64 said:

Today we visited Dubrovnik on our own. It’s very touristy and quite expensive. We spent the equivalent of €42 for a couple of entrees and two drinks. The weather was really lovely, blue skies and very warm. Tonight we spent an hour in the Aurea Spa, it’s only available by appointment (you can do an hour each day), and they only have saunas open, no steam rooms or pools. We had a delicious dinner, tonight was Mediterranean themed so I had a plate of Spanish tapas, a Caprese salad and wonderful lasagna bolognese. I was stuffed but managed some stracciatella ice cream for dessert. Tomorrow we visit Bari. 

 

 

And.....

 

😉

[KennyFla]

Glad you made the cruise.  Have a great time.

[At Sea At Peace]

6 hours ago, KennyFla said:

Glad you made the cruise.  Have a great time.

 

I believe we are going to have to put out a 'welfare check' for @DCGuy64 to make sure he is OK.  😄

[drsel]

On 8/31/2021 at 3:27 AM, DCGuy64 said:

Today we visited Dubrovnik on our own. It’s very touristy and quite expensive. Tomorrow we visit Bari. 

We had done the 2 hours Old city + 2 hours Game of Thrones combined walking tour at Dubrovnik @€20 per person.

We had an excellent licensed professional guide for 4 hours!

 

There used to be a tram tour and a free walking tour (based on tips), starting just outside the port in Bari.

The Bari walking tour was also very good!

Edited September 2, 2021 by drsel

[DCGuy64]

On 9/1/2021 at 6:13 PM, At Sea At Peace said:

 

I believe we are going to have to put out a 'welfare check' for @DCGuy64 to make sure he is OK.  😄

Doing fine, my wife was getting after me for posting too much. LOL we’re at sea today, yesterday we were in Corfu. We went on a tour that took us to a distillery where we could try several kinds of liqueurs made from kumquats, and then we went to a typical small restaurant and had a plate of traditional Greek food. Tomorrow we’re in Split, and then Saturday we go back to Trieste. Service has been excellent, the capacity is probably less than 50% especially in the Yacht club, and the food has been outstanding. I highly recommend the pizza and the pasta especially. 

 

Edited September 2, 2021 by DCGuy64

[sidari]

DC ... On Corfu was it Mavromatis where you visited for the liqueur tasting ? That is a usual one and then on to Paleokastritsa.

[Huntingdon1701]

Thanks for the update on the spa. Was wondering about that. What's the YC pool deck like? Is the plunge pool and hot tub open?

 

If you get a chance, would be good to know if their personal training sessions are still running in the gym. 

 

Enjoy the cruise!

Edited September 4, 2021 by Huntingdon1701

[soloadventurer]

Dc out of interest how busy is the ship ie capacity?

[BermudaBound2014]

If you are on a 7 day cruise (I can't remember) I believe you are debarking today. HOpe you continued to have a wonderful time and safe travels back across the pond! 

[At Sea At Peace]

On 9/4/2021 at 10:45 AM, BermudaBound2014 said:

If you are on a 7 day cruise (I can't remember) I believe you are debarking today. HOpe you continued to have a wonderful time and safe travels back across the pond! 

 

Yep.

 

Unless they are on another cruise.  🤞

 

Missed @DCGuy64 posts, but during his (their) cruise I don't want him sent to the marital 'naughty room' for posting.  😁

[DCGuy64]

On 9/2/2021 at 8:01 PM, sidari said:

DC ... On Corfu was it Mavromatis where you visited for the liqueur tasting ? That is a usual one and then on to Paleokastritsa.

Yes, that’s the one we went to. Really fun, too. We got to try a lot of liqueurs. 

On 9/4/2021 at 12:51 PM, soloadventurer said:

Dc out of interest how busy is the ship ie capacity?

Seemed pretty low, but we were in the Yacht Club 99% of the time and it was pretty quiet. I’d say 50% or so. 

[DCGuy64]

On 9/4/2021 at 4:45 PM, BermudaBound2014 said:

If you are on a 7 day cruise (I can't remember) I believe you are debarking today. HOpe you continued to have a wonderful time and safe travels back across the pond! 

Thank you! We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The procedures for getting on board were pretty painless and quick. Getting off the ship at the end couldn’t have been easier. 

[MouseBerry]

Hi,

we start the 7 day med cruise on Splendida this Saturday. I understand that excursions on own are possible in Split, Dubrovnik and Corfu. In Dubrovnik we do an MSC excursion, but Split and Corfu on our own. Is it possible to walk in Split from the cruise terminal to the old town?

What about Corfu? I read that one could walk form the cruise terminal to the old town, but it is a 30min walk. There should be a public bus. But did MSC offer a shuttle service?

 

Thank

MouseBerry

[CruiseIreland]

18 hours ago, MouseBerry said:

Hi,

we start the 7 day med cruise on Splendida this Saturday. I understand that excursions on own are possible in Split, Dubrovnik and Corfu. In Dubrovnik we do an MSC excursion, but Split and Corfu on our own. Is it possible to walk in Split from the cruise terminal to the old town?

What about Corfu? I read that one could walk form the cruise terminal to the old town, but it is a 30min walk. There should be a public bus. But did MSC offer a shuttle service?

 

Thank

MouseBerry

In Split, you dock very close to the town, short walk. In Corfu, you are, as you say, a long and unattractive walk to town. The port offered a shuttle to the bus stop for catching the public bus to town but MSC will probably offer s shuttle to the town centre. Will you be allowed to go out on your own? DC guy will have more up to date information. 

Edited September 15, 2021 by CruiseIreland