World Cruise 2023 - Occasionally Live from the Island Princess

[chamima]

4 hours ago, HotRoot said:

I believe the sardines cooked in a boat was featured on The Amazing Race.

 

I was thinking the same thing! 😁

[wowzz]

9 hours ago, We_like_to_cruise said:

Playa de Pedregalejo

Really pleased you found this area, as it is off the tourist track. 

It reminds us of how Spain was fifty years ago - lots of independent restaurants, local ingredients, etc.

We walked there from the port a couple of weeks ago, and it hadn't changed from when we were there 25 years ago.

[curlyhairgirl]

Thank you so much for the wonderful summary of your journey.  It was filled with so much information, humor and beautiful pictures.  It was so enjoyable to read and it was a pleasure to follow you around the world.  

[We_like_to_cruise]

Casablanca, Morocco

 

WC2023 promised visits to six continents.  We have already been to North America, South America, Asia, Australia and Europe. Today we finish up the list with Casablanca, our port in Africa.

 

Another commercial port, we take a short bus ride and are dropped off adjacent to the United Nations Square.  It is confusing.  The entire square is surrounded by fencing – keep out – and cars are zooming by each edge as we try to figure out if we can get inside (we cannot).  Additionally, we are not sure how to interpret the sign – “we (something??? -  casv??) blanca”)  Could use some help from the audience!  Well, the Zovaco Dome is kinda cool.

 

Across from the “square” is one of the emblems of Casablanca – the Clock Tower,  The original was built in the 1900s, this version replaced it about 30 years ago.  We see many examples of French influenced as well as traditional Moorish architecture.

 

The weather is warm and breezy so we decide to walk the few miles to the Hassan II Mosque.  It is the second largest in the world (after the one in Mecca) and is the world’s tallest mosque.  Indeed we do not get too far before we see its towering minaret in the distance.  There is room for 90,000 worshipers and a laser at the top points towards Mecca. 

 

We pass “Rick’s Café” a touristic money-maker based on the classic movie “Casablanca”.  Of course the actual “Rick’s Café Americain” from the movie was merely a movie set in Hollywood and has nothing to do with this establishment.  The movie was filmed in Burbank, California, not Casablanca, Morocco!

We did not get a chance to look inside to see how it matched up with the movie – friends did enjoy it.

 

As we walk, signage for the Marina Mall appears. We pop in and are surprised to see a very large Walmart type store as one of the anchors.  It is Marjane, part of the Moroccan hypermarket chain.  An extremely helpful young customer service representative assists as we track down some souvenirs for friends and family.  (Honestly I think the fact that we were visiting from the US intrigued her.  She had a lot of questions!)  The store is large and has everything from groceries to household goods, clothing, health and beauty aids and electronics and tools.  Yep, like Walmart.  There is a large bulk section with spices and grains and pasta.

 

The rest of the mall is also very nice with upscale shops and we browse a bit.

 

The mosque is huge and visible from blocks away.  We pass through some nice neighborhoods and some that sadly look like deserted bombed out buildings. 

 

A lot of time is spent walking around and admiring the mosque and taking many pictures.  Unfortunately the mosque was only open to worshippers and we could not get a tour of the inside.

 

Heading back we pass some more unique buildings including the large Art Deco /neo-Gothic style Casablanca Cathedral.  Interestingly, it was a Catholic church for only a few years and is now a cultural center.

 

We relaxed in a lovely local park and then watched many young kids enjoying a skateboard park.  Then we dodged the pigeons in Mohammed V Square by the Palace of Justice.

 

Returning to the ship, we spent some hours at the old city medina and souks.  But, the streets were a labyrinth full of crowds and stalls and it was hot and we did not really see any bargains that struck our fancy. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 24, 2023 by We_like_to_cruise

[We_like_to_cruise]

On 4/23/2023 at 11:38 AM, HotRoot said:

I believe the sardines cooked in a boat was featured on The Amazing Race.

 

Although I have seen the show, do not know about that episode.  I will have to look it up when we get back home, thanks!

[c-boy]

16 minutes ago, We_like_to_cruise said:

Casablanca, Morocco

 

WC2023 promised visits to six continents.  We have already been to North America, South America, Asia, Australia and Europe. Today we finish up the list with Casablanca, our port in Africa.

 

Another commercial port, we take a short bus ride and are dropped off adjacent to the United Nations Square.  It is confusing.  The entire square is surrounded by fencing – keep out – and cars are zooming by each edge as we try to figure out if we can get inside (we cannot).  Additionally, we are not sure how to interpret the sign – “we (something??? -  casv??) blanca”)  Could use some help from the audience!  Well, the Zovaco Dome is kinda cool.

 

Across from the “square” is one of the emblems of Casablanca – the Clock Tower,  The original was built in the 1900s, this version replaced it about 30 years ago.  We see many examples of French influenced as well as traditional Moorish architecture.

 

The weather is warm and breezy so we decide to walk the few miles to the Hassan II Mosque.  It is the second largest in the world (after the one in Mecca) and is the world’s tallest mosque.  Indeed we do not get too far before we see its towering minaret in the distance.  There is room for 90,000 worshipers and a laser at the top points towards Mecca. 

 

We pass “Rick’s Café” a touristic money-maker based on the classic movie “Casablanca”.  Of course the actual “Rick’s Café Americain” from the movie was merely a movie set in Hollywood and has nothing to do with this establishment.  The movie was filmed in Burbank, California, not Casablanca, Morocco!

We did not get a chance to look inside to see how it matched up with the movie – friends did enjoy it.

 

As we walk, signage for the Marina Mall appears. We pop in and are surprised to see a very large Walmart type store as one of the anchors.  It is Marjane, part of the Moroccan hypermarket chain.  An extremely helpful young customer service representative assists as we track down some souvenirs for friends and family.  (Honestly I think the fact that we were visiting from the US intrigued her.  She had a lot of questions!)  The store is large and has everything from groceries to household goods, clothing, health and beauty aids and electronics and tools.  Yep, like Walmart.  There is a large bulk section with spices and grains and pasta.

 

The rest of the mall is also very nice with upscale shops and we browse a bit.

 

The mosque is huge and visible from blocks away.  We pass through some nice neighborhoods and some that sadly look like deserted bombed out buildings. 

 

A lot of time is spent walking around and admiring the mosque and taking many pictures.  Unfortunately the mosque was only open to worshippers and we could not get a tour of the inside.

 

Heading back we pass some more unique buildings including the large Art Deco /neo-Gothic style Casablanca Cathedral.  Interestingly, it was a Catholic church for only a few years and is now a cultural center.

 

We relaxed in a lovely local park and then watched many young kids enjoying a skateboard park.  Then we dodged the hundreds of pigeons in Mohammed V Square by the Palace of Justice.

 

Returning to the ship, we spent some hours at the old city medina and souks.  But, the streets were a labyrinth full of crowds and stalls and it was hot and we did not really see any bargains that struck our fancy. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the city looks clean 

[gnatz007]

Just out of curiosity, are they repeating menu's every 7 days?  Or do they mix up for you?

[EDVM96]

2 hours ago, We_like_to_cruise said:

Additionally, we are not sure how to interpret the sign – “we (something??? -  casv??) blanca”)  Could use some help from the audience!  Well, the Zovaco Dome is kinda cool.

That's from wecasablanca https://wecasablanca.com/en. Indeed a hard to understand logo design. 😄


https://medias24.com/2016/10/24/wecasablanca-la-nouvelle-marque-territoriale-de-la-ville/

 

 

 

 

[We_like_to_cruise]

22 hours ago, c-boy said:

the city looks clean 

 

Interesting comment.  One of the couples on our e-bike tour in Malaga was on an MSC cruise.  They had been in Casablanca the day before.  When I asked if they liked it she replied "lt was dirty." 

 

We did not feel the same.  We saw numerous workers out on the streets sweeping and cleaning the entire time we were in Casablanca.  And there was a distinct lack of graffiti unlike many of our European ports. 

 

The souks were hot and crowded and perhaps not as clean as the rest of the city, but it was not unexpected.

[We_like_to_cruise]

21 hours ago, gnatz007 said:

Just out of curiosity, are they repeating menu's every 7 days?  Or do they mix up for you?

 

Well we certainly have had repeats, but definitely not every 7 days.  The repetition is infrequent enough that we are glad to see some of our previous favorites back again!

[We_like_to_cruise]

Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain

 

An early morning announcement is made that the ship is cleared by the local authorities and we can disembark.  We board the (uggh, another) shuttle bus from the port to “the city center”.  After 15 minutes of waiting, there are only a half dozen people on the bus.  We are confused.  Usually there is a long line of passengers waiting to get off the ship and get into port.  We are used to waiting on lines to get off and to get onto a bus.  Where is everyone?? 

 

The bus soon leaves and drops the few of us off at the marina.  This is not the city center; that is another 15 minute walk into town.  The local tourist information center is closed.  We make our way down the main streets and it is pretty deserted.  We stop one local and he says – “Everyone is sleeping.”  Hmm, maybe we started this trek into town too early…

 

So, we walk around a bit and then back to the marina.  Now we greet a fully packed bus and approach fellow passengers.  We would like to share a taxi to the National Park and it does not take long until we find traveling companions.  Although we have not met before we spend a nice few hours together. 

 

By now the tourist information center is open – but the representative informs us he will not call for a taxi.  We need to walk back into town again to find one. 

 

This is quite a contrast from many ports where we are inundated with taxi drivers and tour guides flashing their laminated tour information sheets in our faces.  We had to work to eventually find a cab after being told of two different locations to pick one up.

 

Finally successful, we agree on a price and are driven about 30 minutes away to the Timanfaya National Park.  Our driver is also a pretty good tour guide, so we are grateful as he chatted with us during the drive.

 

Although still early, there is a long line of cars waiting to enter the park.  Our cab driver pulls over into the left lane and drives past all of them!  (Fortunately there is no oncoming traffic! – everyone is entering and no one is leaving the park).

 

We had learned onboard that a car rental is pretty easy and inexpensive on Lanzarote and that was a consideration.  But our cab driver tells us we made a good choice.  All automobiles, including rentals, must wait in the long line to enter the park (sometimes for hours he said).  But, taxis can bypass all of that and go straight to the front of the line.  Wow, lucky us.

 

He even pulls in front of the first cars waiting to purchase tickets and we give 12 Euros each to the gate attendant.  Then our driver takes us all of the way up to the top of the hill and parks adjacent to a large coach bus which we are able to promptly board.  Our admission includes a 30+ minute guided bus tour – the Ruta de los volcanes.  Personal vehicles are not allowed.

 

The Montanas del Fuego (Mountains of Fire) are 20 square miles of lava covered landscapes, volcanoes and no vegetation except some lichen covered rocks.  Often characterized as a moonscape it is eerie and impressive.  As far as the eye can see are the monochromatic black and grey rocks.  Our taxi driver recommends we each sit on the opposite side of the bus driver for the best views and there is room for us to spread out. 

 

The bus slowly makes its way up and down and around and around through this unworldly place.  You cannot leave the bus and all pictures are taken through the large bus windows.  From above we can also see the line of incoming cars getting longer and we view tourists on the camel ride in another part of the park.  (It reminded us of being led around the pony ring as children!)

 

After the bus trip, our taxi driver points out the racks of food being cooked via the heat of the volcano and has us wait for a demonstration of the volcanic heat.  A worker dumps a pail of cold water down a pipe and quickly jumps back.  Whoosh! A geyser of steam and hot water erupts to the cheers of the audience. 

 

On the way back into town our driver offers a brief stop to one of the local wineries. The grapes are grown in wide shallow holes filled with volcanic soil to counteract the arid weather and constant drying trade winds.  We are able to sample some of the wine and shop for a unique purchase.

 

Back in town we enjoy the sunny beach and colorful buildings!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 25, 2023 by We_like_to_cruise

[wowzz]

27 minutes ago, We_like_to_cruise said:

Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain

 

An early morning announcement is made that the ship is cleared by the local authorities and we can disembark.  We board the (uggh, another) shuttle bus from the port to “the city center”.  After 15 minutes of waiting, there are only a half dozen people on the bus.  We are confused.  Usually there is a long line of passengers waiting to get off the ship and get into port.  We are used to waiting on lines to get off and to get onto a bus.  Where is everyone?? 

 

The bus soon leaves and drops the few of us off at the marina.  This is not the city center; that is another 15 minute walk into town.  The local tourist information center is closed.  We make our way down the main streets and it is pretty deserted.  We stop one local and he says – “Everyone is sleeping.”  Hmm, maybe we started this trek into town too early…

 

So, we walk around a bit and then back to the marina.  Now we greet a fully packed bus and approach fellow passengers.  We would like to share a taxi to the National Park and it does not take long until we find traveling companions.  Although we have not met before we spend a nice few hours together. 

 

By now the tourist information center is open – but the representative informs us he will not call for a taxi.  We need to walk back into town again to find one. 

 

This is quite a contrast from many ports where we are inundated with taxi drivers and tour guides flashing their laminated tour information sheets in our faces.  We had to work to eventually find a cab after being told of two different locations to pick one up.

 

Finally successful, we agree on a price and are driven about 30 minutes away to the Timanfaya National Park.  Our driver is also a pretty good tour guide, so we are grateful as he chatted with us during the drive.

 

Although still early, there is a long line of cars waiting to enter the park.  Our cab driver pulls over into the left lane and drives past all of them!  (Fortunately there is no oncoming traffic! – everyone is entering and no one is leaving the park).

 

We had learned onboard that a car rental is pretty easy and inexpensive on Lanzarote and that was a consideration.  But our cab driver tells us we made a good choice.  All automobiles, including rentals, must wait in the long line to enter the park (sometimes for hours he said).  But, taxis can bypass all of that and go straight to the front of the line.  Wow, lucky us.

 

He even pulls in front of the first cars waiting to purchase tickets and we give 12 Euros each to the gate attendant.  Then our driver takes us all of the way up to the top of the hill and parks adjacent to a large coach bus which we are able to promptly board.  Our admission includes a 30+ minute guided bus tour – the Ruta de los volcanes.  Personal vehicles are not allowed.

 

The Montanas del Fuego (Mountains of Fire) are 20 square miles of lava covered landscapes, volcanoes and no vegetation except some lichen covered rocks.  Often characterized as a moonscape it is eerie and impressive.  As far as the eye can see are the monochromatic black and grey rocks.  Our taxi driver recommends we each sit on the opposite side of the bus driver for the best views and there is room for us to spread out. 

 

The bus slowly makes its way up and down and around and around through this unworldly place.  You cannot leave the bus and all pictures are taken through the large bus windows.  From above we can also see the line of incoming cars getting longer and we view tourists on the camel ride in another part of the park.  (It reminded us of being led around the pony ring as children!)

 

After the bus trip, our taxi driver points out the racks of food being cooked via the heat of the volcano and has us wait for a demonstration of the volcanic heat.  A worker dumps a pail of cold water down a pipe and quickly jumps back.  Whoosh! A geyser of steam and hot water erupts to the cheers of the audience. 

 

On the way back into town our driver offers a brief stop to one of the local wineries. The grapes are grown in wide shallow holes filled with volcanic soil to counteract the arid weather and constant drying trade winds.  We are able to sample some of the wine and shop for a unique purchase.

 

Back in town we enjoy the sunny beach and colorful buildings!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our favourite winter holiday destination !

Thanks to Cesar Manrique, the local architect who oversaw the development of the island,  only one tower has been built on the island (Gran Hotel,  Arrecife) and that was constructed illegally when Manrique was away from the island.  

[We_like_to_cruise]

Santa Cruz de La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain

 

This was a very nice port to end our cruise (not counting our upcoming seven sea days!).  No shuttle buses, no lines, just walk right off the ship into a pretty little town.  La Isla Bonita is bursting with color and this is a nice segue to our return to tropical Florida.  However, quite unlike flat Florida, it is mountainous – mile for mile more mountainous than Tibet according to one online source.

 

 We take a leisurely stroll down the Avenida Maritime promenade as we parallel the shopping district.  A huge whale sculpture leaps out of the sand.  Colonial homes overlooking the bay with their famous wooden balconies are decorated with colorful flowers. The Naval Museum is housed in a replica of Christopher Columbus’ ship the “Santa Maria”.  Across the street is a winding uphill path that leads to our last elevated views of the Island Princess.

 

This port is known for clothing shopping and DW takes full advantage.  We spend the remainder of the day visiting the shops around Plaza de Espana and along Cally O’Daly, a street named for an Irish merchant.

 

I have a concern about how much room we realistically have left for more “stuff” in our luggage.  After all, we must  start packing soon…

 

Then I try to set a good example by purchasing a belt, immediately wearing it and throwing away the old one.

 

My concerns are ignored and I suppose it will all work out somehow!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 25, 2023 by We_like_to_cruise

[We_like_to_cruise]

As noted, Santa Cruz de La Palma was our last port of call before returning home to Port Everglades.

 

But, I still have further information to post about the ship, our fellow passengers, onboard activities and a general WC2023 roundup. 

 

To be continued!

Edited April 25, 2023 by We_like_to_cruise

[USCcruisecrazy]

This has been an incredible journey.  I am very thankful for your attention to detail and all the incredible pictures.  I wish I could say this has prepared me well for my world cruise, but am afraid this journey will be my best opportunity.  Thank you for allowing me to go along for the ride!!

[gourmetnotgourmand]

Thank you so very much for your wonderful commentary and pictures.  I enjoyed every moment of your wonderful journey.

 

May I ask if you have a kettle in your cabin?   We are cruising on the Island Princess commencing 26 May.  It would be a treat.

Ursula

 

 

[We_like_to_cruise]

6 hours ago, gourmetnotgourmand said:

Thank you so very much for your wonderful commentary and pictures.  I enjoyed every moment of your wonderful journey.

 

May I ask if you have a kettle in your cabin?   We are cruising on the Island Princess commencing 26 May.  It would be a treat.

Ursula

 

 

No, we do not have a kettle in our cabin.  And, I cannot recall ever having one in the past on a Princess ship even when leaving from UK ports.

 

But it would have been nice to have one!

 

And a microwave oven!

[phabric]

1 hour ago, We_like_to_cruise said:

No, we do not have a kettle in our cabin.  And, I cannot recall ever having one in the past on a Princess ship even when leaving from UK ports.

 

 

 

I was on the Sky from Southampton May/June 2022, we had a kettle in our cabin.  I did not want to use it and ask the attendant to remove and he was shocked that I didn't want it.  He put it under the bed.

[wowzz]

4 hours ago, We_like_to_cruise said:

No, we do not have a kettle in our cabin.  And, I cannot recall ever having one in the past on a Princess ship even when leaving from UK ports.

 

But it would have been nice to have one!

 

And a microwave oven!

I think you'll find that now all Princess ships sailing ex-UK will automatically have a kettle in all cabins, otherwise there would be a riot! 

[tml1230]

On 4/25/2023 at 1:29 PM, We_like_to_cruise said:

As noted, Santa Cruz de La Palma was our last port of call before returning home to Port Everglades.

 

But, I still have further information to post about the ship, our fellow passengers, onboard activities and a general WC2023 roundup. 

 

To be continued!

Greetings once again from the regal princess. our TA is almost over and we arrive in Southampton on Sunday....

we very much look forward to your additional information and round up!

Thanks in part  to your incredible writings and pictures....(and after a few glasses of wine!!) while on board last evening, we just booked the WC 2025 on the island princess.

our son will not be not appreciate the negative  impact on his inheritance, but such is life....

Have a safe journey home......

 

[SargassoPirate]

19 hours ago, wowzz said:

I think you'll find that now all Princess ships sailing ex-UK will automatically have a kettle in all cabins, otherwise there would be a riot! 

Funny how those kettles are a dangerous fire hazard in all but the UK and OZ markets.

 

 

[Denali2003]

Hello.  For those who are currently on the Island Princess -- does it have full crew or are they still at 50-60%?  We will be boarding the Island in 2 weeks 🙂

[wowzz]

1 hour ago, SargassoPirate said:

Funny how those kettles are a dangerous fire hazard in all but the UK and OZ markets.

 

 

And also not hazardous in Europe either !

 

[HotRoot]

OK, I'll bite.  What do you do with this kettle?

[wowzz]

9 minutes ago, HotRoot said:

OK, I'll bite.  What do you do with this kettle?

Primarily to make copious cups of tea (for us Brits) or instant coffee.