Love from the VIVA! Italy-Greece

[cruiseny4life]

Mmm all those food pics are making me hungry! And I'm currently at my desk eating my morning bagel. haha

 

Looks like you're having such a great trip. I'm glad Dubrovnik was a good time. I kind of want to go there after seeing your post and photos. I've not watched an entire episode of Game of Thrones. It just looks like an amazing old school European city. 

 

Keep on having a fun time!

[laudergayle]

On 10/20/2023 at 11:44 AM, SullytheBFG said:

Thanks for replying so quickly! We are supposed to have Olympia and Istanbul, we haven’t booked any trips either as going to play it by ear. I think we have a different route as Santorini, Mykonos, Sicily, Naples etc on our itinerary.

 

We only booked three weeks ago so really looking forward to some fun and a break.

I highly recommend the NCL excursion to the Olympic Site and Museum.  And, the one we took ended with an Olive Oil tasting at Magna Grecia where we were served a tasting plate of local foods, olive oil and red wine.  It was one of the best excursions we’ve ever taken.

 

[M&JfromSDL]

Thank you for live blogging your cruise.  I've done it in the past and it's a bit of work.  We will be aboard for the TA next month.  Really enjoy your food photos!  Thank you again for sharing.

[Lvbhappy]

9 hours ago, M&JfromSDL said:

Thank you for live blogging your cruise.  I've done it in the past and it's a bit of work.  We will be aboard for the TA next month.  Really enjoy your food photos!  Thank you again for sharing.

It actually is! I didn’t think it would be—sometimes I forget to take pictures or talk about what may interest people but hey it’s something at least! 
 

I realized yesterday I’ve been forgetting to post the dailies!

 

and I’ve been doing speed tests randomly so people can have an idea of what the internet is like on board. We got the unlimited Wi-Fi but not the premium one. 
 
I tried out the gym too, with all the food I was eating I feel like I needed to get a run in! Very nice set up but the pulse fitness center on this ship is actually IN THE SPA, not just by it so I had a confusing time looking for it until I asked. 
 

 

corfu was cool! We didn’t realize it was a short stop until the day of, so my bad. All aboard time was 230pm. We got off the ship at 12 and walked through the bus station/security and beelined it to the taxis. The blue Mercedes ones will cost you 15€ and they were very nice. I basically pointed at an area in Corfu town and asked if he could take us somewhere to have a gyro and a beer! 😂

 

he was accommodating but said it was too early for a gyro most likely but he would try! It was 1230pm—I very much did not know these were more later in the day foods. Called his friend that had a restaurant to ask if it was ready and the friend said not yet. He took us down to the main area and pointed out 3 spots that may have them and the 2nd one he said this is my friend’s, it’s very good! So we walked around there and then ate at his friend’s Rouvas Tavern. Delicious. And the owner clearly saw we didn’t know what we were doing and helped us order and it was a great experience. Took a taxi back,15€. 
 

ate at cagneys, amazing as always. We had some questions about the wine and drink package so the waiter brought over the main wine guy so don’t be afraid to ask! 

[Lvbhappy]

Rouvas tavern

[txstarla]

Any word today on whether or not you are doing the stops in Turkey?

[R4zb3rry]

Could you post who is bar-tending at the Belvedere Bar if you are passing by?

[Lvbhappy]

5 hours ago, txstarla said:

Any word today on whether or not you are doing the stops in Turkey?

We got back on the ship and have heard nothing so as of now I’m assuming we are going to Turkey. Jury is still out if I get off the ship. 

[Lvbhappy]

19 hours ago, txstarla said:

Any word today on whether or not you are doing the stops in Turkey?

We did do the kudasi stop, and thus far it seems we are on for Istanbul tomorrow. We did not venture far off the ship, too nervous, just to the shops…and a Turkish MCD!

 

did stop in a pharmacy to pick up some cough syrup for a friend on board. 

[Lvbhappy]

16 hours ago, R4zb3rry said:

Could you post who is bar-tending at the Belvedere Bar if you are passing by?

I was there the other night and I think it was Nikolas? From Serbia and another fellow but I didn’t catch his name, we weren’t there long! 

[Lvbhappy]

Gosh I had this whole long thing posted for Santorini and it deleted. So painful! 
 

got off with our haven friends on the first tender, that was amazing! Cable car to the top 6€ each. Ate at an amazing Fira rooftop restaurant and had my first gyro!

 

ubered (6 people van) from firs to Oia. He was amazing, was essentially a tour guide. Took us to a secret stop at the top for pictures.  Then did the long OIA stair case down—fair warning, this took a while between the shops and stops and we were going slower for the older people with us. Amazing though. Saw the donkeys. Took the water taxi back from the bottom of Oia to the port. Highly recommend. Book in advance though, we had to leave early than we liked bc the 7&8pm were booked and full. Got an impromptu sunset cruise out of it!

[R4zb3rry]

22 minutes ago, Lvbhappy said:

I was there the other night and I think it was Nikolas? From Serbia and another fellow but I didn’t catch his name, we weren’t there long! 

Thanks for taking the time, was hoping for Jason and Nikki from the Prima.

Will have to make new friends in November I guess!

[Lvbhappy]

More pictures bc they wouldn’t add to ge last one. 
 

anyone have questions I’m not answering? 
 

[Lvbhappy]

I have the unlimited internet, but not the premium one. 
 

speed is slow but consistent

[Lvbhappy]

Random food buffet and seaside cafe pics!

[Lvbhappy]

We have le bistro tonight, and….BEETLEJUICE!! Stay tuned:). 

[cruiseny4life]

1 hour ago, Lvbhappy said:

We did not venture far off the ship, too nervous, just to the shops…and a Turkish MCD!

Did you notice any different items on the menu that American McDonald's don't have? I guess I'm a bad tourist, but I enjoy scouring the fast food menus in other lands to see what all changes. 

[Lvbhappy]

1 hour ago, cruiseny4life said:

Did you notice any different items on the menu that American McDonald's don't have? I guess I'm a bad tourist, but I enjoy scouring the fast food menus in other lands to see what all changes. 

Definitely different! They had staples like the Big Mac, chicken nuggets, and fries. But at least half the menu is turkey specific. I got a picture of some of it! There’s a lamb one and I don’t know what the daba daba is but it was there. 
 

We drove right by one on our wine tour in Italy, and that’s what got me thinking about it—they had things like pistachio crossiants! 

[Lvbhappy]

[schmoopie17]

1 hour ago, cruiseny4life said:

Did you notice any different items on the menu that American McDonald's don't have?  

Turkey sandwich??

[Alatraveler1]

3 hours ago, Lvbhappy said:

 

 

ubered (6 people van) from firs to Oia. He was amazing, was essentially a tour guide. Took us to a secret stop at the top for pictures.  Then did the long OIA stair case down—fair warning, this took a while between the shops and stops and we were going slower for the older people with us. Amazing though. Saw the donkeys. Took the water taxi back from the bottom of Oia to the port. Highly recommend. Book in advance though, we had to leave early than we liked bc the 7&8pm were booked and full. Got an impromptu sunset cruise out of it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you recall the cost of the Uber, and if it was reserved in advance or upon your arrival?  I wonder if this is typical or you just lucked out with a great driver.

[Lvbhappy]

19 minutes ago, Alatraveler1 said:

Do you recall the cost of the Uber, and if it was reserved in advance or upon your arrival?  I wonder if this is typical or you just lucked out with a great driver.

It was 47€ split between 3 couples. The Uber alone was 36€. 
 

we had planned on a taxi but asked our waiter and he’s the one that turned us on to the Uber. Goes “absolutely not. No taxi. Get an Uber, much cheaper, will be good.”

 

I DO think we lucked out with a good Uber guy though, he did not have to do the tour. He very much said okay first time? We’ll take the mountain way. And if we can, take you to good picture spot. But will have to be fast bc big brother is watching (Uber meter). Needless to say, he got a big tip!

[mapleleaves]

Interesting that the water taxi was running from Oia.  In the past it was only one way; Fira to Oia.  

Still 30E ?

[Lvbhappy]

3 minutes ago, mapleleaves said:

Interesting that the water taxi was running from Oia.  In the past it was only one way; Fira to Oia.  

Still 30E ?

It was 20€ per person. Loved it. 

[bluefish17]

Enjoying your review and am looking forward to my upcoming trip on Viva. Could you take a picture tf the spirits menu at the whiskey bar? Thanks!