Barely A Live from Escape May16-26 2024 Trieste (Venice) to Barcelona/10-Day Mediterranean: Italy Croatia Greece France Spain

[schmoopie17]

6 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

Different perspectives that create a unique view. 

Speaking of which, it looks like the Escape is sitting in a parking lot.

Maybe it's just me. It usually is.

[schmoopie17]

@Sugar Magnolia What did you do in Messina? We'll be there in a couple of months and there seems to be nothing to do there except look up at the mechanical clock. I've seen clocks before...even mechanical ones. I grew up with a cuckoo clock, after all.

 

We're probably going to end up in Taormina, along with 95% of our fellow Escapites...

[JIMESOPUS]

@Sugar Magnolia Please keep us updated on the improvements to your vacation experience.

5/20/2024

"We are thrilled to begin charting our new course with a transformational strategy that will guide our plans for future growth. Our new ’Vacation Better. Experience More.’ vision not only captures our commitment to offer our guests unforgettable vacation experiences, but focuses our over approximately 40,000 team members to deliver on that commitment through the several strategic initiatives that comprise our ‘Charting the Course’ strategy,” said Harry Sommer, president and CEO, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. 

[Sugar Magnolia]

3 minutes ago, schmoopie17 said:

@Sugar Magnolia What did you do in Messina? We'll be there in a couple of months and there seems to be nothing to do there except look up at the mechanical clock. I've seen clocks before...even mechanical ones. I grew up with a cuckoo clock, after all.

 

We're probably going to end up in Taormina, along with 95% of our fellow Escapites...

 

I have done Taormina and Castelmola. This time I booked the Godfather tour to Savoca and Forza d'Agro. Not spectacular but I am a Coppola fan so I was interested. Disappointing when I know more than the tour guide.

 

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

6 minutes ago, JIMESOPUS said:

@Sugar Magnolia Please keep us updated on the improvements to your vacation experience.

5/20/2024

"We are thrilled to begin charting our new course with a transformational strategy that will guide our plans for future growth. Our new ’Vacation Better. Experience More.’ vision not only captures our commitment to offer our guests unforgettable vacation experiences, but focuses our over approximately 40,000 team members to deliver on that commitment through the several strategic initiatives that comprise our ‘Charting the Course’ strategy,” said Harry Sommer, president and CEO, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. 

 

It's been riveting...and transformational.

 

I do have to share that the embarkation experience on the Prima TA out of New York last month was truly unforgettable.

 

[aussierangers]

10 hours ago, Fruitpunch76 said:

NOOO!! 😱 Please continue posting photos! I love them - also before having a cocktail😜 - especially the photo with the cookies!!!🥰😉

Photo reviews are always the best👍🏻

Thanks for your amazing review👍🏻😊

I think your Trieste photos are lovely!  Keep the photos coming please ... We are spending 4 days in Trieste after our cruise, and after seeing your photos, am very glad we made that decision

[YVRteacher]

On 5/19/2024 at 10:36 AM, Sugar Magnolia said:

Croatian teas at the buffet. 
 

 

Guess what? These tea trays are at the top of the list of items passengers steal from NCL!

[YVRteacher]

On 5/19/2024 at 12:01 PM, Sugar Magnolia said:

It is hopping tonight now that we know we will gain one hour. 
 

Syd Norman’s band is performing Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours tonight so the 10:00pm show was already standing room only at 9:20pm. The 8:00pm show was packed to the gills. 
 

 

 

Howling at the Moon dueling pianos was also standing room only. 
 

 

 

The Skyline Bar is a good refuge tonight with Golden Octaves performing tunes from the 70s and 80s. 
 

 

For the game show enthusiasts…

 

 

How was Howl at the Moon? Did you enjoy it?

[YVRteacher]

@Sugar Magnolia this is a delightful live report! You are a natural and I’m really enjoying your writing and photos. Thank you!

[Sugar Magnolia]

2 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

@Sugar Magnolia this is a delightful live report! You are a natural and I’m really enjoying your writing and photos. Thank you!

Thank you! I still look for attention and approval from teachers. 😊

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

3 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

Guess what? These tea trays are at the top of the list of items passengers steal from NCL!

Wow, if they were fancy Fortnum & Mason boxes then I might consider … this was a Lipton box 😂

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

3 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

How was Howl at the Moon? Did you enjoy it?

Yes I usually do. I sat for about 20 minutes until one of the singers started singing out of tune. I will try again tonight. 
 

[ontheweb]

12 hours ago, schmoopie17 said:

@Sugar Magnolia What did you do in Messina? We'll be there in a couple of months and there seems to be nothing to do there except look up at the mechanical clock. I've seen clocks before...even mechanical ones. I grew up with a cuckoo clock, after all.

 

We're probably going to end up in Taormina, along with 95% of our fellow Escapites...

Are the passengers on the Escape really Escapites, and not Escapees? 🤣

[Sugar Magnolia]

I know a few of you have asked about excursions for this itinerary. Here are the excursions I booked for the past five days. Two thumbs up. 
 

Split, Croatia 

 

Almond Gelato

 

 

 

 

Dubrovnik, Croatia

 

Carob and Fig Gelato

 

 

 

 

Corfu, Greece

Village of Paleokastritsa

 

Kumquat Chocolate Gelato

 

 

 

 

Messina, Sicily

Town of Savoca

 

Lemon Granita

 

 

 

 

Naples, Italy

Amalfi

 

Pistachio Gelato

 

 

 

[cruiseny4life]

Now those look like amazing shore excursions!!

[schmoopie17]

If I ever consumed that much gelato and granita, brain freeze would be a thing.

Of course, many on CC have accused me of having a frozen brain.

[mking8288]

16 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

Now those look like amazing shore excursions!!

Agree, premium ... sweet & loaded shorex and calories enriching.  Extra points for the rich variety or diversity offered.  

 

Just came back from the supermarket and purposely avoided stopping at certain aisles.  

[tcmagnum]

On 5/20/2024 at 10:42 AM, Sugar Magnolia said:

I am just a bad photographer. 
 

We are actually LOVING your photos!!!

You can't be that bad - keep them coming.

 

[MedCruise_2022]

Thanks again for these wonderful pictures of your  shore excursion goodies! Will be on the look out for these gelato when in Split, Dubrovnik, and Corfu.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

20 minutes ago, schmoopie17 said:

If I ever consumed that much gelato and granita, brain freeze would be a thing.

Of course, many on CC have accused me of having a frozen brain.

I do not drink so gelato is my poison. 

A recent JAMA article confirmed that a frozen brain is less lethal than a brain fart. 
 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Dinner tonight was at Le Bistro, courtesy of American Express. 

 

I returned to the ship later than expected and begged the hostess at Le Bistro to move my reservation by half an hour so that I could wash the grime and stench off my body. I am certain the hostess backed away from me ever so slightly. She gladly accommodated my request. 
 

 

 

You might have noticed that the beef tenderloin no longer comes with foie gras but the $10 supplement sill remains. 
 

I ordered French onion soup and the duck. The soup was good as usual. None of the main dishes on the menu appeal to me so I always order the duck by default. 

 

 

No dessert but I will boogie over to the buffet for fruit so I don’t have to worry about scurvy. 

 

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

 

 

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

We are definitely feeling some movement on the ship tonight. It has been smooth like glass until now. 
 

We are porting in Civitavecchia tomorrow and Livorno the next day. How does Windy look? I know at least two of you can give me a whole presentation. 
 

[JIMESOPUS]

@Sugar Magnolia Rocking ??? What was in that Gelato? It looks like typical Mediterranean seas to me. There is an area to the west where the sea is above 10'. 

[mking8288]

1 hour ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

We are definitely feeling some movement on the ship tonight. It has been smooth like glass until now. 

Hey ... LOL, are you sure 😆 😁 😉 quick question- is the party over this evening onboard and/or aren't you not in one of the club, closing them yet - waiting to see an updated report of O'Sheehan's wings and late night options, etc. 

 

Jim just check and so did I, not seeing anything ahead in terms of rough seas - she is going a little fast at 19.2 kts per CruiseMapper, that's all.  You need to a nightcap - what's ahead on your morning schedule, don't forget to set the alarm to wake up.  

 

Jokes aside, loving the report and do get a good night sleep and rest, we don't want you to become over-extended and tired from being over-stretched.  

Edited May 21 by mking8288