Splendida cruise + some Malta info

[Beauseant]

It's ok. When writing a bit on the long side, I write it on "Words doc" than just copy/paste to here. You're right, this site crashes many times. Thanks :)

[hat776]

Hi Beauseant - as you know we are sailing on the Splendida next month.

 

What surprised me is that I've read that dinner is at 7.00 and 9.30 but know Hamilton Travel is saying 7.30. It's so confusing.

It's strange that it was 7 in Summer and now it's 7.30.

Some friends who regularly sail MSC and Costa say they always choose the first sitting say they always arrive 15 min late and it takes another 15 min before they are served.

So if folk start their dinner at 8.00 it must be quite a rush to be ready by , at least, 9.15.

[hat776]

Beauseant - I just read the post you had written regarding English speaking folk etc etc

Did you see the one 'MSC why can't they learn'.

The OP had a few complaints but then said "They need to learn that dealing with state-side guests is very different than those they may have seen in Europe."

That is the problem I suppose. Our American friends don't always accept that this is an Italian line mainly geared to European pax.

They are shocked that iced water isn't served.

Many find it difficult to adapt to European way of life and culture and so are disappointed with MSC.

I'm really looking forward to my "Ferrari" cruise . At least this time I'll be able to make comparisons . I'm sure it wil be classier.

You must be as disappointed as my husband in this year's F1 season.

[anne s]

I am leaving for the same cruise on Oct 26. I will leave from Barcelona and wll spend a couple days ahead to see the city.

 

I am going to take the tour with the cruise line to Rome and Tunis.

 

Can you tell me if they offer schuttle buses for the other ports I think I will do them on my own.

[Beauseant]

Hello Hat776,

 

The times I gave are those which we were allocated to. But remember that these were summer times, as our cruise was last August. But honestly, I think that if first sitting is going to be held at 7.30pm, than 2nd one will surely at least at 9.30pm or half an hour later to compensate for this.

 

We and the majority of the other guests were in time for dinner. Normally many were even waiting for the Restaurant doors to open about 10 minutes earlier. After doors were open, we used to sit or be guided to our table. Than our waiters would come to take our drink/food orders. Our waiters were very efficient, and in around 5 minutes from sitting, we would be already drinking a glass of Merlot or Cabernet (ice-TAP water dilutes food palate in my opinion but.....).

 

Food followed maybe after another 5 minutes. We never felt hurried, and had enough time to eat/drink and always were in time to watch the shows at the Theatre too.

 

Once I read somewhere (in these or other cruise forums) that in winter, Dinner times are held a bit earlier. So, you will know your exact time, only when you step on board ,for in your cabin, you’ll find the daily “newspaper” and on it there’ll be all times/info that you need. So stop worrying and prepare to pack :).

 

Last week, a Maltese couple that follow these forums here, met me at my place of work and I showed them pics/clips and other info, (on my place of work’s computer—no problem for me). I work in Floriana, and if you wish to see more info (have 3gigs of info on Splendida-pics/clips/maps etc) + other things like all the daily newspapers/ charts/breakfast order sheets/etc, don’t hesitate to contact me on:

 

zaren178173@yahoo.com

 

(....certu affarijiet ahjar ma nejdomx hawn, ghax kulltant bhal meta jejdi... tkun tixtieq taqta dik l’id li trid tikol biegha!)

[Beauseant]

Was not going to reply to you on this one, Hat776, but as I'm an outspoken person, here goes:

 

You mentioned these “state-side” persons (where ever they might come from, cause have met many nice US people that just love our way of life, + even have family members there....therefore am not critizing the Americans in any way! ) who are always groaning or critizing this and that about our European culture or way of doing things? If they don’t like it here, they should stay “state-side”. There are many other cruise companies apart MSC and Costa. No one can pretend that we change our eating /drinking /clothing/habits for them or for anyone else.

 

You said “ They are shocked that iced water isn't served.” ...I was shocked seeing 2 couples(4 people!) sharing a 100ml can of coke!! And this was not a one-off thing!

 

Anyway, who do these persons think they are?? We welcome everyone to have a “taste” of our European culture and heritage that spans thousands of years, but if they don’t like it, too bad for them cause we won’t change for them! Qares l’gheneb!!

 

You find these type of people everywhere unfortunately. These people think that God created them superior to others and so they hate seeing other people living and enjoying a better standard of living than them.

 

It’s very simple, e.g.: I don’t like eating frogs/snails/snakes etc, so I don’t try any restaurant that specialises in these exotic foods. Another example: Some cruise lines organise LGBT cruises (mentioned here in CC too)....so, if persos finds this offensive, how can they book on a cruise catering for these type of people? So, in my opinion, if these people (state-side or from Mars for that) don’t like our way of doing things, they should stick to their own “style “of cruises ships.

 

And think they would be doing us a big favour because we don’t like mixing with moaning/gloomy/sad looking people.We like to relax and having fun during our vacation.

 

All ships have their own beauty(and soul) in a way. I love ships (worked for years on them in the past) but some have that “extra” edge on the others. For now think that MSC Splendida is nicest/best cruise liner operating here in Europe. ...obviously that is until newer/bigger ones like NCL’s Epic try to set claim on the crown. Hope that NCL Epic will sail here to Malta too.

 

But as I said before, it’s down to tastes....so,in short I find no issue in that, I like wine with Dinner, while others like free tap water+ice.

 

P.S. Am not that disappointed how things went this year in regards to Formula1. Ferrari is statistically the most successful F1 team in history (6 time drivers world champions + 8 time constructor world champions and ONLY during last 10 years) so we Ferrari Fans needed a break after this 10 year onslaught. With Fernando Alonso joining team next year, things will be back to NORMAL as usual. But It’s not fun knowing beforehand that 90% of the time, it’ll be a red car taking the cheque flag at the finish line first! :)

[Beauseant]

Hello anne s,

 

Good idea to spend some time before your cruise in Barcelona. Very nice place and much to see.

 

There are MSC shuttled buses to Marseille and back.

 

In Genoa,(Splendida docked at Ponte Andrea Doria) there aren’t cause ships docks smack in the middle of the city....many things to see there , like the biggest aquarium in Europe which is under 1 mile by walk (25mins walk), the Maritime museum , “ Piazza De Ferrari”, the Opera, the house where Christopher Columbus is said to have been born, and so on are only a short distance by foot.

 

http://home.manana.it/img/town/mappa_genova.jpg

 

In Malta and Messina there are no MSC schuttles, but

if you scroll to the beginning of this thread, you will have nearly all info + links you need.

[buggins0402]

Hi Beausant,

 

That's a great map - saw it on mappery too. But, darn if I can figure out how to center it just right and copy it so I can read it - it's been driving me nuts. Have you found a way to copy just sections? I can get sections but then they still print tiny.

[Beauseant]

What I did was:

 

1) saved map and opened it with Microsoft Office Picture Manager.

 

2)Clicked on "Auto Correct" button to make it more sharp.

 

3) Clicked "Edit Picture" and used "Crop" to crop to desired size( I used in this particular map, 2x2 map boxes. Clicked OK, and from "File" choose "Save As". Saved it under different name.Than printed it in A4 size. Mine is clear enough to read.

 

hope you understood my explanation :)

[Beauseant]

P.S. I use Firefox as my Browser, and when I printed these map sections, I choose max size (A4 size).Therefore pic sections are being sort of expanded. After I glued all sections together and had a bigger map. Sorry but am not that good at explaining these things, so hope that did not confuse you more :)

[buggins0402]

Thanks Beausant, I'll give it a try! I can research things pretty well, but technologically I've been left in the dark ages.

 

For those who want a cruise ship port hand-out with map, but don't want to pay the Euro to MSC. Princess cruises has some nice port hand-outs including maps on PDF on their web-site (not all the ports but the Med is decently covered). Also found some things on Royal Caribbean. Unfotunately, haven't found one on Genoa. Wish the port info on CC, which is pretty good, included tourist maps of ports.

[Beauseant]

Will check Princes's maps thanks.

 

This is a bird’s eye view of Porto di Genoa.

 

http://civis.comune.genova.it/uc5_web/img/background_04_home.jpg

 

Some more maps of Genoa.

 

http://www.dif.unige.it/risorse/infoge/

 

http://www.planetware.com/map/genoa-map-i-gen_c.htm

[buggins0402]

Ding...ding...Ding and we have a winner!! Thanks, Beauseant that last map is very readable - easy to see route to Via Garibaldi. Thanks again.

 

Would be interesting to have you and Hat critique this link on Valletta:

 

http://www.eportreviews.com/Europe/Valletta_Malta.htm

 

The above site also has a DIY for some other ports including Tunisia.

 

For those interested in the Princess guides here's the link to their ports of calls. Not all those listed have PDF port guides when you click on the port link, however. Marseille, Barcelona and Civitavecchia do (PDF link is at the bottom of the page that appears after you click on the port) .

 

http://www.princess.com/learn/ports/europe/index.html

[buggins0402]

Did some more exploring of Royal Caribbean's site. They have many of their port guides PDF'd and actually they're a little better in the map department then Princess.

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/ports/group/home.do;jsessionid=0000uuw8cYPeG0XLLYi23X67GUd:13hldio7n?dest=EUROP

 

Click on the port, then click on port explorer link and PDF will come up.

[Beauseant]

Thanks verrrry much buggins0402 :)

 

Was seeing those fantastic royal caribbean/princess links. Vey informatic! Tomorrow will "study" them a bit more, and think will download the most important in case those links go dead or something. But never tried to look into other cruise company's sites before, for info. Again thanks.

 

About that Valletta link. There are many inexact things in it; example those 2 pics are not museums but the Prime Minister's Office/ministry and the other is the Law Courts buildings.

 

Valletta was built AFTER the 1565 Great Siege of Malta, and was never invaded as such by muslims/arabs. But, it's a little informative for tourists as well. Malta's history goes back at least 7,500 years (will be more if it's confirmed that there are temples underwater off Malta....but that is another story) and is very complex, so better not bore anyone here :)

 

But again, thanks for those links !

[cakeordeath]

wow...so interesting. We are American (Italian heritage) and we sailed on the Lirica over here last year in the Caribbean. We were shocked and embarrassed by some other American passengers behavior when dealing with the language barrier and with the different culture on MSC. It was so wrong.

I identify with what you have said above. It's almost like they expect everyone to be like them. Then don't sail on an Italian line...it's that simple.

We had a wonderful trip and are so excited about out upcoming one on Splendida.

[hat776]

cakeordeath - the vast majority of Americans would agree with you. However, those few who think they are above ordinary european mortals give the wrong impression. Also those who think that if something is different to the way it is in the States it is automatically inferior.

[Beauseant]

Hello cakeordeath,

 

Well, as I said before, am not saying that “state-side” people are more snobbish than others, or that they moan more…..far from it ….(most moaning/pessimistic/ persons I know are my neighbors!).

 

In my life I’ve made many friends with U.S. folks. For example 7 or 8years ago spent 3 whole months working on USS La Salle, and found many of her crew, fantastic guys/gals to work with. Had a good buzz!

 

In my opinion (may be wrong on this) think that a small minority of North Americans have this feeling of superiority complex and see other countries as some backward Stone Age countries. You can find some of these in these forums too. Think that all those Rambo/Schwarzenegger movies are the cause of this. :)

 

In Europe too, we have many of these types. Just Ignore them!

 

I for one, just ignore these people, and don’t let their arrogant ways spoil my fun. It’s a pity though, because these few may be giving a bad name to all those nice people “state-side”.

 

You will love Splendida …100% sure of this.

[buggins0402]

I identify with what you have said above. It's almost like they expect everyone to be like them. Then don't sail on an Italian line...it's that simple.

 

 

What Cake said +1!

 

Another thing I've noticed is American's seem absolutely polar opposites on the whether they like the food. This is only a guess since I haven't sailed MSC - but if you're idea of a great night out is Outback or Olive Garden - you might look for another cruise line. But, if you're the Andrew Zimmeran type and the squid quiche mentioned in another thread sounds like something you would like to try - give it a go - you might not only love the food but also be enriched by the overall experience.

[buggins0402]

Thanks verrrry much buggins0402 :)

 

About that Valletta link. There are many inexact things in it; example those 2 pics are not museums but the Prime Minister's Office/ministry and the other is the Law Courts buildings.

 

Valletta was built AFTER the 1565 Great Siege of Malta, and was never invaded as such by muslims/arabs. But, it's a little informative for tourists as well. Malta's history goes back at least 7,500 years (will be more if it's confirmed that there are temples underwater off Malta....but that is another story) and is very complex, so better not bore anyone here :)

 

Thanks Beauseant, it's always better to get the local's input!

[lifgrd62]

Your info has been so helpful to me about the ship and about Malta. We are going to Tunis first and I have located no info about what we should plan to do. Am trying to avoid the ship's excursions, if possible.

Also, when you purchased the wine/water package on ship, could you take either wine or water to your cabin? Thanks so much for helping. We leave home on Thurs of this week.

 

lifgrd62

[Beauseant]

Hi lifgrd62,

 

Yes, you can take wine/water/soft drink bought in a package to your cabin with you. We did ans no one said anything. Only, if you order a bottle of wine/or water at a restaurant or from one of the bars, tell the waiter/barman to leave them closed. You will have no problem with this.

 

As I visited Tunisia before, we opted to stay on board. And think that time is too short there....so didn't wish to get lost there and miss the boat.

 

Bon voyage...and just relax and have fun :)

[pctravler]

I booked tickets to the Hypogeum for 11:00. If I get off the ship at 9:00, do I have time to have a taxi driver show Me the wall in Medina then get us to the Hypogeum in time? Or should I see the ruins first before the tour. I want to make sure we have enough time in Valleta in the afternoon.

[hat776]

PC - you have a two hour window. That should be enough for a quick walk round Mdina. You will see the wall as you approach it. The driver can take you right to the entrance and pick you up after 30 min or so.

I would tell him you have to be at the Hypogeum by 10.45 to be on the safe side.

Have a look at Trip Advisor Malta or Valletta forum. There are Top

Questions on the right about Cruise stops that have info about the taxi system.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g190311-Malta.html

[Beauseant]

hi pctravler,

 

hat776's answered your question very well (as allways :) ). You will have more than enough time to visit Mdina before going to the Hypogeum...wake up early to get ashore as son as possible.

 

In Malta, nowhere is more than 30minutes away by car, more and more by Taxi. Only check on the taxi fare before-hand....in this thread there is some info on taxi fares too.