* posts from here on down are slightly skewiffed due to no net connection on board *
Saturday
Florence/Pisa
Tour day! Docked in Loverno, very big commercial port. Had to get to the tour meeting room at 7am! Imagine how Shell felt! We hopped on the coach which took us to Firenze (as the Italians call it), took about an hour. As we pulled up the tour guide advised that if we wanted to go into the church (can't remember which one!) then shoulders need to be covered. Yes, Michelle had a vest top on. So she then had a few minutes of panic until we found a market stall which had shalws for sale. She even managed to get one that matched the colour of her vest top! So we were off on a walking tour of Florence, which was good to begin with but as the hour approached lunch it was getting hotter and hotter. Florence is very nice, lots of nice buildings, squares, statues etc. We stopped for some italian lunch and then went off to Pisa. Those italians sure know how to put foundations in! Other than the leaning tower, Pisa is pretty much nothing and we only stayed for an hour. Then it was back on the coach and back to the boat. We set off at 7am and got back at 5pm, a long day! We proceeded to chill out with a few drinks and then yet another fantastic evening meal!
Sunday
Rome
Wow. Another long day 7am till 5pm for the tour, but it was worth it. Rome is impressive, very impressive. We actually went on a really good day, weekends most Romans are at home so are not working in Rome itself and as it was approaching August this is traditionally their time for going on holiday too, so it was just tourists, traffic was really good too. This is one place we are going back to, the guide advised 4 days to see everything, one is not enough. Another walking tour, we saw the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Pizza Navona and then lunch. And then to the Vatican City were we walked around St Peters Square (which is round) and then queued up to go inside. Wow (again), we took loads of pictures but you have to see this thing in the flesh to fully understand the size and sheer beauty of it. Cleary Dan is not talking from a religious point of view, but he was impressed, even from the outside. But once inside well, it's just magnificent really. We spent 30 minutes in there but then had to go as our day was coming to an end. Rome is definatley a place we are going back to and we urge you all to go!
Monday
Sardinia - Algehro
Nothing much to report here, we had to use tenders again so our plan of a little lie in went out the window, bloody tenders are right below our room and they make a bit of a racket as they winch them out. Algero is nice, if a tad small. No pre booked tour so we did the 'tour train' and had a walk around, very nice place to go on holiday to chill out. We were soon back on the boat to catch some rays on the deck.
Tuesday
Majorca - Palma
Docked in Palma and got the shuttle bus to the cathedral, walked around the shops (Michelle very nearly bought some Crocs for some reason) got some presents for the folks back home (no not everyone!) and then walked around the cathedral. It would have been very impressive but having been to Rome it just didn't cut the mustard! We left at 13:00 as we had to be back on board quickly. We nearly lost a couple of passengers but they just made it. We then had a few beers inside (the heat was stifiling outside, no breeze!) before retiring to the room for a few hours kip. The last few days had caught up! As it was the second formal night we went to the Sterling Steakhouse and had Fillet Mignon. Seriously, this was sex on a plate, absolutely fantastic! We had to pay a $15 cover charge but we are so going back!
One thing that has disappointed us is the number of people who don't dress up. But the rules don't really seem to be enforced. We were worried before the cruise, are we going to look good enough in the evenings etc. We had no reason to worry, we look upper class compared to some! God knows what it's like on cruises like Ocean Village!! We stayed in Crooners bar until 1am drinking Dans new favourite wine. Rosemount Chardonnay. $10.25 a glass but worth it.
Wednesday
Gibraltar
Home! Sort of. Woke up this morning to find we are surrounded by fog! We didn't dock until 12 so by the time we got there it had gone. Kind of eerie being in the sea in fog! The fog did eventually clear to reveal the rock. Well, it's slightly strange seeing the police look like ours, the phone boxes look like ours and the post boxes too, but apart from that Gib isn't all that. We didn't have a tour so just wandered around the shops. If we did a tour of each place we would be flat broke! We got back on board for some dinner and then an hour in the sun. We hopefully got some good video footage of the rock plus the docking and, really hopefully, a shoal of dolphins as we came in, and I'm sure we saw a shark, or at least something that looked like one, but we didn't get the footage!
Saturday, 9 August 2008
Wednesday, 6 August 2008
All ashore!
Thursday
At this point we would like to vent our anger at the wifi onboard. For some reason it crashes the laptop when it connects, blue screen of death, the full works. No idea why! So the blog is not being updated, most likely until we get back so chances our the entire cruise will come under one post!
Barcelona
Anyway. back to the cruise! Docked in Barca today and joined our trip at 10am, a tour around the streets of Barca stopping off at the sagrada de familia which is very impressive, took plenty of pictures which look ok, but you have to see it in the flesh to fully appreciate it. Apparantly it will be finished in 2026!!
Then it was on a Camp Nou or the Nou Camp, whatever you preferences is. Or, if your us, the stadium that just isn't Old Trafford!! The tour was ok, there was no guide, you just followed it around. AS our luck would have it the pitch was being re-turfed when we were there, so the pictures are missing the pitch. Something to do with a chap called Bruce Springsteen doing a concert the week before, never heard of him...
After the footy tour we hopped back on the coach and had a further tour of the streets of Barca and then it was back to the boat. We will be going back to Barca as we hardly saw any of it.
Once back we had some dinner and then beer. Too much beer it turned out as we ended up having an early night!!
No bad thing as we are getting the Tenders to Monte Carlo tomorrow!
Friday
Monte Carlo
Wow, what a beautiful place, it really is, the view from the ship or the view on shore. fantastic. We walked the F1 course (shell is an F1 nut if you didn't know), had some food and then wandered around the port. Lots of very nice and very big yachts. How the other half live, it's not right!!
We had to get a tender in (small boat), we were going to dock but weren't allowed, then they made us anchor further away so the tenders were slow. The tender to shore was fine, the one back was a little waay and whoaa....was ok until we tried to moor up on the pontoon at the ship, very up and down and he bumped it into the side of the ship!!
Later on we strolled the promenade deck and saw the crew shore up the tenders it's easy this sailing lark! This made up for the damn things waking us up in the morning!! They are right below our balcony.
To make up for all this they ran the tenders longer so we stayed anchored for longer. Just long enough to see a quite frankly amazing fireworks display at 10pm, it lasted 20 mins and was awesome. We videoed it, hopefully it will turn out ok. And then we weighed in the anchor (we think) and we are off on the short stint to Florence/Pisa where we have a tour booked. This holiday sucks!!!
At this point we would like to vent our anger at the wifi onboard. For some reason it crashes the laptop when it connects, blue screen of death, the full works. No idea why! So the blog is not being updated, most likely until we get back so chances our the entire cruise will come under one post!
Barcelona
Anyway. back to the cruise! Docked in Barca today and joined our trip at 10am, a tour around the streets of Barca stopping off at the sagrada de familia which is very impressive, took plenty of pictures which look ok, but you have to see it in the flesh to fully appreciate it. Apparantly it will be finished in 2026!!
Then it was on a Camp Nou or the Nou Camp, whatever you preferences is. Or, if your us, the stadium that just isn't Old Trafford!! The tour was ok, there was no guide, you just followed it around. AS our luck would have it the pitch was being re-turfed when we were there, so the pictures are missing the pitch. Something to do with a chap called Bruce Springsteen doing a concert the week before, never heard of him...
After the footy tour we hopped back on the coach and had a further tour of the streets of Barca and then it was back to the boat. We will be going back to Barca as we hardly saw any of it.
Once back we had some dinner and then beer. Too much beer it turned out as we ended up having an early night!!
No bad thing as we are getting the Tenders to Monte Carlo tomorrow!
Friday
Monte Carlo
Wow, what a beautiful place, it really is, the view from the ship or the view on shore. fantastic. We walked the F1 course (shell is an F1 nut if you didn't know), had some food and then wandered around the port. Lots of very nice and very big yachts. How the other half live, it's not right!!
We had to get a tender in (small boat), we were going to dock but weren't allowed, then they made us anchor further away so the tenders were slow. The tender to shore was fine, the one back was a little waay and whoaa....was ok until we tried to moor up on the pontoon at the ship, very up and down and he bumped it into the side of the ship!!
Later on we strolled the promenade deck and saw the crew shore up the tenders it's easy this sailing lark! This made up for the damn things waking us up in the morning!! They are right below our balcony.
To make up for all this they ran the tenders longer so we stayed anchored for longer. Just long enough to see a quite frankly amazing fireworks display at 10pm, it lasted 20 mins and was awesome. We videoed it, hopefully it will turn out ok. And then we weighed in the anchor (we think) and we are off on the short stint to Florence/Pisa where we have a tour booked. This holiday sucks!!!
Tuesday, 5 August 2008
Tuesday
Didn't get much sleep, no idea why, there was no swaying action (of the nautical kind) but it was a restless night nontheless. When we finally came around we had docked in Cadiz. We went for breakfast and then set off about town.
Cadiz is nice but very busy, we have no idea how we didn't see anyone get knocked down. cars and mopeds were whizzing through narrow streets. We went on a bus tour and fortunatley we got on the open deck, it would have been damn hot downstairs. We took a lot of pictures but you will have to wait for those.
We only spent a few hours on land before deciding to get back on board, mainly for a free dinner! We then lazed on the loungers for a few hours intermittently interupted by trips to the pool and jacuzzis. It was hell.
4 boats had to make their way out of Cadiz, an old style boat which had sailors and a band on, some sort of night out we reckon. then there was a ferry followed by Independance of the Sea, now that's a big boat. Dan would like to mention here that when docked he managed to connect to their wifi accross the dock! And it was cheaper access too! However, the sea princess is upgrading, just not in time for us!
On the way out we saw a small boat crash into the side of us. Well, when we say crash we mean pull up next to us. Turns out a local pilot gets on the boat before it docks and then helps steer it out when it leaves, he then jumps off onto the little boat and goes back to the dock. We did get slightly concerned as the small boat got closer and closer.
Wednesday
Got up early to make sure we got some sunbeds. Spent a leisurely day in the sun and the pool/jacuzzi. Had a buffet lunch which meant Dan had a mix of everything on his plate and it was delish.
Barcelona tomorrow! A tour of the Nou Camp is booked (won't be anywhere near as good as OT of course) and then we can wander around in the afternoon. Hope to get some good pictures and maybe a souvenier from FC Barca.
Didn't get much sleep, no idea why, there was no swaying action (of the nautical kind) but it was a restless night nontheless. When we finally came around we had docked in Cadiz. We went for breakfast and then set off about town.
Cadiz is nice but very busy, we have no idea how we didn't see anyone get knocked down. cars and mopeds were whizzing through narrow streets. We went on a bus tour and fortunatley we got on the open deck, it would have been damn hot downstairs. We took a lot of pictures but you will have to wait for those.
We only spent a few hours on land before deciding to get back on board, mainly for a free dinner! We then lazed on the loungers for a few hours intermittently interupted by trips to the pool and jacuzzis. It was hell.
4 boats had to make their way out of Cadiz, an old style boat which had sailors and a band on, some sort of night out we reckon. then there was a ferry followed by Independance of the Sea, now that's a big boat. Dan would like to mention here that when docked he managed to connect to their wifi accross the dock! And it was cheaper access too! However, the sea princess is upgrading, just not in time for us!
On the way out we saw a small boat crash into the side of us. Well, when we say crash we mean pull up next to us. Turns out a local pilot gets on the boat before it docks and then helps steer it out when it leaves, he then jumps off onto the little boat and goes back to the dock. We did get slightly concerned as the small boat got closer and closer.
Wednesday
Got up early to make sure we got some sunbeds. Spent a leisurely day in the sun and the pool/jacuzzi. Had a buffet lunch which meant Dan had a mix of everything on his plate and it was delish.
Barcelona tomorrow! A tour of the Nou Camp is booked (won't be anywhere near as good as OT of course) and then we can wander around in the afternoon. Hope to get some good pictures and maybe a souvenier from FC Barca.
Monday, 4 August 2008
First post update!
First Monday
Dan woke up in the middle of the night, not sure if it was people outside the room or the rocking of the boat, probably the latter. We got up a tad late and by the time we had breakfast all the sunbeds had gone. That is our one gripe so far, not enough of them. And most people seem to ignore the 'not reserving them' rule and the 'don't leave unattended for more than 30 minutes' rule. Pfft.
So instead we just walked around the boat having a few drinks, chilling out, they say it's only 19c today but it feels damn hot in the sun! Oh, the weather so far has been fantastic, beautiful blue skies. We just hope it's still depressing back in Blighty!
We went to a wine tasting session, very nice. Sat with a women from Newcastle (we could launch into detrimental footy songs here, but we won't) and a couple from Toronto. We signed up while drunk on our first evening and the people we sat with were quiet clued up on wine, we did learn a bit, which was nice.
Today is the first formal evening so we dolled up for the occassion. We had drinks with the officers in the Atrium (we even got a free one!) and then went for a nice meal. Dan's was particularly stunning, a fantastic piece of fillet steak, he was very impressed. Then we had a few beers before retiring for the night.
Dan woke up in the middle of the night, not sure if it was people outside the room or the rocking of the boat, probably the latter. We got up a tad late and by the time we had breakfast all the sunbeds had gone. That is our one gripe so far, not enough of them. And most people seem to ignore the 'not reserving them' rule and the 'don't leave unattended for more than 30 minutes' rule. Pfft.
So instead we just walked around the boat having a few drinks, chilling out, they say it's only 19c today but it feels damn hot in the sun! Oh, the weather so far has been fantastic, beautiful blue skies. We just hope it's still depressing back in Blighty!
We went to a wine tasting session, very nice. Sat with a women from Newcastle (we could launch into detrimental footy songs here, but we won't) and a couple from Toronto. We signed up while drunk on our first evening and the people we sat with were quiet clued up on wine, we did learn a bit, which was nice.
Today is the first formal evening so we dolled up for the occassion. We had drinks with the officers in the Atrium (we even got a free one!) and then went for a nice meal. Dan's was particularly stunning, a fantastic piece of fillet steak, he was very impressed. Then we had a few beers before retiring for the night.
Sunday, 3 August 2008
Wash out
Well, the blog was a bit of a none starter for two reasons:
1) The internet access on board was sooooo sloooooww...
2) When logging on to the wifi connection with the laptop it kept crashing. The plan was to type the days up on the laptop and then paste em onto here, never happened.
Over the next couple of days we will post what we typed up for each day and also upload a selection of pictures. Not all of em though, there are too many!
1) The internet access on board was sooooo sloooooww...
2) When logging on to the wifi connection with the laptop it kept crashing. The plan was to type the days up on the laptop and then paste em onto here, never happened.
Over the next couple of days we will post what we typed up for each day and also upload a selection of pictures. Not all of em though, there are too many!
Sunday, 20 July 2008
Well, we haven't been keeping this up to date for various reasons. Friday we were busy driving darn sarf and we would have been shouted at by Jo and Loz if we went to theirs and then took the laptop out. Saturday we were finding our feet. This post is Friday. Saturday and Sunday.
Friday
We managed to set off on time (amazing) and made good time to the clampits house. In fact, when Alex was upset last week, we promised her we would be there when she got home from school. And we were. So she came home, said hello and then went out to play. Kids! We popped round to Mel and Daves for some food and the obligatory beer drinking.
Saturday
Lazed around in the morning and set off for Southampton just after 12. Only took 50 minutes to get there and we have to say it was all very well organised. Docks were sign posted well, the car queuing system was smooth, they took our suitcases, took our car away and we went to check in. That took 5 minutes and then we went through the scanners a la airports, of course it beeped for Dan so he had to srtip off...no no, he just went through again and all was ok. Then we had some guy line us up against the wall for our photo to be taken (yes, they are displayed on board to purchase should you wish, we don't know the price as we ain't buying!)
Then we had to queue to get on board. Which took about 10 minutes due to the number of people. Once on we had someone whisk us to our room, 5 minutes later the cases arrived, very nice. We unpacked and explored the room. Not much to comment on really, it's like a nice hotel room, tv, fridge, hairdryer etc. The toilet is weird though, one of those vacuum things, very strange.
We then had to do Exercise! Fortunately, not the physical type. It was the standard what to do if it all goes Titanic routine and we got to try our lifejackets on. Oooo. Then it was back to the room and off out to Horizon Court which is your standard all you can eat buffet. A nice salad (!) later and we were off. We mooched around the ship as it was glorious weather taking pics and sending them on to people to upset them. We then came back to our room, got ready and went to the Crooners Bar, the crooner sings through his noise, ah well. We then went for out tea, a nice steak and a nice ham, lovely. We then went to a couple of bars. We only had a few cans of Fosters but these are 750ml ones! We got back to our room at 1am and promptly fell asleep.
Sunday
Woke up quiet early due to the sodding boat rocking all over the show. Oh, and some loud Yanks outside. As we are now out in the big open sea the boat has a nice (not) swaying motion to it. Was very strange at first, we are sort of getting used to it, beer helps. Michelle is on the travel sickness pills already. We had breakfast (when we managed to find a seat) and then made our way to the aft of the boat (the back), dropped on some sun loungers and that was us for a few hours. Then we went to the burger bar for diner, then wandered around for bit, had afternoon tea and back to the room.
While wandering around Michelle decided to book a nail appointment, more money blown…
We have just had tea and now im posting this and trying to upload pics, very very slowly...sattelite net is rubbish.
Friday
We managed to set off on time (amazing) and made good time to the clampits house. In fact, when Alex was upset last week, we promised her we would be there when she got home from school. And we were. So she came home, said hello and then went out to play. Kids! We popped round to Mel and Daves for some food and the obligatory beer drinking.
Saturday
Lazed around in the morning and set off for Southampton just after 12. Only took 50 minutes to get there and we have to say it was all very well organised. Docks were sign posted well, the car queuing system was smooth, they took our suitcases, took our car away and we went to check in. That took 5 minutes and then we went through the scanners a la airports, of course it beeped for Dan so he had to srtip off...no no, he just went through again and all was ok. Then we had some guy line us up against the wall for our photo to be taken (yes, they are displayed on board to purchase should you wish, we don't know the price as we ain't buying!)
Then we had to queue to get on board. Which took about 10 minutes due to the number of people. Once on we had someone whisk us to our room, 5 minutes later the cases arrived, very nice. We unpacked and explored the room. Not much to comment on really, it's like a nice hotel room, tv, fridge, hairdryer etc. The toilet is weird though, one of those vacuum things, very strange.
We then had to do Exercise! Fortunately, not the physical type. It was the standard what to do if it all goes Titanic routine and we got to try our lifejackets on. Oooo. Then it was back to the room and off out to Horizon Court which is your standard all you can eat buffet. A nice salad (!) later and we were off. We mooched around the ship as it was glorious weather taking pics and sending them on to people to upset them. We then came back to our room, got ready and went to the Crooners Bar, the crooner sings through his noise, ah well. We then went for out tea, a nice steak and a nice ham, lovely. We then went to a couple of bars. We only had a few cans of Fosters but these are 750ml ones! We got back to our room at 1am and promptly fell asleep.
Sunday
Woke up quiet early due to the sodding boat rocking all over the show. Oh, and some loud Yanks outside. As we are now out in the big open sea the boat has a nice (not) swaying motion to it. Was very strange at first, we are sort of getting used to it, beer helps. Michelle is on the travel sickness pills already. We had breakfast (when we managed to find a seat) and then made our way to the aft of the boat (the back), dropped on some sun loungers and that was us for a few hours. Then we went to the burger bar for diner, then wandered around for bit, had afternoon tea and back to the room.
While wandering around Michelle decided to book a nail appointment, more money blown…
We have just had tea and now im posting this and trying to upload pics, very very slowly...sattelite net is rubbish.
Thursday, 17 July 2008
Packed!
Well the packing is done. We had to go out and buy a new suitcase, one we had was too small!! So now we have two big cases to put in a wee Yaris to drive darn sarf. We are stopping off at Michelles sisters (Dans new sister in law!) tomorrow and then heading into Southamton on Saturday.
If the car makes it of course!
If the car makes it of course!
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
Shopping
A long day today, in the Trafford Centre! Dan got a suit, Shell got MORE clothes. We are pretty much all set now for the cruise. Packing tomorrow! Another link added for pics!
Tuesday, 15 July 2008
Boring stuff
Today we went through our clothes to see what we still needed to get. How exciting. Yawn. Still, it has to be done. Also had a good read of the cruise 'hand book' so we don't do the wrong thing. Getting excited now :)
Monday, 14 July 2008
Minor update
A fruitful day today. We got the table camera photos developed on to CD and in turn onto the web (who gets stuff printed these days??) Here and here
Plus we got Dan some pants and shoes ready for the excellent entertainment we should get on board.
Plus we sorted out some cash (euros) for our trips on land and paid in cheques from the wedding (bet you wish you future dated em eh?)
More progress tomorrow, maybe.
Plus we got Dan some pants and shoes ready for the excellent entertainment we should get on board.
Plus we sorted out some cash (euros) for our trips on land and paid in cheques from the wedding (bet you wish you future dated em eh?)
More progress tomorrow, maybe.
The preperations begin!
Well, now that we are married it's time to make preperations for the honey moon. I was quite happy with a weekend in Blackpool but the missus said we had to something nicer than that.
So, we booked a cruise! Blimey.
This week is mostly getting ready for said cruise, we don't really have many posh clothes!
Cruise sets off on the 19th so we don't have long!
In the meantime amuse yourself with these pictures. More to follow from other people I hope!
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