like a yacht. There were drinks and staff while we waited until 12:45 to board. There were many staff present to carry our bags onboard and we waited in the lounge with a variety of sandwiches and drinks. At about 1:30, a staff person walked us to our stateroom suite #103. It is lovely! Sofa big enough for 3 people, two stools, two chairs, Bose stereo, TV with DVD players, mini frig, desk, vanity, welcome bottle of champagne, walk in closet, safe, double sinks in the bathroom, bathtub, and a nice large window with a sill large enough to sit on and look out! Zoe, our stateroom stewardess appeared and offered us a selection of soaps (Hermes, L’Occitaine, a French sea soap and Moulton Brown) and pillows. We have personalized stationery also!
We had the lifeboat drill and as were getting ready for dinner, they announced it was “meet and greet” time in the hallway! Half of the people showed up in their bathrobes and dressing gowns as they were preparing for dinner! And there was champagne (again!) for everyone and the Chef, Captain Othell , and various officers mingled on each floor. It really did create a warm welcoming feeling as you met your "neighbors".
Several of us then met at the launderette! It seems to be the place to “be” with the most activity. Ironing for dinner and checking out the facilities….there are two washers and two dryers and an ironing board. Complimentary self-use.
It had been cloudy and gray all day but as we had sail away from Venice the sun came out and it was so pretty. The islands surround you and you sail past St. Mark’s Square and can see the small canals with the bridges (not luggage friendly!).
Dinner had been pre-arranged for us to dine with Paul Anderson, assistant Cruise Director, and he is also a classical Spanish guitarist. We dined also with Tony, Pam, Anne, John – all from the UK. Found out there are 122 from the UK onboard as they had a package rail and cruise to arrive in Venice via the Orient Express! They stayed in London at the Ritz pre-Orient Express and then at the Hilton in Venice pre-boarding. We are 48 Americans and 4 from Australia and 2 from Bermuda and a few other countries. The ship only holds 208 guests with a gross tonnage of 10,000 gross tons.
All alcohol and beverages are complimentary at all times. Dinner was a very nice festive time and then we enjoyed Paul’s classical guitar after dinner. We wandered around to find the small casino, one poker table, six slot machines, one roulette wheel and one 21 table. There are two dance bands/singers onboard and they are very good!
Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - sea day – our only one on this voyage so we decided to try the main restaurant, called The Restaurant (?!) . It was a gray and cloudy most of the morning so we wandered around, attended the Chef’s demonstration of White Plum Tomato Soup (delicious!!) and Pot of Dark Chocolate with Orange. The port talk was in the afternoon and then nap time – how special. Dinner was another lovely affair with four English – two from Guernsey, the Channel Islands and other others from Nottingham. The show was a cabaret from the staff – cruise staff and singers. They are multi-talented and it was great. The only show room is a lounge where all the lectures and demonstrations are held.
It is almost a full moon and the water is so beautiful with the moon shining on it. The sea was a little rough but we did fine.
Thursday, October 17, 2013 – Dubrovnik Croatia
We are fortunate to be here for the third time in less than a year! Who would have thought? We booked a cruise in this area last October on the Queen Elizabeth, toured Croatia in March with other travel agents and found ourselves here today. It is sunny and bright and dazzling.
“Did you know the cravat originates from the Croats? During the Thirty Year’s War (1618-48) that raged over most of Europe, the legendary Croatian Light Cavalry reached all the way to Paris. The Croats used to tie live-colored scarves around their necks in a certain way as part of their traditional national costume. During the reign of Louis XIV this attractive Croatian style became widely popular among the fastidious Parisians so much so, that they adopted the new fashion item, hence, a la maniere croate (in the Croatian Way). This is the story about how the cravat came into vogue at that time and how Europe and the entire civilized world were conquered by the cravat as a symbol of their future before them.”
Our only tender port, we tendered in to the walled city of Dubrovnik. We embark in the marina section in the back of the boat – if it were nice warm weather, we would have kayaks and canoes and water toys available to enjoy from the back of the boat. The tenders are small motor boats that hold about 24 people. Nothing like the big ship tenders that can hold up to 300 people! We arrived at the marina right at the city wall and walked around to explore the markets, churches, walk the cobblestone streets and reminisce. It is a lovely walking town.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Cravats originated in Croatia...
Tuesday, October 15, 2013 – slept great at the Courtyard by Marriott near the airport – free shuttle and easy bus stop across the street from the hotel! Cloudy and overcast and mild temperatures to enjoy as we make our way to the ship.
We took a taxi to the ship and it seems more
like a yacht. There were drinks and staff while we waited until 12:45 to board. There were many staff present to carry our bags onboard and we waited in the lounge with a variety of sandwiches and drinks. At about 1:30, a staff person walked us to our stateroom suite #103. It is lovely! Sofa big enough for 3 people, two stools, two chairs, Bose stereo, TV with DVD players, mini frig, desk, vanity, welcome bottle of champagne, walk in closet, safe, double sinks in the bathroom, bathtub, and a nice large window with a sill large enough to sit on and look out! Zoe, our stateroom stewardess appeared and offered us a selection of soaps (Hermes, L’Occitaine, a French sea soap and Moulton Brown) and pillows. We have personalized stationery also!
We had the lifeboat drill and as were getting ready for dinner, they announced it was “meet and greet” time in the hallway! Half of the people showed up in their bathrobes and dressing gowns as they were preparing for dinner! And there was champagne (again!) for everyone and the Chef, Captain Othell , and various officers mingled on each floor. It really did create a warm welcoming feeling as you met your "neighbors".
Several of us then met at the launderette! It seems to be the place to “be” with the most activity. Ironing for dinner and checking out the facilities….there are two washers and two dryers and an ironing board. Complimentary self-use.
It had been cloudy and gray all day but as we had sail away from Venice the sun came out and it was so pretty. The islands surround you and you sail past St. Mark’s Square and can see the small canals with the bridges (not luggage friendly!).
Dinner had been pre-arranged for us to dine with Paul Anderson, assistant Cruise Director, and he is also a classical Spanish guitarist. We dined also with Tony, Pam, Anne, John – all from the UK. Found out there are 122 from the UK onboard as they had a package rail and cruise to arrive in Venice via the Orient Express! They stayed in London at the Ritz pre-Orient Express and then at the Hilton in Venice pre-boarding. We are 48 Americans and 4 from Australia and 2 from Bermuda and a few other countries. The ship only holds 208 guests with a gross tonnage of 10,000 gross tons.
All alcohol and beverages are complimentary at all times. Dinner was a very nice festive time and then we enjoyed Paul’s classical guitar after dinner. We wandered around to find the small casino, one poker table, six slot machines, one roulette wheel and one 21 table. There are two dance bands/singers onboard and they are very good!
Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - sea day – our only one on this voyage so we decided to try the main restaurant, called The Restaurant (?!) . It was a gray and cloudy most of the morning so we wandered around, attended the Chef’s demonstration of White Plum Tomato Soup (delicious!!) and Pot of Dark Chocolate with Orange. The port talk was in the afternoon and then nap time – how special. Dinner was another lovely affair with four English – two from Guernsey, the Channel Islands and other others from Nottingham. The show was a cabaret from the staff – cruise staff and singers. They are multi-talented and it was great. The only show room is a lounge where all the lectures and demonstrations are held.
It is almost a full moon and the water is so beautiful with the moon shining on it. The sea was a little rough but we did fine.
Thursday, October 17, 2013 – Dubrovnik Croatia
We are fortunate to be here for the third time in less than a year! Who would have thought? We booked a cruise in this area last October on the Queen Elizabeth, toured Croatia in March with other travel agents and found ourselves here today. It is sunny and bright and dazzling.
“Did you know the cravat originates from the Croats? During the Thirty Year’s War (1618-48) that raged over most of Europe, the legendary Croatian Light Cavalry reached all the way to Paris. The Croats used to tie live-colored scarves around their necks in a certain way as part of their traditional national costume. During the reign of Louis XIV this attractive Croatian style became widely popular among the fastidious Parisians so much so, that they adopted the new fashion item, hence, a la maniere croate (in the Croatian Way). This is the story about how the cravat came into vogue at that time and how Europe and the entire civilized world were conquered by the cravat as a symbol of their future before them.”
Our only tender port, we tendered in to the walled city of Dubrovnik. We embark in the marina section in the back of the boat – if it were nice warm weather, we would have kayaks and canoes and water toys available to enjoy from the back of the boat. The tenders are small motor boats that hold about 24 people. Nothing like the big ship tenders that can hold up to 300 people! We arrived at the marina right at the city wall and walked around to explore the markets, churches, walk the cobblestone streets and reminisce. It is a lovely walking town.
like a yacht. There were drinks and staff while we waited until 12:45 to board. There were many staff present to carry our bags onboard and we waited in the lounge with a variety of sandwiches and drinks. At about 1:30, a staff person walked us to our stateroom suite #103. It is lovely! Sofa big enough for 3 people, two stools, two chairs, Bose stereo, TV with DVD players, mini frig, desk, vanity, welcome bottle of champagne, walk in closet, safe, double sinks in the bathroom, bathtub, and a nice large window with a sill large enough to sit on and look out! Zoe, our stateroom stewardess appeared and offered us a selection of soaps (Hermes, L’Occitaine, a French sea soap and Moulton Brown) and pillows. We have personalized stationery also!
We had the lifeboat drill and as were getting ready for dinner, they announced it was “meet and greet” time in the hallway! Half of the people showed up in their bathrobes and dressing gowns as they were preparing for dinner! And there was champagne (again!) for everyone and the Chef, Captain Othell , and various officers mingled on each floor. It really did create a warm welcoming feeling as you met your "neighbors".
Several of us then met at the launderette! It seems to be the place to “be” with the most activity. Ironing for dinner and checking out the facilities….there are two washers and two dryers and an ironing board. Complimentary self-use.
It had been cloudy and gray all day but as we had sail away from Venice the sun came out and it was so pretty. The islands surround you and you sail past St. Mark’s Square and can see the small canals with the bridges (not luggage friendly!).
Dinner had been pre-arranged for us to dine with Paul Anderson, assistant Cruise Director, and he is also a classical Spanish guitarist. We dined also with Tony, Pam, Anne, John – all from the UK. Found out there are 122 from the UK onboard as they had a package rail and cruise to arrive in Venice via the Orient Express! They stayed in London at the Ritz pre-Orient Express and then at the Hilton in Venice pre-boarding. We are 48 Americans and 4 from Australia and 2 from Bermuda and a few other countries. The ship only holds 208 guests with a gross tonnage of 10,000 gross tons.
All alcohol and beverages are complimentary at all times. Dinner was a very nice festive time and then we enjoyed Paul’s classical guitar after dinner. We wandered around to find the small casino, one poker table, six slot machines, one roulette wheel and one 21 table. There are two dance bands/singers onboard and they are very good!
Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - sea day – our only one on this voyage so we decided to try the main restaurant, called The Restaurant (?!) . It was a gray and cloudy most of the morning so we wandered around, attended the Chef’s demonstration of White Plum Tomato Soup (delicious!!) and Pot of Dark Chocolate with Orange. The port talk was in the afternoon and then nap time – how special. Dinner was another lovely affair with four English – two from Guernsey, the Channel Islands and other others from Nottingham. The show was a cabaret from the staff – cruise staff and singers. They are multi-talented and it was great. The only show room is a lounge where all the lectures and demonstrations are held.
It is almost a full moon and the water is so beautiful with the moon shining on it. The sea was a little rough but we did fine.
Thursday, October 17, 2013 – Dubrovnik Croatia
We are fortunate to be here for the third time in less than a year! Who would have thought? We booked a cruise in this area last October on the Queen Elizabeth, toured Croatia in March with other travel agents and found ourselves here today. It is sunny and bright and dazzling.
“Did you know the cravat originates from the Croats? During the Thirty Year’s War (1618-48) that raged over most of Europe, the legendary Croatian Light Cavalry reached all the way to Paris. The Croats used to tie live-colored scarves around their necks in a certain way as part of their traditional national costume. During the reign of Louis XIV this attractive Croatian style became widely popular among the fastidious Parisians so much so, that they adopted the new fashion item, hence, a la maniere croate (in the Croatian Way). This is the story about how the cravat came into vogue at that time and how Europe and the entire civilized world were conquered by the cravat as a symbol of their future before them.”
Our only tender port, we tendered in to the walled city of Dubrovnik. We embark in the marina section in the back of the boat – if it were nice warm weather, we would have kayaks and canoes and water toys available to enjoy from the back of the boat. The tenders are small motor boats that hold about 24 people. Nothing like the big ship tenders that can hold up to 300 people! We arrived at the marina right at the city wall and walked around to explore the markets, churches, walk the cobblestone streets and reminisce. It is a lovely walking town.
