Bit of a Blog : Rhapsody : B2B : Singapore - Dubai - Istanbul : May 3rd 2015

Hi :)

 

Nope not on Rhapsody. There's also no hot breakfast buffet in the MDR or hot selection for self service on sea day lunches that I've experienced on other ships. Actually it's been quite a while since I went to the MDR for breakfast here and I don't recall what they have for self serve at breakfast in the MDR.

 

Here's today's Compass.

Just FYI for others who may sail rhaposody. We've had breakfast in the dining room most every day (sea days as well as port days) and there is a small hot buffet area, fruit and cereal as well as breakfast menu items.

The basic hot buffet selection varies slightLy each day .

Enjoy. M

Thanks Linda. We weren't expecting it so won't be disappointed. DH does love fried eggs some days so will have to go to the buffet.

He can order fried eggs in the MDR for breakfast. Park Cafe does egg in muffins and breakfast burritos....

Just FYI for others who may sail rhaposody. We've had breakfast in the dining room most every day (sea days as well as port days) and there is a small hot buffet area, fruit and cereal as well as breakfast menu items.

 

The basic hot buffet selection varies slightLy each day .

 

Enjoy. M

Ooooh thanks for that..... maybe that's something they brought in for this cruise... or I missed it the few times I went there :)

The wadi has to be protected

This is a view of the wadi we had stopped at previously.

There is a Mosque in the process of being built right in the distance

Our guide treats us to liquid refreshment and a snack

We drive past a small market selling water coolers and other local wares

There are seldom, if any, people around.

In the evening this will be a BBQ

We drive by the Mosque that we saw in the distance earlier..... it will occupy a really large area

We then get to stop outside the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. We are unable to gain entry due to the hour. I would have loved to have seen the largest handwoven carpet in the world (at the time) and similarly the glorious chandelier.

Thank you Linda. :):)

Thank you Linda. :):)

You're welcome.

I'm about to finish book 3 (A Year on Ladybug Farm by Donna Ball). Was told today that someone complained about the lack of books on the shelves on deck 6..... they've been restocked....

I have been following along since the beginning and love your adventures and writing style. Thank you for taking the time and effort to post while on your cruise. :)

Lisa

Where is everyone hiding in the recent Photos? I guess due to the heat? I agree with you how people lived in those conditions 100 let alone 500 years ago beggars belief!! So glad I was born in era of air conditioning [emoji28][emoji12]. Ps thanks for allowing us to be on your amazing journey with you. Where will we see the next 'bit of a blog' take us?!

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You're all being very kind with your comments. I'm booked on Celebrity Solstice next year on a B2B Auckland - Perth (Fremantle) - Sydney but it's incredibly expensive and will take a deal of thought when final payment comes around. If I do get to go there'll be a 'Bit of a Blog' over on the Celebrity board.

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I've organised a private tour on Santorini tomorrow. Here's the itinerary as described by the guide :

When the boat arrives in Santorini a tender will take you to the old port of Fira (the capital of the island) and then you take the cable car up to town.

We will meet you at 11:00 AM in front of the cable car exit up in Fira holding a sign with your name.

I am looking forward to provide my service to you and to your companions.

PS: IF there are more boats in port that day please try to get the first tender(s) to avoid the crowds and long lines for the cable car.

Itinerary

Our first destination will be the village of Oia at the northern tip of the island, the most picturesque of the villages with its unique blue-domed churches, old two-storey mansions and narrow cobblestone streets paved with marble and lined with tiny shops, cafés and restaurants, Oia is the perfect place to fully appreciate the beauty of this remarkable island.

On the way back we will stop at Firostefani the village next to Fira to see and photograph the famous most from the post cards and travel magazines Blue Dome church build on the edge of the cliffs with the volcano on its back ground, this is THE one you shouldn’t miss.

After we will drive south and stop at “Santo Wines” at the highest point on the cliffs for more views of the caldera, the new port where the ferries and hydrofoils from the mainland or other islands arrive and a closer look of the Volcano, this is another place for photo taking and you can also taste the wines if you like. (optional not included in the price).

Next we will drive along the black beach and stop at a traditional tavern for lunch to try some local specialties. (Not included in the price).

Our tour will end in Fira where you can spent your remain time before getting back to the ship.

The above tour is approximately 5 hours where you will see the whole island from the one end to the other.

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Celebrity Equinox is due to anchor at 0700; we are due at 1000.

You're all being very kind with your comments. I'm booked on Celebrity Solstice next year on a B2B Auckland - Perth (Fremantle) - Sydney but it's incredibly expensive and will take a deal of thought when final payment comes around. If I do get to go there'll be a 'Bit of a Blog' over on the Celebrity board.

 

 

 

.

Stepping into our backyard possibly (am from Melbourne, AU)!! The round Australia cruise ex Perth always seems to be super pricey. Could I suggest a peek at a Solstice cruise SIN/SYD 31 Oct...she is fresh out of a refurb so this leg is being treated as a repositioning cruise and is currently going cheap, starting USD85 per night. It also B2B's with a NZ cruise ex SYD .. Not sure if ends in AKL, or returns to SYD.

Back on track, cant wait till we catch up and see your Santorini pics. Is so on my bucket list to visit!! Have a great day!

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Linda, who is your Santorini tour booked with? We are trying to decide what to do there on 16th June from our Rhapsody cruise.

Thanks.

So interesting, Linda, to see this part of the world. Really looking forward to more.

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You're all being very kind with your comments. I'm booked on Celebrity Solstice next year on a B2B Auckland - Perth (Fremantle) - Sydney but it's incredibly expensive and will take a deal of thought when final payment comes around. If I do get to go there'll be a 'Bit of a Blog' over on the Celebrity board.

 

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I've organised a private tour on Santorini tomorrow. Here's the itinerary as described by the guide :

 

When the boat arrives in Santorini a tender will take you to the old port of Fira (the capital of the island) and then you take the cable car up to town.

 

We will meet you at 11:00 AM in front of the cable car exit up in Fira holding a sign with your name.

 

I am looking forward to provide my service to you and to your companions.

PS: IF there are more boats in port that day please try to get the first tender(s) to avoid the crowds and long lines for the cable car.

 

Itinerary

 

Our first destination will be the village of Oia at the northern tip of the island, the most picturesque of the villages with its unique blue-domed churches, old two-storey mansions and narrow cobblestone streets paved with marble and lined with tiny shops, cafés and restaurants, Oia is the perfect place to fully appreciate the beauty of this remarkable island.

 

On the way back we will stop at Firostefani the village next to Fira to see and photograph the famous most from the post cards and travel magazines Blue Dome church build on the edge of the cliffs with the volcano on its back ground, this is THE one you shouldn’t miss.

 

After we will drive south and stop at “Santo Wines” at the highest point on the cliffs for more views of the caldera, the new port where the ferries and hydrofoils from the mainland or other islands arrive and a closer look of the Volcano, this is another place for photo taking and you can also taste the wines if you like. (optional not included in the price).

 

Next we will drive along the black beach and stop at a traditional tavern for lunch to try some local specialties. (Not included in the price).

 

Our tour will end in Fira where you can spent your remain time before getting back to the ship.

 

The above tour is approximately 5 hours where you will see the whole island from the one end to the other.

 

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Celebrity Equinox is due to anchor at 0700; we are due at 1000.

This is exactly the kind of tour I want for Santorini. Who did you book with?

Linda, who is your Santorini tour booked with? We are trying to decide what to do there on 16th June from our Rhapsody cruise.

Thanks.

This is exactly the kind of tour I want for Santorini. Who did you book with?

Good morning, kalimera,

http://www.santorinitours.net/ who are the same as http://www.oceanwavetours.com/

Will let you know later how it goes!

Looking at the same tour.:):)

The beauty of technology today.

This is a screenshot from a live Santorini webcam of Rhapsody leaving the island.

Thoroughly enjoyed reading of your journey so far. Am booked on a Celebrity cruise at the end of 2016 that goes to some of the Indian ports ...may I ask, did you have to arrange your own Indian Visa before you left UK, or did the cruise line organise it for you? I have had different responses to the question so far so will be interested in hearing from someone that has just done it.

thank you.

We were on the Singapore-Dubai sector of this cruise and csn tell you that we needed to obtain our own visa for India prior to the cruise. Many of us from different countries experienced problems but most of us got them in the end. I believe 200 passengers were denied disembarkation in India as they either hadn't got a visa in time for various reasons, or had been issued with the wrong sort (transit instead of tourist, or single instead of multiple entry) My advice would be to apply 3 months before the last port of entry date using a correct sized photo from an approved photographer /booth

Then check, double check then check again that it's the correct visa covering your dates of travel once you receive it

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The beauty of technology today.

 

This is a screenshot from a live Santorini webcam of Rhapsody leaving the island.

I missed sailaway..... long story.... thanks for this....

Thoroughly enjoyed reading of your journey so far. Am booked on a Celebrity cruise at the end of 2016 that goes to some of the Indian ports ...may I ask, did you have to arrange your own Indian Visa before you left UK, or did the cruise line organise it for you? I have had different responses to the question so far so will be interested in hearing from someone that has just done it.

thank you.

Sue's answer above is the definitive one..... whatever anyone else is telling you get your own multiple entry visa with the exact size photo they are asking for. Drink coffee. Get a dog.... or a kitten.... something you can use to pet or stroke to calm yourself down.... make sure your internet connection is solid and keep a plaster handy for the bump you'll get on your head from banging it against the nearest wall.

Just saying.

Sue's answer above is the definitive one..... whatever anyone else is telling you get your own multiple entry visa with the exact size photo they are asking for. Drink coffee. Get a dog.... or a kitten.... something you can use to pet or stroke to calm yourself down.... make sure your internet connection is solid and keep a plaster handy for the bump you'll get on your head from banging it against the nearest wall.

Just saying.

Thank you for that ...I'll look into it in the New Year then

What a day!!! We got caught in the most torrential downpour of rain you can imagine..... water pouring down cobblestone steps as though a river had burst its banks. Most of the day though was lovely.

I had organised a group of 15 of us. Unfortunately one was sick and didn't make it. The Diamond Concierge had us all gather in the lounge and she escorted us below deck and along the I95 with all the other Diamond members right after the ship tours had left. My group didn't all get on the same tender. The ride takes about 10 minutes. The first group headed up the cable car to meet the rest at the top. There was quite a queue but the line actually went quickly.

We were met at the top by our lovely guide, Katerina. Full of enthusiasm, and loaded with local knowledge, she showed us around with ease. We stopped for lunch pretty much straight away (we'd anchored around 10, was 1030 before we headed to the tender and 1130 ish by the time we were all gathered at the top of the cable car) We stopped at a Taverna at Monolithos beach which comprises of black volcanic sand. Had the most amazing Moussaka and stuffed tomatoes. We saw windmills at Vothonas, a mountain top village at Pyrgos and then finally the spectacular view from the town of Oia.

I have late in the day discovered just how easy it is to post to FB as opposed to Photobucket from my room.

Here's a map of our day; this was once a volcano that erupted in the 16th Century BCE hence the shape. Houses are carved into pumice stone rocks; the blue roofs and white buildings reflect a time when the Greek nationality was threatened and the blue was a means of clinging to their flag and roots.

If you squint you can see Rhapsody of the Seas parked up alongside Celebrity Equinox..... they arrived long before us and left after us.....

Good morning.

Today I'm joining a group for a tour you'd not expect a first timer to this port of call to do.

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Half Day Cape Sounion Tour includes: a wonderful drive along the scenic coastal road of the Saronic Gulf passing through some of Athens most beautiful suburbs (Glyfada, Lake of Vouliagmeni, and Varkiza). In Cape Sounion you will visit The Temple of Poseidon [5th century B.C] with one of the most breathtaking panoramic views in the world and you will have lunch or dinner by the sea.

Please note that the drivers are not professional licensed tour guides and so they cannot tour the archaeological sites or museums with you.

However, they know Greek history and mythology and can tell you about the sites on the way there, but their knowledge is very limited.

If you are interested in history then it is highly recommended to hire a

professional licensed tour guide to tour the sites with you at an extra charge.

Please let me know so as to arrange it in advance.

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Here's today's Compass

DAY 14 RH Cruise Compass, Athens, May 30.indd.pdf