scottishwee35

oh wow what a beautiful photos of Halloween and I can't believe to see all that photos that people do dressed up, what a brilliant photos. I wonder who won lol

Scottishwee35

Freedom of the Seas we booked 1700 for my special birthday and it was highly recommended... We enjoyed it and kids loved it as 4 of us but I would book it again in future....

Scottishwee35:D

That is the end of my long review and I hope I've not bored too many people. We had a fantastic holiday, met some wonderful people and made friends for life, fell in love with Venice, explored new places and proved you can have just a good a time on a small ship as on a larger ship. If you would like to read Lita's fantastic review this is the link:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1704530

 

Hope I have covered most things as we used public transport, vaparettos, hire cars, taxis and our own two feet but if you want to know anything ask, I will try to answer or check out Lita's review as they did excursions every day.

 

Splendour of the Seas is beautiful and the Eastern Meditteranean was stunning.

 

Get it booked and enjoy :p

Oh no it is not boring as I really enjoyed to read it and love the photos...

Of course, we booked Splendour of the Seas,for Eastern Meditteranean but different place as I think we are going to santori .

we cannot wait and thank for put photos in and lovely photos of Venice on last day...:p

I have read Lita trip report too as the photos are stunning so beautiful...

Scottishwee35

thank for showing the beautiful photos and at the cruise you all seem had the fun..:D

Scottishwee35

That night was the first Formal Night. Before dinner, we headed to the Concierge Lounge to meet Diego Tripaldi from Uruguay. He was the Concierge, a very nice young man, very helpful in so many ways, and does have a wicked sense of humour :D Thank You so much Diego for everything you’ve done for all of us!

 

 

With our very nice Captain

 

 

The Captain with Christine and family

Very nice dresses and I like your black dress too...

Scottishwee35

Most nights we would go to the Schooner Bar to listen to Anselmo - we even got Emily to come most nights and then on the last night Lita and Arn joined us - sorry Arn for keeping you up but we enjoyed your company :)

 

Chloe changed out of her prom dress because she couldn't breathe

After that I had been on several cruise and I know that how Chloe feel as she changed her prom dress lol...

Anyway, thank for showing the photos and what a beautiful dresses but I like your red dress oh that is so beautiful.

Do everyone wear long dress? As I am little as only 5 ft as I worn long skirt with top and I think I do that.

Corfu look so beautiful as I cannot wait to see it.

Scottishwee35

Interesting that you said that, after that I looked at your future Cruise list and low and behold there is one that I was considering - it is the one for the Panama Canal in 2014, it will be for our 40th Anniversary, but I am also considering a Baltic Cruise for that so that is why I have not made a decision yet, I have to wait till that Baltic cruise get released in the Spring- so one never knows we may see you on the Panama Canal Cruise [/color]:)

Let you know that my family and I had been on Disney Cruise from Florida to LA for 15 days to Panama Canal Cruise . It was awesome... I love to do it again but my husband rather do different place than go back to PC. I hope one day we will do it again...

We decided to walk back to our apartment and have a siesta before venturing out to eat but this was the view from our apartment looking towards the cruise terminal.

 

Oh I love sunset....

Oh beautiful photos that you showed it and I am looking forward to Venice next July. ;)

Scottishwee35

Not silly questions at all - these are things I am doing the review for because I wanted to know similar things before we went.

 

Before we went I went on veniceconnected.com and bought the vaparetto tickets - it worked out a bit cheaper then buying them on the day at machine. We used them the weekend we got back (1/9). We bought a 24 hour ticket each but didn't buy the bus ticket because thats the local bus (the best one to get from the airport is the ATVO at 6 euro one way or 11 euros return) - ticket machine in airport near luggage carousels.

 

When you buy it online it will give you a PNR code - we then left the ship, didn't bother with the people mover because the queue was so big but walked up to the main road turned right past the multi storey car park (you can't miss it) and you get to Piazzale Roma - obviously if you want to go this way to your ship just keep the square to your back, the car park to your left and follow the road until you can turn left on the main road (you can see all the ships docked).

 

Going back to the PNR code - we went to the machine next to the vaparetto stops across the road from Piazzale Roma and there is a ticket machine (we used the one furthest to your left - click on english and it asks for your PNR code - that easy and it prints out your tickets. Your ticket only starts from when you validate it at a yellow machine so watch the times - we had 24 hours, validated it at 9.40am so we were able to get on the 9.30am no 2 vaparetto the following morning to get us from San Basilio stop back round to Piazzala Roma with all our luggage).

 

Is the Santa Chiarra the one on the bridge?

 

Any more tips let me know.

 

Thank you for your kind words too :)

Oh that is great, that was very helpful, now I understand your explained..

Okay,my husband Ian and I, our planning will be..

So when we arrive Venice Airport then we will buy 4 tickets from machine for one way to Piazzale Roma (yes, the Santa Chiara the one on the bridge, cross over to Piazzale Roma (I think) so when we arrive the hotel and sort out things then when we start to travel so we start put card in the machine near Piazzale Roma. (I will order it before 7 days)... I think I will buy 36 hours each for 4 of us because we stay for 2 nights.

After the cruise, I think we book private taxi to airport because our flight will be 11.45 am:( as no flight until Monday. We need back home for our hearing dog (assistant dog). We will leave her for 10 days to dogsitting for first times.

I felt too risky if we go back to Piazzale Roma then catch bus back to airport and I don't want panic so decide to book private taxi.

Scottishwee35

http://i1144.photobucket.com/albums/o486/hummy0605/SAM_1033-Copy_zpsf173dc05.jpg

 

This is a bigger picture of the bus station at Piazzale Roma - public transport is so easy and cheap to use

Hi

Thank for showing it as we booked the hotel Santa Chiara which is in the Piazzale Roma.

We are thinking to get bus from airport to Piazzale Roma then cross over the hotel?

Did you purchased two days passes? or what did you spend on water taxis, or water bus?

I am searching what the best way if we buy 36 hours passes and used it travel around in Venice? Is it useful?

My kids told me that they want see Hard Rock and I don't know how we get there (seem daft question) what is best way for us to purchase two days tickets or not?:rolleyes:

For going to cruise port, I have been looking at people mover and not sure if it is best way for us with luggages and I don't know how far to walk to terminal? :confused:

Scottishwee35

Beautiful photo and you all look so happy....

I can't see your scar on your face but you look so lovely....

thank for wrote and showing the photos...:p

Scottishwee35

That is great that you understand how big the photo which your friend explained to you...

I look forward to see your photos and trip story.

to give me any idea for next year...:rolleyes:

I read another trip story which you met them and they did wonderful photos and trip story which I enjoyed it...

Scottishwee35

Photo of ice creams brought my memory back...

We went to Naples with Disney Cruise and we went excursion to Amifia Drive and coach drove all the way down and beautiful place there and it was ice cream shop similar which you showed your photo

We just full up with lunch and wines but we saw Mars Bar Ice Cream and we end up had ice cream which was so lovely...:p

Scottishwee35

Oh no you are not boring as I enjoyed to read it and love to see photos

Ah I see that you had a headache last night and I had that too last Saturday at my husband cousin's 30th birthday party. I had to leave early. It was horrible feeling and I felt throw up but didnt. I had terrible migraine few years ago and it was just one off .

I was looking at your trip story this morning and wonder where are you? Now I realised that.

Anyway, your photos are absolutely beautiful and what a lovely place and lovely photos of you three together and driver looked handsome too...:D

I look forward to read next one:)

Scottishwee35

Hello

We are from Scotland and we will be sailing with Splendour of the seas next year July 2013 to Greece & Turkey. We will be staying in Venice for 2 nights as we never been Venice before so we are looking forward to and we are learning about transportation.:eek:

For myself Deborah here, I am happy to read your trip story. (Ah, I see it is your first time to write it) I don't think I fall sleep or bored as I am exciting to read it.

We booked Jet2 too.

We look forward to read it

Scottishwee35:)

 

Schooner Bar

 

Entrance to the "King and I" dining room

 

 

I enjoyed to read it and what a lovely photos of Venice and this cruise too..

thank for your time to wrote and showing the photos.

I look forward to read more later :)

Scottishwee35

Originally Posted by scottishwee35

hello

 

I still enjoyed to read your trip story.

 

you see that we are going to Venice next year for two days before our cruise which similar your...

 

We are deaf family apart from hearing son.

 

the reason I was reading your story and wonder where did you booked for Grand Canal Boat Tour and Gondola Ride and Serenade Tour ?

 

I see that the photos that you were sharing with another people for Gondola Ride and I wonder if that would be less expensive ? If we go 4 of us for Gondola - will it be expensive? or better share with anoher?

 

Scottishwee35

 

 

 

 

 

Hello scottishwee35 :)

 

I'm sorry that I forgot to mention that on that Viator link I'd sent you, on the left side halfway down on the page, there's a blue box that says "Questions...

Click here". You can email them any questions about the gondola ride. Hope this helps.

Hi

Oh you are so nice to help me and many thankk for information and I put it in my favourite so I will have a look at it for later.

I continue to read your trip report and love it ;)

Scottishwee35

Thank you for the compliments! I really enjoy writing the trip reports. What did you think of the Freedom? Your friend is in for a great cruise :)

On first day, I disliked it as it was huge ship, the reason I was sailing with Magic Disney for 4 times and love it...Then I realised Freedom was massive then my husband with kids took me to look around and it turned out that it was a beautiful ship. I like promenade and champagne bar and we booked the balcony which was back of the ship 1700, which we had a huge balcony with two sunbed and table with two chairs. that was nice but it was long walk as I have my bad knee. I had to pack in first morning and don't want forgot things, had to walked back.

On last day, we enjoyed it and my husband love to go back and I asked kids which ship Disney or Freedom.. they said both

Foods was better than Disney, but hand down my favourite ship is Magic Disney.

Now I look back and thinking that Freedom cruise was excellent but huge ship. I think Liberty same as would like try to different ship.

We booked Splendour of the Seas with deaf group and kids was disappointed that it turn out no promenade.

We give a try and I know it is fine size Splendour similar to Magic. as We are going to Venice to sailing out to Crete and Turkey. My husband is looking forward to RC.

Shame that I didn't do trip report for Freedom of the Seas as I have lots of good photos. We went to Eastern Caribbean which was nice.

My brother went to Western Caribbean with Oasis of the Seas and I said oh my god it was a massive ship and he never been on cruise since left school cruise. Turn out He love it and want go back!!

Scottishwee35

Looking down from the St. Tropez Deck, into the Solarium:

 

 

 

In the Solarium:

 

 

 

 

 

 

The beautiful view from the Deck 12 pool area:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since your taking Hubby on Allure, I'll mention that the Cantilevered hot tubs on Allure have molded seats ideal for couples, not like the wide open seating on the Freedom class ships. Plus they have flat screens showing ESPN.

Hi

Oh wow, I enjoyed to read your trip report and lovely photos of you three ladies... I love your clothes too...

However, I had been Freedom of the Seas for my special birthday last year and I didn't realised how big the cruise was after I had been on Disney Cruise many times...

I remember that spa was very hot as I hardly go in the spa cos too hot I think sun throught the window as it was Eastern Caribbean.

My friend mentioned me that she was so exciting that she is going on Liberty of the Seas next month at Barcelona. I thought what kind of that ship, when I looked it up and didn't realised that it is same size as Freedom!! I didn't know as I thought it was only two Freedom and Indepedence of the seas (sister)?

anyway, thank for your lovely story...

Scottishwee35

hello

I still enjoyed to read your trip story.

you see that we are going to Venice next year for two days before our cruise which similar your...

We are deaf family apart from hearing son.

the reason I was reading your story and wonder where did you booked for Grand Canal Boat Tour and Gondola Ride and Serenade Tour ?

I see that the photos that you were sharing with another people for Gondola Ride and I wonder if that would be less expensive ? If we go 4 of us for Gondola - will it be expensive? or better share with anoher?

Scottishwee35

hi

Oh poor dog and I am glad that Mia is okay...

and what a lovely family and I like the photo of you all..

Oh wonderful to show the photos of Venice...

I look forward to read your trip report and thank for your time to do it...

Scottishwee35

wow, the photos are stunning and so beautiful.

I enjoyed to read your trip report and give me some idea for our cruise next year.

We are going to Venice and stay for 2 nights and we booked hotel Santa Chiara and I saw your photo show it...

Anyway, thank for your times for putting photos and wrote it and I really enjoyed it..

Many thanks

Scottishwee35

Hello

wow, your photos are amazing and so beautiful and thank for your time to put photos and story..

About Singapore, it brought my memory back as I think I last visited Singapore about 9 years ago, for 3 nights with my family and in law... that was my second times and I love Singapore and when I saw your trip report and I decided to read it along...

'LOTS' - are you referring to Legend of the Seas or Liberty of the Seas?

 

Legend is a Vision class ship (70,000 GT) while Liberty is a Freedom class ship (150,000GT).

 

Voyager and Mariner are sister-ships.

 

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS_Mariner_of_the_Seas

 

Mariner was recently refurbished. I'm quite keen to sail on her!!

I was on Freedom of the Seas last year for my special birthday and I thought it was a huge ship and I disliked at first day but my husband took me to look around and finally I love it...and we love Promenade it was great...

Glad you liked the review & welcome back to Singapore!!

 

Some suggestions in no particular order: Since I last visited Singapore I saw...

 

1) Gardens by the Bay no

 

2) Singapore Flyer - the views now should be breathtaking in the evening and at night. no

 

3) Singapore Zoo never went cos phoiba of snakes

 

4) Chinatown yes

 

5) Little India yes

 

6) Orchard Road yes, love it... shopping was excellent..

 

7) Universal Studios (if you are into theme parks) didnt know...

also visited parrot park, sentosa... hop on hop off

and I think Singapore Airport is best in the World...Why, well it is cleaning and beautiful also the staff was so lovely to us too.... I never forget that...When we flew to Australia and the airport was so different!!

 

Not sure what other interests you may have.

 

This is the official Singapore tourism website where you may get more ideas.

 

http://www.yoursingapore.com/content/traveller/en/experience.html

The risotto main.

 

When at Portofino, you can only order one main each. However, if you ask, they would usually let you order a main portion of pasta or risotto to share too!

 

Is that Crab? cos I had that at Freedorm of the Seas...just wonder...

Anyway, thank for showing the photos which was amazing but shame about the weather...

I fancy go back to Singapore in future....

Scottishwee35

After we had been on Disney cruise with Wonder and Magic for 4 times.

I love it and I love Magic and everything was great even two ASL an interpreters, they were marvellous actor, sing and sign on the stage. that was wow, total different from UK.

After that I always want go to Freedoms of the Sea and we went last April for my special birthday. We realised that we missed Magic because Freedoms was huge ship but at end we liked it.

Hand down is Magic.

But we felt that our kids will be 16, 13 and we need to change different ship not go same ship like Magic (of course I will be back at Magic:) if the price are suitable)...

We try NCL Spirit next year and hope we like it (I am sure) as it is smaller than Magic.

Scottishwee35

Congratulations on your marriage.

wow, your photos are absolutely beautiful and what a lovely couple.

Your photos brought my memory back!! We were sailing with Disney Magic in 2007 to Med. And we had been Rome, Naples, Pisa, villefranche.

Now we booked Spirit NCL next year and we are going back to Med with Deaf World Cruise. We are looking forward to see Med again.

Your comment

As far as my favorite part of the trip I have to say the amalfi coast (Sorrento, Positano, and Ravello) was the most beautiful place I have ever been, it was magical! We were also more relaxed that day without having museum times, etc... And it was just such a relaxed and pleasant time. Don't get me wrong, seeing the coliseum and all the other amazing landmarks I have always dreamed of seeing was amazing, but the amalfi coast day was so unexpected and was definitely my favorite.

that is my place trip too, and I told my husband that I want to go back again to see Sorrento, Amaifa Drive, Positano and it was awesome and I felt stress free lol..

And we had been in Rome, saw lots with Disney Excursion but we are not sure what we do next year as we think maybe take the train and walk around, wait and see until near the times.

Anyway, thank again, for showing the photos and wrote some trip report and it was amazing to reading it and some make me laughing too.

Scottishwee35