kathleen21

So as I was going through my pictures to get my next post ready I found this-

Party animals that we are, that’s all we saw of the white party[emoji42]

Monday, April 23, 2018 – CORFU and Our Anniversary!

One of the things that I really liked when I was exploring this itinerary was that we would be celebrating our anniversary in Greece, and that we would get a chance to sleep in too! Of course, I still woke up early, but not to an alarm at least. I got my coffee and did my run around the deck before joining Ray at “our table” on the aft deck of the buffet. It was fun that our friends surrounded us and sang “Happy Anniversary.”

At 1015 we went to the Covent theater for the “Behind the Scenes” video presentation. There was interesting information about the engine room and the amount of cleaning done on the ship. Not that much on dining or laundry because they want to sell that tour.

We went to lunch in the dining room again today. It is just so easy and relaxing, and uncrowded – even on what felt like a sea day.

Then it was time to explore Corfu! The four of us easily walked off the ship and took a short, free shuttle ride to the Port entrance. The store owners along the walk into town were very friendly and free with advice.

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The Daily from our first Sea Day.

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Fantastic photos Kathleen! Valletta is also on our cruise itinerary and it looks beautiful.

I think you will love Valletta. I’m embarrassed to say that I didn’t really know where Malta was before I started doing research for this cruise. Now, however, I would like to go back and spend a week on Malta.

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This was the free port map- although we still managed to get lost, with this, street signs and an online map...

We joined everyone for dinner, and I noted that our food was very good tonight. We had veal salad, lentil soup, prime rib, salmon, lasagna and hummus with falafel.

One complaint that I had read about on CC was the watery salad in the dining room. That actually turned out to be true for us. But it became kind of joke, especially after a nameless someone drained the water into the butter bowl[emoji33] ( no worries, we confessed 🤣)

Tonight’s show was opera, and Ray and I were the only ones that attended from our group. I do feel like we are getting a good musical education on this trip! By the time it was over, we were yawning and called it a night.

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Valletta Daily

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We chose the general itinerary, then the date. The date was trickier to work with because two of our party of three work full time. We really wanted Liverpool, and I wanted it to be earlier in the season rather than later. I looked into the Royal before committing, and it suited our purposes. ..

Having said that, I’m eyeing a few itinerary ideas over the next few years (retirement is looming) and it’s going to be about where we want to go. Having sailed on three different lines in the last 8 years we have a good idea of what to expect from each cruiseline, and can plan accordingly.

Thank you very much for your thoughtful response. I honestly hadn’t even considered Princess before this. Also, you are responsible for me renewing my library card! I just put a hold on the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. Any similar book ideas for Madrid/ Spain perhaps?

Thank you very much for an entertaining and educational review. It made work pass quickly today;) I am now reading your other review and have noticed that you don’t seem to be loyal to a particular cruise line. We aren’t either, so far... After reading your review I want to do a cruise like this, hopefully next fall. I am curious as to how you chose this ship?

At this port also there was a little duty free shop where we bought some wine to carry on. I didn’t hide it or anything, and was willing to have it put away somewhere until the end of the cruise, but no one said anything and I carried it onboard. And eventually drank it [emoji16]

We were back on board at 3:15pm, and up on the pool deck with icy drinks in hand for the sail away party. The music was fun, it was not too crowded, and the view pulling out of Malta was gorgeous.

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I hope I’m conveying how charming we thought these cities were. Mdina especially was just so beautiful and relaxing to walk around in and explore. It’s hard to stop adding more photos to this already trip report! So here’s a few more before moving on [emoji41]

After lunch we wandered along the stone walls and explored more of the alleys and plazas before heading back to the bus. Timing: 1100 left Valletta, 1130-1345 Mdina, 1400 bus to Valletta. While there is always more to do we felt like our time in Mdina was perfect. This still left us with an hour to walk around and enjoy Valletta before taking the lift down to the port.

The afternoon view from the upper gardens, and looking down at a perfect wedding venue-

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We shopped a bit, then went to lunch at Fontanellla Tea Room, a recommendation from a Maltese friend for the food and the view. They were right about both. We sat upstairs on the patio with an expansive view of the island.

We ordered the traditional Malta sandwich (tuna, toasted), Fantanella classic pizza and the signature chocolate cake to share. Along with a bottle of Maltese white wine, of course. [emoji16] (17E/couple. We found Mdina to be very reasonably priced for food, drinks and souvenirs)

Watch out for these flying crooks. We saw them swoop in and take food off of peoples plates that didn’t even notice!

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We had to ask directions, and were sent down some steps to a main road with a couple of bus stops.

There were a couple of buses that went to Mdina – the times were on the bus stops. Plus there were a lot of people around who seemed to know what they were doing, so we confirmed with them. The bus trip was about half an hour, air conditioned one way at least, and only 3E round trip. City shots on the way-

Mdina in the distance

When we got off at Mdina we noted the times that the buses were leaving to go back to Valletta – we didn’t want to take any chance of missing our ship! As a side note, we asked at the taxi stand and it would take 25 minutes and cost 25E each way.

Mdina was charming! Every few feet you wanted to stop and take pictures!

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Eventually we kept going, finding a Costa coffee shop for espresso and free wifi. Valletta is so clean, there were public toilets available and the free maps even had street names on them. Seriously, the things you appreciate when you haven’t had them for a few days!

We made our way to the Palace square as a parade of boy and girl scouts went by. This was in honor of St Georges Day we were told. The crowds were starting to get bad, so we headed back to the main square to catch a bus to Mdina.

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We walked around the Upper Barranca Gardens and into Valletta. What a beautiful city! The cleanliness and architecture made us feel as if we were on a movie set. They have filmed quite a lot of movies here, there is a map if you want to search out the sights.

I really wanted to make it to St John’s Co-Cathedral for at least some of the morning Mass. We wandered around for quite a while before we accidentally found it. We got there just as Mass started, and were able to stand in back and subtly take pictures.

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Sunday, April 22 – VALLETTA

I was up at 6:30 so I could run the ship in. (Does that pilot boat know I’m helping?[emoji12]Kept stopping to take pictures though, the lighting was so beautiful. With this being known as “one of the most beautiful sail- ins in the world” I had company on deck today.

Those are the tables we enjoy our breakfast at.

Port Information- There is a TI with maps right as we exited the ship.

Plenty of bus tour options. The Barrarca lift is to the right as you are facing inland. We were there early so there wasn’t much of a line. There were workers at the ticket machine helping so it went faster. 1E each. Have exact change, everyone behind you will thank you. (Actually I would have liked to climb the stairs up, but we couldn’t find them. And no one we asked knew what we were talking about. They all pointed us to the lift. )

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Wonderful review and photos!

I am loving this review too. Thank you! Seaview for the same ports in August so looking forward to seeing more.

Thank you both for the comments and encouragement!

Continuing to enjoy your fabulous review. Barcelona is a wonderful city, we enjoyed it as a port day and returned for a land based trip a few months later. Highly recommended. One of the great things about cruising, getting a taster of places.

I'm trying not to wish my life away but it's now less than 8 weeks until we board Orchestra and this thread is enhancing my excitement :cool:

Thanks! I so wish I was going again! We left most ports feeling like we had plans for what we would see and do next time we are there. I’m hoping that will be next year ;)

All dressed up, we met our friends at the captain’s cocktail party. Disclaimer – we went for the drinks, not the photo op. [emoji16][emoji484][emoji485][emoji6]

Dinner is so much fun at this table! The waiters are energetic and funny. We are learning that if he tells us “you don’t want to order that”, than we don’t. He has started bringing us extra plates of dinner and dessert for the table to try. Ray and I aren’t ordering extra food now. Between the delicious bread and the different plates that show up for the table, we always have plenty to eat!

No menu photo tonight, but here are some food pictures. The fish was god, the steak was great. Interesting that the cheese platter was different each time in portion size and types of cheese or fruit. This plate was perfect.

The Paris show tonight was fantastic. It was a very professional production with beautiful costumes and a clear sound system.

The good thing about all those introductions in various languages at the beginning of the show is that after the English is done, there is enough time to go to the bathroom and be back for the show. We had planned on going dancing or listening to music, but we were too tired. We have an early day planned tomorrow in Valletta!

PS – we actually spent no money today! With the wine we bought at the duty free, the cocktail party and our drink coupons we never had too. Strange.

Also, I just realized that I left my pile of dailies at work! I’m going to have to wait until Monday to post those[emoji20]

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Saturday, April 21 Cruise Day 4 – SEA DAY

Whew. After the action and last few early mornings, we were ready for a sea day. Our only plans for today were in the evening – the Captain’s gala, dinner and the Paris show. So we didn’t have an alarm clock set today. I was up at 0800 and went upstairs for my coffee and a run. This is getting to be my routine. I love how peaceful the ship is in the morning.

Met up with Ray for breakfast at “our” table on the Aft deck of the buffet before wandering the ship and exploring the shops. The crowds in the purse store were hilarious.

I met up with our Australian friends in the disco for dance lessons. The Merenue. The lesson was fun and definetly helped work up an appetite. We were planning on eating at the buffet together for lunch, but it was crowded at 1230 and we split up. Ray and I decided to check out the dining room for lunch. This was a great idea. They still have a (small) buffet set up, so you can eat right away if you want. But they also have table food and drink service. We were seated right away at a table for two. With our drink package we get our waters only in the dining room, so that was also a plus. We did a combo of table service for appetizers and dessert, and the buffet for the mains and more dessert. Lunch service took 40 minutes. What else was fun was that we were sat next to a large table where we saw our cute Italian honeymoon couple and their family! They were all having a wonderful time and loved the cruise.

After lunch we stopped by the wine bar, where I noticed they have a mini sandwich and snack buffet open. We also saw breakfast pastries and fruit on our morning walk here.

Then Ray went to watch the ocean and I went to the spa for some yoga and sauna/Jacuzzi time. We hung out in the shade by the pool with a couple of cold beverages. It was busy, but we were always able to find a spot.

Soon enough it was almost 5 pm and time to get ready for Gala Night!

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Hi,

We are loving your review! We were in Barcelona last month for 5 days before and after our med cruise and walked about 13 miles one day just taking everything in! Visited Sagrada and did the inside tour as well as going to Park Guell. Also took a train out to Montserrat for the day which I highly recommend if not done so before. Now one of our favourite cities and great to see the photos you have both been taking, just brings it all back. Great information for the Orchestra as well which we will be on in approx 9 weeks :D

Thanks!

You’re welcome! I have definitely decided that we need to spend more time in Barcelona. You are so lucky to be cruising again! Have a wonderful time!

Every night there were performers in this main atrium

After dinner we wandered the ship for a bit, then all met up at the Flamenco show. It was well done! Again, beautiful costumes, clear sound - and acrobatic dancers with fast feet!

Since tomorrow is a sea day and there is no need to get up early, we all went dancing in the Shaker Lounge. One thing about this ship is that there is music everywhere. If you don’t like the tunes in one place, just keep walking!

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These were included with the Daily last night

Now to finish up Barcelona [emoji16]

Port notes- The walk TO the Chrisopher Columbus statue is more uphill over the bridge and would probably take 20-30 minutes. There are metro stations in that area that can take you all over the city. Also, in the duty free shops, after the MSC security scanners, there are shops that advertise that you can take 2 bottles of wine onto the ship in your bags. We double checked with MSC and they said it was true. That was a nice treat. We bought bottles of wine for the room. They had sangria and mixers also.

We were back on board at 4:45 pm, 45 minutes before the all aboard time, after a full day in port. We headed to L&L’s room to check out their balcony view and drink some of the wine we just bought.

Tonight we switched dining tables, and dining rooms. L&L were at a table for six, with her brother and his wife. The other two diners had shown up the first night, and never again, so they invited us to join them. What a difference! We had so much fun socializing over our meal. Their waiter was funny and friendly, not as detail oriented as our other team maybe, but much more enthusiastic and charming to be around. He told us not to worry, and that we were fine to stay at this table for the rest of the cruise. Luckily, he was right – those 2 girls never did come back to eat at their table. And we never went back to ours..

I must have been having too much fun to take pictures! Whoops! This is all I have:

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Barcelona Daily -

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I'm loving your trip report. I've been working on dh to take a european cruise, maybe someday. He just is very leery about flying overseas.

Thank you. It is fun to relive the trip. I have relatives that say that also. It’s a hard sentiment to counter, but I look at it as all these countries are full of people that are happy living there. So we try to blend in and be a local for a day. In the meantime, at least you have cruise critic adventures to read!

No, air conditioning sets! But it is understandable, because the prices in Mexico are sooooooo much cheaper than other places in the caribbean.

I have this mental picture of people carrying window air conditioners on board :cool: So funny!