Senga

We have had some incredible dining experiences from restaurants we have found on TripAdvisor.

We aren't sailing until May 2024 but, so far, the ONLY dining room we can reserve is Palm. I'm more interested in Coral since I read that the noise from the Piazza carrys into the Island dining room.

The cigarette smoke at Athens airport is overwhelming. The bus stop for X96 is easy to find outside exit 5 which is handy because there is a washroom at exit 5 and they are few and far between. You need to go to the booth to purchase your €5,50 ticket which you scan inside the bus. There are areas to put your luggage but, at our age and with me using a cane, it was a bit of a struggle to get the cases on and off. It took 1 1/2 hours to reach the stop we needed for our hotel. The stops are shown on a screen although the proper Greek name is different from what we recognize. Be sure to have the correct spelling and you’ll be fine: AHMOTIKO / DHMOTIKO In hindsight we thought it would be as easy at the National Express from LHR to Southampton. Definitely not. No driver to assist with loading/unloading the luggage. Unless you are fit and/or travelling light, bite the bullet and arrange private transport.

We booked Rock Tours with John Lopez and it was EXCELLENT. Our 3 hour tour headed out at 8:30 BEFORE all the larger tours so we didn't have a wait anywhere and no crowds. The cost was 90 euros per person (8 in our group) and it was well worth the money. Pillars of Hercules/Jews Gate St. Michael’s Cave - awesome Skywalk Great Siege Tunnel - gorgeous views over the border to Spain, across a live runway Apes Den 100 Ton Gun - bathroom break Europa Point Napolian community/eastern beach Since the shops were all closed there was no point staying in town then walking 25 minutes in the heat so we opted for a drop off right at the ship at noon instead of Casemates Square. We were so fortunate to have a PERFECT day with a lovely breeze off the Atlantic instead of a hot, humid breeze off the Mediterranean. Gibraltar is very clean and scenic and I, of course, LOVED the Barbary apes. There is a £1000 fine for not cleaning up after your dog which is STRICTLY enforced. Everyone we saw with a dog was carrying poop bags and a spray bottle! We saw tourists who opted to use the cable car but it is a LONG walk uphill to get to the sights. Do yourself a favour and book a small private tour. It's worth it.

We are in our mid 70's, I use a cane. This will give you an idea of how easy it is to DIY Genoa which we absolutely LOVED. Left the ship at 10. Easy access to city centre using Metro which is free 10-4 and is close to the port, easy to find/use. Information just outside Stazione Marittima is excellent. People with mobility issues might have a problem since escalator/elevators are under repair at San Giorgio stop. Principe Metro Stazione Marittima De Ferrari Metro - FREE W/C Piazza De Ferrari - fountain, statue, Teatro Carlo Felice Palazzo Ducale Church of Jesus Market - where we purchased 2 jars of pesto €10 Piazza Dante - Porto Soprana / Casa di Colombo San Lorenzo Cathedral Lunch at Caffe San Lorenzo - €17; Gnocchi al pesto, Penne al pesto, Aqua Dessert at GROM - €7,40; dark chocolate gelato,Fragola granita/gelato San Giorgio Metro Piazza Caricamento - Porto Antico Palazzo Emanuele Filiberto Di Negro Acquario Di Genova Returned to the ship at 2:30 after seeing everything we wanted.

To give you an idea of our DIY in Naples a week ago. Left ship at 9:20, returned at 1:50. Too hot, too many people. Made our way to Gesu Nuovo Square. Visited the church with its impressive interior then Chiostro Di Santa Chiara. We strictly stuck to the gardens, didn’t visit any of the museums. Nice but prefer what we saw in Seville. Walked down Via Toledo which was wall to wall people and shopping we weren’t interested in. Passed Galleria Umberto I on our way to Piazza Plebiscito to reach Gran Caffe Gambrinus which was almost a total, expensive waste. Interior was lovely but service was terrible as was the food with the exception of the Matilda pastry which was PERFECTION. The PIZZETTA MARGHERITA had too much sauce and no basil. It was lukewarm and since servers were scarce I went and found someone who heated it up in a microwave! NOT what I expected in Italy. The PARIGINA (Puff Pizza Filled with Ham and Cheese) was a big hunk of pizza dough topped with ham and cheese and a tiny layer of the puff pastry on top. Any Sfoglia we have had was without the thick crust. The ham and cheese layered between TWO layers of puff pastry, minus the “dough”. Very disappointing. The CANNOLO was okay; soggy part way through. The MATILDA was the only saving grace. Even the bottled water was served less than COLD and we had to find a server well after the food was served to get our beverages. The bill was €31 so I assume from the prices posted they added €2 for the terrible service. To add insult to injury you are required to pay €1 for the “privilege” of using a toilet that doesn’t flush! In Plebiscito square you find the Royal Pontifical Basilica of San Francesco di Paola and the Royal Palace which, unfortunately, is under construction. The palace gardens are free to visit but, a total waste. By no stretch of ANY imagination could you call this a “garden”. Had a relatively nice view of Maschio Angioino. Stopped for waters and a lemon granita-doesn’t compare to fragola. Glad to be back on board ship.

We loved Messina. We took the tram/bus to Sacrario di Cristo Re then walked down to the ship visiting all the sites on the way. Lovely views and we had wonderful cannoli and fragolia granita at Reqube Bar & Restaurant at the Sacrario. It took 45 minutes to get to the highest point but, if we were to do it again, I'd just opt for a taxi direct.

Used Valet again and this time and they put a big ding on the passenger side door. Adding the new location difficulties for us seniors we're done with them. Now we need to find a reliable limo service!

Take Five Yes. You’ll receive a notice in your cabin with times and location.

We went twice on Enchanted Princess and thought the selection of nibbles was VERY good. First time the hot selection was chicken wings, then spring rolls.

Sorry.

Yes but that was their choice. Personally, since COVID, we would never book a cabin without a balcony.

Dropped by the lounge twice. The hot selections were chicken wings then spring rolls. I thought it was nicely done but, since we didn’t know anyone and people seemed to have their own groups, we didn’t stay.

I am in the same situation, not required on the ship. I contacted Princess before our cruise and requested wheelchair assistance which was noted on our file.

Xcite (not Static), from Trinidad & Tobago, were fantastic and it was the only entertainment we went to consistently. They are on until mid October and are definitely worth your time. We really enjoyed Rock Opera. Went to listen to AJ one night; we couldn't see what the attraction was but, as they say, each to their own.

He was alive and well on Enchanted.

If you saved $7000 and lost $200 I think you still came out a winner.

Had that package on Sky in May and canned was included.

Canned soda is now included.

On Sky Princess they served sub par scones in the buffet but with clotted cream. The dining room scones were outstanding but served only with whipped cream. 😢

Thanks Emma for your live report. We board Enchanted Saturday. Thanks to your report, we'll give Livorno a miss! Enjoy the remainder of your trip. Safe travels.

@trinitygirl Glad you enjoyed Marseille. Your pictures definitely show there is another side to the dirty place we saw! Guess a guided tour is the way to go. The only thing I want from Marseille is Herbs de Provence so we may go ashore if there are shops close to the port.

@trinitygirl Where did you take the sail in to Kotor picture from?

@trinitygirl So glad you enjoyed Gibraltar; we’re really looking forward to this port. Wonderful your random group tour worked out. That’s what we were originally planning and it sounds perfect. We ended up booking a private tour for 8 on our roll call. An ice cream and M&S are on our agenda too!

Greek Evil Eye (Mati)