Bob&Barb

We were at Shelly Bay about 1 month ago. We made a point of going there, as Heidi (of Byways Tours) told us that it's her own favorite beach to visit on her time off.

It was a little bit windy the day we were there, but the beach is lovely, there are lots of trees along the beach for shade, and at noon, we were the only ones there. There was a massive school of tiny fish there, so it made for some nice snorkeling.

I believe we took the Number 10 bus from Hamilton. It's a few kms. past the aquarium but the bus drivers are so helpful, just ask and they'll let you know where to get off. The bus stop is only a few hundred feet from the beach. You could also grab the ferry to St. Georges and then take the bus back towards Hamilton. It's perhaps a 10-15 minute ride. Either way, it's pretty easy to get there.

(I guess I should mention -- there are no change facilities there -- and you can't wear wet bathing suits on the bus, so perhaps factor in some time to dry off.)

I've looked at a few websites, and it seems Monday, May 26th IS Bermuda Day this year.

It looks like transportation will run on the Sunday schedules. As for the shops, those with holiday trading licences, should be open from 1 - 6 p.m.

This will be our first full day in Bermuda so we've booked a tour with a private guide. It may be that while the public attractions and beaches are open, the holiday crowds and reduced bus & ferry schedules will make it slower to get around.

Millineumwoman ~ The only tour we didn't enjoy was Ultimate Rome. I understand you may have a totally different experience but for us, it was just too rushed, and we were dealing with massive crowds, due to a general audience with the Pope (Wednesdays) which brought in an extra 250,000 - 300,000 (as we were told). The crowds at the Vatican were crushing. I think the only thing I really focused on was the pink bow on top of our guides little stick, as we kept losing her in the crowds. We had to rush frantically to keep up and we saw...honestly, almost nothing at the Vatican museum, except a few tapestries, and of course, the Sistine Chapel (a solid moving mass of people). We had a few minutes at the Pantheon on our own and about 1 hr. at the Coliseum as a group.

It didn't help that our tour also started late, because after driving to Rome in the big bus, the guide was late meeting us. It was pretty much 'power-walk' through Rome after that. :eek: (It was also really unfortunate, but we had someone who had difficulty walking on this tour and he REALLY couldn't keep up. The guide never looked back or waited for him.)

Exhausted at the end, we stood in an underground bus depot for approx. an hour, waiting for our bus which was a.) lost or b.) blocked in - nobody seemed to know. We were very late getting back to the ship. I can honestly say, everyone in our group was disgruntled.

I did not feel that tour was worth the $. Not at all. For us, it was the worst tour - ever. Too much Rome - too little time! Are you sorry you asked?? :)

BTW, Exclusive Florence was wonderful. So was Exclusive Pompeii & Amalfi Coast with Guilia, our guide. She was fantastic and we had the best day of our trip. :) So some tours are definitely better than others.

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Re. the Cirque show - the food was mediocre as many have commented. I'm not really that fussy, but it was 2 rubbery shrimp (cold) with a piece of beef (maybe 3" x 2") also cold. I think it was served with mashed potatoes. Honestly, I tasted but didn't eat it.

Also 4 little one-bite desserts, which were good.

The show is quite entertaining, so perhaps eat before you go. :)

Sbsmutoni ~

I asked my husband Bob and he said, yes, they had liquor in the duty free shop in Barcelona -- a small selection. Thinking back on it, there was

a long line right at the point of entering the ship, and we got sent back down to the aft to board -- I imagine that is why there was no security check, and actually, nobody to greet us. Every port, they were definitely checking bags.

Karoo ~

We did the Magical Mallorca & Train to Soller excursion through the ship. It left an hour late (slow processing for the excursions) so the itinerary was modified & reversed -- it was the train FROM Soller :p but it was very enjoyable and worthwhile. Yes, I think that seeing the general scramble for seats on the train and the crowds (our tour group had their own car) - I don't think I'd DIY and chance getting back to the ship late. It's a short 1/2 day in port, so not much time.

~Barb

I'm not sure if you're asking me but...I'll answer anyway. ;)

There seemed to be very few children on board our cruise, but it's May. There weren't any characters about -- but perhaps they'll bring them out when there are a lot more children on board in the summer. (Sorry -- I didn't bring the dailies back or I could have checked about the breakfast. Our luggage was just so darn heavy I had to toss them.)

I will say the kid's own water park area was adorable. :) It looked very cute & inviting.

~Barb

We just returned from the Epic, disembarking this past Saturday in Barcelona. This was our first "big" ship cruise, so I am in no way an

expert on cruising, but here are my observations, in case they may be helpful. :)

Embarking in Barcelona was quick and easy. We arrived at the port

at 10:45 from our hotel (Hotel Montecarlo on La Rambla <--fantastic) and it took less than an hour to go through security and be greeted onboard.

BTW, there is a duty free shop after security, and no, there was

no one checking bags, or any table to pay corkage if you choose to

purchase your own wine to take on board. (This could change, and

they were definitely checking at all the other ports.)

The ship is beautiful and easy to find your way about. I had read

about long waits for the elevators, but it was never an issue for us.

Most of the time, it was only a minute or two before an elevator

came. Also, after reading much about chair hogs, I never saw

any. There always seemed to be lots of chairs, perhaps because

the cruise is so port intensive. It was also a beautiful week,

weather-wise, but a tiny bit chilly (low 70s).

The staff was GREAT. Almost everyone was cheerful, had

a smile, and kind word. We had a minisuite (12266) and

while it's a bit tight passing one another, there is plenty of storage

and a very comfy bed. The toilet area & shower area are not

big, and not private, but you know what to expect, right? :rolleyes:

The food was fine. Great breakfast in the buffet. We weren't

very impressed by the Teppanyaki, but it may have been the chef,

who was either new, or a fill in. He did very little in the way of

entertainment, and he had some trouble calculating the amount

of food for each person at the table -- coming up short a serving

several times. (Other tables seemed to be having fun.)

Blue Man group was excellent. The Cirque show is good, but the food

is not. Seating is tight. We also ate at Taste, O'Sheehans and Moderno.

The new port this year is Palma, on Mallorca. Absolutely

gorgeous island -- as beautiful as the Amalfi coast in southern Italy.

Don't stay in town. Venture out and into the mountains, and visit

Valldemossa and Soller if you have time. (Shop for pearls!)

I have to say that we didn't follow the general consensus and we

booked excursions through the ship. We had a couple of the very

best tours (Exclusive Amalfi Coast & Pompeii, as well as Exclusive

Pisa & Florence) and we also had the absolute worst touring experience

ever (Ultimate Rome). Norwegian does have a problem dispursing

the passengers out on ship tours. Two harried crew members

have to process hundreds of passengers and so the tours were

mostly late getting out. You spend a LOT of time waiting to get

called, if it's a popular tour.

My best tip would be to plan, plan, plan your days to include

only the sights most important to you, and everything else will fall beautifully into place. There's so much to enjoy on the ship,

along with this wonderfully diverse Med itinerary, you've got the whole

dream holiday here!

I'm a little bit tired writing this, (11 hours of flying today) but if

you have any specific questions please ask, and I'll be happy to

answer if I can.

~Barb