Navigator trip Report June 10th-17th East Med!

[Sinppu]

Hello everyone and welcome to my first report here on CC!

I hope to be of both service and entertainment to my fellow CC'ers so fire away with any questions and positive comments you may have (of course none of you have anything negative to say and even if you did you are too polite to say it out loud...right?) I'll be writing the report over the next few days so please be patient!

 

Some background first. I'm Sinny (32) and this is my third cruise.

 

I usually travel with my husband but this time he had something else planned so when I saw a bargain Med cruise, I grabbed it and persuaded my Mom (64) to come with me.

 

She is affectionally sometimes called the Dragon as she is a quiet, calm and polite person. No, wait. I always mix these two things up...she swears like a sailor and spits fire when she isn't happy (every hour on the hour and half past). Yeah, that was it. Sorry.

 

 

We are cruising the Eastern Mediterranean with the Navigator of the Seas. We left from Civitavecchia (Rome) and our ports of call are Messina (Sicily), Kusadasi (Turkey), Athens and Crete (Greece).

 

We spent only two nights in Rome pre-cruise as we have been here before. I celebrated my birthday on Friday and we took it easy with some great vino rosso della casa.

 

My Mom has got a quite severe case of arthritis and high blood pressure so she can't walk fast, tires easily and heat is bad for her. So sunny 28 degrees (80 F) was just what we needed for seeing the Villa Borghese gardens and Spanish Steps on Saturday (which were lovely, by the way).

 

 

 

 

 

Train to Civitavecchia

A few words of advice to those thinking of taking the train from Rome to Civitavecchia. It's easy and cheap. We paid 5 € each for second class ticket. There are trains at least once every hour and the regional trains going to Pisa Centrale also stop at Civitavecchia.

 

However, do go to the station early. The ticket machines are easy to use but the trains leave from platforms 25-29 which are 400 meters (1/4 mile) away from the station. Owing to my Mom's stiff gas pedal, we didn't make it to the first train. We waited an hour for the next one.

 

When you are going to the train the station is full of young people helping you to stamp your ticket, guiding you to the right train and helping you with your luggage. When they have helped you find a comfortable seat they will pester you for money. It is in your best interest to shun them away from the beginning or pay them in the end.

 

From the train in Civitavecchia it is an easy walk or a taxi ride to the free shuttle buses to the ship. Take the shuttle bus -it's a looong way to walk.

Edited June 24, 2012 by Sinppu

[Sinppu]

You can also opt to stay in Civitavecchia pre-cruise. It is a small seaside town but it seemed nice enough to spend a few days on the beach.

 

 

 

 

 

There are plenty of ferries, going all the way for example to Barcelona.

 

Someone was quite unhappy not to be cruising.

 

 

The Muster Drill was quite a quick thing, no life vests were needed. The crew showed us how to put them on and that was it.

 

[Sinppu]

Sail away had excellent weather and plenty of people.

 

 

 

We might have indulged in a few cold drinks. Just a few, mind.

 

 

We had an inside cabin. The corridors are long and nervously monotonous to people with cataracts (yep, Mom has that too. Always an ailment of the day with her :p).

 

 

So I told her to look for this guitar so she wouldn't get lost. It worked, I think. She was never gone for more than an hour.

[Sinppu]

I've been on the Explorer in 2008 so I found the Navigator familiar in a nice way. There is some wear and tear but nothing I found disturbing. Mom might have though but thanks to the cataracts she didn't see the flaws...

 

The Viking Crown Lounge was very quiet and perfect for sampling another drink. Strawberry Daiquiri was a hit but the Baileys Cafe was a miss. It did hit my throat quite well anyway, so no complaints there.

 

 

Mom is wearing tricolour beads that our Roll Call ordered. They were a great way to recognize everyone.

 

 

The view from deck 11 ladies restroom. Have to love cruising.

 

 

Crocs in the casino entrance. I won a whopping $80 playing roulette, so no complaints either.

 

 

I'll be back soon, now it's time to work a little ;)

Edited June 24, 2012 by Sinppu

[Verfai]

Keep it coming :D we are on her September 16th thanks for taking the time!!!

[Sinppu]

Our first stop was Sicily. There are plenty of tours to take you around the island, which I would recommend. Messina hasn't that much to offer in itself.

It was a hot day again, so we didn't get very far with Mom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are also people boarding in Messina.

[Sinppu]

If you are in Messina around noon there is one thing worth seeing though, the Clock Tower at 11.55 am.

If you like surprises, do not read on. ;)

 

There were loads of people on the piazza and we didn't know why they all were there so for us it was just very lucky timing.

 

 

First the lion roars a couple of times. Then the rooster cock-a-doodle-doos and spreads its wings. They save the best for last: Ave Maria echoes around the square and the statues move a circle.

 

 

It was very nice. There are places to sit in the shade if the heat gets to you. We headed back to the ship after only an hour outside. It's easy to find the ship, as you can see it almost all the time.

 

 

You have to cross a busy street to get to the ship but there is help available.

 

 

Some lucky people were joining us!

[Sinppu]

After we went back to the ship, Mom was knackered.

 

 

I'm training for a half-marathon in September so I went up to the gym. Running for 4 miles looking at this view was a breeze. That is mainland Italy you see, it is only two miles away.

 

 

You have twice the opportunity to see the volcano Stromboli. Once when arriving to Sicily early in the morning and once later in the week when you going back to Rome. It was a wonderful sight, puffing up some smoke.

 

 

Sicily is beautiful and offers a lot to see while passing it by.

 

 

 

Edited June 24, 2012 by Sinppu

[Sinppu]

We had My Time Dining and dined three times in the Main Dining Room, always requesting a table for two. We always got a table eventually but I would advise everyone to book them in advance. They usually had tables for two available early or late (before 6.30 or after 8.45)

The Swan Lake at deck 5 is for MTD. The others are Coppelia and Nutcracker (ballet themed). I love the decor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mp2010]

Loving your review and pictures so far! DH and I are going on this cruise on Sept 23. Can't wait to read more of your review. :)

[Sinppu]

My Mom doesn't really speak English and I thought it would be rude to share a table with people when they wouldn't understand a word I was saying to my Mom or alternatively ignore my Mom and speak English to everyone else.

 

We did meet a few other fellow Finns but as we as a nation are known to be outgoing, positive and social, I decided to skip them as dining companions.

Complaining about everything (coffee tastes bad, toast is too black, weather too hot, scrambled eggs too hard...name it) is just the way to go for me :p No, wait, I got that mixed up again. But hey, I'm of Danish descent, so I never complain. I get drunk instead ;)

 

Oh and Mom hated to read the menu as she had trouble understanding it. So for us it was the Windjammer for most of the evenings. Very nice Italian stations, as well Greek and Turkish later in the week.

 

 

 

 

Today Wendy from Jamaica (our stateroom attendant -a treasure) made us a towel animal. Mom loved it, she's never seen them before.

 

Edited June 24, 2012 by Sinppu

[CruiserByHeart]

Sinny, thank you for posting your review and great photos. Do you also have the Cruise Compasses ready for upload or to send as e-mail?

[gooners1968]

Marvellous review-we sail on July 22nd so will be reading every word! :)

[Sinppu]

The next day was a day at sea. I like them very much, especially on this cruise. Mediterranean cruises are port intensive and there are plenty of things to see and do in ports. I ended up doing less than I would have had I been with my hubby, but at least I got to relax.

 

 

Today we took part in two trivias and ended up winning the other one. Yey!

 

 

We had lunch in the WJ and we always enjoyed it. I love lemonade and we don't really have anything similar in Finland so I always drink it to the extent where my tongue blisters. Modesty is for...well, americans. Where lemonade is concerned.

 

 

There were three art auctions on the Navigator and we attended them all.

 

 

Part because Mom had never been to one, part because I love them and had hoped there'd be a animation section I could spend some money on and part because of the free champagne. Yes, we had four glasses. Each. Every time. And I bought something.

Darryl (seen below) tried his best to persuade me to get a Britto but unfortunately I asked my hubby's opinion and he said: "Oh that'd look nice as an iPad cover. Or a dog coat."

 

 

So no Britto for me. I know, I know. It's my money (but it is his wall too). Maybe on the Allure in October...I've heard he makes luggage. That'd be SO cool and husband-approved :p

Edited June 24, 2012 by Sinppu

[Sinppu]

Sinny, thank you for posting your review and great photos. Do you also have the Cruise Compasses ready for upload or to send as e-mail?

 

I'm so sorry, but I don't :( Undskyld!

I forgot them in the cabin as we left. Please don't unsubscribe ;)

Edited June 24, 2012 by Sinppu

[Sinppu]

Our second port was Kusadasi. Everyone raves about Ephesus but yet again we didn't take a tour. We decided to head out to the bazaar instead.

 

There were three other ladies in port with us. Noordam, Nieuw Amsterdam and Splendour of the Seas. The last one held a very nice couple from Liverpool who I assisted in taking photos. If you see this, I hope they turned out OK :)

 

 

 

Mom didn't even make it this far. We had a nice, cool 32 celsius (90 degrees) and she gave up before we were out of the port area.

 

 

Kusadasi is a heaven for shopping lovers. Everybody speaks perfect English and the quality of the merchandise is great (considering they are genuine fakes :D) So if you are not into ruins, hopefully shopping does it for you then! I also heard people negotiate the prices in € and in $ so there is no need to get Turkish currency.

 

Edited June 24, 2012 by Sinppu

[loeytalldog]

Loving your review! Keep going, thanks for doing it!

[Sinppu]

Kusadasi also had plenty of beautful scenery which makes wonderful photo opportunities. I've had my first DSLR for about 8 months now and it really makes a difference when taking photos. Although bad photos are unforgivable now -I can't blame the camera anymore... but all the bad ones were taken by Mom, of course. Not me. Of course.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sinppu]

We had a great view to Nieuw Amsterdam's pool and gangway.

 

 

 

 

We saw some excellent salsa dancing on deck.

 

 

Wonderful sunsets were plentiful on this cruise. Deck 4 was our favourite place to watch them. Mainly because there were ashtrays and according to Wendy : "Mama is a veery bad girrl for smokeeen."

 

 

I thought her vacuum cleaner was as cute as the towel animals.

 

[Sinppu]

In Athens we took part in a shore excursion called Panoramic Athens (RCCL's own). The tour took about 3,5 hours and was all right. Our guide Roula was excellent. She was knowledgeable and funny but to me personally the tour was too superficial. For Mom's arthritis and fire breathing tendencies it was completely adequate.

 

Panathinaiko stadium, where the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896.

 

 

 

 

The Acropolis from the distance. This is as close as this tour takes you.

 

 

 

There were plenty of people on the tour. I loved the lady in yellow and white, she was always in bright colours and looked very stylish throughout the cruise (yup, I'm a cruise fashion geek).

 

[Sinppu]

Usually it's my hubby who has to endure my "match my colours and you'll be rewarded" -extortion but seeing he wasn't here, I made Mom my target.

 

 

 

I have long background in fashion retail so I still buy their clothes for them both. It's not that they wouldn't know how to dress, it's just that I dress better. And I like shopping for clothes. For anyone. Anytime. Anywh... you get the point. :o

 

Athens was wonderful but -surprisingly enough- hot. I'd like to come back someday but in the spring or autumn.

 

 

 

 

Mom thought these reminded her of us. First I was the small one tagging along and now it's the opposite. She's 5 inches shorter than me and in constant need of guiding...

 

[Sinppu]

A bonafide sunset this evening. Even some of the Main Dining Room staff came out on deck to take photos.

 

 

 

This evening we went to the Champagne Bar. I found the best drink in the world on the Oasis last year and I was thrilled to find it on the Champagne Bar menu on the Navigator as well.

 

It's called the Key Lime Pie Martini and anyone who likes cheesecake, here's a drink for you. Ah heck, anyone who likes anything sweet, it's for you. Mom had a Raspberry Bellini. She also hated both drinks. Such a shame... I had to drink them both.

 

 

We loved this Bugatti on the Promenade. We first thought it's a real car but nope, it's a piece of art.

 

 

This evening's towel animal was an elephant. Mom was almost disappointed as she noticed that the puppy was gone. She might have tried to take them home :rolleyes:

 

Edited June 24, 2012 by Sinppu

[Sinppu]

This was a port that surprised me in a good way. It's a short stop, everyone has to be onboard 2.30 pm. There is a local bus that comes down to the port and the cost of a return ticket is 3 €. Very much recommended.

 

How long has this poor bugger been there?

 

 

Again, plenty of shopping to be done.

 

 

And the real thing:

 

 

Chania is Crete's second biggest town and it has lovely scenery (don't they all, really?)

 

 

 

[Sinppu]

 

 

I couldn't quite decipher these announcements but I'm guessing they were obituaries. The Market on the background is also an excellent place to shop local delicacies.

 

 

The compulsory "look how big this boat is!"

 

[Sinppu]

Today was a Poolside Buffet. There were plenty of people and yummy-looking food.

 

 

 

Here we are leaving Crete. I'm hoping that's mud that has been stirred up from the bottom by the engines and not toilet flush water :eek:

 

 

 

The Greek Isles are spectacular. So are (again) the sunsets.