Sensational Serenade 12 night Med with Venice overnight and Montenegro Review.

[Irish Cath]

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Getting closer now, the campanile gets clearer in the distance.

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In no time we are almost there. Taxis and the water bus sailed past going about their day completely unperturbed by our 90,000 ton presence.

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Our first sublime glimpse of the bridge of sighs.

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St Mark's Square looking not to crowded in the afternoon sun.

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Approaching the junction of the Grand Canal to our left as we veer right and continue down the Giudecca Canal.

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Passing Punta della Dogana.

[Irish Cath]

Last few pictures of our approach.

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2 ships docked in the distance.


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Busy on deck!

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Almost at the Stazione Marittima


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Very excited to be here!

[mj]

Love seeing those pictures of Venice. Looking forward to getting out on deck as the ship approaches Venice.

[luvincruzin]

[quote name='Irish Cath']Hey Bonnie,

I hope you and Dave are both good. Funny thing - you are about to get a mention in my next post! How spooky that you should come along and post now!
Yes I had seen that you 4 are off on another adventure. How lucky you are to have this to look forward to. We have been to Santorini, Athens and Kusadasi ( a few times now) and each has its own charms. You will love them. How I would love to come join you but of course Ger being a teacher would of course be in the thick of things in Oct ( maybe I need to marry someone else with less restrictive holiday time - how utterly mean of it :D )
We were so impressed with this 12 night itinerary we are very tempted to repeat it next Summer ourselves, but then I also want to do Norwegian Fjords, Alaska, Bermuda etc etc etc.....

Anyway, lovely to know you are following along and please feel free to correct me or add your opinion on something at anytime

All the best,
Catherine :)[/QUOTE]

Hey Catherine (and Ger!)! Thanks for the shout out! I am really enjoying your photos and remembering what a great time we had on that cruise!
I can't wait for the cruise next year. Jodi (remember her?) and I are busily planning excursions.
Have you been to Paris? (If so, could you please email me at bwiles@roadrunner dot com so I can pick your brain?).We will be spending 4 days pre-cruise there, then fast train back to Barcelona.

crvng4mr, YEP! Cannes was the missing port!! :)

[crvng4mr]

[quote name='luvincruzin']Hey Catherine (and Ger!)! Thanks for the shout out! I am really enjoying your photos and remembering what a great time we had on that cruise!
I can't wait for the cruise next year. Jodi (remember her?) and I are busily planning excursions.
Have you been to Paris? (If so, could you please email me at bwiles@roadrunner dot com so I can pick your brain?).We will be spending 4 days pre-cruise there, then fast train back to Barcelona.

crvng4mr, YEP! Cannes was the missing port!! :)[/QUOTE]
Hi luvincruzin! I did that exact itinerary in June. If you haven't already seen my review it might be helpful. I also did 3 full days in Paris on the back end which is in the review.

I didn't mean to hijack but wanted to help.

[windjamming]

[quote name='Irish Cath']Awh thanks for the kind words, you'll have me blushing:o

How was your cruise ? We will all want to see photos and a review soon please :D

Yes those cloisters were so lovely and we were lucky that there was not a service on as it was a Sunday when we were there.[/QUOTE]

The cruise was fantastic!! I've started a review. What a high standard you and Stef and Melissa and Ayasha have set with your the gorgeous photos and vivid writing, so I shall try!

[url]http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=44054963[/url]

[Irish Cath]

[quote name='luvincruzin']Hey Catherine (and Ger!)! Thanks for the shout out! I am really enjoying your photos and remembering what a great time we had on that cruise!
I can't wait for the cruise next year. Jodi (remember her?) and I are busily planning excursions.
Have you been to Paris? (If so, could you please email me at bwiles@roadrunner dot com so I can pick your brain?).We will be spending 4 days pre-cruise there, then fast train back to Barcelona.

crvng4mr, YEP! Cannes was the missing port!! :)[/QUOTE]

Email sent Bonnie :)

[Irish Cath]

[quote name='crvng4mr']Hi luvincruzin! I did that exact itinerary in June. If you haven't already seen my review it might be helpful. I also did 3 full days in Paris on the back end which is in the review.

I didn't mean to hijack but wanted to help.[/QUOTE]

Absolutely no need to apologize Ayesha. We're all here to help and beside I've been know to hijack a review or two myself from time to time :D:p

[Irish Cath]

After lunch in the Windjammer we met up with our new friends at our agreed time and place and made our way off the ship. We had to remember to carry our passports with us as there was a security check by Italian authorities in the port building. Together we headed in the direction of the people mover. Here we paid €1.30 for our ticket. There was a ticket-vending machine near the station entrance. We had lots of small euro coins but I noted that you could also pay with banknotes or credit card. Ticket in hand you simply go to the entry barrier and hold your ticket under the scanner with the barcode up. You then continue upstairs via the escalator or lift. Simples. On the platform there is an electronic sign showing waiting times. We had a 2 or 3 minute wait. When we did board we had maybe a 2 minute ride to Piazzale Roma. From the people mover station we simply made the one minute walk across Piazzale Roma towards the Vaporetto stop. It was busy at the booth where we purchased our tickets which cost €7 per journey but we were very lucky to get outside seats in the stern.

RCI were offering a water shuttle from the cruise terminal to a stop close to San Marco. The cost was $28 for one day and $50 for a two day pass. It ran until 10p.m on the first day and from 8a.m to 6p.m on the second day in port. While I’m sure this shuttle is widely used and may offer ok value if you intend on making a lot of trips back and forth to the ship, the issue for me is that it does not sail down the Grand Canal. Now the highlight of Venice for me is the Grand Canal so even if RCI’s shuttle was complimentary it would still be a deal breaker for me. That first sailing down the Grand Canal in the afternoon mayhem with the gentle breeze having little effect on the scorching Venetian sunshine was just perfect. Ger had downloaded Rick Steve’s podcast which is a guided tour along the canal but as we had company we decided to save it ‘til next time. We all enjoyed this wonderful opportunity to admire the great Palazzi and churches which line the Grand Canal, not to mention sailing under Rialto bridge. We sailed along for about 40 minutes. Here is a taster of some of the sights we saw!


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[jimbri]

Wonderful photos!!

[Irish Cath]

Soon we were at the stop for St. Mark’s Square. We left our friends here as they had plans. We on the other hand really had no plan at all! We started off with a comprehensive walk around the square enjoying window shopping in the ridiculously expensive shops. Our only plan for our stop here in Venice was to visit St Marks Basilica on the second day at 10a.m. Not many people know that you can actually pay just €2 each to book a specific visiting time instead of standing inline. Entry to the Basilica is still free. The website is called Veneto Inside for those interested. So yes the plan was to be back here tomorrow morning at 10a.m. Surely that would not be a problem!

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[Irish Cath]

[quote name='jimbri']Wonderful photos!![/QUOTE]
Thank you Jimbri :)

[Hoopster95]

[quote name='Irish Cath']Thank you Jimbri :)[/QUOTE]

Superb photos! I'm pumped... I'll be there on Serenade Sept24/25!!!!!
Great review IrishCash :D

[long_shot45]

Who was the piano player in the Schooner Bar?

[Kreuzfahrtneuling]

[COLOR=Red]Our only plan for our stop here in Venice was to visit St Marks Basilica on the second day at 10a.m. Not many people know that you can actually pay just €2 each to book a specific visiting time instead of standing inline. Entry to the Basilica is still free. The website is called Veneto Inside for those interested. So yes the plan was to be back here tomorrow morning at 10a.m. [B] Surely that would not be a problem![/B]

[COLOR=Black]uhoh -- if you say something like that I get scared something went seriously wrong!

I didn't know about that time slot option...if it does work, this would be a very neat thing...can't wait to find out what happened to you the next day!

Stef
[/COLOR][/COLOR]

[Irish Cath]

[quote name='long_shot45']Who was the piano player in the Schooner Bar?[/QUOTE]

Somebody by the name of Juanito. I don't recall hearing much of him but we were usually only in the Schooner for trivia so he was never playing while we were there. I know that most nights he played between 6p.m and 9p.m with breaks. We were usually having dinner and then at the show during these times.

[Irish Cath]

[quote name='Kreuzfahrtneuling'][COLOR=Red]Our only plan for our stop here in Venice was to visit St Marks Basilica on the second day at 10a.m. Not many people know that you can actually pay just €2 each to book a specific visiting time instead of standing inline. Entry to the Basilica is still free. The website is called Veneto Inside for those interested. So yes the plan was to be back here tomorrow morning at 10a.m. [B] Surely that would not be a problem![/B]

[COLOR=Black]uhoh -- if you say something like that I get scared something went seriously wrong!

I didn't know about that time slot option...if it does work, this would be a very neat thing...can't wait to find out what happened to you the next day!

Stef
[/COLOR][/COLOR][/QUOTE]


Maybe not SERIOUSLY wrong Stef :D !

[scrappylenore]

Loving your review!Your pictures are amazing and I am taking notes. Am on the Serenade for a similar itinerary in 2 1/2 weeks.

[Irish Cath]

[quote name='scrappylenore']Loving your review!Your pictures are amazing and I am taking notes. Am on the Serenade for a similar itinerary in 2 1/2 weeks.[/QUOTE]

oh wow - 2 1/2 weeks - how lucky you are.
glad to help with your planning. Please feel free to ask questions if they are not answered in the report. If I can't i'm sure someone will have the answer.

[Irish Cath]

We wandered around the maze of little twisty passages many similar to the last but all wonderful to wander on! We crossed many little bridges and took way too many pictures of canals. Unfortunately I cannot detail where we went because I really do not know! Having no plans we didn't even bother bring a map, but then I suppose Venetian Map is an oxymoron anyway. The only problem with this blissful afternoon was that it was way too hot for two pale skinned explorers. Humidity was 147% I checked.

A brainwave struck about now and we ventured into a little café bar for some shade and a cool drink. Mentioning shade, Ger decided to give me one of his cultural lessons. It seems that many Venetians, particularly before a meal, will duck into a nearby bar for an Ombre. Ombre literally translates to shade and is a small glass of wine usually costing €1. Now that’s one way of avoiding the hot sun that I can get involved with! Ger had an Ombre or two (they were small glasses) and I had an Aperol spritz. I had read somewhere that there are more recipes for spritz in Venice than there are bartenders! We were also treated to a small basket of complimentary chips or crisps for those of us from this side of the pond. We had a really enjoyable half hour here. For me, there’s nothing more enjoyable on vacation than sitting with a decent drink people watching. Life was good. Although it could have been better! I was starting to get peckish, those chips had awakened my hunger. Ger explained he knew just the thing that I was after......

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My spiffing spritz.

[Irish Cath]

Cicheti. Yep that was what I needed. Cicheti or ‘tastings’. These little morsels of deliciousness are similar to tapas. As I have previously mentioned Ger had taken it upon himself to research all things culinary for this trip. Actually he also researched all things drinkies so I’m sure it was him that gave me the earlier nugget about spritz and bartenders! Anyway, he started to explain to me the concept of Cicheti and I much preferred the idea of lots of little picky things matched with wine than a big meal. Agreed that’s what we would have he declared he knew exactly where we would go!

Now I’m not one to cast aspersions or follow stereotypes but to put it politely my husband is ever so slightly bad with directions. Actually he’s terrible, one time when we were just 4 or 5 miles from home he tried to convince me we were somewhere else completely. We occasionally still argue over that. But that’s a different day’s story. Anyway we took off down a side alley and it was as if some internal GPS system had been ignited within him. We were heading to the other side of the Grand Canal to the San Polo district. We passed through Campo San Bartolomeo and soon, after earlier vaporettoing (it’s my review, I can make up words if it pleases me) under the Rialto bridge, now it was time to walk up and over it.


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Monument to Carlo Goldoni, the famous Venetian playwright in Campo San Bartoloeo.

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A little away from the bridge things over here seemed less touristy with less shops and stalls with masks and magnets.

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Quieter side of Venice.

We soon arrived at our destination – Cantina do Mori on Calle dei do Mori. Dating back to 1462 it is rumoured to be the oldest Bacaro in Venice. Needless to say the cicheti did not disappoint. We choose a vast selection of cheese, charcuterie, vegetables, sardines, frittata and matchbox sized sandwiches. Wanting to test the selection of local wines Ger had a red and I had a white. They also passed our inspection. The food and drink costs us approximately €26. Not bad in this expensive city. We sat on high stools until we were kicked out at closing time shortly after 8p.m. Still peckish we sought out another little Bacaro but it would seem they all close around 8p.m. Too full to dine in a restaurant now we found a little grocery store with a delicatessen where locals seemed to be having sandwiches made to order. We could not resist. Through broken Italian we had prosciutto crudo and fresh pecorino which was a soft cheese compared to the regular hard pecorino. We sat at a little table outside the shop and shared our snack and a small bottle of local white. This was truly one of the most wonderful meals I’ve ever eaten and so incredibly romantic.

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[Irish Cath]

Sorry i've been missing for a few days ( that's indeed if anyone has missed me!). I hope to be back with a post or two tomorrow. :)

[windjamming]

[quote name='Irish Cath']Sorry i've been missing for a few days ( that's indeed if anyone has missed me!). I hope to be back with a post or two tomorrow. :)[/QUOTE]

I'm still here and looking forward to your next installment, Irish Cath! Loving these last few posts on Venice. Those cicheti look divine!! Gold star for Ger (sorry, is that pronounced as in Gerry or Grrr) for leading the food and beverage charge.

What a fun afternoon it looked like!

And vaporettoing is absolutely a real word. :)

[Kreuzfahrtneuling]

[quote name='Irish Cath']Sorry i've been missing for a few days ( that's indeed if anyone has missed me!). I hope to be back with a post or two tomorrow. :)[/quote]

:eek:sure you're being missed!

I'm here, checking constantly for new posts.....
patiently waiting....

hope you're okay:o

Stef

[Irish Cath]

[quote name='windjamming']I'm still here and looking forward to your next installment, Irish Cath! Loving these last few posts on Venice. Those cicheti look divine!! Gold star for Ger (sorry, is that pronounced as in Gerry or Grrr) for leading the food and beverage charge.

What a fun afternoon it looked like!

And vaporettoing is absolutely a real word. :)[/QUOTE]

[quote name='Kreuzfahrtneuling']:eek:sure you're being missed!

I'm here, checking constantly for new posts.....
patiently waiting....

hope you're okay:o

Stef[/QUOTE]

Hi Ladies,

Thanks so much for hanging in there. Yes i'm absolutely ok thanks Stef just little time for spending time on the review over the last few days.

Yes you're correct windjamming its Ger as in Gerry. Its very funny because a lot of people ( not from Ireland its a relatively common name here) call him Grrrr and it drives him crazy, sometimes I call him that just to entertain myself :D such a mean wife I am. And he absolutely did do so well with the food and drink decisions which he so conscientiously made.

Back to it soon.

Catherine :)