Emerald Princess Rome to Barcelona September 26 -October 3 2015 in photos and video

[azdmelani]

Joanne, since you asked and because it will be a few days before I get to Florence here's a few teaser pics.

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Norris

 

Norris, was the second picture taken from the Uffizi? I have the identical one :)

[Bimmer09]

Norris, was the second picture taken from the Uffizi? I have the identical one :)

 

Yes it was. Through an open window. I had to wait until there was a clearing in the crowd of young girls wanting the same shot. I said aloud- wasn't that One Direction in the Botticelli room just now?".

 

Did the trick.

 

Norris

[jtagphillycruiser]

Thank you, thank you....that should hold me off. Wowzers!!!

 

Joanne

[azdmelani]

Yes it was. Through an open window. I had to wait until there was a clearing in the crowd of young girls wanting the same shot. I said aloud- wasn't that One Direction in the Botticelli room just now?".

 

Did the trick.

 

Norris

 

I literally laughed out loud at work. Hope we get a chance to sail together one day Norris.

[Bimmer09]

Thank you, thank you....that should hold me off. Wowzers!!!

 

Joanne

 

You're welcome Joanne!

(just don't ask for Barcelona teasers LOL)

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

I literally laughed out loud at work. Hope we get a chance to sail together one day Norris.

 

Yes it would be fun to meet up with a screen name I am familiar with for a change at these Meet n Greets. At the last one I seemed to be the only one who put their CC name on their tag so "Bob" or "Daisy" didn't mean squat.

 

Nobody came to say hello-maybe because I had my screen name on show.

 

We'll get to the M and G on our Sea Day.

 

Norris

[Poipu1]

The detail in your photos is wonderful -- they take me back. I almost feel as if I'm there again. I take many photos when I travel, but just with a pocket-size point and shoot. They are nothing as nice as yours, but I do like to revisit them from time to time and remember.

I enjoyed your momentary "vision" of life in Ercolano. I do the same when visiting an ancient site.

[catwoman6226]

Yes it would be fun to meet up with a screen name I am familiar with for a change at these Meet n Greets. At the last one I seemed to be the only one who put their CC name on their tag so "Bob" or "Daisy" didn't mean squat.

 

Nobody came to say hello-maybe because I had my screen name on show.

 

We'll get to the M and G on our Sea Day.

 

Norris

 

I assure you, Norris - if we are ever on the same cruise and I see your CC name on a badge at a M and G, I will be the one squealing, holding up the pad and pen begging, "Please, may I have your autograph?"

 

I am, of course, thoroughly enjoying this review. We are on the Emerald in February, and I adore all things ancient, so have been reveling in your pictures of Italy, and the ship....um...the sites in Italy were ancient....not the Emerald....hope that's clear.....

[Bimmer09]

The detail in your photos is wonderful -- they take me back. I almost feel as if I'm there again. I take many photos when I travel, but just with a pocket-size point and shoot. They are nothing as nice as yours, but I do like to revisit them from time to time and remember.

I enjoyed your momentary "vision" of life in Ercolano. I do the same when visiting an ancient site.

 

A pocket point and shoot is just fine- I used one (a Canon) for the bus window shots.

 

Taking the photo is the important part-then looking at it over the years to bring the memories vividly back to life.

 

I see you are going on the Emerald soon- I didn't see a "tired ship". I took a lot of photos of her (coming later but too late for you). I think you'll agree when you step aboard. Pool loungers-yes not in mint condition. Maybe they'll replace of recover them in dry dock.

 

Come back to this review after your cruise-you'll be missed meantime.

 

Yes Ercolano and places of that ilk (Colosseum springs to mind) make you stop and try to imagine what daily life might have been like. They certainly couldn't have ever imagined ours.

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

I assure you, Norris - if we are ever on the same cruise and I see your CC name on a badge at a M and G, I will be the one squealing, holding up the pad and pen begging, "Please, may I have your autograph?"

 

I am, of course, thoroughly enjoying this review. We are on the Emerald in February, and I adore all things ancient, so have been reveling in your pictures of Italy, and the ship....um...the sites in Italy were ancient....not the Emerald....hope that's clear.....

 

You'll see more of the Emerald later as I took a lot of photos, but for today the excursions are the star. Many more Italy pics coming up...Florence, Cinque terre, Genoa, Livorno.

 

At the last M and G I wore a name tag that also showed my drink preference-but no one offered. The autograph is yours with no need to buy me a drink.

 

I'm glad you joined us here-a long way to go in the tale. We are on day 4 of 11...

 

I will be spending less time on the laptop over the next couple of days as we are touring to some beautiful places. I'll pop back whenever possible.

 

Where are you going on the Emerald in February? Caribbean of course but which one? We are on the Silhouette January 17th and that will be my first review on the X board. Can't wait!

 

Keep popping in with comments and questions if any.

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

These photos are shown in the order I took them as I followed our guide and group.

 

The mosaic still looks fresh after 1940 years

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A wall of dried mud in the room of a house

 

 

Long straight streets run in a grid plan

 

 

Brickwork that stood the test of time

 

 



 

[Fan of cruising]

Hi Norris,

 

Pompeii is one of the ports on our cruise next year so it was great to see these recent pictures and read your comparison between the two.

 

I'm drooling over your Florence pics and looking forward to more when you get there.

 

Thanks!

[catwoman6226]

You'll see more of the Emerald later as I took a lot of photos, but for today the excursions are the star. Many more Italy pics coming up...Florence, Cinque terre, Genoa, Livorno.

 

At the last M and G I wore a name tag that also showed my drink preference-but no one offered. The autograph is yours with no need to buy me a drink.

 

I'm glad you joined us here-a long way to go in the tale. We are on day 4 of 11...

 

I will be spending less time on the laptop over the next couple of days as we are touring to some beautiful places. I'll pop back whenever possible.

 

Where are you going on the Emerald in February? Caribbean of course but which one? We are on the Silhouette January 17th and that will be my first review on the X board. Can't wait!

 

Keep popping in with comments and questions if any.

 

Norris

 

We are doing the cruise on Feb 20th - St Martin, St Thomas, and Grand Turk. GT will be a new one for us - we are doing a mini-sub excursion there.

 

Enjoy northern Michigan - my "people" are mostly from the Midwest - it's a beautiful area.

 

I always get a kick out of your references to food porn - those pictures and comments are very helpful!

 

I enjoy reading the reviews/comments from so many on this board - I have lurked for years, but don't post often, so please let this be a general thank you to all who contribute.

[Bimmer09]

We are doing the cruise on Feb 20th - St Martin, St Thomas, and Grand Turk. GT will be a new one for us - we are doing a mini-sub excursion there.

 

Enjoy northern Michigan - my "people" are mostly from the Midwest - it's a beautiful area.

 

I always get a kick out of your references to food porn - those pictures and comments are very helpful!

 

I enjoy reading the reviews/comments from so many on this board - I have lurked for years, but don't post often, so please let this be a general thank you to all who contribute.

 

I did that E Caribb itinerary on the Ruby this past January (review below). I did the sub in Grand Turk on the Ruby in 2013 so there's pics in that review. S Thomas- we went to St John (much quieter) in January. The Ruby is the Emerald's sister ship (as is the Crown)

 

The Caribbean in February-the place to be!

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Hi Norris,

 

Pompeii is one of the ports on our cruise next year so it was great to see these recent pictures and read your comparison between the two.

 

I'm drooling over your Florence pics and looking forward to more when you get there.

 

Thanks!

 

I visited Pompeii last year. I think Herculaneaum being smaller and less devastated gives you a better idea of how it was on the day it died.

 

More pics to come!

 

Thanks for the comments.

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

If you are not part of a guided tour you can rent audio guides and learn about the buildings at your leisure. Here and there (mostly there)you'll find signs like these.

 

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The site is much more compact than Pompeii but having a quarter of the population that's to be expected. It doesn't have two amphitheaters as Pompeii does-one for gladiatorial combat and the other for plays, nor the large piazza ringed with temples and government buildings. Nor as many brothels. It's compactness though makes it possible to take the whole site in with one glance and better visualize how it might have looked in it's heyday. You'll also walk less in Ercolano. There's nowhere to sit at the site.

 

 

The frescoes inside the buildings are still vivid

 

 



 



 

In the interiors there will be a small crowd and you may have to wait for your chance to take the shot you want. The photos above being an example-there are about 10 people you can't see holding cameras just beside me, moving around and in front of me.

 

Once there is no one in your shot you have to shoot quickly. Waiting means you may have to play catch-up with your group. You can still hear the guide talking of course-but where is she?

 

Here's the scene where the photos above were taken...my group has already moved on.

 

[Bimmer09]

They built big....

 

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Back outside, here's another kitchen at a take-away restaurant.

 

 



 

 

Now we are in the main street

 

 

 

To be continued....

[Willow45]

Sorry just off cutting. After reading this review I started reading your last review "Ruby on E. Caribbean". AND I am nowhere near the end of your review but I wanted to say I love the video of the ships at early morning going into harbour. And I love your style and I so want to try and do this, my first cruise is in January, so you have given me great idea's of the photo telling the story. NOTE to self pack extra memory cards. And no reviews was coming up on RCI so I got looking on there Cruise lines that's how I got looking and found you :) And from your review I will serious look at Princess for a cruise and any trip Bimmer09 is on.

[jerseyridgearts]

Again, stunning photos and your comments musing about day to day life in the ancient city are thought provoking. Maybe there ought to be a Bimmer Guide or a PBS series for your travels?

[cruiselife4me]

Ah, you went right past us to get to the Mackinac Bridge. We live in Harbor Springs. Hope you have fun in the Mitten State.

 

Mary

[Bimmer09]

Sorry just off cutting. After reading this review I started reading your last review "Ruby on E. Caribbean". AND I am nowhere near the end of your review but I wanted to say I love the video of the ships at early morning going into harbour. And I love your style and I so want to try and do this, my first cruise is in January, so you have given me great idea's of the photo telling the story. NOTE to self pack extra memory cards. And no reviews was coming up on RCI so I got looking on there Cruise lines that's how I got looking and found you :) And from your review I will serious look at Princess for a cruise and any trip Bimmer09 is on.

 

Wow- first cruise in January? Boy are you in for a new experience!

 

Which ship? Which itinerary?

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Again, stunning photos and your comments musing about day to day life in the ancient city are thought provoking. Maybe there ought to be a Bimmer Guide or a PBS series for your travels?

 

Both of those sound good! Rick Steves has Europe sown up-I'll take cruising.

 

Thanks for the compliments!

 

Norris in Northern Michigan

[Bimmer09]

Ah, you went right past us to get to the Mackinac Bridge. We live in Harbor Springs. Hope you have fun in the Mitten State.

 

Mary

 

Alas Mary not going that far North-we love crossing the Big Mac but Traverse City is roughly where we are.

 

Norris on Mission Peninsula

[Bimmer09]

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There are plenty of streets in America with buildings that don't look this good and they didn't get buried in mud nor are almost 2,000 years old.

 

 

 

 

Bricks and cement-and still standing. Built before AD 79 and built to last.

 

 

There's a little square pond in this house's courtyard-not just for decoration apparently-but for catching rainwater.

 

[Bimmer09]

 

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Horse trough

 

This is old Ercolano and new Ercolano-just feet apart