Crown Mediterranean Adventures

[upwarduk]

We talked to 2 women from California, who had flown to Barcelona for a weeks cruise on Majestic Princess.They had gone into Genoa the previous day!

Apparently our Captain had been pushed into the dock by a tug on the previous cruise, so had decided that until maintenance at the port was complete, he wouldn't chance it again, as the turning circle was tight.

 

We wondered how Majestic had managed it ? But we weren't going into Genoa?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Edited May 29, 2017 by upwarduk

[upwarduk]

We were then shown the meeting point next to this church- the Church of Santa Croce.

 

 

We then had 3 hrs free time, so we walked back to the bridge over the Arno to take more pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Edited May 29, 2017 by upwarduk

[Britcruzer15]

Britcruzer15 Suggest you look in to Italy session on Cruise Critic. You will find much information

on taking the train yourself. The ticket BRIG? is good for subway, and buses. With a little

planning you can do a wonderful day trip into Rome easily. Rome is very walkable, and is off

times faster to walk than take a bus, cab.

 

have done the trip from the port to rome three times, used the private train transfer last time and it was great. this time we would have used the normal train, but there are 3 other ships in port with us with a port load of about 10k and can just see the train being very busy.

 

we would have taken the bus tour, but it seems you only get around 4 -4!/2 hrs in Rome!.

[upwarduk]

After meeting next to the church of Santa Croce, we walked approx 1 mile to pick up the coach.

 

 

 

We then were taken via a high road for an over view of Florence.

 

 

 

 

Majestic Princess was still in Livorno, but left for 2 days in Rome while we were still in port. There was a musical exchange played on the ship's horns.

 

 

 

 

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[upwarduk]

Genoa had been cancelled, due to operational reasons, but our excursion went ahead, as we had to pick up the boat from Santa Margarita anyway, so we actually had 2 for the price of one, WITHOUT A BUS TRIP!!!

We started the day by having breakfast in the dining room, which we prefer, as it is 'more civilised' although often takes an hour, but we weren't due to be at the Wheelhouse Bar until 08.40.

It was a beautiful day for a Tender transfer. Normally I hate these as tickets have to be collected then a we have always had a long wait to be called ( we have experienced 3 hrs in the past)

 

 

 

We then had a boat trip to Portofino, which wasn't far along the coast.

 

 

We saw where Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster were married.

 

 

 

Portofino from the sea.

 

 

 

 

 

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[MicCanberra]

Florence is one place I still feel I need to visit, the pics look wonderful.

[upwarduk]

Portofino was busier than usual as some of the trips due to take place in Genoa had been transferred here. I saw at least 7 groups. I heard later that a local ferry would only have cost €11!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[upwarduk]

We walked to St George's church with the guide then were given time on our own (2hrs)

 

 

Pictures on the doors tell stories from the bible.

 

 

The grave yard.

 

 

We walked to another church on the other side of the village.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[upwarduk]

Then we sat at a bar:

a) So we could use their 'facilities'

b) use their internet

c) to have a drink and people watch.

 

 

 

It was then time to meet up with our guide to get the ferry back to Santa Margarita.

 

Other ships were anchored in the bay, this one was Seadream.

 

And of course Crown Princess.

 

 

A yacht race was taking place.

 

 

 

View of Crown from Santa Margarita.

 

 

 

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[upwarduk]

Another view from a web cam in Santa Margarita.

 

 

More views taken in Santa Margarita.

 

 

 

Lunch.

 

 

We then decided it was time to return to the ship, the queue snaked round many corners- the down side of being on a larger ship (3110 passengers)

A very pleasant day, but we paid for a bus ride which we didn't get so I complained to reception, but were told we could have walked around Santa Margarita, but I said 'so could everyone else and they weren't charged what we were as the tenders were free.' I was told they 'would ring me later!'

 

 

 

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[upwarduk]

Florence is one place I still feel I need to visit, the pics look wonderful.

 

We were very lucky with the weather in Italy, it was cloudier in France.

[upwarduk]

22.05.17 Marseille

 

We were taken into Marseille by shuttle bus, which we paid $14 p.p. There was a free one, but we were advised that as there were 4 very large ships in port we might have problems getting back.

Adrian asked the French driver where we would be picked up, he said ICI (here) Those were the only words he uttered on the entire journey, he didn't even tell people that 'you have to get off here.' You would think that a command of English would be essential if working in the tourist industry.

We then walked around the large port and later had a drink so we could use the Wi-Fi. The weather wasn't very warm, so we decided to return to the ship for lunch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When we returned to the bus drop off point, we waited 15 mins and no bus came. DH walked up & down the Rd until he found staff from the ship. We said ' this isn't where we were dropped off'and were told 'there was a mistake this morning.' Told to join the back of the queue, we went to the back of the queue, but they were letting others on who skipped the queue!! [emoji85]

We put a complaint in. Since then we have been given 4 chocolate strawberries as compensation and told that head office had been informed of the problem.

 

 

When we got back to the room we had a telephone message to say ' WELCOME ON BOARD.' And they are aware of my Lactose Intolerance!! We had to ring a number to say we had had the message, but that went through to book Speciality dining.

 

 

 

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Edited May 30, 2017 by upwarduk

[upwarduk]

We passed the fish market during our walk, which I hound interesting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On our return to the ship we saw Celebrity Constellation in dry dock.

 

 

 

 

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Edited May 30, 2017 by upwarduk

[upwarduk]

23.05.17 Sea Day

After breakfast in the dining room we went to the theatre for the port talk on Gibraltar. Then on to deck 16 for some sunbathing. Adrian was looking for some towels and asked a man in uniform, who just happened to be the Captain!![emoji85]

We had burgers on the Lido deck 15 for lunch, then back to some sunbathing for me, but Adrian soon went for a Choir Practice. He found out that the Choir performance was scheduled for the afternoon of the last sea day.

 

 

 

 

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[upwarduk]

24.05.17 Gibraltar

 

It was very fortunate that I looked out of window ( obstructed view cabin) as we were passing Europa point Lighthouse and saw the rock of Gibraltar! With a bit of manoeuvring and cropping I was able to capture this view.

 

 

 

 

 

The Shuttle bus at the port gates cost £4 return and each mini van took 8 passengers. We were dropped at Casemates square and given instructions to meet there to pick up the return bus.

 

 

 

 

 

We walked along Main Street, stopping off at M&S ( Adrian couldn't be persuaded to buy a white shirt for his choir performance) but I found some essentials!!

 

 

We then went into the Cathedral.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[upwarduk]

We continued along Main St taking pictures.

 

The Court buildings

 

 

We then saw flags at Half Mast and realised that Gibraltar (British) were honouring those who lost their lives in the Manchester Arena terrorist attack ( 22.05.17)

 

 

 

At the end of the street, where the cable cars go from, we decided not to go further so took some more photos, before retracing our steps.

 

 

 

 

Spanish school children stopped us to ask where the Convent was ( they had a paper which had landmarks that they had to find and check off)

 

 

We then saw this notice for the Methodist Church.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Edited May 30, 2017 by upwarduk

[upwarduk]

We walked back and stopped for a drink at a bar where we saw Anne & Tom ( evening meal table mates)

 

 

We found that this bar had the best internet that we had found anywhere in Europe, even though we were told on the ship that you would see Wi-Fi signs, but not get any decent signal.

 

We then visited a duty free shop and bought a bottle of whisky for our son, who had bought Championship final tickets for the match at Wembley on 29th May.

 

We then returned to the ship ( finding the shuttle vans where they should have been)

 

 

We watched sail away from deck 7 and saw a British Airways flight approach.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[vet6691]

Great review and pictures

Thanks

[davidlocky]

Hi, thanks for the review.

 

We are sailing on the Crown Princess on the transatlantic cruise in September and have booked the same cabin, so it was good to see the photos.

 

We know it's obstructed but how much of a view do you get?

 

Regards

 

David

[upwarduk]

Hi, thanks for the review.

 

 

 

We are sailing on the Crown Princess on the transatlantic cruise in September and have booked the same cabin, so it was good to see the photos.

 

 

 

We know it's obstructed but how much of a view do you get?

 

 

 

Regards

 

 

 

David

 

 

 

Look at the first photo that I posted for Gibraltar. That was taken from the left side of the window. So was this one as we left Southampton.

 

 

This from the right hand side of the window.

 

 

I don't have any from the centre of the window, as that is where the Lifeboat is.

Edited May 30, 2017 by upwarduk

[upwarduk]

Our last 2 days on the ship were sea days. The first one began as I began my review with the Captain conducting a Memorial Service for the victims of the Manchester terrorist act.

 

We then went to the Crown grill, where they were serving a complimentary lunch. This time I choose a scotch egg and salad.

 

DH then went to choir practice and I met him after in the Wheelhouse bar. Later, it was our final Formal Night (3 on this cruise)

 

 

 

I spent time the next morning packing while DH went to the final choir practice. I also went to the excursion desk to make enquiries regarding the bus portion of our trip to Portofino, which didn't take place. I was told ' you must have been out, calls have been made.' This annoyed me, as I had been in the cabin packing all morning. However, a RESULT - they are refunding 35%! Later we spoke to someone else who took the same tour and they didn't have a refund, neither did they complain.

 

 

 

After lunch the choir performed in the Atrium.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Afterwards, I went to see the Captain's Club Host. The previous day, she had told me that letters were being sent to rooms informing passengers of their higher status. We didn't get ours. However, she gave me our Platinum badges. Why did I have to chase employees to get what is due to me?

[MicCanberra]

I find that we have had to ask (sometimes numerous times) to receive some of the loyalty perks that should be automatic, especially as they normally have the letter in the room saying what you will receive.

[upwarduk]

In conclusion:

We had an excellent cruise with relaxing sea days. I was amazed that it took only 3 hrs less to reach Barcelona from Southampton than it did Cork to St John's Newfoundland last fall!!!

I missed my 90 free internet minutes from my Elite status on Celebrity, but we are now ( as of next cruise) Platinum on Princess, so will get 250 minutes with Princess. Can't be bad!

Next time I think we will choose a balcony cabin again as we really missed sitting out with a drink, after a tiring day touring.

We will probably choose 'Any time dining' as well. 5.45pm was too soon, even though our Invoice said 6pm. We choose early as late is too late and we decided that it's better to sit with the same people every night.

 

Thanks must go to our waiter Rommel, who looked after my Lactose Intolerant needs.

 

Also to the chefs who created ''special sweets' every night.

 

 

 

 

 

The Captain, Justine Lawes was very personable, we saw him around the ship frequently on Sea Days. The Memorial Service he conducted was very moving.

 

 

The majority of the shows were excellent and Paul Chandler Burns did a great job as CD. As he left the ship when we did, I wish him a restful vacation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[MicCanberra]

We prefer Anytime to the set dining, as we feel it gives us more freedom and we can generally eat close to when we want to. Some nights may be earlier and others a bit later. I have enjoyed this review. Thank you.

[davidlocky]

Hi, thank you for your answer about the window, it seems fine to be, we've had a lot more obstructions on previous cruises.

 

Can't wait to we sail in September!