Rome to Monte Carlo on Riviera Live

[hillsprint]

So onto tonight’s GDR menu

 

 

 

The Afternoon Tea was well attended and thoroughly enjoyable, the water in the tea pots was not boiling was sufficiently warm to get a decent cup of tea.

 

To back up the good state of the Riviera here are a few pics from around the ship

 

 

One if the nooks in the Library

 

 

The Grand Dining Room

 

 

And Martini’s

 

 

So first time in the GDR tonight, have high expectations.

 

 

 

Cheers

 

Michael

[hillsprint]

The Grand Dining Room is certainly that, the floor drops towards the rear of the ship producing a double height room. We were close to the rear windows and the room has an agreeable relaxed atmosphere. Of the various ships we’ve been on this is by far the best MDR for its layout and design The food was of good quality, obviously not as fine as a Specialty venue, but arrived hot and well presented. I had the steak au poivre and it was cooked to Med/rare as requested. The sommelier was attentive and topped up our glasses regularly.

 

This was followed by a visit to Martini’s where we had a great time with some folks from Australia before retiring for the night.

 

As predicted the ship’s wi-fi is pretty useless and I end up using my phone data when we get back in contact with the land signals

 

Anyway we’ve arrived into Olbia, with a predicted high of 31 C. The port has a shuttle service operating every 15 mins into the town, it can be seen in the bottom right of the pic below

 

 

 

Cheers

 

Michael

[j_anandu]

Thank you so much for this live thread. Following along and it’s building our excitement even more for our cruise in two weeks. Can’t wait to read and see more pictures. Have a great cruise:D

[hillsprint]

So into Olbia, we got off the ship At 10am and boarded the waiting shuttle bus, this dropped us at the end of the entrance road of the port, close the Archeological Museum. You then walk to the left, cross the dual carriageway and you will arrive at the start of the Corso Umberto 1, which is the Main Street of the City.

 

 

The street runs through the centre of the old town and is lined with various eateries and shops

 

 

There are a few narrow streets leading off it

 

 

Some lead to quiet piazza

 

 

While in other locations the local issues of the day are pondered

 

 

 

 

 

Cheers

 

Michael

[buggins0402]

Great pictures, enjoying your thread. Thank you for taking the time to post them.

[hillsprint]

Unfortunately the Mistral has got blowing a tad strong, so there was a nice breeze, but it meant that the rooftop terrace in the Hotel Panorama was closed, a pity as it looked to be a good spot to take in the local vista

 

 

We returned towards the port passing this nice piece of topiary on the way

 

 

We had lunch at Waves, my Mugaro was superb, cooked to perfection, beautifully cooked tuna

 

 

Have been told we can’t go to Bandol tomorrow due to the increasing winds, so will be sitting off the east coast of Corsica

 

Here are today’s GDR menus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cheers

 

Michael

Edited August 25, 2018 by hillsprint

[warburg]

Greetings from South Beach, hillsprint. Thank you, Michael, for such an enjoyable thread. It is most generous of you to take the time to do it. Your photos are wonderful.

 

Mary

[Paulchili]

Greetings from South Beach, hillsprint. Thank you, Michael, for such an enjoyable thread. It is most generous of you to take the time to do it. Your photos are wonderful.

 

Mary

 

+1

Michael - thank you for the posts and pictures. This is an itinerary that we will be doing in Oct on Marina so I am following with interest.

[Tansy Mews]

You mention open tendering. I guess you know that you need not wait for that if you are eager to go ashore. You just need to get a tender ticket in the Lounge. However it is relaxing if you have a sufficiently long port day to wait until open tendering!

 

Frances

[Eight_Paws]

We will be boarding the Riviera in Monte Carlo on August 30th ... this post is getting us excited for our first Oceania cruise. Thanks for the details and the menu snapshots !

 

 

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[hillsprint]

So we had not a bad sail last night, some small bumps at times, now sailing up the east coast of Corsica, the phone signal drops in and out as there a few towns/cities on this very rugged coast. Saw the CD having a quiet coffee in Horizons before what will be a busy day for him and his team. The long distance putting competition in the Atrium may come down to luck more than skill I suspect [emoji3]

 

 

Cheers

 

Michael

[hillsprint]

Having succeeded in embarrassing ourselves at the indoor putting, we then went to the hastily arranged Cooking Demonstration

 

 

With two such great chefs on the stage, there was a lot of banter and humour going on, with the guests being able to sample the end products

 

Alban is on the left and Franck on the right

 

 

This sea day also gave me a chance to snap today’s Bistro menu

 

 

Looks good so we might go there for lunch.

 

We were in Jacques last night and the food was superb, definitely the best we have sampled at sea. Again it was well attended and with a couple of large groups there was quite a buzz in the restaurant

 

This is as close as we are to Corsica

 

 

Just a pity we can drop in to Bastia for a quick visit.

 

 

Cheers

 

Michael

[hillsprint]

So before we lose the Corsica signal

 

Lunch in the GDR was really good, much more relaxed than the hustle of the Terrace.

 

Here is today’s GDR evening menu

 

 

 

We’ll be there tonight

 

Finally we got the departure info today and the latest departure for those sorting out their own transfers from Monaco is 8.45 am

 

 

Cheers

 

Michael

[2552phxcrzr]

Nice write up. Enjoyed meeting you guys at the M&G.

 

Erin & Mui

[Hawaiidan]

Good info..... whats a Mugro ?? And what is the earliest you can get off the ship in Monte Carlo if carrying your own bags.... The earilier the better. Will be on this cruise in May

[Cruise Junky]

Good info..... whats a Mugro ?? And what is the earliest you can get off the ship in Monte Carlo if carrying your own bags.... The earilier the better. Will be on this cruise in May

Mugaro is bluefin tuna

[LHT28]

Maybe you were looking at the wrong spelling

MAGURO is correct

from WAVES menu

The MaGuRO | soy and Ginger Marinated ahi Tuna seared Rare with Wasabi-Garlic Mayonnaise

[Cruise Junky]

Maybe you were looking at the wrong spelling

MAGURO is correct

from WAVES menu

The MaGuRO | soy and Ginger Marinated ahi Tuna seared Rare with Wasabi-Garlic Mayonnaise

Thank you. Didn’t notice my typo.

[hillsprint]

So on to Toulon. Incidentally last night’s GDR meal we felt was a step up from our previous visit, we probably just made better menu choices.

 

So we dock in the city centre, using the ferry port, larger cruise ships have to use the cruise port that is about 8km from the centre, but you need to check the Toulon Port schedule on their website to confirm which site you will be docking in.

Toulon is a major naval port and that dominates the major part of the bay

 

 

So we are docked bang in the centre of Toulon. There is one of the little white “trains” that takes you round the town to see the sights

 

 

So it is just outside the Port Terminal and can be seen in the bottom of the pic below

 

 

If you want to walk into the town centre, head out the dock gate and keep left along the waterfront, then turn right up the tree lined avenue you can see between the apartment buildings in the photo.

 

This is a large city, and being French it has a lot of old buildings, not always in pristine condition but with that certain French charm

 

 

 

 

Cheers

 

Michael

[hillsprint]

The 700 year old cathedral is in a very small square, so hard to snap

 

 

Just outside the port is the Rugby Club De Toulon stadium for any of you Sports fans with a Team shop in the nearby shopping centre

 

 

The footpath has memorial stone to former star players

 

 

To my mind the centre of the town will only entertain for a short while, so if you want a lazy ship day this might be the place, otherwise a tour might be more beneficial.

 

The Bistro was not running today, we’re heading to Red Ginger tonight, am favouring the Miso Sea Bass at the minute, but will see when the menu is finally out in front of me !

 

Dan

 

Re getting off the ship on the last morning, it appears you can get off almost any time you want. But on this cruise we are tendering on the first day in Monte Carlo and the front desk wasn’t sure at this stage at what time they will be docking on that morning ( I looked at the MC port schedule and it says 6am). So probably the best thing is to ask when you get onboard as your cruise might be different to ours, as I believe it varies each time they are in Monte.

 

Finally today’s GDR menus

 

 

 

 

Cheers

 

Michael

[Silver Sweethearts]

Good info..... whats a Mugro ??

 

Deleted. Question already answered.

[JPR]

Just read this thread, so apologies for late responses.

 

I did not see a full wine list so I’m wondering about the accuracy of the comment that there are no good Zinfandels. True?

 

(At the risk of being accused of piling on, “White Zinfandel” is an oxymoron, like “ white chocolate” as well as “open secret” and “deafening silence”....)

[hillsprint]

Zin-gate is closed, start a dedicated thread, please

 

Would prefer to keep this on track

[hillsprint]

Last night we ate at Red Ginger, again we were delighted by the food from the surprise Amuse Bouche to the selection of teas at the end ( though you can have tea all the way through if you wish. Was speaking to a fellow traveller, who actually works as a TA, they hadn’t booked any Specialty meal before getting on and found them to be fully booked when they asked.

 

So onto today, St Tropez in all it’s glory, have been given a few hints by a friend who works in the region, so will see how they work out.

 

We are moored right outside the harbour

 

 

It looks far, but it’s only about 300m

 

 

Cheers

 

Michael

[hillsprint]

So we tendered in to the Yacht Club side of the harbour and walked towards the main waterfront. You soon start to see the luxury machinery

 

 

There are some expensive rear ends on view

 

 

We decided to head to the Citadel before the temperature rose. The walk up from the town isn’t bad , but the long set of steps when you get to the site takes a bit of effort. It is €3 per head to get in, but the view over the bay is worth it

 

 

That’s one of the Seadream Yacht Club boats beside Riviera

 

 

It has an interesting museum as well.

 

We then descended back into the town

 

 

 

 

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