Jim_Iain – Edge Live Post – B2B – Greek Islands and West Bound TransAtlantic

[Jim_Iain]

Daily for November 3

 

 

 

 

 

We are docked at La Seyne-sur-Mer which is a good distance from Toulon.   Ferry service is available at $20 pp and takes 20 minute.  Walking distance is 7.5 km and 1 hour 37 minutes per google maps. 
 

Since it is Sunday and most shops closed we may just stay aboard today.  There is about 80% chance of rain. 

[Jim_Iain]

Windy Day.   

The crew just got a call to tie things down  Chairs and pillows were flying around. I think it is going to be a ship day. 
 

 

 

 

 
 

@vtcruising  I checked out the new wind shields in the Rooftop Garden and was surprised that it was very protected and even in gale force winds was comfortable.  
 

You can get an idea of how it is protected. 
 

 

Also confirmed that they did do away with breakfast in Le Grand Bistro.  Now only Lunch and Brunch on Sea days. 
 

 

Edited November 3, 2019 by Jim_Iain

[vtcruising]

2 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

I checked out the new wind shields in the Rooftop Garden and was surprised that it was very protected and even in gale force winds was comfortable.  
 

You can get an idea of how it is protected. 

That's great! Thanks for the video - we had a day with a strong wind (though looks like not as strong as the wind up there today) and cushions were tossed and things tipped over and the RTGG staff weren't calmly setting up, as in this video. Gives me hope that we will be able to enjoy the Apex RTG and have a nice dinner there in a few months. We absolutely loved hanging out up there on port or calm sea days, listening to the tree singer and enjoying being surrounded ocean and the mini gardens.

 

2 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Also confirmed that they did do away with breakfast in Le Grand Bistro.  Now only Lunch and Brunch on Sea days. 

That's what has been reported since last April or so. I imagine that it was too hard for the staff to set up, serve and clean up after breakfast, lunch and dinner. The breakfast was a bargain at $10 - the brunch is pricey, but I have heard that it has seafood. A nice option for the late sleepers on sea days (opens at 10:30).

 

Have you been out on the Magic Carpet yet? Probably not today...😉

[vtcruising]

4 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Daily for November 3

I noticed something about the dailies you have posted. Maybe a new way of doing them, starting with the TA? They are divided by type of activities, such as "Need To Know", "Wellness/Fitness/Retail", "The Casino", "Activities", "Live Music, Dancing, Film".

 

The right column seems to have all complimentary activities and the left side has the for fee activities, in addition to the other complimentary activities. I haven't decided if I like it or not (like the idea of being able to more quickly locate music, dancing, etc, but also like to see all of my options for a certain time together). Maybe it works well with the app, which may still have all of the 3 PM activities together so you can see what is going on at a certain time. I think it might be a nice way to do it. 🙂

 

Today's daily with activities divided by classification of activities/events:

 

 

 

One of your Dailies from your last cruise, divided by time of day:

 

 

 

 

[DUTRAVEL]

I think someone was asking about the new furniture on the Infinite Verandas. Here are the new chairs, but we still only have the small cocktail table. My husband says the chairs are comfortable. We have frosted glass (someone I spoke to in an Aqua IV did not). I don’t like the frosted glass. 
 

Dianne

[Jim_Iain]

Thanks Dianne. 
 

The frosted doors look like the door and wall in our CS. I would have preferred solid for sleeping in. 
 

At least we have blackout curtains on patio door to block light. 

[suzyluvs2cruise]

6 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Dinner at Luminae

The meal began wit a little treat of berries.   A couple at the next table commented that it looked better than what the got.  Our waiter Kumar said he substituted because the other wasn’t getting good ratings.  It was some type of pea purée.    He brought us one to compare. 

 

Please say hello to Kumar from Sue and Jim. He was our waiter on the Sept 30 cruise. Belen too if she's there. 

Edited November 3, 2019 by suzyluvs2cruise

[hcat]

13 minutes ago, DUTRAVEL said:

I think someone was asking about the new furniture on the Infinite Verandas. Here are the new chairs, but we still only have the small cocktail table. My husband says the chairs are comfortable. We have frosted glass (someone I spoke to in an Aqua IV did not). I don’t like the frosted glass. 
 

Dianne

 Unfrosted bi fold  and  old chairs  AQ IV

[Jim_Iain]

Duplicate post

 

 

Edited November 3, 2019 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

20 minutes ago, suzyluvs2cruise said:

 

Please say hello to Kumar from Sue and Jim. He was our waiter on the Sept 30 cruise. Belen too if she's there.I will let him know.  He is a great waiter

 

Belen is also still in Luminae but not serving us. 
 

Kumar has really been taking real good care of us.   He has been serving us regardless of where we are seated. 

Edited November 3, 2019 by Jim_Iain

[Bo1953]

1 hour ago, DUTRAVEL said:

I think someone was asking about the new furniture on the Infinite Verandas. Here are the new chairs, but we still only have the small cocktail table. My husband says the chairs are comfortable. We have frosted glass (someone I spoke to in an Aqua IV did not). I don’t like the frosted glass. 
 

Dianne

I Am sure that we will not like the frosted glass either... as I would prefer to see through both windows if the doors are closed for whatever reason...

 

Not sure and/or do not remember what the hoopla was that caused X to install the frosted coverings... it impedes the view, IMO.

 

Alas, the squeekies got it...

 

bon voyage

[Jim_Iain]

Fasten you’re seat belt it is going to be a rough ride.   
 

 

Winds are suppose to calm down after dark but for the first time in 2 weeks you can certainly feel the movement. 
 

[suzyluvs2cruise]

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Belen is also still in Luminae but not serving us. 
 

Kumar has really been taking real good care of us.   He has been serving us regardless of where we are seated. 

 

We had the same experience be it breakfast, lunch or dinner. A definite plus. 

[Jim_Iain]

Last night the ship was really rocking but started calming down around midnight.  

 

Dinner November 3

 

 

For appetizers Iain had the tuna tartare and I had the lobster salad.
 

For our main courses Iain had the rack of lamb and I had the halibut all were very delicious and we enjoyed very much

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 4, 2019 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

November 4 - Palma de Mallorca

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

Arriving Mallorca a little early.  Looks like we will be docking at the outer port. We have a tour -Valleldemossa and Soller with train tour booked via Mallorca-tours.net.  
 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

You may have mentioned that we use T-Mobile.   They offer free shipping international roaming at a reduced speed for free.   
 

When you n a new country you get a confirmation.   Also while on the ship you can use WiFi calling and receive calls for free. 
 

[Jim_Iain]

You may have mentioned that we use T-Mobile.   They offer free shipping international roaming at a reduced speed for free.   
 

When you n a new country you get a confirmation.   Also while on the ship you can use WiFi calling and receive calls for free. 
 

[Jim_Iain]

We had a really fun day in Mallorca today.    We had a tour today with some fellow Cruise Critic members.   One of the best groups we have sailed with.   Everyone was early or on-time at every stop.    The tour guide had a really fun sense of humor and made our day fly by.  

 

Following is a description -

 

VALLDEMOSSA AND SOLLER WITH TRAIN

Duration: 5h – Includes: Train ticket from Soller to Palma, Air conditioned bus for 40 pax, English speaking official licensed guide, and personal port assistance – Stops: Valldemossa and Soller. Walking involved: 30 minutes walking (20 min Valldemossa + 10 min Soller)

 

If you are arriving on a cruise, you can also enjoy one of our most popular tours. We recommend that anyone interested should pre-book the tour, at no charge, combined with the roll call system in the main cruise forum, as this helps you to create groups. This tour will operate with a minimum of 16 passengers!

A visit to one of the most beautiful villages of Mallorca

 

Depart from the port to VALLDEMOSSA through the stunning Mallorcan countryside admiring the olive trees and the local vegetation, Valldemossa is one of the most beautiful village located 14 kilometres from Palma on the western area of the island and at almost 400 meters above the sea level. It is surrounded by the Tramuntana mountain range. This well maintained village with its old streets, charming buildings, gardens, hanging baskets, and small street bars create a relaxing atmosphere. The most famous attraction is the Cartuja de Valldemossa. You will also have some free time to relax and to try the famous “coca de patata”, a small type of bun that is famous in Valldemossa.

 

A coastal road

 

After that, we will have a beautiful drive along a fantastic coastal road with great views of the mountains and the sea. we will pass Sa Foradada, Deia and Lluchalcari, this road will take us to Soller where we will stop.

 

SÓLLER – Situated in a valley and sheltered by the Serra de Alfabia mountain massif. We shall visit its central plaza, small gardens with lemon trees and flowers lining the streets. One of the most impressive sights of Sóller is the church designed by a student of the renowned architect Gaudi. Particularly eye-catching is the vas rosette window on the church façade, carved in stone, and the Baroque sculptures contrasting with the dark interior.

 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

We were met by our guide adjacent to the ship.  Our group was 16 on a 35 passenger bus so had plenty of room to spread out. 
 

We drove out of the city for a short 30 drive to Valldemossa.  
 

 

[Jim_Iain]

I forgot to mention.  Last night winds were really high.  Iain said the smoking lounge was closed and they moved it to the solarium.    

This morning we saw why.   A good portion of the ceiling above the smoking deck and above Magic Carpet were torn away. 
 

 

 

 

Edited November 4, 2019 by Jim_Iain

[vtcruising]

10 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

A good portion of the ceiling above the smoking deck and above Magic Carpet were torn away. 

 

Wow! What a storm! Glad Iain wasn't there when things were flying by like the Wizard of Oz.

 

Someone started a thread about the IV windows being locked on this cruise - it sounds like a good reason this time anyway.

 

The tour sounds great - a miracle to have have a bus with twice the space and having such a nice group, with everyone astute about meeting times. Seems like there is always one...🙂

Edited November 4, 2019 by vtcruising

[dcbiker97]

Been following your cruises because we have some friends on the TA.  Who is replacing Priscilla For suite manager? We board the day you arrive in FLL. 

[Jim_Iain]

48 minutes ago, vtcruising said:

 

Wow! What a storm! Glad Iain wasn't there when things were flying by like the Wizard of Oz.

 

Someone started a thread about the IV windows being locked on this cruise - it sounds like a good reason this time anyway.

 

The tour sounds great - a miracle to have have a bus with twice the space and having such a nice group, with everyone astute about meeting times. Seems like there is always one...🙂

One must take some complaining with a grain of sand.  Last night I heard a man going off on a Celebrity employee the Celebrity scheduled Toulon on a Sunday because everything was closed. 
 

I’m sure the IV’s were locked last night.  Before the strongest winds we tried opening our sliding glass door.  We closed it rapidly. 
 

 

[Jim_Iain]

Internet is really slow while in port.  I'm going to wait to post pictures of today's adventure until we set sail.