Live and Solo: Dustin's European Adventure (Explorer May 8)

[Kathscof]

8 minutes ago, DandDM said:

One thing that was different at Herculaneum, per the tour guide, is that the way volcano affected the area caused some wood to carbonize (that is from memory, could be way off on the correct term).  Below are a few wood items that remain intact today. Found one more photo of some floors that were amazing (and I think it was coming down from this place where I fell).

 

In case my fellow tour mates read this, want to send a shout out as it was a great group! Had a lot of fun and enjoyed meeting you all. Also thanks to Bill for organizing.

 

Cheers,

From what I recall, one town was overtaken by lava/volcanic debris and the other by ash.....or at least a larger majority of the coverage was one vs the other....

Edited May 9, 2023 by Kathscof

[DandDM]

Gangway up was supposed to be at 5:30; it’s 5:50 now. Pier runners?

 

 

edited to add this / they are here!

Edited May 9, 2023 by DandDM
Big update!

[juanrod]

So sorry you got hurt, the mom in me wants to say keep it cleaned and iced 😂 your tour sounded wonderful enjoy dinner tonight 

[Susan2771]

Thank-you for taking us along on your trip, and for sharing all the photos.  I have appreciated your detailed review and what the ship is like.  Enjoy and safe travels!

[DandDM]

15 hours ago, juanrod said:

So sorry you got hurt, the mom in me wants to say keep it cleaned and iced 😂 your tour sounded wonderful enjoy dinner tonight 

Thanks for the concern - sore to the touch and a little stiff on stairs, but doing much better today!

 

13 hours ago, Susan2771 said:

Thank-you for taking us along on your trip, and for sharing all the photos.  I have appreciated your detailed review and what the ship is like.  Enjoy and safe travels!

You are welcome! Hope to have more ‘ship’ stuff to report today. 

[DandDM]

Trying to post updates on last night and some photos from the ship this morning, but wi-fi has been awful. Trying to run a speed test and it won't even load.

 

Maybe everyone is now getting up and logging on!  Will try again later.

[DandDM]

Was finally able to run a test, this is the only site that would load. Speed is actually better than I expected, but seems like it is coming in and out.  I purchased the surf and stream, and confirmed the ship has starlink.

 

Trying to upload photos and it is not happening, been waiting on a screen shot of the speed test for a few minutes and it has errored out twice. I'll just have to tell you: download 7.58 mpbs; upload 0.12 mpbs.  Bummer because I have photos to post from last night and this morning!

Edited May 10, 2023 by DandDM
typs

[kernow]

2 hours ago, DandDM said:

Was finally able to run a test, this is the only site that would load. Speed is actually better than I expected, but seems like it is coming in and out.  I purchased the surf and stream, and confirmed the ship has starlink.

 

Trying to upload photos and it is not happening, been waiting on a screen shot of the speed test for a few minutes and it has errored out twice. I'll just have to tell you: download 7.58 mpbs; upload 0.12 mpbs.  Bummer because I have photos to post from last night and this morning!

I'm not techie at all but someone else on another live I was reading said if you are in the cabin it sometimes works better if you open the door. No idea if it will work though.

[DandDM]

6 minutes ago, kernow said:

I'm not techie at all but someone else on another live I was reading said if you are in the cabin it sometimes works better if you open the door. No idea if it will work though.

Good timing; I just sat down to try again...and it might be working!  Was just able to download some photos from my phone. 

 

Thanks!

[DandDM]

Before dinner last night checked out the diamond lounge and this time took some photos. A lot of food choices! The place was busy but not crowded.

 

Last photo is the view as we sailed away from Naples

[DandDM]

Had dinner reservations at Chops. When I showed up, the same couple I was talking to at Giovanni's last night were also waiting for a table and they invited me to join them. Had a nice conversation with them throughout dinner.

 

As we were talking, did a poor job taking photos.  I started with the bacon slice (no photo). Second was mushroom soup. Had the fillet mignon with mashed potatoes and asparagus. The waiter had us check our steak for color so that is why it looks chopped up. After the photo got a couple sauces that they put in the groove around the plate. For desert Lemon Meringue pie. All was great, the steak was cooked perfectly and was a good cut of meat, but flavor was just ok. The sauces were the perfect compliment. Linda had a bone in Ribeye that her husband Ron (who also had the filet) thought was better. 

 

The lemon meringue was also good, but missing the 'kick' of the lemon that I think makes that pie great.

 

 

 

[DandDM]

Might just be a coincidence, but the open door trick seems to be working very well!

 

By the time we were done with dinner, the late show had already started, so I went to the casino. Was actually doing pretty good (at least not losing) until I started to play this new-to-me game. It starts you on a two minute 'bonus' where the correct symbol (a mining cart) provides an instant win. After the two minutes, the game goes back to 'normal'. If you hit the bonus, the two minute clock starts again. I won at first, then stayed even, then lost heavily.  I should have left when I started to lose, but I was sure there was something more to the game that would trigger a bigger win. If it exists, I never found it!

 

 

After slotting around, went on a bourbon hunt. The night before had only seen Bulleit bourbon, so checked the schooner and could only see that one. Wandered around and found Makers Mark at the R Bar. Ordered a Maker's old fashion and was disappointed - way too sweet.

 

While there had a weird conversation. Sat next to a couple of guys, and after only talking for a little while, the guy started to rant about the problems with people from countries. I don't know how he got on the subject, and he was so deliberate about his comments, that was wondering if I was being trolled. Regardless, wasn't liking the drink nor conversation so moved on.

 

Ended up being a pretty early night; had this guy waiting for me:

 

 

[DandDM]

Some random stuff from this morning. Woke up to slightly cloudy skies and a temperature of 63 degrees. Might get a little warmer today but not much. Early morning seas:

 

At 9am, no chair hogs:

 

 

Solium was getting busy

 

And a few people starting to gather in the promenade. Also took a picture of the central stairway to the casino...always have liked the idea of that stairway, but have very rarely used it!

[DandDM]

Went to the 'top tier' event and helped myself to a couple mimosas.  The event had the orchestra playing for a while, some dancers, introduction of officers, then recognition of new pinnacles and the top sailed guests. This is probably what happens in most of the events, but I usually don't go.

 

 

Two couples received pinnacle recognition and the top sailor had over 2800 points. I took a photo of the first pinnacle; the names are blocked by the people, but if this is a privacy issue I can remove.

 

[DandDM]

Almost caught up!  After the event, made use of UDP with lunch at Johnny Rockets: regular burger with cheese, onion rings and a chili dog. Note that I'd already eaten most of the onion rings before the photo (whoops!).  The meal was actually really good (third visit for me to an on board Johnny Rockets and this was the best), however the restaurant is under the sports court and there must have been an exciting game going on up there as there was constant pounding coming from the ceiling. 

 

During the loyalty event the cruise director reminded us to complete our info for leaving the ship in Ravenna. I'll attach a screen shot of the travel options, with costs, below. This also led to a change in plans for my trip. I had already purchased train tickets that had me leaving Ravenna at 2:25 pm and arrival in Venice at 5:30. Plan was to store my bag at the train station and explore Ravenna while avoiding the post cruise crowd.

 

Recently received an email from Rail Europe stating that the second leg of the train trip was delayed an hour so I would be getting to Venice at 6:38, and would have a two hour layover (is that correct term for trains?) at Ferrara. When I saw the $58 price tag, I decided to skip the train and do this. While I want to experience as much as I can on this trip, was already losing enthusiasm for my morning in Ravena... Unfortunately could not figure out how to get a refund for my existing train ticket, but still worth it!

 

 

 

Ice show is coming up shortly. I couldn't figure out how to make a reservation, so will show up and see if I can get it - the ice shows are my favorite!

 

Cheers,

 

[DandDM]

1 hour ago, kernow said:

I'm not techie at all but someone else on another live I was reading said if you are in the cabin it sometimes works better if you open the door. No idea if it will work though.

I'm calling this myth confirmed! Thanks and WOW

 

Speed test with door open:

 

 

 

A few minutes later with door shut:

 

 

 

[kernow]

1 hour ago, DandDM said:

I'm calling this myth confirmed! Thanks and WOW

 

Speed test with door open:

 

 

 

A few minutes later with door shut:

 

 

 

That certainly works then😁

[KiwiGal117]

1 hour ago, DandDM said:

 

 

 

This! Thanks for sharing.  We are on Explorer from Ravenna in September, and I had been researching these options!

[StanleyandGus]

2 hours ago, DandDM said:

While there had a weird conversation. Sat next to a couple of guys, and after only talking for a little while, the guy started to rant about the problems with people from countries. I don't know how he got on the subject, and he was so deliberate about his comments, that was wondering if I was being trolled. Regardless, wasn't liking the drink nor conversation so moved on.

How very odd that they went on a European cruise!  I would have left too.

[sowhat]

 Last night's dinner in MTD was  a lot better  Reservation  at 08 30 pm and seated at   08 45 pm
Food was hot and  very good, best meal  of the cruise

[JessyCruises]

1 hour ago, StanleyandGus said:

How very odd that they went on a European cruise!  I would have left too.

Sadly there are bigots everywhere 😔 I probably would have gotten myself in trouble by saying something and then bolted as well.

[sgmn]

1 hour ago, sowhat said:

 Last night's dinner in MTD was  a lot better  Reservation  at 08 30 pm and seated at   08 45 pm
Food was hot and  very good, best meal  of the cruise


 

Good to know. The first night is often a bit of a mess as everyone has to be escorted to their tables and get use to the routine.

They use to offer special deals,  30% off or something on first night in specialised restaurants 

Edited May 10, 2023 by sgmn

[sowhat]

6 hours ago, sowhat said:

 Last night's dinner in MTD was  a lot better  Reservation  at 08 30 pm and seated at   08 45 pm
Food was hot and  very good, best meal  of the cruise


 

An other shambolic  MTD   08.30 pm reservation,  still waiting to enter  dining  room at 08 50 pm , no tables available
Told reason for delay  that MTD  is very  busy,  that is not my problem.
Sent  to deck 5 dinning  room for table at 09 05 pm when deck 5 starts  at 08 30pm
Not verygood dining experience 

[frosty52]

Just found this today and got all caught up.  

 

Thanks for doing this report (I'm loving it).  It has not only brought up great memories but a desire to get back to Europe, specifically Italy.  There is still so much to see and do there. 

 

 

 

 

[az4ship]

Loving your review and I traveled solo last year and it was out of my comfort zone but worth it.