Norwaylady

We are back on the ship😅⚓️ The Queen has dumped into a chair in Al Bacio😝 So let’s go back to the morning. We left the ship a little before 09.30 and we walked to the tram station. The closest is out and turn left as you leave the port entrance. We needed to get public transportation tickets 🎟️ (it’s for sale on machines on all stations. Cash or card) The Queen was “fixing” it🫣 It was a line. I said to her that a 10-tickets card was the easiest thing for us during our stay in Istanbul. She got a 10-ride card. You just tap for each person and go. We jumped on the first tram in direction to Kabatas. It’s the final destination on the line. From Kabatas you take the funicular up to Taksim. (You can walk, but it’s uphill and NOT advised for the Queen or others who have mobility concerns) From Taksim and downhill, it’s easy to walk. From Taksim to Galata Tower you have shopping, shopping 🛍️ and restaurants. Cats are all over town🐈‍⬛🐈🐈‍⬛🐈🐈‍⬛ We had to do some shopping😅😝🛍️ I ended up getting 2 new pair of shoes. (Remember I broke a pair on Edge?😳😑 it’s a replacement for them😅) The Queen bought a scarf or two😂😅😝🛍️ After the shopping morning, we need to have a little stop. 🛑 Some Turkish coffee ☕️ for The Queen and a little bit of Turkish bread starters. After our little stop, it was time to continue our journey. We passed Galata Tower and ended down on the Karaköy tram stop. The Queen didn’t want to walk the bridge. So we jumped on the tram to Bayazit (Grand Bazar). The Queen wanted to go to Grand Bazar (so I thought that if we do it on day 1… I have ticket off her wishes😝😅🤭) So off we went, it’s a Bazar and it’s GRAND😂🇹🇷🛍️ So brush off your haggling skills and prepare yourself for a crazy visit and vibe. The Queen wanted a similar handbag 👜 as she already has at home…. It’s getting worn after long service😅 she bought it her on her first visit to Istanbul (and we didn’t find one on our walk from Taksim to Karaköy) Bingo! We did find one ☝🏿 Happy Queen🤩🥰🥳 After the haggling we said it’s done🤗 let’s get outside and have a walk towards Galataport. The Queen wanted to have a stop for some tea and Turkish 🇹🇷 delight. So then it was just to go all-in😋🤣 I said to the server, bring it on! 🇹🇷 He did🤣🤣🇹🇷 After the overload of Turkish 🇹🇷 delights, we needed to walk a little bit…. We walked until the Queen asked for the tram back to Galataport. So we jumped onboard and headed back to the ship. IMG_3914.mov IMG_3915.mov We pinged back onboard at 18.00. So we have toured around for a while😌

The ladies are in Istanbul🇹🇷 We left the ship 09.30 this morning🙂 We are docked at Galataport. We started our day in MDR breakfast We had some Greek yogurt, berries and coffee. The Queen also had some French toast. We left the ship 09.25 straight off and walked the terminal zigzag to get out. Since we have visited Istanbul several times and visited everything. Our plan for our stay is not locked. The Queen wanted some shopping, easy walking and Grand Bazar…. I tried to tempting her by a food tour or other activities…. No luck so far😝 So we will see how this goes😅

Dinner tonight.. Tonight’s menu: The menu set is a great set😁 We had salmon, salad and duck 🦆 The Queen wanted potatoes for the main… Food was good and presentation was okay. Dessert menu Hurrah 🙌🏻 it’s after eight ice cream 🍨 My favourite dessert💚🤎💚 Hmmmm 🫣🫥 what the heck happened? What is going on? It tastes just like egg whites😑🙄🫨😵😵‍💫🥴 Really just 😮‍💨🥴🤢😵😵‍💫 not good. Definitely fish food🤭🫣🫠🫡 Is the ice cream chef ill or have he jumped off the ship? I don’t want to complain…. But this ice cream was really inedible🥺☹️😞 It was worse than the chocolate ice cream on day 1. So out the back door it went and apple crumble and crème brûlée arrived. They were all better. But no fireworks and big compliments to dessert department. But really, they need to work on their ice cream. The ice cream is just bad😔 The ice cream on the apple crumble is supposed to be the Tahiti vanilla ice cream. Compared to the ice cream on EQ, this is Lidl ice cream at your best. I could not find a single black dot from a vanilla bean. And it’s definitely not tasting as a real vanilla ice cream. Vanillin, Yes🫡 After dinner it was bed time 🥱

We made it to the show😝 The Queen was not ready on time😅😆 So we had to move one row lower than preferred seating. Well the show must go on…. Tonight’s show is Barricade Boys. (Yes I’ve seen them a million times😝) So I was hoping for the “good” set list today😇 YES 👍🏻 They did the potpourri set😁 Everyone loves this show and they will always give the audience a good time🎶🕺🏻🕺🏻🕺🏻🕺🏻 Motown, Les Miserable, Jersey Boys, Queen…. You know how it goes🎶

Just a little after 18.00 we passed under the bridge. IMG_3851.mov Perfect timing for me🙃 IMG_3856.mov

it was really a bliss of old times, before they started to “fix” on something they shouldn’t✨⚓️✨ So absolutely 💯 of 💯 for the meting today. Compared to Easter 🐣 cruise on EQ this was really a well done event.

After the captain’s club party it was a little down time on the sun lounger for me… It was the waiting game before we started the process for further sailing to Istanbul. Close to 16.00 Captain Ioannis came on the PA system to notify that we are starting the process. I had already scouted around on deck… you know that thrill some of us have for events like this😝😅🤩🥳 (I know Mr would loved it😍) The pilot arrived onboard I left for the top deck forward😇 (YES, you know that design error on Edge class) On Infinity you can have it ALL🤩 Great location for viewing both sides🤩 on port side you are passing the British, Anzac and Turkish 🇹🇷 memorial from the war. IMG_3812.mov We didn’t go for lunch today and at 16.30 I was feeling it…. My tummy was empty😋 So I hoped for the best and crossed my fingers for some afternoon tea🫖 Yes 🙌🏻 It was hidden away, but it was scones, biscuits, 3 types of sandwich. Roastbeef, tuna and ham. I was saved from a starving death🤣🤣 And the best was the almost empty terrace and the view…. Yes THE view🤩🤩 IMG_3841.mov At 17.30 I asked the Queen… how long time do we need to get ready for evening chic😅 1h she said😝 So now I’m just returned to our stateroom and it’s time to get dressed for an evening chic evening💋💃🏻💃🏻

We are slowly moving towards Istanbul 😎

Greek 🇬🇷 isles are really a winner ✨ Istanbul is a real potpourri of Arabic and European influence. Both the Queen and I have visited several times. So our plans are not the grand tourist attraction… we have visited many times🙃 We will start our journey thru the narrow canal around 16.00 local time. I’m getting ready 🤩

It was salmon, prosciutto melon, salmon mousse canapés and bbq meat sticks, schrimp tempura and something else tempura. It looked delicious and nicely plated. But I was feeling full from my late breakfast😅 (bad planning😝) They had plenty of time and it was not rushed at all🥰 Captain Ioannis said a few words about the sail in to Istanbul and the weather forecast for our stay there. It was definitely not overcrowded and plenty of space for everyone🥰

Captains Club Welcome toast was delayed. Invitation said 11.45. But they were not ready 11.50. So the concierge/captains club was tripping around outside the door… The captain and senior officers were lined up to welcome everyone inside. Live music, canapés, drinks 🍸 All as I should be🥂💙⚓️ (But I must bite big time😂😂😂 people are so afraid of approaching me😅) Top cruiser, 50sailings 3900 points an American 🇺🇸 man. Acrobatics did a small show. CD Ernest was the conductor of the event, presenting the captain and concierge’s onboard.

Sea day! I went off for a walk at 08.30. The grand touring route. Surprisingly quiet. Very few chair 🪑 hogs. I walked for a good hour. Not very hot and a little windy 🌬️ After my walk it was time to go downstairs to see if the Queen was ready for breakfast. It was a quick turnaround for me and off to the buffet🙃 Not a full house today😇 I picked up my usual breakfast and found a table outside on the terrace😎 The Queen had her go to things🙂 Now the Queen is parked on a sun lounger overlooking the pool on deck 11. (Everyone is happy🥰) I had a talk with Mr. The ventilation contractor had visited and they would send us some offers for ventilation systems that would fit our house and our needs. Since it’s getting renovated to new construction standards, we need a ventilation system. Both to get fresh and healthy air inside, but also as balanced ventilation that keeps and reuses the warm air inside. So we can minimise the need for heating during winter. So lots of things going on at home😅🤓 Mr was now waiting for the electrician. So things on our list is moving✔️ It’s Captains Club Welcome Toast at 11.45 today.

The seafood orzo is really good 👍🏻 Yesterday it was 10/10✨

Cruise Compass Day 3 Sea Day

Dinner…. We received a very nice surprise from Irwin when we were walked to our set time table🥰 It’s all the way back on deck 5. So we are literally seated on a window on the ocean🥳👍🏻 Really really nice location for a view and small section. Surprise number two was our sommelier. It was Juliana from last year🥰😂 Well, hello to you! Our waiter started the show as we were first timers onboard😝 I think Juliana gave him a little vink😂🤪🤭 Suddenly it changed into we know the process…. We are off to a good start and we are very happy camper’s😊 Today’s menu: We went for salad, trout and seafood orzo. Dessert menu: We went for panna cotta and lava cake. All good and tasty👍🏻 Coffee arrived as espresso and espresso macchiato🙃 After dinner we picked up some water in Al bacio on the way home. And now it’s bedtime 🛏️

Broken Strings, Welcome cast! Not bad, not smashing🤗 I’m not sure how I feel about CD Ernest🤔 is he love it or list it🤭😆 Time will tell🙃 After the show we walked over to the Martini Bar to see the flair show✨ They are way more up to fun than on EQ (no pun intended… they were just not on fire 🔥🤭) IMG_3750.mov Look who robbed the flight???? Hello? Oh well, she had a sip of premium drinks 🤭🍸

After little break on the sun longer, I had to go downstairs. ( you know what happens when you are busy😱😶‍🌫️🫣 no time for 💅🏻) So then I had a call to Mr (making sure the house was still standing, cats 🐈 🐈‍⬛ alive and happy) He was home petting the cats and working out a plan for the next day’s renovation process… And I could do nails 💅🏻💃🏻 The Queen arrived a little before 18.00 so she had time to change clothes and get ready for the evening💃🏻 Tonight’s show is production show Broken Strings.

YES😂

After the breakfast bonanza…. It was time to go downstairs to get ready to leave the ship and “do” Thessaloniki 💙🇬🇷 It’s Greek Easter 🐣 So it’s closed, closed and closed😝 (do I recall the feeling from Martinique😂🤭🤔) But you can still go for a walk and have a feeling of the city💙🇬🇷 It’s the second largest city in Greece 🇬🇷 So it’s a vibe of large city✔️ Lots of restaurants, bars and cafes. (And shopping 🛍️) The Queen needed to pick up something from the pharmacy… O’hello there…. 🇳🇴 cod liver oil🤭 We walked from the ship to the city centre. It’s flat 10.minutes walk from the gangway. We took a walk in the shopping district, several nice windows to have a look into (think of all the cash 💰 I’m saving😂😂) We walked around town, visited the church of St Sophia, down to the White Tower of Thessaloniki and took the oceanfront home to the ship. After the church visit, we decided to have a Greek snack and coffee. I dragged the Queen 8500 steps around town, so I’m happy with the outcome🙃 Fan mail from Irvin on our door 🚪 Now it’s time for a little break on a sun lounger😎

Why do I want to torture myself🫣😅😝🫣 Late arrival, means crazy crazy times in the buffet🤪🤪🤪🤪 We arrived in the middle of the peak🫣 Yep, you know the feeling🤪 long lines, crazy busy and the crew running around to clear tables and trying their best to get tables to people carrying plates😝 My first thing is go back, all the way back. Always less crowded and more options to find a table. First check and choice are the terrace✔️ BINGO A empty table outside! I’m guarding the table and send off the Queen for breakfast hunting. The Queen wanted mdr breakfast (until I told her… they are open from 07.30-09.00😅) Then she was buffet will work tomorrow😂😝 (something tells me she regretted that) Her face said a thousand words when we entered OV😝😂😝 keep it simple👍🏻✔️ yep my yogurt😂

Good morning from the sea😎 We are on our way to Thessaloniki 🇬🇷 We are docking 10.30. Time to bring the Queen to breakfast in the buffet😝

Cruise Compass Day 2 Thessaloniki

We waited for around 10.minutes time before the alarm went off🔥 Really not a problem💙 We received a 2-tablet on I-95 road of the back of the dining room. Tonight’s service was from: Good service and a touch of first night madness😂😂✔️ Tonight’s menu: We had shrimp cocktail, escargot, fish and lamb. All tasted good and freshly cooked. Dessert menu We had ice cream, chocolate and pistachio. The chocolate ice cream was nothing to write home about🫣 the pistachio on the other hand was 😋😋😋 We ordered double espresso and espresso macchiato. All hot and spot on correct ✅ After dinner….. you know what time it is😝 BED TIME😴😴😴😴

Tonight’s show is Andrei Cavassi. The ladies are ready to “claim” their usual spot😂😂😂🥂 We meet our housekeeping on our way out of the door 🚪 Very friendly, she would take care of our requests. Empty minibar and a sharp container to the Queen👍🏻 So this is a good start😇 Before the show, Captain loannis presented some of the senior officers on stage. CD Ernest welcomed the audience and kicked off the evening. The show tonight is a cello show with the orchestra. Great show, good mix of old and new music 🎵 He will be back for a matinee show on the first sea day⚓️ Martini Bar Crew is very alive🥳 The 20.00 flight was on 🔥 live music very alive in grand foyer We are Select dining, guess who was standing by the stand??? Irwin the doorkeeper from Blu last year😂💙⚓️ He was 😱🤩🥳😘 HELLO ladies💙 I asked politely if it was possible to get us a set table 20.30? He said he would try😉 Tonight is the beeper day😂 NOT a problem. We are happy campers😅💙👍🏻

It was coffee O’clock time for the Queen☕️ So we went downstairs to Al Bacio. We are off to a great start ✔️ After our coffee break it was time to head upstairs to see if our suitcases had arrived✔️ YES So then it was time to unpack and get ready for the evening💃🏻💃🏻