travelberlin

Yes. A problem with that? 😎

We were in Siracusa, a place which has a lovely old town called Ortigia. It was nice just to walk around, observe the locals in their usual activities for example at the market. Always in Sicily I have to remember Goethe who was so enamored with this Island. He wrote: “do you know that country where the lemons flower…” (he wrote it in German and this free translation from me does not really capture the poetry on his words). I was hoping for the ship to serve us some Sicilian specialties like Arancino and Cannoli. Unfortunately it did not happen.

Yesterday was a sea day on our way from Mykonos to Siracusa. As usual plenty of activities on board. I have just taken it easy and finished reading my first book onboard. I had a very good lunch at Waterside and in the evening I decided to try Tastes. The meal at Tastes was very good. I had the Gambas al Ajillo, the Chimichurri steak and a nice version of the Key lime pie. A nice Primitivo wine from Puglia (a region I love in Italy) accompanied my steak and a Spätlese from Austria my dessert.

Lovely picture. Thank you 🙏🏼 Ivi

Very good wines and drinks are included. There is also a champagne and a couple of sparkling wines from California. The included champagne is not my favorite but there are other options. No need to buy high end wines imho. Ivi

I have seen non alcoholic beer but non alcoholic wine and sparkling wine? I would ask. Thank you. Ivi

Staring a new day onboard the Symphony…

Yes but those questions are relevant for the ship design and I hope that design is not going to start 20 months from now. And for us solos it is important to raise our voice before the design is finished and then someone just thinks “oh since they are solos, lets give them the least desirable locations “.

Where are the solo rooms going to be? I hope that not again forward on the ships…and how will it work out with the promenade deck? Ivi

Thanks Terry for following my cruise. I am afraid that I will not post Reflections. I hope someone else might do it. I am quite busy now posting here and for my friends in Facebook. My internet connection in my room does not allow me to post pictures and I have to go to other places to do it. Besides that, I am still not very good with posting. At least I am able to post pictures now. I remember many years ago, I couldn’t do that and you were so kind to me that I would send the pictures to you and you would post them at Cruise Critic for me. Remember? It was a 35 nights Oceania cruise from San Diego to the Amazon River. Amazing… Ivi

We have anchored quite far from the port in Mykonos. Strong winds did not allow for us to debark at the expected time of around 8.00. Announcements were made indicating the port was going to send larger tender boats. I was happy about that. Unfortunately it didn’t happen. Actually the port was canceled and I have decided to make the best of a sea day. I went to the Bistro to enjoy the Portuguese tarts and I went to the Spa to have my nails done. Short before noon, an announcement was made again that it was possible to go to town now. I have looked around and the waters remain rough for me but I assume it is safe to go now. I have asked if we were using the ships tenders and at what time was last tender. Yes the ships tender boats are being used and the last tender is at 17.00. With that information, I have decided not to go. Not again a rough ride for me today for just some hours under the sun. I have been in Mykonos about 35 years ago for a long stay when I was young and beautiful. I was very much looking forward to being there again but I guess it will have to be another time. Waiting for my lunch at Waterside, which apparently is going to be opened today for lunch. Lucky me ☺️

Yesterday we were in Volos. I have booked a ship’s excursion to an archaeological Museum and to the village of Makrynitsa. The excursion was Ok but I do not think that I would book it again. The drive to Makrynitsa was an adventure up and down the hill in a large bus, encountering other large buses on our way and in a narrow street. Maybe it would have been better to take smaller buses for this excursion. Since we anchored, the drive on the tender boat was also an adventure. I kept bumping my head against the wall of the tender boat. Symphony has the smallest tender boats I have experienced until now. Back to the ship, hungry, at around 14.00, I went to have lunch at the Marketplace. My experience at lunch time at the marketplace were, with exception of the day of embarkation, until now quite disappointing. Few offers sitting a long time, like in all buffets… And Tastes with its quesadillas, spaghetti bolognese and the like is not really an alternative to me. I find food at lunch time on port days a weakness on the ships. Fortunately there is tea time at the Palm Court between 15.30 and 16.30. I went to have the tea. After that, I was happy again and listening to Louis singing while we left Volos, I was thankful of being on this wonderful world.

For all those who are happy about a casino again on Crystal ships, this picture is at the entrance of the formal casino. It looks appropriate with the dress code at the Montecarlo casino 🎰. I am not a gambler and I don’t think I will be seen around the place. But I am happy for those who wanted to have the Casinos back.

Not me Vince 😃 I am happy to report that I am younger than that 😎 Ivi

Thanks Patty. Ivi

Here are the pictures of the library on the Symphony. I really hope is not going to become a casino 😌

Today we were in Thessaloniki. First time for me at this port. It is a big city with apparently over a million inhabitants. I went exploring independently. I left the ship well fortified with a Japanese breakfast, at 9.00 am (picture). My objective was the Church of St Demetrius. What was supposed to be a straight forward destination took me a long time. I have got lost a couple of times. The first time it was a commercial street in which I have bought a nice foldable bag, thinking that I might buy some things during this cruise. The second time I ended at a funny looking flea market. At no moment I have felt unsafe or uneasy. People overall made a friendly impression to me. Finally I have reached my destination. I am sharing some pictures of that Church with you. Coming back to the ship was hard! There is a heat wave in this part of Europe and around noon it was terrible. I am glad I took plenty of water with me.

Here are the pictures of the senior officers during this cruise. I only knew the cruise director Russ from the time that he was working at Azamara ships. An excellent cruise director.

Have a wonderful time 😊

Tonight was the first formal night of this cruise. I have enjoyed my selections. I had hard time to decide what pictures to post about those selections. I had caviar, a lovely soup, the king crab legs and as a dessert Cotton candy. Since the Cotton candy is fun to watch I am sharing those pictures with you.

Have a great cruise. Looking forward to your posts. Ivi

Today we are cruising the Dardanelles strait. It is a sea day. I love sea days but specially I like them on Crystal ships. Crystal offers so many interesting activities on sea days… they offer also the ones, which are under the Spa management and which are offered by every cruise line. Those called “seminars” including subjects such as “improve your metabolism “ or “ get rid of your pains” …I stay away from those 😉 But the lectures on serious subjects are very appealing at the Crystal ships. Today the special interest lecturer is Mr. Bulent Atalay who is providing some comments while we cruise the Dardallenes strait. Here I am sharing a picture of another lovely place on the Symphony. I am sure you and of course May B, will know where it is …

I think it would be good for cruise lines at this port to give a detailed explanation of what to tell the drivers. I have just provided the exact address given to me by Crystal and this was not enough. I believe you are also cruising at the moment? Enjoy your cruise also. Ivi

Imagine Keith, I am coming back to the Symphony after 10 years 😳. Like you I have tried to come back after 2019 for longer cruises but for reasons known to all of us, my cruises never took place. I am definitely more familiar with the Serenity but this is a lovely ship also. Ivi

You are so right! I am glad you wrote about it because it might help others when they board at Galata. Ivi