denisey

I didn't know that! I just don't get why you have to sign everything in that case, other than assigning tips to your waiter.

 

It is for accounting purposes, and for accountability....that way the waiters get the tip, but don't pad the bill to get more tips.

We had at least another hour (or so we thought) until we would be able to board the ship. So we decided to stroll around a bit. For all you Germans out there: Isn’t this the funnest commercial?

Oooh! I am enjoying the review so far. From your first 2 reviews, I have a good idea of your style. I think this will give me an accurate view of MSC and whether I would like to go on one of their ships someday. (no pressure! :) )

 

The bad thing is that I found your other 2 reviews after they were completed and didn't have all this suspense waiting for the next chapter!

 

Thanks!

By now, it was starting to get dark and our ship would be departing soon (all aboard was scheduled for 8p). However, we still had time for one last glass of wine and since we were now sure, beyond a doubt, that the ship was very close, we found a café with a table right alongside the Grand Canal and enjoyed one final glass of wine in this truly magical floating city.

 

 

:cool:

 

Uh-oh! Beautiful picture, but I'm a little worried they "moved" the cruise port on CG & CM!

 

Loving every minute of this review!

 

Denise

Wow! What a great review! I am sad that "our" trip is coming to an end. What a wonderful family, those children were very obviously raised right!

 

Thanks!

Welcome Back! I can't wait to hear about it! Did Tarek get lost? Did Tanja need new water shoes? Did Stef rip another bikini? I'm sure it was quite an adventure!

Wow! Enjoy Portugal Cath!

 

I've been so enjoying your post. The Amalfi Coast pix are great, especially since I don't think I will ever make it there (seasickness on little boats and in cars on windy roads!)

Melissa...where oh where are you??? It's been over a week!!!

 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

 

Just trying to set the mood! :)

Ah! Thank you! I always thought Civitavecchia looked like a nice time as I was rushing to or from the ship or train! I may just have to add some time there next time.

 

I am really enjoying the review...between you, Stef, Melissa and Sherri I'm working on plans to head to Europe next year....if we wind up on a ship, I promise to post a review even though it won't be nearly as entertaining!

 

 

Hmmm...You can tell this Jesus and Apostles are French, they are wearing Louis Vuitton!

Ahhhh Roma. So what do you think we decided to do on this stop in this city we both love so much? Nothing, zero, zilch, nada. Yep that’s right, we decided to stay put here in Civitavecchia. However, because I care deeply about my readers I taught it would be nice of me to share some photos of ravishing Rome which I took last year before we boarded the Navigator.

 

 

Bwah-ha-ha-ha! Thank you so much for thinking of us little people stuck at home!

 

I wouldn't mind hearing about Civitavecchia...I've been there twice and haven't seen it at all!

Great review!

 

I'm caught up in all g here reviews of the Serenade in the Mediterranean. And even though each is different, I've learned a lot from each one.

 

Thank you for all your time and effort to do this review!

5

 

last two full days of work today and tomorrow, then only half a day on saturday and then I don't have to work for three weeks in a row. :cool:Yeah:cool:!

 

:oPoor Tanja still has to work on monday...but it's getting oh so close as well.

 

...if only I could find those -lost in the universe- seabands, argh! But I haven't given up yet!

 

Stef

 

Poor Tanja!

 

The best way to find a lost item is to buy a replacement! That happens to me all the time!

 

I can't wait to hear about your adventures!

Yay! Another Serenade review! Very exciting so far.

OMG, that whiteboard is HILARIOUS. That guy and his hair!

 

 

I think he is Julia's signature guy on vacation!

7

:ponly one more week:p!

 

doing laundry as if I'm planning for a world cruise...no way I can take all of those clothes with me. But only 4 shoes like Irishcath was limited to (poor you)for her 12 nighter....not happening! Gotta snatch some room from Tarik's trolley again:rolleyes:.

 

Stef

 

This will be good practice for Tarik for when he is married!

 

I can't wait to hear about your adventures and I hope you find some Pandas in Scotland to show us!

Hi Ayasha

 

Great review! Isn't it freeing to go with just a carryon.

 

Now I have a dilemma! I read Stef 's review because we have a cruise booked on the Serenade (13 day New Orleans to Boston repo) and wanted to hear a out the ship. That lead me to Melissa 's and now yours. All great reviews have been such fun! But now I want to go back to Europe....so repo cruise or two weeks on land in Italy???????? Decisions, decisions!

[quote name=kirian;43618797

Disclaimer #18: I am not a hater of all things related to Naples. In fact' date=' I have a carton of Neopolitan ice cream in my freezer right now (and it’s quite good). So, to be safe, let’s just say, I don’t hate Naples (so if you’re in the Mafia, please don’t come after me). I have just been told by those that have been there, it’s better to be avoided. By all means, if you have had a wonderful experience in the town of Naples, please share it with us. [/quote]

 

Okay, I'll step up to the challenge....I like Naples.

 

Yes it is a dirty, gritty city and the folks can be rough. But like any city, with a little caution it is just fine. I'm convinced that a lot of people don't feel safe there because they have been told not to feel safe there. But before we get all the stories of the cousin's neighbor's friend's sister-in-law, who was robbed in Naples, you can find that kind of story in any Italian city, right?

 

We went twice...once by train from Rome and once as a cruise stop.

 

The first trip, we walked from the train station to the Archaeological Museum. This is where all the treasures from Pompeii were saved. It was one of the best musuems I've been too. We then walked up the Spaccanapoli and took the regular train to Pompeii. We went in the back gate and there were NO crowds.

 

There was a trash strike and while there was a lot of trash, it was piled very neatly.

 

The second trip, we took the train from the ship to Herculaneum. It was destroyed the same time as Pompeii. It is a smaller site, less excavated, but spectacular. It was hit with mud not ash, so the mosaics and murals are all still in place. We got together with a group and had a guide for 6 Euro each.

 

We then strolled around Naples and had pizza at Galleria Umberto I. There were a lot of locals enjoying the sunshine at a local park.

 

One day I would like to get to the street where all the Nativity sets are made!

This was an unwelcome sight after hiking up the mountain. You know, the Park Ranger who was lazy and drove up the mountain to the top could have helped poor CM and her mini-legs out.... just saying

 

 

Phew! For a minute there I thought you picked up on Stef's Panda fetish! I'm glad CM's mini-legs got her up the hill!

__________________

:oOops -- sorry about that.

 

That is not your fault! We should be better at that, and we aren't!

16

 

and another 400g wiped out:).

 

 

Note to the American's - a pound is about 450 g, I had to look it up!

 

Stef, lunch sounded delicious! Don't worry about the small "up", I think our bodies like to trick us some times!

[quote name='mjldvlks']Ha! The more the merrier. Let us know if you arrange that cruise -- it would have to be worth booking.[/QUOTE]

Way back in 2002, I went on the first Cruise Critic Group cruise....and it started a lot like this...just saying...

Of course, no one got a cruise for free....

(and I seem to like ...... as much as Cool Girl likes " "'s!)

Oh Phew! You made it! And you made it in time for my bus ride too!

We mostly stuck to the Termini station and I'm glad now. We had a "very helpful" old man in Naples who wanted a 50 Euro tip. Not happening!

My coworker just got back from a cruise where they took a cab from the ship to Rome (Mom, Dad, 14 yr old, 9 yr old) and then they couldn't find an ATM to take their debit card. Yikes! She said it was a rather expensive cab ride!

BTW Civitavecchia I have down, don't ask me to pronounce San Gimognano! It becomes that place with the towers in my stories!

For some reason, my company decide Cruise Critic is a subversive website and must be blocked!

 

 

Aaaaaaaaaaaaah!

 

How am I to find out if Cool Girl and Crazy Mom made it out of Rome or if the were thrown to the lions by a fake gladiator?

 

I had to take desperate measures and try to get CC on my phone!

 

I guess the good news is that I am on the West Coast and might have something exciting to read on the bus ride home....let's hope!

This thread definitely has the feel of a cool afterparty!! (Stef's review, of course, was the cool party.)

 

Back from being away for a week and have lots of reading to catch up!

 

Melissa, you are HILARIOUS. I'm really loving all the little helpful hints and trivia in this thread ... and I already went on this cruise! Looking forward to reading about La Spezia and Rome (not even attempting to spell that port on my phone...with the tiny keyboard and auto spellcheck it would come out as "civilians halts" or something. There's a reason iPhones weren't invited in Roman times. Or else all the towns would be named asdf.)

 

Anyway, thanks for the after party!!

 

 

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