'06 transatlantic

[cod]

I'm back. Back from nowhere (this year) unfortunately!

But hope looms eternal and I would like to check out next years Opera and Lirica schedules (April and May going east and December going west?) but haven't seem them anywhere...if you have please holler. It may be too early for late December but how about April?

 

And to czechmate! Should you see this, I'm glad you and others had a good and safe cruise!!

[czechmate]

Did you make Genoa this year as intended?

 

It was a pity that you were not with us on Opera. Think that you would have enjoyed it as much as us - and your husband could eben have enjoyed tripe at one or two of the buffets!

 

You should be able to find the itinerary on the msccruises website.

 

Opera will sail April 8th from Fort Lauderdale calling at Cayo Levantado, Tortola, Martinique, Maderia, Malaga, Marseille and Genoa. It is 18 nights.

 

I know the Lirica itinerary for May is also available but am not sure the details

off hand I THINK that starts same and after Maderia goes to Barcelona then Marseille and Genoa.

 

MSC have no details at the moment of the 2006 Med sailings or the fall crossings to USA. I have been promised that as soon as they are available I will be advised if - as this year - Opera will do a short trip round to Venice.

[cod]

Thanks for replying czechmate. I will go to the MSC website and check it out.

Maybe it will all work out for next year!

 

For the first time ever - well, at least in the last 42 years!- my husband went on vacation alone. He balked but I insisted and he spent a couple of weeks each with his brother and sister. I've been many times and I'm sure they enjoyed spending some time to themselves for once. Plus, it was kind of a 'working' vacation since they are both older than him and had some things to do - like starting this years garden - that he was able to help with. No sight-seeing and just a couple of meals out. But both his sister and sister-in-law are great cooks and he really enjoyed all the great meals they fixed at home.

 

Oh, one thing. I don't know if you were in Genoa long enough to find this out but the big rage in some restaurants there now is BURRO meat. Now there is not much food that my husband doesn't like or won't try, but he said he draws the line there. They went to one restaurant where this was the "specialty" and he just wasn't very impressed! I don't know if this is popular all over Europe or just Italy. Maybe just northern Italy.

 

Well, thanks again...I'm off to MSC online!

[czechmate]

I checked again and Lirica sails 3rd May 2006. 17 nights arriving Genoa 20th May. My memory was faulty! After Funchal it is Malaga, Barcelona and Genoa.

 

Sorry that you did not get to Europe but no doubt your husband enjoyed the time time with his family - and the wine barrels did not suffer quite so much!!

The extra maturing time will improve it for 2006!!

 

We did stay one night in Genoa. Thankfully the restaurants we used did NOT offer us BURRO! Have seen it frequently though in restaurants all over Italy. In Calabria one year we drove through a village and the butcher had a dead carcase suspended outside the shop! Grim sight for us!! No lunch at all that day!!

[czechmate]

Hi Cod

Any more thoughts about Opera transatlantic 8th April 2006?

Would be great to have you there with us this time.

[cod]

Hello czechmate,

Yes, we are still 'wishing'. Are you doing it again next year? That's great!

 

Yes, I've checked the schedules for both the Lirica and the Opera and I've been looking at the fares off-and-on. I don't think that as good a deal will be offered as was last year for this years sailing, although it is still early. And one cruise website, if right, showed the Opera ending up in Venice instead of Genoa next spring so - if correct - that narrows it down to the Lirica if we want to sail into Genoa. Then, too, my husband was in the Italian Air Force back in the '50's and was stationed in Venice and I was in Venice in '64 and would love to go back. We might have to flip a coin.

 

You know, when I mention those dates, I think "Gosh, we are getting OLD".

Say la vee. Ok, I know that's wrong but I haven't the foggiest as to how it should be spelled and don't have a french dictionary. I accept corrective criticism well, though, so please feel free to enlighten me!

 

Take care and if you come across any bargains for next year, please holler.

[czechmate]

Hi Cod

 

Opera will most definitely dock 25th April 2006 in GENOA.

The itinerary was changed some time ago. Correct itinerary can be found on the MSC web site.

 

Yes we are booked on the Opera sailing 8th April, 2006 and calling Cayo Levantado, Tortola, Martinique, Funchal, Malaga and Marseille.

(Malta, Dubrovnik and Venice are incorrect now).

 

You are very correct in that fares are not at the same level as for this year.

That is the situtaion at the moment and who knows nearer the time there may be bargains! Our TA has promised us that if MSC do come up with special prices at any time then he will give us the benefit of the lower rates.

Will certainly let you know if we hear of anything special and for sure we will be keeping eyes wide open - just in case!!.

 

I like your spelling better than the original!! :-)

[cod]

Hello again,

I'm glad that whatever site I looked at was wrong about the Opera's destination. Both ships sound very nice but the Opera would be my first choice.

I will keep looking and appreciate your offer to holler should you see prices fall. If I'm not mistaken, you had a balcony cabin last time and I'm wondering about comments you received from fellow cruisers as to the OCV and IS cabins. I know they are small but, otherwise, were people satisfied overall? Were there any particular areas that people spoke of regarding motion, etc.? Thanks!

[czechmate]

Hi Cod

Yes we had a balcony cabin and have booked exactly the same one for 2006. It is right at the front and right at the top so if there was motion we should have felt it all ! It was geberally very smooth and even on the odd ossacion when we had rough seas and gales the motion was not too terrible.

 

The "Gang" were on various decks anf had all types of cabins, inside, outside, astern, midships, Category 10 balcony and all the comments we heard were satisfactory. The beds in single format rather than double seemed to help the floor space situation.

 

We have a third person travelling solo with us in 2006 and have booked category 1 an inside - so that should indicate that we have no qualms.

[cod]

Thanks! Should I see a quarantee I won't have any qualms about booking it and hoping for the best.

Ciao for now...

[Lotsacruising]

bump

[cod]

Hello all,

 

Still looking at the Opera for April. We survived Katrina. We live a little inland so other than dibris, trees down and lost siding we are fine. One daughters apartment on Hwy 90 was wiped out by the Grand Casino as it came ashore. Luckily she was at our house. (Unluckily, she only brought a couple of changes of clothes). Other daughters home may be totaled by insurance and one vehicle is history. Another daughters home was very badly damaged. But heck, this is just 'stuff' and everyone is alive and well which is what matters.

 

I may need a transatlantic cruise come April. Having guests and baby-sitting is taking it's toll!

 

Quick update on brother-in-law who resides in Spotorno! Not only has he gotten a computer (finally) he went a step further and got DSL (we had to keep up and have it ordered) and also the phone/camera program. My husband was out buying it the same day and now I can hardly get equal time on the computer!

 

Ciao!

[slipcoquille]

The Opera sails from Genoa on December 27, 2005, stopping in Valencia, Malaga, and Funchal on its way to the Caribbean. I will be in Rome for Christmas and would love to be on this cruise if anyone is willing to share a cabin. I did the east-bound voyage on the Lirica last May and had a wonderful time. If there are any price reductions on the Lirica or Opera this coming season please let me know!