Live from the Poesia.

[papcx]

19.09. *Wednesday.*

Day 3. At sea to Alexandria. * Trying to talk more about the ship and service.*

2 AM And it sounds like the neighbours are unpacking. A couple of swift knocks on the wall and it quietens down (a bit)

8 AM and the sun loungers start to be put out on the sun deck 1 deck up. I don't know if it's individuals or MSC but it's a bit distracting, certainly not something I expected! *Might try the ear plugs tonight. I'll let you know if it happens every day.*

Breakfast on the balcony again. I could get used to this! *Came on time today and I have to say for a "room service" delivery it's pretty good. We generally have coffee (good and hot, reasonable taste.) orange juice (nice and chilled) toast (good) cosssint (good) and I have cornflakes (not Kelloggs but good). That's quite a lot to fit on one tray but it's well presented and with proper cutlery and cloth napkins. Remember this is a free service!

 

Relaxed morning in the cabin, then off for lunch. Le Fontane restaurant again. I won't describe how it looks, you all have an Internet connection. Busier today as ship is now (I assume ) full after yesterday's embarkations. Service was slower than yesterday but not too slow. Took about 45 minutes to have 3 courses (I'm gonna need elasticated trousers) I had mountain cheese croquettes which were very good, chicken with pasta which was okay and Red mullet fish with seasonal veg which I highly recommend.*

Let me be clear. When I say okay, I mean okay, it's edible but not to my taste (probably trying something new) If it's bad, I won't eat it and I'll tell you so.*

DW them went to the spa for a facial and I went to the*

Pigalle lounge (same as last night) its very quiet, gentle music playing, and I was able to sit right at the back overlooking the wake. I highly recommend.*

DWs treatment was a facial. Full hour which she says was vey relaxing, so much do she nearly fell asleep. Also no high pressure sales of creams or lotions. Well see how tomorrow's session goes.*

 

Rest if the afternoon chilling out and then getting ready for the captains night. The DW and I looked HOT!

Short que (about 5mins) to have photo taken with the captain and then 30 hour in the theatre with a pleasant band and singer. There were 2 male members of crew asking woman to dance (ballroom type stuff) on the stage and other couples joined them.*

Then the heads of departments were introduced, in 5 different languages. Followed by the captain who wished everybody a pleasant cruise, in 5 different languages. Only took 10 mins in total.*

Then to was the theatre show - Sam. A dancing show through USA music. Now my DW danced professionally in many countries for 12 years. If she says the dancers are average, then they're average. And that's what I thought.*

Then to dinner. I had: -

Smoked salmon and shrimp.*

Greek salad.*

Pumpkin risotto.*

Fillet of beef with mushroom sauce.*

Cheese plate.*

The salad was okay everything else was beautiful. I said before I'd read mixed reviews about the food. I'm not worried now. The worst I've had was okay.*

I'll mention our waiter now. Nestia is from Indonesia and is charming. His service is well paced, not too quick, not too slow. He even asked today if we wanted a break before the mains. Only thing is he calls me Mr Paul which I think is too formal, so I just said "call me Paul" and he does.*

 

Then far too many drinks and cocktails. A walk on deck at 1AM means your practically on your own, which is very nice. *And to bed.*

[papcx]

20.09. Thurs.*

Day 4 - At sea to Alexandria.*

 

Ohh my head hurts. Bloody cocktails. 8 AM the sunbeds are going out again, but earplugs do help and we roll over for a much needed lie-in.*

 

We've not ordered breakfast so we go for brunch. 11:30 and the breakfast buffet is closing and the lunch buffet opening so were kind if stuck between 2 times. * We still manage to get toast, couisant, and I get my cornflakes, coffee, juice and yogurt. It's all good.*

 

Walking along the pool deck it's full of sun worshipers (remember this is another sea day.) But there are still some empty loungers so I'm sure everyone who wants to can sun bathe.*

 

Then it's time to get our passports back for Israeli immigration. Egypt's entry stamp is already in the passport.*Another 30 mins of queuing for 30 seconds of an Israeli immigration officer stamping a card! *I know this needs to be done, but there's got to be a better way. I've now lost an hour of my holiday to queing.*

 

DW goes for another treatment (45min massage and reflexology which she really enjoyed) so I go to the bar dei poeti for a coffee. Kadeck is the head barman here and we've spoken to him a couple of times. He remembers my name and asks were DW is, simple things but makes for an enjoyable experience. At 3 o'clock announcements go out in several languages for the immigration checks, so lesson learnt, and bit of advice, don't que, just go late. *

 

Talking about the bars. There are 15 on board, from pool bars, smaller bars to the sides of the ships and big lounge bars taking over large areas. Again there are thousands of pictures on the Internet, but to say again, they are clean. There's brass everywhere, and it shines brilliantly. *There seems to be more cleaners as tome goes on. But they're never in the way.*

You can find a bar to suit your mood. Quiet if you want. Busy, with dancing etc etc. And the service in every one is good. Just catch their eye and they come to serve you.*

 

Bit of buffet, the salad is good. Then to watch the sunset on our balcony. Stunning red skies as night closes it.*

 

Change and off to dinner. Italian night! *Lemonchello in bar to start. Then dinner of: -

Calamari.*

Pasta with seafood & Tom sauce.*

Mixed fish grill.*

Cheese plate.*

Then as is customary on Italian night the desert did several laps of the dining hall whilst the diners twirled napkins above their heads.*

Amaretto sponge cake direct from Sorrento. Again all causes were very good.*

Another night cap and off to bed. Early start in Alexandria tomorrow.*

[AmoMondo]

Really enjoying reading your live review papcx.

 

The onboard immigration queueing is a pain in the proverbial. It's down to the local authorities whether they are happy to just inspect the passports that are held by the ship or whether they want each passenger to present themselves in person with their documents. On my last cruise UK Border Agency staff spent the last 2 days onboard on my last cruise before we reached Southampton. With very few European passport holders onboard and loads of South Americans, guess they were being catutious I was surprised to be asked quite a few questions by them. Normally returning to the UK with a UK passport, they hardly say anything at all. Took almost an hour for me to get my turn as other nationalities were getting loads more questions and there were only 2 immigration staff. Nice little jolly for them though!

Edited September 21, 2012 by AmoMondo

[HilDen]

Really enjoying your updates papcx.

My wife and I take our first cruise on 19th October on MSC Fantasia.. Any tips for helping a couple of virgin cruisers..lol:D

[MuddyPuddles]

Really enjoying your review too, Mr Paul! Sailing with MSC for first time next March and looking forward to it already. I've asked on another thread about how much smoking there is on the ships, and had some useful responses. At the risk of sounding like an obsessive, do you mind if I ask you how you find it? Many thanks and enjoy the rest of your trip.

[sidari]

Looks like the Dry dock is going to be a long one ... :eek:

 

Dear Mr

The Poesia will end his current rotation on the 28th September 2012 and will start operating again on the 11th November 2012. It will undertake the usual check up/refurbishment.

Unfortunately we are not able to disclose any further information

The last line has me wondering why?

[papcx]

21.09. Friday.*

Alexandria.*

Full day excursion today so up at 6AM to get showered and breakfasted before meeting at 7AM.*

Waste 15 minutes watching as we sail gracefully into the huge stunning port of Alexandria. Then race like idiots to get breakfast in the buffet. I think the whole ship is going ashore because it's packed. Able to get what we want because the full choice is available. Was a que for the drinks station.*

Go to the meeting point, show your ticket and get given a numbered sticker. Simple. Wait for your number to be called (in 3s) and then have approx 90 people try and follow 1 person down 4 decks out of the ship, down a crews quarters corridor, through immigration and to the coaches. Well a lot of people lost sight of their number bearer, including us, and a couple of minutes confusion until we decide to just go find our coach ourselves. Why they don't jet tell you to get off the ship, the buses are on the right, go find your number, I'll never know.*

 

Anyway, our guide was Mohamed, he's got a phd in Egyptology from Cairo *university, he's visited several places in England, including Manchester and Old Trafford, and he's (sort of) a Manchester United fan, so he's alright by me. He's very knowledgeable and talked for most of the trip to Cairo about ancient Egypt and he also talked honestly about the current situation since last years revolution.*

Another official on the coach was another Mohamed. He was our security and had a fully automatic assault rifle. (We only saw this because we were one row behind, opposite to him, it wasn't obvious he had it.) Assuring and frightening at the same time.*

The excursion was 13 hour in total off the ship (didn't get much use of the drinks package today!). We saw the pyramids and Spinx at Giza. Took a jeep desert safari and a camel ride. That was before lunch. Then a visit to the Step pyramid and complex and the long journey home. The views of the ship at night with the lights on as we drove into port were brilliant.*

Very quick beer, to quench or Salahari dessert thirst, shower and change for dinner. Because there were full day excursions they split dinner to with and without (full day excursion) in the restaurant le Fontane. *So we go along for open seating to be told they're full and upstairs is open. So we go upstairs to our usual restaurant, it's still open seating and we manage to sit with our usual waiter Nesia. The ship obviously wasn't prepared for this because the service was slower today (not bad, just slower) and the food was more okay than good. I had: -

Stuffed olives.*

Seafood risotto.*

Fillet of mahi-mahi.*

 

We shall see if normal service resumes tomorrow.*

 

A quick nightcap (you can assume that from now on, saves me writing it) and to bed shattered, but with lifelong memories.*

 

A point about the cabin TV. It's called ITV, which was confusing at first because ITV is a local station back home in Manchester. Anyway it means Interactive TV. When you turn it on the volume is a stupidly high 19 so straight away you have to turn it down. Hit menu and it goes to the "interactive" part. There a messages part which is just the casino, spa, photo shop etc. selling, all of which is on the daily programme anyway. All the other interactive bits are info about the ship daily programme (again on the printed daily programme) and ordering excursions, movies and wine. I ordered our excursions on there and haven't bothered with it since. One thing that did surprise me is your onboard account isn't on there, apparently you get a paper statement to your cabin the night before disembarkation. I can see trouble ahead and if memory serves I read on here people who've had last day bills problems. I shall wait and see and report back. *The normal TV has the usual couple of channels in each language, and the ships safety video on a loop, again in each language. The only bits I bother with are the nautical info, which shows the ships position on the map, it's speed, the temp etc, and 2 channels showing the webcams live. There was a third webcam channel but that's gone now. So to sum up, there's nothing on TV, might as well go out!

 

 

 

Hilden - Get on*the Internet. Look at MSCs site to print of your deck plans. Look at as much YouTube vids for the ship as you've got time to watch. Try to get a feel for your ship. Even plan routes from your cabin to places you'll want to be. It will save you getting lost, even though that can be good sometimes.*

Get a drinks package, or the voucher books. We got the all inclusive premium, which is pricey, but we know we won't pay for a single drink on board. And they can be pricey. Cocktails are around 6.50 euros plus 15% so that's 7 euro 45! Pre booked packages save the service charge so think of it as a 15% discount. The premium package also includes the mini-bar and room service. *

And remember being a cruise virgin, once you've done it once, you'll want to do it again and again ;-)

 

Muddy puddles- smoking is aloud in bars however only certain ones in certain areas. The extraction is very good, I've never had to walk through a cloud of smoke, and yet I've not heard extractor fans making loads of noise. The Zebra bar seems to have the most smokers (that maybe just this cruise) but we just walk through to get to the lifts (it seems to be an older clientele in there and they do salsa dancing instruction etc in there). The casino is a bit more smokey. DW is an ex-smoker and hates when she smells it and she's not had a problem. *Smoking on balconies is not allowed for H&S, but people do, but the wind takes the smoke straight away.*

 

Ice cream. The free stuff looks bad! *Its basic vanilla, choc and I think strawberry. Think of it as Wal*Mart / Aldi budget brand. The pay stuff (which is free on the premium drinks package) is quality. Vanilla, choc etc but also coffee, pistachio, lemon etc. about 12 flavours and it's apparently made fresh everyday. Think of it as Carte D'Or.*

 

Okay, guys. Keep any questions coming. I'll do my best to answer them.*

 

And can someone post the Manchester United v Liverpool score Sunday afternoon. It took 2 days to get the Gallatasary result!

[sidari]

Papcx ......... Believe me you did not miss much with regard to the Galatasary match! the Reds who i have supported since being a kid and living only 5 miles from OT as the crow flies were very poor and Nani even worse, says a lot when Carrick was the only person to score.

 

If they continue like that we will have a repeat of last year, kagawa up front with Van Persie? with Welbeck and Hernandez on the bench! will try and post up the Liverpool result for you tomorrow.

[Jo and Rob]

Does anyone know what they are planning to do with Poesia in dry dock. Any major changes?

[riclop]

Does anyone know what they are planning to do with Poesia in dry dock. Any major changes?

They are very secretative about what they are doing all they say is they cant discuss it. You guys do a very enjoyable video of your cruises. Thanks.

[HilDen]

Many thanks papcx, sounds like u are enjoying your cruise.

Really looking forward to ours on 19th October on Fantasia. Regards

[MuddyPuddles]

Thanks for the information, much appreciated. Looking forward to hearing the next installment...

[papcx]

22.09. Saturday

Limassol.*

There was a time change last night as we head further East. We lost an hour in bed :-( as my phone has no service I didn't think it would update automatically (it didn't) so I used the wake up call feature on the cabin phone. Dead simple and worked great. Breakfast on the balcony is now getting boring, yeah, like that could ever happen! It is hot. Feels even hotter than Cairo.*

Relaxed morning in cabin while DW sunbathed on balcony. I walked to get some ice cream. Deck is packed! Only a couple of minutes wait which is good, plenty of guys on the bar. The coffee ice cream is fantastic.*

Get ready and go for lunch.*

The buffet dining room always seems busy but everything moves reasonably smoothly. The pizza goes so fast it's always fresh and tastes pretty good. Then an excursion to see the roman ruins and some wine tasting. The Cypriot grape brandy is deadly! *

Quick drink before changing at then to the theatre. The show is quite good. It's called*Sortilegio and is based on chess pieces. The dance bits are again average, but the ribbons and gymnastic sections are spectacular. Very like cirque du Soleil * I'll post some YouTube clips when I get "proper" Internet. The daily programme always states no cameras videos etc in the theatre, but everyone in videoing. A miscommunication between DW and myself meant we dropped or camera in the theatre. Walking down deck towards dinner 10 mins later we realise and race (I say race but DW is wearing high heels) its still there under the chair in front of us! Lucky?

Dinner service is a little slow again today. DW had an empty glass a couple of times which hasn't happened before.*

I had : -

Coopa ham.*

Risotto with Asiago cheese.*

Rack oh lamb with pistachio crust.*

Cheese plate.*

It was all very good, but I'd say the lamb was cutlet not rack, maybe a mistranslation.*

Couple of night caps and pack a bag for early start tomorrow.*

 

Not a lot of ship details sorry, because we didn't use them. Egypt was absolutely brilliant but it wiped us out! *And 2 early starts to come in Haifa.*

 

Drydocking - according to *a barman in bar dei poeti, the drydock is for repairs after the grounding and a general deep clean and carpet change. Apparently the hygiene rules are stricter in the USA than Europe do they're getting ready for next year. In terms if MSC being secretive. Why would they tell us anything? *If there is a big change they'll want to do a big reveal, not an email to an individual. Just imo.*

 

Ive just had a thought about this tread: -

 

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1704644

 

I know there a lot more in there but one point is about the sports bar. Poesia doesn't have a sports bar but the wine bar has shown football at least 2 nights, even if it was Chelsea v Juve and not United!

[Jo and Rob]

Thank you for your regular updates they are much appreciated. Can you tell me how much your coffee icecream was?

 

You talk about the buffet in the dining room being crowded for lunch does this mean there is no waiter service at lunch time in the MDR? How does the MDR buffet differ from the buffet in the buffet area?

 

Have the excursions been smooth on the whole compared to other cruise lines? Did you book all your trips on board? Do they offer discounts if you book multiple trips? Are you able to bring water and sodas back on board?

 

Please can you find out whether the thermal suite is included and if not how much it is. I know your wife has a package but if you could find out whether the jacuzzis and thermal suite are available and complementary to all passengers that would be great as I'm reading conflicting information about it.

 

Keep up the good work! :)

[papcx]

I've just swam in the Dead sea and get back on the coach to see United win. I'm a happy man!

[papcx]

Jo & Rob.*

 

My coffee ice cream was free in our premium package. I'll look at prices for you when back on board.*

 

In terms of the buffet - I may have miscommunicated there (I'll read back my posts) the MDRs (il palladio and La Fontane) are both open for dinner (I'm from Manchester and dinner means the main meal at night.) *with a waiter service not buffet. La Fontane is open seating for lunch (midday) with a waiter service not buffet. Villa pompeiana is open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, mid afternoon pizza and dinner. It is always buffet. There are waiters but they will only get you paid drinks from the bar.*

 

Excursions - we've done 3 so far. Egypt, Cyprus and Haifa. 2 more booked. They are quite pricey but when the like of Cairo and the Dead sea are 3 hour there and another 3 back, how do you do them on your own? On an excursion the ship won't leave without you. On the whole there pretty well organised. I know I've wrote about getting passports sorted and loosing sight if MAC reps but getting a couple of thousand people off the ship and into coaches can't be easy. Your guide is luck of the drawer. We've had Mohamed who was excellent. Rosie was okay (bordering on poor(don't tell us 3 times what we're going to do. Just do it!)) and Anne was good.*

 

Water and sodas back on board? Not sure. Certainly not allowed to bring booze back on. However all bags ate scanned but heading towards sail time security are more worried about getting every body on board. I think water and soda is not allowed, but that's so you buy expensive stuff onboard. We've returned with water bottles we got off with, with with no trouble. Booze, in Cyprus they were confiscating bottles of booze as lots of people had the local tipple. We had 3 small bottles, but got on with them. Maybe because they were small, maybe just good luck. Anything they confiscate is given back last might of cruise. *

 

Jacuzzis and thermal suite are an additional charge and from memory it's quite pricey. They are free anytime if you've bought a package, but to be honest, DW hasn't used them and can't see her having time with what we've got planned. The pool deck has jacuzzis but I don't know if they're hot or not. *

 

Remember, this is a European cruise. Things could be different for the carabiren etc.

 

Keep the questions coming. I'll try my best to answer them.

[wilson2579]

The coffee ice cream sounds delicious. I have the allegrisimo all inc. package and wondered if this ice cream is included. It does say ice cream but wondered if it would be the poorer quality.

Really enjoying your reviews on your cruise.:D

Thanks.

[Jo and Rob]

Thanks for the quick responses! I'm really enjoying your updates particularly the comments about the food. I was wondering what the * is code for as you use it a lot.

 

Is there always room in the theatre or do you have to arrive early to guarantee a seat? Also do they serve drinks in the theatre or do you have to buy one in advance and take it in? I'm more into mocktails myself so I would appreciate information about what the virgin drinks are and how much they cost.

 

Am I right in thinking there are no laundrette facilities onboard so you have to pay per item? Does this mean there is no access to an ironing board either?

 

Thanks again :)

[MuddyPuddles]

Thanks for the quick responses! I'm really enjoying your updates particularly the comments about the food. I was wondering what the * is code for as you use it a lot.

 

Is there always room in the theatre or do you have to arrive early to guarantee a seat? Also do they serve drinks in the theatre or do you have to buy one in advance and take it in? I'm more into mocktails myself so I would appreciate information about what the virgin drinks are and how much they cost.

 

Am I right in thinking there are no laundrette facilities onboard so you have to pay per item? Does this mean there is no access to an ironing board either?

 

Thanks again :)

 

 

Noooooo....no ironing...you're on holiday!

[papcx]

Wilson - the fancy ice cream is included in the premium AI.*

 

Jo & Rob - the * is just a glitch. I type my answers and reports in notes on my iPhone, when I copy and paste there must be something the forum doesn't understand and puts a *. Either that or it's a secret code. ;-)

The theatre - only been twice. First time was captains handshake so no issue with a seat. Second time we were a couple of minutes late but there was a good few seats left on the top balcony. Drinks - not allowed but I've seen a few. Obviously no waiters so must have brought them in themselves.*

Mock tails!? Don't see the point myself but I'll look at some prices for you.*

Laundrette - no self service but I looked at the bag on day one then threw it away. Think it was 30 Euro for 30 pieces, but you can space over the cruise (not in one go). There was a same day service for more.*

No access to ironing onboard. I agree with muddy puddles - your on holiday. You can iron the rest of the year.*

[Jo and Rob]

Ha! Ha! Okay no ironing!

 

Are you using an internet package from the ship or free wi-fi while in port? You are great at the regular replies I'm just concerned you are running up quite a bill!!

 

I like the idea of making notes on the iphone and copying it across onto the thread. I may well try that!!

[papcx]

13.09. Sunday.*

Haifa.*

6 AM wake up call. We're already in port. We'd packed a bag ready last night so we were able to get up and out quite quickly. Breakfast in the buffet is busy again but we can get what we want and off to Zebra bar for Masada and the Dead Sea excursion. It's another long day but what an experience! *Masada is a very well preserved / rebuild ruins in one of the most stunning panoramic places I've ever seen! How people build in that location two thousand years ago?

The Dead Sea!!!! What a strange phenomenon.*

Then the long trip back to the ship.*

Quick drink before dinner, which is late again today because of all day excursions. It's at our usual table, but service tonight is slow. They may be people down because tonight is party night on deck.*

 

I had: -

Mussels in Tom & garlic sauce.*

Ardriatic seafood soup.*

Four cheese risotto.*

Fillet fish in Tom sauce.*

All very good but service slow.*

 

The Party on deck was interesting. Fancy tables set out down each side of pool by the stage. We didn't see a lot of it but looked like dance Instruction!?

 

One interesting thing I did see was two deck stairs (15 down to 14 and 14 down to 13 starboard side) had the bannister rail removed and we then obviously blocked off. The ships in drydock in 5 days so why do it now and it was blocked off with that red white stripped hazard tape which wasn't even put on nicely. Very strange.*

Cocktail while we pack a bag for tomorrow and sit on balcony for a while looking out to sea!

 

Let me talk about the cabin service. When the cards in the slot in your cabin the steward knows your in. If they need you they'll knock on. You can choose to ignore it if you want (6days and other than breakfast it's only happened once.) when you leave (taking your card) theyre in like a shot (I forgot something once, went back after 2 minutes and Geehee was in already.) in the morning you get the bed changed room vacumed and bathroom cleaned (towels changed if youve left them in the sink.)

In the afternoon they turn down the bed (no animal towels do far) and wipe down the bathroom again. They also leave tomorrows daily programme and refill the mini bar.*

The service is good. We've seen Geehee a few times as we pass. Hes always smily and asks if everything is okay.*

 

Jo & Rob. Mock tails (still don't see the point) are 3.90 Euros.*

Internet. Just using local networks (not in port long on a bus and away so don't even check for Wifi.). My provider has deals with most EU countries for 50mb per day for £1.99. Egypt and Israel I use roaming. Either way I leave 3G data off, flick it on, do my posts etc and flick it back off. If your worried you can paypal me a donation;-)

 

Sorry guys again not much about the ship, but we weren't onboard long today. Tomorrow is a half day in port, half day at sea.*

Edited September 24, 2012 by papcx

[CRUISER2B]

Papcx,

 

I also wanted to thank you for this very well done posts. Since I am on the Poesia in a couple of months, I do enjoy reading all your posts.

 

We are on Poesia in the Caribbean, so your excursion information just makes me jealous ( in a good way). I have been reading them to my 16 yr old son (who will be going with us in December to Panama Canal) and he wants to go where you have gone. He is big on ancient civilizations and military history.

 

Again, thank you. Hope you will post pictures upon your return home...Enjoy your remaining time on your cruise.

[Tatka]

Thanks for the quick responses! I'm really enjoying your updates particularly the comments about the food. I was wondering what the * is code for as you use it a lot.

 

It looks like we are on the same sailing on 30/03/2013. :)

[Jo and Rob]

It looks like we are on the same sailing on 30/03/2013. :)

 

Some good news regarding our sailing. I have discovered that the spa is free in the Caribbean! :)

 

This thread is definitely worth a read.

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1519403&highlight=poesia+spa