Treasures of the Mediterranean

[Cariad21]

I admit it, I'm hooked!

 

This was my first cruise and I've spent the last six months very excited about it but also dreading it due to some of the terrible reviews. Also because I was travelling with my parents and knew my mum was terrified.

 

The flight from Cardiff was fine but Palma airport was chaotic. Two flights were using the same luggage carousel and it took an age for any of the Cardiff bags to appear by which time all the passengers from the other flight had gone. Between us we had five cases and we had four of them when the carousel stopped. It didn't move again for about 30 minutes when one single bag appeared before it stopped again. In all we waited 2hours for all our bags and there were still people waiting when we left. We were directed to our shuttle bus only to be told no, we needed another bus. In all we were sent to three different buses before we found the right one!

 

Embarkation was so easy! The only hard part was dodging the photographer By the time we got to the gangway, mum was very upset and dad offered to take her home but she kept walking and after realising the black hole didn't leave her swimming in the Med began to calm down.

 

I was at the front of the ship on Deck 5 while they were upstairs in an outside plus on 7 at the back of the ship. After a change of clothes we headed off in search of some lunch and somehow found the Lido. The food wasn't very hot but there was a good selection.

 

Mum and I left the ship to go on the HOHO bus round Palma. We returned after a few hours and spent some time wandering around trying to get our bearings (and find my father!) Reunited we returned to our cabins to see if our cases had been delivered; mine hadn't, my parents' had. We then went back into Palma to find a supermarket and get some bits and pieces.

 

On returning to my cabin, I found my case waiting and also a bottle of prosecco and a plate of chocolate strawberries. At first I thought my parents had treated me then I saw a letter on the bed. Apparently the carpet was wet and the goodies were a goodwill gesture. I hadn't noticed a thing but the letter was definitely addressed to me.

 

We ate again in the Lido that night (not having found anything else) and I was pleased to find a good selection (we're all fussy eaters). We were all served by the crew and I found the portion sizes good. Again the food wasn't as hot as I'd like and I found the desserts poor.

 

The show that night was Killer Queen. I'm not a Queen fan but as an introduction to what the show team can do it was good. Unfortunately watching the show did mean I missed the sailaway which I'd been looking forward to having watched it on webcam for the last few weeks. Ah well, reason number 1 for another cruise!

 

Sunday and despite the late night, I was up early and headed to the Lido for breakfast. We ended up having breakfast there every day. Sun loungers were quite empty by the time we found the main pool having got lost many, many times. The entertainment team were great but there didn’t seem to be many waiters about so I went to the bar to order instead which in a way I preferred otherwise I wouldn’t have moved at all!

 

From the time we booked, I insisted we make the most of every opportunity the cruise could offer as it could be our first and last time. Mum was easier to persuade but dad was more reluctant. I persevered and we had a wonderful time. Walking into the Orion, we were half way down the room when a waiter came running over thinking he recognised my mother. We explained no this was our first cruise but Dennis insisted we sit in his section and I’m so glad he did! He and his assistant Mulyono were so attentive and they really looked after us. Our wine waiter was Ferdinand and our glasses were never empty! We had so much fun with them all although Mulyono was very shy.

 

Monday I went on the Emerald Coast tour and returned feeling I’d wasted my money. We were taken to two villages/towns. The first we arrived at quite early but there were only a few shops and cafes open. There was certainly not enough to do to fill the 30 minutes free time. The second consisted of a very expensive shopping centre filled with designer stores and a marina. A cup of coffee and gelato didn’t take up much of the 90 minutes free time. I’d been expecting fabulous scenery, beaches etc. but it was more like a shopping trip.

 

My parents went on the train to Gallura and were also very disappointed in the trip. We all regretted leaving the ship that day.

 

Tuesday and Sorrento. I’d spent a week there in 2013 and so knew what to expect. I made sure I was up and dressed to see the sunrise as we sailed into the bay. The parents went off on the Amalfi/Pompeii trip and while they enjoyed it, they felt it was far too much to be done in one day. I went on the excursion to Herculaneum as I hadn’t made it there previously. The guide was great and Herculaneum is fascinating but I can’t help wishing I’d gone there before Pompeii. It may be better preserved but Pompeii is so much bigger with more variety of buildings.

 

Following a tip from a colleague, we’d booked the Room Express excursion and for the most part it was excellent. The train is lovely, quite old fashioned. The morning was busy and covered most of the main sites. Unfortunately the Trevi fountain is being restored but parts can be seen behind the perspex screens.

 

After the Parthenon we were taken for a three course lunch which was included in the price. For me the meal dragged on for far too long. We’d been told that if we got separated from the group during the day, the train would be leaving at 4:30pm and wouldn’t wait so when we were still in the restaurant at 2pm, I was beginning to doubt whether we’d have enough time for the Vatican. When we did finally get there, the queue was huge. The guide explained the Pope greets the crowds every Wednesday and this was why the crowds were so big. We’d stay in the queue as long as we could and see how far we got. Given the information I couldn’t help but wonder why we’d taken so long over lunch. Surely it would have been better to cut lunch much shorter and spend more time at the Vatican?

 

At 3:50pm we were still only about half way along the queue and the guide was (supposedly) calling the agency for advice on whether we should stay or head back to the train. We stayed and did make it in but we literally walked in one door and out the other. When outside I wasn’t too bothered about seeing it however, I found myself quite choked up on seeing the exquisite interior. Several of the group were quite upset at being unable to have more than a quick glance inside before having to run for the train. Once at the station, the guide led us up and down the platform trying to work out where our assigned carriage would be. The group from the Celebrity ship in dock were getting quite fed up as he pushed his way in and out of their group.

 

I enjoyed the trip but there were little issues which could be improved.

 

Calvi is absolutely lovely! I did the walking tour which I thoroughly enjoyed before pottering around the shops and harbour. Back on board there were plenty of sun beds available but once we set sail, it became very windy so I headed inside for afternoon tea.

 

We were late heading to the Orion that night but Dennis had kept a table for us despite the restaurant being busy for the baked Alaska parade. Our main course was brought from the kitchen and not served straight away. By the time we sat down to eat, the food was luke warm and I did think the kitchen could have kept the food back for a few minutes given the chefs were involved in the festivities.

 

Friday was another busy day. I decided not to go to Barcelona as I didn’t fancy spending so much time on a bus. Instead I left my parents with instructions to take lots of photos and headed off on a mini train to medieval villages. Our guide was brilliant, if slightly obsessed with food! I think we were all hungry by the time we got to the first village Peratallada. A gorgeous little place in the countryside. We then headed to another village before heading to Pals through the rice fields. At Pals we had free time but with no maps provided, I’m not sure I managed to see all the village had to offer. The fact I seemed to end up in the same square no matter which way I went didn’t help.

 

In the afternoon I treated myself to a full body massage in the spa. I can honestly say it was worth every penny and was better than some I’ve had in spas at home. The consultation before was also more thorough than at the spa I went to last and as a result more time was spent on my problematic left shoulder. At the end, although I was advised on different products that could be beneficial, there was no hard sell.

 

While we waited some nights for a drink in the Broadway lounge or one of the bars, the wait wasn’t excessive and the banter with the crew was great. We were all very impressed by the crew and were amazed at their ability to remember who had ordered what drink and where that person was sitting. Equally impressive were the staff in the photography booth. I’d been wandering round the ship as they were putting out the photos of the Gala Night and bought a couple of myself and my parents. A few hours later, my parents went looking not knowing I’d been already. They couldn’t find our photos but one of the team overheard them talking and took them straight to my picture. My parents were amazed!

 

We certainly wouldn’t pay for the drinks package again...at least not at £199 each. My father did try keeping track of how many drinks he was having but the itemised bill didn’t include everything he ordered. I had a bottle of water every day before going on an excursion and as far as I can see, I haven’t paid for any of them.

 

We also won’t be doing an excursion in every port next time either. We missed out on a lot of things onboard and I only found the Sirens buffet on the last afternoon and then it was only because I’d taken the wrong staircase and got lost!

 

While there were some issues, the cruise was wonderful and my mum is now definitely over her fear. In fact we enjoyed it so much, we’ve already booked another cruise for next September.

 

 

 

I've been lurking on here since we first booked and every time I started to ask a question, I found a thread with all the answers so if you've made it to the end of this, I want to say a great big THANK YOU for all the help and advice you've posted. Hopefully one day I can return the favour.

[happy v]

Thanks for your review Cariad I'm so glad you enjoyed it.:)

[Little Nell]

I really enjoyed reading about your first cruise, Cariad. Thanks for that :)

 

It is so easy to get hooked on cruising.

[kruzseeka]

It's been very interesting reading about your first cruise Carland. So pleased you enjoyed it so much and found the forum helpful.. With your new passion for cruising I'm sure you will soon be helping others too. Enjoy your future cruises. :)

[SuzyPaulB]

What a lovely review!!

On our first cruise we also did a tour everyday and disembarked exhausted! We now stay onboard some port days as we enjoy the ship so much.

I'm glad you've rebooked and can look forward to planning another cruise!

 

 

 

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