drummerdavebmth Posted April 27, 2016 Author #176 Share Posted April 27, 2016 This review is great Dave. Thanks for sharing ALL the pics!!! Glad you're enjoying it :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigque Posted April 27, 2016 #177 Share Posted April 27, 2016 Very Nice Pictures! The ship looks good an I hope to sail on her one day! :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zawmer Posted April 27, 2016 #178 Share Posted April 27, 2016 Thanks again Dave, great seeing all the pictures really building my excitement :) Did you notice how much the internet was, I don't know whether to book now or wait until I'm on board ? They are introducing a differently-tiered internet plan which will be cheaper for those who book in advance. Specifically, 30% cheaper. I'd read elsewhere that others were seeing the new Voom offerings in the Cruise Planner. But I wasn't seeing it. Yesterday morning it showed the old prices of $20 per day for a single device, $30 per day for two devices. But then in the evening I checked again... and it had changed. There were now different prices for plans with video streaming vs. no-streaming. And all plans were 30% off if booked & paid for in advance. So I paid for mine at $12.99 per day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drummerdavebmth Posted April 27, 2016 Author #179 Share Posted April 27, 2016 Very Nice Pictures! The ship looks good an I hope to sail on her one day! :cool: Thanks! She is a great ship :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debgreg Posted April 27, 2016 #180 Share Posted April 27, 2016 They are introducing a differently-tiered internet plan which will be cheaper for those who book in advance. Specifically, 30% cheaper. I'd read elsewhere that others were seeing the new Voom offerings in the Cruise Planner. But I wasn't seeing it. Yesterday morning it showed the old prices of $20 per day for a single device, $30 per day for two devices. But then in the evening I checked again... and it had changed. There were now different prices for plans with video streaming vs. no-streaming. And all plans were 30% off if booked & paid for in advance. So I paid for mine at $12.99 per day. Thanks that's why I asked because if you want the streaming version it actually works out more with the 30% offer than the buy one get one 50% Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cincicruisers Posted April 27, 2016 #181 Share Posted April 27, 2016 So h a wonderful review. Thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debgreg Posted April 27, 2016 #182 Share Posted April 27, 2016 I'm afraid I didn't notice how much the internet was (someone else might be able to tell you). I'm quite old fashioned in the sense that, whilst I love technology at home, I like to disconnect totally whilst on holiday and not get distracted - I always put my phone on "Airplane Mode" for the duration and just use it as a camera. :) Thanks Dave, we are leaving our kids and Grandson at home so we want to be able to Skype Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drummerdavebmth Posted April 27, 2016 Author #183 Share Posted April 27, 2016 Thanks Dave, we are leaving our kids and Grandson at home so we want to be able to Skype That sounds like a good idea (Skype-ing). They did have Voom (high speed) packages - both bookable before hand and onboard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drummerdavebmth Posted April 27, 2016 Author #184 Share Posted April 27, 2016 So h a wonderful review. Thanks for sharing. Glad you're enjoying :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drummerdavebmth Posted April 27, 2016 Author #185 Share Posted April 27, 2016 Thanks for your kind words everyone..... So, we are now in Zeebrugge, Belgium. We had a morning excursion booked for Bruges today, which we were looking forward too ('Bruges of your own'). Good Morning Zeebrugge!! Untitled by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img] As this was our last full day of the cruise, this was to be our last 'Morning Show' (sniff, sniff). I actually made it on TV this time though, when I nipped down to Boleros to get a couple of wine glasses the night before! My 2 seconds of fame!! Untitled by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img] Before we knew it, we were on our coach.....then on our way!! Untitled by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drummerdavebmth Posted April 27, 2016 Author #186 Share Posted April 27, 2016 After a short 30/45 minute coach journey we arrived in Bruges. Our guide led us to a meeting point where we were to meet back in 4 hours. That tower ahead of us is a medieval tower dating back to the 1300's. Later on in the day, we saw a painting of one of Bruges early Mayor's (from the 1400's) and you can clearly see this tower in the background... "Rapunzel, Rapunzel let down your fair hair!" Untitled by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img] The Swans certainly seemed to be basking in the sunshine.... Untitled by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helly133 Posted April 27, 2016 #187 Share Posted April 27, 2016 Dave, We leave next week for the Barcelona to Dubai leg and have booked DD Classic and will have the rotation of the 5 free restaurants over the 16 days. This means we will probably be in the Grande 3 times. I know the dress is listed as formal which is a suit and tie for the men. Are there any exceptions? My husband doesn't want to pack his suit as we are traveling from Australia with a couple of stop overs before we get to Barcelona. Will he be allowed in with just a shirt and tie? If not, we will go to some of the other restaurants on those nights. Thanks for the great review. Helen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drummerdavebmth Posted April 27, 2016 Author #188 Share Posted April 27, 2016 (edited) Dave, We leave next week for the Barcelona to Dubai leg and have booked DD Classic and will have the rotation of the 5 free restaurants over the 16 days. This means we will probably be in the Grande 3 times. I know the dress is listed as formal which is a suit and tie for the men. Are there any exceptions? My husband doesn't want to pack his suit as we are traveling from Australia with a couple of stop overs before we get to Barcelona. Will he be allowed in with just a shirt and tie? If not, we will go to some of the other restaurants on those nights. Thanks for the great review. Helen. Hi Helen, Men have to wear a jacket for The Grande. However, they did have some available at the front desk for any gentlemen arriving without one, so that could be an option. Maybe try that for your first night at The Grande, to see if that works (then you can decide if you want to eat there again). I'd definitely recommend breaking the Dynamic Dinning restaurant cycle up with one of the speciality restaurants though. Chops Grille and Jamie's Italian were well worth the cover charge, in our opinion! Glad you're enjoying the review :) Edited April 27, 2016 by drummerdavebmth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drummerdavebmth Posted April 27, 2016 Author #189 Share Posted April 27, 2016 The first thing we did once reaching the centre of Bruges, was explore... Untitled by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img] Untitled by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drummerdavebmth Posted April 27, 2016 Author #190 Share Posted April 27, 2016 (edited) Boutique chocolatier shops everywhere.... Untitled by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img] There were also lots of boat tours in Bruges, a city often referred to as the Venice of northern Europe with it's many waterways running through it. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1458/26507740321_e909b89e7c_b.jpg' alt='26507740321_e909b89e7c_b.jpg'>Untitled by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img] Edited April 27, 2016 by drummerdavebmth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ImCruisinAway Posted April 27, 2016 #191 Share Posted April 27, 2016 Loving the pictures of Belgium. My grandparents and mother are from there and I hope to visit some day. These pictures are making plan it sooner than later! Thank you for sharing and sparking my desire to get on with the planning. Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drummerdavebmth Posted April 27, 2016 Author #192 Share Posted April 27, 2016 Loving the pictures of Belgium. My grandparents and mother are from there and I hope to visit some day. These pictures are making plan it sooner than later! Thank you for sharing and sparking my desire to get on with the planning. Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Hey, glad you're enjoying the review! We loved Belgium, particularly Bruges - we plan to go back for a short break one day and stay in a hotel there for 3/4 nights. A 4-hour excursion wasn't nearly long enough! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kccrzr Posted April 28, 2016 #193 Share Posted April 28, 2016 Thanks so much for taking the time to post your review. Your photos are fantastic - including of Grand Suite 9242. We will be across the hall in 9642 in June - the ship looks fantastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drummerdavebmth Posted April 28, 2016 Author #194 Share Posted April 28, 2016 Thanks so much for taking the time to post your review. Your photos are fantastic - including of Grand Suite 9242. We will be across the hall in 9642 in June - the ship looks fantastic. Thank you, I'm glad you're enjoying the review! Yes, that Grand Suite looked very nice....you're in for a treat! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saffikins Posted April 28, 2016 #195 Share Posted April 28, 2016 (edited) Really enjoying your review.... It's helping to build the anticipation for May 10th. Quick question, did you use the casino at all and if so, is it still possible to get actual cash from the cashier? There's another thread with varying reports about a voucher being issued now rather than cash and you put that voucher in any slot machine, play, cash out and then get that voucher changed to cash, which seems like a long way around to get cash? Sorry for long winded explanation, any insight would be appreciated, if not from Dave (OP), anyone else who has been onboard Thanks Edited April 28, 2016 by saffikins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drummerdavebmth Posted April 28, 2016 Author #196 Share Posted April 28, 2016 (edited) After a while, we decided to pay a visit to the 'Church of Our Lady'. This church dates back to the 13th century and boasts the 2nd tallest brickwork tower in the world (at 401 ft). The sculpture has an interesting history all of it's own.... From Wikipedia: The sculpture was removed twice from Belgium after its initial arrival. The first was in 1794, after French Revolutionaries had conquered the Austrian Netherlands during the French Revolutionary Wars; the citizens of Bruges were ordered to ship it and several other valuable works of art to Paris. It was returned after Napoleon's final defeat at Waterloo in 1815. The second removal was in 1944, during World War II, with the retreat of German soldiers, who smuggled the sculpture to Germany enveloped in mattresses in a Red Cross truck.[1] It was discovered a year later in Altaussee/Austria and again returned. It now sits in the Church of Our Lady in Bruges, Belgium. Untitled by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img] The rest of the church was beautiful too... Untitled by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img] We noticed lots of original medieval artwork around the church... https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1613/26547845846_a097d661cb_b.jpg' alt='26547845846_a097d661cb_b.jpg'>Untitled by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img] Edited April 28, 2016 by drummerdavebmth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drummerdavebmth Posted April 28, 2016 Author #197 Share Posted April 28, 2016 Now we are approaching the choir space and high alter... https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1600/26481613622_1238fcb2f0_b.jpg' alt='26481613622_1238fcb2f0_b.jpg'>Untitled by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drummerdavebmth Posted April 28, 2016 Author #198 Share Posted April 28, 2016 Untitled by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img] Untitled by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drummerdavebmth Posted April 28, 2016 Author #199 Share Posted April 28, 2016 Really enjoying your review.... It's helping to build the anticipation for May 10th. Quick question, did you use the casino at all and if so, is it still possible to get actual cash from the cashier? There's another thread with varying reports about a voucher being issued now rather than cash and you put that voucher in any slot machine, play, cash out and then get that voucher changed to cash, which seems like a long way around to get cash? Sorry for long winded explanation, any insight would be appreciated, if not from Dave (OP), anyone else who has been onboard Thanks Hi Glad you're enjoying the review. I'm afraid I can't help you with regards to the casino as we never used it (we generally avoided the area as it could get quite smokey - especially the end nearest the Music Hall entrance). Hopefully someone else might be able to answer your question, though.. :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saffikins Posted April 28, 2016 #200 Share Posted April 28, 2016 Hi Glad you're enjoying the review. I'm afraid I can't help you with regards to the casino as we never used it (we generally avoided the area as it could get quite smokey - especially the end nearest the Music Hall entrance). Hopefully someone else might be able to answer your question, though.. :cool: Thank you [emoji2] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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