Vista Inaugural 5/1/16 13-nights Trieste-Barcelona Review

[FloridaGram]

Signing up because this may be as close to Europe as I ever get! I can afford the cruise and maybe airfare, but I would have to stay on the ship!

[cruizinisthebest]

OMG awesome pictures. I MUST get over my fear of flying so I can do a Med cruise!

 

You sound like me. I will fly but hate long flights. I would need to be passed out like Mr. T! I would have been to Europe a long time ago if I could get over flying for many hours:(

 

Anyway, enjoying your review OP. Thanks for taking the time.

[NCTribeFan]

I was definitely dreading the flight and the resulting jet lag, but honestly, it wasn't as bad as I was expecting. I didn't sleep a whole lot on the flight, but the trick really is to keep going once you land. What you should absolutely NOT do is check into your hotel and sleep. You have to immediately get yourself on the local time. Yes, that means being up all day on very little sleep, but trust me, you'll sleep well that first night.

 

I was probably more jet lagged than I realized the first couple of days, but I didn't feel miserable, like had happened a few times in the past.

 

And although it's tempting, don't drink a lot on the flight. Trust me on that one! ;)

 

It was expensive. The air was high (almost $1,400 RDU-PHL PHL-VCE; BCA-PHL, PHL-RDU) and keeping costs down is why I roomed with three others. Not something I really wanted to do. Plus the pre-cruise hotel nights (we managed to get rooms for 4, which is difficult to find in Europe and the hotels were very nice). All those excursions really added up. We did independent excursions in every port which ranged anywhere from about $60 to 135E, plus most meals were on-our-own, plus tips, plus any shopping. Luckily, I'm not a souvenir buyer. I bought myself a leather handbag in Venice and a small one for my DD in Florence; also bought her a pair of $10 earrings on the ship and the 20E Murano glass ring. That was it. Oh, and a long poster-like photo of the ship and all the ports (original itinerary, not actual) for $15 that I plan to frame and put in the office.

 

This is not something I could do very often, as much as I'd like to. The cost to get to Europe is so high you really need to spend as much time there as possible to make it worthwhile.

 

I typically go as cheaply as possible (which is why I'm normally in an inside cabin) since I often go solo. As much as I'd love to have a balcony cabin every cruise, that just isn't what's important to me. I cruise for the ports (although I normally take a relaxation and recuperation cruise after tax season - trust me, this one did not fit that description).

 

I don't imagine I'll get to do another cruise like this for a long time. Hopefully, I'll still be healthy and mobile enough to get out there and see the sites. I'll share more thoughts on that later.

[quickrate]

Loving reading your review! We leave Oct. 4th for our BtoB on the Vista. We did well on air fare, $396 from Orlando flying nonstop into London. We are staying there for 3 days and then on to Athens. Rented an airbnb for the 7 of us so that didn't break the bank either. but I for sure agree with you that this isn't a trip we could do very often!!

Pat

[Froufie]

HI JOAN!!! Welcome back :).

 

Hope the meds have kicked in and you are feeling better?

 

Loving the pics of Venice - it is so on my Bucket List! Looking forward to hear more about the Vista (only 5 more months for me!)

 

As for the flying - a necessary evil in my opinion - I don't do well either on long/overnight hauls and don't sleep at all - so very cranky and grumpy upon arrival LOL. But I just keep telling myself (as I see everyone else sleeping) that second by second I am getting closer to my destination/cruise and FUN! :D

[NCTribeFan]

Froufie, are you on the TA along with Pat? I so wish I could join you, but when I go back, I need to spend more time in some of those ports.

 

That's great airfare, Pat! Of course, 1-way air certainly makes a difference!

[NCTribeFan]

4/30/16 Slovenia

 

We had a large group (not CC) scheduled for a full day trip into Slovenia. The hotel provided a very nice full breakfast. We filled the big bus and headed off. The sun was out but the wind was cold. Some days earlier, someone had posted that there had been a big show up at Lake Bled, where we were headed! I pretty much wore every layer I could find, so I wasn’t too cold. Our guide gave us lots of background on Slovenia and it’s history. We made a pit stop (most went in and used the facilities and returned with more caffeine; I stayed on the bus). Soon we were seeing jagged snow-capped peaks. Very beautiful. We reached our destination of Lake Bled and headed up to Bled Castle.

 

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After a stroll around (don’t forget to visit the blacksmith’s shop; wanted to buy a dragon but decided I didn’t really need it ($$ and weight), and thought about buying a bottle of wine to take on the ship the next day but didn’t. Supposedly, they make some nice wines in Slovenia. OK, there are some nice wines everywhere it seems! We packed onto the bus and headed through the small city of Bled (looked like some nice hotels and rental cottages; would be lovely place to spend a few days). We’d thought lunch was on-our-own in town, but instead we went to the Vila Bled hotel. We were a little confused when the only cutlery on the table was a soup spoon. We ordered a bottle of wine (of course we did!) and out came lunch. It was bread and a bowl of beef in thick broth. It was quite tasty but perhaps we would have only ordered a glass of wine each had we known we weren’t having a full lunch. But probably not!

 

Then it was down to the lake where we boarded boats (about 14 people per boat) and were rowed to the Bled Island in the middle of the lake. Next was the climb up the 99 steps to the shops at the top by the church. I should’ve gotten some gelato as it was quite a while before we next ate.

 

 

After we were rowed back to the hotel, we headed back to the motorway and back to Lubljana. We did a walking tour through the city (lots of dragons thanks to both Jason and the Argonauts and St George stories). We were given 45 minutes to shop/have a coffee, which would’ve been better, imho, had we gone on to the castle for dinner. That was scheduled for 8, and it took absolutely forever. We didn’t see much of the castle, but saw lots of the dining room. Again, I can’t remember what we actually had to eat, but there was wine!

 

 

 

We didn’t get back to Trieste until after midnight, and Vista was there, waiting for us! Unfortunately, as tired as we were, we had to rearrange our luggage for boarding the next day since we had another early tour and needed to check out before we left, so it was after 1 by the time I got to bed.

 

Told you our room was directly across from the pier!

[sjn911]

sjn911 - this was my first time for all the ports and it was pretty overwhelming. My previous trips to Europe were all UK and France (with brief side trips from France into Belgium and Germany), and it had been over 15 years since I'd been at all.

 

That first day in Venice, we were sitting talking and I suddenly exclaimed "I'M IN ITALY!!!!"

 

I still find it somewhat amazing that you can walk into a metal tube, sit down, and a few hours later, you're halfway around the world in a place where you understand none of the language and have no idea how to get around.

 

It's wonderful, isn't it? From NC Tribe Fan..................................................................

 

 

I so agree.....thanks so much for this response...you have some new places here for me...and 15 years almost new again...same double for 36...lol but the joy if you really love it and see a pic again remains...AND the energy of new and relatively safe...heaven...thanks again..omg.......Slovenia...wow...and those mountains..Spring is best for mountains!!!

Edited May 19, 2016 by sjn911

[SooNet]

Can't wait for the rest of the story. Hope you are feeling better. I believe there is a picture of you at the Chefs table on John's Facebook page. I was going to send you a message but I didn't want to be wrong. LOL

[Ms. Fun Bunch]

Beautiful pictures!

[NCTribeFan]

Laura, yes, if it's the one I saw, somehow that photo was taken without my realizing it, and it looks like I'm the only person there, with a dozen wine glasses in front of me, and I look like I'm asleep. :o

 

Yes, I'm finally starting to feel better. Head is still congested but ears are starting to unblock. Still sounds like a jet engine inside my head when I use my electric toothbrush, though! And still coughing. The prednisone is making me wake up very early, wide awake, which is why I was at the office 30 minutes ago. Sigh.

 

I feel bad for my fellow travelers and now co-workers who have to listen to my non-stop nose-blowing and coughing.

[crewsweeper]

Stunning photos! Thanks for working through your illness to get these up. Do hope you are feeling better.:)

[Froufie]

Froufie, are you on the TA along with Pat? I so wish I could join you, but when I go back, I need to spend more time in some of those ports.

 

Yes doing the TA from Barcelona to NYC on oct 21st - but a few of my gang are doing the last med (oct 11 from athens) as well! :D:D

[NCTribeFan]

Froufie, quickrate (Pat & Paul) are doing the B2B. You must be sure to meet them. I did on my Conquest cruise a year ago. What a great couple of people! Hope to sail with them again one day. Sigh. Really wish I could join you guys!

[NCTribeFan]

5/1/16 Trieste

 

We had a small group touring Trieste and Miramare Castle. Our two travel companions decided to not go and just hang out at the hotel with our carry-on bags (stored the others so we could check out). Unfortunately, it was cool with light rain, so not the best sightseeing weather. We had a driver and separate guide (a young woman who is one of the ethnic Slovenians living in Trieste).

 

We first visited the Cathedral with it’s beautiful mosaics, then drove out of town past the University and through a research facility where our driver has his “day job.”

 

I’m not terribly interested in military history, although Trieste and the surrounding area has an interesting one going way back. I think all war is horrible and I realize there are atrocities committed far too often. Anyway, we drove up to a foibe on Karst Plateau that has a dark history from the end of the war involving the Yugoslavians. It’s too horrific to write about, but the info is available for those who are interested. Next, we went to an equally horrific, if better preserved site, Risiera di San Sabba, a former rice factory that was converted into a concentration camp. Yes, there was a crematorium there. While the others followed the guide, I opted to sit on a bench. I don’t need to see the faces of prisoners to know what horrible things happened in these places. I took no photos.

 

Finally, for something a bit less depressing, we headed back through the city, west to Miramare Castle, home of Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph’s younger brother, Maximilian and his wife Charlotte of Belgium (first cousin to Queen Victoria). I imagine some of you know Maximilian’s story. If not, Google is your friend! I also imagine some of you have seen Manet’s painting of the execution.

 

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Sadly, it was still raining when we finished touring the castle and it was getting late (one couple needed to check out of the hotel although we had been told late checkout was not available, which is why our bags were being stored). It was probably a little after 1 when we got back and there were throngs of people dragging suitcases down the sidewalks and there was lots of traffic. We went in, gathered our cohorts and suitcases, and did our own dragging of cases down the sidewalk and across the street. Bag drop-off was easy enough, then the real fun started!

 

[NCTribeFan]

5/1/16 Embarkation

 

I’ve already a few comments from others about embarkation being a nightmare and taking hours. I really didn’t pay much attention. I have no idea what time we were actually onboard. I know I was hungry. Luckily, I had a pack of pretzels in my bag, which probably kept me from fainting later! I’ve already joked that it was having a bad dream: you’re sitting in a room full of people, waiting, then are finally told to move along; you turn the corner and there’s a room full of people where you sit, waiting, then are finally told to move along; you turn the corner and there’s a room full of people where you sit, waiting, then are finally told to move along. Finally, in the third room full of people and chairs, someone walked down the aisle and said “priority, please go the that line.” Yay! I also joked about the number of people who kept going up the Carnival reps and seemed to be telling them that they were PRIORITY and also probably saying “DON’T YOU KNOW WHO I AM???” OK, maybe not, but you could tell by the looks on their faces that they were not happy that they weren’t getting the Special Treatment that they thought they deserved. Oh well. Every port handles the Priority boarding a bit differently. Maybe they were just hungry, too.

 

Got to the desk, handed over my passport and tried to show her my credit card but was told she had it on file. Then she returned with my WHITE 25TH MILESTONE S&S CARD and another card of sorts. We had to surrender our passports before boarding. Then on to security, drop the passports at the table, and finally back outside and over to the ship.

 

Yep, we were hungry. Luckily, our Family Harbor Lounge had sandwiches and beverages! Nice! Unfortunately, I immediately noticed the new carpet/glue fumes. I’d been a bit concerned about that as I have allergies and occasional asthma. On to the cabin (2458), a Family Harbor Deluxe Oceanview. Where in the world were we going to put clothing for four women? It actually wasn’t that bad at all. There were only 2 bathrobes (probably could’ve asked for 2 more but didn’t have anywhere to hang them. There was 1 red and 1 blue fleece robes - very soft. The little bath had a mini-tub/shower and sink with shelves on 1 side. I got the bed by the window.

 

I could’ve sworn I’d read somewhere that the lamp bases on the end tables would have USB ports. They did not. There was no way I could plug in my phone for my white noise! But I called the desk, asked for an extension cord, and soon our steward showed up with a big, white power strip (brand new!) that just reached to the corner of the cabin. Luckily, my phone’s cord plus the cord on the speaker/headband combined were just long enough.

 

Out for a little exploring. Took the elevator up to 11, walked aft (getting tired of cold wind), down to 10 and forward, down to 5 and aft, and back and forth.

 

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Bags had arrived and we mostly unpacked, then headed to dinner. I’m not a fan of Your Time Dining but with the long port days, that was chosen (if it had been me, I’d have taken late seating). Check-in was on Deck 5 by Pixels but as we headed past the MDR on Deck 4, on our way up, we were flagged down and told to just go down to Deck 3 and to the desk. Service was quite slow (which has been my recent experience on the first night).

 

 

One tried to purchase a wine package and was told her card wouldn’t go through, so it went on another’s card. When she tried to buy the internet package, that wouldn’t go through either. After dinner, it was off to the service desk to find out why. Turns out she’d never entered her card online and was shown as being on another’s account. That was odd because she’d also tried to give her card to the girl at the check-in counter and was told she had the info already (foreshadowing going on here, folks). She didn’t have her credit card with her so had to go to the cabin.

 

I think I decided to head straight to the casino which is when I discovered that there were NO non-smoking areas, slots, or tables at all. Really? Yes, really. I told the casino host what I thought of that! So my already inflamed sinuses were subjected to more abuse. I did absolutely nothing at the Roulette wheel or the machines.

 

Off to bed, looking forward to a sea day, Serenity Deck, and exploring the ship.

[NCTribeFan]

The antibiotics seem to be helping somewhat with the sinuses, but the cough is still really tight. Took the last of my Crazy Pills (60 mg of prednisone each morning), so hope to get laundry done this weekend, upload the rest of my photos, and do some more writing. Thanks for your patience.

[NCTribeFan]

5/2/16 Sea Day #1

 

I think we were up fairly early. Dressed and went down to the FH lounge and had breakfast. It really is very convenient, and I didn’t think the scrambled eggs were too awful, if you could scoop them off the top where they were semi-dry. I imagine I wanted to sit on the Serenity Deck, but it was quite cold. I actually have no idea what I did in the morning. Think I may have paid a visit to the casino. This may have been when I tried to find the deli and couldn’t. Walked all around Deck 10 aft, found everything else, but no deli. So I got a late omelette (I could eat breakfast every meal of every day) at about 11:40. While standing there waiting for it to cook, I looked over and voila! The deli was right next to me! Found it!

 

We had our M&G at 2 in the Pub. Of course, I got a beer and sat and talked to those at the same table, but didn’t mingle. I don’t mingle. I’m an introvert. I’m so much better than I was when young, but I struggle meeting people and am just lousy at small talk. I try, but I’m not good at it.

 

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We tried to remember to take a photo of our drinks every time we got some. This was in the Pub at the M&G.

 

Captain's Toast

 

When it was time for dinner, we went up to Deck 5 to check in and were told that Platinum/Diamond did not need to checking and to go straight to Deck 3. When you arrive, those who checked in go in the line on the left and straight in to be seated; those not checked in (us) went in the right-hand side to the door where the assistant then sent us to the desk when someone was available to check us in. Dinner was very, very slow. It was probably the worst service of the cruise. This was first elegant night so was a little busier than usual, but still. Good thing I never actually let myself get too hungry while on the ship, right?

 

Drinks at dinner (mine's the wine, I tend to not drink mixed drinks and don't like the sweet froo-froo things)

 

Guessing I tried my luck in the casino again and guessing I had very little.

[NCTribeFan]

5/3/16 Dubrovnik, Croatia

 

Up early for our small-group excursion (us 4 plus another couple). Off the ship, we had the option of turning left and heading to a building, or turning right and walking down to another building. We took option two. Once we hiked down there, fearless group leader realized that she couldn’t get internet access on her phone and hadn’t printed out the meeting instructions or tour guide’s phone number. So, we wasted over 30 minutes trying to figure out where he was and where we were supposed to be. Guy in the group gave her his phone to use and she had to call some TA in Vancouver BC to contact the driver and tell him where we were. Sigh.

 

Anyway, we finally connected and loaded up his minivan. I sat in front and had lovely views of the Croatian countryside all day. This tour was a wine-tasting tour of the Peljesac Peninsula. Our first stop was at Ston, a medieval walled town.

 

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Back on the van and to our first winery, Gjrgic Vina, a medium-sized facility. Wine was OK, but not my favorite of the day. Beautiful setting, though, right on the coast. Unfortunately, I’ve forgotten the name of the 2nd winery, a large facility with a large cellar and some very nice wines! I think we tried at least 4 at that stop. Remember, it was just mid-morning!

 

 

Next up with a stop at a small, family-run wine and olive oil farm. The son told us about their operations while we sampled a couple of reds along with some delicious bread and cheeses sitting in, basically, a garage. It was great!

 

On to lunch. I was not expecting this. I don’t even know where we were, but it was a little fishing village. We went in to find a large, square table next to a long room with a bar and about 6 tables against the wall. The proprietor brought out some sort of drink (guessing it’s a bit like grappa only wasn’t quite as fierce; a red and a white) along with actual red and white table wine in carafes. Tour leader can’t eat any seafood and guy in group can’t eat fish but was OK with crustaceans. I can’t eat the bi-valve mollusks, so couldn’t partake of the fresh oysters. Next up with an octopus salad, green salad, and a plate of fresh anchovies in a caper sauce. The main course consisted of fresh grilled lobster, a dozen huge prawns, and a delicious grilled fresh fish. It was amazing.

 

 

 

 

I had actually thought we would see Dubrovnik, since we were calling on Dubrovnik. Nope. Not part of the tour, plus we were behind from the beginning and instead of the lunch-on-your-own that I was expecting (think 30 minutes in a cafe), we spent about 1-½ hours or more in the fishing village.

 

Plus, we’d received our notice that we were scheduled for the Chef’s Table that night so there was no option to extend the tour at all. We did stop way up on a mountain overlooking Dubrovnik and the guide was kind enough to drive through the city on the way back to the ship since he knew I’d wanted to actually see it.

 

 

I was pretty disappointed. Guess I’ll just have to find an excuse to go back and take a cruise that includes both Dubrovnik and Izmir, won’t I?

[NCTribeFan]

5/3/16 Chef's Table

 

Back on the ship, one of our group backed out of the Chef’s Table, so the rest of us showered and changed and headed to the lobby where we were met and escorted to the galley. This was the first time I’d done this. Too bad it happened on a day when I’d had so much wine and food already. I wasn’t exactly starving.

 

While in the galley, we received our menu for the night and a glass of champagne while we stood around a prep table for a few little pre-dinner appetizers. The first was an olive wrapped in freshly-spun sugar. I’m not a fan of olives, so didn’t care for it too much. Next was even more interesting - a frozen chicken liver dipped in milk chocolate. Quite a unique combination of flavors. Not something I feel I need to make at home! Next was a confection made on a frozen not-cooker thing that was tasty.

 

We then went across the hall to our dining room where we had the real appetizers. At some point (perhaps then, maybe after the next course, who knows?) we got up and went for our galley tour. John Heald appeared with one of The Beards to welcome us to the Very First Carnival Vista Chef’s Table. Woo hoo. Back to the dining room where we were treated to a bit of magic. Next came the main courses. They were all quite nice and the wine was flowing. I really liked the Citrus Cream dessert. Everything was very good. I’m glad I did it but I’m not sure it’s something I need to spend $75 on every cruise. I’d read recently that people were encouraged to give extra tips at the end but we never received anything to sign and there was no mention of extra tips to the servers. A group photo was taken and it was off to bed. It had been a long wine-and-food-filled day.

 

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Pork Belly, shrimps

 

Lamb

 

Seabass

 

Quail

 

Veal

[NCTribeFan]

More Chef's Table photos...

 

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Bread with fresh-churned butter

 

Magician - don't remember his name - think name tag says Elton

 

 

 

Citrus Cream

 

Chocolate Hazelnut

[NCTribeFan]

5/4/16 Kotor, Montenegro

 

Montenegro was substituted for Izmir only a couple of weeks prior to the cruise. We had to tender into town and were anchored quite a distance away. Rather than reporting to the Service Desk and waiting in the lobby as I’ve done on prior cruises, we met in the Piano Bar on Deck 5 until escorted to the elevators/stairs to board the tender. After arriving in Kotor, we met up with our private guide (same 6 people on this tour as yesterday). He stopped to pick up large maps for us all and we headed inside the city walls through the Sea Gate. The town is rather a maze, as one would expect in a city so old. He gave us the stories behind some of the palaces and churches. We went through St Triphon’s Cathedral (dating from 1166) and other (sorry, don’t remember which one).

 

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Such a grey day, difficult to see the walls above the city. I tried to brighten up the photo a bit.

 

 

 

 

 

When we done, it was time to decide what to do next. The couple were going to walk the wall, while my travel companions were going back to the cat museum. Yep. Cat museum. You know, I loved my dogs (don’t have any right now), but that doesn’t mean that I feel compelled to stop and photograph every dog I ever see anywhere in the world. These cat people are just crazy. Really. I’m embarrassed for them. They’re just cats. Sheesh.

 

So, I followed the couple to the base of the stairs, then wound my way back through the streets trying to not get too very lost. I actually found my way back to the Sea Gate and decided I’d just get the tender back to the ship and have lunch there. My gut hadn’t been too happy during the night (so so much very rich food the day and night before, which I don’t typically eat), and it looked like the sun might finally try to peek through the clouds. Eurodam was in port and Carnival was using some of her lifeboats as tenders. I boarded and then we waited and waited and waited, started to leave, then pulled back to the dock and waited some more, but no on else boarded. There were only about 8 of us on the tender heading back to the ship (it was probably around 1 pm).

 

I believe I hunted around until I finally found the entrance (from Deck 11 aft, not from inside the buffet on 10) to Cucina del Capitano. I ordered my favorite of bow tie pasta with grilled shrimp, grilled chicken, and mushrooms in butter sauce (half-portion) with lots of grated cheese on it to soak up the butter. Yummy.

 

Then up to Serenity Deck where the sun was actually shining! And it was warm enough to shed a layer or two.

 

Once again, no idea what I/we did later. Dinner (slow again but not as slow), probably casino for me. My cabinmates tended to go back to the cabin at 8 and watch tv. Now, I’m not a hearty partier like I used to be, but I don’t pay to cruise to sit in my cabin and watch Animal Planet hoping for a cat show! LOL.

[jimbo5544]

5/4/16 Kotor, Montenegro

 

 

 

Montenegro was substituted for Izmir only a couple of weeks prior to the cruise. We had to tender into town and were anchored quite a distance away. Rather than reporting to the Service Desk and waiting in the lobby as I’ve done on prior cruises, we met in the Piano Bar on Deck 5 until escorted to the elevators/stairs to board the tender. After arriving in Kotor, we met up with our private guide (same 6 people on this tour as yesterday). He stopped to pick up large maps for us all and we headed inside the city walls through the Sea Gate. The town is rather a maze, as one would expect in a city so old. He gave us the stories behind some of the palaces and churches. We went through St Triphon’s Cathedral (dating from 1166) and other (sorry, don’t remember which one).

 

 

 

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Such a grey day, difficult to see the walls above the city. I tried to brighten up the photo a bit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When we done, it was time to decide what to do next. The couple were going to walk the wall, while my travel companions were going back to the cat museum. Yep. Cat museum. You know, I loved my dogs (don’t have any right now), but that doesn’t mean that I feel compelled to stop and photograph every dog I ever see anywhere in the world. These cat people are just crazy. Really. I’m embarrassed for them. They’re just cats. Sheesh.

 

 

 

So, I followed the couple to the base of the stairs, then wound my way back through the streets trying to not get too very lost. I actually found my way back to the Sea Gate and decided I’d just get the tender back to the ship and have lunch there. My gut hadn’t been too happy during the night (so so much very rich food the day and night before, which I don’t typically eat), and it looked like the sun might finally try to peek through the clouds. Eurodam was in port and Carnival was using some of her lifeboats as tenders. I boarded and then we waited and waited and waited, started to leave, then pulled back to the dock and waited some more, but no on else boarded. There were only about 8 of us on the tender heading back to the ship (it was probably around 1 pm).

 

 

 

I believe I hunted around until I finally found the entrance (from Deck 11 aft, not from inside the buffet on 10) to Cucina del Capitano. I ordered my favorite of bow tie pasta with grilled shrimp, grilled chicken, and mushrooms in butter sauce (half-portion) with lots of grated cheese on it to soak up the butter. Yummy.

 

 

 

Then up to Serenity Deck where the sun was actually shining! And it was warm enough to shed a layer or two.

 

 

 

Once again, no idea what I/we did later. Dinner (slow again but not as slow), probably casino for me. My cabinmates tended to go back to the cabin at 8 and watch tv. Now, I’m not a hearty partier like I used to be, but I don’t pay to cruise to sit in my cabin and watch Animal Planet hoping for a cat show! LOL.

 

 

So, in losing Ismur and getting Montenegro, were you disappointed or were you OK with the substitution?

[NCTribeFan]

Montenegro was very nice, but it was no Ephesus! Of course, I would've enjoyed it more had it been less cool and cloudy and had I not had a rough night. I just didn't have much energy that day.

 

Ephesus was the #1 reason I booked the cruise so no replacement port was going to make me totally happy. I'm glad I saw Kotor, but, honestly, I wasn't unhappy that we originally were getting another sea day.

 

Still, you don't spend all that money to get there and spend your time on the ship. Well, I don't! If I want sea days, I'll book a "relaxation" cruise that goes to ports I've visited multiple times. I still sail mainly for the ports. For me, that's the whole point in cruising. If I just want to sit around and relax, I can stay at home and read on my patio. It's a lot cheaper! ;)

[jimbo5544]

Montenegro was very nice, but it was no Ephesus! Of course, I would've enjoyed it more had it been less cool and cloudy and had I not had a rough night. I just didn't have much energy that day.

 

Ephesus was the #1 reason I booked the cruise so no replacement port was going to make me totally happy. I'm glad I saw Kotor, but, honestly, I wasn't unhappy that we originally were getting another sea day.

 

Still, you don't spend all that money to get there and spend your time on the ship. Well, I don't! If I want sea days, I'll book a "relaxation" cruise that goes to ports I've visited multiple times. I still sail mainly for the ports. For me, that's the whole point in cruising. If I just want to sit around and relax, I can stay at home and read on my patio. It's a lot cheaper! ;)

Thanks! Can't argue that. Sorry if my name calling friends follow me around. Ignore them....;)