Beyond Live(ish) B2B, Barcelona-Rome and Rome to Barcelona September 24 and October 3, 2022

[CruiserFromSC]

On 9/30/2022 at 11:05 PM, Lastdance said:

 

We would definitely use Ingrid again. She was lovely and we thoroughly enjoyed our time with her. 
 

Good luck getting into Israel.  Are you planning on doing a live blog?  I’ve always wanted to go there and would love any insights.  

[CruiserFromSC]

On 9/30/2022 at 8:54 PM, SailingHigher said:

If you are on the fence about paying extra for Le Voyage and if you like gourmet dining, do not hesitate. The three course dinner is the lowest price option. It comes with multiple surprises and a very large number of choices for appetizers, entrees, and desserts. It is more than enough food for anyone. I highly recommend it. I wish I could add some photos, but the wifi/Internet is not helping me at the moment. Plus, I’d hate to spoil any surprise. Each item is beautifully arranged and elegantly served. 

 

 

We are actually booked for the second leg of the cruise at both Le Voyage and Eden.  I’m looking forward to it.  Thanks for the tip. 

[CruiserFromSC]

On 10/1/2022 at 5:29 PM, terrydtx said:

In August on the Reflection we had a very strong thunderstorm between the mainland and Messina which delayed our docking and the cancelation of most shore excursions, including our Mt Etna winery and Taormina private tour. It was also the first time we had been in such an intense thunderstorm while cruising. The ship was like one big sail and the broadside winds were an issue.

I’m sure that was such a disappointment!  I feel so badly for those that missed Livorno and potentially a once in a lifetime experience.  

[CruiserFromSC]

5 hours ago, countess5 said:

Enjoy your next leg, we have friends joining you in the Retreat. They are in a sky suite. They will stay on after this next leg and do the transatlantic to NY.

We will join Beyond this winter for 14 days, part of our 47 day winter cruising.

 

Continuing to follow! 

 

Cheers! 

 

Thank you!  I hope your friends enjoy their time on this beautiful ship as much as we have.  I would love to try a TA but I’m a little worried about seasickness…even after 20+ cruises. 😂

[CruiserFromSC]

5 hours ago, countess5 said:

We actually went through the edge of a hurricane in the South Pacific on Explorer! Talk about rocking and rolling! 😂😂 🌪

 

Wow, that sounds and looks crazy!  I’m glad all was well in the end.  

[shirazcruiser]

On RCCL in May 2010, we were returning to the Villefranche port after experiencing torrential rain in Eze. Much to our surprise…the ship was gone! The waters were too choppy for the tenders & were unable to hoist some leaving them dragging when it sailed to the hard dock in Toulon. Over 500 crew & passengers were left in port while RCCL hired buses from Italy to transfer us to Toulon.  Local Villefranche drivers were unable to bus us since they had driven their time limit. After waiting hours for the Italian buses to arrive, we made it to Toulon at 3AM causing us to arrive late into Livorno & the cancellation of the longer tours like Florence…fortunately we were going to Lucca which was close by.  The storm was so bad that it was declared a disaster since much of the Villefranche boat docks & many yachts sank.  Oh…memories! We always think of it when we port in the French Riviera.

[SailingHigher]

On 10/3/2022 at 10:59 AM, shirazcruiser said:

On RCCL in May 2010, we were returning to the Villefranche port after experiencing torrential rain in Eze. Much to our surprise…the ship was gone! The waters were too choppy for the tenders & were unable to hoist some leaving them dragging when it sailed to the hard dock in Toulon. Over 500 crew & passengers were left in port while RCCL hired buses from Italy to transfer us to Toulon.  Local Villefranche drivers were unable to bus us since they had driven their time limit. 

Amazing story! I never expected these types of weather/port problems in the Med. On the advice and insistence of the crew, we stayed on the Beyond in Santa Margherita. Unless passengers were booked on a Celebrity shore excursion, all were urged to stay put. It was quite a thing to watch the Magic Carpet bobbing up and down vis-a-vis each tender. We later learned that the hired transports from Santa Margherita canceled due to the wind and waves. To allow anyone onshore, the Beyond had to employ her own tenders.

 

Pre-cruise, the rumor was that Gwyneth Paltrow would join us in Santa Margherita for a 50th Birthday dinner and Goop session. That didn't happen in Santa Margherita, but Goopies told us that she boarded for 50 minutes in Civitavecchia and fulfilled the promise to speak with the Goop subscribers. 

 

When it comes to rough seas, here's an unexpected "feature" in the Beyond's Royal Suites. The two sliding pocket doors separating the master bath and master bedroom do not have any mechanisms to lock the doors in either an open or closed position. It's startling when they slam from one side to the other. The only solution we could employ in the middle of a noisy night was dragging heavy chairs into each doorway. Our attendants said that it was the best solution they'd seen since the ship launched. 

[shirazcruiser]

11 minutes ago, SailingHigher said:

Amazing story! I never expected these types of weather/port problems in the Med. On the advice and insistence of the crew, we stayed on the Beyond in Santa Margherita. Unless passengers were booked on a Celebrity shore excursion, all were urged to stay put. It was quite a thing to watch the Magic Carpet bobbing up and down vis-a-vis each tender. We later learned that the hired transports from Santa Margherita canceled due to the wind and waves. To allow anyone onshore, the Beyond had to employ her own tenders.

 

It's always disappointing to miss a port - good idea on the chairs! Sounded like a great cruise! We haven't sailed since Covid and are anxious for our Med cruise in the spring.  

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

On 10/11/2022 at 9:48 AM, SailingHigher said:

Amazing story! I never expected these types of weather/port problems in the Med.

 

It was not in a port, but a few years ago when I was on a RCCL cruise, we were crossing the Med returning to Barcelona. The midday report from the captain was that it looked like clear sailing all the way in. I had an OV cabin overlooking the bow of the ship. About 2am the last night of the cruise, I was awakened hearing what sounded like water crashing over the bow and realized we were rocking and rolling. High winds (I turned the tv on to the navigation channel and while I don't remember the exact knots of the wind, I know it was super high) and rain and yes, waves crashing over the bow. I don't mind the rocking and rolling (other than pulling all the empty hangers off the rack), but a lot of people were very green at breakfast and waiting to disembark.

 

On researching, I found that that kind of pop up storm can happen in the middle of the Med with little to no warning.

[podsnel]

On 9/27/2022 at 4:41 AM, CruiserFromSC said:

Yesterday, was a beautiful day in Nice.  We were in Villefranche and tendered in.  It took about 20 minutes.  
 

So, I don’t usually make recommendations on tours, etc., but I am making an exception in this case.  We took a wonderful 8-hour excursion from Villefranche with Ingrid S with Tours by Locals.  The name of the tour was “3 Countries in a Day.”  This was an exceptional private tour.  We drove along the middle and upper coastal roads with photo stops of Nice and Villefranche and the took a guided tour through the village of Eze (only 29 residents).  The only way to see the village is on foot though and it is a very steep climb.  But, at the top (429 meters/1400 feet), you have spectacular views of the French Riveria.  Then we drove into Italy to the Italian Riveria village of Dolceacqua for a lunch stop and a guided walk through a medieval village.  Next, we drove to the Principality of Monaco and drove a short way on the Formula 1 race track and visited the port with luxury yachts and the palace in the distance and then an opportunity to visit the casino in Monte Carlo.  This was a fantastic tour if you wanted something a little different.  Highly recommend.  
 

It was a long day so we had a quick dinner in Ocean View and then called it a day.  We are in Santa Margherita today and with no planned tours, we plan to take the tender in and walk around for a bit.  
 

Dinner tonight is at Le Petite Chef so I’ll report back later tonight.  It’s always a wonderful meal so I’m not expecting anything different tonight.
 

 

Oh, I LOVE Ingrid! She is wonderful, we have toured with her twice- such a lovely person, so knowledgeable, so much fun! Happy 60th! I will be turning 60 on Flora next month- always the BEST birthday is on a cruise ship! 🙂

[boontj2003]

Hi Cruiserfromsc from Goshen, Ny! The leafpeepers are here!!