Norwaylady goes b2b in the Mediterranean on Infinity 24.5-10.6.23 LIVE

[Norwaylady]

After some work emails taken care of, it was time to freshen up and call Mr🥰

 

He is on technical duty 24/7 this week. (To make sure all prisons, hospitals, elderly homes etc are working and functional) 

It’s been a rather long week for him. (Sometimes he can solve the problem remotely from home/office. Other times he needs to physically visit the location) 

This week the phone has been calling a lot🤪🤪🤪 So it hasn’t been easy to reach him by phone. Just a text💙 

So it was nice to have a talk live on FaceTime🥰

 

Tonight’s show is stand-up by Phil Melbourne. 

The man is funny 😆 not everyone’s cup of tea🙃 

[Spif Barwunkel]

I noticed you are b2b on Infinity in the Med. In February M'Lady and me were on Infinity 9400 miles away in Antarctica. Quite the change in scenery and temperature. In May, we were on another X ship in this same neighborhood, and I recognize several familiar places in Athens/Plaka and lovely spaces in Mykonos. I noticed a picture of Parliament House in Athens. Were you able to see the Changing of the Guard? More great photo ops to come in Santorini, and the next leg as well.

 

I don't follow "live froms" on CC but I can respect the effort and dedication of those who provide live reviews for fellow cruisers to enjoy. You do an excellent job of blending information, photos, a bit of storytelling and humor into a compilation of easy-to-read essays. Seems like a natural thing for you to do.

 

 

[hcat]

17 hours ago, Norwaylady said:

So, The ladies was not ready until 19.45 to go downstairs. 
We were racing against Connie, she left Athens port before us🏎️🚢🏎️

 

IMG_7451.mov 13.91 MB · 2 downloads  

 

 

We attended the effy raffle before dinner😅 you have to be in it, to win it😆

No prizes for us😜

 

We went to dinner in Mdr. 

We have a lovely table for 2 by the window. 

 

Our waiter and assistant seemed okay. A few first-nigh bumps, but it will probably be fine. (The typical half crazy evening, run for your life waitstaff🤪😝) 

We had quinoa salad, goat cheese salad and the fish. 

 

 

 

 

For dessert ice cream and banana foster. 

 

After dinner it was bed time 🥱 

Menu and food look appealing..esp Sea Bass

[hcat]

We liked the Pireaus port area  better than ATHENS itself....the Antiquities are a must,  but are intermingled in crowded areas..and the city has many ugly overhead electric wires.  The modern buildings and commerce centers were clean..  The spirit of democracy was noticeable but we only had a quick snapshot visit! Wish we had more time for museums and restaurants...

 

The Mykonos Beach area and excursion look great..

The Canapes also look tasty...

Glad you have been able to experience AQ class and Concierge and of course the companionship of your mom..Precious Memories!

[Norwaylady]

The officers are out and about tonight. 

I had a chat by Troy, It-manager. 

He said that the WiFi will improve during the year. 

They are working on it and upgrading the system onboard. So it will be more functional. 

Just please be patient until it’s upgraded in hardware🙃

 

Dinner was good.

We had the Waldorf salad, it’s a BIG portion for starter. For main it was the mahi mahi and ragout-gnocchi (from the starters menus) 

I know how big the salad is and the gnocchi is perfect in size as a main course for me🙃

 

 

Coffee came perfectly made and delivered from Alex in Blu💙 

 

We had lava cake and panna Cotta 

 

 

(I don’t know whose decision it was but I can definitely say, it’s not a ship thing…. It’s definitely fleet wide. Before covid the lava cake was a lava. It was a small cake, around same size as the coconut macarons tops, served hot and had a small lava stream inside. YES a LAVA CAKE🔥

On all cruises after 2019 the cake has been cold, the cake is growing bigger and it’s definitely not a lava cake…..

I miss the real lava cake, that’s a winner dessert) 

[Norwaylady]

Sea day⭐️ (WiFi is not my best friend for uploading) 

Today’s cruise compass and paperwork.

 

Ravenna arrival (they still have infrastructure problems moving port from Venice) 

 

 

 

 

 

[chemmo]

Sorry if I have missed this but have you had the Captains Club breakfast at all? If so where is it held?

[Norwaylady]

34 minutes ago, chemmo said:

Sorry if I have missed this but have you had the Captains Club breakfast at all? If so where is it held?

Since we had Blu first part, we had breakfast there every morning, except the day we had a tour departure time before they opened😌

 

We will probably try the captain’s club breakfast this sailing. (My mothers card is showing preview, points has not arrived, so she’s “preview” 2 sailings😂) 

And I can’t send her down to Tuscan alone…. They will not accept her. 
I needed to do some work this morning a minor fire to take care off at the office🤪

otherwise we would have tried. 
 

As mentioned in earlier posts, the captain’s club rep and concierge’s has been rather pale compared to what we have seen on the last 2 cruises/b2b. 
And my only 2 words by the captains club hostess was rather not “happy service minded” 

It was more the type: I don’t care, you are not a frequent cruiser, it’s not my responsibility to answer you…… ( boxing people just by the look, is very dangerous) 

 

So I just don’t bother to go downstairs to be shuffled away as an irritating teenager to get the Queen a new card, showing her own classic status. 
And to politely ask if she can be my 1+ one for breakfast….

 

I took the Queen to the Captain’s Club event for all members, so she could see how it’s working. 

But I didn’t dare to bring her to the senior party. (It would be very nice, but if they had checked cards on all guests, it would be embarrassing 😳 for her and me…. I don’t like to stretch rules of break rules)

If the captain’s club hostess and I had a better start, it would probably be easier. 

[Norwaylady]

So the day started in bed by some emails and messages that needed to be taken care off. We are sailing very close to land. 

 

So I was late for my walking tour outside. 

So only 45.mins on the track…. Lots of people out and a bit hard to walk fast in rhythm. 

 

I sent the Queen up to the buffet for breakfast service. (She was too late for mdr breakfast) They took excellent care of her🥰 She reported back to me that they were very friendly helping her out on the hunt of Greek yoghurt and grapefruit❤️

 

After my walking tour it was a Clark Kent into relaxing sun lounger clothing😎

I went by Al Bacio to get some coffee for breakfast. Great service from Melissa. 

 

On the way up to the deck I walked by the emporium area, the Jewel shop had a raffle and a diamond seminar💍

Guess who was there? The Queen👑

She had just had some coffee before I arrived downstairs☺️

 

So we decided to be in it, to win it🎟️

Unfortunately no price for us🙃 (but we tried) 

 

Then we went upstairs to find a sun bed. 

Lots of people outside. So crowded, but you can always find a bed or two if you take a round….. 

 

The view is really lovely🤩

 

[chemmo]

30 minutes ago, Norwaylady said:

But I didn’t dare to bring her to the senior party. (It would be very nice, but if they had checked cards on all guests, it would be embarrassing 😳 for her and me…. I don’t like to stretch rules of break rules)

If the captain’s club hostess and I had a better start, it would probably be easier. 

I thought as long as you were sharing a cabin then none elite guests could attend all events with you…What was on your Mum’s card wouldn’t matter as long as she was with you…

[Norwaylady]

1 minute ago, chemmo said:

I thought as long as you were sharing a cabin then none elite guests could attend all events with you…What was on your Mum’s card wouldn’t matter as long as she was with you…

let’s just say that the “lovely” captain’s club hostess was very unpleasant and made me extremely uncomfortable in her behaviour of body language and way of answering me when I tried to ask. 
She had really boxed me, before I opened my mouth…. 
 

I asked on Sil about this in April, and they said it’s in the discretion of the captain’s club host to decide. So they said, just ask politely when you arrive and it will probably not be a problem at all. Since it’s not a big group of family, just my travel partner. 

So I was really not happy when it started off on the wrong foot. 
 

on this sailing they have only 1 event party. 
They have the captain’s club party+senior party as one. It’s today, in the afternoon 17.15. 
So we might attend. 
 

They had the wine tasting this morning. I don’t drink wine for breakfast, so I didn’t attend. 
The mixologist event is later in the week, but we are not big drinkers😂😂😂 So I will skip this event. 

 

[Norwaylady]

This day is a floating day😎

I have answered emails and talked on the phone to solve some issues at work🤓🤓

Thank you Captain Kirk for keeping us in Greece phone coverage☺️🇬🇷

 

At 15.30 the Queen had coffee stars in her eyes😂🤩🤩🤩 

So we went down to Al Bacio. 

It was live music by the acoustic duo. 

 

😋😋🍋🍋🍋🍋 I spy-in my little 👁️ Lemon 🍋 Tart👌🏻

 

Ice Tea Raspberry & lemon tart delivered. 

The Queen wanted the non-sugar added cake.  It was a Amaretto and blue berry cake😌

 

Hmm, have they changed pastries chef? 🤔🤭 they looked a bit off. 

 

Ohh….🥺 this was the day not to have 🍋 tart. Sorry in advance🙄 (the previous I had during this sailing has tasted excellent 👌🏻) 

The Queen said the blueberry cake was very tasty 😋 

 

today’s canapés had arrived: 

[Norwaylady]

We attended the captain’s club party⚓️

The full list of senior officers were represented and the executive committee. 

Again, Captain Kirk is a fun man😂👌🏻🇬🇷

All lead by cruise director Brittany. 

 

They served canapés, drinks and sweets. Same as last weeks senior officers party. 

Music was by the acoustic due. They are good👌🏻

They had added some entertainment, a pop-up performance from the acrobatic team. 

 

This sailing it was more “into” the usual deal. 

The captain presented the couple onboard by most points. 11 years as X cruisers and 1100 points. (No number of total captains club members onboard) 

 

All in-all well attended and arranged. 

[Norwaylady]

Tonight’s show is Broken Strings, so we don’t attend. 

We walked downstairs to Al Bacio for some coffee and enjoying the Dj downstairs in the Martini Bar. 

 

Just an observation from Al Bacio if your seated by the window…..

Do you think this qualifies as a bad day at work? 

 

 

Tonight they had a pop- up from NYC3. 

It’s the singer’s in tomorrow’s show. 

 

Well the idea is good…. But compared to last weeks guests entertainment it was underwhelming😝

 

Dinner was good. Service is good, food tasted excellent and everything is working well. (I have a small feeling they think the inquisition is seated😂😂😂)

 

We had: shrimp cocktail, etrevisio salad and cobia fish (we changed the sides to vegetables) 

 

 

 

 

Dessert was ice cream🙃 after eight

[Norwaylady]

Cruise compass and paperwork Zakynthos 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Norwaylady]

Good morning! 

[Norwaylady]

Today’s plan is a tour by shore excursion.

Meeting time 09.00 in the theatre. 

[Norwaylady]

We went down for breakfast in Tuscan, the captain’s club coffee club. 

It was quiet and relaxing. 

It’s plated service. 

 

 

We had some cheese, fruit, coffee and juice. 

 

Today’s excursion is 100% for the Queen. (It’s not my cup of tea🫡)

 

We left for our meeting time in the theatre 09.00. They were a bit delayed due to the tender operation. 

 

Today’s tender was by the ships tenders. 

Fingers crossed, all goes as planned and worries free. 

 

They called our group and we were loaded onto the tender. 

All was okay and ride went smooth. 

 

It’s very shallow water by the pier. So the alarm on the sonar started screaming, notifying shallow water. 

The Queen started having a small panic attack in her eyes. The alarm 🚨 sounds almost like the engine alarm we had on the Jewel tender….😱😰

I told her to breathe and don’t worry, it’s the sonar alarm for shallow water. 

It’s nothing to worry about, they will be able to dock. 

 

They got us into the pier and unloaded the tender. 

• a side note to fellow travellers: Don’t get up before they are ready docked. Half our tender were up and walking against the door before we were ready, we were not even tied up. The poor deck Kadett said loudly out: please remain seated, we are not tied to the pier and ready. 

 

So the Queen survived the tender❤️

 

Our guide and bus was waiting on the pier. 

Today’s guide, is a guide on a mission😅🤣😜🌪️🌪️🌪️

 

We rushed of from the pier and the lady was speaking on in and out breathing 😮‍💨 

We drove to Agia Mavra. 

 

We visited the church. It’s in process of rebuilding. The church went up in smoke in 2005. The bell tower is 37m and standing next to the church, so it was not destroyed during the fire. 

So they are restoring the church and decorations. 

It was a 20.min stop. 

 

All churches and bell towers are in separate buildings. 

This due to the fact that Zakynthos is an earthquake island. 

So to protect the church it’s separated. 

 

 

 

After our stop, we left for the mountains. 

It’s a beautiful view, you are at the top of Zakynthos. They take you to Kampion.

 

 

They serve a meze lunch🇬🇷💙 and it’s a folkloric dance session. 

 

 

 

 

 

Then it was time to jump into the bus again, off to Bochali for pictures 15.min stop and finally back to town. 

 

 

 

 

We were dropped off on the pier 14.20. 

We were the first of the buses to return, our guide was strict on leaving first from the look out point. Since the line to the tenders get long if we are last of the buses returning. 

Last tender is 15.00

 

The guide has spoken a lot about history, sites on the island and animal life. 

It’s lots of turtles 🐢 on the island. 

She was very knowledgeable. Really good, but in massive amounts🤭

 

We were on the tender 14.27 and the line was growing rapidly behind us.

 

Our tender captain informed us when we left the pier, that it will be a little bumpy when we sail past the harbour and enter the ocean. 

And when we are docking on the ship, it’s a bit of movement going on. So please be seated until we say it’s okay to move. 

 

The Queen was mentally prepared and things went well. No alarms or other elements she could worry about👌🏻💙⚓️

Good work! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[Norwaylady]

We arrived back in the ship 14.50

It was straight up to Maria’s big smile in Al Bacio😁

The Queen had not had coffee since breakfast😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫🤭

[chemmo]

Thanks for the information on the CC breakfast. Lovely pictures of your tour!

[Norwaylady]

After some coffee, I needed to run upstairs and utilities my 5g stable coverage on my phone. So I could do some work by vpn connection on my computer🤓

Home office on X is not bad😂😂⚓️💙

 

Today canapés (talk about home office service😂) 

[Norwaylady]

Today’s tour

So, Zakynthos is a beautiful 🤩 island. 

Crystal clear water, beautiful view points, turtles 🐢 and beaches. 

I really want to come back! 

What’s not to like about this?😎

 

BUT….. I will not do a bus tour. (It’s my hate object nr 1🤣🤣🤣) 

What don’t I do for the Queen? 😅🤔🤭🥰🫡

 

There’s plenty to see and discover, but very limited time in port. So it’s impossible to see everything. 

I was very sad that we didn’t drive by shipwreck beach, so we would overlook it and have a fabulous picture from above 

😣

 

This tour is perfect if you are:

-older

-not a good walker 

-love sightseeing on bus

-want to try meze

-want to see as much as possible in a short time

-want some smashing photos on 3 stops 

-want no big activity, just meet and relax

 

If you want to see or crossed something on the list:

-shipwreck beach

-turtles 

-swim in crystal clear water 

-travel by kids/family 

-hate bigger crowds 

-don’t like bus sightseeing

-boat tour

This is not your tour! 

 

The Queen was super happy👌🏻🤩❤️

Very satisfied! 

[txtechmk]

Love all the photos.  Thanks for sharing.  Sounds like you are having a great trip!

[Norwaylady]

Tonight’s show is NYC3. (Same group as yesterday’s pop-up) 

I will go in by clear eyes and zen in order👌🏻🙃

 

So show was better then the pop-up show😅Good

Not bad, but not best💙

 

 

[bunnyette]

5 hours ago, Norwaylady said:

Today’s tour

So, Zakynthos is a beautiful 🤩 island. 

Crystal clear water, beautiful view points, turtles 🐢 and beaches. 

I really want to come back! 

What’s not to like about this?😎

 

BUT….. I will not do a bus tour. (It’s my hate object nr 1🤣🤣🤣) 

What don’t I do for the Queen? 😅🤔🤭🥰🫡

 

There’s plenty to see and discover, but very limited time in port. So it’s impossible to see everything. 

I was very sad that we didn’t drive by shipwreck beach, so we would overlook it and have a fabulous picture from above 

😣

 

This tour is perfect if you are:

-older

-not a good walker 

-love sightseeing on bus

-want to try meze

-want to see as much as possible in a short time

-want some smashing photos on 3 stops 

-want no big activity, just meet and relax

 

If you want to see or crossed something on the list:

-shipwreck beach

-turtles 

-swim in crystal clear water 

-travel by kids/family 

-hate bigger crowds 

-don’t like bus sightseeing

-boat tour

This is not your tour! 

 

The Queen was super happy👌🏻🤩❤️

Very satisfied! 

The things we do to keep our Mums happy 😜😬