LIVE Norwaylady sails on Edge World Cruise from Rome to Singapore 30.10 to 25.11.23 , 26.night

[Jim_Iain]

2 minutes ago, Norwaylady said:

🙌🏻 yes! 
 

Happy to hear.   A big shout out to the Retreat Team (but will probably p*** off those not in suites)

[hcat]

5 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Happy to hear.   A big shout out to the Retreat Team (but will probably p*** off those not in suites)

i think the "yes"  was about ear plugs  for snoring partners..I will try that too but first in the theater!

[BytownMatt]

And yes the Zenith/Retreat types were given the "priority access" process and spared the indignity of waiting with the rest of us.😐 (I'm mostly jealous, not bitter.)

[Norwaylady]

Today’s plan is just enjoying Pireus.

We started the day by breakfast in OceanViev… (you know that 🦴 bone😂) 

Mr wanted omelette. (Captains club breakfast don’t serve eggs) 

 

After breakfast we went downstairs to pickup our passports to immigration authorities on return and get ready for a walk in Pireus. 

We walked off around 09.45. 

 

We walked in the direction of the city centre/shopping/pedestrian area. 

Pireus has a suggestion for a 4km walk in the city centre. 

 

 

You are passing a small road church. (There are the bigger Basilicas also🤓) 

 

 

The sky looked ☁️☁️☁️ and possibly danger of 💦💦💦☔️

 

Just before we arrived the food market it 🌩️🌩️🌩️ and you now what happens next🙈☔️☔️☔️

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We considered a fika at IKEA Pireus😂 but decided that we would continue our walk….

 

Just make a small donation of 4€ each to the local store for a umbrella 🌂 

 

We continued our adventure walking zig, zag in the city centre. We walked by the flower mark at Pireus Town hall. 

It stated to clear up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And continued in direction of the ❤️Pireus sign. 

 

After reaching the sign, we walked by the marina. 

The sun was out again😎

 

Local fishermen was preparing for next adventure and others was just taking a 💤  (do you see the security gard?) 

 

 

Mr was running for the supermarket sign in Bay of Zea… You know it’s always 5’o clock somewhere🤪🍻 

Greek beer 🍺 

 

After the refreshing beer, Mr was ready for further investigation of luxurious yacht…

(Did he get me a cold refreshment???? 🙈) 

 

We walked to Kanari port area, you will find all the $$$ her and maybe Captain Sandy? (Below deck⚓️)

 

 

From Kanari Port we headed in direction back to the city area. I wanted to visit the Basilicas and have a little Greek lunch🇬🇷

(You can’t be in Greece 🇬🇷 and don’t eat gyros) 

 

All of the churches are rich decorated. Really worth a view and visit. 

We went to Church of Agios Nicolaos first. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then we continued onward, Gyros time😋 and more 🍺…..

 

After our little gyros break, it was time to visit the 2 other churches ⛪️ I had on my list before heading back to Edge. 

 

We walked to Saint Spyrdion Church 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then you just cross the park to Metropolitan church of Agia Triada. 

 

 

 

 

 

After church visiting, it was time to walk back to the ship.

We have Vancouver as worst case scenario…….

 

We arrived in port at 14.45 and all-onboard today was 15.30. 

 

We were pointed to a tent next to the “terminal” house. 

We need to receive a number and wait until called. 

 

We received number 14 and was asked to wait until called. The tent was cooled by ac. But no water, cold towels or service. 

 

Retreat and Zenith had fast track and could walk straight into security and immigration. 

I will not say it’s wrong or rightfully🙄🤔🤓😅

But when we had a similar situation on Milli, they said all are in the same boat… 

For many in-line, this was a major issue🤨

 

They arrived shortly after we arrived and called group 11…. 

After 30. minutes wait they called group 14. 

We then moved from the tent to the port building. New line, standing zigzag in the building queuing for security check and passport control. All very crowded and full flashback to Vancouver🤪🤪🤪

They did not divide the passengers into Schengen passports/ non Schengen. 

 

So this meant that all our fellow passengers from non-Schengen need to be stamped out. So they need to scan their passports AND find the entry stamp to stamp out next to the arrival stamp. 

This takes time…. And it was 3 immigration officers sitting on inspection🤪🤪

We have Norwegian passports. 

When we finally walked upfront to immigration, he saw our Norwegian passports and just waived us onboard/thru…. 

So for us holding Schengen passports, it could potentially have worked better if they split into Schengen/non Schengen line. Same as at the airport. 

 

Totally it took us 1h 15.mins from we arrived back to the port until we pinged onboard again….

 

Then it was time for a little break in Al Bacio🍸🍹☕️

 

Today’s canapés 

[Norwaylady]

20 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Happy to hear.   A big shout out to the Retreat Team (but will probably p*** off those not in suites)

 YES, the retreat and Zenith had fast track service. 
So we waited in line🙃 having a small flashback to Vancouver last year🤣🤣. 

[hcat]

Great tour you took us on.. we only saw Pireus by bus on way to the main tourist attractions.. 

 

Wished we had more time for the sea port and modern commercial center.. We felt a very  energetic vibe..and respect for history and  democracy!

 

Sorry for long wait to re board..we did not have that experience!

[Norwaylady]

After a little stretch on the bed posting today’s adventure (and charge my phone) 

It was time to convert to evening attire. 

 

Tonight’s show is Salvatore Hasard🎶

 

Dinner is reserved in Tuscan. (We take the grand tour d’resturant MDR) 

 

Salvatore Hasard was fun and really a winner🙌🏻🎶 He is a multi instrumentalist and singer. My cup of tea🤩

 

 

 

 

 

He really fired up the theatre🎶❤️ 

He nailed it in the final number of the show! 

My tears of happiness was flowing🥹

Even Mr (who is harder to impress) was Wowed🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[theopup]

Thanks for taking the time to post all the pictures in port today. The church pictures are especially beautiful.

 

Enjoy the rest of your evening.

[Norwaylady]

After the show it was YES/NO game show in the club. 

It’s one of ours favourite game shows onboard X, Dominic and Giuseppe are dream team for this🤣🤣🤣

 

At 20.45 it was time for dinner in Tuscan. 

We had a nice table by the window. 

Our team: 

 

They delivered excellent service and the sommelier was excellent. Top 1 of our tour’d MDR🥇

 

Tonight’s menu: 

 

 

Mr had the scrimp soup, garden salad and schnitzel. 

 

 

 

I went for Trevisio and carbonara. 

 

 

For dessert they had our Achilles….

Lava cake❤️

 

I must say, in a very long time, this tasted very good and was not sizzling, but Luke warm (the last eaten editions where ice cold🙄) So very happy🙌🏻

 

After dinner. We headed for bed🤣🤣🤣💤💤💤💤 ( you see? We are not the party crowd🤣) 

[Mrs.Dukes]

Thank you for sharing your cruise with us. Really enjoying all your photos. Hope the rest of your trip is wonderful!

[Jim_Iain]

Looks like you had a wonderful day.  I love the commercial district.   It is so full of action and so many markets.

 

[catgirl411]

4 hours ago, Norwaylady said:

After a little stretch on the bed posting today’s adventure (and charge my phone) 

It was time to convert to evening attire. 

 

Tonight’s show is Salvatore Hasard🎶

 

Dinner is reserved in Tuscan. (We take the grand tour d’resturant MDR) 

 

Salvatore Hasard was fun and really a winner🙌🏻🎶 He is a multi instrumentalist and singer. My cup of tea🤩

 

 

 

 

 

He really fired up the theatre🎶❤️ 

He nailed it in the final number of the show! 

My tears of happiness was flowing🥹

Even Mr (who is harder to impress) was Wowed🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

Just got off Reflection Transatlantic and he was one of our headliners…awesome.  

[Jim_Iain]

8 hours ago, BytownMatt said:

And yes the Zenith/Retreat types were given the "priority access" process and spared the indignity of waiting with the rest of us.😐 (I'm mostly jealous, not bitter.)

It was just announced today that Celebrity has introduced a new Program called XPass - 

 

Includes many of the perks like priority boarding, Embarkation Lunch, Priority Tendering, Reserved Seats on Chic nights.    You too can now getting a Disney type Express Pass for just $32.99 pp / pd

 

Seems expensive to me but many may enjoy the privilege.

Edited November 3, 2023 by Jim_Iain

[DaKahuna]

Continuing to thoroughly enjoy your review, especially those beautiful pictures of your various ports of call.  Thank you again for doing this. 
 

[Ken the cruiser]

2 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

It was just announced today that Celebrity has introduced a new Program called XPass - 

 

Includes many of the perks like priority boarding, Embarkation Lunch, Priority Tendering, Reserved Seats on Chic nights.    You too can now getting a Disney type Express Pass for just $32.99 pp / pd

 

Seems expensive to me but many may enjoy the privilege.

I love it! 

[Norwaylady]

Cruise Compass Day 5 Suez day 1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mauimary]

5 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

It was just announced today that Celebrity has introduced a new Program called XPass - 

 

Includes many of the perks like priority boarding, Embarkation Lunch, Priority Tendering, Reserved Seats on Chic nights.    You too can now getting a Disney type Express Pass for just $32.99 pp / pd

 

Seems expensive to me but many may enjoy the privilege.

Interesting.  It’s one thing to be in a suite or Zenith but when they start offering these passes for 32.99 a day which is expensive  for priorities this is pushing it too far.  Pushes the steerage class even lower!!  

Maybe the idea is to book steerage and for what one would save you  could buy yourself some priorities!!!! 

[Norwaylady]

2 minutes ago, mauimary said:

Interesting.  It’s one thing to be in a suite or Zenith but when they start offering these passes for 32.99 a day which is expensive  for priorities this is pushing it too far.  Pushes the steerage class even lower!!  

Maybe the idea is to book steerage and for what one would save you  could buy yourself some priorities!!!! 

Personally I find it a bit tacky. They are going Ryanair….. 
- They are watering out a product of concierge and aqua class in my eyes.

 

-Stop the process of making it RCL. 

If we want to sail on RCL, I will book a cruise on RCL. The ship size for the Key fits better and there is a value. 
But on X, it’s just No-go in my eyes…..

 

I’m not snobby or fine on things. I can sail on steerage class (we always do) 
We have never sailed in a suite. (If you count js suite on Royal, we have tested 2x on Voyager in mai 2022. It was a larger room and a tub. Other than that, no bells or other whistles. We had no priority on boarding chaos, no private restaurant, eating in MDR as a regular and no extraordinary thing….. So what we got was 2x points and a tub for Mr to enjoy by his ducks 🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆 really not impressed) 
We always do some sort of balcony. So it’s a price decision. 
 

But for X to sink down to Ryanair level….. that’s just not what I want. 
 

 

[Norwaylady]

Today started slow. I was awake 05.59🤪

But was not ready for getting up and out. 

So I read the newspaper and took it slow before I went out for my walking 🚶‍♂️ 

 

The sun is shining and it’s perfect temperature for a walk. 

It was several walkers outside. 

 

After my hour of power walk it was time to wake up Mr🥰 Rise & Shine😊

 

Mr wanted breakfast eggs 🥚 (you know what that means… a big box of 🦴 for him again) 

We went upstairs to OceanView. It was full and busy….🤪🤪 my hate thing nr 1🙈 

 

Mr made his omelette and found today’s selection of herring. 

 

I got my bowl of Greek yoghurt and topped it by apricot and my cereal….

 

One positive thing, is that we can eat outside on a real balcony❤️🙌🏻

It was very busy, so no beverage service arrived on the outdoor patio. 

 

Mr wanted to listen to the Suez talk. 

So we decided that a coffee pick-up in Al Bacio downstairs was a good idea. 

We arrived just before the coffee rush and Mr went into the theatre to get seated. 

It was a fully packed theatre. People were standing and they put in extra chairs to try to facilitate to everyone. 

 

Giuseppe was hostess for the Suez talk. 

He talked about the history and the construction of the canal. 

He is a perfect mixture of serious and funny😂😂

 

 

 

CD Guiseppe will talk us thru the transit from early morning on channel 1 TV and in public spaces. 

 

Captain Matt arrived after Giuseppe had talked us thru the history and his jokes😂😂

 

Captain told us about the process and how things are working during the sailing of the canal. 

So tonight we will be in Port Said around 22.00-30 to prep for our transit. 

The “show” of our transit/view will be prime from sunrise tomorrow morning. 

 

I’m looking forward🤩🥰 Mabye Guiseppe will hold a camel Bingo😅🐫🐫🐫🐫. 

[cruise wizard]

11 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

It was just announced today that Celebrity has introduced a new Program called XPass - 

 

Includes many of the perks like priority boarding, Embarkation Lunch, Priority Tendering, Reserved Seats on Chic nights.    You too can now getting a Disney type Express Pass for just $32.99 pp / pd

 

Seems expensive to me but many may enjoy the privilege.

 

Sounds like "The Key" program that Royal Caribbean has had for several years.

[upwarduk]

24 minutes ago, cruise wizard said:

 

Sounds like "The Key" program that Royal Caribbean has had for several years.

But, was the cost per day or a one off cost.

No way would I pay that per day, especially as Elite we used to get priority tendering ( which they stopped after COVID).

[hcat]

1 hour ago, cruise wizard said:

 

Sounds like "The Key" program that Royal Caribbean has had for several years.

Soon everyone will have priority everything! 

 

Hope  Suez canal sailing goes smoothly!

[Lena11033]

25 minutes ago, hcat said:

Soon everyone will have priority everything! 

 

 

It's like I say at work, if everything is urgent then nothing is. Same with priority

[cruise wizard]

1 hour ago, upwarduk said:

But, was the cost per day or a one off cost.

No way would I pay that per day, especially as Elite we used to get priority tendering ( which they stopped after COVID).

 

The cost is per day and all within a cabin must purchase the program. Prices do vary.

 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/how-can-i-purchase-the-key

[countess5]

Enjoying the post and comments about Mr. The man knows what he wants. 

This paying for priority is just another nickel and dime approach as airlines have done. 

Found out the Nickel and dime issue yesterday when upgrading to our IPhone 15s. They provide the charging cord with the phone but you have to buy the block to plug in the wall. All the old cables don’t work now so now you have to buy new cables for additional charging locations or car. 😩

 

@upwarduk we had priority tendering in Cayman last winter on X as Elite Plus. You mention they stopped this after COVID….🤔

 

Sail On!

 

Cheers!