LIVE Norwaylady & The Queen is coming to Infinity 6-16.5.24

[Norwaylady]

35 minutes ago, MikeMary4449 said:

Thank you so much for posting your pictures of Istanbul.  We visited there in 1983 on our very first cruise.  The pictures have brought back some wonderful memories of all those years ago!  Maybe it's time for us to revisit this amazing city!

you should go back🇹🇷 

Istanbul has changed a lot since my first visit here🇹🇷 

My first time to Istanbul was in 2012. 

[mchell810]

I was in Istanbul last year.  Thanks for bringing back great memories.

[JeanieC,Aston]

Hi,lucky you sailing through the Dardanelles Straits in daylight so you could see the Anzac memorial on Gallipoli.most cruise ships pass in the evening to get into Istanbul for 07:00…you must have been sailing at walking pace.

Some cruise lines have a minutes silence passing Gallipoli.

On one cruise an Australia passenger asked the CD to read out on the PA system a peom written by her relative who lost his life at the Gallipoli Landings.

You couldnt hear a pin drop from those lining the decks.

 

There is an annual pilgrimage from Australia/New Zealand to this area for Anzac Day on 25th April.

 

ps,,did the Queen actually drink the Turkish coffee?

Edited May 9 by JeanieC,Aston

[abbydancer2003]

5 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

We thought it was just us but on Solstice the Ice Cream really wasn't good at all.    Tasted like ultra cheap ice milk.   The taste on the Vanilla Ice Cream also was just off.

Wasn't just you on the Solstice.  I think I mostly had sorbet, which was fine, but Glen had vanilla ice cream a few times and thought it wasn't good at all.

[mauimary]

We have only been to Kusadasi but never to Istanbul. Really would love to visit for a few days.  I love all your photos. It’s so fun to follow the travels of you and the Queen. 

[CardowMD]

You photos are getting me excited about my trip in November. We’re only passengers allowed on that pier? I know Galataport is a large shopping complex and trying to get a better idea about access. Glad you and your mom are having a good time. 
Look forward to photos of your bargain purchases at the Bazaar and shops!

[DaKahuna]

3 hours ago, abbydancer2003 said:

Wasn't just you on the Solstice.  I think I mostly had sorbet, which was fine, but Glen had vanilla ice cream a few times and thought it wasn't good at all.

I had two scoops of ice cream in the OVC and they tasted fine to me.

At lunch the other day I had the white chocolate macadamia nut cake with pistachio gelato and it tasted just fine.

 

last night in Tuscan we shared the lemon sherbet and it did have ice in it but I think that is normal for sherbet - in any case it was very tasty! 
 

So if there have been supplier changes, they have not reached Millennium yet that I can tell.

 

 

[dock]

Enjoying your review. Making me excited for our upcoming trip to Istanbul. Albeit not on X. Will be trying O this time. 

[Norwaylady]

8 hours ago, JeanieC,Aston said:

Hi,lucky you sailing through the Dardanelles Straits in daylight so you could see the Anzac memorial on Gallipoli.most cruise ships pass in the evening to get into Istanbul for 07:00…you must have been sailing at walking pace.

Some cruise lines have a minutes silence passing Gallipoli.

On one cruise an Australia passenger asked the CD to read out on the PA system a peom written by her relative who lost his life at the Gallipoli Landings.

You couldnt hear a pin drop from those lining the decks.

 

There is an annual pilgrimage from Australia/New Zealand to this area for Anzac Day on 25th April.

 

ps,,did the Queen actually drink the Turkish coffee?

The Queen drinks Turkish and Greek coffee ☕️ 

it’s not for everyone😅

She likes it 😋

 

We had a sea day, so we sailed in 7-10knots speed all the way from Thessaloniki. 
So perfect for pictures and recording Timelapse🙂

[Norwaylady]

3 hours ago, CardowMD said:

You photos are getting me excited about my trip in November. We’re only passengers allowed on that pier? I know Galataport is a large shopping complex and trying to get a better idea about access. Glad you and your mom are having a good time. 
Look forward to photos of your bargain purchases at the Bazaar and shops!

the shopping complex and restaurants are open to everyone. 
it’s a small entry area where you need to go to enter the cruise area. It’s marked. 
 

Galataport has shopping, restaurants and ocean access. 
The Istanbul Modern Museum is located on the area. 

[Norwaylady]

Tonight’s show was some comedy person…

Well, we didn’t make it😅😂

 

We needed to shower and just chill a few minutes before dinner. 

 

Tonight’s menu: 

The crew from last year is “waking” up😅 

I see several of you🤩 but you don’t see me😜 until tonight. 

A warm welcome to see you again🥰 

I’m very happy to see familiar faces😘

 

Back to dinner😋

view from our table 

 

Tonight is the starter meal for me😅

 

We had carpaccio and salad. 

 

Then I had onion soup and the Queen had chicken. 

 

 

 

All plates were very good and the presentation was good. 

 

For dessert the Queen wanted crème brûlée and I didn’t want anything. 

 

Our main waiter was surprised, so he arrived by 2 crème brûlée🥰 Extremely kind of him❤️ but I don’t like it🫣 

So he returned carrying ice cream to me😜

It was chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. 

The chocolate was pale as first night. 

But, it’s a big difference on the vanilla. 

It had small dots of vanilla! And it tasted real deal vanilla🥰 

The strawberry ice cream tasted as on EQ. 

It tasted real ice cream🥰

So I don’t know what’s going on in the kitchen…. But they obvious can make some ice cream correct🤗

 

After dinner we went to bed. 🛌 

 

For all my European and Australian friends, you know it’s Eurovision song contest this week in Malmö, Sweden 🇸🇪

 

It the biggest event of the year for many people and specially for many in the 🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ community. 

 

So I’m a bit surprised it hasn’t happened a thing onboard around Eurovision. (It’s lots of Europeans onboard🤔 we all know the craziness around Eurovision 🥳🤪🤩🥳) 

 

Norway 🇳🇴 qualified last night to the final! 

[Norwaylady]

Cruise Compass Day 5 Istanbul 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

captain’s club flowers had arrived 

[Norwaylady]

Good morning from 🇹🇷 Istanbul 🇹🇷

The weather is gray and same as yesterday😝 a bit more wind. 

I was asking for a little bit more sunshine🫣🤩😂 But my prayers wasn’t answered yet😅

 

The Queen was really into sweet dreams this morning😝

Hello? Wake up please 🙏🏻 

 

it’s window washing day today🤪

 

The Queen has moved out of bed… she’s getting ready for breakfast💙

it arrived quickly when she was “connected” to the world: 

I think I will stay onboard today, I hear the heated pool calling me 🤗😜

My feet are killing me from yesterday🫣 

 

So let’s get down to business…. (🎶🎶) for breakfast and I will go for a walk! 
 

Let’s see what route I pick for you📷

[Norwaylady]

The Queen safely parked and everything is fine! 

Time to “hit the road” 

 

I had a little de-tour via the concierge desk. 

I needed to print a paper. It wasn’t possible to sign it digitally😩🤪 (usually never an issue) 

But this had to be printed-signed and pictured it back🫡

The concierge Nino was very helpful to accommodate me👍🏻🫶🏻

But she was thinking 🤔 (where is the adult) I could see it on her😝😂

 

After finishing the paperwork, foto and returning it back via email…. It was time to go! 

 

Today’s route was the grand circle of tourist attractions😂 I was on the street a little before 11.00.

 

I started out from Galataport turning left. 

Today I was walking the bridge…. You get a very good view for pictures📷 (my  apologies for the cloudy weather😩 I promise you, on blue days you will understand) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I continued to the Egyptian market/spice market and continued in direction of Grand Bazar. It’s the local market in between those two markets (You have a million stores and its fixed price. Very cheap and the locals shop here) 

 

After reaching the Grand Bazar I was not keen on a new visit🤣🤣

So I went in direction of the other sites to see in the neighbourhood📷

 

 

I walked over to Blue Mosque 🕌 (not visiting) but it’s nice to walk around the neighbourhood. It’s park areas and options for a relaxing stop on a bench. You walk by the obelisk and have plenty of options for pictures and details out on your walk. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 15.00 I returned on foot to the ship⚓️💙

[Spikedr]

I sent you a message on Instagram 🙂

[depplep]

The pictures are beautiful. I have noticed people in puffer jackets. Is it that cool over there?

[Norwaylady]

1 hour ago, depplep said:

The pictures are beautiful. I have noticed people in puffer jackets. Is it that cool over there?

It’s not warm…. 

 

wind jacket, long sleeve shirt and long pants… 

it’s no sun and windy 🌬️ 

[Norwaylady]

After a little coffee stop in Al Bacio together by the Queen I was ready for a jacuzzi session. 

YES, you are seeing correct ☑️ it’s a lemon 🍋 tart 

 

The Queen had a great day, she had used the heated indoor pool and jacuzzi. 

So she was defrosted from the cold 🥶 Istanbul weather 🤣🤣

 

I went for an outdoor jacuzzi. It’s really not cold for a Viking😝 

So I had the pool deck all private to me😅😎

 

After a good soak into the jacuzzi, it was time to go downstairs and get ready for the evening🙃

The Queen was talking to the king 👑 when I arrived back. 

He was on his way to the grocery store😝 

No one did refill the fridge and make him dinner🤣🤣

 

Tonight’s show is Star Factory, Production Show. 

[dock]

@Norwaylady, Galataport to Taksim. Walk up or take the tram? 
We’re in good shape but will be midsummer when we’re there. 
Thank you. 
 

[Jim_Iain]

23 hours ago, Norwaylady said:

Istanbul is a fantastic city 🇹🇷🇹🇷🇹🇷

You need 3-days at least to do it all in a comfortable timeframe. 
 

You can rush through everything, but I strongly recommend at least 3-days so you can have dinners out and soak into Istanbuls potpourri of Arabic, Europe and Asia. 

 

Thanks --- will keep into consideration.   I haven't booked the air yet.   We are taking Cunard from NY to Southampton and then will be visiting Iain's family in Scotland pre-cruise so will have to figure out how much time we have

[Jim_Iain]

14 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

I had two scoops of ice cream in the OVC and they tasted fine to me.

At lunch the other day I had the white chocolate macadamia nut cake with pistachio gelato and it tasted just fine.

 

last night in Tuscan we shared the lemon sherbet and it did have ice in it but I think that is normal for sherbet - in any case it was very tasty! 
 

So if there have been supplier changes, they have not reached Millennium yet that I can tell.

 

 

 

I found the Ice Cream in OVC ok and of course in the Gelato area.     I think it was confined to Vanilla in Luminae.   The waiter said they had a new recipe.     If a desert had a gelato with it I would order the Gelato instead.  The gelato were all good.

[Norwaylady]

1 hour ago, dock said:

@Norwaylady, Galataport to Taksim. Walk up or take the tram? 
We’re in good shape but will be midsummer when we’re there. 
Thank you. 
 

If it’s hot… 

take the tram 2 stops(end stop)  and the funicular up. Follow signs F1. 
It takes 15.minutes up from Galataport this way. 
And walk downhill🙃 

 

You will understand when you are getting close to the tower😉

[Norwaylady]

Star Factory production show is a great show. 

Aerial performance and singer/dancers can really show off. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CD Ernest said something about tomorrow’s sea day… 

There are plenty of things to do😝

Our “friend” Dominic Allan has arrived onboard as a podium speaker…. 

Yep, it seems like me and him almost cruise identically😅😝 

 

The house band are playing in the grand foyer, martini bar is alive and the acoustic guitar player is in Cellar Master. 

Everyone has something they like onboard 💙⚓️💙

[StopTheWorld]

No Eurovision 😱 Nil points to Celebrity! 😝 Waiting patiently to see if ABBA will feature in the final as it’s the 50th anniversary of Waterloo 😍

[Norwaylady]

10 hours ago, StopTheWorld said:

No Eurovision 😱 Nil points to Celebrity! 😝 Waiting patiently to see if ABBA will feature in the final as it’s the 50th anniversary of Waterloo 😍

 

This is the only place in the newspaper that Eurovision is mentioned😳

 

We have lots of European guests onboard and Australians guests. 
Really strange, they could definitely have made a ABBA & Eurovision party tonight. 
 

And as you say, it’s 50 years anniversary for ABBA…. Waterloo. 
We are also very excited and hoping for an appearance of them live. 
The timing of 🇸🇪 Sweden and Malmø as location couldn’t be more perfect than this! 
 

Time will tell if they decide to speed up the Eurovision final party 🎉 (CD Ernest is from USA 🇺🇸 so I don’t know how much he is interested in Eurovision (yet) since he lives in 🇩🇪) 

But as a LGBT 🏳️‍🌈 friendly cruise line, I know from my LGBT friends that Eurovision is as Christmas+New Year and birthday celebration for them🥳🥳

Its THE party week of the year🥳🥳🥳