****Live from the Grand Princess****

[jwfw]

I am really enjoying reading your daily logs. We are on the Sept 13 Grand Princess cruise, and as you can imagine getting very excited with the upcoming cruise.

 

One question that I have that I have not definitively seen answered is, does the Grand Princess have a "Fit all the laundry you can in a bag" for a set price special. Hoping that they do as we it would be a shame to have to spend time in a laundry. Also, this may determine the clothes that get brought.

[mississauga]

Tony, Once again I am enjoying your travels on your Mediterrean cruise. I cruised vicariously with you on your cruise on the Pacific Princess and now again on the Grand. Thank you so much for taking us along with you.

[T&J]

Hey Tony, any luck with info on Antonio Banza? Thanks

 

I asked around yesterday and someone said he was still onboard and another said he left two cruises ago. I am hoping to see Francesco the Maitre'D at dinner tonight to ask him if he is still onboard. Will report back later today on that for you hopefully.

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool:

[T&J]

Hooray... I actually got hold of the Princess "photo specialist". Found out all the info I need and then some. So, Tony... you don't have take time out from having fun, winning at the office, eating all that good food, getting a tan, and taking that well deserved nap, etc.

 

Can't wait to hear more from the Grand Princess...

 

Sandy

 

Ok if you want me too ask one of teh photg's a question just let me know.

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool:

[T&J]

Tony, Once again I am enjoying your travels on your Mediterrean cruise. I cruised vicariously with you on your cruise on the Pacific Princess and now again on the Grand. Thank you so much for taking us along with you.

 

No problem...maybe I should charge an admission fee and that way it can subsidize my "Veuve" bill?:p

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool:

[T&J]

I am really enjoying reading your daily logs. We are on the Sept 13 Grand Princess cruise, and as you can imagine getting very excited with the upcoming cruise.

 

One question that I have that I have not definitively seen answered is, does the Grand Princess have a "Fit all the laundry you can in a bag" for a set price special. Hoping that they do as we it would be a shame to have to spend time in a laundry. Also, this may determine the clothes that get brought.

 

Frank...I haven't seen it published yet in the Patter. But on every ship I've been on they always have it at least one day on were you can stuff a bag for $15.00 I believe...I'll let you know as soon as I see it published.

 

I am sure they will have it on your cruise in Sept.

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool:

[T&J]

Hi Tony...from a very hot SE Georgia...heat index at around 105-110...but it is the "dogs days of summer". I am so enjoying your post...you certainly have a way with words....some day....I hope to do a Med cruise....keep up the fun post....

 

One thing I love about the Med....virtually no HUMIDITY! It's hot but a dry heat.

 

Keep reading...:D

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool:

[mississauga]

No problem...maybe I should charge an admission fee and that way it can subsidize my "Veuve" bill?:p

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool:

 

 

You'd make lots of money as there are a lot of us "cruising" along with you. Nearly 5,000 people have read your thread so far.

BTW: What is " Veuve"? I know a little French but don't recognize veuve. Is it your "office" bill?

[T&J]

You'd make lots of money as there are a lot of us "cruising" along with you. Nearly 5,000 people have read your thread so far.

 

....hmmmm maybe I am onto something here?:rolleyes:

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool:

[Colo Cruiser]

I asked around yesterday and someone said he was still onboard and another said he left two cruises ago. I am hoping to see Francesco the Maitre'D at dinner tonight to ask him if he is still onboard. Will report back later today on that for you hopefully.

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool:

 

 

Thanks very much. :)

[T&J]

Good morning from Istanbul, Turkey.

 

We are just about to pull up into istanbul, turkey. I can currently see the Mosques with there minerette towers and the beautifulll sunny skyline. Today's forecast high is 90F and sunny. We have been blessed with some amazing weather on this trip and it looks to continue this way here in Istanbul.

 

Today we are getting off the ship around 8:30am and will be heading to the Grand Bazar, the Blue Mosque etc. I will post more in detail once we return from ashore later today. There is a shuttle bus service running to downtown provided by Princess that runs every 30 minutes approx.

 

We are scheduled to dock at 8:00am local time however we are getting closer to our pier and I am sure they will clear the ship in time if not earlier. We set sail for Kusadasi, Turkey at 6:00pm tonight.

 

More to follow from Istanbul, Turkey and the Grand Princess later today.

 

Tony and Javier

:cool: :eek: :cool:

[shellbeachjim]

BTW: What is " Veuve"? I know a little French but don't recognize veuve. Is it your "office" bill?

I'm sure Tony won't mind if I answer for him, but "Veuve" is Veuve Cliquot, a very nice French champagne. Not Californian, but nice anyway. ;)

 

Jim

[Cruising Crew]

Good morning Tony from not so sunny Manchester. We are counting the days down until we join up with you guys in Venice. One question for you - we are travelling with our young daughter who is happy to play on a beach - is there a good beach close to where the ship docks in Mykanos?

 

Keep the sun shining for us!

 

Shirley, Steve and Jessica

[Cruising Crew]

Good morning Tony from not so sunny Manchester. We are counting the days down until we join up with you guys in Venice. One question for you - we are travelling with our young daughter who is happy to play on a beach - is there a good beach close to where the ship docks in Mykanos?

 

Keep the sun shining for us!

 

Shirley, Steve and Jessica

[T&J]

I'm sure Tony won't mind if I answer for him, but "Veuve" is Veuve Cliquot, a very nice French champagne. Not Californian, but nice anyway. ;)

 

Jim

 

Very nice and that's why it's Champagne :rolleyes: and NOT Sprakling wine from California other than Moet & Chandon White Star which I do not like.

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool:

[T&J]

Good morning Tony from not so sunny Manchester. We are counting the days down until we join up with you guys in Venice. One question for you - we are travelling with our young daughter who is happy to play on a beach - is there a good beach close to where the ship docks in Mykanos?

 

Keep the sun shining for us!

 

Shirley, Steve and Jessica

 

Yes there is actually right about 2000 feet from the pier in Mykonos where the ship docks there is a very nice public beach free of charge. Also, if you are adventurous like us you can rent a car from Pier1 rentals just before town and drive to the other side of the island as there are many beaches there as well.

 

Tony and Javier

:cool: :eek: :cool:

[T&J]

We did leave ontime just after brerakfast and they cleared the ship. We got off on deck 4 Gala onto the gangway and decided that we wanted to walk to town. It took us about 30 minutes to walk to the Grand Bazzar from the ship. Princess was charging a rip off price of $10.00 US per person for the shuttle service which was running every half an hour. Also as you exit the gates you can also either tax a taxi and negotiate a price of approx. $8.00 US into the city or take the Metro accross the street for 1 TYL approx. 60 cents US per person into the city...very handing and quick and efficient. The ship docks at Sall Pazari Terminal.

 

We opted to walk to burn off our big breakfast as usuall. However those that know me on here know that I am a big walker so no distance is too big or long for me usually. If walking make your way over the Galata Bridge and follow the pier along Kennedy Caddesi until you must cross the street on an overpass pedestrian bridge and you are now on Ankara street and follow this completely up the hill until you reach the Grand Bazzar.

 

The Grand Bazzar thruthfully is huge however a lot of the same being sold throughout the entire area... a lot of repetition of the same goods. Also in this heat a lot of people become impatient and I am talking pax's not merchants!

 

We then went to the Train Station to look for Linens. You will not finmd linens in the Grand Bazzar. Some good quality and variety and you must bargain and hard otherwise they will try and take advantage of you. What ever the price is start at 15% and work your way up and no more than 2%-30% of there original asking price.

 

We then went and walked to the Blue Mosque. Be prepared that you can not wear shorts or have any shoulders exposed.. all must be covered. You also must remove your footwear in a mosque as well. They will provide you with shawls and wraps to covre yourself as well upon entering. Beautifully done inside....

 

Afterwards we ventured towards the Topkapi Palace which is closed on Tuesdays. We were not able to enter but toured the grounds independently.

 

On the way back to the ship we walked passed the Galata Tower the tallest minerette in Istanbul that can be seen from far away.

 

We found the people to be very helpfull if we looked lost at all they would come up to us and ask us what we were looking for and in very good english.

 

The most funny and ridiculous thing we saw today was these 4 American tourists from the ship decked out in Canada wear t-shirts and hats and flags and talking with a heavy Jersey accent telling people they were from Canada!:confused: WOW...!

 

We set sail at 6:00pm tonight for Kusadasi, Turkey and arrive tomorrow at twelve noon and depart at 7:00pm. Javier and Sharon want to do the Grand Bazzar in Kusadasi and on the next cruise next week want to go to Ephaseus since we will be in Kusadasi from 7:00am until 6:00pm with more time.

 

Now I am getting ready to go to the gym.

 

More to follow from the Grand Princess.

 

Tony and Javier

:cool: :eek: :cool:

[spongerob]

Tony...can you get any idea what work is planned for Grand Princess when she goes into drydock later this year?

[Ruthith]

Hi Tony,

 

I love Istanbul...sounds like you had a great day there. And mangaged to get out of the bazaar without a rug!

 

When you are in Kusadasi, if it's easy, could you ask someone where the "traditional" Turkish bath is? The one that has separate hours for men/women? And if they know what the schedule is? I can't seem to get any real info on it. Doubt we'll have time for it, but just in case.

 

Enjoy...

Ruth

[T&J]

Tony...can you get any idea what work is planned for Grand Princess when she goes into drydock later this year?

 

Spongerob...I will try and see if I can speak to the Staff Captain when I go to the most travelled luncheon on August 18th about what they have planned for this ship in drydock. I am guessing IMHO a lot of work for this drydock as the ship is starting to look her age in pax areas and cabins. I think it will be more than the usual replacement of carpets. But I will try and find out ASAP and get back to you on here!

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool:

[T&J]

Hi Tony,

 

I love Istanbul...sounds like you had a great day there. And mangaged to get out of the bazaar without a rug!

 

When you are in Kusadasi, if it's easy, could you ask someone where the "traditional" Turkish bath is? The one that has separate hours for men/women? And if they know what the schedule is? I can't seem to get any real info on it. Doubt we'll have time for it, but just in case.

 

Enjoy...

Ruth

 

Ruth funny you should ask that question because today in Istanbul they had one right beside the Grand Bazzar. Also in Kusadasi I remember exactly where they are in the Grand Bazzar not far from the main trail so to say on a side street and the price two years ago in Aug of 2004 was $25.00 US per person and very good from what I remember of comments that people went that day from the ship.

 

You will have time if you get out to Ephaseus very early once they clear the ship and return in early afternoon. Are you still planning an Ephaseus tour?

 

Tony and Javier

:cool: :eek: :cool:

[Ruthith]

Tony,

 

Yes, we are planning a FULL Ephesus, Terrace Houses, Virgin Mary House and if poss St John's BAsilica. We are hoping to be back by 2PM, but it might not be until 3. So, if back by 2, we might squeeze in a bath.

We did this in Kusadasi in 2001, in a place that was coed. We really wanted to try the "traditional" one - not the tourist one. Do you know if the place you are thinking of is the traditional or the tourist?

 

Re: Istanbul baths - I so wish I had done this there. It's supposed to be amazing - private rooms, stunning tile, etc. Did you do it?

 

-Ruth

[T&J]

Tony,

 

Yes, we are planning a FULL Ephesus, Terrace Houses, Virgin Mary House and if poss St John's BAsilica. We are hoping to be back by 2PM, but it might not be until 3. So, if back by 2, we might squeeze in a bath.

We did this in Kusadasi in 2001, in a place that was coed. We really wanted to try the "traditional" one - not the tourist one. Do you know if the place you are thinking of is the traditional or the tourist?

 

Re: Istanbul baths - I so wish I had done this there. It's supposed to be amazing - private rooms, stunning tile, etc. Did you do it?

 

-Ruth

 

In Kusadasi it was Traditional Turkish bath and my Mom did it not me. Here today I was tempted to try it but everyone in our party had had enough by 3:00pm and wanted to head back to the ship since we all were up pretty early. I am sure I will at some point in my travels again another time do one here for sure.

 

If you are back by 2:00pm or so you will have enough time to take one in since the ship's pier is very close to the Bazzar area all about a 5-10 minute walk.

 

Tony and Javier

:cool: :eek: :cool:

[Ruthith]

That's great news on the bath. I think your fellow Montrealers (Anne and Jean) may join us for our Ephesus excursion, and they are interested in doing a bath as well.

 

Can't wait to meet you!

 

-Ruth

[T&J]

OK running to the gym now...be back in 1.5 hours or so! Gotta burn of that dessert from last night!;)

 

Tony and Javier

:cool: :eek: :cool: