CC group 9/22/07 Greek Isle Cruise

[AllenF]

Wow where do you start for such a great cruise? I guess the beginning this was a CC group cruise that was very well planned out over a 1 and ½ years. I have never been to Europe until this cruise and this was my 9th cruise on Carnival. If you are into beach bars and Carlos and Charlies type of ports then this is not the cruise for you. If you want history, art, ancient wonders of the world, wine, and culture then this is for you. Now I was not sure how I would like all the stuff I just mentioned because I truly love the Caribbean and snorkeling but hey trip of life time and my wife Shelly loves all the things I mentioned. Let me just say I now love them too.

Ok we flew into Rome a few days early (smart choice) had the all night flight but it was not to bad got a little sleep. We had a private driver pick us up at the airport (Roma Shuttles) 50 Euro. We travel light we only had 2 carry ons and 1 checked bag so we retrieved our 1 piece of luggage and found our driver who was waiting right outside the gate. We had a room at Best Pantheon bed and breakfast along with our good friends Barb and Ed and our soon to be good friends Les and Marcella there were only 4 rooms.

The location was awesome we could walk anywhere in the old city in about 20 minutes.

We got to the B&B around 11 am Barb and Ed were arriving around 1pm so we got settled and then went out to explore a little. There was and ATM right outside so I made sure my card worked and then we went and got a bite to eat at a local café. We were both trying to get the other to attempt to order when the lady behind the counter said in great English can I help you we laughed and said YES. Then kind of checked out the area and headed back to the B&B to wait on Barb and Ed. They soon arrived it was kind of funny cause I heard this bell ringing but did not know what is was and it kept ringing (after 12pm there is nobody at the B&B staff wise) it was Barb and Ed ringing down on the street. Anyway we let them in (the B&B is the 2nd floor) the owner was suppose to check them in but he had not shown up so we just went into our room and caught up some. Then the phone rang and it was the owner saying he was running late but I told him it ok because barb and Ed were in our room waiting. To make a long story short he took off the cost of our private driver from the airport for both of us on our room bills for the delay. Finally we our ready for some full exploration of the old city Barb and Ed had been to Rome before so they were our guides. We walked to Piza Navrone (sp) the pantheon, trevi fountion, the Spanish steps where we had dinner and stopped at lots of old churches all along the way. When we got back we were whipped but then met Les and Marcella who we were doing a Vatican and catacomb tour with us the next day.

Ok if you tour the Vatican it is best to do it with a private tour because of the lines.

The Vatican is amazing what can you say besides just having your jaw open with awe.

The Sistine chapel once again WOW, after the Vatican we had lunch and waited for the 2nd half of the tour of the catacombs and some other large old churches that werer part of the Vatican but out in the city. Ok here is the fun part Les my new best friend had left his camera charger at home and he had this really nice camera and he was stressing out big time because he knew his battery was not going to last much longer and we had 13 more days to go. So I say to him no worry’s man I will help you find a charger (he had looked a few places already but with no luck) so as we drive around the city from site to site we spot this camera store and mark it out on the map.

[AllenF]

The tour guide tells us from our last stop we can walk back to it so problem solved. The girls decide to tag along so off we walk map in hand thru the heart of Rome. To find Les a charger we make it to the store but ohhhhh no they don’t have it. So the guy calls their other store and YESSSS they have it. So off we walk amazed at every thing we see having a blast and getting to know each other better. Success we find the charger and Les is so happy and relieved and we have new best friends. We get back to the B&B after grabbing a bite to eat and all of us hang out in the hallway talking.

The next day we have a private driver taking all of us to the ship. As we arrive in the port we see the Freedom in the distance. Embarkation is a breeze we our on the ship in 15 minutes. It is around 11am and the rooms will not be ready till 1pm so Shelly and I head to the back of the ship and just chill till 1pm. We have a meet and greet at 4pm to meet the rest of the group. We had sailed we 3 other couples besides Barb and Ed so out of the 30 plus folks we knew a few and got to know the rest. What a great bunch of people.

We had all private tours planned and I must say Debbie and Lezlee who planned 4 of them(Naples, Athens Olympia and Tuscany were simply outstanding. I planned the 2 tours in Turkey Ephesus and Istanbul in Rhodes we just walked around.

The Food was good as always and so was the service. The room stewards did and awesome job as usual. We did not go to any shows but perhaps Barb will chime and give some detail her and Ed closed down the ship every night I don’t know how they do it.

Those 2 have more energy than I have ever had. Basically we were so tired from the ports that after dinner it was all I could do to be able to crawl back to the room (we had the 8pm sitting) I did have a good time in the Casino playing Texas hold em on sea days and a few time after dinner before the sea day LOL. Let just Say I brought back more American dollars than I took with me. On the ship it is all American money used in the casino and in some of the ports you could use USD (turkey mostly) but every where else we used Euros and ATM’s were everywhere.

Ok here is a little more details of the tours we did what I am posting is the emails the tour leaders sent out to everybody giving the details.

Naples:

We’ll meet pier side – just after exiting the gangplank - at 7:45 a.m. We will be meeting our drivers and leaving the port area at 8:00 a.m. and will be returned to the ship at or before 17:00 p.m., which is one hour prior to ship sailing.

The tour will follow the route of the Sorrentine Peninsular and Amalfi Coast only. We will not be visiting Pompeii on this tour. Stops will be made at various scenic viewpoints as well as the towns of Sorrento, Amalfi, Positano and Ravello. My best guess is that lunch will be in Ravello and it will be a little on the “late” side so you might want to grab a cannoli along the way! If I remember right, the Naples area is supposed to be the best/originators of the cannoli. Ravello is the last town we’ll visit before returning to the ship.

We had 3 vans with 8 people in each van. Great Job Lezlee outstanding tour!

[AllenF]

Rhodes like I said we just walked around the old city I mean OLD CITY it was right at the port and easy walking

Izmir/ Ephesus :

I used Kagan Kosagan for both tours in Turkey.

In Ephesus we went to the House of the Virgin Mary, and the toured the ruins at Ephesus.

Kagan was very knowledgeable and gave us tons of info at both places and about turkey in general. He also works at Ephesus doing archeological work in his spare time.

Istanbul: Per Kagans email

On Sept 27th, the day when we are in Istanbul.

We are spending all our time in the old part of

the

city.

We are doing Topkapi Palace, St. Sophia,

Basilica

Cistern & Blue Mosque.

In very short distance from St. Sophia,

there is a section full of restaurants. I will

orient

people to these restaurants / suggest what to

eat

what not to eat and we will have an hour free

time

for

lunch.

These restaurants all accept Usd / Euros

The last stop of the day is Grand Bazaar of

Istanbul.

And, in this bazaar, people die for cash Usd or

Euros.

Next Stop Athens:

Saturday, September 29th, 2007

We will meet pier side - just after exiting the gangplank at 7:15 am - Paul will meet us at the pier at 7:30 am

We will arrive back at the port no later than 4:00 pm - The Freedom's scheduled departure time is 5:00 pm.

- Full Day Athens Tour includes a visit to:

The Acropolis, The National Archaeological Museum,The Tower of Winds, The Old palace, The Greek and Roman Agora, The Tomb of The Unknown Soldier in front of the Parliament and the Changing of The guards, The Temple of Zeus, The Olympic stadium (the original stadium built in the 1863 for the first modern Olympic games in 1896), The Hill of Lycabetous, and finally The Plaka where you will spend time for shopping and have lunch in a nice restaurant.

[AllenF]

We have 2 minibuses and 2 tour guides reserved for this tour:

Great Tour Debbie!!!!!!!!

Next Up Tour of Olympia from Katakolon:

Sunday, September 30th, 2007

HALF DAY TOUR TO OLYMPIA (estimated duration 4 hours)

We will meet just outside the gangplank at 8:15 am - We will meet Gemma and our driver and will leave the port area at 8:30 am.

the guided visit to the present day archaeological site of Olympia

(we focus our interest onto the best preserved monuments of the ancient sanctuary of Zeus & we enrich our visit with information reviving not only the site’s ancient existence but above all reviving the spirit of the great celebrations in antiquity, of the Olympic Games that were dedicated to Zeus, the major god of all, the father of the gods & the humans – the site of Olympia is a vast plain, in abundant vegetation & the visit doesn’t involve any climbing at all, only walking, pleasant walk by taking various short stops) we walk from the site to Olympia’s archaeological museum

the guided visit to the Museum of Olympia

(in the museum are kept & wonderfully exhibited some of the best preserved finds, found within the site that are well know works of ancient Greek art & especially of ancient Greek sculpture verifying in addition the ancient sanctuary’s wealth & glory in the past.)

Another Great Job Debbie J

Next Up Tuscany Wine Tour:

Reservations have been made at Castello di Verrazzano for wine tasting and lunch for our group.

On their web site http://www.verrazzano.com you can find details of the Wine and Food Experience (approx 11:00 am - 2:30 pm).

The plan is to have a stop at San Gimignano in the morning and another at Monteriggioni Castle on our way back to the ship in the afternoon.

Once again outstanding Job Debbie J

Our last port was Cittivehcia (Rome)

We took the train into the city with for 9 euros each and went to the forum had lunch at Piza Navrone and then on to St Peters. With the train ticket you can also ride the public bus free for 24 hrs so we hopped on bus 64 from Terrmi train station instead of walking and it passed us very close to those 2 places. (Barb had it all figured out)

[AllenF]

Let add in closing that we met some of the nicest people on and off the ship what a great group. The Californians Candy, Andy, Pat,

Mylo, Steve, Sue, Joylece, Nancy, Ted ,Penny, Doug and I know I am leaving some of you but great people.

Then we had Deb Joe Mike Lezlee Jennette and Richie.

James , Rosalie, Gail and Jim and so many other who really made this trip and dinner conversation a joy.

We will go back to Italy again J

We also had a private driver pick us up after debarkation which again was a breeze and very organized and off to the airport we went it was a very long day but we made it home eventually.

[GoinCruisin]

Sounds like a great trip Allen! Thanks for the review :)

[iluvdoxies]

Sounds wonderful !

[rpsinnj]

great review brings back great memories of our greek islands / europe cruise in april 07. We also did europe med aug/sept 05 that was also great. Both times we booked off cruise critic board /group, crucom was outstanding with price and extra giving. We are booked again thru them for august 08 baltic cant wait to see london, russia and my home town of berlin germany. Our big question is where to do we stay in london since dover is miles away from each airport.

[AllenF]

 

Amalfi coast with Mt Vesuvious in the background

[AllenF]

 

 

The Parthenon

[AllenF]

 

 

Dardenelle Straights Europe on left Asia on the right

le

[AllenF]

 

 

Ephesus

[AllenF]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuscany

[AllenF]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dinner in Rome with Les and Marcella

[AllenF]

 

Hangin out on our aft balcony with Barb and Ed

[AllenF]

Sounds wonderful !

 

Hey Vicki :) if you get a chance and still have my email drop me a line ok....I lost your email address. Looking forward to hopefully cruising with you and John again also

[KruznKel]

Great review Allen.. looking forward to this cruise in the future :)

[AllenF]

You and Matt (the answer is 42) will love it :)

[blyle]

Hi Allen & Shelly,

What a great review! We have been away for a week and I just saw your review. I emailed Shelly before we left. Did she get it? As for the cruise you said it all. We met so many great people and had so much fun on this very different and exciting cruise! Ed and I just booked a 10 nt caribbean for March as I mentioned in the email to Shelly. I found air to San Juan for only $278 Round trip too! I know you 2 are busy then but it sounds like this cruise has some great ports. It will be our first time on Celebrity! I had emailed Shelly about St. Lucia since we are going there too. I wanted to know who you used there for your tours.

I think we have finally gotten back to normal just in time for Thanksgiving!. I had to laugh when you said we closed down the ship at night. We just like to listen to live music while it's still offered! The picture of all of us is great! I have no idea of how to post any pictures and we still haven't gotten through all of our 800 pics. Ed loves to take pictures as you know LOL!!

Have a great time on your St. Lucia trip and just check to see that Shelly received my email! With my eyes and typing it could have gone anywhere!!!

Hope we all get to cruise together again!!!!

[AllenF]

I will send you the info/link for Serenity Tours in St Lucia let me know what you guys want to do and I will call John and ask him to make sure you guys get taken care of extra special. You and Ed really made this cruise and our stay in Rome Fantastic. We need to try to get our 2009 plans together since we have 2008 already planned out for a cruise let me know what you come up with ok :)

[blyle]

Thanks Allen. We just booked so I am in the process of seeing what is available. We have new ports that we have not seen yet and then a few we know. Ed will have to dress for 5 nts on this cruise. LOL! I'll look at the link and get back to you. We would like to hop on the Voyager from Galveston while its here too! We decided against the Baltic this summer because we wanted something relaxing if you know what I mean. England, Ireland and Scotland are on our list as is a return to Hawaii for our 35th Anniv. I am still looking for other places to go. I wish we could have done Alaska with your this year! Let's hope we can put something together!

[mamawg]

Hi Allen,

 

Great review. We had an awesome trip. Thanks again for planning the tours in Istanbul and Ismir.

 

With all the walking we did on the tours, I came back weighing less than when I went and I didn't skimp on eating.

 

Jim got that new job and started the week after we returned. He flew to London last night and will get a chance to visit the sites there today and then head off to the other parts of England (Ipswich and Derby) this week for some training. Neither of us have been there and I would have loved to have gone with him. However, I really needed to stay home and babysit the grandkids since everytime I leave they need to find new arrangements.

 

Hope to meet up with you some time again. Also I hope maybe when Jim returns we can share some more pictures if possible.

 

Gail

[direfun2000]

Awesome!!!

 

 

Post more pics please.:D

[AllenF]

Stromboli eurpting :eek:

[AllenF]

Shelly tossing a coin in Trevi Fountain