Just off the Voyager June 28,2009

[English_in_Spain]

The boat trip in Marseilles was a tour through the ship. We toured the coast on a small boat for a few hours which was relaxing for everyone. Then they took us to a harbor where smaller sail boats were and we got off and wandered around the town for about one hour. It was just enough time to get some icecream and pastries. These shops were located right across the street from the dock. The boat then took us back to the ship. I think we were back on the ship by 1 or 1:30. The RCCL rep was not the best since she didn't say much but the Captain of the boat(or some one one the boat other than the RCCL rep) gave us a tour of what we were seeing with some history as he drove. There is a step to get on and off the boat but the parents who have different levels of mobility were fine. Two members from the boat staff held on to each of us and helped.

 

Thank you

 

That sounds just the kind of tour we would like to do there (DH has limited mobility - cannot walk too far or stand too long). I don't remember seeing it on our shore excusion list. I will double check. Any idea what the excursion was called or a reference number?

[sandm]

It was Cruise Island and Flavours of Provence. It was $59 per person. We had to be on the pier at 8:45 so we got to sleep in a bit.

[English_in_Spain]

I have found it now. RCI's description wasn't very good. It was more about the history of the area and didn't say much about what the tour involved.

 

Now I have read your description, I think we will defnitely do this one.

 

Just a couple more questions on this tour. Were there restrooms on the small boat? Was there any shade or did you have to sit in the sun?

 

Thank you for your help on all this. It is so helpful to get feedback from someone who has done the same cruise.

[English_in_Spain]

I think we were just nearly neighbors for a week, Sandmoe, as we were in an Owner's Suite on the same cruise.

 

We loved the cruise as well, but I agree that the ship did seem really crowded.

 

We did the Pompeii/Mt. Vesuvius excursion, which was great. Florence/Pisa excursion was probably our least favorite, but the guide, Flavia, was a hoot.

 

We booked a private tour of Rome with Real Rome Tours, and it was a great tour. However, we realized that we had been charged twice for the tickets that the guide purchased. I have tried to contact them since returning to the states, and haven't gotten any response, which is disappointing.

 

We took the train ourselves to Monaco. It was very easy (about 10 min.), and the city is very easy to walk around. We loved this-- got to see the set-up for the Tour de France and even had a Lance sighting!

 

We also enjoyed the Arles/Les Baux tour.

 

Goldenmama, can you give a few details of this.

 

How far was the station from where the ship docked? How often do the trains run? Where do you get off the train in Monaco?

[sandm]

The boat had both an inside section and an outside section so both sun and shade were available. I think there was a small restroom on it but I can not be positive. We all enjoyed this tour and we range from ages 14-80. It was a nice way to finish such a port intensive cruise. By the way, I think Le Tour rides through Spain to Barcelona today. Say Hi to Lance and the boys.

[primo1]

Thank you for your review and pictures. We go on the same crusie on VOS on 9-13-09! We just have a balcony on the hump deck 7. Would love to have that RS. Maybe next year, lol..

[English_in_Spain]

Thank you for your review and pictures. We go on the same crusie on VOS on 9-13-09! We just have a balcony on the hump deck 7. Would love to have that RS. Maybe next year, lol..

 

Hi Primo

 

Do come and join in our rollcall for this cruise.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=914771

[PCWalton1]

Hi and thank you for being so willing to answer questions. I was wondering about the dining nights. What were the tow nights for formal dining? Was there a smart casual night or were the other five just casual? Also do you happen to know if there is a water kettle in the non-suites? I am in a balcony and was hoping to drink Starbucks VIA for my morning coffee. :DThanks

Bill

[sandm]

I hope you all love your cruise as much as we did. I am happy to answer all questions I can. We loved the cruise so much in 2007 we just had to do it again this year. PCWalton l I do not know about kettles in regular balconies. But ask your room steward if there isn't one I would bet they keep extras on board for special requests. The stewards most often come through with requests. The first formal night was Monday after an at sea day. The second was, I think , Friday after Villefranche.

[referee]

Hi Sandm....We've booked 3 excursions for the first 3 ports of our cruise. However, we have not booked anything for the next 2(France) as of yet. Is there anything to do at those stops just near the port?..If not, then we'll look for some inexpensive excursions. Thanks Referee (Jay)

[sandm]

Villefranche is a town that our guide told us is nice to walk around in. She said there was a quaint cafe somewhere near the port. It is hilly so comfortable shoes are a must. We did ship tours right from the port so I can not speak first hand.

Marseilles port has venders right off the ship but the town area was a shuttle away. I think the woman told us it is 6 Euros one way. After you take a shuttle to the town area there is a trolley pick up and I don't know the cost if this or lots of cafe's and of course you may walk around and visit some sites.

[hobo1937]

Sandm, noticed you took the train from Paris to Barcelona. We are thinking about doing this next year and were interested in your impressions, any problems and how was storing/handling luggage?

 

Thanks

 

Barb

[sandm]

 

This is a picture of the GranClass roomette. With the beds folded up we kept the luggage squished by our legs but when we slept and the beds were down they fit easily. My inlaws had huge suitcases that were really too big so they kept them in the shower. Just remember you are responsible to lift your own luggage onto the trains. When packing we kept the clothes and dopp bags on a zippered part on the outside of the suitcases. There really wasn't enough room to completely open the suitcases and rifle around. Even though it was a tight fit and perhaps not the most economical way of travel it was one of many highlights of our trip.

[hobo1937]

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This is a picture of the GranClass roomette. With the beds folded up we kept the luggage squished by our legs but when we slept and the beds were down they fit easily. My inlaws had huge suitcases that were really too big so they kept them in the shower. Just remember you are responsible to lift your own luggage onto the trains. When packing we kept the clothes and dopp bags on a zippered part on the outside of the suitcases. There really wasn't enough room to completely open the suitcases and rifle around. Even though it was a tight fit and perhaps not the most economical way of travel it was one of many highlights of our trip.

 

Thanks so much for the information and photos...it always helps to have first hand knowledge!

[goldenmama]

Goldenmama, can you give a few details of this.

 

How far was the station from where the ship docked? How often do the trains run? Where do you get off the train in Monaco?

 

Hi! We got off at the pier, turned right, and walked right along the street by the water for about 5 minutes. There are then steps off to your left that go up to the train station. It is marked, but could be easily missed.

 

I want to say that the trains ran about every 20-25 minutes. The stop is marked as Monaco/Monte Carlo.

 

The train station in Monte Carlo was easy to find your way out of. You find your way upstairs, and then you are in the front of their station. You are on a hill, and can easily see the marina below. We made a left on exiting the station, and then just meandered down the streets, eventually ending up at the Casino.

 

Hope this helps!

[browneyes7]

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This is a picture of the GranClass roomette. With the beds folded up we kept the luggage squished by our legs but when we slept and the beds were down they fit easily. My inlaws had huge suitcases that were really too big so they kept them in the shower. Just remember you are responsible to lift your own luggage onto the trains. When packing we kept the clothes and dopp bags on a zippered part on the outside of the suitcases. There really wasn't enough room to completely open the suitcases and rifle around. Even though it was a tight fit and perhaps not the most economical way of travel it was one of many highlights of our trip.

 

sandm.....Would you mind telling me how much it cost to ride the train from Paris to Barcelona? My husband and I are thinking about doing some land travel in Europe. Thanks for any info.:)

[tropical-lovers]

Thank you for your review and pictures. We go on the same crusie on VOS on 9-13-09! We just have a balcony on the hump deck 7. Would love to have that RS. Maybe next year, lol..

 

Hey primo1 - we have a balcony on deck 7 of the VOS on 9-13-09 as well - we might be neighbors for a week!!

[sandm]

I purchased the tickets through RailEurope and paid $610 per GranClass coach. The was for 2 passengers that included dinner and breakfast with a roomette that has 2 bunks, a wc with a shower. I live in the US and was able to buy the tickets 3 months before we left. I checked the prices online before and those were a bit higher than what the girl gave me on the phone.

[English_in_Spain]

Hi! We got off at the pier, turned right, and walked right along the street by the water for about 5 minutes. There are then steps off to your left that go up to the train station. It is marked, but could be easily missed.

 

I want to say that the trains ran about every 20-25 minutes. The stop is marked as Monaco/Monte Carlo.

 

The train station in Monte Carlo was easy to find your way out of. You find your way upstairs, and then you are in the front of their station. You are on a hill, and can easily see the marina below. We made a left on exiting the station, and then just meandered down the streets, eventually ending up at the Casino.

 

Hope this helps!

 

Thank you. That is just the information I needed

[jwolf2006]

We're taking this cruise next Spring and was wondering what were the dining times on the ship? Last summer on the Splendour out of Venice they were 6/6:30 and 8:30/9:00. We found the 6:30 ideal since it was late enough not be rushed when we got back from an excursion and early enough to do things in the evening and get to bed at a reasonable time for early morning excursions.

 

Thanks for the info.

[browneyes7]

I purchased the tickets through RailEurope and paid $610 per GranClass coach. The was for 2 passengers that included dinner and breakfast with a roomette that has 2 bunks, a wc with a shower. I live in the US and was able to buy the tickets 3 months before we left. I checked the prices online before and those were a bit higher than what the girl gave me on the phone.

 

Thanks for the info.:)

[primo1]

Tropical,

#7622. friends of ours are a few doors down as well.

Hope we don't keep you awake!

[Screwbit]

Sandm: Glad you had such a good time. Like many others on this thread, we are on the 9/13 sailing. We will be staying in a GS on Deck 10. Wsa wondering about two things: (1) How was the service in the Concierge Lounge, if you availed yourself of it ?, and (2) did the pool area have the 'suite passenger only' section, as a number of the other RCCL ships do?

We are touring with romeinlimo with 4 other folks from these boards in both Rome and Florence. As mentioned by someone previously, we will spend our day at our Nice stop in Villefranche. I'm guessing we'll be pretty gassed by then, and does appear to be such a charming little town. Nice break after Rome and Florence, and we can shoot back to the ship whenever.

[sandm]

Jwolf, We ate at 6:30 and 7 was the other early seating. I think the late ate at 9 then 9:30.

 

Screwbit, since the grandparentas were in Jr suites we did not really use the concierge lounge. We did, however, go down a few evenings at 5:30 or 6 to talk to Israel and there were a few people in there. At that time there were only a few people present, not nearly as crowded as I have seen other concierge lounges at that time. There was at least one "bartender" offering us drinks and snacks. He was very good and offered several times while we waited. If we all had privilages to use the lounge it would have been a great place to enjoy a drink or few.

The pool area had tiered areas on either side of the pool bar that was set aside for suite passengers. The chairs were light blue instead of darkblue and white striped. There was also an area at the ice show roped off near the stage of the rink for suite guests.there was a staff member checking cards to allow people in. Right after the show started the staff member left and many latecomers who were not suite guests who were sent away earlier took the ropes down and sat in that section.

[tropical-lovers]

Tropical,

#7622. friends of ours are a few doors down as well.

Hope we don't keep you awake!

 

We are in 7318 across the ship from you!!