2nd port of Celebrity Cruises Mediterranean itinerary, 11-night-cruise
Today we went to Delos island and Mykonos, Greece. Mykonos was in all the tour books as this bustling hub which was all the rage. But if you look at the tours offered by Celebrity there wasn’t much available for this port, (there was exactly one available: the one we chose) so that kind of led me to believe there wasn’t much going on here.
So, without much competition, we did the historical guided tour of Delos. My first thought was that the tour would be drawn out and boring, ‘historical’…and mythological at that. It was going to be a bunch of ruins, a small little island, and four hours of walking. Four hours on this little island? Surely the tour guides were going to have to get pretty creative to fill up that time and earn their keep! About the birthplace of a greek god? Could it be considered historical if it was a myth?
…The background… (which you can research on your own since my knowledge is limited) is that Delos is famous for being the birthplace of Apollo, the god of light (however not necessarily the god of Sun, there is Helios for that, but the two are often crossed – this is why I suggest you research on your own if you are interested) and his twin sister Artemis, goddess of hunting, chastity, and childbirth. So what happened was that Zeus had an affair (surprise, surprise) with this mortal Leito, who was destined (was it destined or just predicted?) to give birth to gods. So the wife of Zeus was pretty annoyed at this (and quite jealous) so she banished Leito from having her kids anywhere in Greece. So Delos is where she went to give birth and was regarded as the birthplace of the two gods.
My thoughts: Do this excursion. In fact, do this exact excursion.
First of all, unless you are an archeologist or a voracious reader of greek mythology and history, you will not get as much out of your experience on Delos unless you have a tour guide. They really paint a picture for you while you’re there. Have you ever tried to learn a foreign language by a ‘teach yourself’ book? Has it worked?
So, the tour guide walked us through the whole island basically, she started by showing us the difference between the shops and the houses and the mansions. Now, keep in mind it’s all ruins, so it’s not so obvious to the uninformed, untrained eye. If I were just walking this without a guide I would think “oh, great…more rubble. All of it looks the same, fantastic” but with the guide she was able to explain that the single rooms were shops, that the multi room structures were private homes. She told us they ascertained from artifacts left what kind of shop, there was a butcher’s block in one shop, then next door was a draining table possibly for fish market. There was a room with a three pedestals, as in for tables, so that is assumed to be a restaurant. A room with deep basins on the sides was most likely where they made fabric (you know, to dye it). These things I may never have picked up with my naked eye, and maybe I would have caught some of it if I had a book, but who knows, maybe I would have missed something. For example we were standing in the middle of the ‘market’ and our guide was able to explain to us that the whole place was the market, like a street fair or flea market, and that slaves were a huge part of the market. They know this because they have records denoting how old, how tall, how many teeth, for how much the slaves sold for. I happened to overhear a pair of ladies who were not part of a tour, standing no more than three feet away from us say “so, now, where is this market?” Now had they just had our guide, they would have known, they were standing right in it.
Maybe I just enjoy being a perpetual student, but I just relished the ‘living classroom’ of this excursion. Everything was so amazing, to think, how long ago they were able to accomplish such feats of building structures so large, creating statues with such precision? It is really amazing when we think of how advanced they were that many of their tricks are still used today (ex: the theatre, the sewage system, archs for building bridges and such).
So, without reliving the tour verbatim, let me just say this. While I thought Myknos was nice to see (the tour left us there to shop and buy souveniers in on our way to the ship) it wans’t much different to me than both the villages in Sanotirini (although far less pretty). This means that my favorite part of Greece so far, both yesterday and today, was the ruins on Delos, of which I was able to hear the stories of how past and present tie together.
In My Humble Opinion: this excursion is probably not for you if you have little kids that don’t walk (safely) by themselves yet. The roads are narrow and all made of stone, un-even, and I can only imagine what a rough time a parent would have with a child in a stroller. Even if the child is big enough to walk, if they’re not 100% completely sturdy, you will probably be paranoid they will trip over a stone (as the entire place is stones) and split open their knee. Also, this trip is not for you if you cannot part with your high heels. I kept reading ‘wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes’ and man, was that the best advice I got! The terrain was far from flat, and everything was uneven (as in stones are not flat like pavement)- even the boat ride over you needed to have sturdy footing because those boats were rockin’ as I tried to get to the ladies’ room! And my last tip: not just on Delos, but on the other Greek Islands as well: bring a jacket or sweater. I’m a person who is always cold, but it was so windy that it made the temperature always feel lower; even my always-hot husband felt the need for a jacket towards the end of today.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
2nd port of Celebrity Cruises Mediterranean itinerary, 11-night-cruise
Today we went to Delos island and Mykonos, Greece. Mykonos was in all the tour books as this bustling hub, which was all the rage. But if you look at the tours offered by Celebrity Cruises, there wasn’t much available for this port, (there was exactly one available: the one we chose) so that kind of led me to believe there wasn’t much going on here.
So, without much competition, we did the historical guided tour of Delos. My first thought was that the tour would be drawn out and boring, ‘historical’…and mythological at that. It was going to be a bunch of ruins, a small little island, and four hours of walking. Four hours on this little island? Surely the tour guides were going to have to get pretty creative to fill up that time and earn their keep! About the birthplace of a greek god? Could it be considered historical if it was a myth?
…The background… (which you can research on your own since my knowledge is limited) is that Delos is famous for being the birthplace of Apollo, the god of light (however not necessarily the god of Sun, there is Helios for that, but the two are often crossed – this is why I suggest you research on your own if you are interested) and his twin sister Artemis, goddess of hunting, chastity, and childbirth. So what happened was that Zeus had an affair (surprise, surprise) with this mortal Leito, who was destined (was it destined or just predicted?) to give birth to gods. So the wife of Zeus was pretty annoyed at this (and quite jealous) so she banished Leito from having her kids anywhere in Greece. So Delos is where she went to give birth and was regarded as the birthplace of the two gods.
My thoughts: Do this excursion. In fact, do this exact excursion.
First of all, unless you are an archeologist or a voracious reader of Greek mythology and history, you will not get as much out of your experience on Delos unless you have a tour guide. They really paint a picture for you while you’re there. Have you ever tried to learn a foreign language by a ‘teach yourself’ book? Has it worked?
So, the tour guide walked us through the whole island basically, she started by showing us the difference between the shops and the houses and the mansions. Now, keep in mind its all ruins, so it’s not so obvious to the uninformed, untrained eye. If I were just walking this without a guide I would think “oh, great…more rubble. All of it looks the same, fantastic” but with the guide she was able to explain that the single rooms were shops, that the multi room structures were private homes. She told us they ascertained from artifacts left what kind of shop, there was a butcher’s block in one shop, then next door was a draining table possibly for fish market. There was a room with a three pedestals, as in for tables, so that is assumed to be a restaurant. A room with deep basins on the sides was most likely where they made fabric (you know, to dye it). These things I may never have picked up with my naked eye, and maybe I would have caught some of it if I had a book, but who knows, maybe I would have missed something. For example we were standing in the middle of the ‘market’ and our guide was able to explain to us that the whole place was the market, like a street fair or flea market, and that slaves were a huge part of the market. They know this because they have records denoting how old, how tall, how many teeth, for how much the slaves sold for. I happened to overhear a pair of ladies who were not part of a tour, standing no more than three feet away from us say “so, now, where is this market?” Now had they just had our guide, they would have known, they were standing right in it.
So, without much competition, we did the historical guided tour of Delos. My first thought was that the tour would be drawn out and boring, ‘historical’…and mythological at that. It was going to be a bunch of ruins, a small little island, and four hours of walking. Four hours on this little island? Surely the tour guides were going to have to get pretty creative to fill up that time and earn their keep! About the birthplace of a greek god? Could it be considered historical if it was a myth?
…The background… (which you can research on your own since my knowledge is limited) is that Delos is famous for being the birthplace of Apollo, the god of light (however not necessarily the god of Sun, there is Helios for that, but the two are often crossed – this is why I suggest you research on your own if you are interested) and his twin sister Artemis, goddess of hunting, chastity, and childbirth. So what happened was that Zeus had an affair (surprise, surprise) with this mortal Leito, who was destined (was it destined or just predicted?) to give birth to gods. So the wife of Zeus was pretty annoyed at this (and quite jealous) so she banished Leito from having her kids anywhere in Greece. So Delos is where she went to give birth and was regarded as the birthplace of the two gods.
My thoughts: Do this excursion. In fact, do this exact excursion.
First of all, unless you are an archeologist or a voracious reader of Greek mythology and history, you will not get as much out of your experience on Delos unless you have a tour guide. They really paint a picture for you while you’re there. Have you ever tried to learn a foreign language by a ‘teach yourself’ book? Has it worked?
So, the tour guide walked us through the whole island basically, she started by showing us the difference between the shops and the houses and the mansions. Now, keep in mind its all ruins, so it’s not so obvious to the uninformed, untrained eye. If I were just walking this without a guide I would think “oh, great…more rubble. All of it looks the same, fantastic” but with the guide she was able to explain that the single rooms were shops, that the multi room structures were private homes. She told us they ascertained from artifacts left what kind of shop, there was a butcher’s block in one shop, then next door was a draining table possibly for fish market. There was a room with a three pedestals, as in for tables, so that is assumed to be a restaurant. A room with deep basins on the sides was most likely where they made fabric (you know, to dye it). These things I may never have picked up with my naked eye, and maybe I would have caught some of it if I had a book, but who knows, maybe I would have missed something. For example we were standing in the middle of the ‘market’ and our guide was able to explain to us that the whole place was the market, like a street fair or flea market, and that slaves were a huge part of the market. They know this because they have records denoting how old, how tall, how many teeth, for how much the slaves sold for. I happened to overhear a pair of ladies who were not part of a tour, standing no more than three feet away from us say “so, now, where is this market?” Now had they just had our guide, they would have known, they were standing right in it.
Maybe I just enjoy being a perpetual student, but I just relished the ‘living classroom’ of this excursion. Everything was so amazing, to think, how long ago they were able to accomplish such feats of building structures so large, creating statues with such precision? It is really amazing when we think of how advanced they were that many of their tricks are still used today (ex: the theatre, the sewage system, arches for building bridges and such).
So, without reliving the tour verbatim, let me just say this. While I thought Myknos was nice to see (the tour left us there to shop and buy souvenirs in on our way to the ship) it wasn’t much different to me than both the villages in Santorini (although far less pretty). This means that my favorite part of Greece so far, both yesterday and today, was the ruins on Delos, of which I was able to hear the stories of how past and present tie together.
In My Humble Opinion: this excursion is probably not for you if you have little kids that don’t walk (safely) by themselves yet. The roads are narrow and all made of stone, un-even, and I can only imagine what a rough time a parent would have with a child in a stroller. Even if the child is big enough to walk, if they’re not 100% completely sturdy, you will probably be paranoid they will trip over a stone (as the entire place is stones) and split open their knee. Also, this trip is not for you if you cannot part with your high heels. I kept reading ‘wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes’ and man, was that the best advice I got! The terrain was far from flat, and everything was uneven (as in stones are not flat like pavement)- even the boat ride over you needed to have sturdy footing because those boats were rockin’ as I tried to get to the ladies’ room! And my last tip: not just on Delos, but on the other Greek Islands as well: bring a jacket or sweater. I’m a person who is always cold, but it was so windy that it made the temperature always feel lower; even my always-hot husband felt the need for a jacket towards the end of today.
Celebrity Solstice 11 night Mediterranean cruise
My travel-agent husband has decided to be fabulous and take me on my first cruise to Europe! We are going to Greece, Turkey, and Italy. We’ve decided to update our blog from the ship with our impressions of the trip. FYI - For complete photo updates from our trip, please check out Direct Line Cruises Facebook fan page.
First thing’s first: The Flight.
I suggest getting a direct flight. Now, in truth, the seven-and-a-half hours went by pretty quickly, especially since we slept most of the way. But really, who wants to be airborne for longer than you need to be? Plus, our overnight seven-and-a-half hour flight fed us both dinner and breakfast. I thought in-flight meals were a thing of the past.
Next up: First impressions of the Celebrity Solstice.
Now, truth be told, we’ve seen this ship before. We created our first impressions during the inaugural, which we stayed 2 nights. Our impressions then were that the ship was just beautiful; there are many cool things about the ship that you just haven’t seen elsewhere. The library is at least 2 floors high, the pool deck has this ‘dancing waters’ display (think The Bellagio in Las Vegas), it also has these very posche ‘white party’ kind of look with huge beds and cabanas. The Solarium (the adult pool area) has its own smaller ‘dancing waters’ display, and the lounge chairs are the beautiful wooden-with-cushions kind that you (okay, I) would never expect to have a patio nice enough to own to put them on. The staterooms are also very modern, very minimalist in its design with flat screen tvs that seconds as a computer. When we got our picture taken upon embarkation they asked us our cabin number, lo and behold when we got to our room, our photo was displayed as the screen saver…very impressive if you like that sort of thing. There are some really cool pieces of art everywhere on the ship, not to mention an actual ‘art gallery’ from which I think you can buy artwork (I don’t see why not). I also like how the specialty restaurants are all in one little corridor. I just think it gives it a different feel than other cruise ships.
The Ugly: The cabins have no storage space.
So, I’m a truthful person. And this is an 11-night cruise. I just think that for two people on an 11-night cruise, finding places to put all your ‘stuff’ was tough. My hubby unpacked before I did, and when I started unpacking I realized that he had taken up most of the drawers! I did manage though, although in the end I think that the minimalist style of décor leaves the storage capacity to suffer. Let me say this: I couldn’t imagine having another person in this stateroom just for the storage room alone. Well, not on an 11-night cruise, for a shorter cruise yes, but probably not on an 11-nighter.
The Exceptional: The service.
So far I have been ridiculously impressed with everyone’s service onboard this Celebrity Cruise. Our first night at dinner we ate at the French restaurant, Murano, we could not believe the service. Everyone kept saying how they were delighted we could join them, how they wanted us to enjoy our stay, etc. I will admit my foolishness; I (wanting to experience my Francais) ordered the lamb, although I didn’t really think about how it would be prepared. When it came out it was nothing like I had envisioned, and it seems that as soon as I took my first bite the waiter flew over and asked how the meal was. (Perhaps he would have come over just as quickly if I did like the meal, but either way I was impressed how quickly he wanted to address the issue). They were quick to exchange my dish and apologized profusely for something that was purely a matter of taste (and my own doing). My husband ordered the filet mignon, which they cook right in front of you! Not only was it quite entertaining to watch them cook, but the steak was excellent. For dessert they cooked this strawberry crepe with ice cream, and flambéed the strawberries in a caramel sauce right before our eyes. It was yet another feast for the eyes, and for the tummy. I would go back for this dessert alone, and of course the goat cheese appetizer. Both were delicious!
Our first port: Santorini, Greece.
We took a Celebrity Shore Excursion to the Village of Ia. Let me say this about doing a shore excursion through the cruise line: someone is always looking for you. If you are at all paranoid about missing the ship, (newsflash: the ship will leave if you don’t return by a certain time) or about sending your kids (um, adult kids) on a cruise to Europe without your watchful eye (hi Moms!) then suggesting them to go on shore excursions sponsored by the cruise ship might be the way to go. It was/is our first time in Europe and we wouldn’t know where to go anyway, so the suggested tours from Celebrity were more than good picks for us. The tour was broken up into three parts: First, we visited a winery. This was ok, it was very pretty, yes, but I felt it was a clever tactic to spend money in their gift store. The tour guide was really great at explaining things to us: did you know that because Santorini is so windy that the grapes for wine are grown on bushes? But anyway, the second part of the tour was The Village of Ia. This was an adorable little village that was as picturesque as they say, however; I found it a little too….created just for tourists. I felt although adorable, it lacked that ‘local’ feel that made me believe it was actually a place that Greeks…live. The third and favorite spot on the tour was town of Fira. Although clearly the tourist trap, I felt like this town had genuine life to it, I felt as though the people who were eating in the shops could be locals. The streets in both towns were narrow and cobbled-stoned. Both picturesque, how could it not be with the domed white buildings and the cobalt blue doors overlook the water? I thought this port was such a great first stop on our trip.
More updates to come. In the meantime, check out all of our first set of photos on the Direct Line Cruises Facebook page.
First thing’s first: The Flight.
I suggest getting a direct flight. Now, in truth, the seven-and-a-half hours went by pretty quickly, especially since we slept most of the way. But really, who wants to be airborne for longer than you need to be? Plus, our overnight seven-and-a-half hour flight fed us both dinner and breakfast. I thought in-flight meals were a thing of the past.
Next up: First impressions of the Celebrity Solstice.
Now, truth be told, we’ve seen this ship before. We created our first impressions during the inaugural, which we stayed 2 nights. Our impressions then were that the ship was just beautiful; there are many cool things about the ship that you just haven’t seen elsewhere. The library is at least 2 floors high, the pool deck has this ‘dancing waters’ display (think The Bellagio in Las Vegas), it also has these very posche ‘white party’ kind of look with huge beds and cabanas. The Solarium (the adult pool area) has its own smaller ‘dancing waters’ display, and the lounge chairs are the beautiful wooden-with-cushions kind that you (okay, I) would never expect to have a patio nice enough to own to put them on. The staterooms are also very modern, very minimalist in its design with flat screen tvs that seconds as a computer. When we got our picture taken upon embarkation they asked us our cabin number, lo and behold when we got to our room, our photo was displayed as the screen saver…very impressive if you like that sort of thing. There are some really cool pieces of art everywhere on the ship, not to mention an actual ‘art gallery’ from which I think you can buy artwork (I don’t see why not). I also like how the specialty restaurants are all in one little corridor. I just think it gives it a different feel than other cruise ships.
The Ugly: The cabins have no storage space.
So, I’m a truthful person. And this is an 11-night cruise. I just think that for two people on an 11-night cruise, finding places to put all your ‘stuff’ was tough. My hubby unpacked before I did, and when I started unpacking I realized that he had taken up most of the drawers! I did manage though, although in the end I think that the minimalist style of décor leaves the storage capacity to suffer. Let me say this: I couldn’t imagine having another person in this stateroom just for the storage room alone. Well, not on an 11-night cruise, for a shorter cruise yes, but probably not on an 11-nighter.
The Exceptional: The service.
So far I have been ridiculously impressed with everyone’s service onboard this Celebrity Cruise. Our first night at dinner we ate at the French restaurant, Murano, we could not believe the service. Everyone kept saying how they were delighted we could join them, how they wanted us to enjoy our stay, etc. I will admit my foolishness; I (wanting to experience my Francais) ordered the lamb, although I didn’t really think about how it would be prepared. When it came out it was nothing like I had envisioned, and it seems that as soon as I took my first bite the waiter flew over and asked how the meal was. (Perhaps he would have come over just as quickly if I did like the meal, but either way I was impressed how quickly he wanted to address the issue). They were quick to exchange my dish and apologized profusely for something that was purely a matter of taste (and my own doing). My husband ordered the filet mignon, which they cook right in front of you! Not only was it quite entertaining to watch them cook, but the steak was excellent. For dessert they cooked this strawberry crepe with ice cream, and flambéed the strawberries in a caramel sauce right before our eyes. It was yet another feast for the eyes, and for the tummy. I would go back for this dessert alone, and of course the goat cheese appetizer. Both were delicious!
Our first port: Santorini, Greece.
We took a Celebrity Shore Excursion to the Village of Ia. Let me say this about doing a shore excursion through the cruise line: someone is always looking for you. If you are at all paranoid about missing the ship, (newsflash: the ship will leave if you don’t return by a certain time) or about sending your kids (um, adult kids) on a cruise to Europe without your watchful eye (hi Moms!) then suggesting them to go on shore excursions sponsored by the cruise ship might be the way to go. It was/is our first time in Europe and we wouldn’t know where to go anyway, so the suggested tours from Celebrity were more than good picks for us. The tour was broken up into three parts: First, we visited a winery. This was ok, it was very pretty, yes, but I felt it was a clever tactic to spend money in their gift store. The tour guide was really great at explaining things to us: did you know that because Santorini is so windy that the grapes for wine are grown on bushes? But anyway, the second part of the tour was The Village of Ia. This was an adorable little village that was as picturesque as they say, however; I found it a little too….created just for tourists. I felt although adorable, it lacked that ‘local’ feel that made me believe it was actually a place that Greeks…live. The third and favorite spot on the tour was town of Fira. Although clearly the tourist trap, I felt like this town had genuine life to it, I felt as though the people who were eating in the shops could be locals. The streets in both towns were narrow and cobbled-stoned. Both picturesque, how could it not be with the domed white buildings and the cobalt blue doors overlook the water? I thought this port was such a great first stop on our trip.
More updates to come. In the meantime, check out all of our first set of photos on the Direct Line Cruises Facebook page.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Way More Than A Cruise
Getting my family to unanimously decide how we are going to spend our summer vacation is pretty much impossible! We each have our own distinct ideas as to what is “fun”. I therefore take it upon myself to listen to what everyone has to say and then select the best option from all suggestions…my idea! I am after all, the “travel professional” in the family!
A new program called “Way More Than A Cruise” could make vacation choices quite a bit easier for my family and yours. Royal Caribbean and Universal Orlando Resorts have teamed up to offer an incredible land and sea vacation sure to satisfy the most hard to please families! Imagine spending three or four nights at an Orlando hotel while experiencing the excitement and thrills of Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida! Stay at an on site hotel such as the Hard Rock Hotel, or if you prefer, stay off site. There are a total of six hotels to choose from (the others are Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Doubletree Hotel, Four Points Hotel, or Hyatt Place), so it’s easy to find something that will fit perfectly in your budget! Follow that up with a three or four night cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s wonderful Monarch of the Sea out of Port Canaveral, Florida. For those that have more time, the awesome Freedom of the Seas is also an available option. Again, you can select the type of accommodations onboard that best fit your budget in order to create your perfect family vacation.
A new program called “Way More Than A Cruise” could make vacation choices quite a bit easier for my family and yours. Royal Caribbean and Universal Orlando Resorts have teamed up to offer an incredible land and sea vacation sure to satisfy the most hard to please families! Imagine spending three or four nights at an Orlando hotel while experiencing the excitement and thrills of Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida! Stay at an on site hotel such as the Hard Rock Hotel, or if you prefer, stay off site. There are a total of six hotels to choose from (the others are Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Doubletree Hotel, Four Points Hotel, or Hyatt Place), so it’s easy to find something that will fit perfectly in your budget! Follow that up with a three or four night cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s wonderful Monarch of the Sea out of Port Canaveral, Florida. For those that have more time, the awesome Freedom of the Seas is also an available option. Again, you can select the type of accommodations onboard that best fit your budget in order to create your perfect family vacation.
Purchasing this combo as a package allows your family to have two diverse vacations at one low price. “Way More Than A Cruise” includes your hotel, multi day passes to both Universal theme parks, ground transfers between airport, hotel, parks and port, and an amazing Royal Caribbean cruise. There’s something here for everybody. Now this is definitely the kind of vacation my family and I could agree on!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Blue Man Group Live on the Epic
In an announcement made yesterday at the hip Greenwich Village nightclub “Butter”, NCL announced that Blue Man Group would be the headline entertainment aboard their new ship, the Epic! Blue Man Group is known for their zany and outrageous performances that combine percussion, comedy, and multimedia theatrics. Their shows leave people doubled over in laughter! Just the idea that such world-class entertainment can be now enjoyed at sea makes the Epic experience like no other!
In addition, “Cirque Dreams and Dinner” will provide guests with a dinner show that combines European cirque-style artistry with American circus and Broadway theatrics. The specially designed theatre-in-the-round brings the big top to sea for a unique dining experience. Wait-staff and performers are one in the same here, so watch for aerialists dropping down from the ceiling to fill your water glass!
The Second City will be onboard, as they are on most NCL ships, bringing with them their satirical skits and improv to the Headliner’s Comedy Club. Nightly live jazz and blues can be enjoyed at the new Fat Cats Lounge. Entertainment on the Epic is getting away from the standard twice-weekly production shows and instead focusing on a wide variety of different options. No matter what your taste or age, there will be something for everybody. A total of 18 bars and lounges, live music in every genre, along with 14 exciting restaurants on the Norwegian Epic certainly takes Freestyle Cruising to the next level!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Carnival Pride; Complete Review
Walking into the atrium, I am in awe. I am surrounded by rich wood paneling, intricate bronze moulding, and magnificent frescos. Reproductions of Masters such as Botticelli and Raphael adorn the walls. Seating is upholstered in shades of burgundy, sienna, and gold. A grand stairway winds it way up to the next echelon. My eyes sweep upward… nine floors. A stunning red glass skylight casts a warm, rosy glow throughout. Soft music, compliments of the classical pianist playing adjacent to the bar, adds to the ambiance of the lobby. You may think I am checking into a posh hotel in Florence, but no, I’m nearly 5,000 miles from Italy. In fact, I have just boarded the Carnival Pride.
Joe Farcus, Carnival’s interior architect, calls the theme of this ship “Icons of Beauty.” Throughout the public areas he has given us his interpretation of how beauty manifests itself in architecture, art, intellectual achievement, the human body, nature, etc. The names of the rooms clearly reflect where he was going with this idea; The Taj Mahal Show Lounge, Normandie Restaurant, Sunset Garden, Butterflies Lounge, Nobel Library, Beauties Dance Club, David’s Supper Club, Raphaels, Florentine Lounge… It was a treat in itself meandering about and admiring his inspired design!
The Carnival Pride is one of four in the Spirit class of ships, (the others being the Carnival Spirit, Carnival Legend and Carnival Miracle). The 88,500 ton vessel carries 2,124 guests and entered service in late 2001. This ship is a perfect size; large enough to fit all the amenities active cruisers look for, yet manageable enough for older guests to walk from one area to another without having to find a chair for a brief rest stop. There are a high percentage of ocean view staterooms, with the majority of those having private balconies. Cabins are spacious and both the closet space and bathroom storage is generous. The pretty peach décor of my room paired with the cherry colored wood made for a tranquil retreat. Attention to details such as the complimentary use of a bathrobe, and a basket of amenities including a ladies razor were appreciated. Such niceties are often found only on the premium cruise lines.
The food onboard was plentiful and very good. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are table service in the Normandie Restaurant, or buffet style at the Mermaid Grille. The Mermaid Grille is divided into several different stations, each featuring a different cuisine. There is Asian, international, pizza, deli, rotisserie, salad bar, and patisserie. What I liked most about eating here was that there are tables aplenty outdoors, where one can enjoy a meal while taking in the fresh air and ocean views. Heading out toward the pool is a 24 hour frozen yogurt station and a grill that serves up hamburgers, hot dogs, and side dishes.
Dinner at the Normandie Restaurant is served at a 6:15 seating and an 8:30 seating. Two evenings of my six night cruise were “cruise elegant” attire (people dressed as they would for a formal night out), and the remaining were “cruise casual”. A nice surprise was the many available tables for two, as well as booths providing more dining intimacy. An annex to the main dining room is called the Captains Club where larger groups can be seated together. A brand new alternative to traditional dining times is “Your Time Dining” where guests can dine when and with whom they choose between 5:45pm and 9:30pm. Regardless of when you dine, the menu offers many choices, all prepared with the freshest ingredients and presented beautifully. Chocolate lovers like myself will be pleased to note the warm chocolate melting cake is on the menu every evening! Pair it with a cup of cappuccino, which is no additional charge at dinner. And I must say, the Carnival dining room experience continues to be the most fun one can have while dining at sea. The song and dance performed by the staff several times during the week was amusing, and even the most subdued guest will be hard pressed to keep their body from swaying to the tune!
David’s Supper Club is the specialty restaurant onboard the Carnival Pride. This reservation only dining room charges a $30 surcharge; well worth it, as it is truly an upscale meal. Among the entrees on the menu are lobster tail, prime rib, lamb chops, and filet mignon. You’ll find it at the top of the nine deck high atrium, or just look for the full size replica of Michelangelo’s famous sculpture!
Room service is free of charge and offered 24 hours a day. I loved having a pot of coffee and a muffin delivered first thing in the morning…and it was always there precisely on time!
The Carnival Pride is a “fun ship”, and as such there was always plenty to do! Activities for everyone from age 3 to 103 ran from early in the morning to late at night. For multi generation families cruising together, everyone will find something to their liking. Games, arts and crafts, dance lessons, fitness classes, and the list goes on and on. There is just as much to do inside as out, so if being in the sun all day is not your thing, that’s fine and you’ll never be bored. But if fun in the sun is what you’re looking for, the Pride has three pools on the Lido deck. The main pool is where all those crazy activities take place, from hairy chest contests to belly flop contests. A band plays in the afternoon to keep things lively. There is a second pool that is a bit quieter and a third adult only pool that can be covered by a glass dome if necessary. What’s particularly nice about all the pools is the tiled surround / splash area which offers a nice way to cool down without submerging! The Lido deck had many hot tubs to enjoy, but I must confess, when I think Carnival, I think water slide! On the Pride, the twister waterslide is a deck higher, near a children’s pool, and was popular with both kids and adults alike!
The dozen or so clubs and lounges on the Carnival Pride are as varied in atmosphere as the entertainment they offer. Both Starry Nights and Beauties are great places to dance the night away; the former to live music, and the latter to a DJ. Florentine’s and Raphael’s are quiet, romantic settings. Both are divine for pre or post dinner drinks accompanied by piano, or guitar music. At the Perfect Game Bar you can show off your sports trivia IQ or catch an important game. The Ivory Piano Bar, home to many sing-a- longs, was a favorite of mine and was a fun place to hang out whether you can carry a tune or not.
The Taj Mahal Theatre is where you’ll find some of the best entertainment on the high seas! The Carnival Pride’s singers and dancers are a talented and energetic group that put on one heck of a performance! These production shows, with their imaginative sets and special effects can rival anything seen in Vegas. I loved “Vrooom!” because all the songs were so familiar, and I couldn’t help myself from bopping around in my seat! On the evenings they are not performing, there may be a comedian, band, juggler, or magician that is flown in. The theatre itself is lovely and the extra wide leg room makes it possible for others to pass in front without anyone having to get up!
Casinos can be found on almost every cruise ship, but the Winner’s Club casino on the Pride lets you gamble to live music nightly! There are rows and rows of slot machines and all the usual gaming tables. In the evenings, this always seemed to be the busiest place on the ship. Was I the only one so unlucky?
There is a well equipped gym on the Pride complete with treadmills, ellipticals, stair climbers, rowing machines, bikes, and various weight machines. The view is enough to make the work out less painful! Different types of exercise classes given throughout the day, although there is a nominal charge for yoga, Pilates, and group cycling. For those that prefer to take their daily run breathing in the ocean air, there is a jogging track on the Sky Deck. Despite my best intentions, my sneakers never made it out of the suitcase!
Facials, massages, body wraps, acupuncture, and other incredible indulgences are available at SPA Carnival. Look for specials offered on port days. The savings may be enough rationalization to book a second or third treatment! There is also a salon onboard for cuts, color, manicures, and pedicures.
Like all Carnival ships, the Pride has an amazing kids program for young children to teens. Camp Carnival is divided into three separate age groups, 2-5, 6-8, and 9-11, so the activities are always age appropriate. It is worthy to note that there are not many cruise lines that offer programs for 2 year olds, which may be a crucial deciding factor in vacation planning. Camp Carnival also offers babysitting for children as young as 6 months old at a modest additional charge. At the other end of the spectrum, Circle C is for cruisers aged 12-14 and Club O2 is for 15-17 year olds. On the Pride there is a designated club area for each of these two groups of teens. Both of these inviting spaces have comfortable seating for hanging out, video games, computers and dance floors. The Pride also has nine hole mini golf, basketball, and ping pong. Although my 16 year old son was not with me on this cruise, I couldn’t help but take notice of all the things he would have enjoyed.
The Carnival Pride has many wonderful attributes sure to make your cruise a memorable vacation. Yet all things considered, it is the staff of the Carnival Pride that makes a trip aboard her extraordinary. From the agents at embarkation, to cabin stewards, dining room staff, guest relations personnel, and the cruise director’s staff, it seemed all had one purpose; to give their guests the best vacation possible! They consistently provided efficient and courteous service, always with a smile. Gratuities on the Pride were automatically charged to my onboard account for a total of $10 per person per day. This covered my cabin steward and wait staff. The Maitre d’, room service, and spa personnel are at your discretion. A 15% charge is added to all beverage purchases.
I thoroughly enjoyed my cruise aboard the Carnival Pride. Sailing out of Baltimore, Maryland was easy and convenient. I think it’s a great ship for families, or singles and couples of any age. If you have never tried a Carnival cruise or it’s been many years since you last did, I implore you to consider it. Nobody does fun like Carnival! And aren’t you ready for some fun?
Joe Farcus, Carnival’s interior architect, calls the theme of this ship “Icons of Beauty.” Throughout the public areas he has given us his interpretation of how beauty manifests itself in architecture, art, intellectual achievement, the human body, nature, etc. The names of the rooms clearly reflect where he was going with this idea; The Taj Mahal Show Lounge, Normandie Restaurant, Sunset Garden, Butterflies Lounge, Nobel Library, Beauties Dance Club, David’s Supper Club, Raphaels, Florentine Lounge… It was a treat in itself meandering about and admiring his inspired design!
The Carnival Pride is one of four in the Spirit class of ships, (the others being the Carnival Spirit, Carnival Legend and Carnival Miracle). The 88,500 ton vessel carries 2,124 guests and entered service in late 2001. This ship is a perfect size; large enough to fit all the amenities active cruisers look for, yet manageable enough for older guests to walk from one area to another without having to find a chair for a brief rest stop. There are a high percentage of ocean view staterooms, with the majority of those having private balconies. Cabins are spacious and both the closet space and bathroom storage is generous. The pretty peach décor of my room paired with the cherry colored wood made for a tranquil retreat. Attention to details such as the complimentary use of a bathrobe, and a basket of amenities including a ladies razor were appreciated. Such niceties are often found only on the premium cruise lines.
The food onboard was plentiful and very good. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are table service in the Normandie Restaurant, or buffet style at the Mermaid Grille. The Mermaid Grille is divided into several different stations, each featuring a different cuisine. There is Asian, international, pizza, deli, rotisserie, salad bar, and patisserie. What I liked most about eating here was that there are tables aplenty outdoors, where one can enjoy a meal while taking in the fresh air and ocean views. Heading out toward the pool is a 24 hour frozen yogurt station and a grill that serves up hamburgers, hot dogs, and side dishes.
Dinner at the Normandie Restaurant is served at a 6:15 seating and an 8:30 seating. Two evenings of my six night cruise were “cruise elegant” attire (people dressed as they would for a formal night out), and the remaining were “cruise casual”. A nice surprise was the many available tables for two, as well as booths providing more dining intimacy. An annex to the main dining room is called the Captains Club where larger groups can be seated together. A brand new alternative to traditional dining times is “Your Time Dining” where guests can dine when and with whom they choose between 5:45pm and 9:30pm. Regardless of when you dine, the menu offers many choices, all prepared with the freshest ingredients and presented beautifully. Chocolate lovers like myself will be pleased to note the warm chocolate melting cake is on the menu every evening! Pair it with a cup of cappuccino, which is no additional charge at dinner. And I must say, the Carnival dining room experience continues to be the most fun one can have while dining at sea. The song and dance performed by the staff several times during the week was amusing, and even the most subdued guest will be hard pressed to keep their body from swaying to the tune!
David’s Supper Club is the specialty restaurant onboard the Carnival Pride. This reservation only dining room charges a $30 surcharge; well worth it, as it is truly an upscale meal. Among the entrees on the menu are lobster tail, prime rib, lamb chops, and filet mignon. You’ll find it at the top of the nine deck high atrium, or just look for the full size replica of Michelangelo’s famous sculpture!
Room service is free of charge and offered 24 hours a day. I loved having a pot of coffee and a muffin delivered first thing in the morning…and it was always there precisely on time!
The Carnival Pride is a “fun ship”, and as such there was always plenty to do! Activities for everyone from age 3 to 103 ran from early in the morning to late at night. For multi generation families cruising together, everyone will find something to their liking. Games, arts and crafts, dance lessons, fitness classes, and the list goes on and on. There is just as much to do inside as out, so if being in the sun all day is not your thing, that’s fine and you’ll never be bored. But if fun in the sun is what you’re looking for, the Pride has three pools on the Lido deck. The main pool is where all those crazy activities take place, from hairy chest contests to belly flop contests. A band plays in the afternoon to keep things lively. There is a second pool that is a bit quieter and a third adult only pool that can be covered by a glass dome if necessary. What’s particularly nice about all the pools is the tiled surround / splash area which offers a nice way to cool down without submerging! The Lido deck had many hot tubs to enjoy, but I must confess, when I think Carnival, I think water slide! On the Pride, the twister waterslide is a deck higher, near a children’s pool, and was popular with both kids and adults alike!
The dozen or so clubs and lounges on the Carnival Pride are as varied in atmosphere as the entertainment they offer. Both Starry Nights and Beauties are great places to dance the night away; the former to live music, and the latter to a DJ. Florentine’s and Raphael’s are quiet, romantic settings. Both are divine for pre or post dinner drinks accompanied by piano, or guitar music. At the Perfect Game Bar you can show off your sports trivia IQ or catch an important game. The Ivory Piano Bar, home to many sing-a- longs, was a favorite of mine and was a fun place to hang out whether you can carry a tune or not.
The Taj Mahal Theatre is where you’ll find some of the best entertainment on the high seas! The Carnival Pride’s singers and dancers are a talented and energetic group that put on one heck of a performance! These production shows, with their imaginative sets and special effects can rival anything seen in Vegas. I loved “Vrooom!” because all the songs were so familiar, and I couldn’t help myself from bopping around in my seat! On the evenings they are not performing, there may be a comedian, band, juggler, or magician that is flown in. The theatre itself is lovely and the extra wide leg room makes it possible for others to pass in front without anyone having to get up!
Casinos can be found on almost every cruise ship, but the Winner’s Club casino on the Pride lets you gamble to live music nightly! There are rows and rows of slot machines and all the usual gaming tables. In the evenings, this always seemed to be the busiest place on the ship. Was I the only one so unlucky?
There is a well equipped gym on the Pride complete with treadmills, ellipticals, stair climbers, rowing machines, bikes, and various weight machines. The view is enough to make the work out less painful! Different types of exercise classes given throughout the day, although there is a nominal charge for yoga, Pilates, and group cycling. For those that prefer to take their daily run breathing in the ocean air, there is a jogging track on the Sky Deck. Despite my best intentions, my sneakers never made it out of the suitcase!
Facials, massages, body wraps, acupuncture, and other incredible indulgences are available at SPA Carnival. Look for specials offered on port days. The savings may be enough rationalization to book a second or third treatment! There is also a salon onboard for cuts, color, manicures, and pedicures.
Like all Carnival ships, the Pride has an amazing kids program for young children to teens. Camp Carnival is divided into three separate age groups, 2-5, 6-8, and 9-11, so the activities are always age appropriate. It is worthy to note that there are not many cruise lines that offer programs for 2 year olds, which may be a crucial deciding factor in vacation planning. Camp Carnival also offers babysitting for children as young as 6 months old at a modest additional charge. At the other end of the spectrum, Circle C is for cruisers aged 12-14 and Club O2 is for 15-17 year olds. On the Pride there is a designated club area for each of these two groups of teens. Both of these inviting spaces have comfortable seating for hanging out, video games, computers and dance floors. The Pride also has nine hole mini golf, basketball, and ping pong. Although my 16 year old son was not with me on this cruise, I couldn’t help but take notice of all the things he would have enjoyed.
The Carnival Pride has many wonderful attributes sure to make your cruise a memorable vacation. Yet all things considered, it is the staff of the Carnival Pride that makes a trip aboard her extraordinary. From the agents at embarkation, to cabin stewards, dining room staff, guest relations personnel, and the cruise director’s staff, it seemed all had one purpose; to give their guests the best vacation possible! They consistently provided efficient and courteous service, always with a smile. Gratuities on the Pride were automatically charged to my onboard account for a total of $10 per person per day. This covered my cabin steward and wait staff. The Maitre d’, room service, and spa personnel are at your discretion. A 15% charge is added to all beverage purchases.
I thoroughly enjoyed my cruise aboard the Carnival Pride. Sailing out of Baltimore, Maryland was easy and convenient. I think it’s a great ship for families, or singles and couples of any age. If you have never tried a Carnival cruise or it’s been many years since you last did, I implore you to consider it. Nobody does fun like Carnival! And aren’t you ready for some fun?
Monday, May 18, 2009
My Initial Thoughts about the Carnival Pride
The Carnival Pride recently began the first of her year round sailings out of Baltimore and I was lucky enough to find myself onboard! I loved every minute of the cruise, and I will be soon posting a full review on this blog and our new facebook page. But for now, let me take a minute to share with you my favorite things.
1.The Staff: Everyone I encountered was so friendly; from the agent that checked me in at the terminal, to the waiters, cabin stewards, and every crew member I passed throughout the ship!
2. The Dining Experience: This is a “fun” ship and that includes dinner in the Normandie Restaurant. The food, songs, dances and antics of the wait staff made each evening something to look forward to.
3. The Florentine Lounge: In the evening, when the golden sheers were lowered to cover the windows, and the candelabra lighting cast its soft glow, this Italian Renaissance room was magical. What a romantic spot for a pre-dinner drink.
4. Cabin Amenities: Every stateroom has complimentary bathrobes for use during your cruise and the bathroom has a basket of toiletry items you may have forgotten to pack…such as a ladies razor. How thoughtful!
5. The Desserts: There was always an amazing selection of yummy bakery treats both at the Mermaid Grill and the Normandie Dining Room. However, it was wonderful to know that if desired, my favorite, the warm chocolate melting cake with vanilla ice cream was ALWAYS on the dinner menu!
6. The Carnival Singers and Dancers: The shows were energetic, colorful and the special effects amazing. What a talented group of performers!
7. Sunset Gardens: Hidden away on deck 3 forward this area is an unknown gem to many. A quiet area set up with bistro style tables and great views, it’s a great place to catch up on email, read a book, or sip a cup of coffee.
8. Wireless Internet: There is wireless connection throughout the entire ship! If you must bring work with you or just prefer to always be in touch with the outside world, find your own favorite spot onboard and you’re set.
9. Lots of Deck Chairs: There’s an abundance of brand new lounges! Even on our full sailing, there was never a need to scout out a spot at 7am. Find one close to the pool action or a peaceful spot away from everyone else!
10. Day Time Activities: Kudos to the cruise director & staff for realizing that not everyone wants to lay out in the sun from dawn to dusk. There were many activities for all age groups scheduled throughout the day.
I can go on and on about what impressed me about this ship and the Carnival experience, but instead, why don’t you experience it for yourself. The Carnival Pride offers six, seven, and eight day cruises that visit a variety of exciting ports.
For photos of our entire Carnival cruise on the Pride, please CLICK HERE and become a fan of our brand new facebook page.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Royal Caribbean “My Time Dining” Review
Traditionally, dinner on a cruise ship has been served at two specific seating times. Early dining is around 6 pm, while late dining is closer to 8:30 pm. Then, Norwegian Cruise Line decided to shake things up a bit with “freestyle dining”, an innovation that allows guests to eat dinner anytime between 5:30 pm and 10 pm. This relaxed option proved so popular that it’s been hard for other cruise lines to ignore it; and since imitation is the best form of flattery, many cruise lines have recently adopted their own version. So, when Royal Caribbean announced “My Time Dining”, I knew I would have to test it out on my cruise!Unable to pre-book this alternative dining option, (although very soon you will be able to do so), I signed up with the maitre d’ at the podium outside of the dining room on embarkation day. Guests that select MTD are required to pre-pay their gratuities. I was then asked if I want to dine at 6:30, 7:30, or later. Wait a second… I thought this was my time dining! Maybe I want to eat at 7 tonight, but 8:45 tomorrow. Of course you can, I was assured. But if I sign you up for your preferential time, we can have your table ready and waiting when you arrive. Hmm...Sounds reasonable. So we settle on 7:30 and I tell him we’ll call if we want to switch things around.
For my sailing, 72 seats were reserved in one section of the dining room for those that opted for this alternative. As the demand for MTD grows, more space will be allocated. Families and groups coming in together were seated at their own table. In the future, they hope to be able to give people the option of being seated with others, the same way breakfast and lunch in the dining room is handled.
The first six nights of our cruise we arrived at the dining room at our 7:30 pm time slot, give or take 10 minutes. Each evening we were greeted by the maitre d’ by name and showed to the same table. We enjoyed having the same waiter every night, and although he was always friendly and efficient, it seemed he did not have the time to linger for casual banter, as we were accustomed to on previous cruises. Since all his tables were at different points in their meal, he was always moving from table to table. Those that enjoy the interaction with their waiters may see this as a negative. Along those same lines, if you enjoy the songs and parades of the wait staff on those special evenings, your choice of dining time may prevent you from enjoying those antics.
On the last night of our vacation, without calling ahead, we arrived at the dining room at 6:15. The maitre de apologized that we would be unable to have our regular table, or waiter (which of course we understood). But as it turned out, we were seated within our waiter’s section after all, and if he was surprised to see us so early, he did not indicate it. My remaining bottle of wine from the previous evening was even poured for me just minutes after we were seated.
According to the dining room staff, the feedback regarding “My Time Dining” has been very positive. How nice to be able to go to dinner whenever you please. No more rushing back to the ship or giving up your lounge by the pool earlier than necessary. My family enjoyed the extra flexibility so much that we have already selected it for our next cruise!
Monday, May 04, 2009
Royal Caribbean 2-Day WOW SALE
Our 2-Day WOW Sale with Royal Caribbean starts tomorrow. This SALE is for May 5th and 6th only. Reserve your Royal Caribbean Cruise during this 2-Day period and reward yourself with FREE onboard credits plus 50% reduced deposits. Here are the details:
-3 to 5-Night Cruises receive $50.00 onboard credit plus reduced deposit of $50.00 per person.
-3 to 5-Night Cruises receive $50.00 onboard credit plus reduced deposit of $50.00 per person.
-6 to 9-Night Cruises receive $100.00 onboard credit plus reduced deposit of $100.00 per person.
-10-Night Cruises or longer receive $200.00 onboard credit plus reduced deposit of $225.00 per person.
-10-Night Cruises or longer receive $200.00 onboard credit plus reduced deposit of $225.00 per person.
This above offer applies to any sailing from August 1, 2009 and beyond. Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas are excluded from this promotion.
Remember this SALE is for 2-days only!
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