Jan115

Not only is it humongous, but it doesn’t even look like a ship. Even the Epic’s Haven sitting on top of the ship like a giant block bothered me. Let’s bring back the ships where you feel like you’re on, well, a cruise ship!

Shari - I’m glad you could come along on my adventure, at least in spirit. That’s one of my goals when I blog, to make people think they are there. Pre-reserving shows and activities has become pretty common these days, mostly on the NCL and RCI mega ships. On NCL it seems to contradict the “freestyle”, theme, but on Epic, Breakaway, Escape, Bliss, and so on, a lot of guests are pre reserving everything they can, whether from home or once on board. Reservations are coded into your key card, and if you don’t have a reservation, you will be told to stand in the standby line. The smaller ships, like the Dawn that I’ll be sailing in August, don’t have the option of pre reserving. Seating is open, even with a reservation. At Cirque, you’re ushered to a seat.

Just booked this quickie 5-night cruise from NYC. Nice opportunity to finally try out a Princess BIG ship without spending a fortune and eating up a lot of time. Anyone else joining us?

Yes, Shari - I am rather long-winded on paper, aren't I!? My reviews are meant to enjoy with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, so you can savor every detail.? I write notes as I travel, a little each day, so all I have to do is make a few edits, and it's ready to go when I get home. Now, if I could only do the same with my photos, which are still on the camera ....

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We’re in the process of planning our CruiseCrazies cruise in 2019. We’ve been putting some ideas out there and would love feedback from our members. So click here and join the conversation:

Nancy, a belated Welcome to CruiseCrazies. You will love it here! I just returned from Norwegian Epic, and since you have a cruise on the Epic coming up, you might want to read my review of the ship and the ports. If you have any questions about the ship or about Barcelona, fire away! Here is the review:

Santorini is the only one on this itinerary we have done - it was incredibly beautiful, wasn’t it! I’d look forward to getting to Venice, finally, and I hear Dubrovnik is beautiful. The approach to Kotor sounds amazing. I’m very excited ... is anyone else? Let’s hear it, everyone - what do you think of Greece & Croatia, 7-night Rhapsody of the Seas, June 1st?

I still have to get the photos off my camera which is planned for this weekend. In the meantime, I have published my full review under Cruise Reviews. You will find it here:

LOL- great minds think alike. ? I printed it up the options this morning so David could look them over, and he called me, reciting them off in the same order as you did. ? Have not sailed Rhapsody and haven’t been to most of the ports either. So, that would be my first choice, as well!

"Fabulous Time in the Mediterranean" View full cruise review

So, time to get serious! I am looking at Europe, late May to early June, which works well for David's schedule, and I don't really want to leave the poor guy behind. These are 7-day cruises, which I think might attract more people, especially if they want to spend a few days before or after the cruise exploring their own land options. Here is an Italy/Greece, 7-day cruise on Emerald Princess, Athens to Barcelona, June 1st. Has 2 sea days for some down time. Here is a 7-night Greek Isle with 2 sea days, as well, Royal Caribbean Jewel of the Seas, round-trip from Rome. How about 7-night Sapphire Princess, round trip from Southhampton, Spain and France, May 25th. Or Greece & Croatia, 7-night Rhapsody of the Seas, June 1st Lastly, there is the Celebrity Edge Rome to Barcelona, 7 nights, Mediterranean, June 15th, which is pretty much the same itinerary I just did, but would definitely do it again, especially since it's an exciting new ship. However, the price is pretty steep. Any thoughts?

These are all great tips! Choosing itineraries which allow for sea days between busy port days really does help - especially in Europe. Focusing on one or two favorite sites in a place, rather than hurrying from one to the next, the next and the next, is a more relaxing experience. Just sitting at a sidewalk cafe and taking in the scenery for an hour or two is rewarding without being exhausting.

David and I keep looking at the Transatlantics, but because he is still heavily involved in the world of education - even as a Retiree!!? - we can’t make the dates work. Someday, I hope! Doesn’t mean that I won’t join one of you on a Crazie Cruise, though!?

I have to agree with Andi - the Coral is my favorite, as well - ease of getting around, the beautiful promenade deck, decor, the forward and aft crew doors on Aloha & Baja decks that are open to guests on Panama and Alaska cruises, the dining in the front, the bump out cabins, and a variety of covered, partially covered, and uncovered balconies. Regarding balconies, just be sure to know which are covered and which are not so that you’re not disappointed. From what I gather, the Island and Coral used to be same. Then Princess renovated Island, removing some favorite features and changing some of the public areas around. It’s my understanding that Coral was supposed to get an identical reno, but so many people complained about the Island, that the changes for Coral were abandoned. I can’t remember exactly what the complaints were about, but may be you know, Andi, since you’ve sailed both?

I just happened to read this article this morning. I can certainly understand the concern of the townspeople in these quaint little places in New England and elsewhere regarding the overrun of cruise passengers. I am a native New Englander and love Portland, Bar Harbor and Acadia Park. I do self drive trips in New England, I always check the port calendar so I can avoid the days when the cruise ships will be in town. A small town like Bar Harbor is busy enough in summer, as it is, and is downright impassable when multiple ships are in port. I love cruising, and seeing New England by cruise ship is a perfect way to get a taste of the area. It’s a catch-22 for sure, with necessary summer tourism dollars vs. overburdening crowds. I am siding with the towns and hope they can retain control over their own land so that it doesn’t fall into private land developer hands. I hope a solution is made to please everyone - passengers, merchants and locals - and a solution that will develop the services needed, while at the same time retain local character.

View from Hotel Pulitzer balcony

Andi, if you love boutique hotels as much as I do, you would LOVE Hotel Pulitzer! I wish we could have stayed longer. We left before breakfast to get to the airport, but they have a beautiful terrace and bar, and has that oh-so-classy European look. The rooms all have a balcony, and we enjoyed the sights and sounds of the city. It’s a short walk to Las Ramblas and a ton of eateries and shopping. Just around the black was Hotel Jazz, also very nice. Both had a rooftop bar, but Hotel Jazz also had a pool up there, and it was a little nicer: But I would recommend either in a heartbeat!

Would love to, but the link doesn’t seem to work.

The number one site in Barcelona is La Sagrada Familia, Antoni Gaudi’s still unfinished basilica masterpiece. We purchased tickets in advance, which is always a good idea when visiting major sites. As our taxi pulled up, our jaws dropped. No words can describe the architecture, light and color of this place. I took a lot of photos with my good camera, but here are a few from my phone.

Back in beautiful Barcelona, where the archicture is just beautiful. The Spanish do love their balconies and terraces, don’t they! Here is the view from our room at Hotel Pulitzer! Finally have decent WI-FI, too.?

I just want to clarify my comments about the seating for Cirque Dreams. BOTH the premium seats and the regular seats get a meal - which is not all that great, by the way. Portions were small - and everybody gets the same salad, fries, little piece of beef and 3 tiny desserts. If you go, spend the extra money for premium, as the regular seats are in booths way in the back, with only a partial view of the action going on.

It’s our last night of the cruise, and tomorrow we head back to Barcelona for a night at Hotel Pulitzer. If anyone’s stayed here, I’d appreciate your thoughts. If it’s anywhere near as good as Hotel Jazz was for our pre-cruise stay, I’ll be very happy. It’s been a great week in the Mediterranean. Even the cloudy, rainy weather predicted never materialized, and we had nearly perfect days all week. We had a cruise full of beautiful new places and some great new experiences. Look for my full review and photos sometime this week. See you land-side!

I agree, Jackie. That’s why the Amalfi Coast towns are so appealing, right? Speaking of Amalfi Coast, have you been to Ravello? One small group tour I was on a few years ago took us there as part of a Positano-Pompeii tour, and it was so quaint and quiet - most cruise ships don’t go there, and it’s so peaceful without the crowds,?