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First Cruise, what a fantastic experience
I have just returned from our first cruise with my family (my Wife and 3 boys aged 11,10 & 4). The whole experience was just great from start to finish. Flying to Venice, we picked up the ship, Splendour of the Seas. The weather was fantastic and as we slipped elegantly away and made our way through Venice we drank cocktails waving to the people on the boats and on the shore. On this 7 night cruise we docked in Split in Croatia, making port in Corfu, Athens, Mykonos, Kataholon, before returning to Venice, where we stayed a further 4 nights.
On board the ship we felt very special, we had an inside cabin that slept 2 and an interconnecting room which slept 3. The food was fantastic and was available 24hrs. There was plenty for the kids to do, and they made lots of friends from lots of different countries. Dinners could be informal or formal. I woke every morning in a different port setting my alarm clock to watch the ship dock, even though the beds were so comfortable. My wife particularly enjoyed the service to the rooms, go for breakfast to come back and find the room had been made up and tidied. Coming back from dinner to find again tidied rooms and beds turned down complete with a little animal made from one or two towels which included an elephant with a pair of the boys sunglasses or a monkey hanging from a coat-hanger.
In summary the best holiday yet, and already looking to book our next cruise.
Island Star Med Explorer
The Cruise originated from Palma. We then cruised to Livorno in Italy, where we paid for an excursion to Florence which was stunning we visited the cathedral and many other famous sights. I would recommend Florence to anyone due to the scenary and culture. We also went to Pisa and saw the leaning tower which was incredible also a must.
From there we stoped at Genoa in Italy where we went on a halfday excursion to Portofino which was once a small fishing village, it is now a very wealthy resort with pastel coloured houses and exclusive shops. The final port of call was Marseille in the south of France which is a small harbour attracting an array of small yachts and fishing boats, It is full of history but unfortunately quite dirty. We disembarked and flew back from Barcelona.
Colourful Coasts
We went on a cruise for one week on the Thomson destiny. The boat was tired and in need of refurbishment. Resort day trips good but over priced - they can all be done independantly much cheaper. Only 2 entertainment lounges, one of which permitted smoking so reduces the places that non-smokers may feel comfortable sitting in.
Ionnian Treasures-Greece & Albania Cruise
Arrived in Thessaloniki where we boarded the Calypso.
Day 2 Sailed through the Corinth canal, very spectacular, our ship was the maximum size for the canal.
Day 3 wake up in Corfu town, Corfu. After a glassbottom boat tour (Good) we ventured around the town with its back street shops and cafes with a backdrop of the fortress looking over the bay somr nice sights.
Day 4 arrived in Durres, Albania. Visited the ports roman ampitheatre then whisked off to Tiarana to se endless Audi & Mercedes cars clogging up the city with poor infrastructure (roads) they only wanted us to see a park with a decent cafe and grounds (blighted by Gypsy kids begging for money) and a trip to the cemetry of Martyrs.
Day 5 Parga, Greece. A beautiful seaside town which we reached by Tender, a trip to Dodoni to see Greek and Roman ruins followed to Ionnia itself and its polluted lake.
Day 6 Athens, wonder ful tour of the city starting from the port of Pareus to the city of Athens taking in all the sites finishing with the marvellous Acropilis.
Day 7, Volos, Greece. Atrip up the mountainside on a small replica train for some great views of the country.
