Current mood:

happy

Brilliance of the Seas Mediteranean Review
Day One and a half



SUSIES Journal



WE made it to Venice, and maybe AL martino left his heart in San Francisco, but that is because he was never in Venice! OH what a lovely city, and why all those Myths of how Dirty it is and smelly, Not at all…. We left Philadelphia on 9Sep07 at 4pm we had seats 6G H and contrary to what Seat Guru said, we had loads of leg room, and the window seat DID have a movable arm and was roomy although Bos seat was a bit smaller and forget using the trays…. I watched Shrek the 3rd and another one I forgot!

We landed early in Frankfort Germany ( not impressed with that airport) and BOY was our Body Clock messed up! But a short flight from Frankfort to Venice on Lufthansa , flying over the Snow Capped Alps Was impressive. But then we landed in Venice. And WOW What a airport there.. Got our bags in a timely manner, and off we were to our free shuttle to Courtyard by Marriott. We were greeted by a sweet girl Maria who got us a room Early (9:45am) and gave us details of getting to St Marks square, We dropped off our bags and took a few hour sleep and off we went to the Grand Canal.. WE took a bus from the hotel to the ACTV Boats from Plaza Roma, which was simple, nice boatride through the canal and to St Marks Square, immediately I was in Love! We walked by the water up to the main area OH what a site to see all those pigeons….WE bought food for them and Bob had them all over him I laughed.. it was the oddest feeling having a pigeon or 2 on your head, I shrieked! We went to the Clock Tower and to St marks and there was a concert practicing on the Steps \of the Plaza OH MY GOODNESS this girl singing was a angel from heaven, The natural acoustics in this square were phenomenal I had Goosebumps from the Choir of voices singing it was something I have never heard before, AM I in heaven? WE walked into a chapel off the square where many crypts were it was old and beautiful I am not a big one for old things BUT I LOVED Venezia! We walked the cobble stoned alleys that has Gucci and Chanel, and All that Murano Glass. THERE was SOOOO much of it and masks Lots of masks…. NOW of course we stopped for Gelati! Bob bought one and I had 2 licks it was heaven! Lemon and strawberry OH GOODNESS nothing like this at home…. WE walked and walked and window shopped, then we were getting hungry so we stopped at this little place and had a Antipasta. Different then from home it was all kind of fresh hams and salami’s Excellent, and we had Spaghetti with meat sauce now do not get it confused with ours no no no it has MEAT not really a red sauce it was delish but so different, and we got a Pizza 4 Fromages(cheese) DELISH there was no Coperto here No cover charge or service charge which a lot of these places do charge aq 2 Euro Fee to sit down to eat and a 12-15% cover charge, this one it was included and their pricing was great, The expensive thing here is bottled water and Soda 3 Euros for a small can of soda a Euro costs us 1.37 so times that by 3 for a soda and 2 Euro for water… our entire bill however was 32 Euro for dinner. After that we walked more and got gelato I got a peach an d pineapple Bob got Blueberry Pineapple and peach WE laughed and kissed through the Square and enjoyed our Gelati as we headed to Rialto Bridge through cobble stones streets of Venice we so enjoyed then to this spectacular Bridge and then got on a boat to go back to Plaza Roma to catch our bus to the hotel. The weather is wonderful in the high 70’s. we got back to the room and I took off my shoes and said I was taking a shower but never saw the shower only saw the back of my eyelids til 2:30AM when I saw Bob up working! Then a bottle of water and back to sleep.. Its 8AM now and we are going to Breakfast then to get ready to go to the Ship!



More later
Day 2 Venice TO ship



Buon Giorno from Italia!

We woke up today and had a free Marriott breakfast on our hotel package, and this was FAR better then any American Hotel breakfast. I was impressed as there was a whole spread of good Italian meats such as Proscuitto,hams,sopressta, Salami and all kinds of cheeses some I could not even tell you what they were but delish,and they had eggs and sausage but not that breakfast sausage we have but really good kind not greasy or anything like that, then a mix of zucchini, mushrooms and onions sauté and then grilled tomatoes, then there was the table of fruits, and the best spread breads, cakes and sweets, I stayed away from that table but tasted Bob’s and wow just great stuff….



We met our taxi sharing folks from the Cruise Critic in the lobby Sylvia and Ken from Dallas, Tx. What a nice couple. We spent e33 For the taxi from the hotel to the ship and it drove us right to the ship… very good. There she was the Brilliance and she was brilliant and sitting next to the Crystal Serenade AHHHHH….



We got signed on, as it was 11 am and hardly anyone was there, so right through in a snap easy, then onto the ship for the picture and within 5 minutes we were onboard, rooms are ready at 1 so we went to Windjammer for meal #1, I was not really that hungry, so used my coke card and had a diet with some veggies and light lunch we sat and talked and then went to our room which was ready, we got in and immediately unpacked and oops we missed the muster! We are now unpacked and ready for a week of fun! We have a cocktail party tonight after dinner with our RCCL travel Agent Reps

Dinner is early, not to my liking but no choice in the matter! We also have a sail away with the folks we met on Cruise Critic so we are ready for that too!



In the shower we went and got ready for our first meeting… Sail away.. to the skybar at the pool…. (we are happy to be back on Royal Caribbean). We met Ottawa Countess and her hubby Steve and then the rest came Courtenay and Mi Taxi Michelle, and the rest It was great and great folks. What a beauty of a sailaway with the Grand canal right there.. we stayed all the way past the isle of LIDO and out we were to sea.. back to the room to get dolled up for dinner…..



At Dinner we went to our table, Danielle Fox my rep was there to greet us, I really like her a lot she is one that is always there to help with whatever our needs are if it is in her realm to be able to do, WE have a great table of agents sometimes this is hit or miss with some being snooty and all but this group meshed well for the entire time…

After dinner was a cocktail party so we went to that and we were told that our seminar would not be on the entire sea day they were breaking it up throughout the week on 3 days and that was great. We then checked the ship out and at 10pm we went to a cruise critic unofficial meet and mingle and met up with some then we went to bed, we were tired our systems were still wondering if it was day or night… doing a Med cruise you need to come in a few days early so your body knows what schedule it needs to adapt too and you do adapt.



DAY # 3



DUBROVNIK CROATIA



We got up and had Breakfast at the windjammer. Nothing different to report Breakfast is Breakfast and I am not big on breakfast and not having a JADE restaurant I can not have my Fave! Hahahaha SO a little BF and off we went to our shuttle that takes us to the Walled City, You purchase a RT ticket from ship to the town for $8pp so that is great, it says a short walk but that is a joke! It’s a 3 mile long arduous walk! Those that did it took taxi’s back.

This is a neat city, you CAN still see some bullet holes from their last war with Bosnia or whomever they had the war with. And there is a beautiful Wall surrounding the city the interior is gorgeous something out of a picture book, ALL the streets inside are White Marble, and you could eat off of them No lie! We cashed some money in there for Euros as there was No commission fee that was great. And we walked through the town. It was Hot… and all that white marble…. This is a city tht you should do a WALKING the WALL which means you climb up steps many steps like 100 or so and brings you to the top and you see the city from up there its like 2 cities, very cool, but knew since I was having feet probs I was not able to do that, which was fine wih me, we had our 2nd gelati, 1st being in Venice, ( I let Bob get the gelati and I taste!) This was good but it was NOT like Venice…. We then walked and looked in churches and the little alleyways of the city, bought post cards ( Bobs a collector) and then went to have a drink at one of the many outside cafes, Its cheaper to drink Beer or Brandy then Soda! A Soda was 4 or 5 Euros ( at a $1.37 per euro our money) so your looking at over $5 for a soda!

A beer was less hahahaha

WE bought some pretty white hand embroidered table cloths here.

We then found this nice little restaurant to eat a lunch, seems that Pasta and fish is big here, I Had Lasagna, Bob had FISH we had good bread and the most lovely waitress who kept teasing Bob. He also had this dish there that is popular which is cucumbers and this sour cream type sauce. I have to say this was the best lasagna I had .

Then we walked back to go back to the ship.



Welcome back home to the air conditioning YEA! To the shower a little Nap and off to the seminar… then to dinner… then to the concierge lounge for a drink or 2.. then to the show, it was very good, about Broadway shows and ended with mama mia and I love that show, I keep thinking of Kerry and Dale and Dale being on top of the chairs dancing when we were in Vegas.

Then to bed, Were are starting to become accustomed to the time now, but we have a big day ahead!

Ciao for now

Day 6



NAPLES TO AMALFI



Got up and Bob went to Breakfast I chose to get 15 more minutes of Rest. We have a private tour with 4 others we met on Cruise Critic so we need to meet them at 8AM . Since we went to bed at 1 am that was not smart!

I Pulled myself out of bed and threw on the shower to wake me up… Ok that was better! Got Dressed, Bob came back and we went to meet the others. We were met by our driver Who was a cutie a real latin looking young guy that I knew Kerry would have Loved! HAHAHAHAHA he was Italian born in Cuba, he lived in Positano to what I gathered a much older wife. We drove out of Naples (Another Crappy looking place) The place of my ancestors, but its ashamed how much Graffiti is all over that town. Towards Amalfi we go, We go around the block and what is right there in front of us the MAGNIFICENT Mt Vesuvius! WOW Impressive its 4000 ft high has not erupted since 1945 it USE to be 8000 Ft, and it is immense in size, We went to Herculaneum which is similar to Pompeii But much smaller maybe a 5th the size, and more in tact then Pompeii, I am not into these old things, but it was remarkable to see it, how this town was covered by mostly mud then ash kept it more preserved, you can still see the tiles and all.. Unreal but once you see it you do not need to see it again unless that is your line of work, the sad thing is here is something that is part of history and right outside the gates Is nothing but trash and graffiti. And to me these were not the friendliest of the ITALIANS Sorry to say but true. Well now for the Amalfi coast. WOW it was beautiful and I was holding onto the handle in the van because these roads are TIGHT and they drive crazy, and its tight tight turns and some times I closed my eyes, cutsie little villages and then coastline, the TOWN of Amalfi is something you see storybooks the butcher the baker the candlestick maker we were in the middle of it all like something off a train scene at Christmas, and ohh I thought about TOM since there was Limoncello everywhere here LEMONS galore and the size of softballs! AND limes , Bob had a coffee there and we had a canola and e had something I have no clue what it was But it was a piece of heaven as the Bite I HAD IT said MORE MORE but I didn’t it had a choclate with liquer and hazelnuts and a mousse type filling on a pastry. I had a canola that was out of this world! The canola tube as lined with hard chocolate and the filling had the Cheese filling with chocolate chips and fruits and rum it was sooooo good! As good as Sicily but much different. And Bob had a limoncello Gelati and it was WONDERFUL! and this is where you get the very best Mozzerella as they make it there so very fresh…., the road was out from Amalfi to Positano so our driver suggested we take the boat there its 25 minutes down the coast and he would drive back 1 ½ hrs and pick us up in Positano, we said how will we find you he said its simple everyone knows everyone there I WILL find yous… and that he did!

The boat ride was wonderful, actually even better then the drive as we saw this magnificent coastline from the boat, we got to Positano and we were hungry. We got the signature pizza of Italy a Margherita Pizza its the colors of the flag Tomato sauce is Red Cheese is white and basil leaf is green, and the bread it was nice course Italian bread, with olive oil tht was great. We had a Caprese salad and then came the Pizza, it was heavenly…. Here is something funny the Bathrooms in Europe are WAY different from ours all though all were CLEAN, there is a lot of squatting there, and to wash your hands there is no faucet and until you remember it isa foot pedal on the floor! Wait til you hear about ROMES, hahahaha Bob had a Gelati, it was good! But not Venice , but very good.

SO good lunch and now time to walk to find where the driver is, well they said to get to the PLAZA to go up the steps, this NEARLY killed me, it was soooo hot out and there had to be about 500 steps and inclines, I am dieting but this was torture IN THE HEAT. I made it to the top and went in and sat in a church to pray! Yes the driver did find us (he found us at lunch actually) and thank goodness for air conditioning!

We drove back and saw the surrounding areas hmmm…. And I was glad to get back home to the home away from home room of ours.



WE WERE BEAT We got back at around 6 and it was formal night, so we opted to skip it, there waas not much time to get ready, so we called PORTOFINO’S and got a reservation for 7 They were sold out but he said he squeeze us in, we showered and got ready and went for a leisurely beautiful romantic dinner. I highly recommend this restaurant to everyone to try at least once per cruise. Or CHOPS.

This dinner was wonderful Better then our last one on the Mariner, We had anabella as a waitress and our food of Tuscan bean Soup, A delish salad of walnuts Fresh pears salad mix and a delish house dressing was great, Risotto with Shrimp for appetizer, Pasta course was ribbon pasta with mushrooms and truffle cream sauce, and mash taters and Filet of beef … I could not eat the beef as I was pretty full So I had 1/3 of it cause they have great desserts and since other then the gelati and canola and a cookie Onboard I been eating all the sugar free desserts which were heavenly, SO I got the sampler platter of tiramisu, panna cotta, a flourless chocolate cake and a vanilla type mousse which was my favorite along with the Tiramisu they were small samples. Bob got the Regular tiramisu which also comes with a Godiva chocolate shooter. We then headed to the Casino for a hour and then to our room. As tomorrow is a bigger day! ROME!











DAY 7

ROME,ITALY



This really is the highlight to SEE THE HISTORY that we were only taught, to actually walk on it and live it was so impressive, Rome was clean not dirty like Sicily and Naples, More Pride and I bet Money is but into these sights, We had a private driver/Guide Vincenzo that was fabulous from the time he picked us up. He told us about all the things we were going to see . he lives in ROME and he knew so much, we started at CIRCUS maximus, where the chariot races took place, impressive and odd as you did not realize it was not as big as I thought. Now it is used for concerts like the stones and Genesis it’s a park but you can still see where the horses and all ran.



We went to so many churches and places from where Mussolini lived to churches that famous people in history were buried or designed )Michelangelo and Bernini were the main ones) did so many beautiful designs how did they have time to live! He lived to 93 that was unheard of back then.we went to the Panthenon, was a temple then church it was in wonderful condition and quite impressive. Right outside of that we had guess what? Gelati, OH MY this one rivaled Venice, I had 4 licks of BOBS it wass full of hazelnuts, and LEMONS hahahaha

Ok back to the tour, we went where the Vatican held their prisoners, went to church Santa ANA Magiorie so gorgeous and there was mass there, the crypts, pictures depicting mortality was quite different. Beautiful church, there is so many churches if you visited Each one it take you 6 months. We then turn the corner and there in front of us is the Coliseum. This is impressive, inside is equally impressive and it was clean a lot of people said that the last 5 years its been cleaned up and very impressive to stand there in history, so many died each day there PEOPLE AND ANIMALS, ALL FOR THE SPORT. Next to this is the FORUM again impressive.

We then went to Piazza Navona which the fountain was covered being cleaned or restored, and to the Spanish steps but it was very busy around there , the glove store TOM told me about was closed cause it was after 1pm many things though are open and some are closed. WE then went to TREVI FOUNTAIN .WOW I was wowed. Its amazing just amazing. And you know people drink out of all the fountains. Its safe but no thank you….. I did throw in my coin as tradition to make me come back again.

Then we had lunch at a restaurant it was good a calzone and salad caprese.



Then onto the highlight… ST PETERS BASILICA CHRISTIANDOM FOR CATHOLICS AND NON CATHOLICS.



It was incredible just brought you to your knees, the chairs were all set up as the Pope was out at the balcony at noon time,there is the swiss guard that is guarding it and its huge simply huge. You get in line and go through security then enter either the \side of the crypts of the popes or the church , no charge here, we opted for the church as we could have spent hours here, this was so impressive soooo very impressive and I can not chose words to explain it, there are bodies laid to rest at some altars there is so many altars in there, and the main one was unbelievable. Just incredible if your catholic or not.

Since they are their own state, they have a post office of their own there too, I would have liked to go to the crypts too but only had so much time.



Back on the ship , shower and off too dinner. Another great one and then to the quest game always funny we joined a group and came in 3rd. then to the casino and both of us won, got 3 of a kind to the tune of $150 each so that was great….

Then back to the room for bed….



PS the toilets. IT was unreal you go in and do your business and then when you flush this Thing comes out of the toilet and goes around the seat and the seat actually spins half way what it does is cleans it but to see a Toilet seat spin was odd! Then wash your hads put soap on them, and No faucets If there was a candid camera they would have laughed I could not find the water! WELL its on the floor on a pedal. GO figure! HEY at least the toilet had a seat there was not many that had them!





DAY 8



AT SEA



The long awaited day….at seas…… Actually we packed and rested and went to the shows and had dinner and really did not do a lot and it was GREAT! We all said good byes to everyone and its sad but reality!



Day 9



Barcelona



We awoke early and had to be at our excursion place at 7:30am So we caught a quick breakfast and off we went. Easy getting off and to the buses.

This port also has those conveyer belts like the airport for the luggage and was VERY organized. Got our luggage and onto the Bus and off we went, WOW what architecture is in Barcelona! Antoni Gaudi is the famous Architect and wow its fantasy architecture, we went to Las Ramblas, Gotic section and alllllll around this town. Saw beautiful cathedrals and SAGRADA FAMILIA the sacred Family it’s a church that was started but never finished Gaudi started it and its been over 100 years in the making It has to be seen to be believed they said it would be done in 2020 but we will see…..

There is a lot of pick pockets here so you need to be careful With Rome also…

But we then went back to our hotel- Renaissance Hotel and rested went out for dinner had wonderful Paella and Sangria and to bed….



Day 10

Up and ready to go home… Our flight got in 1 hour early so that was good but now I suffer from JET LAG!



NOW about the ship:



Brilliance of the Seas- this was my 39th cruise and I think since you go so often you can be more critical and I try not to be, and on the other hand I am less critical, hard to explain, BUT I know that things are NOT going to be what they were when I started cruising almost 24 years ago. THIS ship was wonderful! Its not OLD but I guess some folks think anything over 2 years old is old! It’s a Radiance Class ship for Royal Caribbean, and a wonderful class with lots of Glass and a beautiful Solarium pool. Europe cruises are rally not about the ship though as your not on them enough to really get to enjoy them like the Caribbean cruises are, But this staff was wonderful and the ship was clean and the rooms were very nice and the Food was Superb!

I noticed from my last Princess Cruise on the Crown, How much better the food on the Brilliance was compared to it. Could it be its Europe? I talked with hotel Director he said that the provisions all come form Miami so that the food is the same as Caribbean, BUT its all in the interpretation of the Chef, Well; this one was great! They have added some new things, like one night coming in to a ceasar salad in a bowl kinda like Olive Garden on our table That was VERY nice touch and we all liked that, also we had olive opil always on our table and a Pepper Mill. There were some new soups . I loved the Jalapeño Potato soup, NO this was not HOT HOT HOT like the name not at all. So try it! The steaks were not at all chewy and done as I had asked, There is nothing on the food that I can even remotely complain about. I liked that they had a separate menu on the table called the Chefs special and each night it changed it was something the chef prepared that was not on the regular menu that was really a nice touch. One night we ate in Portofinos and as always very very good. This was better then the last time we ate there, I believe on the Mariner.

Oh no Lobster on this cruise, we were told it was stopped fleet wide. Could not get the quantity at the quality they needed or the cost at what people abuse stopped it since people want 10 tails each…



Shows: they were typical shows and entertaining, no headliner that we would have known but there was a guy from Australia that I guest people over there know well he does a Charlie Chaplain routine with magic and he was very very good and never uttered a word. I liked a game they played too called Majority rules that was fun as was the QUEST we came in 3rd and got Document holders. No Horse racing as that has been stopped too,. We played Bingo and Bob waited for 1 number for the HUGE jackpot! ARGH! I kept my streak of 39 cruises and not winning bingo going!



This was a great Ship and a wonderful Trip, I would love to go back to the Greek isles, Just need to get rich!
Meeting the Cruise Critic Group, and the Agents in the Seminar aboard ship just was the topping on the Canoli!

Well done by Royal Caribbean. So? Whats stopping you? You now need to go and experience it!



Susette Whitfield