jacketwatch

Our new favorite ship.

This was simply the best cruise we have ever taken. I don't know where to start so lets begin at the beginning.
Embarkation;

It was a breeze. We were in our cabin in about 10-15 minutes. easy and effecient.

Service;

In a word the best ever. Our cabin stewards Blasidio and Dragan were the best we have ever had. Our luggage was a bit late coming to the cabin so Dragan made the extra effort to check on it ofr us and got it right away. Our room was so well kept it seemed like the bed was never slept in. The job could not have been better.

Our waiters Pobrinho and Sachin were the best we have ever had. They paid attention to the little things like my preference for lemon with my water. They were always smiling and it was a joy to see then.

Overall there is a reason why this ship gets the highest ratings for the entire fleet. This is the best crew overall we have ever seen.

Food:

This is always a very subjective area. For us the food in the MDR was always very good and the buffet selections were varied and well prepared. We dined twice in the Silk Harvest restaurant and we were very pleased and delighted with their service and the food. Last yr. as with every cruise we have been on we requested Indian food for my wife on the Connie and unfortunately they way underperformed to put it mildly. It was the poorest selection we have ever had. This year what a difference! The HW asked us every night how the food was and took request fro the next night. One of the chefs who we met was jamaican and I joked about getting jerk chicken. He said just tell him when and he will make it and he did. Again the overall service and food was outstanding.

Cleanliness and public areas.

Spotless. It seemed like a brand new ship. The design was very nice too, clean, modern and open and airy. We have wine and cheese on the lawn one night and it was such a nice touch.

Entertainment:

Overall the Celebrity performers were excellent and one particular guest singer, first Jacqui Scott who we had first seen on the Splendour 10 yrs. ago wowed us again. My eyes popped out when I saw she was performing. She sang "Don't cry for me Argentina" from her role as Evita and it brought tears to my eyes she is that good.

Disembarkation:

We self disembarked and it was such a breeze I could not believe it. We were off before the time we were to meet and be sent off in groups.

Overall this was the best ever cruise, ship and crew.

I do wish the TV had more selections as last yr. on the Connie we were able to watch the baseball world series which we could not this time but beyond that I can't say enough about this ship.

jacketwatch

I would like to add a few more observations.

I am fussy about coffee and last yr. on the Connie it was pretty bad. This time both the coffee in the MDR and the cafeteria was surprisingly much better. I did not regret bringing my Starbucks Via instant veranda blend but all in all it was much better. I do wonder if X did something to improve it.

Overall we felt like there was little if any solicitation form the crew to buy things. They pretty much left you alone.

One never knows about the weather. Last yr. we were in this area at around the same time and it was easily 15 degrees warmer this time. Athens last yr. was quite chilly. In fact I had to buy a hoodie to go under my jacket. This yr. shirt sleeves was fine and Santorini was warm.

Percy

I was wondering when you were going to do a Trip Report.

Glad everything went so well.

Give us a list of your ports of call.

Pssst !!!! don't forget to vote tomorrow .

Eschew

hoodie to go under a jackey for jacket watch ... hmm

Nice TR. If I don't know you better, I would say you got paid off by X .

jacketwatch

Actually I voted on Sat. I will do the ports as well. Stay tuned!

TPAYT

Staying tuned!

jacketwatch

So lets start with the 1st port, Santorini. As this is the only port we tendered into it actually started the day B4. After breakfast we got in line by one of the lounges for tender tickets. The wait in line for me was around 45 minutes but it went by fast as I chatted with the folks in line and once we got our tickets it moved pretty fast bit by the time they began allocating them the line was HUGE! We hade tendet boat no. 2 which basically meant no. 1 as they called you in batches by two groups.

We were on shore in about 10 minutes or so after we shoved off and got in line again for the cable car to the top of the cliff where the town basically is. You can take the donkeys if you like but hey, the cable is quick and cheap and the donkeys can be, well asses sometimes. . Interestingly you can't get a R/T ticket when you ascent. Gotta get tickets going up and coming down.

Actually if was fairly warm that day so we just strolled, shopped had a snack which included santorinis own brew, Yellow Donkey which I am told is not even exported to other Greek islands. They have another brew, Red Donkey, which is a bit heavioer than the yellow, a light lager. I must say as i like to try local brrews this was very, very nice.

We shopped a bit more, bargained for some jewelery and decided to head back early to beay the crowds though it didn't seem crowded going up. We were still sort of jet lagged so my plan to eat dinner there was not such a good idea at the time of arrival. i must say this little town is beautiful clean and is great for pictures. And the local lager.

Eschew

Larry, you didn't take the stairs? It's only 800 steps give or take!

When we were there last, we were tendered ashore at Athinios and was told that they will pick us up at Firon (the landing beneath Thira). We did a tour of the island, had lunch in a small town in the middle of nowhere (Pyrgos?) and ended the day in Thira and took the cable car down and tendered back to the ship.

I am surprised that they didn't offer you the "crazy donkey". It comes in a champagne styed bottle, just like the red donkey, but with higher alcohol content (6%?)

jacketwatch

One look at me and thats the 1st thing they should have done.

We tendered right at the cable car location so it was a snap. My original plan was to have dinner overlooking the sea but we were still a bit jet lagged so we cut things short after strolling around and having a snack of tzatsiki (spelling) and bread and of course that yellow donkey lager. Really good stuff too.

I am surprised that in Europe there is no way to leave a tip on the bill if you pay with a cc, at least at most places we went to.

We did did some shopping and got a nice BD necklace for my sons GF and a T-shirt for him. .

What I did notice is that people on the islands vs. Athens are a bit less grim. I know their economic situation is perilous but in Athens it seems the mood is terrible. Cabbies push to seel more than what you want or over charge you and shop keepers seems distracted to say the least. No surprise considering everything of course. However it seems that those Europeans I spoke with on the ship inre to the Greek econ. crisis feel that its way pst time for them to shoulder their load. Not much sympathy that I experienced. There was a guest lecturer on the ship who also had some interesting things to say inre to their situation and it was not flattering at all. He said that the goal, and bear in mind these are his words, not mine, of college graduates there is to get a cushy govt. job, report late to work, do little and retire at an early age and live off of a pension. This is of course all gone now. Objectively he said that of the 11 million Greek citizens last yr. or the yr. B4 only 11,000 filed an income tax return showing earnings greater than 100,000 euros. Hmmm. This is of course one viewpoint but its interesting.

Percy

My Greek friends here tell me about the same thing.

No one wants to really work and and they avoid taxes like the plague.

They ( the Greeks who have immigrated) tell me reality is now catching up to Greece.

Yes, I am following your report

jacketwatch

Last yr. on 60 minutes there was a segment about the crisis and it was mentioned that 40% don't even file a tax return . Stayed tuned.

jacketwatch

Ok guys so our next stop was two days in Istanbul which is a city I am very fond of having been there last yr. 3 days pre cruise. Day one we decided to see Topkapi palace which we did not see last yr. then hit the Grand Baazar. The cabbie of course tried to schmooze us for a private tour of IT which we declined. Several times. Can't blame him for trying I suppose. Well we got to Topkapi along with what seemed like half the population of IST and just about every school child there as well. It was super packed and lines were long so we just had to cut it short and head to the baazar. While there we shopped, had a nice lunch and decided to head back as we had evening plans in IST as well. Then it got a little interesting. I thought the cabbies would know what "cruise ship terminal" meant but got a couple of guys who did not understand enough English to get us there. Finally we got someone who understood so off we went. When I tried to pay him in USD I found out something interesting. They accept them but only if they are crisp, like brand new. He said if the currency is older, has even a slight tear or is wrinkled he has a very hard time turning them in. So finally after giving him several bills which he gave back we got it straight but it took nearly 5 minutes of this back and forth trading to get it straight. I was about to get a headache.

So we went back to the ship, rested and then met some lovely people we know who live in IST. It was very nice to see them again so we hit a Starbucks which is across the street from the dock, chatted for a while then they took us to an area called Taksim vie the subway. Interestingly the subway was entirely automated meaning there was no drivers or personnel. Never saw that before but we got there just fine. Taksim is a really cool area in IST which has a huge open street with many shops and restaurants on either side. You can walk, talk, see street performers, shop, eat and relax. It was evening time and it was well lit up. I can only imagine whats its like during a holiday, every festive. I found a you tube clip about it. See below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-QjcUdUvE4

Then we decided to eat so we found a local Turkish place and had a wonderful meal but what was interesting was the huge portions of meat we received. We ordered a mixed grill platter for 5 and the amt. we received could have been for 10! I simply could not believe how much they gave. There was tow full plates leftover it was that much.

Afterwards we strolled back to the subway and back to the ship. We thoroughly enjoyed our 1st day in IST and were so happy to see our long distance friends again.

Tomorrow was day two and it was "interesting." gotta run now though.

Eschew

When people talked about Istanbu, they have this sterotype image in their head which is typically all wrong.

I am surprise that you head back so soon, especially when you were there just last year.

Keep the TR coming ...

jacketwatch

Well its like E. Celebrity gave us a nice OBC to make up for a problem last yr. On top of that we really wanted to experience an S class ship. I've wanted to since I first read about them actually and the reviews for the Equinox in particular have been especially good. As for IST I really like this city and we have friends there so all in all it worked for us. heck I would not mind going next yr. but Sue has other ideas so thats out.

Actually you are correct in that IST is cosmopolitan. At the same time you see people respond to the prayers calls you also see women dressed as they would in Europe or the US and it seems they get along fine. Nice when you have tolerance, isn't it.

So anyway the next day we were to meet in one of the lounges for a Bosphorus river cruise at 0745. No problem. Well I stir out of bed and see its 0735!! Yikes! Jet lag I guess. I get Sue up in a hurry and tell hers whats up and we are rushing to get ready and she say she has to have a cup of tea. Well I squelch that idea in a hurry and off we run to the lounge which we got to just as the assembly was leaving. So she's mad, I'm a bit perturbed thinking why is she mad about not getting some tea when for criss sake we would miss the whole thing so off we go in silence in our own little snits. We take the bus in dead silence and begin walking to the boat when she says "oh happy birthday" and gave me a kiss. All is well again.

So we had a cool cruise on this historic river seeing palaces, grand hotels and all the while realizing that this river separates the European and Asian continents How cool is this. Actually it was pretty cool so we went below, she had her tea and some cookies and I had some coffee and we are all well now.

We had a stop at the spice market along the way which is very, very neat. I do wish we had more time there but hey thats another reason to go back, right. We get buy some sweets and a few other things. Afterwards we headed back to the ship on the river boat and I must say this was a very enjoyable experience.

That night we had dinner at the Silk harvest speciality restaurant with some people we met who were from Manchester via Mauritius originally. Interestingly if you order say three things they bring four or five just to have to try a combination they think you would enjoy. The service is excellent as is the food. And for the 1st time in my life and probably the last happy birthday was sung to me in Chinese! All in all it was a fun day though it started off rahter poorly. well its how it ends that counts I suppose.
Next port Kusadasi.

Eschew

Larry, I guess Sue is a great actress and she pretnded she's mad at you quite well and really got you going .

Now, unless you speak the language, how do you know they sang happy birthday in Chinese? ... unless you were in a Chinese restaurant (Silk Harvest = Asian ?)

jacketwatch

I suppose you are right. .

Silk Harvest is pan Asian actually. I suppose we will have to trust them as to the singing.

What is also interesting is that the next day in the cafeteria one of the bosses up there asked me how the cake was that I had that night. Pretty nice.

Gotta go now. I can hear Sue stirring up stairs. Time to make chai.

Eschew

For whatever reason, we seldom celebrate special occassions. We might go out for a dinner on a birthday or what have you but we generally don't tell people so we won't have the "spectacle".

If you have a habit of giving gifts year round, you don't have to wait till Christmas or birthdays to give gifts. So, if you treat everyday as a special occassion, then there is no need to celebrate the "special day".

jacketwatch

I must admit that hearing happy birth day sung to me was nice, esp. in Chinese and while on a nice vacation.

However over all as time goes by these sort of "occasions" do lose a bit of their luster though for us they still do matter some. Different strokes.

jacketwatch

Sorry it took so long to continue with the port stops but after vaca life became busy as usual.

Our next stop was Kusadasi which we actually saw last yr. as well. Then we met a nice gal, Oya who became a friend and showed us Ephesus so this yr. we arranged to meet her again (she free lances at times for Hello Ephesus) and see some other sites but also to visit with her as well.

Our first stop was the house of the blessed virgin Mary who as certified by three popes lived here during her latter yr. Of copurse it is a holy spot andit was fairly crowded though nothing like the day in Itanbul we tried to see Topkapi. Marys home is small and we did go thru it, lit a candle and got some souvenirs for people back home who wanted somethign from this place. Similar to the western wall though much smaller is a wall there where you can leave notes or wishes and of course its packed with them. We strolled around after that and got some Turkish ice cream from street vendors which is actually an experience. They are dressed up in traditional, colorful costumes and dispense ice creme from a long and I mean long, about 3 foot long metal rod with a scoop at the end of it. Then after they put your selection on a cone they sort of tease you by offering in, then pulling it back or moving it out of your grasp. its all good fun.

As we saw Ephesus last yr. we decided to see the quaint village of Sinince. And I mean quaint. This is a quintessential quiet village. The roads are narrow and the shops are plentiful and easy. There was a sign which said "browse without being pestered." Pretty nice. The shops were full of locally made wine too. I've never seen so much wine in such a small area in my life! Maybe thats why its so quiet. . This was a such a nice place to visit as we get to see a life style that is so different from ours that its hard to remember that many live this way.

After Sirince we visited this gem of a restaurant which Oya introduced us to last yr. called Bizim ev. This place is another gem that only a local would know about. last yr. I simply could not believe how many delicious, fresh items were offered buffet style. Well its true because this yr. it was just as good. If you are ever in this area folks do try it. See the link:

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaur..._Province.html

This place has become more known as now the chef has a cook book out and Oya told me that she will be in Chicago Sept. 2013 for a Turkish festival. I'll be there too!

So on a full stomach we made our way back to the ship after a completely satisfying day spent visiting a friend and seeing new places.

However Oya did tell me something thats is unfortunate. She came by ferry to meet us from a Greek island she was visiting and mentioned that as a Turk when she arrived there even though the lines were not long she had to wait hours to be processed thru immigration. Seems its a normal practice. Thas too bad.

Next stop Athens.

Percy

Was in Ephesus also and now waiting for the Athens segment.

Hopefully you can make a few comments on the economy there.

I am following .