March 31, 2017. Monte Carlo, Monaco on the Grand Mediterranean Cruise

 

Arrived in this city in the fog we docked at 7:30 and we're off the ship by 8:15.  The fog lifted very slowly and this Harbour called Port de Hercule came alive with all these amazing yachts and buildings.  Wow you can sure tell this is a tax free country.  We walked up to the rock where the Monaco Cathedral is where Prince Rainer and Grace Kelly were married and buried.  Just beautiful and huge.  Then we watched the changing of the guard.  After about 3 hours on the rock we went down to where the Grand Prix is driven.  They are setting up bleachers already.  I' am not sure when the race is?  After walking down from the rock we decided it was time to go to the casino.  It took us an hour to walk from one side of the harbor to the other side.  We got to the Grand Casino around 1:00 and it didn't open till 2:00.  You have to be dressed up and no tennis shoes allowed.  Also you need your passport.  We new this ahead of time and really didn't care to go in.  We walked around the area of the casino for an hour.  Beautiful views amazing old buildings.  Great day we walked 18, 000 steps and boy do my feet feel it.  That's over 8.3 miles.....pictures of our day.

Picture of Grace Kelly tomb

Grand casino

Us in front of the casino

Tomorrow is Back to Italy.  I'm  going to Pisa.........

 

Cherish The Moments, Love Deeply, Dream Big

March 30, 2017. L'lle-Rousse, Corsica France on the Grand Mediterranean Cruise

 

Another tender this morning to the hillside town of L'lle-Rousse meaning  "Red Island".  This morning we are going to try and catch the 9:00 train to another medieval town.  Not sure if we will make it, with tendering and all.  But we did, so we are off to Calvi and we will catch the 1 pm train back.  Then we can explore ILE Rousse.  The train took 40 minutes along the coastal side.  It a very old train left at 9:04.  The citadel, is overlooking the bay, the Calvi waterfront which has some beautiful white sand beaches 5 km long.  The Citadel ramparts commenced in the 13th century and finished in the 16th.  As we walked up the steep stairs and curvy paths to get to the top we saw the house of birth of Christopher Columbus really all that is left there are a piles rocks and some arch ways.  Also a house where Napoleon stayed back in 1793.  The Cathedral is called St John the Baptist and is dated from the 13 century in baroque style.  It was restored after being partially destroyed.

 We took the 1:00 train back to where our ship was, and we explored that little town.  The sun is out and feels very warm.  They said high of 55 it feels like 70.  They seem to give out a lot of wrong information on this ship.  Even the location guide tell you that there is not wifi and we found it all over town and free.  Go figure. 

Our train small and quaint

What we are visiting today

Our view just gorgeous.  Well back on the ship and tomorrow we are in Monte Carlo which is another first for us. 

Cherish The Moments, Love Deeply, Dream Big

March 29, 2017. Alghero , Sardinia , Italy on the Grand Mediterranean Cruise

This morning was a port of call that we had to tender.  Just a short tender to shore and we were in this medieval town.  We walked around for about 2 hours and then a hop on hop off bus pulled up and for 18 euros each we got out of the town for 1.5 hour.  It went as far as Neptune's cave and turn around and went back.  Very interesting tour.  This island of Sardinia and town of Alghero was once pool",a small fishing village and now is a  thriving tourist destination and a bustling marina.  It also famous for there beaches.  To me I've seen prettier beaches, but again we really aren't in beach weather yet.  Today was sunny and cooler than yesterday.  No free wifi anywhere that I could find except in the bars and cafes. Didn't want to do that today so this and yesterday will be late.  Not even McDonalds had wifi on this island....

Our ship in the harbour

On our adventure today

Remains of an old Roman bridge

Tomorrow we are on an island called Corsica in France

March 28, 2017. Mahon Menorca, Spain on the Grand Mediterranean Cruise

 

We have never been to this port.  The sail in was just beautiful we traveled about 2 miles up a rcanal surrounded by white houses lining the river on both sides.  This is one of the deepest harbors in the world.  Just not very wide.  Not too many ships can travel up here. During the Franco dictatorship in Spain, Menorca was overlook d for development in favor of the neighboring islands.  As a result much of its original  charm was retained.  The harbor is lined with outdoor cafes, bars,and restaurants overlooking the water..  Outside of town are the lovely beaches.  

Once off the ship we walked up these cascading staircase that lead us to the main square. We found a nice market selling shoes, leather goods.  Bob spotted a bakery so we went in just to look and smell but somehow walked away with a chocolate croissant.  Boy was it tasty. We walked then to the old part of town and saw the museum and  the church of the Iglesias de Santa Maria.  Picture of our day today.

Inside the church smelled musky.

The archway to town

Cherish The Moments, Love Deeply, Dream Big

March 26, 2017. Cartagena, Spain on the Grand Mediterranean Cruise

 

Love this town been here a couple of times.  Great walking street with shopping on both sides.   But today we are on tour with Ensemble group.  We are going to see some of the country side while driving to the city of Murcia.  Never have been there so we are very excited to see this town.  Our tour is not until 1:00 so we got off the ship at 10 once we cleared customs and walked around this beautiful city.  There is free wifi at the port.  So that's good to know for later.  Had a bowl of pumpkin soup for lunch.  Very good.
So on with our tour to the capital city of Murcia.  About an hour north traveling thru the agricultural farms of artichokes, cauliflower, fruit tree's mostly of apricots and peaches and oranges.  Right now the oranges are in blossom and the smell is wonderful.  We are also surrounded by the mountains all around us. This town after much fighting was finally settled by the Moors in the 9th century and conquered by the Christians in the 13th century.  We saw beautiful old architecture and lots of charm.  Being a Sunday of coarse everything is closed except for the cafe's. Ok now for the Tapas and wine

Tomorrow is a sea day

March 25, 2017. Gibraltar British Territory on the Grand Mediterranean Cruise

 

Travel all the way to the very southern end of the Iberian Peninsula and you'll find the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. At one time Gibraltar served as a major base for the Royal Navy, but today this port specializes mostly in shipping and Tourism. The Rock of Gibraltar is often believed to be the most popular destination for visitors.  A natural reserve covers most of the upper area of the rock, while the bottom houses most of the city's residents.  When walking the streets you might just bump into some of the Barbary Macaques.  These semi-wild monkeys are the only natural breed left in Europe. They love to steal anything they can get there little hands on.  But today is a walking day along Main Street.  Very very busy but a nice sunny day.  

The Rock as we approach.  

Tomorrow is Cartagena and we are on tour.  Another 6 miles 

March 24, 2017. Casablanca, Morocco on the Grand European Cruise

Casablanca Morocco

 The largest city of Morocco, present-day Casablanca's new city was founded in 1912, and is home to the country's chief port, its own stock exchange, and the headquarters of several major multinational companies. We started the day with a shuttle to get to the old town then walked to get to the enormous Hassan II Mosque. This enormous mosque –the seventh largest in the world and the second largest in the Islamic world.  Casablanca's skyline is dominated by this massive structure.  No matter where you are, you're bound to see it thanks to its attention-grabbing green-tile roof. The building's foundations lie partly on land and partly in the sea, and at one point you can see the water through a glass floor. The main hall holds 25,000 people and has a retractable roof so that it can be turned into a courtyard. The minaret is more than 650 feet high, and the mezzanine floor (which holds the women's section about 8 feet above the main floor) seems dwarfed by the nearly 200-foot-high ceiling. Still, the ceiling's enormous painted decorations appear small and delicate from below. The only guided tour on Friday takes place at 2pm and about $12 a person). While we didn't get to the city hall, we heard it was also worth seeing. We walked through the medina (old city) looking at all the items. The simple whitewashed houses of the medina, particularly those closest to the harbor, form a contrast to Morocco's economic and commercial center just a few hundred yards away. Moroccans living in more affluent areas probably rarely, go to the medina.  

A kinda so so day.

Cherish The Moments, Love Deeply, Dream Big

March 22, 2017. Arrerife Lanzarote Canary Island Spain on the 2017 Grand Mediterranean Cruise

 

This city is the islands capital city since 1852.  Once a prime target of pirates the area settled in the 15th century as a small fishing village and now a major port serving the other Canary Islands, Europe, and Mainland Africa.  Once called the "Venice of the Atlantic".  It also has 2 castles that were once used to defend from pirates and guard the harbor.  We had a very vibrating landing on this island.  There are no tree's here and it's really looks like a lunar landing.  We had a free shuttle into town.  Only 3 miles into town. Shops all close at noon to 5 so we are just seeing some sights.  

 Tomorrows is a sea day then into Morrocco.  Not sure about wifi???

Will try and post when I can.  

Cherish The Moments, Love Deeply, Dream Big

March 21, 2017 Tenerife, Canary Islands on the 2017 Grand Mediterranean Cruise

 

This is the second of the 3 islands we are visiting in the Canary Islands.  Tenerife is the largest as well and is home to the 3rd largest volcano in the world  "El Teide".  The island is created solely from the Volcano.  There has been 4 eruption the most recent 100 years ago.  Tenerife's major economic is tourism and most of the islanders work in the service industry.  Lots if historical monuments, and archaeological sites.  So today we were the first off the ship and had our 10,000 steps all around town by 11:00.  We saw a beautiful large park in the middle of town.  They have a old section and a very nice metro system going up a Main Street.  It's cloudy but warm today and yes Bob is in his short and I guess I over dressed.  Some pictures of our day today

Thank goodness for free Wifi at McDonalds.  Walked yesterday 8 miles today 7.  Loving it.  Till tomorrow....

March 20, 2017. La Palma Canary Islands on the Grand Mediterranean Cruise

 

We made it to land after 9 long days on a very small ship.  We were one of the first to get off around 8:00.  We first went to the terminal building to gather some Wifi.  Being the only ones there it was free and very slow.  We stayed until our free time was up.  We decided to take a city bus to the middle of the island.  Quite easy to do and a small island so not that long of a drive.  We like to do this in cities that we have lots of time.  Since we don't have to be back on board until 8pm we have lots of time to explore the island.  So for 2.10 euro we went to Los Llanos.  Took us 35 minutes along a lot of hairpin turns going up the mountain which is really a caldron of the volcano where this village is located.  The scenic route was great.  Once we got there we walked around for 2 hours then got back to our port city of La Palma.  We grabbed a bite to eat and walked around the rest of the day.
Lots of these tucked away in all corners

Till tomorrow.....

March 17-19 2017. More SEA DAYS on the Grand Mediterranean Cruise

 

Happy St Patrick's day to everyone.  Yes the ship in the casino and the dinning room are in full decorating mode.  Just a few days ago we boarded this ship.  We have really noticed that all the staff are so friendly and already calling us by our names.  Some our more formal as to Mr & Mrs Lunman and our room steward  Bundi calls us Leslee & Bob.   They gotta study at night. They just gotta.  Anyway our day is pretty boring on this ship and we have already gotten into a routine.  We have breakfast by 8:30 in the Lido on deck 11.  Then we go straight to a good morning Coffee chat at 9:00 on deck 8 in the Wajang Theatre which turns into a movie house at 3:00.  At 10 we listen to a lecture of some kind. At 11:00 back to the Wajang for a cooking show ( open a curtain and wa la we have a kitchen) which is called the Culinary Arts Center.  Noon we go back up to grab some salad or sushi for lunch.  Then 1:30 some kind of crafts.  Movie time at 3:00.  Really haven't seen anything good yet.  From 5pm to 8 we usually go back to our room.  Then dinner is at 8pm our table is pretty good we are all laughing and having a good time.  Speaking of the dinning room there are only a few table at late sitting.  Guess all the old people like early sitting. We were told that there is only 542 people on board and 486 crew.  So not a full boat that's for sure.  Our table out of maybe 8 tables is always the last to leave.  Then it's onto the show at 10 and in bed by 11:30.  Then we repeat our day. 

The weather has been sunny everyday but the winds out on the deck are so strong.  45-55 knots  and the sea's have really been rocking and rolling.  Pools have been drained only hot tubs have nice warm water in them.  Yesterday we had some pitching going on.  Up & down up and down. We both are looking forward to land in 3 days.  Food has been great lots of great fish so far. We've had 1 formal already with 7 more to go.  Picture of are first formal. 

Cannot wait to  step on land......9 days is just to long.

March 12-16. 2017 Sea Days. on the 2017 Grand Mediterranean Cruise

 

We got our Blog posted and came back on unpacked everything. We had a Sail away party at 7-8 so we got dressed and went to that.  People are very old on this ship not too many under the age of 70. I might be the youngest on board except crew of coarse.  So we thought we needed to be there at 6:45 to get a seat WRONG.  Not like FV where if your on time your late.  Nope if your on time your early on this ship.  So we sat down and listen to the Station Band in the Ocean Bar. Then right at 7:00 they come around trying to pawn off Rum cocktails.  Way to sweet so we ordered a Vodka Martini for me and Bob had a Chocolate Martini.  They were very good.  Second round thought we better have a wine. So I had a glass of red and Bob decided to have this frozen chocolate drink that was like a milk shake with Baileys in it.  At 8pm we both left with a glass of wine in hand. So 3 nice comp drinks in an hour thank you very much HAL.

We walked to the dinning room for our 8pm dinner we had 2 other couples and a single lady.  Let's see names are Ron and Barbara from Georgia, Wendy from California (L.A.) and a couple from Nova Scotia (Halifax) Barbara & Paul    Plus us and an empty chair for someone that decided not to come tonight. We all seemed to enjoy meeting everyone.  The Barbara from NS was quite the talker in fact she talked so much we were getting worried about getting out of there by 9:30 to see the show.  So we both had fish Bob has Sea Bass and I had Tuna.  Both were very good.  We excused ourselves at 9:25 before coffee and dessert were taken because we really wanted to see the show.  I guess the rest didn't care.  Showtime was kinda like what is happening around the ship.  Music wise. We had 3 short live intro's.  Then at 10:30 we went up to the Crow's nest to watch us leave the port.  Yes we still are docked in Port Everglades.  Right at 10:45 we left the port being the last of the 5 ships that were in port today.  Bedtime was calling me at 11:00.  It was a long day.

Bob drinking his Chocolate Martini

And I have a Vodka one

I think I will only post on Port Days.  Our routine is kinda the same and don't want to repeat myself.  Our sea's are pretty smooth and there are only 572 passengers on board.  

On day 2 in the evening we received 2 computer bags, 2 umbrellas, and 2 journals.  Thank you very much for the pillow gifts HAL.

So we will see what happens in the next 6 days.

Day 1 Embarkation In Fort Lauderdale U.S.A.

 

Well check in was a breeze.  Hardly anyone here or are already on the   Prinsendam ....oh yeah forgot this is a small ship.  Max guest is 750 with crew of 439.  She sure is a beautiful old ship.  We explored the ship before having a bite to eat.  There is a sail away party tonight at 7:00. Complimentary cocktails will be served.  Then it's dinner at 8:00 where we will meet our table mates.  There is also a Welcome Onboard show with the cruise director Linda giving us a taste of the entertainment coming up this cruise and introducing us to the musicians, singers, and dancers, along with the Entertainment staff.

So at 4:30 we have a passenger emergency muster drill.  FOR ALL GUEST.  So I am going to go out into the terminal and see if I can get the wifi and post this.  It will be 9 days before I can get wifi at our first port which is Santa Cruz De La Palma, Canary Islands on March 20

Waiting in our room for our luggage to come and we can settle in.

So sit back and come with us on our journey on the "2017 Grand Mediterranean Voyage".
   Bob & Leslee

We are on our way on March 11

This is the Prinsendam ship HAL's smallest.  We will board her on March 11 for 56 days and getting off the ship on May 6th.  Still haven't decided if I will be blogging only because of no internet.  Man was it nice to have free internet last year.  We shall see, yes I know I can write it up at night then save it in a draft form and then when I get to  a port upload and send. 

Last night we got a great call from our TA saying that HAL have upgraded us from an inside room to a outside window view.  Bigger room and now a window free.  So there are still some perks out there.

We are now busy trying to clean and close up our unit in FV.  Today we play in our last golf scramble, went to the flea market with Carol & Frankie, Bob went to the Dog races with them.  I decided to stay home.  Income tax has been sent to our accountant.  Bills are set up to come out of our bank account.  I know we will forget something but what will be will be.  

Here is our itinerary of our ports we will visit.

So we shall see how this will work.  Not promising anything.  Thanks for coming along.