| Returned last week from my cruise to Europe. It was a trip of
a lifetime. The main focus of this trip was the ports, each
beautiful in its own right (my favorite being Monte Carlo, then
Dubrovnik Yugoslavia, and Nice/Cannes...aw they were all great except
Naples was a dirty overcrowded dangerous city). Lots of cases
of people from the ship being robbed, gold chains stolen, and
passports taken (worth $10,000 on the black market). We had
our own little adventure in Lisbon. My father and I took the
trolley into the city and he had his pocket picked. He jumped
off the trolley after the thief in hot pursuit, and I quickly
followed...the robber gave the wallet back with the money taken
(luckily only $10) and we got back on the trolley again!!!
About Sitmar/Princess and the Dawn Princess. Old ship, needs
to be completely refurbished. Food was good, but not gourmet.
Entertainment was great, especially the young entertainers
(Stars at Sea). They also brought Flamenco dancers aboard
to entertain us in Barcelona and Italian folk singers when
we were in Naples (saved the price of going to a night club
and they were excellent). The weather was wonderful so I
guess it is a good time of year to travel to Europe.
Long time cruisers were disappointed in Princess/Sitmar and the
way they handled tour excursions and many routine things. I was
so happy to be in Europe that I excused a lot of the poor handling
and chalked it up to the fact that it was the ship's first time
in Europe and what with the language barriers and such, mistakes
were unavoidable. The majority of passengers were senior citizens
and there were less than a half dozen kids on board. I heard rumors
that Princess wants to do away with the kids program (bad move on
their part if they want to cater to the family business).
I met a fellow Deccie from NH on the plane who was travelling with
her sister and parents and we did some tours together that were
too physically exhausting for my parents. It was nice to have
a travelling companion in my own age bracket and we became friends.
If I could get the same deal, I definitely would go again next year
(except I'd try the next 6 port itiniary that they offer so I could
see even more of Europe). I highly recommend this as a way of
experiencing the Mediterrean...it was fabulous, and the price (see my
initial note .0) can't be beat for all you get to see and do.
We saw the Royal Viking Sun and it was a beautiful ship. It stopped
in the same ports we did, but had better berths, especially in Venice
(ah, Venice). However the price is double!!!!
To sum up, it was like 14 days in heaven...
Ro
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