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Red Velvet forever.

And that's why we took ocean view room.

And that's why we took ocean view room.

Days 2 -  Dubrovnik.
We docked at Dubrovnik at 12:00 PM which allow us to sleep until 9 am . Breakfast at WJ , as usual , same things and I still complainig about lack of vegetables , come on you are in the Mediterranean , vegetables are important (and no , cheese nor Salmon are vegetables even if you put one cucumber near for decoration. I went to the port lecture (AKA we have some shops we want you to visit) , I know it mostly commercial lecture but still you get good info so I am Ok with it . Did you know that the neck tie was invented in Croatia ? Not sure if to thank them or hate them for it ? also dalmatian dogs came from Croatia . From the port RCL offer a shuttle (five minutes ride) to the old city , it cost 15 $ for return trip) . We had a tour of small group (15-20 people) which took us to the cable car for a very nice view over the bay followed by a city walking tour. Here are some pictures from the top of the hill


From the cable car


And the usual iconic Dubrovnik picture

Down near the cable car station

The city itself is full with  charm and if you watch Game of the thrones it's nice to try and find some of the location of Kings landing , they have some shops that sell GOT memorability stuff but it's so expensive! For example 30$ for a mag - hey , I am a fan but there are some limits.


It was a very warm day that limits us to places with shade , we sure want to go back and visit during better weather.




Hey a ship from the free city of Braavos is entering the port



We had some free time so we went to eat late  lunch in one of the old port resturants , we took some oysters , octopus salad ( which came in a very interesting presentation) and calamari which was very fresh and good.




 
For dessert we took  the local flan .

Next we done our way to the ship . 
 
 

Day 1 - leftovers.
So we finished taking the photos of Venice from the ship , no doubt it's one of the nicer port to sail from . We went to get organized for dinner (walking in Venice sun has cost to it) I took a shower , in Rhapsody they still using the old curtain system , as much as I tried to avoid it the curtain kept clung to me and I felt I need to wash again . Now I might be OK with such affection but hey at least by me a dinner at chef table first. We went to the   MDR for dinner (late shift) and we faced the first night MDR curse , everything was so slow , it took us around two hours to finish. Food was Ok.


Post dinner we went to see the band in the centrum which was nice

Also it was a good opportunity to take some theater photos


Love the way they designed it
Visit in the Casino and off we went to sleep , more about Dubrovnik tommorow.

Second day of the cruise, we are in  Dubrovnik , still smiling 

Day 1 - the short version.
As always on the cruise day I had hard time to sleep (well maybe the fact I still recovering from Australian time did not help eather) so I update the blog , surfed the internet and waited for the alarm to wake up my spouse. Around 7 we went down to eat , breakfast is very good at this hotel (four points Milan center if anyone ask), quick last minute packing and we started our journey to the train station (8 minutes walk) good that I fixed the suitcase wheels. It was not too hot so it's Ok. Milan central station is luggage friendly and all the tracks are on the same level and near to each other (not like Milan Garibaldi which can be a nightmare , believe me I tried it once). The train cost us 30$ and I booked it ahead of time. The train is quite fast (can get up to 200 Mph) only issue there is not much space for luggage but we managed to find. Our train tickets also included drinks and snacks which was nice. The journey took around 2.5 hours with some stops in places like Verona (did not had time to say hello to Romeo nor to Juliet). We arrived around 10:45 to Venice station and started to walk to the main transport square . One issue is that you have to cross a bridge which as some flat stairs but not something too bad , alternative you can take a porter that will take the luggage for you over the bridge. 
Our plan was to take the people mover which bring you to the port in 5 minutes and cost around 2 $ . You can  find it inside the white building in currner of the square .

I guess that was also the plan of many other people and the line was huge (well if you can call it a line, it was more like 20 different lines were everyone tries to get in , in Italy the call it casino , which mean one big mess) , We decided to skip it and just walk to the port . The way to the port is quite easy but it was quite hot , it took us about 12  minutes to walk to the port gate were the people mover drops you , another 10 minutes from the gate to the terminal. I'd it doable , I guess yes , we have just done it but I wish it was less hot.


Another option is to get off the train at Mestre and take a cab to the port (around 50$). Finally we got to terminal (around 11:15) few minutes after we boarded the ship. As usual we went first to the WJ which had allot of empty tables , post lunch we went to the diamond club for a coffee, they also served some finger food.

At that time the rooms were ready and our luggage appear around 1:30 Pm . We unpacked and went to get some rest following the muster drill. After the drill we went back to the diamond club for some drinks 




The ship starred to move so we went up to see Venice from deck 10 and 5. There are some rummers as if soon such big ship  will not allow in Venice anymore.
 

With some help from friends


 


 


And there is another cruise line

Time to get some rest, will continue tommorow
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Second day of the cruise, we are in  Dubrovnik , still smiling 

MDR for first night

WJ recon :
Mexican station

One big bird

And red  velvet cake are here to Stay


Red bananas (I still do not like bananas bit they looked nice)

DL 
They had food even around 1 PM

We successfuly negotiate Chef table with 30% 
Its started with 20 and when we said we will think about it it went to 30 while we were eating in WJ. Love Chef table so we are happy

As usual , cruise early  morning and I woke up up much too early. So here some more pictures from yesterday :
 
Now, I am sure such a child labor would not be approved today ?

Inside the cathedral:
It's hard to understand the size from the picture but it is a huge church , 40000 people can be inside and to think they started to build it 700 years ago (and complete it 60 years ago , talking about delays , almost like RCL IT upgrade projects). 

 


Here are the remains of the old church  under the cathedral


And I can't visit Italy without drinking espresso or two 

Day -1 Milan.
 
We arrived Milan around 11 PM , quick walk from the bus stop and we arrived the hotel , check in was slow as only one person answered the phone in parallel trying to check us in . Finally we got in the room and just went to sleep as we both were very tired. On the way to the hotel we also lost one of the suitcase wheel , lucky for us it was quite near to the hotel so we managed it.
At morning we struggled to catch breakfast around 9:45 (breakfast was only until 10 am) , breakfast was good ,it even included vegetables (you see RCL its possible to server vegetables at breakfast). We bought daily ticket for the subway (7 $ for the full day) and did our way to the Duomo, the subway station brings you just outside from the Duomo , if there is one thing you must see in Milan its this Cathedral, its very impressive , all cover with marble.


There is quite a big line to get into the Cathedral but there is a way to bypass it . All you need to do is to buy combo tickets to get onto the rooftop of the cathedral which is a must and from there you can get down directly into the cathedral. That is exactly what we have done , we bought the tickets, went on the rooftop (very pretty)







 
and went down to the cathedral, there we also went under it to see the old church remains  (from around 450 AC)
. Post the cathedral we went to eat our second breakfast of frozen pistachio ice cream and went to the Aperol  terrace to drink our first travel drink , and no the drinking package is not working there.



The next station was castle Seforza



 
 , we took our lunch near by

 . I stopped in a sport shop to buy some roller blades wheel so I can fix the suitcase (I had to replace at least two wheel as they were not the same size but it did the trick for now , I guess its time to replace this suitcase which my spouse using for the last 14 years.
It was time for dinner , real this time , Pizza and a salad near the cathedral


 
Near the cathedral there is the oldest mall in Europe , in one place were a new tradition started  , on the floor there are some mosaics of animals , now it consider a good luck if you go over the bull mosaic private part and turn three time using you shoe  heel , do not know who came with it but its  sure funny to watch.


 
.  Tomorrow we have early train to catch so time to catch some sleep , its cruise day soon.
    
 

So I am back to the airport this time with my spouse which is now enjoying a massage at the lounge spa (it's free as long as you register enough time ahead). Was quit hectic day , I got 3 hours sleep as I had some meeting at the morning , yet gain another crises somewhere. I did you d time to pick  my shirts (folded and ready for cruise) and even a  quick lunch deal in one of our favorite restaurants (while still in a conference call) 



Soon we will board , Milan here we come (again)

Ok , so I boarded the aircraft , I should mark it to check if it's going to be the same one I will board tommorow doing my way back to Milan ? actually going to seat in the same exact seat. 
So why I am doing this crazy Milan home Milan in less than 24 houre ? Well few months ago when we booked the cruise we booked also flight for the cruise in a very cheap fare , so cheap that canceling it  would mean to lose the full fare. Last week I was request to come to Milan for a business trip which was not planned (I just returned from another trip) I tried to see what I can do but staying in Milan would mean my spouse will need to travel alone , add money for the suitcase (I can take two without fee) , not able to use the lounge and need to navigate alone in Milan airport which is not that frendly. It would also mean I would need to take the cruise suitcase with me , mixing my cruise outfits with my business one. So here I am going back home for 12 hours , hey at least I will have time to print my sell pasess.
For now enjoy a Greek sunset 

Only  three days before our second Greek cruise ,
Seating in Milan airport to go back home , do some laundry, last minutes arrangement and back to the airport to land, yes back to Milan . Yes , I know it require some explanation why I am doing that but I promise later to explain this.
We are going again on the Rhapsody of the seas for 7 night cruise from Venice (until Venice will not allow any big ships anymore) , we thought last year that although we like big ships we can survive with the small once also as long it is interesting route.
So were we are going :
DUBROVNIK – Never been there but this is kings landing from game of thrones – we took a tour as it’s a tendering port , it will take us by the cable car to a nice view of the city and the bay post a tour in the old city
CROATIA KOTOR – We will take our time and just take one of the tender boats after the rush hours, we will than do a tour in the old city which we thought we did not had enough time last year
CRUISING
SANTORINI, GREECE – We took a tour to AIO and some wine tasting 
KATAKOLON, GREECE – did not figure this one yet.
CRUISING (and celebrating my birthday)
VENICE, ITALY  - Cry and catch our flight back.
 
The plan is to land in Milan , stay for two nights and take the morning train from Milan to Venice , from the train station we will take the people mover to the port, plan B if train will have some issue will be to rent a car and drop it in Venice airport.
My spouse never visit Milan before so she asked to stay there and not in Venice this time , After all the last supper it there and the Domo.
Its should be a nice cruise , we both need to rest , it was a crazy month for me running from one end of the world to the other one.
We did not order any special restaurant nor a drinking package but for sure we will try again the chef table and use our voucher for some evening drinks.
As you can see , after I so RCL are not removing cats from Oasis post the dry dock I started to train my own cast , some already know how to give high five when they want food . well our own stray cats soup kitchen , which mean we need to find someone to keep feeding them when we are not there,

 
maybe will try to convince our own cat to arrange it.

 
Well , my flight is being called , so I will continue to update later.
 

Days 2 -  Dubrovnik.
We docked at Dubrovnik at 12:00 PM which allow us to sleep until 9 am . Breakfast at WJ , as usual , same things and I still complainig about lack of vegetables , come on you are in the Mediterranean , vegetables are important (and no , cheese nor Salmon are vegetables even if you put one cucumber near for decoration. I went to the port lecture (AKA we have some shops we want you to visit) , I know it mostly commercial lecture but still you get good info so I am Ok with it . Did you know that the neck tie was invented in Croatia ? Not sure if to thank them or hate them for it ? also dalmatian dogs came from Croatia . From the port RCL offer a shuttle (five minutes ride) to the old city , it cost 15 $ for return trip) . We had a tour of small group (15-20 people) which took us to the cable car for a very nice view over the bay followed by a city walking tour. Here are some pictures from the top of the hill


From the cable car


And the usual iconic Dubrovnik picture

Down near the cable car station

The city itself is full with  charm and if you watch Game of the thrones it's nice to try and find some of the location of Kings landing , they have some shops that sell GOT memorability stuff but it's so expensive! For example 30$ for a mag - hey , I am a fan but there are some limits.


It was a very warm day that limits us to places with shade , we sure want to go back and visit during better weather.




Hey a ship from the free city of Braavos is entering the port



We had some free time so we went to eat late  lunch in one of the old port resturants , we took some oysters , octopus salad ( which came in a very interesting presentation) and calamari which was very fresh and good.




 
For dessert we took  the local flan .

Next we done our way to the ship . 
 
 

Exciting news !  I hit a Royal Flush tonite on Ultimate Texas Hold’Em.  $5500.  Yippee !  Good way to start the week.

Day 1 - leftovers.
So we finished taking the photos of Venice from the ship , no doubt it's one of the nicer port to sail from . We went to get organized for dinner (walking in Venice sun has cost to it) I took a shower , in Rhapsody they still using the old curtain system , as much as I tried to avoid it the curtain kept clung to me and I felt I need to wash again . Now I might be OK with such affection but hey at least by me a dinner at chef table first. We went to the   MDR for dinner (late shift) and we faced the first night MDR curse , everything was so slow , it took us around two hours to finish. Food was Ok.


Post dinner we went to see the band in the centrum which was nice

Also it was a good opportunity to take some theater photos


Love the way they designed it
Visit in the Casino and off we went to sleep , more about Dubrovnik tommorow.

Day 1 - leftovers.
So we finished taking the photos of Venice from the ship , no doubt it's one of the nicer port to sail from . We went to get organized for dinner (walking in Venice sun has cost to it) I took a shower , in Rhapsody they still using the old curtain system , as much as I tried to avoid it the curtain kept clung to me and I felt I need to wash again . Now I might be OK with such affection but hey at least by me a dinner at chef table first. We went to the   MDR for dinner (late shift) and we faced the first night MDR curse , everything was so slow , it took us around two hours to finish. Food was Ok.


Post dinner we went to see the band in the centrum which was nice

Also it was a good opportunity to take some theater photos


Love the way they designed it
Visit in the Casino and off we went to sleep , more about Dubrovnik tommorow.

Second day of the cruise, we are in  Dubrovnik , still smiling 

This resort is BEAUTIFUL!!!!
I’m making some sand art to take home too. I love it!
 

Pulled out some of our luggage since we bought a new big piece today. I'm trying to decide if my daughter can squeeze all her stuff in her carry on size or if I need to let her borrow my old, big hard side. I just realized we have no medium sized bags. ? For 11 days now, I'm pretty sure my son will have to use a normal carry on size instead of his little Star Wars bag.
 

Exchange for dollar bills at guest services. I would not ask the waiter for change lol.