mom2mybugs

Ok...I will have Jeff send me at least the still copy of my hair and makeup! Jane

Hi @Andrew72681. I have taken my minor kids a few times without my husband. I have never been asked for the form, but I would totally not travel without it. You should fill out a permission to leave the country form. (look online for a printable version you can fill out). Have your wife sign it in front of a notory. Chances are you won't need to show it but that way you are covered! Jane

Ack... Just deleted disembarkation day lol! Sigh! Anyway, we didn't sleep well...I was up before 5 and Madison left at 6 to say goodbye to friends. We didn't have to fly out till 355 so we had some options. We could have stayed on the ship, but that would have been depressing to hang with all the people excitedly starting their trip so we decided to do an excursion with royal to Montserrat and get dropped off at the airport. It was amazing!!! Although a long drive, the views were amazing, the Benedictine church beautiful and we were so happy we did it! There was a statue of st. George (I think) by the artist who did the passion facade of segrada familia (not gaudi who only completed the Nativity facade). It is striking... Monserrat is famous for it's "Black Madonna" dating from the 13th century. It was beautiful as was the rest of the church. Again... Took hundreds of pics but here are a few! Built into the rock that surrounds the Fitch is an area you can light candles. I was able to light a candle in mentor if my parents and my dad who would have loved this trip. How I wish we'd discovered cruising sooner! Time to race to the airport where it took an hour to check in and then we made the mistake of trying stir fry... That took almost an hour! We ran to our gate to find our flight delayed for almost 2 hours. Oh well.. we had time to eat our stir fry and then even have a glass of cava! The flight was uneventful though incredible again we had to wait for a gate at O'Hare. Customs was easy peasy and we were home by 10pm. Sleeping was a very good thing since we'd been up over 24 hrs! I will have to do final wrap up thoughts later as it is Monday morning and alas... I'm back to work lol! Ugh! Jane

DAY 12 LAST SEA DAY! I found that 12 days doesn't take away from the last day blues :(. You know you have to pack .. You just don't wanna lol!!! I had 2 thriller rehearsals and got put right in the middle towards the front, so I had to make sure I didn't drink too much in my deck chair so I could perform at 10 lol. It was a great day...I stayed in my chair until almost 630 when I couldn't avoid it any more and had to pack. It made us miss the farewell show, which was a drag, but something had to give. With the carry-on suitcase we were fine on weight (just FYI... Many Europe flights only allow 20kg or 44 lbs checked bags and they weigh your carry one AND personal items--not all but Norwegian did!). We ate one last time at windjammer (we really did like it for dinner and will decrease specialty to 3 or so next time). Then I had to get ready for thriller! Uh oh...I packed all of our makeup. Good thing they hadn't taken the luggage from the hall yet! I don't have any pics on my phone... Jeff filmed on the camera.. But I looked very zombie-ish lol! Madison started out till the last possible minute with her friends and we got to bed well after 1am! Jane

DAY 11 MALTA The Malta day didn't start off well. Up until then, the only weather issue we'd had all trip had been a 2 hour rain storm in Barcelona. We were scheduled to do a boat trip into the blue grotto and then a trip to marsaxlokk. We woke up to this amazing view out our window: All looked good this day until they told us it was impossible to take out the boats into the grottos... The wind was too strong for the 8 person boats. We were pretty bummed out, even though we would get back 25% of our excursion price and do a trip to the village of vittoriosa (the oldest walled City across from Valletta). We weren't that wowed until we found out that 2 days later they would be celebrating their "festa" (religious ceremony) of St. Lawrence! We ended up with an absolutely amazing tour guide who walked us all through the narrow ancient streets. It was incredible...I took hundreds of pics but here are a few off my phone. It was just wonderful and something we lucked into. Our bad luck turned into one of the highlights of the trip! We them drove to see the blue grotto from up above. It was still very pretty and we were able to stop and walk around a little village near the grotto. There was even a little area to swim...I'm guessing the water was pretty deep but they even had a shower there (the purple thing in the pic). It was on to marsaxlokk... Or so we thought. Excitement number 2 came when our bus wouldn't start... After only a ten minute wait we had a new bus and we were in our way (after hiding in the shade lol...it was very hot in Malta--mid 90s). Our incredible tour guide was unflappable... Getting us the new bus and offering all sorts of things to do in Marsaxlokk and Valletta. Marsaxlokk was full of very colorful fishing boats and lots of little market stalls. One thing we had to try were the Malta specialty of pastizzi... Little phyllo pastries filled with ricotta or peas. We found a little walk up Cafe where we could find them (they were only .40 Euros each), as well as Maltese beer and the Maltese drink of Kinnie (a local orange and herb carbonated drink which was pretty interesting). Oh yeah... And the really yummy apple pie... All of this for under ten Euros! After this fun excursion we were dropped off near the old City Valletta. After wandering a bit, we finally figured out how to get there and were so thankful the tour guide had mentioned the cathedral of St. John. OMG... Incredible and I got to see Caravaggios IN REAL LIFE!!!!! I didn't realize that Caravaggio was defrocked (I will have to study the history) in front of his huge painting of the beheading of John the Baptist... The patron saint of the church. It was so interesting to wander the church... We spent a long time there and then began to be a little panicked about time (we belong to the @Matt team that all aboard is about 2 hours before it is! And I had a thriller practice at 430! It took us a bit to find the park where the elevator is to get you up and down from the port. It is in a very pretty area that had an upper and lower park. It costs 1 euro to go up, but it was free for us to go down! We saw an interesting plaque commemorating WWII soldiers and got some great pics of our ship. It was a VERY long walk back to the ship only because the port is fenced off and the entrance is at the very end away from the elevator. We were hot and tired when we got back and found the dreaded luggage tags.. We decided to grab drinks and watch sailaway from the deck 5 wrap-around. I think it has been my favorite sailaway spot. It was quiet and we got to catch a last look at our last European port. We were so sorry to leave Malta...it was truly a wonderful stop! I had to take a few pics of myself for work, and while we were doing that, a very nice lady asked if we wanted a pic! We didn't have too many couple shots so this was great! We ended the night with chops and the 70s dance party. Madison ordered vegetarian spinach crepes which were really super good. I got the rib eye which was an awful cut of meat but the ? cocktail was wonderful! The 70s party was fun but too short and then they jumped right into lounge music... It is too bad that the centrum doesn't do more just dance music. I know that Viking crown does, but it is so far away from everything that nobody goes...we never made it up there the whole 12 days. Jane

I can't believe how beautiful Santorini was. We truly enjoyed it... Even with 5 cruise ships. But I would love to go back in October or sometime off season to experience it with no people! Jane

Ok... So excited! My first cruise was on vision with Steve the cruise director and now I have a pic with him... Thriller here I come!

Thanks so much.. Yes... Last year was tough and we are so thankful to be having this time. She even put herself on the centrum stage lol! She is the one in the middle blue shirt! Dancing during 70s party in the centrum!

DAY 10...another sea day. Sea days are just therapeutic for me, but boring for you to read about. I had practice 3 for thriller and sat in my deck chair. Jeff and Madison went to the sushi class and LOVED it! They said it was super fun and that they are going to make sushi when we get home. Makes me happy!! We made great use of our drink pkg again and basically had a wonderful day. It was formal night so we got dressed up and went to mdr. They actually called us to see if we were coming and we're very concerned we hadn't been happy on night one. We definitely enjoyed the main dining room the couple times we went but when you add in specialty dining and all the port eating and the drink pkg it is just too much for big long dinners. We were really surprised when they brought us a piece of cake and sang "happy anniversary" to us! The 50 year royal cakes are still being offered as well! We did go to the production show. We have made most of the shows (we missed the Motown one on Malta day) and most have been pretty good. The production shows by the royal singers and dancers have been weak. I've seen boogie wonderland before and the songs aren't great..they did the "cake in the rain song" that is not really boogie or disco...just bad lol. It does not help this is a very young cast (most are first tours) and they just aren't developed enough. Watching a fresh faced 19 year old sing "I will survive" just doesn't quite work lol. Anyway I always drag Jeff to them anyway! Ok...that brings us up to day 11and Malta but I have to head to class 5 Of thriller! More later! Jane

SANTORINI continued... On to Thira. On the outskirts it is just a regular city with lots of yrafgic, drug stores and not pretty. I was not impressed until we walked out of the congested area and we found the amazing area (I still think Mykenos prob has this as well and we just didn't find it). Thira isn't as charming as Oia but has its share of great views. Everywhere in the two villages there were amazing doorways that were unique and pretty. I love this picture with vision in the back!! As is our habit we found a little cafe and tried the local drinks and food. Madison tried fava beans and liked them,while I tried the very good Santorini beer! We could look at Vision while we ate and I didn't get a pic on my phone, but Jewel showed up to join her sister vision! We shopped, found more quaint and incredible views! I love this old church and then the view of the grafitti under it...old and new... I think this last one is from Oia but so cool and I forgot to add it before. It was getting around 1 and we'd heard horror stories about 2 hour lines to ride the cable car from Thira to the port. You can walk down but it's very slippery and hot. I figured we could wait in line. It turned out to be only 45 mins! It would have been even shorter if people weren't people and letting 8 friends jump into their group and just deciding they didn't need to wait and cutting into line. I loved the people who tried to just walk in front of us 5 mins away from the ticket booth! Yeah...NO!! The cable car ride was very cool!! On the tender ride back we found out their walk took 53 mins down so I was happy we cable carred it! Santorini is very rocky...the cliffs were numerous and it amazes me how they can build these buildings into them.  And a last picture of mads on the top of the tender! We really loved our day in Santorini! Dinner as usual was relaxed in the windjammer for us, while Madison joined one of her friend's family in the MDR. Jane

DAY 9 SANTORINI... Santorini was totally a surprise at how much we loved it! I had been freaking out about the 5-6 cruise ships we would see there and after mykenos, we just weren't sure what to expect. Because of the tender situation (they were still calling in numbers at 11 for Cannes) and because we were there and didn't quite understand all the transportation options, we chose to do the royal "Oia on your own" which gave us bus transportation, 45 mins to take pics and shop,and then transportation to Thira (or Fira....I saw both names). At this point I want to say something about tours and guides. They vary widely! Some trips we had a great guide who was interesting, informative, could speak perfect English and was amazing. A couple times our guide was monotone, slightly disorganized and not nearly as interesting. Apparently there is a difference (at least in Greece) btw a guide and an escort. I found this out when I sat and watched a woman berate our little barely 20s timid "escort" on the way to Thira because she didn't share enough info on the way to Oia and the other bus got all sorts of information so why wasn't she more interesting? OMG! Whatever your view, why yell at the guide in your own language? What is she suddenly going to do...become a fountain of knowledge and speak more clearly? If you have an issue, let royal know when you are back or hire your own private tour. It was so ugly tourist out of order. Ok...rant over....back to beautiful Oia. Oia was absolutely amazing and I want to go back. We did go very early...were one of the very first tenders and beat a lot of the crowds there. This made it a lot better. Even by the time we were leaving after only 45 mins it was getting more and more crowded and it was not as nice. But we loved it...I wish they let you stay longer. We would have really liked to sat in one of the cafes and drank a glass of ?! Every time we turned around there was another beautiful view and another amazingly interesting building. I took hundreds of pictures. There are gazillions of little paths and stairways that led to more little shops, more views and cool building. I could have explored for hours. The colors were incredible and the sea the most gorgeous blue! I could post way too many pics but here are a few, including one of my beautiful daughter who was the happiest I've seen. A year ago we were battling some pretty scary stuff with her and it made my heart sing to take these pics. Santorini is one of my new happy places for sure!

It wasn't extra...just put the date of embarkation and they will be up! Have a great trip! Jane

Majesty's schooner bar did this with the Oberon...I asked if they could get me a bottle to have by the glass (it was only in mdr) and they brought 2 bottles and told me to definitely just pay by the glass. I was very happy! Jane

And I think if I'd pushed they would have, but I think the reds on this trip have been a bit weak. There ones they serve by the glass are just ok or they are charging for them. There aren't a ton in the allowed amount. Jane

They didn't have it listed... Main dining room had it. I like it better than Jeff did. The Oberon on this ship is an extra 6 a glass plus the gratituity... Ugh. So we decided to splurge and it was very good! Jane

They just had an Alpha... Alpha... Alpha call. This is the first time I've noticed them giving a room number. So sad.... Hoping everything is ok as we are on the very start of a sea day on the way to malta. I'm sure we aren't far from something in the Mediterranean but right now I don't see land. Ok... Can't believe I just have up my sushi making class but I'm not getting off my deck chair until I have to for the thriller practice! Jeff and Madison went and I told mads to take lots of pics! Jane

I thought the impossible burger at our local place was great, but my vegetarian daughter didn't like it... It tasted too much like meat lol. Jane

We haven't asked for vegan but our 16 year old has had a ton of success asking for curries and vegetarian options. She has had a fair amount of variety! Jane

Majesty was a great ship and id love to do a trip out of new Orleans! Jane

Just FYI...on the Europe cruise I'm on, there have been speedos/thongs/brief bikini bottoms/girls as old as 10 no tops. Plenty of pretty revealing bikinis and several loosened straps when laying on stomachs (but no actual topless frontal sunning or walking around). I found on my last Caribbean cruise in March several things or the really small cut in the back that doesn't really cover. Jane

Our decorations on this vision cruise were already up on day one when we got there! They look great and I'm so glad we did them... We always find our door lol! Jane

We feel like that even not solo. 12 days of heavy meals and the whole presentation was just too much. The food has been awesome but we just found we'd rather relax and read for an hour and eat at windjammer for an hour instead of 2 hours at mdr. Jane

Have a great trip! Jane

I didn't get to Venice but Florence in a day is tough. You will have a hard time seeing the inside of the duomo, the baptistry, climbing up to see views, going to the uffizi, etc. Rome has a ton of things! You could totally, as kristiZ said, spend all your time there. Jane

Day? The days become a blur on these long cruises lol...DAY 8 was mykenos and Jeff's bday! Happy 51! I love having at least an ocean view for the mornings. The rest of the time isn't as important! Here is sunrise from our window. The seas apparently were so Rocky on the last sailing that they cancelled the next day of Santorini. They were passing out sea sickness medicine for free at the meeting point for our outing to Delos so we were worried. It was a pretty rough boat ride, but we were fine. My daughter is looking at archeology in college (uh-oh for career opportunities but yeah on the cool factor) and we are all history nerds so we were looking forward to seeing Delos... The mythical birthplace of Apollo and Artemis and a holy site for centuries. It was very cool. We were able to see ruins in the museum ranging as far back as 6BC. Antony Gormley is a sculptor from England originally who has done a lot of human forms. They have put his Sculptures (and 5 new ones) on the island in different spots to "bring life to the island". I'm not sure I like them or not. The first one I saw too me two minutes to realize I wasn't looking at a naked man standing there lol! The most famous image from Delos are the famous lions. We saw the real ones inside the museum, but the copies outside show how they were positioned across from a huge lake (which was drained to prevent malaria). After Delos we headed to mykenos and the old port (the ships dock at new port and they run a water bus system to get to the main stuff in mykenos). We had been really looking forward to mykenos as we thought it would be less touristy and crowded than Santorini. We were actually pretty disappointed in it. We must not have found the pretty street areas and we didn't plan on the beach (which I hear are really nice). It was beautiful from a distance and we did find a good Cafe and one or two residential streets. There are feral cats everywhere! Some friendly, some not. They were even all over Delos. At both mykenos she especially Santorini we were able to get great pics of vision! We really weren't wowed by the shopping and the streets. We wished we had brought suits and just hung at the time public beach! We headed back pretty early to the ship to enjoy some sun time and get ready for Giovanni's! Giovanni's, as usual, did not disappoint at all!!!! For the first time we bought a bottle of wine... Which killed me since we have the drink pkg but we wanted a good bottle for Jeff's bday and there were only 2 reds available by the glass, which I think is silly at a specialty restaurant. Here are some food porn pics. It was white night! This is the first time I actually bought a white dress. I was all set to dance at the 80s hour and the pool deck party... After the wine, the huge dinner, the 645 meeting point...we were exhausted and asleep by 1030! Sigh. Last night I was up to 3 and nothing happening. Lol... Next time! And that is Mykenos! I'm going to nap in my deck chair, go to izumi sushi class (and do the bad evil leave my chair for an hour and hope it's there), and practice thriller another time (class 3!) We have no dinner plans...I don't know how people do udp. Partly it's because we are eating at cafes during the day but we are just stuffed! We like the mdr idea but after an all day port, windjammer calls our name! This is out of order but here is our dinner view last night that I will leave you with!