Postcard #3.2 A few things of note

One of the criticisms we have of the ship is that all the outside areas seem grubby. Even our balcony seems fall into this bracket. We are constantly noticing litter all over the place and there just do not seem to be the same amount of staff as we have experienced on other lines. Whether this has anything to do with staffing levels I don’t know. We are very used to seeing bar staff circulating the decks during the day ready to take your order but to date this has been a noticeable difference that there are not as many.
It was our first visit to the dining room last night and we had asked for a table of 4 only to find that we had been put on a table for 8. Luckily our table mates are a lovely family from Kent who have children the same age. We found them very good company. Our waiters in the dining room seem to be doing about 8 tables per team and they must be exhausted at the end of the night with all those additional courses the Italians like have.
One thing we never picked up on and I will check when I get home is the timing of second sitting. I am sure it said 8.45 but strangely enough we have found that it is an hour later than that and at 9.45.
One last thing, I am amazed at the information printed on your sea pass, along with name, muster station, dining table, sitting and table is your “cabin number”! I just hope we don’t loose it and it falls into the wrong hands.

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Postcard #3.1 Day 3

We have awoke to clear blue skies this morning with the predicted minimum temperature of 31F and maximum of 35F. The clocks were put forward 1 hour as well last night so we are now 2 hours ahead of the UK. Next stop is Katakolon where the boys have said they will be happy to just browse round the shops in town. I think one of those little bars along the waters edge is where I will be heading!
We went for breakfast an hour earlier this morning and thankfully it wasn’t as busy as yesterday. I think much of it was down to the passengers getting off.

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Postcard #2.4 As the sun goes down on day 2

I have just noticed there is still a signal as we head further south while hugging the coast of Italy. So there is one last photo opportunity of the sinking sun and the wake of the ship. I hope the photos look OK as its hard to tell from the screen of my Blackberry as to the quality.

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Postcard #2.3 Back on board

After eventually getting off, we walked round to the town. The weather here is very hot and sticky and it made heavy going. I had read somewhere that the fort was worth a visit so we headed there to start with. The entrance fee was €5 and free for the under 18’s. Apart from some really interesting carved sculptures there was little there of great interest. I had anticipated being able to walk the ramparts but these were all closed off. After we strolled through the old towns little streets stopping for some lovely Gelato along the way.

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Postcard #2.2 Bari

We have arrived ahead of schedule and as is typical with the Italian cruise lines there are a lot of passengers embarking and disembarking at the various ports, Bari being one those.
No cruise terminal as such, just a tent.
Our party is split 50-50 today with 2 getting off for a stroll and 2 staying on. I am going for a walk and will post more if I see anything of interest.

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Postcard #2.1 Day 2 morning events…..

Well the wind eventually subsided and we have awoke to a calmer sea this morning. We won’t know until tonight whether its the norm or not but there was a lot of vibration in our aft cabin. Not that it was unbearable but it would certainly make us think twice about choosing another cabin in that location.
We all woke up late this morning and had to rush to make breakfast in the buffet which finished at 10.00. I have never seen so many people in the buffet looking for seats and just hope this is not a normal feature for this cruise. We eventually found seats and made use of our drinks package by enjoying a fresh orange juice and a decent cup of coffee. We are due in to Bari at 1.00 and still haven’t made our minds up whether to get off or not. Watch this space.

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Postcard #1.5 Warning of high winds

The Captain has just announced over the ships tanoy that there are high winds forecast and that all open decks will be closed to passengers. In 10 cruises this is the first time I have been aware of a warning like this.

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