DeepFriedMal
Second Mate
Portland UK
Joined 08/2018
17
Cruises5
Reviews30
Helpful VotesNo longer a youngster, I joined the RN in 1974 and spent the next 25 years travelling the world, and on occasion, going to some not so nice places. Been on a few cruises. I also play guitar in a local band.
Upcoming cruises
Past cruises
August 2019 - Scandinavia, Poland and Russia Cruise on Arcadia
Lovely ports of call, with minor problems
Excellent ports of call, great food and a relaxing holiday.
May 2018 - 14 Night Mediterranean Tour (Southampton Roundtrip) Cruise on Navigator of the Seas
The big 60 birthday cruise
This was my sister and my 60th birthday cruise and it was my sisters first cruise. RCI has the wow factor and the staff are always great. We did think that this time prices have been increased in the shops and bar, even the excursions seemed a bit over the top in price.
September 2017 - Central Mediterranean Cruise on Azura
Greek islands - wonderful
A great cruise with some lovely ports of call. We would do this one again.
December 2016 - Canary Islands Cruise on Ventura
October 2015 - Central Mediterranean Cruise on MV Aurora
August 2015 - Italy & Croatia Cruise on MV Oceana
July 2014 - 14 Night Mediterranean Cities(Southampton Roundtrip) Cruise on Adventure of the Seas
A nice trip
A lovely ship and great ports to visit, it was rather hot on the cruise.
July 2013 - 14 Night Iceland & Fjords (Southampton roundtrip) Cruise on Celebrity Eclipse
Stunning Views - shame about the crew
The ship is lovely with real grass, large seating and the normal things to do, however for us, the cruise was let down by the staff catering for 500 travel agents rather than the guests.
November 2011 - 18 Night Ultimate Mediterranean (Southampton roundtrip) Cruise on Independence of the Seas
July 2010 - 12 Night Scandinavia & Russia (Harwich roundtrip) Cruise on Jewel of the Seas
August 2009 - 14 Night Italian Mediterranean (Southampton roundtrip) Cruise on Independence of the Seas
October 2008 - 11 Night Canary Islands (Southampton roundtrip) Cruise on Independence of the Seas
September 2007 - 14 Night Mediterranean Treasures (Southampton roundtrip) Cruise on Navigator of the Seas
August 2006 - 14 nights on Legend of the Seas
July 2005 - 14 nights on Legend of the Seas
Celebrity Eclipse
Sail date: July 06, 2013
Stunning Views - shame about the crew
The ship is lovely with real grass, large seating and the normal things to do, however for us, the cruise was let down by the staff catering for 500 travel agents rather than the guests.
Adventure of the Seas
Sail date: July 06, 2014
A lovely ship and great ports to visit, it was rather hot on the cruise.
Navigator of the Seas
Sail date: May 13, 2018
This was my sister and my 60th birthday cruise and it was my sisters first cruise. RCI has the wow factor and the staff are always great. We did think that this time prices have been increased in the shops and bar, even the excursions seemed a bit over the top in price.
Azura
Sail date: September 16, 2017
A great cruise with some lovely ports of call. We would do this one again.
Arcadia
Sail date: August 03, 2019
Lovely ports of call, with minor problems
Excellent ports of call, great food and a relaxing holiday.
Cruise tips
St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
Again we have been before, so only did a couple of tours which we missed the last time. Just make sure you give enough time to get through passport control, when a few trips go at the same time, there is a rather large line, and the same happened on the return - that was due to the x-ray machine, yep just the one.
We have been before, again took the shuttle but if you feel brave you can walk. Not cheap, but lots and lots of shops.
Almost the same as Skagen, a bit larger and easy to walk around - we did find a very nice local bakers for our Danish... also found an Army exhibition of radio equipment which was free and very good and a toilet to use.
I like this port, we have been before, and they are building the port up. The exchange rate offered by the 'land train' was not the best - 100 Kroner (for us that worked out to 10 pounds sterling which i purchased before the trip) or 15 pounds sterling, 15 euros or 15 us dollars, to take you to a place that takes only 10 mins to walk. A nice street of shops etc but again not cheap.
First time for this ship and for us, nice and cheap, Amber shops (yes we did spent some money) and a nice chocolate shop (they didn't last very long). We used the shuttle to get in, (it was raining) and found the tourist information (just by the drop off point) and the roads and pavements cobbled, which when wet, are not easy to navigate. A good selection of shops with a local market in the square which if you wanted any cheap amber, you could get, however never really sure if it is the real thing. We had a band and some cannons on our way out.
We did a trip that took in the local Amber factory then into Gdansk which we really enjoyed - Gdansk is now on our hit list for a return. Gdynia looked nice, but we didn't get the time to walk around and look - our choice, but worth a visit. Gdansk if a fair way from the port so worth doing a ships visit just incase things don't quite go to plan, but really worth a visit.
Easy to walk in to the main town, a bit disappointed that the local tourist information was not at the port waiting for us and the ones on the map, not easy to find. However lots of shops (not cheap) and not too far away - however if wet (like it was for us) not too many places to get under cover.
A nice small and quiet place to visit, not far to walk in with a few shops and photo opportunities. Easily done in a couple of hours, not cheap.
First time in Valencia, very hot. The bus dropped us off and left us - didn't have a clue where to go, so a local news agent (who seemed busy) told us the way. Lots to see - if hot make sure you take some water with you.
Palma De Mallorca, Balearic Islands
A long walk from the ship, but transport is available, we went on a trip to a vineyard, with a few bottles to taste and small food provided. It was very pleasant, I am sure my glass was never empty until we got back on the bus.
I have no been to both Categena's, the south american one many years ago. A very nice place, we went up to the fort via the lift (just walk around from the ship) for a small cost and got a lovely photo. Roman bits to see and a fair amount of shops.
An easy walk into the main part of town with all the big and small shops and of course lots of places to eat and drink.
I do like Barcelona, we walked in and got the bus back... after all the shopping and waling around we needed it. Stopped and had some food at the Hard Rock Cafe.
As we have been to Cannes before, we did a trip to a small villiage and the Fragonard perfume factory - which, i actually enjoyed.
Aurora
Andersons bar serves some very nice bits on a formal evening, and it has got some very nice seating.
We did a trip to a small villiage with some food. We found all the local very friendly and had a great experience.
Our own thing here, and really enjoyed the shopping and the views are stunning, we even found a very nice chocolate shop... we did get a bit wet though.
A pleasant surprise, a very nice welcome as we got off and even managed to have our photo taken by the tourist board (didn't know until we got home). Easy to walk around but there is also the land train which will take you if you don't want to walk or cant. Plenty of shops and we even had some nice sunshine.
We just walked ashore, which in nice weather would be lovely, however we got wet - and as it was a sunday, not a lot open, but we did find a couple of places to find something to take away with us.
Really enjoyed Reykjavik, we had two days in port and we had booked the second day for our trip, which worked out very well as the organisation for getting off the first day left a lot to be desired. We nearly has a fight in the queue to get off as people were trying to push in the ONE line to get off... The port is well worth a visit and you must do at least one trip (we did the golden triangle) - just make sure you take something waterproof with you.
We did a trip out for some more food and again the views stunning. We did have time to enjoy the shops in Flaam.
I like Stavanger and have been a couple of times. Just walked ashore and went to the maritime museum which also allowed us to visit the canning factory, not our first choice but as it was included went to visit, and really enjoyed it. Not the cheapest port of call but really enjoyable.
Love Barcelona and have been a few times, so did some shops
We both used to work in Gib and met there so know it really well, just a shame the visits are not longer.
Went into the old town by the harbour using the ship's transport, which was very expensive (we complained) and enjoyed our wander. Found a market and got some nice stuff.
A pleasant surprise, our first visit to this part of the coast and really enjoyed it. Not the typical costa del sol place.
Been a few times so we did a trip and really enjoyed it -went to a small villiage just in Portugal.
Lovely place, very scenic - however it does get busy...
A pleasant surprise. We have all heard the reports of the clubs and loud music, however a lovely place with lots to see and do and very clean.
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