Sunday 24th July 2011

Toulon, France

Sunday and so the shops were shut but they had a massive Sunday market. On leaving the ship, we took the little train tour. Toulon is a really nice place.

Back on the ship and the sea was really rough and coming over the sides. A wobbly night and the captain said he had never known it that bad ever in July!

We went to the show later in the evening and then on to the bar.

[slideshow]

Saturday 23rd July 2011

Olbia,Sardinia

They told us on the cruise that Sardinia was a bit boring but I have to say Mal and I loved it. There were some lovely churches and back streets with quaint shops.  One of the churches we were unable to look inside as there was a wedding in full flow.

When we returned to our cabin, our steward had made a monkey with our towels!

 

[slideshow]

 

Friday 22nd July 2011

Pompeii and Naples

Maybe this was the best day of the cruise. As we pulled into the harbour we could see the town of Naples and Vesuvius, what a sight.

It was Torin’s birthday so we gave him a call first and then went on the excursion to Pompeii, a ‘must see before you die’ place. It was far larger than I imagined and our tour guide was excellent and drummed it into our heads that Vesuvius erupted on to Pompeii on 27th August 79AD at 1.00pm. We were lucky to get the guide we did as he was very amusing. I don’t know how I choose the photos out of the 150 that I took that day!

In the afternoon we had a wander around Naples. The saying is “See Naples and die” and now I understand it. I think you die in a road accident! The traffic is horrendous and cars don’t stop at zebra crossings or even red traffic lights. We gambled with our lives each road we crossed.

In the evening another party by the pool with some of the officers dancing for us!

 

[slideshow]

Thursday 21st July 2011

Trapani, Sicily

We took the tour bus around Trapani and then wandered around the churches, beaches and back streets. It really amused me seeing the three ladies on the beach, all standing up reading their books, an all over tan I guess!

Again we went to the show in the theatre in the evening after our dinner. This all inclusive food is so tempting!

As they do on cruises, the room staff make sculptures from the towels and leave them on your beds.

 

[slideshow]

Wednesday 20th July 2011

Day on board as the ship sailed to Trapani in Sicily.

In the morning we had our regulation attendance of life jacket instruction and going to our muster station.

Wow, what a relaxing day we had! The ship really was a very friendly place and very relaxed, not the usual ‘dress code’ of cruisers.  We really enjoyed the day and tried to familiarise ourselves with where ‘aft’ was and getting used to finding our cabin!

Another show in the evening and also we realised that all the staff no matter what department joined in with the fun! The captain introduced all his officers to us.

 

[slideshow]

Tuesday 19th July 2011

To Palma, Majorca!

By 2.15am Mal and I were both awake, suffering from the “bed” we had been lying on, so had a cup of tea!! We then got ready and headed for Luton Airport for our cruise. We went on the Island Escape, a Thomson’s ship. It was all very organised and we were met from our flight to Palma, Majorca by the reps and put on to coaches to the ship where we were taken to our cabin. By this time we just collapsed on the beds and fell asleep! Our cases were brought to the cabin and we then decided to explore the ship.

We had booked the cruise in a moment of madness when online they offered an all inclusive package but if we booked then and there (within 24 hours) we also had our drinks included. We discovered afterwards that a lot of people had been offered drinks as an extra £140 per person. With that in mind we then decided we would see how much we could drink for the rest of the day!!

In the evening they had an excellent show in the theatre and then on to the bar by the pool for a welcoming party.

I forgot to add that food was 24 hours!

 

[slideshow]

 

 

 

Monday 18th July 2011

As our flight on Tuesday is 6, something crazy in the morning Mal decided he would book a hotel close to Luton airport. It seemed Ibis was the closest, although a ‘budget’ hotel it still cost £60. We have never stayed in an Ibis before.

 

Torin drove us over early afternoon and we later had our dinner in their restaurant which I have to say was good and the staff were very nice. I did have a shock when I realised that our bed was a board! I really am not joking and didn’t find it at all amusing when I woke up four times during the night, hardly being able to move because my back hurt!

Pictures of the ‘bed’!!

 

[slideshow]