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You can lose everything, but nobody will take away what you saw and what you experienced...
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Apr 25, 2025 12:00 AM End of the journey...
In the morning our ship docked in Barcelona. Imagine 5 cruise ships staying one by one... Disembarking process os not easy: how many taxis and buses you need to take circa 15000 thousands passengers to the city and airport? Lines were long. I decided to walk through Europa Bridge to the roundabout and call the uber. I confirmed the price to the airport: 25,50 euro for four of us. The car with Pakistani driver arrived only after 30 minutes. There were traffic congestions on the way, but we had enough time till departure. I received from uber by e-mail receipt for 33,80 euro. THE UBER is cheating now! It is necessary to control them... Of course I immediately sent the complain... Our flights to Oslo and Warsaw were on time. I am waiting in Warsaw airport for flight to Gdansk. The great journey from Brazil to Europe is almost over!
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Apr 24, 2025 12:00 AM To Monte Carlo!
Our ship anchored in the morning near Cannes in France. They do not have a dock for such a big ships so we were tendering - they took us ashore in the ship's universal motorboats.
Cannes is elegant resort city with the elegant coastal promemade and a film festival palace but I wanted to take the opportunity to show my family famous Monte Carlo in the Proncipaute of Monaco. I myself was there once only - in 1973.
For the budget travelers the best option is to buy day ticket for train. It cost around 9 euro per person and allows you travel round trip and make an extra stopover in Nice.
Trains go every 30 min and after slightly more then 1 hour ride we were already on the Street of Monte Carlo. Everybody goes here to Prince's Palace. No need to board the bus - it is an easy walk uphill. The view of the bay, city and mountains in the background is unforgetable! Then back on the port we climbed to the historic Casino Monte Carlo. After security control everybody is alloved to enter the big hall of the casino. Playing rooms are open from 2 pm. It was the great, sunny day and what an excursion for just 9 euro!
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Apr 23, 2025 12:00 AM My nameday in Livorno.
I celebrate my day on the ship in Livorno... Sunny day. I kust received a confirmation of one more fascinating cruise! (Fiji to Tahiti in 2026) and I treat this as a gift. What a gift! We decided to stay today on board, enjoying all attractions offered, sunbathing and planning tomorrow's visit in France. While in Livorno every visit to the city will cost you at least 7 eur for shuttle bus, because they do not allow to walk on your own from the ship to the port gate. Shame on you Port of Livorno! I invited my son to sushi restaurant... There will be also a Broadway - style show in the evening. Let's celebrate!
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Apr 22, 2025 12:00 AM We are going to Pisa!
From Livorno Centrale station it is 20 minutes by train to Pisa Centrale (2,80 euro each way) then you have to walk to the Arno River, cross it and snake with the crowd of tourists of the different nations... Three huge monumental buildings are waiting there for pictures: The Leaning Tower, Pisa Cathedral and Baptisterium. You pay entrance fee only if you want to go inside. We returned the same way to the ship. I used the free voucher offered to high-ranking passengers to order the laundry...
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Apr 21, 2025 12:00 AM Arivederci Roma!
Our ship docked in Civitavechia before sunrise. We were ready soon because it is one hour train ride to get to Rome. They offer shuttle bus from the ship to the station for 6 dollars or euro. But there is also free port shuttle going to the parking in the city - about 1 km from the station. Train ticket to Rome (no discounts) costs 4,60 euro.
We disembarked at Roma San Pietro station to start close to Vatican. The line of the people waiting to enter the basilica wasn't long. Soon. After the security screening we were inside. Just to receive sad message: the pope passed away!
After Vatican (see my son and grandsons on the picture) I took them to St Angel's Castle, we crossed the river and took the pictures of Di Trevi fountain, Spanish Stairs and Colosseum. The sky was blu, the day lovely and my companions were very happy. We terminated 8 kms walk at Termini station at 2 pm to catch the train to Civitavechia. Returned by ealk to the ship. Bingo! We deserved the big (and free on this ship) ice cream! :)
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Apr 20, 2025 12:00 AM Easter Sunday in Napoli!
Vesuvius Volcano on the other side of the bay. Sunny day. We celebrate Easter in Italy. But in the terminal building no wifi or tourist info desk. But in the terminal hotel they allowed me to use their network... Have a Happy Easter!
I got the map of the city in the little kiosk, crossed municipio Square and started the walk or rather climbing uphill Monte Martino
Real life in the narrow, cobbled strees,.. Stairs... The view opens only from Victor Emanuelle Ii street. You woll see roofs and domes of the old town, but also Vesuvio and the bay...
From this place I started descent to the cathedral hidden between high houses but having nice interior..
Nice experience, nice day!
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Apr 19, 2025 12:00 AM Captain Asen - my 47th captain...
Day at sea, but a lot to do! Invitation to the behind the sceves tour of the ship. Then wine tasting. And finally Captain's Cocktail for the most loyal passengers. (I am platinium level pax on this cruie. Captain Asen remember my face - I was alreaady sailing with him from Mauritius to Cape Town! Nice person! In the evening we went to the new show - Amercan style!
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Apr 18, 2025 12:00 AM Palma de Mallorca
Today we docked in Palma. It was cloudy in the morning, but later the sun appeared. Let you know that the cruise port is located on the opposite side of the bay, looking fronm old town an city center. It is 4 kms to the famous, huge cathedral (on the picture). Ship offers shuttle bus for this route charging 20 USD for round trip. But I was already here and decided to make my other dream true: 25 kms from Palma there os picturesque old town of Valdemossa. Chopin was living and working there for few months.
I, the lover of Chopin's music sonce years wanted to see this place. And today the dream came true! I was walking 5 kms from the ship to Plaza Espanya bus station. Paid 4,50 euro for the bus going to picturesque Mountains. Paid 12,50 entry fee to enter Valdemossa Monastery, visited museum and attendend short concert of Chopin's music. On return I had enough time to cross old town in Palma and return to the ship 15 min befor "all aboard" deadline. What a day!
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Apr 17, 2025 12:00 AM Sunny day on Ibiza
The morning was sunny but strong and cold wind was waiting for me on the open deck. We turned into the bay where cruise and ferry port are located only at 11 am. The location of yhis port is exceptional: opposite the hill with a castle on the top, with the green hills around. I am here for the first time and first impression was very positive.
Not often I sign for the tours offered by ship but this one cost me only 17 euro an we had only few hours on Ibiza...
Bus took us first to salinas. Where they still produce salt from the sea water. Not far from there we stopped at beautiful Salinas Beach. At eater temp 17 deg. C many people were bathing and swimming. Then through the pine forests we went to the west coast of Ibiza to enjoy nice cliffs. I didn't know that Ibiza is hilly island, offering interesting landscape.
My boys went to Ibiza city on the opposite side of the bay. To get there on a cheap you have to find city boat at the edge of ferry terminal. For just 7 euro they offer round-trip crossing of the bay, departing every 30 min. If you want to walk it is 4 kms around the bay each way! The old city with cathedral - they say -is interesting. i will go there next time! :)
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Apr 16, 2025 12:00 AM Boarding Big Ship
It was rain expected in Barcelona for the evening but surprise it was sunny when we were marching to the port at 10 am. Our big ship was docked close to Europa Brldge. Due toy platinium status in this line the check-in was very quick and at 11.30 we were already in our cabin on deck 14. But the cabin was not ready yet! So we went to the restaurant for the lunch with unlimited ice cream! We will be departing at 4 pm to Ibiza....It is OK! The boys are excited and happy. Me too! :)
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