So far we have hit Rome, Florence, Genoa (for Portofino), and today was Cannes and Monte Carlo. Weather has been really amazing and sunny except yesterday in Portofino. Of course Portofino is beautiful even in the rain. Tomorrow is Marseille then Barcelona.

BLUE DREAM and REGATTA was in with us in Rome, along with a very interesting ferry called Napoleon Bonapart (sp). Looked more like a cruise ship. MOBY WONDER in Livorno and two ex RVL ships in Genoa. One was the ex Star Cruises ship, which still had "Cruises" written on it's hull, but the "Star" was removed. The other ex RVL ship was in dry-dock and had a tourquise funnel and hull stripe. I can't remember what ship this is becoming??

The beautiful AURORA was a surprise in Santa Margarita on our way to Portofino. I still think this is one of the most beautiful new ships afloat from the exterior (interior too). I've often heard Brits refer to P&O as the "socks and sandals" set, and I had to laugh as I watched many of the passengers disembark from the tender. I could not tell you how many "socks and sandals" I witnessed, not too mention shorts! I was very rainy and not the warmest of days. I certainly got a kick out of it.

Maybe more later.

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Originally posted by eroller:
I could not tell you how many "socks and sandals" I witnessed, not too mention shorts!

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But I assume it has a pretty high percentage?

Does the 'Freestyle' work for you on this ship?

Do try to sneak a look at Cruise Terminal One at Dover! It is really charming. You will probably dock at terminal Two, the new one, next door?

You can probably get into number One, if you tell security you are just taking a photograph. Terminal one used to be a railway station. It has a war memorial inside and a figure head off a Fred olsen ship. (I forget which one?)

If you have any spare time in Dover, take a Cab to Dover Castle, ontop of the cliffs. There are underground tunnels, which were used as a secret military operations room, during the war, to control the D-day landings. They are well worth a visit.

[ 04-10-2004: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

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Captain Rhone posted:
I heard NCL Dream is having propulsion problems?

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With her port intensive European itineraries, running on one engine is not a problem and the parts will be ready and fitted after her 3rd European cruise [which will be the 2nd Rome to Dover, so I expect the first Baltic will be delayed a bit?]

We are in Marseilles today but we are docked very far away. Being that it is Easter Sunday we opted not to take the 15 Euro transfer into town (each way) as everything will be closed anyway. Last time on SILVER CLOUD we were docked much closer and could walk. Right across from us is the FLAMINGO, or should I make that "NEW FLAMINGO" as the name has changed. There are also two other cruise ships in port but they are too far away (the better dock) for me to make out. Maybe I will see them when we depart this evening for Barcelona. It's another beautiful and sunny day, the warmest so far and several people are even swimming in the pool! Not me!

FreeStyle has it's good and bad points. We like to eat late as do many Europeans so there are lines at all the restaurants. Usually getting a table for two is not a problem. There are four different restaurants to choose from every night (plus the casual buffet), with only one having a charge. Food has been good, but not excellent. I do miss having my own wonderful waiter and assistant as we did on the CARNIVAL SPIRIT in January. They were truly excellent. In some ways it was nice having the same table everynight as well. I know they say this is possible with FreeStyle as well, but it seems like a hassle.

One thing I notice about NCL is they don't do anything really well, but they don't do anything really poorly either. They are very middle of the road and nothing really stands out about them. I have been impressed with their organization with tours and embarking the ship though.

So far the cruise has been very enjoyable and I have nothing to really complain about. The ports are truly some of the best in the world and there is a lot to do.

I might also add this ship has excellent deck space. Some of the best I've seen, with expansive deck areas around the pool and above, but also tiered decks both fore and aft. Very nice! The interior is rather strange and disjointed, but I think that is much of the charm of the ship. We have a balcony cabin (not too many on this ship) and have been enjoying it.

Happy Easter everyone!

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Eroller posted:
Right across from us is the FLAMINGO, or should I make that "NEW FLAMINGO" as the name has changed.

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My exact thoughts, Ernie!

Glad to hear that all is going well....have you seen the funnel tilt over yet? Thanks for keeping us "in the know".

Russ

[ 04-12-2004: Message edited by: linerguy ]

Yesterday in Marseille that other cruise ship was the laid up MISTRAL. We were able to sail a bit closer to her. Also in dry-dock appeared to be the STARSHIP EXPLORER from the old Exploration Cruise Lines out of Seattle if anyone remembers them? I'm not sure if it was the same ship or not, but that split funnel sure did look like it.

Thanks to those who pointed out the correct names of the old RVL twins that were in Genoa.

Next ports are Cadiz, Lisbon, Le Havre, then Dover and the end of the cruise on the 19th. Still have a good week to go onboard, but the really port intensive part is over.

I might also add it appears both engines are working, at least if I had to judge by the wake. It seems both propellers are spinning, but maybe at a reduced speed? Again there has been no mention of any propulsion problems, even by passing crew members.

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Originally posted by eroller:
Also in dry-dock appeared to be the STARSHIP EXPLORER from the old Exploration Cruise Lines out of Seattle if anyone remembers them? I'm not sure if it was the same ship or not, but that split funnel sure did look like it.

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She is now Le Diamant and to be commenced cruises on May 24.

Today was Cadiz and another beautiful day, although a bit windy. Did a bit of shopping and enjoy watching the ship trying to depart. We didn't get very far due to the wind and a tug had to be called in. It wasn't long before we were under way. Tomorrow is Lisbon and I'm looking forward to seeing the city in better detail as opposed to the one night layovers I had years ago with Delta.

Two days at sea follow, the first through the Bay of Biscay which could prove interesting then the English Channel and finally Le Havre. After Le Havre the cruise ends in Dover. We are spending three nights in London and taking one day on the EuroStar to Paris.

The NORWEGIAN DREAM is growing on me. While I doubt she will ever be a favorite ship of mine, she certainly has her quirky charms. I do feel NCL could do things better, and I also believe they could keep the ship up a tad bit nicer. I have mixed opinions on FreeStyle, but I think at the end of the day I prefer traditional dining. It was so wonderful on my last Carnival cruise and the dining experience on DREAM just doesn't compare. Who said Carnival was budget??? Last night we had to wait 40 minutes at 8:30pm for a table. It was chaotic and not a pleasant way to start dinner. That was at Terraces and we will not return there. Out two favorite dining rooms are the Four Seasons (wonderful windows) and the Italian restaurant on Deck 10 I believe.

The weather has been incredible and we have only had one day of rain in Portofino. I could not ask for better.

Our cabin (8062) is very interesting in that it connects with the adj. cabin not by a door, but by a full sliding wall. Our queen size bed can lift into the way, the the wall in the sitting area slides completely behind the bed opening up two cabins. It's very interesting and I don't think I've ever seen such an arrangement before. It really turns the two balcony cabins into a full suite. I believe all the balcony cabins (or almost all) are configured in this way. I might also add that had I not already read about this arrangement prior to boarding, I would have never guessed. The sliding wall is a full sound proof wall, and there is barely not indication that it slides unless you look for it. Likewise with the bed that folds into the wall, except that it can't be divided into two twins.

That is all for now. It's really been a memorable cruise so far and the ports have been superb. I hope the remainder is as enjoyable.

I took about 200 photos and will get a review together soon. Once I get the photos labeled and posted at my site on Fotki I will post a link.

In a nutshell, the ports were fantastic, ship was so-so, and I was not remotely impressed with most aspects of NCL or Freestyle Cruising. We had a great time, but NCL would probably be my last choice of cruise lines for any future cruises. Nothing was really bad, but nothing was really great either. This seems to be the problem with NCL. They don't really excel on any one aspect, and it leaves one with a feeling of mediocrity. My last cruise was on the CARNIVAL SPIRIT in January so I had that fresh in my mind when evaluating the DREAM. Carnival was light years ahead of NCL in terms of food quality, presentation, variety, service, friendliness of the crew, ship maintenance, and entertainment.

More to come.