Merci tu me rassures 😉
Moi non plus je ne peux pas réserver sur le site de MSC pour d'autres raisons 🙁
C'est la seule excursion auquelle je tiens vraiment ( les bath)
Genial j adore!!!!!!!
les rencontres de forums sont un vrai moment de bonheur!je confirme
mais en plus une croisiere tous ensemble comme ça c est le "top"!
que cette amitie soit belle et dure longtemps!
RCT
Oui j'espère aussi, mais certains habitent bien loin, déjà deux rdv en déplacement pour descendre dans le grand sud. Et j'espère un voyage en commun au Portugal (Lisbonne) chez mon ami Christophe.😉
Les amarres sont lancées et nous voici devant la végétation tropicale pleine de chants d'oiseaux et de cris des cafards siffleurs (le jour ne s'est pas encore levé). Mais où est le quai ?
Nous sommes à la limite du parc national, l'environnement est très différent de la précédente escale. Je suis satisfaite d'avoir vu les 2 côtés, car si j'étais resté sur ma première impression (Santo Domingo), je ne pense pas que j'aurais eu envie de revenir en République Dominicaine.
L'étape est assez courte, tous à bord à 15h30.
Nous optons pour la détente, ce sera "Pause à la plage de Bayahibé"
Rendez-vous au théâtre à 9h00, puis bus jusqu'à l'Eldorador Jet Tour. Distribution de serviettes à l'entrée de l'hôtel, puis petit briefing pour nous expliquer que la formule de l'excursion comprend un "open bar" toutes boissons confondues !
Ce n'est pas la seule bonne découverte de cette petite escapade à la plage : l'hôtel a créé un recif artificiel et de très nombreux poissons y ont pris résidence en toute tranquillité : pas de pêche possible. Le récif est constitué de grosses jarres en terre, enfoncées dans le sable et munies de nombreuses ouvertures qui transforme chacune en HLM à poissons!
Pour accéder aux récifs si on ne sait pas bien nager, il suffit de suivre les bouées depuis la gauche, là où elles viennent jusqu'au rivage et de progresser jusqu'à la première bouée rouge. La barrière commence à la première bouée rouge et se termine à la troisième. Un impératif tout de même : ne pas avoir oublié son masque et son tuba. Je recommande vivement cette excursion à tous les amateurs de vie sous marine. On oublie assez vite qu'il s'agit d'un récif artificiel en poursuivant poissons trompette, balistes et perroquets etc. de jarre en jarre.
Le bar de la piscine propose en permanence coco loco, mojitos et autre rhums arrangés à consommer sans modération!
De retour au bateau, nous assistons au retour in extremis des derniers passagers qui arrivent en courant, ils ont du se prendre un bon stress !
N'oubliez pas d’assister au départ du bateau, en effet l'équipe de jeunes, à terre, qui s'occupent des passagers pendant l'escale se regroupent sur le quai pour fêter le départ du bateau...c'est bien sympa!
Dès que nous avons dépassé les côtes, le bateau entre dans un "grain", prend la gite et se secoue. C'est bête ce soir c'est la soirée de gala et la petite réception pour les membres MSC Club. Nous serons un peu moins nombreux au restaurant, et le spectacle sera écourté de certains numéros d'équilibre.
Ce soir nous entamons la "re descente" vers notre point de départ...mais il reste encore une étape. Et quelle étape !
Bonjour
je vois que vous avez apprécié l'excursion "plage de bayahibé" ; comme nous ne sommes pas tenté par l'ile de saona à cause du bateau parce que je crains les petits bateaux, nous serions tenté par bayahibé ; combien de temps reste-t-on à la plage ? est-ce que l'excursion a lieu le matin ou l'après midi ?
nous qui aimons voir les poissons que nous n'avons pas l'habitude de voir en méditerranée ça a l'air beau et tout près du bord si je comprends bien.
Merci pour ce super compte rendu qui me permet de patienter 😉
Pour nous le départ est dans un peu moins de 3 mois, avec Costa, mais pas mal d'escales en commun.
Impatiente de lire ce que fut cette dernière étape !!
l'excursion a lieu le matin. Nous passons environ 3h00 sur place. Pour les matelas de plage, il faut rester debout sur la plage et attendre qu'un employé de l'hôtel vienne en proposer s'il n'y a plus de matelas libres sur place. Comme nous arrivons dans l'hôtel vers 10h00, beaucoup de client de cet hôtel sont déjà sur la plage.
En espérant avoir répondu à tes questions.
Bonne soirée
Loli
Bon dimanche à tous, la fin de notre périple approche, voici donc la dernière escale
Jour 7 : lundi 9 décembre, Saint John's, Antigua y Barbuda
Nous accostons à Saint John's pendant le déjeuner. Le matin nous avons assisté à la réunion de préparation au débarquement, puis admiré Nevis que nous longeons avant d’apercevoir Antigua.
Nous avons rendez-vous à 14h00, au théâtre, nous savons que la dernière excursion que nous avons choisi a eu beaucoup de succès. Je l'avoue maintenant, nous étions un peu fébrile. Ce rendez-vous avec les grandes raies pastenagues a un petit goût de mystère et on imagine de danger...
Lorsque nous quittons le bateau, un très très gros grain tropical rend le rassemblement dans les mini-bus un peu sportif ! Il pleut ÉNORMÉMENT, je suis complètement trempée!!!
Nous voilà en route pour Stingray, un petit village typique au bord de la mangrove.
Il faut assister au briefing et surtout bien comprendre les indications données, elles vous permettrons de profiter en toute sécurité de votre rendrez-vous avec les "little pupy dogs of the seas".
Signature du formulaire de décharge, puis distribution des masques et des tubas pour ceux qui n'en n'ont pas. Nous abandonnons nos chaussures (interdites à bord des bateaux et pour la baignade avec les raies).
De petits groupes ont été constitués. Chaque groupe constitue l’équipage d'un bateau rapide.
Nous embarquons à bord de bateaux à fonds plats et partons à toute vitesse vers la mangrove.
Attention : si vous souffrez du dos, il vaut mieux le signaler avant le départ, sinon vous n'avez plus qu'a serrer les dents jusqu'à l'arrivée.
Qui dit vitesse dit...embruns. J'étais déjà trempée de pluie, voilà l'eau de mer pour compléter ma douche tropicale. Au moins je suis déjà acclimatée à la température de la mer. En quelques minutes de survol au dessus des flots, nous voilà en vue d'une plateforme flottante à laquelle les bateaux s'amarrent. Nous débarquons, nous mettons en tenue de bain et allons au bout de la passerelle pour nous mettre à l'eau...choc de la vision de ces grands disques sombres, il y a en a des dizaines, qui arrivent à grande vitesse vers les baigneurs déjà dans l'eau. On prend son courage à 2 mains et on descend les derniers barreaux des échelles de bain...Ne pas oublier les consignes : marcher en glissant et non pas en posant chaque pied, ne pas avoir de gestes agressifs, être attentifs.
Si vous voulez avoir LA PHOTO de votre croisière, faite le parcours désigné par votre accompagnateur. Une fois arrivé à la fin de la file, on va vous poser sur les bras une IMMENSE raie et on va vous demander de la tenir et en même temps de faire votre plus beau sourire. Souvenir inoubliable. Si votre conjoint n'a pas fuit un peu effrayé (comme le mien!!!) vous pouvez la porter à 2 ce sera plus facile car elle est vraiment lourde! Je vous promets que vous vous souviendrez très longtemps de cet instant et des autres qui vont suivre. Puis c'est la distribution des petits calamars, à tendre dans votre poing fermé, avec le pouce replié...et là encore des souvenirs inoubliables de cette immense bouche blanche et rose qui s'ouvre...et se referme en douceur sur le calamar pour l'aspirer.
Des dizaines de raies, qui viennent vous demander caresses et calamars, qui vous frôlent doucement, en toute liberté (elles ne sont pas en captivité, nous sommes en pleine mer), en toute sécurité et dans la réalité (non ce n'est pas un rêve !). Tout en étant dans l'eau je me fais une promesse : jamais plus de ma vie je ne mangerais de raie, je le jure !
Retour sur la plateforme, puis sur le bateau et enfin sur la terre ferme. Et c'est la distribution des "planteurs" pour patienter jusqu'à la vente des fameuses photos. Vous choisissez la plus belle, puis le choix du support (photo "papier", CD, les 2) et vous payez : 15 USD ou 12 euros par photo. Le traitement ne prend pas plus de 2 ou 3 mn, de quoi laisser du temps pour faire quelques emplettes et admirer les perroquets dans les volières.
Le retour est assez enjoué (ça c'est l'effet du planteur) mais aussi pensif (ça c'est l'effet des raies). J'apprends que plusieurs personnes n'ont pas voulu se mettre à l'eau, certains enfants ont été impressionnés, mais tous ceux qui ont vaincu leur appréhension sont heureux d’avoir fait quelque chose d'exceptionnel !
On rend les serviettes imbibées d'eau avant de reprendre la passerelle pour le dernière fois et remonter à bord de notre fabuleux village flottant.
Dernier repas du soir, nous remercions nos serveurs Yatim et Dany, pour leur sourire, leur gentillesse et leur professionnalisme.
Il est grand temps d'entasser toutes les affaires pour le retour, je veux dire faire la valise, et la laisser avant minuit devant la porte de la cabine. Nous avons conservé maillots de bains et tongs en vue de la journée demain. En effet nous pouvons conserver nos cabines jusqu'à midi et profiter de tout le bateau jusqu'à 17h25.
Ce soir je rêve de pastenagues et de calamars...
Oui loli ça a l'air impressionnant mais pourquoi on doit signer une décharge c est si dangereux ? Ça me fou u peu la trouille
🤪 aaa mais je tiens à le faire et c'est encore plus appréciable de savoir qu elles sont dans leur milieu naturel
Bientôt la fin du récit de votre voyage merci encore
Florence
C'est un peu normal, car les raies sont des animaux sauvages et peuvent vous "piquer" avec leur aiguillon.
Donc une décharge libère les organisateurs d'un éventuel problème.🙂
Vous avez donné de très précieuses informations concernant la croisière, très bien raconté, vraiment avec beaucoup de détails, merci pour ce récit.
Également à Biker31 pour son récit et ses très belles photos qui font rêver tous ceux qui vont suivre, dont j'en suis, mais je pars de Bruxelles via Madrid à la date du 27 janvier 2014, donc je n'ai pas encore trouvé quelqu'un à cette date, il y a bien deux membre VF au 26 janvier sur le Costa Magica et j'aimerai bien aussi partager les excursions, nous sommes 2 personnes.
Également merci les autres personnes qui font un CR.
Nous arrivons à La Romana et je ne crois pas que l'on fasse Santo Domingo, on fait La Romana et Isla Catalina (selon le programme). J'épluche aussi le forum.
Bonne fêtes de Noël et une bonne année 2014 au Forum, surtout une bonne santé et pleine de rêves pour vaguer sur les mers du monde.
Farida
je vous souhaites de bonnes fêtes de fin. Et comme nous disons en Provence (où cela porte malheur de se souhaiter la bonne année avant l'heure) :
a l'an que ven, que se siam pas mai, que se siguem pas mens
(à l'année prochaine, si nous ne sommes pas plus, que nous ne soyons pas moins)
Hi there,
I’m looking into a Mediterranean cruise on the Splendida in YC.
I’d love to know if it’s a ship with a lot of triple and quadruple cabins in the Yacht Club.
The thing is, I’m planning to depart from Malta, and either the cruise ends during the French school holidays in October with a departure from Marseille—which means there’s a risk of lots of kids on board—or the other option is a departure on October 30th, which might also have some French kids during the first part of the cruise.
I read that some ships in the Fantasia class have more triple or quadruple cabins than others, but I’m not sure if the Splendida is one of them.
If anyone has that info…
PS: This isn’t about starting a debate on traveling with or without kids… I’d just like a quiet week, and that’s not always easy in a small space with lots of children around.
Just back from our first cruise on the Renaissance, and I’d like to share a few thoughts about life on board. Our feelings are mixed—we wanted a change after several MSC cruises, but the value for money on this repositioning cruise left us torn.
After taking advantage of successive promotions, we finally secured a well-located balcony cabin for 2600 € (almost 50% off the brochure rate). Given the amenities and the ship’s age, this now feels like the absolute maximum we’d pay for that period.
Overall, we were happy with our vacation on board, but a few details—when added up—left us with a somewhat mixed impression.
The pros:
- Ship size
- Reasonable noise levels, except in the restaurants (aside from the covered pool area)
- Spacious balcony cabin (20 + 5 m²) with plenty of storage and a bathtub with jets
- Understated, tasteful decor
- French language spoken on board
- Friendly staff for the most part
- 100% French-speaking clientele
- Decent food with French dishes (even with an Indian chef)
- Tables for two available (though the ship was full, so no changes possible)
- Some high-quality shows, thanks to an excellent English-speaking troupe
- Interesting lectures (especially on history and cetaceans)
The cons:
- Unreliable air conditioning in common areas (you’d go from a freezing lounge to a hot one, as if the system only worked in certain spaces at certain times)
- Aging ship with a few glitches (noises, AC, toilet flushes, lights) reported at reception (luckily, our only issue was the bathroom door not closing...)
- Industrial, thawed-out bread and pastries (a letdown for a ship with a French image)
- Limited fruit selection (often just apples and watermelon/melon) and not much variety in vegetables
- Worn, sometimes stained restaurant towels
We’re not ruling out another cruise on the Renaissance—their itineraries are unique—but only at a very competitive price.
Hi, I’m about to go on a cruise on the Costa Smeralda but I’ve never been on a cruise before. Could anyone share the à-la-carte drink menu? I’d like to know if the prices are excessive, since the MyDrinks drink packages, for example, cost 266 € per adult.
Have a great day! 😉
Hi everyone,
I’m going on a Mediterranean cruise in November and I’m looking for some "tips" to visit the cities of Naples, Messina, and Valletta in Malta without booking the ship’s excursions, which are really expensive.
Thanks so much for your advice and suggestions. We’re a group of 6 people.
Looking forward to hearing from you...
Best,
M
PS: We’re also stopping in Genoa and Barcelona—even though we know these two cities, we’d still love any tips for visiting them!
Thanks
Hello everyone,
We’re a senior couple signed up for a 13-day cruise in Japan on the Princess Sapphire, departing from Yokohama on April 8, 2027.
Are there any other French speakers on this forum who’ll be on this trip?
Hoping for a reply...
Hi,
The MSC Magnifica has been refurbished and a Yacht Club class has been added. Could anyone share their impressions of cabin 14001, as the view is slightly obstructed? Is it really a "disadvantage" in terms of brightness? Thanks in advance
Hi, we're heading to Venice soon. We have a hotel in Mestre and we'd like to know which bus can take us from the Mestre hotel to Marghera Port. Thanks.
Hi everyone ...
We’re planning to do the 83-day Cunard cruise ...
departing from Southampton on January 10, 2027 aboard the Queen Anne ...
has anyone done it ... or have any info ... or tips ...
for example ... deck and cabin choices ... drink packages ... excursions ... etc.
... anything good to know about this ship???
Thanks everyone ...
Hi there,
Here’s the 2027 cruise schedule.
It’s a great way to get ideas and maybe even meet up with other members!
2 essential rules:
1) Never "quote" the schedule when replying—this avoids any confusion.
2) Follow this format:
DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port
DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / /
REMINDER Despite my requests, few people follow the requested format. Cruises that stray too far from it won’t be listed anymore—sorry about that. IMPORTANT Please respect the templates!
PLEASE COPY AND PASTE THE FORMAT BELOW AND REPLACE WITH YOUR DETAILS IF YOU’RE HAVING TROUBLE
DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port
DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / /
It takes time to fix mistakes, so THANKS TO EVERYONE for your help!
YOUR TURN 😉
NUMBER OF 2027 CRUISES: 1
JANUARY
14/01 - poupou10 / AZAMARA JOURNEY / 74 days / South America Tour / Miami
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
Hi there,
I’m looking for an all-inclusive Nile cruise on a comfortable boat with as few passengers as possible.
Which tour operator can you recommend?
Thanks in advance.
I’m about to book the panoramic suite, and I’m not sure whether I should go for the one at the front of the ship or the one at the back. I’d really appreciate any feedback—anyone who’s already booked this kind of suite and can share the pros and cons?
Hi,
We’ll be visiting Barcelona for the first time on our upcoming cruise.
I was wondering if it’s better to book a taxi in advance to get from the train station to the cruise terminal, since there’ll be four of us. Are there enough taxis around that we won’t have to wait too long?
For the return trip, same question—are there enough taxis, since we have a flight to catch? Though I doubt we’ll know in advance which terminal we’ll dock at.
I came across this site below—has anyone heard of it?
https://taxibarcelona.taxi/fr/
hi there
Here’s the cruise schedule for 2026.
It’s a great way to get ideas and maybe even meet up with other members.
2 essential rules:
1) never "quote" the calendar when replying—this’ll avoid any confusion
2) follow the format below
DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port
DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / /
REMINDER Despite my requests, few people follow the requested format. Cruises that stray too far from it won’t be listed anymore—sorry!PLEASE respect the templates!
COPY AND PASTE THE FORMAT BELOW AND REPLACE WITH YOUR DETAILS IF YOU’RE STRUGGLING
DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port
DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / /
It takes time to fix mistakes, so THANKS TO EVERYONE for your help!
YOUR TURN 😉
NUMBER OF CRUISES 2026:
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
Hi everyone, we're going on a week-long cruise and I have a question: can we travel by train and on a cruise with small refrigerated injectable syringes?
Do we need to complete any formalities?
And how should we store them?
Thanks in advance for your feedback.
I'm considering a cruise on the Hurtigruten Coastal Express from Bergen to Kirkenes and back to Bergen over 11 days in mid-March 2027.
Has anyone already done this trip?
I think it’s a great way to discover the Norwegian coast with the chance to see magnificent northern lights, but isn’t the trip a bit *too* long?
There are about thirty stops, but most last only a few minutes, with just one daily stop of over 2 hours, which gives a quick glimpse of a few towns but doesn’t allow for a full excursion.
Is the supplement for an outside cabin with a porthole (800 € for 2!) really worth it?
It’s more pleasant than an inside cabin, but do you spend enough time in your cabin to make the most of it?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this journey.
Best regards.
Hi everyone! I’m used to sailing on a sailboat with two or three people—it’s amazing. But I’d love to try the experience of a cruise. Just to clarify, I’ll be going alone. My first question: are there other solo travelers on these cruises, or is it mostly couples and families?
For a first cruise, I’d prefer a short one (maximum 8 days). Do those exist? And on the smallest boat possible. I live in Marseille, so a departure from Marseille would work, but I’m open to other ports too. If you have a cruise line to recommend and a destination you’ve enjoyed, or if you’ve had a great experience on a more intimate-sized ship, I’d love to hear about it!
We just returned from a cruise from 08/13/26 to 08/20/26 on the MSC ORCHESTRA with stops in Tarragona, Valencia, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Genoa, and back to Marseille.
The ship was fully booked. Deck chairs were already occupied by beach towels early in the morning, and there were only 1 or 2 people in the pools... However, on the day the Italians disembarked, there were very few towels on the deck chairs.
We found the Italians less talkative.
We had a balcony cabin on deck 9, starboard side. The cabin was spacious, but the sofa was facing the desk, making it a pain to watch TV (neck strain guaranteed). So, we changed the sofa’s orientation to face the TV (we put it back in place on disembarkation day).
There were 325 French speakers on board, and a lot of staff from Mauritius, which made communication easier.
No annoying announcements about bingo, etc.—a nice change from COSTA.
For dinner, we were at the first sitting at 7:45 PM, at a table for 6. On the first night, we were two "gray-haired" couples at the table. The second night, two young women joined us but asked to change tables after seeing us...
The show for our dinner time was at 10:15 PM and ended around 11:00 PM. We found that a bit late for us. The shows were varied and of good quality.
The restaurant menus offered plenty of choices, but at the buffet at lunchtime, there were a lot of dishes with quite a few carbs. Afternoon tea from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM included some great pastries, among other things.
We had an issue with the air conditioning and bad odors in the cabin one afternoon. I reported the problem to the reception, and staff along with our cabin steward came to check the cabin. The issue was resolved that same afternoon.
Two days later, we were surprised to find a bag with items inside: 2 MSC mugs and 2 MSC thermos flasks that keep drinks hot or cold for 10 hours. It was a gift from customer service following the bad odors in our cabin. We weren’t expecting this at all and thanked MSC’s customer service.
For excursions, MSC always offers port-to-city-center transfers for 14 € per adult in Valencia and Tarragona, and 12 € per child. In Livorno, it was 10 € per adult and 7 € per child.
In Civitavecchia, there was a shuttle to the train station for 6 €.
On the MSC for Me app, there were "promotions" on certain excursions.
We really enjoyed this cruise, but we couldn’t revisit some stops (Tarragona and Valencia) on our own because it was too hot.
Great evening: Mum49
We're leaving on August 25th for a Danube cruise from Vienna to Bucharest. The travel agency refuses to postpone this cruise despite navigation changes due to the exceptional drought, which include bus transfers that don’t interest us.
Have you had any experiences with this that you’d like to share?
Hi there!
I’m going on a cruise with MSC on the World Europa this coming October.
Stops: Genoa, Naples, Messina, Malta.
Has anyone visited Mount Etna and Pompeii?
Could you share some tips for each of these stops?
I’d like to explore on my own without booking the ship’s excursions.
Thanks for your advice!
Hello!
After a lot of hesitation between different cruise lines (Explora, Oceania, YC, HAL, NCL) and several destinations like Norway, Ireland, and Iceland,
I finally chose NCL’s Star for Iceland.
I had already looked at this itinerary when I went to Scotland in April with CFC, but it was really expensive.
You should know that CFC often offers last-minute deals 45 days before departure (the point when you can no longer cancel or modify).
So, I got a great opportunity and grabbed it.
Departure is on August 23rd.
Hi everyone,
I’m staying in a suite on the Pacifica in October and I can’t find any details about the suite benefits beyond the elite restaurant, the butler, and the espresso machine.
What about breakfast and meals served free in the cabin, and the spa?
Costa’s been cutting back on perks for Gold members, and it seems like suites are next.
Thanks for your replies!
Hello,
We’re back from this cruise.
Boarding in Dunkirk: The doors opened around 12 PM. Since we were a bit early, I asked if my husband, who uses a walker, could wait inside instead of outside. I left him with the two suitcases and our two backpacks in the small hall while I parked the car in the reserved CFC parking lot for 10 € per day.
The shuttle that was supposed to take people from the parking lot to the model pavilion was supposed to arrive in 5 minutes, but after 15 minutes, nothing. After waiting 15 minutes, I saw a man walking and asked if I could follow him. In 15 minutes, we arrived, and still no sign of the shuttle—it must have passed us. Arrived at the model pavilion.
My husband had already checked in the suitcases with the help of a CFC staff member. The remaining formalities were completed quickly. We were on board by 12:15 PM. Headed to the buffet on deck 11 and waited in a lounge to access our cabin.
At 2 PM, we discovered our balcony cabin on deck 9 at the rear: spacious with a large balcony compared to MSC/COSTA.
Since we were at the rear, cabin 9202, there was always an issue with elevator number 4: "priority."
Elevator number 2 stops at deck 10... and elevator number 3 was often out of order, leaving only number 1 for those with mobility issues to reach the buffet, especially for people who struggle with stairs. Note: only one child on board and lots of "gray hair."
DAY 2: At sea. Lots of activities offered.
Day 3: GOTHENBURG (Sweden). Sunny, 19°C at 11 AM.
Excursion booked with CFC: Gothenburg and Haga for all.
Interesting visit with a great guide. The HAGA district, in our opinion, is full of cobblestones and nothing special, not suitable for people using a cane or wheelchair. Elevator number 3 was out of order again.
Day 4: Copenhagen. 15°C in the morning, showers in the afternoon.
We didn’t book an excursion since we’d already stopped here with CFC in 2025, and based on advice from this forum, we took the hop-on/hop-off bus right in front of the ship. I still went to see the Little Mermaid again.
No TV, but the elevator was fixed.
DAY 5: At sea. Still no TV.
DAY 6: GDANSK (Poland). 15°C, rain all day.
There’s a shuttle to get to the city center.
We took the excursion: Panorama of Gdansk.
The guide left us at the entrance of the city center for 45 minutes, telling us what to visit. Meet-up for the rest of the tour at 3 PM. The bus left at 3:15 PM to cover 10 km to see St. Mary’s Cathedral. We arrived at 4:16 PM... The guide said there are often traffic jams in that direction. We had 10 minutes on site before heading to see the lighthouse and the Westerplatte monument, where we also had 10 minutes.
Many of us wondered why we didn’t do the tour in the opposite direction since they knew there would be traffic...
I went to reception to complain about the organization. The staff member read me the program: we were supposed to start with the lighthouse, then go to the cathedral and stay for 30 minutes before heading to the center of Gdansk for a short guided walk with some free time to buy souvenirs, etc.
The guide did the complete opposite of what was planned and didn’t even give us a guided tour—just dropped us off in the city...
DAY 7: Bornholm Island (Denmark). 14°C, a few sunny spells.
We saw in the excursions that there was a walking tour of RØNNE. So, like many others, we explored on our own. There was a small orchestra welcoming us at the port and two people with city maps. We took the shuttle to leave the port—it ran every 15 minutes. The tourist office was next to the "shuttle bus." A pleasant visit at our own pace.
DAY 8: KIEL (Germany). 18–23°C, nice weather.
We took the "Kiel for all" excursion. Great guide and interesting visits.
The port is in the city, and in 10 minutes, we were in the city center by following a blue line on the ground from the port. Elevator 3 was stuck again... and the TV was back.
DAY 9: At sea. Elevator 3 works.
DAY 10: At sea. Elevator 3 is out of order again...
DAY 11: Disembarkation in Dunkirk.
Cabins had to be vacated by 7:30 AM. Buffet open until 9 AM.
Elevator number 1 was "reserved," leaving only number 2, which doesn’t go up to deck 11... a problem for people with mobility issues who had to cross the entire deck 11 and try to use one of the four working elevators at the front, which were crowded.
My opinion: Interesting stops.
The onboard staff were always welcoming, smiling, and mostly French-speaking.
Evening shows were better than in March/April 2025—better singers, dancers, and presenters, and the costumes were improved.
I liked the "magician" shows less.
There were three onboard lectures by a very cultured person, but they went off-topic and were too historical for my taste. I didn’t attend the other two; my husband went to the second but not the third.
For this cruise, there was a bridge theme, but we’re not players or interested.
We didn’t take a drink package on board—water, coffee, tea, and herbal teas were available.
We had a water leak in our cabin the night before disembarkation. We reported it, and after the technical staff came (with a translator who didn’t speak English), we were asked to leave the cabin for a while for repairs. We went to a lounge, and after 1.5 hours, I checked in at reception. The repair took longer than expected... we had to change cabins... not ideal the night before disembarkation. No balcony cabins were available, so we got an ocean-view cabin, 6075, with a bathtub (impossible for both of us to use). We packed our suitcases, took a shower in our cabin, and moved to the new one. Noise from chairs until 12:30 AM because the cabin was under a lounge, and constant ventilation noise in the hallway... sleep was hard to come by.
Disembarkation: Well organized. We were helped with transporting the two suitcases and bags to the waiting room while I took the shuttle to get the car.
Guylène
