The most noticeable thing is the number of non-Americans. While there are plenty of Americans, there seem to be many more Europeans and Asians this cruise than the last. Lots of Brits. In addition to listening to a variety of tongues in the elevator, I have also noticed that all announcements are made in English, Spanish, Italian, and German. Sometimes they seem to go on forever.
Of course, when you have more Europeans, you have more Speedos. Sigh. And you also have more men wearing capri pants and shiny pointed loafers.
Another thing I've noticed is that there are many more children on this cruise than there were cruising from Miami to Rome. I think on that cruise they said there were a total of 46 children. I haven't heard them mention a number yet, but I can see there are plenty more. It seems like kind of a funny cruise itinerary for small children, but I can tell you that they were certainly having fun today on the deck. It makes me more homesick for my grandchildren.
There are many more late-night activities. On the first cruise, our dining time was 5:30. The second dining time was 8:00. They would generally have two shows – one at 6:45 for the late diners and one at 8:30 for the early diners. Our early seating is now at 6 o'clock, and the late seating is at 8:30. They still have two programs, but the first starts at 8:30 or 9, and the late show begins at 11. Europeans dine late, so we weren't surprised at the change in dining time.
The overall age level of this cruise seems younger. While I still see older people, there were considerably more young adults out by the pool today. Lots of bikinis. Some that shouldn't have been there.
Tonight was our first formal night for this cruise. The first formal night is the most fun, because people really get gussied up. I noticed lots of long formal gowns this time. The other two nights will likely be less formal. Up until tonight, there had just been four of us at our table that is always set for 10. Tonight, two more couples showed up. There is a couple from Fort Lauderdale (though she had a beautiful southern accent and confirmed that she had grown up in Savannah). Also joining us was a couple from Toronto, who seemed very congenial. I'm not sure we'll see either couple again until the next formal night.
Here is the status about Athens: Up until tonight, we were told that the workers for the Ministry of Cultural Affairs were for sure going to be on strike (meaning no museums would be open) and there was a chance that the transportation workers would also be on strike (meaning no tour buses), but that taxis and the metro system would be working. Taking this all into consideration, Bill and I decided to just walk the 20 minutes to the metro and then take the metro into the old city center. We were feeling quite smug about not being impacted by the strike.
During dinner, they made an announcement that the transportation workers were definitely NOT going to be on strike; therefore all of the tour buses would run, but that some tours would need to be canceled. Then, a bit later, they made the final announcement: The workers for the Ministry of Cultural Affairs would NOT be going on strike so all museums would be open after all. Yay! EXCEPT, they went on to say that the metro system and city bus workers WERE going to be on strike (but only between 11 a.m. And 5 p.m.
Yikes! That meant that unless Bill and I could get onto a tour, we were not going to be going into Athens. That is the status as of my writing this post.
Our plan: We noticed that a group of people had organized a tour that was not affiliated with Royal Caribbean, and they were meeting at 8:30 Tuesday morning. So Bill and I are going to go down and see if they have room for us. If they do, we will join them. If they don't, we will need to decide whether or not we want to risk going into Athens before 11 and coming back after 5 (when the metro system workers are supposed to be working. Our other alternative, of course, is to just stay on the ship. I must say given all of the changes throughout the past few days, I'm not terribly comfortable taking their word that they will only be striking between 11 and 5. Our ship leaves port at 6:30, and I truly want to be on this ship when it leaves for Rhodes.
Stay tuned.
Tonight was our first formal night for this cruise. The first formal night is the most fun, because people really get gussied up. I noticed lots of long formal gowns this time. The other two nights will likely be less formal. Up until tonight, there had just been four of us at our table that is always set for 10. Tonight, two more couples showed up. There is a couple from Fort Lauderdale (though she had a beautiful southern accent and confirmed that she had grown up in Savannah). Also joining us was a couple from Toronto, who seemed very congenial. I'm not sure we'll see either couple again until the next formal night.
Here is the status about Athens: Up until tonight, we were told that the workers for the Ministry of Cultural Affairs were for sure going to be on strike (meaning no museums would be open) and there was a chance that the transportation workers would also be on strike (meaning no tour buses), but that taxis and the metro system would be working. Taking this all into consideration, Bill and I decided to just walk the 20 minutes to the metro and then take the metro into the old city center. We were feeling quite smug about not being impacted by the strike.
During dinner, they made an announcement that the transportation workers were definitely NOT going to be on strike; therefore all of the tour buses would run, but that some tours would need to be canceled. Then, a bit later, they made the final announcement: The workers for the Ministry of Cultural Affairs would NOT be going on strike so all museums would be open after all. Yay! EXCEPT, they went on to say that the metro system and city bus workers WERE going to be on strike (but only between 11 a.m. And 5 p.m.
Yikes! That meant that unless Bill and I could get onto a tour, we were not going to be going into Athens. That is the status as of my writing this post.
Our plan: We noticed that a group of people had organized a tour that was not affiliated with Royal Caribbean, and they were meeting at 8:30 Tuesday morning. So Bill and I are going to go down and see if they have room for us. If they do, we will join them. If they don't, we will need to decide whether or not we want to risk going into Athens before 11 and coming back after 5 (when the metro system workers are supposed to be working. Our other alternative, of course, is to just stay on the ship. I must say given all of the changes throughout the past few days, I'm not terribly comfortable taking their word that they will only be striking between 11 and 5. Our ship leaves port at 6:30, and I truly want to be on this ship when it leaves for Rhodes.
Stay tuned.
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