‘Cruisin’!  From dugout canoes on the Amazon River to the Inaugural Voyage of the Sky Princess Cruise ship.  We decided to mix it up a little and a half price special found us on a ship so large that even if it sunk, the top decks would stick out of the water!  This moving land mass was almost beyond description. We snagged a great deal, watched the promo video, and anchors away! 

In need of Vitamin Sea, we overdosed for 14 days cruising the Mediterranean Sea. We had no idea how massive this ship was until we stood on the gangplank in Athens! The ship is 1,083 feet long, 217 feet high, has 18 decks, accepts 3660 passengers, 1346 crew, 3 main elegant dining rooms, 14 bars and lounges, 4 pools, 8 outdoor Jacuzzis, 16 elevators. Taking a stroll into the European-style, 3 story Piazza encompassing the center of the ship, is definitely reminiscent of Italy; where we have just spent 4 months.  The Piazza is lined with gelato shops, cafes, a pizzeria, a deli, a lounge, and Italian fine dining Restaurant Sabatini’s Trattoria, complete with a famous Italian chef. 

Have a look:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPssLJXQzbM

Directed to our bedroom we were stunned to see the large spacious chamber with an ocean view balcony; a far cry from a dusty cement floor in northern Uganda, a family yurt, complete with yaks in Tibet, or a hammock under a tarp at Angel Falls, Venezuela.  Yes, we had arrived. 

We unpacked our suitcases, another logistical puzzle.  Going around the world for almost a year, with climates from tropical to chilly, activities from hiking to dining out, casual to dressy, we had to add Princess Cruise’s ‘smart casual’ with several semi-formal/formal events to the list.  Precious ‘dress up’ clothes and shoes were pulled out of the bottom of our 18” and 20” suitcases and hung for action.  We were as ready as we would ever be.

Swimsuits on, we headed for the top deck with 2 enormous pools. Welcome drinks, Jacuzzi’s, friendly people, live bands, bars and grills were waiting for us.  The problem was what should we eat before we go for dinner?  We promised each other we wouldn’t go crazy eating – and would stick to our vegan lifestyle of 20 years – but temptation lurked around every corner.  We can honestly admit we probably each gained about 5 lbs. – and all on vegan food.

Let’s face it people take cruises to eat.  Bistro Sur La Mer, French bistro by Michelin star chef Emmanuel Renaut caught our eye.  We had included 3 fine dining evenings in the exclusive restaurants on board.  But French cuisine – good luck!  Stopping by we politely asked if we could see the chef.  Out he came – glowing and encircled by Michelin stars; patron saint to foodies worldwide.  We asked if we could reserve a vegan dinner for 2 the following evening.  He asked what we liked.  We named potatoes, onions, spinach, asparagus, salad and chocolate something for dessert.  We shook on it and the following evening were ‘Wowed’ by his creations.  The presentation was spectacular, the service topmost, and in fact we almost hated to eat the artistic creations, one following the other, placed in front of us.   We have been impressed at how Europe has caught the vegan trend. We laughed remembering all the people that have told us, “Vegan food is tasteless.”  Well just taste this……Oops……our plates have been licked clean!

The inaugural voyage promised to be spectacular with first class entertainment.  We were not disappointed. 

People onboard can be as active or passive as they wish. There is something going on, in some corner of the ship 20 hours a day!  We could spend quiet time mesmerized by the ocean below from our balcony or pick out activities and events from the daily schedule and dive right in.  The most difficult decision was to choose which event, at the same time, to attend.  With such a massive ship and so many people, there was so much going on and honestly so little time!

Inaugural cruises fly in entertainment from around the world.  We enjoyed a musical from the stages in London, the silk acrobatics of Cirque du Soleil, an orchestra, several bands, flamenco dancers, hilarious comedians, and on and on.  Singers of all types were highlighted by a woman who sounded exactly like Whitney Houston.  I know because I was having a sumptuous massage in the ship’s Spa when I heard Whitney Houston reverberating in the distance.  Could that lady sing!  Guaranteed we were front and center for the performance.

Not interested in theater or live performances there were options for the Casino, quiet jazz bars, shopping, crafts, beauty treatments, lectures, and eating always, then working out in the gym or walking miles in the fresh ocean air on the top deck! Did I mention eat something?

The night before arriving at a port there would be a presentation explaining the destination and options for visiting it.  I had heard that better options were available privately so I booked several on line and were pleasantly pleased to find the hordes heading in one direction while we nipped off in the opposite direction.  Not being tour people we would usually just go against the grain, find quiet places or side alleys on our own and when the majority of passengers were heading back onboard, like horses back to the barn for free food, we would visit the sights in relative peace. It worked. 

Joseph and I have been on a few cruises in our lives, Bahamas, Caribbean, Alaska, and Mediterranean.  Always on good cruise lines but on smaller ships (large in their day!).  These new mega-ships, like Sky Princess, can only visit certain ports and thus have more limited itineraries.  We asked one lady at such a port if her town liked having 2 of these monsters visit several times a week.  She said, “It provides jobs and business so we don’t mind, but we always look forward to the ship sailing into the sunset, giving us back our town.

That being said our itinerary for 14 days was incredible: Leaving Athens we sailed to Montenegro, Corfu, Greece, Sicily, Naples, Barcelona, Gibraltar, Toulon, France, Genoa, Florence/Pisa, and back to Rome.  Whew!  More on each port and country soon!  After this outstanding, out of the loop voyage, just about everything that ailed us was cured.  The ocean worked its magic.  “Mix it up” in life once in a while; it’s good for the soul!

And so it goes…………………………………..Next off to The Rock – Gibraltar.   Until then Keep Laughing, Keep Living Life to the Fullest, and remember to mix it up in life once in a while!  We are glad you stopped by. Take care and thanks for keeping in touch!

Love, Light & Laughter, 

xo  Nancy & Joseph