Finally the day has arrived to start the long awaited cruise. This was the first thing we booked back in Feb 2010. We had spent hours researching the various types of Trans - Atlantic cruises, reading comments from past travellers. Royal Caribbean – Visions of the Seas had many past passengers write glowing reports about facilities, food and the staff. There was one comment warning that the check-in process was completely disorganised and that 2000+ passengers are milling around for hours without clear directions on how to board the ship and collect their luggage. We have to say that this was not the situation at all. We arrived at the port early, we checked our bags in minutes and were then directed to the check in desk, where after a short wait we had checked in, received our room keys and were directed to board the ship. The only disconcerting event in this process was that they kept our passports for the duration of the cruise. It is surprising how naked you can feel when you don’t have your passport in a foreign country. We boarded the ship – and we were on our way…..
Dinner the first night we had elected to sit in what is called “My Time Dining”, this is where you can turn up to dinner any time between 7-10pm. The other option is that you choose either the early sitting at 7pm or the late sitting at 9.30pm and you are seated at the same table with the same people every night. When we first investigated what we needed to do for dinner we were asked if we wanted to sit on our own or if we would like to share a table with other guests in the My Time Dining area. We both thought that this would be a nice way to meet some people on the trip, share stories and therefore chose the option to share a table with other guests who also speak English.
When we first arrived at the table Jonathon (Maître De) informed us that we would be sharing a table with an English speaking couple and they were due to arrive shortly. He then introduced us to Elfie (Head Waiter) who showed us to our table. Adrain (our waiter) and Anna (waiter’s assistant) then saw to our every need during the 3 course dinner (sooooo much food – starting to understand why they say the average passenger puts on a kilo every 2 days whilst on a cruise). We took our time ordering, waiting for our dinner companions to arrive………We ordered and the first course arrived and they didn’t HMMMMMM! Main course arrived and a couple were being escorted our way by Elfie; but wait, they didn’t look happy, she was pointing to an empty table away from us. Long story short we enjoyed a fabulous dinner with the amazing staff as company at a table of 4 for just the 2 of us!
The journey takes 14 days to complete, initially we sail north up the coast of Brazil making 2 stops, we then have 6 days at sea, before having 3 stops in the Canary Islands and Spain then finally arriving in Lisbon, Portugal to disembark.
We have decided to split the entries for the cruise into 3 parts: one will be about the day tours before our days at sea and the ports we visited along the way, one about the 6 day journey crossing the Atlantic and another with the ports visited once we reached Europe.
Ports of Call - Brazil
1st stop – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
After leaving Sao Paulo we travelled the short distance (over night) to our first port of call; Rio de Janeiro. We had arranged the afternoon before to join one of the ship’s organised tours – ½ day to see the Christ Redeemer on the mountain overlooking Rio, then a tour through Rio (via bus), followed by a short stop at Copa Cabana beach.
Just a small disclaimer with reference to photos that may seem irreverent, the intention is not to offend but to complete the mission placed upon us at the beginning of our journey; to place Australian flags in as many unusual and unique places around the world as possible. We were finding after reviewing our photos that many of our flag raising situations seem to centre around food, we had decided we needed to step up the game and get a little inventive with our chosen flag locations. The result was some spectacular photos of Christ the Redeemer holding our Australian flag! (see photos)
Rio was really the first place that we saw a nice white beach as opposed to the beach at San Vincente which was a funny brown colour!! It was a lovely day and taking the tourist bus does give you a wider look at a place than just walking allows. A good time had by the both of us and some lovely sarongs bought for laving beside the pool J What was interesting though is that all the people on the ship as well as the beaches in Brazil were not at all sun conscious and hats were a rare occurrence and buying 30+ was a nightmare – an expensive nightmare!!!! But with our knowledge and the bite in the sun we bought – wait for it – 50+ Australian Gold!! We had never seen this brand before but it’s exotic blend smells a little like pineapple and after a few days of wearing the blend was not so nice – a little too sweet for a lotion!!
2nd Port of Call – Salvador, Brazil
We again organised to join one of the ship’s organised tours (so much for sitting by the pool reading – this was our original plan!!) English speaking tour needed– we had by this time discovered that we were definitely the minority language on board. The majority of the 2000+ passengers being Brazilian speaking Portuguese, the next major group were the German contingent of nearly 200, then the rest of the passengers were a compilation of UK, USA, European and 4 Australians. (The other two we didn’t actually meet but apparently they were old and boring and had no accent unless you count their Greek accent – very funny!!)
We decided on a walking tour around the historic areas of Salvador, it was apparent early on, that this tour was made up of more vivacious characters than our previous tour, when we were called convicts from a couple of Poms sitting across from us on the bus, when the tour operator was doing the ice breaking section of the introduction by finding out where everyone was from. They soon became good friends and people we shared many happy/hilarious moments with; Keith and Linda Hopping.
During this tour, would you believe, whilst gazing at a statue of a person on a horse the whole ‘what is the significance of the front hoof placement’ came up. This is when an American with a weird accent declared the same as what was told to us prior in DC. This of course brought scepticism to our minds yet again but finding a little tact (not sure where?) we waited until the man with the weird accent was alone to ask him about Andrew Jackson. “Oh” he said knowledgeably in his weird accent “That would be the one in Washington DC?” hhhmmmm “Yes – is that one not standing with both front hooves in the air?” “Why yes it is – it’s a very famous statue bla bla bla bla” he said in the weird accent. “But didn’t Andrew Jackson die at home comfy in his bed?” He looked a little affronted then confused and stated it may have been an exception to the rule and he would have to google it! Very funny. He then introduced himself and I mentioned to him that we had kind of already met in San Vincente at the Hotel Palais where he had issues with a phone. Well, hugs galore and much laughter ensued and he quickly introduced himself and his partner Patrick to both Megan and myself and it was love at first sight for the four of us. Much laughter from this point ensued and the tour was made much brighter by just their wonderful presence and Dave’s weird Bostonian accent!!!
There was a little side trip added to this one to look at some gemstones – some cut, others raw and some set in jewellery. Both Keith and Linda joined us for this experience and although there were some fabulous stones there was just not enough of that fabulous money in our wallets to purchase anything. They – the jewellers, organised for us to get a taxi back to port, which we had been told by our tour organiser would be free. As we proceeded back to the port in the taxi we noticed he had the meter running and it clocked about $20 by the time we got there – now whether we did a runner or not – we are not sure, but the man didn’t come after us when we didn’t pay!!
We actually didn’t board the boat at that time as we were in desperate need of a few cruise items – dresses for the formal evenings and swimmers – we were very successful with this and didn’t spend too much doing it – Yeah us!!!
On return to the ship a visit to the pool was in call for and this turned out to be the meeting place and where we had our first invite to dinner with Keith and Linda. It was a lovely dinner with the exception of an arrogant American guest by the name of George who in our short hour and a half managed to insult Americans, Canadians, English and even ourselves (hardy Australians!!!!). We promised to avoid him in the near and distant future. What was a little annoying was that he was apparently taken with these lovely, beautiful Australian women – lucky us!!!!!!!??????
On return to our room we were very much surprised to see a fabulous puppy dog on our bed – pretty well house trained considering he was made out of towels. This cute little thing is prepared by the stewards of your rooms and lovingly placed on your bed. Our steward; Hank is a gorgeous Nicaraguan with a tendency to say ting instead of thing – very Jamaican sounding and good looking to boot! He introduced himself to us on the first day and by the third night of cute towel animals and hugs on entry and exit to the room we just wanted to take him home!! We do have to say here we did give Hank the challenge of other animals that other guests did not get and he excelled himself with crocodiles, turtles, elephants, monkeys and even people and a couple of sarong and flag pictures added into the mix– we did enjoy adding a few things for Hank to see as well – see the photos.
Just a few additional bits of information that you may find helpful, the ship runs many activities concurrently throughout the day and these events are published in a daily newsletter that is delivered to each stateroom the afternoon before. It is then up to the passengers to chose if or when they want to do dance lessons, scrapbooking, towel folding, climb the rock wall, water aerobics, go to the gym, attend lectures on how to maintain a healthly life style, and the list goes on and on and on. Oh and the cocktail of the day is also advertised. We did learn that this was very important information as the cocktails of the day are cheaper than bottled water!!! How cool is that!
The first sight of the Vision of the Seas
Megs waiting at one of the cafes for everyone to board
This is the 6th floor
This was the centre piece of the ship which you could see from
all sides including the clear lift which ran up one side of it
Our cabin 2072 - here we go!!!
One of the dining halls - in fact this is the one we mainly ate at.
The indoor pool - the Spa and gym were also on this floor
Not a great shot but the outside pool - there will be a better shot later
taken from the top floor/deck
We're on our way!!!!
It was funny really - we had entered our cabin and there was
things to read about what happens on the ship, activities etc
when all of a sudden we were moving and we didn't even realise!!!
We raced to the window in our cabin and bounced with excitement
and then headed to the top deck to farewell San Vincente.
This shot was taken after our first meal - OMG there was just sooo much
food and we were both so incredibly full!!!!
Our first excursion in Rio de Janeiro - notice the very attractive
bright yellow stickers which had to be worn to identify us as the
ship tourists!! We are on a train on the way up to Christ Redeemer
This is the train that goes up the hill through some lovely
rainforest areas
Our first view of Christ Redeemer -the cloud was ever present!!
But patience is a virtue and behold like a miracle the
clouds parted and voila!!
Even better!
We really do like the whole zoom thing!
This statue is huge people!
The cloud at the base of the statue hiding the view of Rio
The flag shot
The much better flag shot!!
Although there was cloud it was very hot
and all the people just waited round for the clouds to
have a gap to take photos
On the walk down from the statue
We know it's a little irreverent but still a cool shot!
The promised photo for my brother in law John
This is Copacabana Beach in Rio
The water was a little cold but the beach was just lovely
As always it doesn't matter where you are people will
try to sell you stuff - in fact we both bought sarongs here
for the poolside on the cruise!
This is the one Megs bought!
Megs finding out that the water is very cold!
One of the many beachside cafes
Us sitting at one of the beachside cafes enjoying Copacabana
- you seriously can't help having the song in your head - how's that for marketing!
Rio has some lovely areas including this bay with a view of Sugarloaf Mountain
It is surrounded by beautiful parklands
Where there are just lovely parks and green for many kilometres
Back on board and Megs and I decide we are going to try escargot!!
Wasn't too bad actually - it did have a lot of garlic though!
Megs at dinner
This is me holding my least favourite bread - it was hard and nasty
as opposed to the absolutely delicious Brazilian cheese balls that
there was just never enough of!
One of our many gifts from Hank - this is the puppy
This is our Head Waiter Elfie who was just gorgeous and was
most concerned when we didn't eat dessert - they were such a
fabulous friendly caring staff it felt like family as we shared
with them the antics we got up to during the day.
San Salvador was our second port of call and this is an amazingly beautiful
city with cobble stones and a rich history that is both sad and uplifting. Salvador was
the last place to abolish slavery and the work done here by the slaves is pure art. The people
here are friendly and most; about 70% of the population are direct descendants of slaves.
The issue with this is records were very badly kept and some people can only trace back to when
there relatives arrived here under a category of height and build which makes it impossible
to follow your genealogy any further.
The view from the plaza to the port
One of the many beautiful churches built by the slaves
This church was entirely plastered over and only recently cleaned
to reveal the fabulous artwork that was there.
This church was entirely gilded in gold and again all sone by the slaves of the time
There are many things in this church that the slaves have created to
thumb their nose at the Portuguese and there are pregnant women,
upside down birds and combinations of men and women together - all done
unbeknown to the Portuguese Bishops of the time.
We are heading to the lighthouse and the views were spectacular.
Pristine water and clean beaches
The Lighthouse
Formal night for dinner
Don't we look lovely in our only dresses we brought with us!
He's even lovelier - this is the gorgeous Hank; our steward and
the man I hugged morning and night hhhmmm nice memories!
Two of the tour guides
Main square with government building - yes built by the slaves
This unsightly tall thing on the left is actually an elevator
that takes you from the port to the central plaza in no time at all!!
Very handy!
The Fort taken from the Central Plaza
Unusual sculpture...looks a little like a bikini from one angle?!?!
This is the Bishop that got eaten by the cannibals -
what is a little funny is his surname translates to Sardine!!
Very apt!
A fountain in the central plaza
A lovely boy showing off his talent!
The artwork was gorgeous
The small cobbled streets lined with many shops
Cars do come down these as well but there is more room to move
to the side than in Cusco that's for sure!
A local musical instrument at one of the street side stalls
The church of gilded gold was awe inspiring!
Just pass the lighthouse more beaches and side street cafes etc
We can see ourselves sitting here on the wall enjoying the view for days
Wouldn't you???? Just look at this water!
The lighthouse from down the hill
Of course there are always people to sell you stuff and yes we bought more
necklaces!!
Us at the lighthouse taken by the boy who we bought the necklaces off
Some of the gems we saw
Megs and the flag shot
This is Keith who is getting into the flag fun
This is how they make sugar cane drinks - it goes through a press
twice and they add lemon and it is just sweet and delicious
An amazing process to watch!
Us being a little different often left things for Hank to see before we headed off
to dinner.
Flags were always placed somewhere around the dining hall -
the staff in the end were fighting over who had the most flags and
we had staff coming up asking where theirs was...very funny. In the
background is Gene - this is the first night that we intruded in on Gene and Nancy's
conversation and from then on we adopted them - just lovely people :)
Hank with his crocodile towel he made us.
Just gorgeous - the flag shot of course!
This was Hanks reply to our Hank in flags - it must have taken him ages -
look how many flags he used!
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