Talbot Tour



On a cruise of the Mediteranean and the Bay of Biscay this time, with Princess.



Our cruise route around The Mediteranean.

Sunday 23rd April 2017

Getting up early we locked up and drove to Heathrow. Parking in the long term car park for Terminal 5. Jumping the shuttle bus we checked in our suitcases and got through security. After eating breakfast and a spot of shopping we boarded the flight to Rome. British Airways is a little disappointing, all drinks and food have to be paid for. It's more like Easyjet than Britain's premier airline.

Arriving at Rome airport we collected our cases and found the Princess rep. Dropping our cases at the baggage truck we boarded the coach for the hour drive to the port and the Majestic Princess. Checking in we climbed the gangway and were welcomed aboard. At customer service we tried to book on the ship's tour. Unfortunately it was already fully booked so we placed our names on the wait list.

Finding our cabin we dropped off our flight bags and set out to explore this brand new ship. Stopping in the Atrium we had a late lunch in Alfredo's Pizzeria. After lunch we found our way to the Lido deck for an icecream. Returning to our cabin we found our suitcases had been delivered and unpacked.

After watching the ship sail from Civitavecchia it was then time for a trivia quiz. This was all about the Majestic Princess. We didn't know much but the group we were with did and we won. Then it was time to wash up for dinner.

Monday 24th April 2017
Messina, Crete, Italy

After a lazy start and breakfast we stood on the upper deck drinking coffee and enjoying the scenery. We noticed Mount Etna on the horizon standing above the lower hills.

At 12 o'clock we joined our tour in the dining room. Making our way off of the ship we boarded the coach for the two hour drive to Mount Etna. The first hour was down the coast autoroute. Then we turned inland and started the climb up to the volcano. The road was very narrow and passed through a couple of small towns / villages.

Finally arriving at Silvestri Crater we stopped for a break. After fruit juice and cannoli and a brief rest we walked around the crater and looked at the lava flows. They are all cold as the only activity is smoke from the main caldera. Although the weather was nice we had climbed 1000 feet from sea level in the coach. We had our hoodies and pac-a-macs in our rucksack. Putting them on kept out the biting wind and we were comfortable. Our guide wore his jacket and bobble hat, the rest of our group looked frozen.

After an hour we boarded at coach again and drove into a hill top town called Taormina. Arriving in the coach park we took the lift to the top floor and walked through the narrow streets. Stopping at a cafe for coffee and a panini We watched the people pass, one of our favourite occupations. Walking back to the coach park we were early so decided to have a gellato With a pistachio caramel cone it was lush.

Back on the coach we fought our way back down the very narrow road and the back to the ship. We were only ten minutes late but as we were on a Princess excursion the ship had waited for us.

We decided to have a relaxed dinner in the food court rather than dressing up to have dinner in the dining room.

Tuesday 25th April 2017
At Sea

Waking at eight we strolled up for breakfast. We took ours outside to enjoy an alfresco breakfast watching the waves and the wake of the ship. After breakfast we dropped in at the atrium for a salted caramel latte. Chatting with a lady from Tasmania called Carol we told stories about adventures whilst the fruit/vegetable carving demonstration went on.

Wednesday 26th April 2017
Kotor, Montenegro

We had our alarm set for six thirty but at half four the pilot launch arriving woke us. So we watched as we started the trip up the fjord to Kotor. Walking up six decks we sat out at the Wake View Bar eating breakfast as we arrived at the anchorage. We walked down to the Symphony Dining room and caught the first tender ashore.

Finding the gate into the old town we wandered the maze of little streets until we found the steps up to the Fortress. Paying the three euros each we started the climb. The steps were very uneven to start as we ascended out of town. Clearing the buildings the steps became more regular. Narrow steps by the wall and a cart track beside it.

After about six hundred steps we arrived at church. Carrying on after 1500 steps we eventually arrived at the Fortress. After relaxing for a while and looking around we started back down. Going down wasn't as strenuous but really hard on knees, ankles and hips.

Arriving back in town we found a cafe for a well earned coffee and cake. After more sightseeing and shopping we returned to the jetty to catch a tender back to the ship. Back on board we spent the afternoon relaxing and drinking coffee.

Thursday 27th April 2017
Corfu, Greece

With the clocks going forward an hour to Greek time we were loosing an hours sleep so although the ship docked at 07:00 we laid in until eight. After breakfast we walked ashore and grabbed a taxi at the port gate. For €10 we had a guided ride into the old town.

Walking through the narrow streets we browsed the local tourist tat. Back at the square we decided to visit the Old Fortress. Paying the six euros each we entered and then realised that even though we had promised ourselves a flat walk we had committed to climbing to the top of the fortress. Fortunately it was no where near the number of steps as Kotor. The view from the top was pretty. Leaving the Fortress we walked the two miles back to the ship, stopping for coffee next to the fishing boats on the way.

The afternoon was taken up by chilling.

Friday 28th April 2017
Chania, Crete, Greece

We didn't arrive in Chania until 12:30, So we had breakfast delivered to our stateroom at eight. Using the Princess@sea app ordering breakfast was just a couple of clicks. Getting up and showering we walked up to the Wake View Bar and watched the arrival. Picking up our bags and water we dropped in at the atrium on deck 5 to wait for the gangway to open.

As soon as they opened the gangway we were ashore and on the first shuttle bus into town. After being dropped off we walked through town to the harbour. After a while wandering around and enjoying the view of the harbour we chose a cafe for lunch.

After lunch we strolled around town before catching the shuttle bus back to the ship. After a siesta we watched a movie on the big screen and then had a late dinner as we sailed away from Crete.

Saturday 29th April 2017
Mykonos, Greece

Ashore after breakfast. A short shuttle bus into town. We walked aound the harbour before cutting through the narrow lanes down to "Little Venice". Continuing on we came to the windmills on the hill. After snapping a few photos we retraced our steps to Venice where we sat in a cafe by the sea drinking coffee and eating Greek yoghurt and honey.

Browsing the little shops on the way back to the ship we picked up a few trinkets. Back on board we treated ourselves to a salted caramel latte in the atrium.

Sunday 30th April 2017
Athens, Greece

Leaving the ship we were driven out to the airport and after a five hour wait boarded our flight home.

Monday 1st May 2017
Home

Bank holiday. Laundry and repacking.

Tuesday 2nd May 2017
Home

Work. Laundry and repacking.

Wednesday 3rd May 2017
Home

Work. Laundry and repacking.

Thursday 4th May 2017
Home

Work. Laundry and repacking.

Friday 5th May 2017
Home

Work and dinner with Steph and Mike



Our cruise route around The Bay of Biscay.

Saturday 6th May 2017
Southampton

Off we go again. Bags repacked and loaded in the car we left home and drove to Southampton. Arriving at the shopping centre we received an email from Princess saying that due to bad weather in the Bay of Biscay the Crown Princess was delayed and our boarding time had been put back two hours. After eating lunch we decided to go for a drive. Getting out of Southampton was a drama due to road works for a gas leak.

Driving around to Marchwood we sussed out the location of parking company. As we were very early we continued on to Lepe Country Park and found a nice little cafe. After coffee and cake we drove back to the parking company. After a short wait we were driven to the ship and checked in.

Finding that we hadn't been issued with platinum level cards our first stop was Guest Services and the "Captain's Circle" rep. With the correct cards in hand and 150 min of free internet we went to our room and unpacked. After a quick shower and change it was time for dinner then a late show. The comedian / magician was amusing then it was time for bed.

Sunday 7th May 2017
St Peter's Port, Guernsey

Off of the ship on the second tender we found the car hire rep and collected our Peugeot 208. After a quick brief about the differences between the UK and Guernsey we were off out of town. A short drive brought us to the Little chapel. Hand built by one of the monks and decorated with sea shells and fragments of pottery. We were the only ones there as the bus tours hadn't left the ship yet. We were very happy to find that the scaffolding that had been in place for the last two years had been taken down just a week ago.

We spent half an hour just wandering around the chapel, examining the many little nooks and crannies. Climbing back into the car we drove out to the southwest coast and found a little cafe. Parking the car we walked around the headland to the "Fairy Circle". After visiting the fort on the headland we returned to the cafe for coffee and Guernsey Gache (pronounced gosh) which is a fruit loaf.

Back in the car we drove around the island before parking in St Peter's Port. We walked around town but being Sunday most shops were closed. As so many people had arrived in town off of the ship we couldn't find anywhere nice for lunch, so we drove back out of town and found another cafe by the coast.

Returning to town the queue to get a tender back out to the ship was massive. So returning the car we found a coffee shop where we could wait and watch the queue to see if it got shorter. After an hour, with only another hour until the last tender we joined the queue. Back on board we washed up for dinner. After dinner Jackie got guest services to put a board under our mattress as it was so saggy. After an hour we retired for the night and found our bed much improved.

Monday 8th May 2017
At Sea

After a lazy start and a light breakfast we attended the morning trivia quiz. After 20 questions we had scored 20/20. So had two other teams. This required a tie breaker question. The question was how many baked beans are there in an average 415g tin of beans. We guessed at one bean one gram so went 415 beans. Being the closest to the actual answer of 465 we won. Pleased with ourselves we took our prize of a note pad and went for lunch.

After a day of chilling we returned to our cabin to get spruced up for the formal dinner. After posing and eating we got changed back into our scruffs and watched the show in the theatre. The "Magic to do" show was written by the man who did Wicked.

Tuesday 9th May 2017
Le Verdon, France

At over $100 per person for a coach into Bordeaux we have decided to stay local. After breakfast we went to one of the dining rooms and collected our tickets. Five minutes later we boarded the coach for town. Arriving in Solac-sur-mer we checked out the Basilica Notredame which is on the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. After looking inside we walked through the village.

As it's the beginning of the season most af the shops and cafes were still closed. After an hour we had seen all we needed to see and jumped the shuttle bus back to the ship. At the gangway we had to wait until the off going passengers left a gap for us to reboard. Back on board we relaxed with a salted caramel cappuccino.

Wednesday 10th May 2017
Bilbao, Spain

Our phone alarm went off at six o'clock this morning as we wanted to leave the ship as soon as the gangway opened. After washing and dressing we dropped down to the International Cafe for a breakfast bap and coffee. After a while Jackie enquired when the gangway would open. That was when we realised the phone had changed time zones and instead of it being 07:45 it was actually 08:45 and the gangway had been open 45 mins. We were confused because we hadn't heard the usual announcement that the gangway had opened. We mentioned it to the staff as we disembarked.

Walking off of the ship and getting on the shuttle bus, suddenly there was a surge of passengers right behind us. We think they must have broadcast the gangway open as we left.

After a twenty minute drive into the city centre, we arrived at the Guggenheim Museum. Walking along beside the river we enjoyed the art installations. Crossing the river we found the Opera House and strolled through the narrow streets of the old town. Walking into the Piaza Nueva we found a cafe and sat drinking coffee and watching the tour parties clumped in the square.

Walking back to the shuttle pick up point via the station with it's ornate facade. The shuttle bus pick up was chaos but we listened to the man trying to organise and waited where he told us. The bus stopped right in front of us. Boarding the bus we heard the muttering of those behind us who hadn't listened and been waiting for an hour.

Back on board for lunch and a chill in the Skywalk Nightclub. Then it was time for afternoon tea and scones on the balcony. Phoning room service it was delivered in next to no time.

Thursday 11th May 2017
La Coruna, Spain

We docked at nine and were ashore by quarter past. Walking through town we took the direct route to The Tower of Hercules. A lighthouse that has been in continuous use since the first century. After climbing the two hundred plus stairs the view from the top was spectacular. Walking back through town we stopped in the Plaza Maria Pita for a coffee and people watching.

Maria Pita is a local heroine who helped defend the city from Sir Francis Drake. Turns out that this is where the Spanish Armada sailed from and after defeating the armada in the Channel, Drake stopped in here for a spot of looting.

Back on board for a relaxing afternoon. We were late sailing as there was a medical emergency on board. The local port workers had removed the gangway and we were ready to go. Then instead of thrusting off and departing the ship put out one of it's own small gangways and an ambulance turned up. Hoping that the person gets well we sailed half an hour later. Showered and dressed up it was time for dinner on a formal night.

Friday 12th May 2017
At Sea

Over a lazy breakfast we watched porpoises playing in the ships wake. We spent the rest of the day relaxing and enjoying the facilities. After an early dinner we went to the theatre and listened to a singer called Philip Browne. An ex-London bus driver who got his break with a role in the Lion King stage show.

Saturday 13th May 2017
Southampton

Arriving back in Southampton we had a light breakfast before dis-embarking. Once we had our cases we phoned the car park people and we were picked up and returned to our car. Driving home we were back home by 10:00. Another holiday over.