A sunny cruise from Venice to Turkey.. Holiday travel to Turkey

This year, because my wife is pregnant, we had to fundamentally change our habits when it comes to holiday, and instead plan a trip on the road "in some distant land, we opted for something more quiet and safe, in a few words more suited to caution that a "stomach rising" imposes.
I doubt we have pursued for a long time '. A week in some Greek island? Widely experienced in our past adolescence. A few villages in Sardinia? Prematurity: With a small child, this will probably be our fate for the next two years. A week in the mountains, perhaps in a Wellness Hotel? Too quiet.
After much thinking, finally, we found the solution that seemed perfect, the right mix of vacation and travel in panciolle intriguing to discover new worlds: a beautiful cruise in the Eastern Mediterranean with a route of more than 2500 miles a taste bit 'mythology (with a stop in Olympia, Greece), some' oriental (stops in Izmir and Istanbul, Turkey).
To put it another way we found the right balance between the desire to discover and the need not to overdo it, literally below potendoci lead a comfortable bedroom and a couple of restaurants well stocked. It 's so we booked our cruise panoramas of the East "with the Costa Group.
The vessel that would house eight fantastic days was the flagship, Costa Serena.
What follows is the tragicomic story of the experience we have lived, discovering a world, the cruise, so different from our way of traveling and being, as it is fascinating for the variety of human beings, all (or almost) perfectly comfortable in the role of animals (Cruise), imprisoned in a modern Noah's ark. With one difference: these animals are not endangered at all, indeed are multiplying every year.

First, however, grant an important qualification. The story certainly does not want to hide the incredible and impeccable organizational machine that would combine with satisfaction almost 4000 people in a confined space for eight days. The courtesy, professionalism and helpfulness of the staff, from the humblest to the most important scout master, the quality of food and the effort of wanting to satisfy the desires of fun and food of thousands of hungry wolves are commendable and allow the vast majority of guests to land so pleased to want to organize the next cruise as soon as possible.
This also explains the great success that the cruise industry is enjoying in recent years. Only the Costa Group in 2012, is planning the launch of two other megaships nearly 4000 guests each.

 

The board and the discovery of life on board
Boarding on the Costa Serena is scheduled for July 25, 2010 at the cruise terminal in Venice. Since the arrival terminal to learn to become familiar with what the applicant will become a ritual for the entire trip: the allocation of numeretto. Every time there's a hike, a landing, or even to easily identify your table for dinner, will be awarded the numeretto. Main way to gracefully handle the bulk of cruise ship passengers. Order and discipline are, in fact, an element essential to avoid treading with each other.
Having to take on, recording and filing thousands of people, operations began about 4 hours before departure (which is why it is better to reach the terminal up to one hour before, so as not to come in the middle of a pit of those who race to be among the first to embark and not miss any moment of the longed-for life on board).
Terminate the boarding formalities, which include, among other things, being photographed and bearing of that inseparable Costa Card (which will serve as a key to the room, but also by credit card, identity card and so on) is access to the belly glistening with Costa Serena: a giant 114,000 tons, 300 feet long, 15 bridges and over 1,500 booths. We shared this experience with other fellow travelers 3700, looked after by 1200 crew members, mostly from India, Philippines, Pakistan, etc ...
I will not dwell in the description of the glitzy kitsch interior design, suffice it to say that the dominant theme of the Costa Serena is one of the Greek gods and, therefore, any place, bar, restaurant or bridge is named and decorated according to the name of a of them (theater jupiter, apollo bar, lido Uranus, restaurant dress and so on).
It must be admitted that the size is impressive, with transparent elevators that go up to 10 floors (sorry, bridges), spa (fee) huge and modern, a large gym (and crowded) as the most famous of Milan, and so on.
We soon realize, however, that these vast areas are still limited to 4000 people, especially at certain times I would call "peak" and which are different depending on where you are.
For example, already the first evening we learn that the most critical time for the indoor hall, where the shops are concentrated, and one of the bars "in", is around 21.15, when the first round of the 1800 dinner guests (that of 19.00) and 1800 they finished second (21.30) are waiting for the doors of restaurants, clean and reset, are open. In this quarter of an hour, people just do not know where to get crowded and patiently staircases, nooks and chairs.
With regard to swimming pools and decks, where there are beds for sunbathing, the critical time is around noon and 5 pm, even when you can not eat and everyone is scrambling to find a place in the sun that is not necessarily available to all. To tell the truth at the pool at the center of the ship, dedicated to young people, where almost continuously raging animation with music, dancing and games, I would say that there is not time critical.
Fortunately, there is the aft pool area for adults where there is no animation and you can feel more confident. Here the crowds, even during peak times, it is more acceptable. The price you pay for the added peace of mind, sometimes, breathing the smell of chimney soot or getting some coriander. Obviously it depends on how the wind blows on the ship. We are not ever that was particularly annoying, less than the annoyance of the ladies and young ladies that cruise, mid-ship, they were intent on imitating the dance to the tune of Shakira's Waka Waka.
By the way the pools are nothing more than puddles of water 4 meters by 5 feet deep, usually overflowing with people.
In general, for this reason, the best time to use the pool and soak up the sun in the morning (best time to grab the best beds) or from 18.30 on, when half-cabin vessel retires to prepare for dinner. It goes without saying, therefore, that the best round for dinner is the second, which leaves time to enjoy the relative peace of the ship and enjoy the beautiful sunsets.


The "Today" and the TV crew.
How to succeed in the jungle of activities available to guests during the 24 hours? Comes to help the Today, the program of the day, on time lying on the bed in the cabin every night. The four pages of the leaflet are thick dense with useful information for not even a second of relaxation. The details of the dinner with the attire recommended in promotions of the day available in shops. From details on the organization of trips the next day, the various courses and seminars.
You'll find that every night, single people meet to drink a drink together, and maybe even fall in love. You'll find that a short distance, you can also see the couples on their honeymoon to share their emotions fresh. But there's more, you can participate in yoga classes, sewing classes, cooking, decoupage, dance, muscle toning, nearly everything, in short. Meanwhile, outside, run unforgettable landscapes.
You will also discover that held hearings to participate in "C Talent." This means that anyone who knows or suspects that they know how to do something (singing, dancing, entertainment) can be judged and selected by a jury and hope to perform in front of everyone in the theater jupiter by 1500 seats, in a version of the cruise of Italy's Got Talent. The more good can win. A cruise of course.
And then there's the TV crew. Much of what is done on the ship was broadcast on a dedicated channel in order to entertain even those who, unfortunately, have decided to take a breather and resting in the cabin. Also what can not be transmitted is sent to live deferred. You'll certainly run into some of the interviewer will not hesitate to ask advice on the cruise or ship. We have been facing the fundamental question: "Costa Serena is the most beautiful ship of ...?" Of course my answer ... the world! "Was sent in a continuous loop on TV with the same response from hundreds of other respondents .

That wonderful pastime that is to eat
In cruise, if you want, you eat almost always a smart way to keep busy ravenous wolves.
From breakfast, available until almost 11 (and, optionally, delivered free in the cabin), it goes to lunch without interruption: and a half lasts from noon until 3 in the afternoon. After lunch you can always munch on salads of various kinds and enjoy a great pizza baked in a continuous loop until late at night. Inevitable you and various pastries from four in the afternoon. After dinner, guests for the second round ends at around 23.30, the midnight buffet is set up, or risk going to bed with the hungry.
If dinner is served in a professional and impeccable quality with a very large, the atmosphere is relaxed and pleasant at dinner which is served buffet broke out the animal starved.
The buffet, which is undoubtedly rich and varied, it is literally besieged. The human variety that can be observed here is unbelievable. There may happen to encounter in this case, very rare on board a cruise ship, who, intimidated by the incredible amount of food on hand, almost ashamed to have access to as much bendiddio draws and thrifty in doubt, beyond a certain Mass charged, may take some extra. But, more likely, you will find the largest species, the war machine of the buffet, typically consists of father, mother and two children. The imperative at the moment to unleash their offspring among the desks of the buffet seems clear: "I beg you, take as much as you can, do not miss anything."
And so huge pot filled to capacity, are most often advanced for most.
What about dinner. As you said, is organized in two shifts. The restaurants are two, so it is difficult to imagine two calculations and that for each shift in each restaurant, serves approx. 900 meals. All a la carte. Environment a little 'kitsch, but rather elegant, clean tables, friendly and efficient waiters. But there are but a few.
To take orders and prepare and serve 900 meals begin and end all doing more or less the same time it takes a little 'time. During the wait, the risk of boredom is at hand, partly because the tables are six people and, therefore, most of the guests is found sitting with people never seen before. Here, then, that the poor waiters, when you least expect it, staged improbable dance involving the guests. With a frequency this is the embarrassing turn photographer who wanders among the tables, with intent to photograph each guest expert support needed, for example, with a hapless pizza that has 900 times to smile and be immortalized with a pizza in hand.
Then there are two clearly defined gala dinners. This means that, apart from the menu if you richer and more abundant, which suddenly while most are busy chewing this mouthful, the lights go down, the music starts at full volume and start singing waiters involving the guests in an inevitable global train between the tables.
Fascinating even toiletries. Gala evening gown requires. So here is the lady who really believes and believes to be aboard the Titanic in 1912, boasts the best that has at its disposal in their wardrobe. Of course, not missing even one who, forced to the bone, drops in thongs and leggies.

All ashore! It turns out the world
Remember numeretto? Well, during the daily trips becomes a constant companion.
The rationale is this: usually docks in this port early in the morning and 5 hours after we set sail. More rarely stop lasts the entire day (in our case is happened in Istanbul, with 10 hours of stay).
In this period of time must be put down, say, 2000/2500 persons (not all participate in trips), directing them on the buses (you do the accounts of how many are needed, considering that each carries more than 50 people or less) differentiated by type of trip, scarrozza for your destination and return in time for boarding and departure.
To do this, all hikers are requested to be at fixed times in the mega-theater where the ship, all in the queue with tickets in hand of his trip, he withdraws the numeretto corresponding to the assigned bus. Then they expect their numeretto is called. Only then you can disembark and head for the exit. From now part of the discovery of the location object of the trip. Thus in less than 5 hours, (including, sometimes, two hours away by bus and at least an hour to stop somewhere for souvenirs) you visit the site of Olympia or the city of Ephesus. In 10 hours you can visit the whole of Istanbul.
The rhythms are a tight. The guides, brave, often in obvious difficulty in not losing on the road bikers on slower or distracted, and in enforcing the set time. All this is usually consumed in archaeological sites inevitably crowded.
All in all, I must say, watching and listening to comments from hikers, this massification of tourism flow to the most exasperating do not mind that, often, live the moment of the trip as something of "obligatory" just like the student who, on a school trip can not wait to visit the museum ends up in a hurry to return to have a feast.
For the record, you can always organize land and autonomy, but few are those who choose this alternative.
What can be a hit and run visit to a historic and charming city like Istanbul? Well, no later than the application of a relative "as is Istanbul?", You can say, "Well, you have to say, I found it beautiful."
And, once signed, by now for the next destination was to the tune of "Time to say goodbye" by Bocelli.

The cabins
To 1500 cabs, ca. 500 have private balconies and many have more or less at least one window (then there are a hundred suites). The others are internal, that have no outlet on the outside. The price of failing to understand whether it is day or night out, if you're browsing or was in port, if there is the sun or the moon, is compensated by the Economic. This type of cabin you book, in high season, to do a week's cruise with a lot less than € 1000 each.
For the rest, apart from the suites, all cabins are identical and rather small.
The furniture-like elegant, functional objects. The bathroom, large no more than a few square meters, has everything you need.
If a couple, after all, the living space is acceptable, I must say that with one or two children in the room (option often used by families as well because children travel free), I wonder how they do not trample.
Let's face it, anyone booking a week in a 4 star hotel and saw assign a room of similar dimensions to those found on cruise ships, if the change would do. Who does not agree with this critique argues that, after all, the cab is used only for sleeping and washing, and that what counts is everything else (swimming pools, entertainment, food, etc ...). Well, I say that even a 4 star hotel in the use of the room is not so different. And in addition to the hotel "everything else" is certainly more beautiful. Pools in the first place. And, usually, there is also the beach with the sea at your fingertips.

The board and the discovery of life on board
Boarding on the Costa Serena is scheduled for July 25, 2010 at the cruise terminal in Venice. Since the arrival terminal to learn to become familiar with what the applicant will become a ritual for the entire trip: the allocation of numeretto. Every time there's a hike, a landing, or even to easily identify your table for dinner, will be awarded the numeretto. Main way to gracefully handle the bulk of cruise ship passengers. Order and discipline are, in fact, an element essential to avoid treading with each other.
Having to take on, recording and filing thousands of people, operations began about 4 hours before departure (which is why it is better to reach the terminal up to one hour before, so as not to come in the middle of a pit of those who race to be among the first to embark and not miss any moment of the longed-for life on board).
Terminate the boarding formalities, which include, among other things, being photographed and bearing of that inseparable Costa Card (which will serve as a key to the room, but also by credit card, identity card and so on) is access to the belly glistening with Costa Serena: a giant 114,000 tons, 300 feet long, 15 bridges and over 1,500 booths. We shared this experience with other fellow travelers 3700, looked after by 1200 crew members, mostly from India, Philippines, Pakistan, etc ...
I will not dwell in the description of the glitzy kitsch interior design, suffice it to say that the dominant theme of the Costa Serena is one of the Greek gods and, therefore, any place, bar, restaurant or bridge is named and decorated according to the name of a of them (theater jupiter, apollo bar, lido Uranus, restaurant dress and so on).
It must be admitted that the size is impressive, with transparent elevators that go up to 10 floors (sorry, bridges), spa (fee) huge and modern, a large gym (and crowded) as the most famous of Milan, and so on.
We soon realize, however, that these vast areas are still limited to 4000 people, especially at certain times I would call "peak" and which are different depending on where you are.
For example, already the first evening we learn that the most critical time for the indoor hall, where the shops are concentrated, and one of the bars "in", is around 21.15, when the first round of the 1800 dinner guests (that of 19.00) and 1800 they finished second (21.30) are waiting for the doors of restaurants, clean and reset, are open. In this quarter of an hour, people just do not know where to get crowded and patiently staircases, nooks and chairs.
With regard to swimming pools and decks, where there are beds for sunbathing, the critical time is around noon and 5 pm, even when you can not eat and everyone is scrambling to find a place in the sun that is not necessarily available to all. To tell the truth at the pool at the center of the ship, dedicated to young people, where almost continuously raging animation with music, dancing and games, I would say that there is not time critical.
Fortunately, there is the aft pool area for adults where there is no animation and you can feel more confident. Here the crowds, even during peak times, it is more acceptable. The price you pay for the added peace of mind, sometimes, breathing the smell of chimney soot or getting some coriander. Obviously it depends on how the wind blows on the ship. We are not ever that was particularly annoying, less than the annoyance of the ladies and young ladies that cruise, mid-ship, they were intent on imitating the dance to the tune of Shakira's Waka Waka.
By the way the pools are nothing more than puddles of water 4 meters by 5 feet deep, usually overflowing with people.
In general, for this reason, the best time to use the pool and soak up the sun in the morning (best time to grab the best beds) or from 18.30 on, when half-cabin vessel retires to prepare for dinner. It goes without saying, therefore, that the best round for dinner is the second, which leaves time to enjoy the relative peace of the ship and enjoy the beautiful sunsets.


The "Today" and the TV crew.
How to succeed in the jungle of activities available to guests during the 24 hours? Comes to help the Today, the program of the day, on time lying on the bed in the cabin every night. The four pages of the leaflet are thick dense with useful information for not even a second of relaxation. The details of the dinner with the attire recommended in promotions of the day available in shops. From details on the organization of trips the next day, the various courses and seminars.
You'll find that every night, single people meet to drink a drink together, and maybe even fall in love. You'll find that a short distance, you can also see the couples on their honeymoon to share their emotions fresh. But there's more, you can participate in yoga classes, sewing classes, cooking, decoupage, dance, muscle toning, nearly everything, in short. Meanwhile, outside, run unforgettable landscapes.
You will also discover that held hearings to participate in "C Talent." This means that anyone who knows or suspects that they know how to do something (singing, dancing, entertainment) can be judged and selected by a jury and hope to perform in front of everyone in the theater jupiter by 1500 seats, in a version of the cruise of Italy's Got Talent. The more good can win. A cruise of course.
And then there's the TV crew. Much of what is done on the ship was broadcast on a dedicated channel in order to entertain even those who, unfortunately, have decided to take a breather and resting in the cabin. Also what can not be transmitted is sent to live deferred. You'll certainly run into some of the interviewer will not hesitate to ask advice on the cruise or ship. We have been facing the fundamental question: "Costa Serena is the most beautiful ship of ...?" Of course my answer ... the world! "Was sent in a continuous loop on TV with the same response from hundreds of other respondents .

That wonderful pastime that is to eat
In cruise, if you want, you eat almost always a smart way to keep busy ravenous wolves.
From breakfast, available until almost 11 (and, optionally, delivered free in the cabin), it goes to lunch without interruption: and a half lasts from noon until 3 in the afternoon. After lunch you can always munch on salads of various kinds and enjoy a great pizza baked in a continuous loop until late at night. Inevitable you and various pastries from four in the afternoon. After dinner, guests for the second round ends at around 23.30, the midnight buffet is set up, or risk going to bed with the hungry.
If dinner is served in a professional and impeccable quality with a very large, the atmosphere is relaxed and pleasant at dinner which is served buffet broke out the animal starved.
The buffet, which is undoubtedly rich and varied, it is literally besieged. The human variety that can be observed here is unbelievable. There may happen to encounter in this case, very rare on board a cruise ship, who, intimidated by the incredible amount of food on hand, almost ashamed to have access to as much bendiddio draws and thrifty in doubt, beyond a certain Mass charged, may take some extra. But, more likely, you will find the largest species, the war machine of the buffet, typically consists of father, mother and two children. The imperative at the moment to unleash their offspring among the desks of the buffet seems clear: "I beg you, take as much as you can, do not miss anything."
And so huge pot filled to capacity, are most often advanced for most.
What about dinner. As you said, is organized in two shifts. The restaurants are two, so it is difficult to imagine two calculations and that for each shift in each restaurant, serves approx. 900 meals. All a la carte. Environment a little 'kitsch, but rather elegant, clean tables, friendly and efficient waiters. But there are but a few.
To take orders and prepare and serve 900 meals begin and end all doing more or less the same time it takes a little 'time. During the wait, the risk of boredom is at hand, partly because the tables are six people and, therefore, most of the guests is found sitting with people never seen before. Here, then, that the poor waiters, when you least expect it, staged improbable dance involving the guests. With a frequency this is the embarrassing turn photographer who wanders among the tables, with intent to photograph each guest expert support needed, for example, with a hapless pizza that has 900 times to smile and be immortalized with a pizza in hand.
Then there are two clearly defined gala dinners. This means that, apart from the menu if you richer and more abundant, which suddenly while most are busy chewing this mouthful, the lights go down, the music starts at full volume and start singing waiters involving the guests in an inevitable global train between the tables.
Fascinating even toiletries. Gala evening gown requires. So here is the lady who really believes and believes to be aboard the Titanic in 1912, boasts the best that has at its disposal in their wardrobe. Of course, not missing even one who, forced to the bone, drops in thongs and leggies.

All ashore! It turns out the world
Remember numeretto? Well, during the daily trips becomes a constant companion.
The rationale is this: usually docks in this port early in the morning and 5 hours after we set sail. More rarely stop lasts the entire day (in our case is happened in Istanbul, with 10 hours of stay).
In this period of time must be put down, say, 2000/2500 persons (not all participate in trips), directing them on the buses (you do the accounts of how many are needed, considering that each carries more than 50 people or less) differentiated by type of trip, scarrozza for your destination and return in time for boarding and departure.
To do this, all hikers are requested to be at fixed times in the mega-theater where the ship, all in the queue with tickets in hand of his trip, he withdraws the numeretto corresponding to the assigned bus. Then they expect their numeretto is called. Only then you can disembark and head for the exit. From now part of the discovery of the location object of the trip. Thus in less than 5 hours, (including, sometimes, two hours away by bus and at least an hour to stop somewhere for souvenirs) you visit the site of Olympia or the city of Ephesus. In 10 hours you can visit the whole of Istanbul.
The rhythms are a tight. The guides, brave, often in obvious difficulty in not losing on the road bikers on slower or distracted, and in enforcing the set time. All this is usually consumed in archaeological sites inevitably crowded.
All in all, I must say, watching and listening to comments from hikers, this massification of tourism flow to the most exasperating do not mind that, often, live the moment of the trip as something of "obligatory" just like the student who, on a school trip can not wait to visit the museum ends up in a hurry to return to have a feast.
For the record, you can always organize land and autonomy, but few are those who choose this alternative.
What can be a hit and run visit to a historic and charming city like Istanbul? Well, no later than the application of a relative "as is Istanbul?", You can say, "Well, you have to say, I found it beautiful."
And, once signed, by now for the next destination was to the tune of "Time to say goodbye" by Bocelli.

The cabins
To 1500 cabs, ca. 500 have private balconies and many have more or less at least one window (then there are a hundred suites). The others are internal, that have no outlet on the outside. The price of failing to understand whether it is day or night out, if you're browsing or was in port, if there is the sun or the moon, is compensated by the Economic. This type of cabin you book, in high season, to do a week's cruise with a lot less than € 1000 each.
For the rest, apart from the suites, all cabins are identical and rather small.
The furniture-like elegant, functional objects. The bathroom, large no more than a few square meters, has everything you need.
If a couple, after all, the living space is acceptable, I must say that with one or two children in the room (option often used by families as well because children travel free), I wonder how they do not trample.
Let's face it, anyone booking a week in a 4 star hotel and saw assign a room of similar dimensions to those found on cruise ships, if the change would do. Who does not agree with this critique argues that, after all, the cab is used only for sleeping and washing, and that what counts is everything else (swimming pools, entertainment, food, etc ...). Well, I say that even a 4 star hotel in the use of the room is not so different. And in addition to the hotel "everything else" is certainly more beautiful. Pools in the first place. And, usually, there is also the beach with the sea at your fingertips.

Eight days in the Mediterranean. What remains?
Going to the point, what remains of a cruise in the Mediterranean, for those who do not board with the sole purpose of eating and dancing? Personally I will remember the splendid landscapes, always different, it was possible to see, away from the crowd, from the balcony of our cabin. Arrive in Istanbul at dawn, after passing through the Dardanelles and the Sea of Marmara, to admire a unique view of the mosques lit by the morning sun watching the excitement of the thousands of vessels through the Bosporus and the Golden Horn has been an exciting experience.
This was the only moment in which I was able to smell, faint, the smell of adventure travelers who had to try a time, away from the excesses of mass tourism, and without the possibility of canceling the gap by taking a plane . They were given the opportunity to taste the essence of the journey for excellence, the one ship, with its placid pace, you can reach virtually every corner of the world.
In these moments I tried to imagine the feelings that had to try plowing the waters of the east doors of discovery of worlds so intriguing.

By the way ... and the sea? Even touched with a finger.

Federico Chierichetti