Mediterranean Cruise - ORIANA : Split

07-August-2010,  Split : Croatia

Weather: Sunny, Temp:27°C, Sea State:Slight, Sunrise:06:00 Sunset 20:32

Split

As Croatia’s second city the locals are very proud of their city and often banter with Zagreb (Croatia’s capital) as to which has the better city.

Split itself not really becoming established until the Roman Emperor Diocletian decided to build a palace here as a retirement location.

Split became part of Yugoslavia after the 1914-18 war and bombed in April 1941 by the Germans in world war II. Surrendering after the capitulation of Italy in 1943. Being freed once more in October 1944.

We enter Split harbour from the South by motor launch. As the ship it too big to dock along the quayside, like the many ferries coming from mainland Italy and Greece, these tenders operate a shuttle tender service throughout the day until departure at 18:00.

Just outside the palace entrance to the left of the port gates is a rather magnificent bronze model of the to city.

Omis (said Or-mish)

This is a town to the right of Split being transferred by coach about 20 mins away. Here we board a small river boat heading up a small tributary (Cetina river)that leads out to sea. The old man driving our boat gives the control of the rudder to one of the other passengers who wants to have a go a steering. In the meantime decides to let us have a sample of a locally brewed wine in a wooden turned mug, to which we find out later he is selling as he brings out a tray of them from a storage locker.

After a peaceful cruise up the river we are dropped off at the Radmanove Minice restaurant and picnic area. They make an amazing open oven baked bread and food. The bread being made by pouring the bread mix into a round lipped tray and then closed with a dome and then covered with hot coals and ash. If you drive from Omis it’s only about 10 mins.

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Mediterranean Cruise - ORIANA : Venice

06-August-2010, Venice : Italy

Weather: Sunny, Temp:27°C, Sea State:Slight, Sunrise:06:00 Sunset 20:32

10:30 Pick up local Pilot

10:50 Pass Fort St Andrea

11:05 Pass the Venetian Naval College

11:15 Arrive at Piazza San Marco

The Lagoon of Venice some thirty five miles long and seven miles at its widest point is made of 118 islands made from the sand, shale and mud brought down from Alps by three fast flowing rivers.

In the fifth and sixth centuries the people of Veneti (mainland Italy) were forced out from their cities by the Barbarians (Germans) and sought refuge in the small islands in the Laguna Veneta.

Building up the properties on wooden of oak, alder and larch stilts driven some eight meters in the sand and joined together using timber slats and  marble slabs.

In the last eighty years the Eastern side of the city has sunk some seven inches and there are many projects in place trying to save the many historic buildings.

As you enter St Marks square, which regularly floods at night, from the Grand Canal. On your right you see the marbled Basilica de Marco taking it’s inspiration from the Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople.

Up to 1807 the Doges Chapel (Duke of the city) since then the city’s Cathedral. The walls are covered with some 4,000 square yards of mosaics.

An extra charge is made to view the Pala d’Oro.

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Mediterranean Cruise - ORIANA : Dubrovnik

05-August-2010, Dubrovnik : Croatia

Weather: Sunny, Temp:28°C Sea State:Calm, Sunrise:05:43 Sunset 20:03

We arrive at the city of Dubrovnik (Formerly known as Ragusa) situated on the Dalmation coast of the Adriatic Sea in Croatia (Formerly Yugoslavia) the city being badly damaged in the war 1990-1992.

However, even with all the damaged caused by the war and after major restoration the Old City still retains it’s historic features and reminders of the past.

If you enter the Old City through the Pile Gate,(ramp and steps access) built in the 15^th Century you are greeted with the large Onofrio Fountain built in approx 1440 the dome top being added in 1520’s.

You can walk around the top of the walls for some fantastic views of the city, ports and scattered little islands.

1 1/4 miles round if you do the whole thing.

Fee: 10 Euro per adult. Tickets purchase just to the right of the (Turist Office)their spelling not mine.

Once in the wall walk you obtain and audio guide for which there is an additional charge.

The whole of the Old City is pedestrian only with the block covered main street running through the city. There are number of shops, café’s and restaurants some in the narrow side streets.

Another way the see the city and sea views is to take the cable car situated just outside and to the right outside the Place Gate at the eastern side of the main street.

From here you can get a cable car ride to the top of the overlooking hillside giving you a fantastic view of the city, its harbours and surrounding islands.

Fee: Around 7 Euro per adult (note will only accept local currency or credit card)

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Mediterranean Cruise - ORIANA : at sea

04-August-2010, ORIANA : at sea

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Mediterranean Cruise - ORIANA : at sea

03-August-2010, ORIANA : at sea

Weather: Sunny, Temp:31°C Sea State:Calm, Sunrise:07:14 Sunset 21:23

On leaving Malaga the captain had ordered full speed ahead (cruise speed being around 21/22 knots) with the sea being very slight and a very light breeze, the ship cut through the sea like Torvill and Dean on ice.

So after breakfast it was a walk around the ship on the Promenade deck. This being some 530 yards (485 metres) it takes 3.3 circuits of the deck to equal 1 mile. There a number of people walking, nay speed waking around the deck all day long. I’ll just take gentle stroll and leave the marathon runners with attached iPods to crack on at their own pace.

Over the next couple of days, while we are at sea I thought of giving you an insight to some of the areas of the ship.

Theatre Royal (Deck 7) 

Library & Reading room (Deck 8)

Oasis Spa & Health Club (Deck 12)

Median room (Deck 13)

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Mediterranean Cruise - ORIANA : Malaga

02-August-2010,  Malaga : Spain

Weather: Sunny, Temp:31°C Sea State: Calm, Sunrise:07:24 Sunset 21:23

We arrive at Malaga after a brief pause in the Straits of Gibraltar awaiting our slot to pass through.

There is a new cruise terminal being built here,  so new that the building itself is not fully populated yet and a state of work is still in progress. P&O provide shuttle busses to take you from the terminal building to the drop off coach area just at the end of the port gates at the bottom of the high street.

From here you can go right to the Paseo del Parque, at only 600m long it houses some 1,000 different types of plants and trees.

Go across the road and off to the right you head for the 11^th Century Moorish palace-fortress of the Alcazaba normally open 08:00 – 20:00 during the summer. Note: this is closed on Mondays as with many museums, guess what? It’s Monday.

Going up and to the right you head for the Cathedral de Malaga. Work beginning around 1528. It has some simple and some lavish gold internal chapels, a central area where the choir sit, this is open from 10:00 – 14:00 to the public as there are services outside these times. With it’s impressive pipe organ at the centre, if you like churches and that kind of thing, it’s worth a look.

Entrance fee: 4 Euro for adults, 2.5 Euro for pre-booked groups

Heading straight across from the port gates takes you towards the high steet (Larios St) with all the usual shops, café’s and bars. There is even a C&A for those who remember the clothing store, now no longer trading in the UK.

If you prefer to take a quick tour around the city visiting some of the historical sites, then you take one of these horse drawn carriages showing the main points of interest including the birth place of Picasso and Castgleo

These can be found at various locations from just outside the port gates, at the bottom of the high street, outside the cathedral to name a few.

From 45 minutes depending on which route you choose.

Fee: 30 Euro per person (varies) You could even try to haggle?

At 16:30 the ship leaves port and heads of out to sea for the next stop

DUBROVNIK. There is a sail away party at the Riviera pool, with the entertainment team trying to get everyone involved in the sing-along.

In the evening a 60’s & 70’s party is in full swing with a live band performing. You have the option to dress in appropriate styling or casual smart ware. The captain and officers being in uniform, other crew donning afro wigs, psychedelic dresses and platform boots to name a few.

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Mediterranean Cruise - ORIANA : at sea

01-August-2010, ORIANA : at sea

Weather: Sunny, high cloud Temp:22° C Sea State: Moderate Sunrise:05:26 Sunset 21:40

One of the most fascinating things you can do on board is get married.

With the unique facility of being married by the captain of the ship (Captian Hutley)

and all your requirements being carefully managed by the wedding planner (Hannah) everything is taken care of for you.

More on this later...

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