Oct 31st Halloween Naples
By Jain
Yesterday we boarded the Norwegian Star and found our way to our suite #9736 an Aft Penthouse. Yes, I said Penthouse. A month ago we were fortunate to be upgraded to a penthouse from a mini suite. It is very nice and comes with our own private Butler and Concierge! Our penthouse (I like saying the word) is definitely bigger than a mini suite but not as grandiose as the word penthouse suggests, but if you have ever cruised before you know most cabin spaces are pretty tight. We have a nice balcony although it's very narrow, it is just big enough for two loungers. Being on the back of the boat provides great views, and it is especially beautiful at night looking over the wake.
There are definitely perks being in the Penthouse. We board the ship early, get room service free, have Jomar our butler at our beck and call and Jeffrey to bring us clean towels and tidy up the room. This morning I ordered breakfast just because I could. Jomar delivered our breakfast in a timely manner with a smile, unfortunately the quality was not good enough to satisfy any discerning seagull.
Yesterday we attended the mandatory lifeboat drill. These drills have drastically changed in the last 20 years. It used to be your reporting station was opposite your lifeboat. Now people report to various stations throughout the ship. Our station was the Versailles Dining room, far away from any lifeboat. I guess in an emergency they think maybe giving your last supper will help calm your nerves. The presentation lasted five minutes and what I got out of it they urged us to dress in warm clothes in an emergency. This is kind of like your mom reminding you to wear clean underwear, in case you get in an accident.
So far, from my keen observation skills of my fellow passengers, I have concluded the following:
I don't think the gym is gonna be crowded.
I have done a survey and concluded that there are 7 people on this ship under the age of 50.
43% of the passengers are Japanese, (travelling in groups of ten or more), 20% are Italian (Although you would swear it sounds like it could be more like 80%), 10% are English, 10% are Aussies, and 17% are from good old USA. I have not yet conducted a poll who's voting for Hillary or Donald for fear of causing a mutiny aboard.
We have already made a lot of friends by going to Gatsby's bar last night for cocktails. Jay, while talking to the Australian Nurse Helen and her husband a dirt mover (whatever that is) spilled his Lime Le Fizz and shattered his glass into a billion pieces. He received just a minor cut, no stitches required. At that point, the bar thinned out and we retreated to dinner.
Anyway we now are in Naples, the 3rd largest city in Italy. Naples is the birthplace of pizza and childhood home of Sophia Loren. Rick Steves says if you think Rome is too much for you don't go to Naples. Naples is intense and described as the grittiest, most polluted, crime ridden city in Europe. Since Jay and I have been here before we skip the Pompeii ruins, Amalfi coast and Sorrento. Here the best entertainment is just walking around, and soaking in everyday life.
Everybody here seems to be selling anything and everything. And it wouldn't be Naples if you didn't hear somebody yelling at somebody. The word vibrant comes to mind but also you could use the word chaotic. The traffic is horrendous, and the small alleys are full of kids playing, teenagers hanging out, homeless looking for a handout, old men sitting having their espresso, old lady's pulling their shopping carts and the well dressed ladies shopping the high end stores. It is quite the experience and nothing like it in the whole world. All and all its a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live here.
After a morning of sightseeing we retreated to our Penthouse with a splendid view of Mt. Vesuvius. Tonight we had a very very nice dinner at Cagney's Steakhouse… followed by the show at the Starlight Theatre where we watched two very fit acrobats (magicians) performing unbelievable acts of physical feats. I fell asleep in the show.
Good night
By Jain
Yesterday we boarded the Norwegian Star and found our way to our suite #9736 an Aft Penthouse. Yes, I said Penthouse. A month ago we were fortunate to be upgraded to a penthouse from a mini suite. It is very nice and comes with our own private Butler and Concierge! Our penthouse (I like saying the word) is definitely bigger than a mini suite but not as grandiose as the word penthouse suggests, but if you have ever cruised before you know most cabin spaces are pretty tight. We have a nice balcony although it's very narrow, it is just big enough for two loungers. Being on the back of the boat provides great views, and it is especially beautiful at night looking over the wake.
There are definitely perks being in the Penthouse. We board the ship early, get room service free, have Jomar our butler at our beck and call and Jeffrey to bring us clean towels and tidy up the room. This morning I ordered breakfast just because I could. Jomar delivered our breakfast in a timely manner with a smile, unfortunately the quality was not good enough to satisfy any discerning seagull.
Yesterday we attended the mandatory lifeboat drill. These drills have drastically changed in the last 20 years. It used to be your reporting station was opposite your lifeboat. Now people report to various stations throughout the ship. Our station was the Versailles Dining room, far away from any lifeboat. I guess in an emergency they think maybe giving your last supper will help calm your nerves. The presentation lasted five minutes and what I got out of it they urged us to dress in warm clothes in an emergency. This is kind of like your mom reminding you to wear clean underwear, in case you get in an accident.
So far, from my keen observation skills of my fellow passengers, I have concluded the following:
I don't think the gym is gonna be crowded.
I have done a survey and concluded that there are 7 people on this ship under the age of 50.
43% of the passengers are Japanese, (travelling in groups of ten or more), 20% are Italian (Although you would swear it sounds like it could be more like 80%), 10% are English, 10% are Aussies, and 17% are from good old USA. I have not yet conducted a poll who's voting for Hillary or Donald for fear of causing a mutiny aboard.
We have already made a lot of friends by going to Gatsby's bar last night for cocktails. Jay, while talking to the Australian Nurse Helen and her husband a dirt mover (whatever that is) spilled his Lime Le Fizz and shattered his glass into a billion pieces. He received just a minor cut, no stitches required. At that point, the bar thinned out and we retreated to dinner.
Anyway we now are in Naples, the 3rd largest city in Italy. Naples is the birthplace of pizza and childhood home of Sophia Loren. Rick Steves says if you think Rome is too much for you don't go to Naples. Naples is intense and described as the grittiest, most polluted, crime ridden city in Europe. Since Jay and I have been here before we skip the Pompeii ruins, Amalfi coast and Sorrento. Here the best entertainment is just walking around, and soaking in everyday life.
Everybody here seems to be selling anything and everything. And it wouldn't be Naples if you didn't hear somebody yelling at somebody. The word vibrant comes to mind but also you could use the word chaotic. The traffic is horrendous, and the small alleys are full of kids playing, teenagers hanging out, homeless looking for a handout, old men sitting having their espresso, old lady's pulling their shopping carts and the well dressed ladies shopping the high end stores. It is quite the experience and nothing like it in the whole world. All and all its a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live here.
After a morning of sightseeing we retreated to our Penthouse with a splendid view of Mt. Vesuvius. Tonight we had a very very nice dinner at Cagney's Steakhouse… followed by the show at the Starlight Theatre where we watched two very fit acrobats (magicians) performing unbelievable acts of physical feats. I fell asleep in the show.
Good night
Sent from my Galaxy Tab® S2
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