Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Nov 24, 2013           

Dear friends and family.

We are ready for our next exciting trip.  A 10 day cruise to the Mediterranean.  Last minute deals are the best, we couldn't pass that up.  Nov. 27 - Dec 7, 2013.
Rather than going through a travel agency, I decided to try it on my own.  I spent days on the computer and phone, but well worth it.  We may end up in the middle of Kazakhstan, and have to learn to speak Cyrillic.  At the last minute Jennie was able to get replacements for her shifts, so now sisters Immy and Jennie are going with us. Peter was not able to go.  He and his brother Joe are doing home repairs after Superstorm Sandy in New Jersey.  Volunteering through 'World Renew', formerly known as CRWRC.   
Last weekend we visited the faraway kids and grandkids.  Season expressed the desire to go to Italy, just to try the food...I will be happy to fulfill that essential task for you Season.  Niece Carla said "make sure you try the overpriced gelato (ice cream)".  Happy to oblige. We'll post the pictures ladies. (Or take a doggy bag?)    
Getting pretty excited now that the blog is started.  We have no idea how the WiFi will be on the ship, but hope to update once in a while.  There will be a lot of free time when we are at sea.  Sure hoping for calm weather...three days at sea.  Yikes!  The gravol pills will be travelling with us.



We are flying to Rome and will start and end the cruise in Rome, Italy.
The map shows the different ports we will embark and spend the day at.  

Nov. 27 Rome, Italy
Nov. 28 At Sea
Nov. 29 Olympia, Greece
Nov. 30 Piraeus/Athens, Greece
Dec.  1  Izmir, Turkey
Dec.  2  Istanbul, Turkey
Dec.  4  & 5 At Sea
Dec.  6  Naples, Italy
Dec.  7  Rome, Italy  
The Norwegian Jade. 

This is our room with a balcony (before we move in and mess it up).  Even a small sitting area.  Saved another $100. by letting them pick the room for us with a balcony.  Life is good.  The cruise cost is $449.00.  All inclusive, don't know how they can sell it for that.  Guess they expect us to spend a lot in the casino. lol.  

Love to you all and keep your comments coming for the blog book. 

Marcel and Alida 




31 comments:

  1. Do wish you ALL a very nice and enjoyable cruise, please keep me up to date. Are you leaving tomorrow.
    So, enjoy your time,

    I am not able to see you before you go, have someone coming by tomorrow.
    Lots of love to you all, and enjoy!!! And good weather...

    Karla

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  2. Happy Sailing!!
    Sounds wonderful. Raise a glass (and drink it of course) of a local wine for me!!!
    Phyllis

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  3. Hi Alida and Marcel,
    Yes, we would like to stay on your list..your blogs are so well done that we really have the feeling that we are there with you..and it helps us decide where we might want to go next.
    Have a wonderful time on your Mediterranean adventure! We will follow you in your travels.
    All the very best,
    Barbara and Walter.

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  4. Roel en Ingrid de VeerNovember 24, 2013 at 3:04 PM


    Hi Oompie en tantetje,

    Wow, not too bad, now it's our turn to be jealous. What a beautiful cruise to look forward to.
    Hopefully you have enough time to spend some more time in Rome.
    Enjoy the coffee in Istanbul, Ingrid has visited this city a few years ago with her sister Irene and they really enjoyed.

    We will sure follow you (when Wifi is willing to). ENJOY and have a SAFE trip.

    Love I & R

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  5. Gretchen Greene O'BrienNovember 24, 2013 at 3:52 PM

    Not a speck of grass is growing under your tootsies! At this rate, you will be visiting everywhere in the ENTIRE WORLD before you are eighty!!!!
    Have a good time!
    Sue Butson and I are going on a European River Cruise in April .... Amsterdam to Basel... then overland to Zurich. Two weeks' worth of adventures!
    Gretchen

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    Replies
    1. Is it the Rhine River? That's what we are looking at in the spring.
      Actually we are planning April also starting in Amsterdam to Basel. That is such a co-incident. We'll have to keep in touch.

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  6. We are so excited for the four of you! Please keep Paul and I up to date! We love enjoying your trip through your blog! It makes us feel like we are there along beside you! Have a safe and happy trip!
    Love Janice and Paul

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  7. Will be following you again this time around... turning greener and greener, except for my nose which will probably be blue with the cold. All the best and God bless, bon voyage and all that!!

    Thea H

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  8. John and Ria FledderusNovember 24, 2013 at 7:18 PM

    We wish you a safe and enjoyable Trip .

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  9. Sounds great, Keep us up to date. Our travel is done vicariously now.
    Have fun!
    Mary and Leonard
    PS Leonard says, "I hope the motor doesn't quit."

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  10. Bob and Clauding CollingsNovember 24, 2013 at 7:21 PM

    Hi Auntie Alida and Uncle Marcel,
    Hope you have safe travels and enjoy yourself very much! Yes, it would be great to be e-mailed when there is an update. I like following along with your trips. It is the next best thing to going on one myself.

    Thanks for forwarding the info regarding Uncle Gerry. We hope he has a smooth recovery!
    Take care.

    Claudine

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  11. Thanks for the email, Alida, have a wonderful time enjoying the sunshine.
    See you soon.
    Love ST

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  12. Hope you and your sisters have a fantastic trip. Will look forward to your blog!

    Pat fair

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  13. Albert and Winnie VisserNovember 24, 2013 at 8:15 PM

    This looks like a lovely cruise Marcel and Alida! Hope you have a wonderful time!
    Looking forward to perusing your blog.
    Hugs,
    Winnie and Albert

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  14. Bon Voyage, Alida and Marcel! Wish we were there! with you!

    Love,
    Linda

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  15. Have a great time ! Hope you are feeling better !
    Ingrid

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  16. Wishing you all the best in your travels. Love your blogs.
    Marlene

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  17. Wishing yous a safe, but, adventurous and memorable journey. Bon Voyage, Curtis & Coby

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  18. Have a great time. I'm jealous!
    Noel is leaving on Tuesday Nov 26 for Japan. Will be there until Jan 30.

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  19. Laurel and Louis DuboisNovember 25, 2013 at 9:32 AM

    Congratulations. Am jealous again. My mother and I went Norwegian Cruise Lines in the Caribbean, and enjoyed the ship and the service. We didn’t have a balcony though. Looks interesting and looking forward to seeing your blog. Laurel and Louis

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  20. Bon voyage!!
    Kathy

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  21. Ken and Gwenda ChambersNovember 25, 2013 at 10:15 AM

    Hi Alida and Marcel,
    Wow what a deal, we will look forward to cyber traveling with you again, and to all "we" will see and do.
    Wish we had known on Sunday, so consider yourselves hugged as we missed seeing you at Church

    God bless and Happy Christmas

    Love Gwenda & Ken xxx

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  22. Alan and Linda FledderusNovember 25, 2013 at 12:58 PM

    Enjoy the world guys, see as much as you can.

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  23. Have a wonderful time guys. Hope things have warmed up a bit by the time you get there.

    Love Amanda and Herman

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  24. I'm thinking we ought to be doing something like this with you one of these years!!
    All of God's best to you both. Safe and wonderful travels!

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  25. You should be in Izmir, Turkey today (Dec 1, Sunday). Is everything going alright?

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  26. Replies
    1. No, we did not go there Ed. It is 35 miles north of Ephesus. We are still thinking of doing the journeys of Paul tour one day. So many things to see.

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  27. I hope your cruse is relaxing and exciting all at once!
    Give my best to Marcel.

    Blessings
    Jim

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  28. I hope your cruse is relaxing and exciting all at once!
    Give my best to Marcel.

    Blessings
    Jim

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  29. Rieneke Bosma-RabbersDecember 8, 2013 at 10:26 AM


    "Oh,we wish you such a nice holiday, Europe is beautiful and my special feelings are Greece.
    Enjoy,
    Liefs"

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