Who says you can’t immerse yourself in culture when cruising? Thought to be one of the downsides to travelling by sea, while this may ring true for some people, it’s not the case for Cruise Expert Rhonda Parker. In this interview, she talks about some of the Mediterranean ports she has explored, and her most memorable and interesting moments that saw her completely immersed in the culture.
What experience got you hooked on cruising?
It was raining like a monsoon (as we were in the tail of a Typhoon that had hit Japan the week prior). We were not able to sail where we were supposed to so we sailed into alternate ports that welcomed us with open arms. Skagway, Alaska had closed for the season and had to reopen to greet our ship.
With all this unexpected changes, the staff onboard could not do enough for us. I was sold! The icing on the cake: my sister-in-law and I were going for our before dinner cocktail as we did every evening. This was our last evening onboard and were advised by our waiters that Bingo was just finishing up in the lounge. They escorted us to seats in front of the elevators and went to retrieve our cocktails. Cocktails arrived and the waiters pushed the elevator button and left us to our cocktails. The elevator doors open and there in the elevator was a trio practising as they too could not go into the lounge yet to set up. They played a set for us as we sat in front of the elevators sipping our cocktails!
They showed great attention to detail and made me feel like guests are the most precious cargo onboard any cruise ship. Since that time I have been on over 30 cruises on most cruise lines in over half of the world.
What are your favourite ports in the Mediterranean? Why?
The ones that held special attention to me are Koper, Slovenia and Istanbul, Turkey.
Koper is a quiet port on the border of Italy. You have never seen such a clean, and proud country.
Predjamski grad or Predjama castle sits perched on a cliff for the past 700 years above the Postam caves.
We went to the Postam Caves – you take a train 2 km into the mountain and then get off the train and walk for about 1 km inside the caves and then take a train 2 km out again.
Postam Caves, the longest cave system in Slovenia.
It was the “surprise port” that everyone thought there would be nothing to see or experience.
Istanbul is the most multicultural city I have been to.
There's respect to all, everyone living amongst each other in harmony, and your neighbour is your neighbour.
Turkish people are the hardest working people I have encountered. Seventeen million people live in an area of 128 sq km; that is half the entire population of Canada in the area of Greater Vancouver to Chilliwack. The drivers are crazy or saints, depends how you view it.
Like Rome, Istanbul is built on 7 hills, so to access its palaces, mosques and Grand Bazaar you have to drive around the bottom of the hill and turn up into the madness.
It was truly an adventure.
What’s your most memorable moment while travelling the region?
I would have to say it was in Fiesole, Italy, just outside of Florence. We were wandering the streets, and walked up to the local monestary and on our walk down the back side of the mountain we came across a local cemetery. It was Sunday and there were lots of cars and people tending to their families graves, pulling weeds, bringing fresh flowers, replacing the one they had left last week and talking to them. We walked through the cemetery to pay our respects and it was so moving the love of family that you felt. As we walked through, there was a children area and their sites had little statues of the child, pictures of the child and the toys that they played with all embossed in brass. It was so overwhelming to me, I had to leave the cemetery and I cried for the lost souls of those children while waiting for the others.
What was your most interesting experiences in the Mediterranean?
For us or our group (we were a family of 8), it was the immersion of culture. We always tried to sample the food, wine, do some people watching, interact with the locals and learn about them and their culture. This allowed us to really get to know and understand where we were in Europe.
Bed & Breakfast in the Tuscany Region of Italy.
I can positively say that we conquered, Italy, Greece and Turkey by way of experiencing every city, town and port we visited. I would not hesitate to go back to the places that we did not travel to and even those we did and do it all over again.
You were on a Mediterranean cruise this summer. Which ship did you sail and how’d you enjoy it compared to your other cruises?
Oceania’s Marina. The ship was beautiful; the food was outstanding; the service was 5 star.
Inviting guests to kick back and relax by the pool.
This is a new ship for Oceania and there were some growing pains encountered. Oceania has to create a larger staffing base, and when we embarked so did 150 new staff, not only new to the ship but new to Oceania and had to learn what was expected in 24 hours. They did fantastic and other than first day jitters, the experience was 5 star for sure.
A couple of comments from my travelling companions: There was no champagne or welcome aboard refreshments. They felt Oceania should offer that. When in the gym, they were informed that yoga, pilates and spin classes all had a fee. They felt it was an unnecessary expense and was not a positive experience.
What kind of people would enjoy this cruise?
Five star or deluxe cruising is not known for onboard Broadway show entertainment. As there are 680 to 1200 passengers onboard, entertainment is scaled down. As long as being entertained is what you are looking for, this will fit you. The type of person that would enjoy this cruise are independent travellers who are foodies, and enjoy some adventure. Yes there are shore excursions that you can choose onboard, and some days there were a lot of tours heading ashore, however Oceania brought the local Tourism board onboard with maps, suggestions and people could plan their day, their way.
What should people expect from Oceania? In other words, what makes them stand out?
Oceania excels at exceptional dining experiences, customer service and elegant comfort. Unique itineraries that go to places that other cruise lines have not travelled. It is an exploration of your senses.
Where are you headed to next?
In September 2012, I am travelling with a group to France. We will have three nights in Paris, 7 nights onboard AmaWaterways AmaDagio as we sail from Lyon to Arles, then we will head to Nice for one night.
The elegant aft lounge aboard the AmaDagio. Photo courtesy of AmaWaterways.
We have so many inclusions: prepaid gratuities, wine tasting, tours, cooking classes, and wine with lunch and dinner. It’ll be a total immersion in the French wine country.
Rhonda can be reached at 1-800-565-2784 or Rhonda@CruiseExpertsTravel.com.
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