2012 MSC Melody Cruise, Italy & France

2012 MSC Melody Cruise & Italy & France

Part1

So the day of departure has eventually arrived. Was I excited, nervous – little of both but mostly sad that my friend could not travel with me – but he would be with me in spirit every step of the way.

I made a promise that I would email at least once a day.

Boarding started from 11am and would be completed by 2pm as we were to sail at 3pm.

I was to be very disappointed at the chaos around me as we gave in our luggage. In Cape Town we do not have a dedicated Cruise Terminal and this could be to our disadvantage concerning more Cruise Ships coming to Cape Town.

If I compare this to what I have experienced in Genoa (Italy), Barcelona (Spain), The Canary Islands on my previous cruise in 2010 then all I can say is this – Cape Town wake up – have a look at these ports and you will see what a Cruise Terminal looks like and how it should operate.

Please know this, I love my country and I love my city – but this is just so infuriating when we just cannot get it right. I reckon by the time we wake up – it might just be too late. Then it will be pointless trying to make it right.

Cruise ships are no longer allowed to dock in the V & A Waterfront – can you believe it – what better place to for the smaller cruise ships to dock. Oh some red tape regarding “security”. What absolute rubbish.

Anyway, managed to get aboard the MSC Melody at around 1pm.

Although it was over a year later but it felt as if it was only yesterday that I had sailed from Genoa to Cape Town in 2010, and here I was doing the Northbound from Cape Town to Genoa.

Obviously found my cabin with ease and dumped my hand luggage and went and had something to eat.

Muster station drill was done prior to leaving and this we can thank to the Costa Concordia drama. I prefer it the new way as I like to be out on deck when we leave the harbour.

This was a rather emotional departure as my family were there to see me off. Had arranged for my sister and Lee to pick up my Mom & Dad. Let’s just leave it that.

We departed at 1510 and slowly made our way out into Table Bay on rather overcast and windy day.

If you look closely at the top pic that little person waving like mad is me.

Ended off the day with a great sunset and as I was travelling on my own on this trip I was rather nervous as to who would be sitting at my dinner table. I had chosen the later sitting at 830pm. Table of six and we hit it off from the first sitting – which was great.

Next stop Walvis Bay, Namibia.

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MSC Melody Cruise

My Trip 2010 Part 10

Cape Town

Left Walvis Bay at 4pm and now next stop and final destination Cape Town.

712 nautical miles – two nights and 1 day at sea.

This was going to be the highlight of my trip, coming into Cape Town.

What an experience this trip was – it was an experience of a lifetime – thanks to all that made it a memorable time.

We arrived in Cape Town on the most beautiful of days - Cape Town at its best - not a breath of wind and hot hot hot.

Hopefully to be repeated often.

Actually as I write this – I will be doing the northbound cruise on the MSC Melody from the 20^th February 2012.

What I have learnt from the 2010 trip will most definitely come in handy for the coming trip.

Itinerary for upcoming cruise

20^th Feb 2012                          Depart Cape Town at 3pm

21^st Feb 2012                          at sea     

22^nd Feb 2012                         Walvis Bay (Namibia)

23^rd Feb 2012                          at sea

24^th Feb 2012                          at sea

25^th Feb 2012                          Jamestown (St Helena)

26^th Feb 2012                          at sea

27^th Feb 2012                          at sea

28^th Feb 2012                          at sea

29^th Feb 2012                          at sea

1^st Mar 2012                            Dakar (Senegal)

2^nd Mar 2012                           at sea

3^rd Mar 2012                            at sea

4^th Mar 2012                            Arrecife de Lanzarote (Spain)

5^th Mar 2012                            at sea

6^th Mar 2012                            Cadiz (Spain)

7^th Mar 2012                            at sea

8^th Mar 2012                            Palamos (Spain)

9^th Mar 2012                            Genoa

That’s the cruise – will be spending 2 days in Genoa the off to Pisa,Florence and Turin over the next three days.

Then on to France for the next nine days and fly home to Cape Town on the 23^rd March.

Follow my trip on Facebook and Twitter - will be uploading a few pics but will update by blog if and when I can.

MSC Melody Cruise

My Trip 2010 Part 9

 Walvis Bay to Cape Town

Spent the next four days at sea relaxing and enjoy the last few days on our cruise. 

 Watched the entertainment crew practicing for the evening performance

Stayed on for part of the performance

Experienced a fabulous sunset one evening and then the most beautiful sunrise as coming into Walvis Bay.

 After nine days at sea we really looking forward to getting our feet on solid ground. 

Walvis Bay – and that was it – not my cup of tea

Salt Pans

Salt Pans

Enjoyed our excursion to Swakopmund though – nice seaside town – lots of German architecture, good food and beer.

As we had docked at 8am and were to be back on board by 3pm we did a very quick tour of most of the tourist sites – what can I say on my next cruise I will not be getting off.

By this stage looking forward to getting home – Cape Town here we come

712 nautical miles.