Graduation Day!

After one week of experiencing the Mediterranean, exploring the Voyager of the Seas, training on the new and upcoming product with Royal Caribbean, the agents celebrated with a graduation!

Congratulations to the graduating class of 2009 and all the Marlin Travel, Club Voyages and Voyages en Liberte agents......and thank you for sharing your Memories of the Mediterranean.

Couldn't resist.....

....a little eye candy....firefighters were near the Palace when this shot was taken.

The Scenery

Just look at this view!

The Schooner Bar

After a fabulous dinner and cocktails with the Captain, a night cap in the Schooner's Bar. It's a lively bar with a piano player. Great meeting spot for our group each night.

Johnny Rockets - YummO

The Voyager of the Seas has lots of options for dining and if you're in the mood for a snack, hit the 14th deck and and enjoy a chocolate sundae.....with whip cream and cherries.....

We Made It Back!!!

After an adventurous day, both are glad to be back on board the Voyager of the Seas! Safe and sound.

EZE - The Medieval City

The Palace

Prince Albert was home but we didn't catch a glimpse of him. Changing of the guard takes place daily at 11:55am. Security around the palace is high alert, there is not a gumwrapper on the ground and the grounds are immaculate.

Downtown

Monaco - Tour de France

Have you ever watched the coverage of the Tour de France on television? Well, this is where the athletes will start the Tour and WE WERE THERE! Incredible!

St Paul - a quaint little shopping village

St Paul's was originally built as a fort but today is home to many shops and restaurants. With it's cobblestone walkway, this charming little village is a must see.

Best buys - linens, soaps, olive oil, tapenade and jewellery

First stop - Nice

The Mediterranean climate embraces the foliage from Palm Trees to Evergreens and lots of beautiful flowers throughout. Here we start out on a drive through Nice.....it's so beautiful here!

We're in FRANCE!! Can you believe it?

Villefranche (Nice) is the only port on this itinerary where you will have to tender in. It's a short ride in (less than 5 minutes) and transfers start as early as 7:30am (for the early risers) and the last return is at 6:30pm.

St Peter’s Basilica, in the Vatican, stands on the site of Circus of Nero. The largest Catholic church every built, consecrated in 1626 after many years of construction under the direction of several famous architects including; Bramant, Raphael and Michelangelo. Among the chief objects of interest are the 5th centry bronze statue of St. Peter, the tomb of Peter under the altar, and Michelangelo’s Pieta, a superb marble sculpture of the Virgin and the dead Christ.

Trevi Fountain

The Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain) is one of Rome’s many beautiful fountains and the Trevi is the most famous. Located on Via Della Muratte, there is a romantic legend attached that says ‘whoever tosses in a coin will one day return to Rome’.

Sculptures

Civitavecchia is the gateway to all the magnificence of the ancient city of Rome. Whether it's the Forum, the Sistine Chapel, the Pantheon or St. Peter's Basilica that sparks your interest and intellect, Rome is home to a lifetime's worth of historical, architectural and spiritual sites. Depending on traffic, the drive from Civitavecchia to Rome takes approximately an hour and a half.

Day 4 - ROME

The Collosseum at Piazzale del Colosseo, is Ancient Rome’s best known monument and was the arena of games and gladiators. The largest structure of its kind ever built, it was capable of seating 50,000 spectators. Only about one-third of the original building remains.

Mediterranean Sunset

Picture yourself on board the Voyager of the Seas, on a deck chair. The water is calm, the breeze brushing up against your face and the glow of the sunset across the horizon.

This is what we witness every evening.....don't you wish you were here?

Town of Amalfi

Amalfi Coast

Ravello

Day 3 - Naples

With so many options, a few of us chose to drive the Amalfi Coast. How beautiful and picturesque. Our first stop was a place called Ravello, a quaint little square with shops, churches and boutique hotels. This vineyard is in someone's backyard.

Training sessions continued.

Training Day

It's not all fun and games for the TDC agents. Mandatory training sessions started bright and early on Day 2.

Lifeboat Drill

All accounted for!

Tapas and Sangrias

Sitting at a cafe enjoying some tapas in Las Ramblas (don't quote me on the spelling we had a few sangria)

Barcelona Pics

Barcelona

Barcelona is located in the northeastern part of the country, 90 miles south of the French border. People from all around the world enjoy visiting this city for its individuality, cultural interest and physical beauty. When Hans Christian Andersen visited in 1862, he remarked that Barcelona was the "Paris of Spain." You're likely to agree. The city is a major cultural center with a fascinating history. Everywhere are archives, libraries, museums and buildings of interest - plus superb examples of modernist and Art Nouveau décor and architecture.

Flight Director - Service with a Smile

We've Arrived!!!

Travelling day can be very tiring but it's so worth it once you've arrived in destination. Our Air Transat crew were phenomenol, the service immpecable and the flight was smooth as silk. In Montreal, we had a crew change and picked up our colleagues. With head winds in our favour we arrived one-hour ahead of schedule.

One more sleep...last minute details

One more sleep.....Barcelona here we come!

Dont forget:
1. Bring LOTS of business cards - you will be meeting lots of colleagues from across the country and you will want to keep in touch
2. Bring LOTS more business cards - because there will be LOTS of clients on board and people in destination you may meet (you know it's a small world when you meet someone who grew up in the same village as your grandparents)
3. Bring sunscreen - we tend to forget this because it's not a 'beach holiday' but the sun is strong when you're walking around town all day....don't get burnt!
4. Call your credit card company (if you plan on making purchases abroad) and let them know you will be in various countries. If they suspect fraudluent charges on your card, your charges may be declined.
5. If you take any medication, pack them in your carry-on.

See you at the airport!

Top Ten Tips for packing!

Marlin Travel....pack your bags....get ready for the trip of your life! Meditteranean here we come....Voyager of the Seas is sure to please.

Here are my top ten packing tips:

1. Buy your Euro's at Marlin Travel (www.marlintravel.ca) or pick up your CashPax in person - CashPax are so easy!

2. Bring some USD's - on board the ship there is plenty to buy (of course you can purchase them at Marlin Travel)

3. Pack your passport and money in a money holder - never in your suitcase!

4. Luggage tags should sport your work address, never your home address - thieves can easily rip off your luggage tag at the airport...and if they know you're on a trip...they may make a visit to your home and help themselves to your valuables.

5. Leave a copy of your itinerary with work colleague as well as with a family member

6. call your cellphone provider to make sure you will have connection in Europe (this will be less expensive then calling ship to shore)

7. Change your voice mail and out of office message so that your customers know that you are CRUISING the MED on the Voyager of the Seas and to follow our blog at memoriesofmed2009.blogspot.com

8. Purchase insurance - never leave home without additional coverage

9. Pack a change of clothes along with a small tube of toothpaste and your toothbrush...you may not see your luggage until closer to dinner time....you'll want to freshen up before you head out to Barcelona

10. Hug your kids and your loved ones....tell them you'll miss them....and that you'll try to have fun without them next week..... :)

Who to look for in Terminal 3

Good morning everyone....5 more sleeps until we board the TS flight to BCN. As you'll need to meet me in Toronto Terminal 3 to pick up your tickets....thought i'd post a pic so you know who to look for....

Top 3 Movie Pics to get you in the mood for Italy

1. romeo & juliet - filmed in Pienza, 1968, a classic
2. brother sun, sister moon - 1974
3. tea with Mussonlini - 1999