Marina Review

First, but definitely not the last!

Review for Transatlantic Cruise on Marina
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TRUEBLUE66
6-10 Cruises • Age 50s

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Additional details

Sail Date: May 2016
Cabin: Concierge Level

We booked this cruise nearly a year before as a 50th Birthday present! Booked through a U.K. based travel agent and all preparation went well.

We have sailed mainly with R.C.I. and Princess before but wanted to see if the advertised step up in quality was real and worth it. We choose mainly for the itinerary and when we can get away from work.

We had flights included so flew into N.Y. the day before and used a central Manhattan hotel that we booked ourselves and was only a 10 minute drive from the port.

Cabin Review

Concierge Level

Cabin A1

Good sized cabin with high end fixtures and fittings. Lots of space to stow luggage and clothes. Bathroom with separate bath and shower also very good with marble throughout.

Cabin located midship which may have cut down on the motion of the ocean!

Port Reviews

New York (Manhattan)

Had 1 1/2 days here before ship sailed so did some of the tourist stuff. Visited Central park {got soaked!}. Had a very American meal in a diner. Got up early next day {sunny!} and walked from just after 7am till 11am towards Brooklyn Bridge and Staten Island Ferry. Enjoyed how quiet the traffic was on a Saturday morning.

Took a circle line ferry tour as close to the Manhattan cruise pier.

Boston

Booked the Trolley bus tour online before leaving and it was value for money. Got dropped off by courtesy bus near to starting point and stayed on for 2 hours to see all the sights as the driver/guide was very entertaining and informative. "Old ironside" was under cover for renovation so missed out on that sight. Was a cold day but dry and sunny so just walked about the area after getting our bearings from the trolley tour. Had cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory for Lunch!!

Bar Harbor

Booked a Taxi/tour guide in advance and he met us at the port. Took us for a good 4 hours tour around the park area to places the larger tours could not gain access too and then up to Cadillac Mountain top for clear views.

We requested to be dropped off at the ranger visitor centre at the end so we could walk through the wooded paths back into town. Took about an hour and was very pleasant.

Walked around the small town and had the obligatory home made Ice Cream for lunch! Warm weather and good clear day. Old world charm and hope to return.

Halifax

Again, booked our own excursion prior to cruise with local taxi/tour guide.

Took us for a 4 hour tour which ended up being over 5 hours as he seemed to be enjoying showing off his local area. Went to Peggy's Cove and missed all the tour buses so got it quiet. Toured many back roads on the coast and enjoyed the scenery.

Got dropped off on the boardwalk and after dropping stuff off at the ship walked into town. Very hilly but lots of character. Relaxed feel. Great weather!

Ponta Delgada

Took a tour with a local company booked with fellow c.c. members. It's a shame that some people book these and don't turn up and keep people waiting!

The tour was excellent. Lady driver/guide was Canadian but had been on the Island for over 20 years. Looked after everyone and plenty of stops. Had a lunch at a family home which was a nice touch and better than a tourist style restaurant. The family made us all feel very welcome. Got to see a lot of the island in the time we had. Walked around the main town after this for a while which had several historical buildings.

Madeira (Funchal)

Love Madeira! We were hear for a week, less than a year before this cruise so knew it reasonably well. Decided to do a Levada walk from Monte down to the main town so as avoiding hiring a car. Took us about 3 hours after getting the cable car to the top. Lots of fallen trees made it more difficult but added to the fun. Great scenery. Hot/Dry weather. Walked about town and had to take shelter from cloudburst!

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