I just read Denise's updates, so I will try to add some new news...
First, some updates on the status of the Diamond and the Paul Gauguin.
Paul Gauguin...RSSC never owned the ship and it went back and forth ever year or so from new owner to new owner. This time, the new owner decided it wanted to run the ship itself and to not renew RSSC's charter, so that's why RSSC will not be running the PG after 2005. They are now trying to figure out what to do with the situation that has been handed to them.
The Diamond...the charter is up for renewel in 2006. Until that time, RSSC and the leasor will be in negotiations and no decision will be made. The Diamond is very profitable and is often at full occupancy. No decision has been made and none will be made in the short term. Negotiations have just begun. tendered kind of. We were not anchored. We were supposed to hook up to a buoy but the ship which was supposed to guide us there wasn't on time, so we just drifted. At one point, the Captain told us, another ship this afternoon, went off course and almost hit us, so he had to rev the motor and move us quickly out of the way!
Athens...We took Luftansa through Munich...very efficient airline and lovely airport..very modern and comfortable. Once in Athens, we found ourselves in a very modern airport and found taxis very easily at the central taxi stand. Taxi to the Hilton was $27 Euros and took about 15-20 minutes.
The Hilton property is a modern, glamorous one and I recommend asking for a high room facing the Acropolis. The views are great. If you can get an executive floor, the breakfasts are great. I would definitely recommend this property. We had sushi at the dining room on the roof overlooking the Acropolis and it was romantic and the food was very good.
If you are doing Athens, I would recommend doing it differently than we did. The first SUnday of every month, museums are free, so take advantage if you can. Also, the Acropolis is wonderful and I would just head over there by taxi and then take a guided tour (arranged at the Acropolis) once there. Allow at least 2-3 hours. Then you could do a 4 hour city tour with a driver and have one pick you up at the Acropolis, since it is impossible to get a taxi to pick you up. If you can get a taxi, they are very cheap..that is, if they don't try to cheat you. We went to the Cape and it was very nice, but expensive with a driver...so you have to consider if it is worth it to you.
The next morning, you could walk around the Platka or go to the Archeology Museum before heading to the ship.
Boarding the Diamond...
The trip to the port is short..about 10 euros and 15 minutes. Once at the main terminal, you are met by a Radisson agent and you are taken to a bus which shuttles you a very short distance to the ship.
The Diamond feels like a small boutique hotel and boarding was very simple. We arrived around 1:30 and went up to the lovely buffet lunch on the 10th floor. Our rooms were ready around 2:30.
One thing I must mention that noone else ever has...the front of the Diamond is where the anchors are located. They make a BIG noise early in the morning. You can hear them on the 8th floor and you are jolted awake on the 7th floor. Our room is 712. I will NEVER take this room again. It noise bothers you, opt for a higher floor on this ship. There are all sorts of rumblings in my room that are ever so irritating. There are also all sorts of pipe problems on the 7th floor with drain problems and backups. When I emptied my tub, the water came up the drain holes under the sink and flooded the bathroom. This is my only complaint with the ship.
I kiddingly asked the Captain to please stop lowering the anchor as my sleep was being disturbed and he came over later and asked if I wanted my room changed. It was so kind of him, but we declined as we HATE packing and unpacking and it's only a few horrible minutes each morning. I just have a new wake up call!
Day 1..Naphalion was just wonderful. We took the all day tour with Denise and Alan and it was one of the best tours we have ever taken. The sites and guide were excellent. tendered
Day 2..Mykonos was windy and cold and we were disappointed to not see Delos. It's a pretty island, but just stores and restaurants. We went over to a beach in the PM and had a nice time. tendered
Day 3..Thera and Oia were beautiful towns..especially Oia...I wished we had rented a car. Lots of folks did (about 60 euros) and they had a great time seeing the island at their own pace. Several said the winery tour was great.
The Diamond has a person at a desk to give you island advice each am in the ship's lobby.
Food...Excellent!!!! Nary a complaint. We have found some wonderful servers at table 23 and they are just wonderful. Tonight, we ate dinner with the Captain and he is a total delight. Very warm and gracious.
Rooms...Very pretty. Bigger than the PG and nicer. The rooms without balcony are similar in size to the Mariner without the walkin closet and with a smaller bathroom. The tub is very tiny (I am only 5 feet tall). The rooms with a balcony do not have the curtain that separates the living and bedroom areas. It's been so cold, that I only used the balcony 2 times. So, on this cruise, it's really a crap shoot what type of room you take.
Ship...not as conducive to mingling as the Voyager and Mariner and it's been so cold, we haven't used the 10th floor much. The dining room is beautiful and the show room is very comfortable. The afternoon teas are lovely. I really miss having washing machines and irons!
Shows..Very good...small venue and staff, but very talented. First night and tonight, a singer from England; last night, a pianist from Turkey. Don Vitos was a hoot.
Service..excellent.
