In order to circumnavigate Albania, we’ve just completed a weekend dog leg from Greece (Igoumenitsa) overnight to Italy (Bari) by Superfast; had a surprisingly lovely day in Bari before embarking from Bari to Croatia- Dubrovnik on an overnight ferry with Jadrolinija on a dire rust bucket called ‘Dubrovnik’.
Granted, we couldn’t get a cabin because it was booked solid, and so we we’re obliged to pay for a ‘reclining seat’ for the night. So there was a degree of trepidation even before boarding.
The Pros; We got to Croatia.
The Cons: This boat is a rusting, filthy, noisy, cramped disgrace, the carpets and seats are stained worn and smelly. Apparently aquired from the Brits when it was originally retired, it’s a floating hell hole of a boat, with cramped narrow corridors and uneven floors. Every painted surface is chipped and dirty. And the toilets are really special places - bloody awful.
There are hundreds of numbered ‘reclining seats’ set out in rows, except they don’t recline, just tilt back a couple of inches, worse than a ThomasCramp flight to Turkey.
Coupled with the fact that there were four coach loads of Italian women around us, none of whom were shy of decibels, I didn’t get much kip. Probably why i’m a bit testy today.
Also, there is no WiFi available anywhere on the boat, but the best is last, it was very entertaining watching vans and campers having to reverse load up the ramp with the HGV’s, crikey, embarrassing to watch,
Anyway, the upshot is- avoid this boat - not recommended.
But I will give Viamare a thumbs up for sorting out the bookings.
And...calm.
Granted, we couldn’t get a cabin because it was booked solid, and so we we’re obliged to pay for a ‘reclining seat’ for the night. So there was a degree of trepidation even before boarding.
The Pros; We got to Croatia.
The Cons: This boat is a rusting, filthy, noisy, cramped disgrace, the carpets and seats are stained worn and smelly. Apparently aquired from the Brits when it was originally retired, it’s a floating hell hole of a boat, with cramped narrow corridors and uneven floors. Every painted surface is chipped and dirty. And the toilets are really special places - bloody awful.
There are hundreds of numbered ‘reclining seats’ set out in rows, except they don’t recline, just tilt back a couple of inches, worse than a ThomasCramp flight to Turkey.
Coupled with the fact that there were four coach loads of Italian women around us, none of whom were shy of decibels, I didn’t get much kip. Probably why i’m a bit testy today.
Also, there is no WiFi available anywhere on the boat, but the best is last, it was very entertaining watching vans and campers having to reverse load up the ramp with the HGV’s, crikey, embarrassing to watch,
Anyway, the upshot is- avoid this boat - not recommended.
But I will give Viamare a thumbs up for sorting out the bookings.
And...calm.
