We received a suggestion on our daily itinerary that it would behoove us to wake up early to witness our entrance. OK. Not wanting to miss anything that’s exactly what I did. I woke up early and just as the sun was coming up I went on deck to see what all the fuss was about.

We entered the Bay of Kotor at sunrise. And then there it was :: the most glorious 60-minute entrance to a city I’ve ever experienced! Kotor itself is surrounded by high mountains and old fortifications :: breathtaking beauty to say the least! Throughout our entrance I found myself without words as the sun came up on the mountainous fjords and water surrounding us. Quiet majesty. What a wonderful surprise to find out that the Bay of Kotor is known as one of the most beautiful bays in the world.

We sailed by a manmade isle called Our Lady of the Rocks on our way into through the bay, jutting out majestically in the middle of the water, boasting a remarkable church which takes up the entire isle. This was definitely a first for me.

Once in Kotor we climbed the 1,355 steps along the ridges of the Castle of San Giovanni also known as St. John’s Fortress (7EU to scale the walls), opening up to unrivaled views over the Bay of Kotor. The castle itself wasn’t overly impressive but the vistas were absolutely breathtaking and absolutely worth taking the time to see.

Tips ::
1. Start early in the day, the sun will come up behind you
2. Bring plenty of water, you will need it, especially on a hot day
3. Be prepared to spend about 2 hours on your climb

Kotor’s main square has a selection of restaurants which give you a perfect view for taking in the beautiful views and architecture surrounding you. And it just so happens to be a great place for people watching. I sat for a while enjoying a refreshing drink (at much more reasonable pricing here than in Dubrovnik) under the shady awning of one such restaurant.

Then… I was blessed with yet another surprise :: I got to witness a Montenegrin wedding procession! The timing was perfect; it was really special to see.

This is Cathedral of Saint Tryphon which was consecrated in 1166 :: older than most, it holds a treasury of great value. This is also one of the largest and most ornate buildings in Kotor in Romanesque-style architecture.

St. Luke’s Church was constructed in 1195 as a Catholic church but it is told that from 1657 until 1812 Catholic and Orthodox altars stood side by side with each faith taking turns holding services here. It was then gifted to the Orthodox Church.

This is St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church of Kotor. It is said that this is the most import orthodox church in Kotor but I was unable to find any other information about it than that.

I’ll end my commentary here only to say that the atmospheric back-streets and cafes are truly something to behold. I found myself walking for several hours along these narrow paths and emotionally enveloped myself into the Montenegrin culture by taking in as many details as I possibly could. I’ll let you enjoy the remaining images of Kotor I captured ::

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I can’t decide if sailing into Kotor through the beautiful fjords was more captivating than the alluring ancient town itself. And although it is small Kotor really packs a punch with photographic opportunities around every corner.

And although Kotor is but a tiny coastal town, this city is no less than a walled jewel and truly left an impression on my soul. And come to find out Kotor is one of the best preserved medieval old towns in the Adriatic and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It all makes sense to me now.

I would highly recommend a stop in Kotor if you plan to be in or near the Adriatic Sea. You will thank me when you do.

The post Kotor in Photos :: You’ve Gotta See It to Believe It appeared first on Where in the World is Louise?.

SoS by Royal Caribbean Cruise Line ship has 2,752 staterooms, including 188 suites and 28 more balconies than the next largest ship in the fleet :: Harmony of the Seas. It can accommodate 6,680 passengers in 2,750 cabins which are available in different configurations. The passengers are served by 2,200 international crew members.

One of the reasons I wanted to write about SoS is to show some of you especially who are not necessarily interested in going on a cruise that there is nothing to be hesitant about. IMHO cruising is one of the best ways of taking a vacation. It’s all inclusive of room and board but best of all :: you get to travel from one location to the other without having to pack up your bags and get yourself to the next one.

I’ll try to cover lots of aspects of the ship for you so you can really get a feel of what the SoS is all about.

Symphony of the Seas :: The Balcony Stateroom

With state-of-the-art amenities in my balcony stateroom you really can make this your home away from home. The bathroom is the most important thing to me and this one is pretty perfect as bathrooms on a cruise ship goes. I mean, I’m sure it may be more spacious in suite but I’m not one for splurging on space when I won’t be in it but for an hour a day. Lots of storage, comfortable mattress and pillows, a large workspace, a couch and a spacious balcony.

I always choose a balcony stateroom for several reasons :: 

1. Looking out onto the water rather than a wall gives it the appearance of having more room
2. You can have your breakfast outside in the morning
3. You can see the view as you’re coming into ports or leaving the port :: sometimes there are views of other lands as you’re sailing from one port to another
4. You can wake up to the most beautiful sunrises and get ready for dinner to amazing sunsets. Depending on what side of the ship you’re on and what direction you’re sailing at that time of the day, sometimes you get both!
5. Sometimes it’s nice to have some downtime in private. Laying out on the balcony is much nicer than just being in a closed-in room
6. I love the smell of the sea air so I can leave the sliding glass door open while I’m resting or doing some work onboard or even when sailing at night. Speaking of work, I can also do that on the balcony if I choose to

To settle in to my stateroom I unzip my packing cubes and put them in the drawers, put my toiletries in the bathroom, hang up my clothes, set up my computer and slide my empty suitcase under the bed. Voila! I’m home for the next 7-14 days or longer…

Symphony of the Seas :: The Solarium

The Solarium is a great place to get a little peace and quiet away from all the crazy fun at the bars and the pool. It has a couple of private hot tubs and lots of space. Here you will find some comfortable seating including lounge chairs and cabanas. There are plenty of spaces for everyone. And it never seems to feel crowded.

Symphony of the Seas :: The Slides

There are several slides onboard the SoS that provide great water fun outdoors for kids and adults alike. Not only are there water slides but there is a dry slide that breaks all records.

This heart-pumping adventure on board beginning on the top deck :: 150 feet above sea level :: on a see-through glass platform is called the Ultimate Abyss and it’s not for the faint of heart. So as not to spoil the ride for you I’ve just included the exit… wait for it! HA!

Symphony of the Seas :: The Pools

There are four pools throughout the ship. They even have one for Adults Only. The jacuzzis are also scattered throughout in different sizes and shapes and locations. It’s always a good time for the jacuzzi!

Symphony of the Seas :: The Cabins with Interior Views

I’ve always opted for a balcony stateroom on the outside of the ship because of the reasons I stated above. But they also offer inward-facing balcony staterooms that are really popular. You can step out on your balcony and be instantly a part of all the activities happening below.

There is also one very special family two-story inward-facing suite available for those who are traveling with the family. Albeit unaffordable for most, Room 1733 goes for $20,000 and has all the amenities you could ask for and more. A slide takes the kiddos from the top floor to the bottom. Two full bedrooms with big-screen TVs, games, etc. You’ve got to see it to believe it. To see a video of the interior click here.

Symphony of the Seas :: The Shows

In my opinion Royal Caribbean has one of the best line ups of Broadway-quality shows on the high seas. Royal Caribbean Productions is the first team to consult with an astronaut that lived in space for a live theatrical production called “Flight :: Dare to Dream” in which the high-impact choreography and production also take form in 3D flying.

Offering three other shows, Hairspray (Broadway), 1977 (ice rink) and Hiro (aquatic), each performing on different nights, you have ample time to see them all. I recommend making reservations before you sail to assure a seat. If you are an RCCL Gold member or above you qualify for priority seating.

Symphony of the Seas :: The Dining Venues

SoS has ten complimentary dining options which includes the main dining rooms plus, of course, there is always room service. They also offer ten specialty restaurants for an additional charge if you choose to dine in a more upscale atmosphere. And they also have a full-service Starbucks store located in the Royal Promenade.

As far as signature restaurants go they include Hooked Seafood, Chops Grille, Izumi Hibachi and Sushi, Jame’s Italian, Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine, 150 Central Park and Park Café and many more.

Symphony of the Seas :: The Meals

You will find just about everything on the menus you could possibly think of and then maybe few more than you hadn’t thought of. The images below are just from the main dining room. The specialty restaurants are over the top.

Symphony of the Seas :: The Desserts

A picture is worth a thousand words. ‘nough said.

And so much more…

Among the many amenities of Symphony of the Seas are some more somewhat discrete features that are sometimes just taken for granted or overlooked. I mean, you’re on a ship so you expect it to function right and meet your needs and requirements for a good time. Well, the bars probably aren’t overlooked but since I don’t personally drink I overlook them all the time and so I’ve put them in this category. LOL!

The Elevators

I know, you’re probably thinking that elevators really don’t deserve a heading of their own. Well on SoS they are all pretty spectacular and I decided to feature them anyway. No minute is had on board that doesn’t entertain in some way.

There is even a traveling piano man who moves about the ship up and down the elevators to entertain you. Now, aren’t you glad I included elevators in its own category?

The Views

Whether leaving a port, coming into a port or sailing in the middle of the ocean there are amazing views to be had. You can see it all if you’re standing on any of the decks or from your stateroom if you have a balcony. All I know is that the views are intoxicating.

The Bars

Enjoy 42 bars and lounges where you can imbibe to your heart’s content serving everything from cocktails to specialty coffee drinks.

Among the many state-of-the-art features, the Rising Tide bar travels up and down between three floors :: what a ride!

I guess it isn’t such a stretch to self-tending-bartenders. Yes, robots. The Bionic Bar can serve up to 1,000 drinks per day with 21 mixers and 30 spirits from 2 robot bartenders.

But to see them working up close and personal is a trip (HA! I’m a 70’s girl). It is fascinating to see them pull liquor out of the ceiling, pour the exact measurements into glasses, get ice out of the freezer and even pick up and shake the drinks. It is truly hypnotizing to watch. See for yourself ::

The Royal Promenade

The Promenade is just one of seven neighborhoods onboard SoS. Boardwalk, Central Park, Entertainment Place, Pool and Sports Zone, Youth Zone and the Vitality Spa and Fitness Center are the others.

The Art

Feast your eyes on the beautiful artwork throughout. RCCL has left absolutely no stone unturned on this amazing ship.

They even have interactive art! OMG I never even knew something like that existed!

The Outdoor Fun

Outdoor entertainment facilities include pools and whirlpools, an ice-skating rink, a mini-golf course, a nine-deck-high zip line, two rock-climbing walls, a running track, full-size basketball court and tennis court.

The ship offers one of the tallest slides at sea as well as two FlowRider surf simulators, a Splashaway Bay water park for kids and toddlers and other waterslides.

Next time I’m on this ship I’ll be trying the zip line. Doesn’t it look fun?

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What an incredible ship it is. SoS is not only the largest ship in the world but it is truly the most fabulous.

Everywhere you turn on this ship brings excitement and fun. There is something for everyone, for every age, for every man, woman, girl and boy. So bring your friends and family and get on board the Symphony of the Seas. I highly recommend it!

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