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Renaissance VIII Mini Review
The Anderson
Age: 62
Occupation: piano teacher
Number of Cruises: 6
Cruise Line: Renaissance Cruises
Ship: Renaissance VIII
Sailing Date: March 1st, 2001
Itinerary: Kenya, Seychelles, Luxor
What a wonderful itinerary! The experiences my husband and I had on this trip will always be very, very special! We travel extensively and this trip rates right up on the top of our list.
While the flight to Nairobi was long, we were comfortable. The crew was friendly and helpful. There were only 114 of us, so we began to get acquainted on the flight.
Our 1-night stay in Nairobi was very pleasant. The Air Kenya flight to the Massai Mara was delightful, with so much to see from the windows. Micato Safaris hosted us for the 4 days and 3 nights we were there. The "permanent tents" were better than this "non-camper" anticipated. The game drives were spectacular! We will never forget the thrill of seeing that magnificent male leopard at such a close distance. Our drivers were friendly, had a delightful sense of humor, and most knowledgeable. They were proud to be Massai people and shared their culture with us. The food was great! After the first night, the howling monkeys didn't disturb me anymore! (But when they woke me the first night, I said to myself: "Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore!")
The balloon ride at daybreak was an unforgettable experience, as was the flight out to Lake Victoria. The Massai are a physically beautiful and proud people.
Cruising the Seychelles Islands was so relaxing and elegant. The scenery was spectacular, the beaches pristine, the water so very clear and blue. The Renaissance VIII (our ship) was like a small, elegant hotel. Since there were only 114, the kitchen provided cooked-to-order creative dishes that were beautifully presented and a thrill to the taste buds.
In keeping with the Renaissance tradition, the crew was top notch. Our stateroom was beautifully decorated, spacious and "clean as a whistle". Our special requests were met quickly and graciously. On a small ship, there is less to do while at sea, but that meant plenty of time to relax, watch videos, read in the cabin or the library. Of course, sitting on the deck at sunset was a thrill. I was fascinated by the tiny boutique-beauty shop-gift shop on the top deck--all of this in an area the size of a walk-in closet!
Luxor--what can I say? The valley of the kings, the valley of the queens, a Nile cruise in a felucca. Karnak. The Luxor temple. Our accommodations at the Sheraton, while not elegant, were quite comfortable and very clean.
Coming home was hard after this adventure! But our memories continue to bring us joy...the driver stopping to let the elephants cross, the clear, clear water of the Seychelles, the quiet times in our cabin, standing in Nefertiti’s tomb in awe of the paintings over 3000 years old that looked like they had been finished yesterday. The friends we made. Breakfast after our balloon rise--in the middle of the Massai plains. Our first taste of roast zebra (it was delicious!). The tawny coat of the leopard. The clear waters of the Indian Ocean. Silvery fish nibbling at the bread in my hand and tickling my toes. Sunset on the Nile. The sound and light show at the temple ruins.
This itinerary is creative and worth every minute of your time. And, Renaissance has good prices to start our with and even greater sale prices! You won't regret going! Oh, and don't forget your "Indiana Jones" hat...you'll need it!