Making it to Rome…

Here's the seat (but I was in a single seat)

Well, I made it to Rome.  I’m in my hotel at the airport (the Hilton), which is connected by a system of walkways to the airport.  I’ve confirmed my shuttle ride to the port city for Rome (Civitavecchia) tomorrow at noon, and I’m about to take a nap.

The trip over was interesting.  Continental and United merged, and they have some “new” charges I don’t remember in the past.  For instance, you can pay for extra legroom during the flight.  I paid the extra amount for both flights overseas to have the extra room.  I did this shortly after booking the flight.

I checked my reservation online while waiting at the Greenville airport, and my seat for the flight  from Newark to Rome no longer was a bulkhead seat with extra room.  I called reservations, and they were nice but were only willing to give a refund.

With my computer online, I saw there were several seats in first class.  So, through a little persistence and trying to be nice to the supervisor, I was moved to first class.  Oh, it was a wonderful experience.  The dining (warmed cashews as an appetizer), constantly refilling the wine glasses, and a choice of multicourse meals that looked like fine restaurant fair was a new experience for me on an airplane. The reclining seats were great ... I was in a single row and didn't have anyone beside me (see the seat above).

Well, I better take a nap so that I can do something later this afternoon.

My summer cruise plans ...

I plan to take another cruise this summer (got a great deal on a last minute cruise).  I will be cruising the Western Mediterranean (Italy, Tunisia, Spain, and France).  Our office closes the week of July 4, and this is a great escape for that time period.

A map with a little more detail of the region.

The trip in pictures (slideshow)...

Click here to see a slideshow of the trip.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

The view from the city walls of Dubrovnik, Croatia, and the Dalmatian Coast...

A little of the Greek culture ...

The tour group had lunch in a Greek restaurant.  In addition to a sampling of Greek cuisine, Ouzo was served.  Ouzo turns white when water is added.  They call it "tigers milk" because you roar when you drink enough.  Here's a little of lunch show while visiting at Katakolan.

Palm Sunday in Bari, Italy

Palm Sunday was spent in Bari, Italy.  The tour group made a visit to the local cathedral to see the services.  It seems unusual that tourists walk in on church services to observe.  I guess the people of Bari are used to it.

The Video: Leaving Venice for Bari

The internet connection was too slow on the ship to post a video.  Here's one when I departed from Venice on the MSC Magnifica on March 31, 2012.

Visting Dubrovnik, Croatia ...

Well, there was only one day on the cruise that was foggy and drizzled rain.  I still think the city of Dubrovnik is beautiful.  It was encircled by walls to protect it from the seafaringVenetians of long ago. I climbed all those steps and made it around the entire city ... I did better than some of the young ones on the tour!

Here are a few of my pictures...

The view looking down on Dubrovnik from the mountainside.

The main street of Old Dubrovnik looking down from the city wall.

The city was fortified against attack.  I climbed all those steps to view the city!

A fort on the bluff outside of Dubrovnik.

The old harbor ... too small for today's ships which use a newer port outside the city.

Next stop is Dubrovnik, Croatia

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A few observations…

 Vegas style abounds all around and a little glitz never hurt anyone.

I am really enjoying this trip.  It's my first cruise experience, and I didn’t know what to expect.

According MSC (an Italian cruise company), most of the their cruises in Europe have only about 5-10 percent from the USA.  I’ve come in contact with a few.  I met two ladies from Chicago (a speech-language pathologist and her friend who is the wife of a pediatrician.  I was also on a tour with one other American couple from New Hampshire.

I ate with an Italian family the first few nights (friendly but tough communicating).  I’m now assigned to a table with a couple (Spanish and English) with a 10 year old who live in London.  It has been great talking with them … one is a party planner for major international events and the other is employed by EMI records.  I also bonded a little with a family from Norway (dad is a math teacher, mom is a special education teacher, and their two kids are in their 20s with perfect English).  The Norwegian dad wanted to share lots of history with me when he learned of my interest. 

The ship operates in an amazing fashion.  You leave your room and it is instantly cleaned.  This seems to happen two or three times each day.  Everyone is working hard on the staff, and they like to engage you in conversation (I guess they’re practicing their language skills). 

The restaurants are great.  There are multiple ones, but I’ve eaten dinner in my assigned room each night.  I think I will skip it tonight because I don’t want to dress again for the gala event.  I might just eat in the cafeteria that has an ocean view (where most folks eat breakfast and lunch).

I would say the décor of the ship is Las Vegas chic: lots of bold colors, plenty of lights, razzle/dazzle shows and themed locations.  I’ve really enjoyed going to the bars.  Bars seem to be family affairs during the early part of the evening with kids dancing to the music.  Of course, bars open at 7AM (kind of like New Orleans) and have entertainment with live bands beginning around 4 PM. 

So, I am enjoying this vacation.  There is only one more excursion day in Croatia tomorrow and then it is back to Venice.