Monday 15th July 2024

Port – Departure From Rome

Obviously Good – The cruise ship itself.

Something To Think About – If you’re taking a very early flight (we were departing at 645) and you’re checking in a couple of hours beforehand coupled with a drive to the airport itself you are looking at a very long time without sleep. So best not to plan too much for your first evening on the ship.

Tuesday 16th July 2024

Port – Florence/Pisa (Livorno)

Obviously Good – The Leaning Tower of Pisa with Cathedral and Dumo next to it.

Something To Think About – Having a quiet beer on the walk back from the Tower to the train station a gentleman started talking to us. Then proceeded to dupe us into buying two carved items (an elephant and a turtle) for 10 euros. It looks like they might be 15 euros on line though so not everything lost. Even if we didn’t want them in the first place. Be aware.

Wednesday 17th July 2024

Port – Portofino

Obviously Good – It is a very beautiful place. We walked up to Castello Brown which gives fantastic views out across Portofino. Later we sat on the harbour wall and dangled our feet into the sea watching the various boats come in and out.

Something To Think About – Went for some food in a cafe by the harbour. The lady doing the cooking had a massive row with one of the waiters while none of the other staff batted an eyelid. Probably normal in Italy but a little unnerving nonetheless.

Thursday 18th July 2024

At Sea

Obviously Good – Didn’t get up until nearly 10am. Spent time in the jacuzzi, Thalassotherapy pool and swimming pool.

Something To Think About – When they say breakfast finishes at 1030am it means everything edible will have been taken away by 1030am. So be careful of the massive scrum that ensues at the counter with lots of other people who haven’t risen early.

Friday 19th July 2024

Port – Naples

Obviously Good – An excursion to see the ruins of Pompei which are about a thirty minute drive from the port. On arrival in Pompei you get a brilliant view of the place but also Vesuvius towering above it. Later a teenage girl trying to escape the eruption is preserved exactly as she would have been in 79AD.

Something To Think About – Attempted to have another quiet beer this time in a bar by the Palace in Naples. This was interrupted by a gentleman balancing a chair on the end of a small wooden rod from his mouth then doing something similar with two bottles. Accompanied by some questionable music. Choose your drinking venues carefully.

Saturday 20th July 2024

Port – Sicily (Messina)

Obviously Good – Went on an organised trip to Mount Etna. From quite a distance out we could see puffs of smoke emitting from it. On arrival we walked round and by the craters there. It was also fantastic to look at the surrounding scenery and how much of the landscape has been turned black by previous eruptions.

Something To Think About – We were treated to a free Cannolo which is a popular Scillian sweet treat with lots of cream. For some people these may be an acquired taste and is definitely not conducive to a diet.

Sunday 21st July 2024

Port – Brindisi

Obviously Good – Brindisi proved to be a very pleasant place. Clean and with tree lined boulevards. The perfect place to have a proper Italian pizza while looking out to sea.

Something To Think About – We were delayed getting our coach into town while some strike action was cleared from the port. However hard the cruise company try not everything for your holiday enjoyment is within their control.

Monday 22nd July 2024

Port – Dubrovnik

Obviously Good – Fantastic views out to the sea and mountains from the city walls. You can take a cable car up into mountains where you can see over to Bosnia which is only a few kilometres away.

Something To Think About – The entry to the city walls costs 35 euros and contains over 800 upward steps to negotiate. So some physical and financial muscle required.

Tuesday 23rd July 2024

Port – Kotor

Obviously Good – The tender ride from cruise ship into Kotor must surely be one of the best in the world. It would have been worth a lot of money as a trip by itself as views up to the mountains from the sea were absolutely stunning with the journey taking approximately 20 minutes.

Something To Think About – If you like cats this is the place to be as it has a cat museum. A bargain at one euro. There are also many cats in the streets around Kotor all of whom seem perfectly happy and contended to lie in the sun and have their photos taken.

Wednesday 24th July 2024

Port – Split

Obviously Good – A simple walk into the Old Town from the port. Wandered around the edge of the Palace of Diocletian and saw the Bell Tower and People’s Square. Spent another hour wandering round Old Town with its maze of streets and cobblestoned lanes that surround the Palace.

Something To Think About – There is a lovely beech a ten minute walk from the ship. Perfect for a paddle in the Adriatic and lounge on the sand.

Thursday 25th July 2024

Port – At Sea

Obviously Good – Had posh Red Velvet cake and Expresso coffee. Then had a Martini cocktail called Bananas Foster (Absolut Vanilla, Banana Liqueur, Caramel Syrup and Cream).

Something To Think About – To repeat the earlier statement. Cruises and diets aren’t good bed fellows.

Friday 26th July 2024

Port – Ravenna

Obviously Good – Got bus into Venice and walked the streets to see the Rialto Bridge and St Mark’s Square.

Something To Think About – A late flight back can lead to a long wait at the airport and arrival well into the early hours. Effectively adding a lost day to the holiday while you recover.