Blogs from Civitavecchia, Lazio, Italy, Europe

Civitavecchia 7th April Civitavecchia is a city in central Italy in the region of Lazio, a sea port on the Tyrrhenian Sea and about 37 miles from the centre of Rome. For visitors and tourists in the gateway to The Eternal City of Rome. We knew the port was going to be busy, three other cruise ships in, all on turnaround days that is all off and new passengers on including some (a few embarking QM2). So some 10,000 off and 10,000 on makes for one busy port. We have been on the Rome trip before and it is always busy, being a Sunday as well, but just to throw a spanner in the works it was also the day of the Rome marathon. Best to stay away!!!! So, what to do in Civitavecchia, well I ... read more

Geo: 42.0912, 11.7968... read more

Geo: 42.0912, 11.7968The night is sultry and warm. The aircon in our room is not very effective and we have a restless nights sleep as a result. Dawn soon creeps through the curtains and we rise and breakfast in the hotel. It's simple continental fare but tasty and filling. As we still have a few hours to spare before our shuttle to the port at 10.30am we decide to take a walk along the seafront. It's busy with joggers, walkers and commuters. It's a beautiful bright morning and the breeze off the Med is refreshing. We find a small cafe where we buy cappuccinos and watch the sail and fishing boats out on the sea. Back at the hotel our shuttle is prompt and we leave earlier at 10.20 to arrive at the port at 10.35. ... read more

I keep saying I’m going to get around to typing up another blog but then… work, sleep, eating, ya know. Life gets in the way. When I do have time – getting off the ship is a high priority. I have managed to get off the ship a few times and time is still absolutely flying by. It’s strange to think that I have actually been gone for a third of this extremely long contract. Next cruise Adina comes cruising, and by the time that cruise is over a week later I’ll be in Sydney waiting to join the Radiance. Being on the 4-8 watch getting ashore is much easier –so I’ve been out in Sicily, Kusadasi – Turkey, and Naples as of late. The port of Messina is just a few kilometers from the Italian ... read more

Geo: 42.0912, 11.7968I sleep really well but still awake early. BA have tweeted overnight basically telling us there was a 'glitch' with the baggage system at Heathrow yesterday...no shit? But they will do their best to repatriate our bags as quickly as possible. Our disadvantage is that from today we are effectively moving targets hopping from port to port for the next 8 days. I receive an email to advise my case will be onboard an Alitalia flight from Rome to Naples so hopefully will reach me in nearby Sorrento on Friday. No update on Peters yet. Still one case is better than none and as we cross pack would mean we would have some items.In the BA tweet they advise us to purchase what we need for the cruise and keep the receipts and they ... read more