Europe Vacation - The Cruise - Italy to Spain

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Surprise!!

I decided to make an additional BLOG entry from the cruise ship, since the only ferry I have been on was going to the Toronto Island. Plus, it was like a little town in itself, since the trip took 22 hours.

Overview: We decided to take a cruise ship (named Grimaldi), from Rome to Barcelona. This required us to take the train from Rome to Civitavecchia (1 hr, 20 min.), where the port is located. We got to Civitavecchia and were pleasantly in awe of the little port town and the overwhelming view of the Mediterranean....simply breathtaking. We arrived at the ship 2 hours early for check-in hoping that we could drop-off our luggage and tour around Civitavecchia a bit. NOT!! They had nowhere for us to securely leave our luggage, so we had no other choice (other than to cart it around) but to hang-out at the port. Everything was fine...I was reading my book and listening to my IPOD, while Terri was watching some TV shows she had downloaded to her IPAD. Then much to our chagrin, and 1.5 hours before boarding, groups of students arrived and YES, they were taking the same ship. Approximately 150-200 teenagers from wherever??? And yes, they were all over the ship. Like ants on a picnic lunch...hollering to each other, running up and down the gallies, laughing, screaming....etc. Terri finally had enough and went to the reception desk to inquire about moving our cabin...no success. Although they promised to send security...we’ll see if THAT makes a difference!!

Looks like it did! Whewwww....after a good night sleep, we enjoyed a day on the ship meeting and talking to some of the other passengers and crew. Then I saw my first Italian attraction...Massimo a really handsome and Italian...and married guy....I am a magnet for the married ones for some reason....lol.

My opinion of taking a cruise ship rather a train or plane to Barcelona?: DO IT!!! A great experience. Especially if you have never been on a cruise before. They offer many of the comforts and amenities as any cruise ship, and it is a very more serene way to travel. The food: Good!, The people: Other than the 200 highs school students (who really didn’t bother us, other than the noise in the early arrival hours on the ship). Cost: Only $93. Euros one-way (the train was 63. Euros one-way). I would highly recommend that anyone traveling from Italy to Barcelona, include this mode of transport in their travel plans.

Enjoy the pics. Next stop......Barecelona!

xo

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Photos

Unconditional Surrender Statue....
...and me as the Third Wheel...lol

The lunch...
....I don't normally like pizza, but had to try it in Roma! Like it very much..real Italiano..lol

A night view of Italy from the ship
..not the greatest view, but you get the idea

Ahh...a morning pic from the ship...
...the Mediterranean Sea!! How cool is that?

We met a nice guy form Portugal on the ship....
...Michael, he knew a lot about Barcelona and was very helpful

The bartender...
...nice guy from Honduras (forgot his name..ooppsss)