Italian Riviera

20June07
Civitavecchia, Italy is the port gateway to Rome.
We've heard that Rome is a beautiful city.
We received a huge delivery that day so spent the entire time
in the bottom of the ship, receiving, inventory, pricing and
stocking.
We've had it easy so far with so many days in port.
This was our first day of really hard work. Then the shops
were open that night from 9P - 11P.
We hope you feel sorry for us. :-)

21June07
Livorno, Italy
Livorno is a huge industrial shipping port, so the views from
the ship were not scenic. We didn't do any tours, we just took
a shuttle into town. We came across a farmers market with
fruits, vegetables, and lots of fresh fish and chicken
(still with their heads).
Just enjoyed walking around, taking in the local atmosphere.
Returned to the ship to stock shops with inventory from
yesterdays delivery. Shops open from 9P - 11P.

22June07
Portofino, Italy
We were really excited about visiting here to see how it
compared to the Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando.
The day started with "Crystal Basics" training - covering
how to interface with guests on a 6-star cruise ship.
The ship was anchored so we tendered into town.
As we arrived we could see the houses built into the
mountains all with the different colored facades, it looked
like a picture postcard. The tender docked right in the
middle of town - we felt like we were right back at Universal
Studios. While exploring town we found some steps
leading up the mountain. We don't know how many there
were but we made it all the way to the top. More fabulous
views. We found a road for the walk down and passed the
Splendida Hotel which is one of the most expensive in Europe.
Talk about 6-star!!!! Then worked 5P - 11P.
After work went to a "Midsommer Party" That's not
misspelled, it's a Scandinavian tradition. It was on
deck 5 aft which was nice because we were outside.
The crew bar where most parties are is incredibly small
and smokey. After 2 1/2 weeks on the ship we're
starting to get to know some more people.

23June07
Monte Carlo, Monaco
We both signed up to escort tours. As their was only 1 bus
for each all day tour, we had to split up and go different
directions. Diane went to Eze a medieval village, very
old and scenic, then on to Nice. What a great place to walk
around and look at all the different shops and architecture.
Lunch was at a 5-star hotel called Hotel Negreso right
on the Mediterranean Sea. Then onto the Rock of Monaco.
After several escalators and elevators I arrived at Monaco's
Old Quarter to view the Prince's Palace. Didn't get much
time there so will go back another time. The final stop was
at the Grand Casino. It is is hard to describe it's
grandeur and unfornately I couldn't take any pictures inside.
Paul went to Cannes, we had been there about 20 years
ago and it hasn't changed. I walked along the waterfront
and observed the topless bathing - whoo. There were
many multi-million dollar yachts in port. Then to Grasse to
a perfume factory called Fragonard. Learned how perfume
and other toiletry items are made. After seeing the process
it's understandable while perfumes are expensive. Tested
a number of perfumes, after a while they all smelled the same.
Lunch at a remote small hotel restaurant surrounded by trees
and enjoyed a french lunch. Then proceeded to
St-Paul-de-Vance which is a medieval village. Then back
to the ship.
As soon as we got back to the ship we changed real
fast and went out to dinner on-shore with the other
shoppies. Ate at Fusion's a type of Japanese restaurant.
Then walked around the port and decided which yacht
we wanted to own. Many have their own helicopter pads.
Ship docked overnight in Monte Carlo.

24June07
MonteCarlo, Monaco
IPM (in-port manning) today. Stayed on the ship and worked
in the shops changing displays. Shops open from
5p - 11P. Had a piece of pizza at the crew bar afterward.
It was a relaxing day.

Seperate Note:
Internet on the ship is very expensive. We'll be sending
more pictures as soon as we can find a more affordable
internet cafe in port.

Til' we write again..........