Last Update

2007 - August 29
Livorno, Italy - docked

Crew drill at 10am limited our time, we would have liked to have
gone into Florence but we were worried about how much time we
would have to get back to the ship in time. Instead we walked
around Livorno - found an Internet place and had a slice of pizza.
Came back early because the town went on siesta so
everything was closed up. The rest of the day just rested and
had a relaxing day.

Shops open 9p - 11p.

Today is one of our manager's (Karen) last day. Went to
crew bar afterward to say farewell.


2007 - August 30
Monte Carlo, Monaco

Docked today. We had IPM. We were able to trade one card
so Diane went in and walked along the coast just a little way to
see how to get to the open-air cinema so we could find it at night.
More just relaxing - next week is going to be a busy week. Lot
of ports plus lots of hours of work.
Shops closed due overnight in Monte Carlo.


2007 - August 31

Still in Monte Carlo. What a great day. We got up early and
took the train to Nice. It's always fun to do the local experiences on
our own - not on a tour. Once in Nice walked around the beautiful
open air markets selling flowers, fish, paintings and fruit.
Bought a small basket of raspberries and enjoyed those while
we walked around. Went to the Plaza Medicina where there
was a beautiful fountain. The summer has been so hot we
were dressed for warm but the day was quite cool. We walked
along the Cote d'Azur beaches and just about froze. Had
lunch at Miko's Kebab's in a cute shopping area, did a
little souvenir shopping then grabbed the train home. After
arriving back in Monte Carlo walked up the Prince Albert's
Palace. It had warmed up by then and was a perfect day.
Took lots of pictures and enjoyed walking around upper
Monaco. Went back to the ship and changed to go to the
outdoor "Monaco Open-Air Theatre" where we saw
"Die Hard 4.0". How fun sitting under the walls of the palace.
Then walked around the harbor and looked at the yachts again.
They continue to amaze us. Then we ran into some other crew
at "Stars and Bars" having a light night snack so sat with
them for a while. It was just about as perfect a day can be.
Shops closed due still docked in Monte Carlo.


2007 - September 1

Woke up in Monte Carlo. Slept late due we didn't get home
until about 3am last night. Just had a restful day on the ship.
Shops 5p - 11p.


2007 - September 2
Docked at Civitavecchia, Italy

Both escorted a transfer only tour into Rome. The only responsibility
it just to make sure everyone is back on the bus at the end of the day.
We took a tour of the Colosseum which was very interesting. Then
walked to Piazza Venezia which is the center of Rome. There was
a military museum we walked through. Didn't stay for too long though
because all of the descriptions were in Italian. (Many of the museums
we go to have descriptions in many languages). We paid way too
much for a bad lunch at a restaurant with an attitude. (A coke cost
€5 or about $6.85 - ouch.) While Italy has many beautiful museums,
monuments and ruins the people are rude. You can't walk anywhere
without them cutting you off or pushing past you. There is graffiti and
trash everywhere. We observed someone wash their hands and feet
in a fountain and then throw paper towels down on the ground -
a trash can was 2 feet away. He was definitely Italian and not a
tourist. While on the graffiti covered train, jam-packed with
hygiene challenged Italians someone stole a little purse out of
Diane's bag. All they got was $15 - but never the less it was
very upsetting!!!! It's been interesting seeing the sights but
we don't feel as if we need to come back and visit again soon.
Ship sailed at 9p. Shops open 9p - 11p.



2007 - September 3
Day at Sea

Shops open 9a - 9p.


2007 - September 4
Anchored in Sorrento, Italy

Both Diane and Paul escorted Pompeii plus lunch on the
Amalfi Coast. Every time you see Pompeii it looks
different. The clouds were so low on the mountains you
couldn't actually see Mt. Vesuvius. Then took a scenic,
hilly, windy, ride to the Amalfi coast for lunch at
Il Saraceno. Great hotel built into the hillside with
stunning views.
Shops open 6p - 11p.
Set clocks back 1 hour tonight due time change. :-(


2007 - September 5
Day at Sea

Shops 9am - 9pm


2007 - September 6
Anchored off Santorini, Greece

IPM today so stayed on board.
The beautiful white houses of Santorini never cease to amaze.
Shops open 5p - 11p.


2007 - September 7
Anchored off Navplion, Greece

Diane escorted a tour to the Corinth Canal and Ancient
Corinth. The canal was built to save considerable time for
vessels instead of sailing from the Peloponnesian Peninsula.
The canal is 26 feet deep, 70 feet wide and has sloping sides
that reach 170 feet. It connects the saronic and Corinthian
Gulfs. Then on to the beautiful ruins at Ancient Corinth.
Afterwards had lunch at Hotel Loutraki with beautiful
views of the Corinthian Gulf.
Paul escorted a tour of Palamidi Fortress. It was an easy
1/2 day tour he enjoyed.
Shops open 5p - 11p.


2007 - September 8
Full Day in the Mediterranean Sea.

Shops open 9am - 9pm


2007 - September 9
Docked in Corfu, Greece

This may come as a surprise but we've made a decision to go
home to the USA. We have some things we need to look into
at home. We'll finish this voyage but then we'll be leaving.
Spent the day on the ship attending to our plans.
Shops open 5p - 11p.
We gain back an hour tonight. :-)


2007 - September 10
Docked in Dubrovnik, Croatia

Spent a lot of time on the Internet doing research for going
home. Enjoyed spending time on deck just looking at the
beautiful scenery.
Shops open 5p - 11p.


2007 - September 11
Shops opened at 9am until we docked in Venice at about 11am.

Took the Water shuttle in to San Marco Square and just
started walking all the back streets of Venice. Bought pizza
for lunch (again). Paul - traditional margherita, Diane - greek.
A little more souvenir shopping. Came across some unique
churches - not as grand as San Marco Basilica but still
amazing. It also seemed that there were Piazzas around
every corner. The trick to finding your way through Venice
is to find the bridges. Had the best time and just walked
back to the ship. Then did some packing and paperwork.
At night took the water shuttle in again for our last experience.
What a great place to end this journey.


2007 - September 12

Up at 3am to finish packing and catch taxi for a flight
leaving Venice at 6:40am. First leg was an 1 1/2 hour
flight to Frankfurt. Then 8 hours to Washington Dulles -
Welcome Back to the USA. After a 4 hour layover our
last flight to Phoenix was uneventful. Our friends
Lisa and Dale were waiting for us in Phoenix for the
final leg.


Don't be sad as your journey
comes to an end,
be happy for where you've been
and what you've seen.
Only look forward to the future.