General: Cruise holiday round the med (week2)

(Continues from General: Cruise holiday round the med (week1) )


• Saturday 26th May (Civitavecchia, Italy)

We had decided not to visit Rome itself, so walked into town on our own. Saw market, sea front and town square but not really much to see or do, so back on Ship for lunch and well earned rest.

Cloudy but humid and warm, decided to go to gym again for a run, then wanted to see film, but seemed everyone had the same idea and the screening room was full ! Instead we had nice cup of tea (and cake!) then had a quick kip. I then tried in-line skating for the first time and managed to stay on my feet. After a quick drink went to Dinner in the main restaurant and then to the show. Feeling a bit worn out so had early night (about midnight !)

• Sunday 27th May (Sardinia)

8:30am alarm for our organised trip. Had a photo stop on top of a hill to see the great views. Then walked through the city and saw the cathedral, museum and Roman amphitheater. Got back around 2pm so had late lunch and then a quick snooze (it wears you out all this walking and eating)

Played bingo, which was surprisingly good fun (I suppose because it is gambling!) then watched Ship leave port. Pre-dinner show today, so have to get ready for dinner, see the show then go to the main restaurant. Shows are generally all good quality and entertaining, although not sure I would have bothered if we had to pay extra :-)

Went to look at the British Pub party on deck but is wild and windy (the weather rather than the event) so went to the Casino where I managed to get a game of Texas Hold'em Turned $156 into $60 but time flew and had lots of fun.

• Monday 28th May (at sea)

Been choppy all night and the day dawns dull and cloudy (and very choppy) After breakfast went to a talk about Amber in the shops then hit the Bingo again (third time lucky ? No !)

Had a nice cup of tea (and cake) then Lynn wanted to look at the shops again so I went to the Casino and turned $60 into $160 so have reloaded my gambling bankroll a little :-)

Had a quick lunch then went to an Art Auction, but had to leave early for my Poker Lecture but Lynn stayed in the auction to get a free piece of art at the end of the auction (worth $45 apparently)

Just time for a quick shop and a nibble before we went to a second Ice Show, after which we did even more shopping ! Then had to have a rest, so got a cup of tea and Ice Cream (made a change from a cake) After a quick rest, we got ready for Dinner and then went to the show. Decided to have another early night (midnight)

• Tuesday 29th May (Cadiz, Spain)

Woke up at 9:30am for breakfast. Walked into town on our own. Long walk in the Sun but lots of shade around. Very beautiful city with lots of great sea views and city has warren of medieval looking streets. Accidentally did the coastal walk first (due to rubbish map) we didn't realise we had walked all way round back to our starting point, but managed to get good map from the tourist information point and navigated through the city streets. Had nice cup of coffee and ice cream whilst out.

Got back around 4pm after around 5 hours walking about in the heat., so went straight for a cream tea ! Then watched ship leave port from our balcony before eating in Windjammer. The show was a pianist who was very good, then there was a Mardi Gras in the Promenade deck. Then sat and listened to Calypso band for half hour but they weren't all that good, so had cup of tea and went to bed (another early night - i.e. midnight)

• Wednesday 30th May (Lisbon, Portugal)

Another day, another city tour... Had to get up at 9am for breakfast. Weather was overcast but warm, so actually nice to be out walking in the City. Got back around 2pm, just in time for lunch. Rested in room and watched ship leave port.

Had a quick go in the Casino and won $10 so had to have another rest until time for dinner. After dinner, went to the show, then back to the Casino where I managed to return to my loosing ways and dropped $70

• Thursday 31st May (Vigo, Spain)

Woke up late (10am) and walked into City on our own.... it's drizzling ! Walked through the old town which was very picturesque, then up to the Castle from which there were great views... and it's become Sunny again by now. Came back via shops and had nice cup of tea and a cake in El Carte Ingles, then found lovely park through which we walked back to the ship

Back on ship, had another cup of tea and cake then it is time for Bingo again. Went on deck to watch ship depart, but a bit chilly so went into the bar "19th Hole" on top deck to see the view (and happened to get a beer as well)

Lynn then wanted to shop some more, after which went to the Casino and managed to win $80.

The show was a classic group with a twist "Graffiti Classic" The music was great and their antics were amusing to keep you entertained even if the music wasn't your thing. Then went back to the Casino for Lynn to blow her $17 and I lost my $80, after which we went to see the Rock group for a rest and reflection on the evils of gambling.

There is the grand buffet to see at 12:30 and managed a nibble of a few things, so went to bed feeling very full, and the sea has turned choppy again !

• Friday 1st June (at sea)

Woke up 9:20am just in time for breakfast in the room (booked for 9:30) After struggling out of bed, walked around the shops as the weather is Dull, Cold and windy. Soon time for elevenses, so had cup of tea and cookie. Went to another Art Auction, quick lunch, then back to auction.... although I had to duck out early for my final Poker lecture... from which I had to duck out early to get to the grand final Bingo ($10'000 dollar prize must be won) Managed to miss Lynn, so went to Casino to see if she was there (well..... ) and blew my last $100 on roulette before Lynn caught up with me. Went for tea and cookie before doing our packing.

After nice dinner and show, we went to see rock band for the last time and had some drinks, getting to bed around 1am (but clocks go back one hour, so effectively midnight)

• Saturday 2nd June (going home)

Southampton is bright, sunny and warm.... we just had time for breakfast before being called to get off the ship, and only took 30 minutes from there to be sitting in the car. As its quite early (9am) the trip home is quick and uneventful

• Final thoughts

It was a lovely holiday, sometimes very relaxing and sometimes seemed quite frantic (although this was due to our wanting to do all the activities)

If the last part of the holiday had been sunny and warm then it would have been even better, but there was enough for us to see and do that the slightly dodgy weather on some days did not really intrude, but the Sun would have given us more options of things to do.

All in all, well worth doing and we definitely enjoyed the ports of call. Wonderful ship and crew

All I need to do now is qualify myself for the Ladbrokes poker cruise in January 2008, which is on the sister ship "Explorer of the Seas" round the Caribbean !!