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Loading up for the trip south. We left home. Stopping in Bedford for a coffee and a battery charge, we arrived in Camberley to visit family on our way to Heathrow.
After lunch a a garden centre with the family we drove to Heathrow. With British Aiways web site down we couldn't check in on line. We charged the car again so we have a full battery when we return. With a short drive to our hotel for the night, we were soon checked in and settled for the night. Saturday 28th March 2026
Heathrow
Waking up early we dropped down to the lobby for a coffee and a croissant. We have been trying to check in online since one pm yesterday and we tried again whilst sipping our coffee. Still no luck. After paying for overnight parking we left the hotel.
After a short slow drove in traffic we arrived at T5 Longstay car park. Finding an empty spot close to a bus stop we unloaded our bags.
Boarding the carpark shuttle took a while as the extended family before us had what looked like 100 cases. Eventually we made it on board and then we had to stop at one of their cars as one of them had left their carry-on in the car.
At the terminal we tried to check in at a kiosk, but couldn’t. We were directed to the stand by desk, where we were told we had been bumped because the flight was over booked by six passengers. That explains why we couldn't check in online.
Getting through security we had to wait until the flight closed to find out if we would fly. At twelve thirty we were told that there were no seats but go to the gate. At the gate everyone else boarded and six of us were left. Two got on the next flight at three o'clock. We got bumped onto the six twenty flight, with another couple. So with five hours to kill we grabbed some lunch in Witherspoons. While we ate we rearranged our hotel shuttle.
Five hours of people watching on hard seats later our flight was called and we made our way to the gate. On board and after a short delay we were finally airborne. Taking off to the west and turning south, we were treated to a glorious sunset as we passed over Vaginia Waters.
Two and a half hours later we landed at Rome airport and found our way through the new European visa system. Well maybe not. The electronic gates are turned off at 19:00 and its 22:00. So we got a border guard who stamped our passports without looking and said "byebye". We collected our cases and exited the terminal.
Finding our driver we were soon on the very quiet Autoroute to Civitavecchia. 45 minutes later at half eleven local we arrived and checked in using the QR code we had received in our booking email. Finding our room we settled in for the night. Sunday 29th March 2026
Civitavecchia, Italy
Waking up around eight o'clock to find that after putting our clocks forward an hour last night to get on to Italian time, we went into summertime and the clocks had gone forward another hour. So on top of a long two days we lost two hours sleep.
Yawn.
Never mind after a shower and a snack for breakfast we left our room at about eleven o'clock. Paying for our tourist tax, we booked a private transfer by the hotel to the port. We could have walked to the bus stop with our cases and jumped the free port bus, but we were happy to use the hotel shuttle.
Checking in to the cruise went very smoothly and we were on board within 15 minutes. With a cheeky drink to fortify us we completed the safety video and muster station visit.
A pizza for lunch overlooking the gangway. We sat and watched the people arriving. It's one of our favorite pastimes. With our stateroom available we went and unpacked. After a chill on our balcony we dropped down to the Atrium for a salted caramel coffee.
There are a large number of children and teenagers on this cruise. Not a problem, because they are not our problem lol.
Later we popped into the Explorers Lounge for a quiz. Then a vocalist in the theatre. Finally a snack in the Horizon Court before an early night. Monday 30th March 2026
At Sea
The only sea day this week so a relaxed start. Having caught up on our sleep we started the day. Up to the Horizon Court for breakfast. With the sun shining we took our cereal and fruit out onto the Wake bar area to eat. It's our favorite spot for breakfast, out in the fresh air and away from the early morning moaners lol.
Dropping down to the Promenade deck. Happy that this is one of the older ships with a proper promenade deck. We saw the island of Stromboli, one of Italy's three active volcanos.
Then quiz time with a nice Brazilian lady, before listening in on a port guide for Wednesday's visit to Katakolon.
Time to get spruced up for tonights formal dinner. Down to Club Fusion for pre dinner drinks in the Elite Lounge. One quick one and then to the diningroom.
Back to Club Fusion to get seats for tonights "Laugh Lounge" comedian, Josh Daniels. He was good and thinking back we enjoyed him last time we saw him on the Sky Princess. Then back to our cabin to get out of our posh clothes. Tuesday 31st March 2026
Sarande, Albania
We were awake when the anchor was dropped in the bay of Sarande, Albania. This will be country 66 on our visit list. After breakfast we went to catch a water shuttle ashore. Dropping down to the Crown Grill to collect our priority water shuttle tickets. This is one of the perks of being Captain's Circle Elite. With the standard water shuttle queue running at about 45 minutes. We were boarding the tender and heading in towards town within ten minutes.
Walking around town we saw the Baptist Chapel and dropped down to the beach. The forecast rain started so we put on our cagoules and walked back to the harbour. Jumping the next tender we were soon back on board.
Having coffee in the Atrium, the cruise staff set up a challenge - Axe throwing.
We sat and watched people attempting throwing with various degrees of success. Towards the end the staff member persuaded Jackie to have a go and she did quite well. So Martin stepped up, nailed it and won the string bag prize. Sneaky ringer lol.
After lunch we hit another quiz, Flags of all nations. Got pipped by one. Who knew that the Lybian flag used to be just plain green?
Then it was time for cocktails and then dinner. Wednesday 1st April 2026
At Sea
Waking up to the news that owing to the bad weather our stop in Katakolon, Greece has been cancelled. This means another sea day. So no point rushing out of bed so we had a lazy start. Well not that lazy, we put our clocks forward an hour last night to be ready for Greece, so it wasn't as late as it felt.
Our clocks will go back again tonight. Our stop in Malta tomorrow is also cancelled as it is unsafe to enter Valletta Harbour with the bad weather. We are now heading towards Catania in Sicily, where we will spend two days before getting back on schedule.
After breakfast chatting with a group of Aussies we climbed higher up to Skywalkers Nightclub for a nice spot to sit and read. Then an hour in the theatre listening to the destination expert give a briefing about Naples.
We spent the afternoon chilling and watching a movie. Then I the evening we watched the launch of Artemis 2 live on our stateroom TV. Thursday 2nd April 2026
Catania, Sicily
After breakfast with a snowy Mt. Etna over our shoulders we got ready and walked ashore.
We walked through the little streets of Catania and arrived at the Piazza del Duomo and the Cathederal. We knew we were getting close when the bells started, we couldn't hear ourselves talk the bells were that loud. There must have been three or four sets of bells each trying to out-do the others.
We popped into the Cathederal but only for a quick visit as they were celebrating mass. Outside again we looked at the Elephant Fountain and the Fountain of Amenano. Walking on we checked out the Roman Amphitheatre ruin.
Walking up the steep narrow street to the Monestary.
Going into we saw the statues that get paraded around the streets. Then it was time to return to the ship.
The evening's entertainment was an ilusionist who was on "Spain's got talent". He was not as impressive as we had hoped. Then it was off to bed with pain killers as we had overdone the walking in Catania. Friday 3rd April 2026
Catania, Sicily
Second day in Catania today. We are having a relaxing day today. Still aching after yesterday's trudge around town. We have a big day tomorrow with a visit to Pompeii, so we are giving our legs a rest. Only the stairs on board to stretch our muscles.
After breakfast we climbed up to Skywalkers Nightclub for a quiet seat with a veiw over Catania to Mount Etna, which is in the clouds today.
Scrubbing up for the Captain's Cocktail party. We made our way down and got a drink in one of the bars before arriving at the door five minutes early.
Straight in and found a seat. A couple of free drinks and chat with some other guests. Later another comedian. Again quite good, some new material. Then off to bed as we have an early start in the morning.