I am so glad to be on the ship..
We left our house in Oxnard at 5pm on Friday and with the traffic in LA it took us over 2 hours to get to the airport
The driver kept the air on so high I started to get a sore throat..and the airport was freezing so by the time we boarded I had a full blown sore throat and runny nose I had only a salad on the plane but I must say BC on LH is fabulous!!.. we changed planes in Munich and it was almost impossible to find the gate..needless to say I was not a happy camper..we arrived in Rome right on schedule and the signage was so bad we walked out without going through customs thats a first for me..Our driver was there Fab from All Around Rome and all I wanted was a bed..our room was really beautiful in the Marriott Park..bad location terrific hotel with 2 bathrooms but I was so sick all night with a runny nose…I didnt really get a chance to enjoy it..I am taking vitamin C and sudafed and this morning I took 2 fiorecet and lo and behold I am a new woman!! We had breakfast at the hotel all I had was a roll and coffee for 15 euros….we took a 2 hour tour of Rome ..Fab picked us up to take us on a short tour and to the ship and I am sorry to say..I was not impressed..he talked way to much, was hard to understand and tried to overcharge me by 200 euros..He did email me tonight to confirm I was correct and he was mistaken but it really bothered me we reached the ship at 2pm it was like old home week…. Ship is in impeccable condition and looks better than it did in May..I am in a Sky Suite and I love the room absolutely gorgeous decor..remember these suites are new as on the Ren 6, 7 and 8 there were no suites..luggage was delivered almost immediately!! We then had a bite of lunch.. I was off for a nap and unpacking..weather is gorgeous..warm but not hot..
Dinner tonight in the main dinning room and I had the healthy fish and apricot sorbet both were outstanding we were with 2 other couples and everuyone was relly happy with their meals..I am on a diet with 10 of my nearest and dearest..but of course they are not on a cruise..LOL..it is now10m and we are ready to turn in..tomorrow morning Sorrento and I will continue my story
Please dont hesitate to ask me any questions..
Ah Sorrento..Since Stu and I have been to the area many times we decided to spend the day in Sorrento..what a beautiful town..we took the tender across and then a public bus for 1 euro to the main part of town and it was delightful..getting lost in the side streets is the most fun..so many wonderful little stores with such charming displays..I bought as gifts spaghetti measurers..they are so typical Italy..they are shaped like a small paddle with holes in it to measure spaghetti for 1,2 or 4 persons and they have many different designs..SUMMER SANDALS are all on sale for about 20 to 30 Euros..and huge selections everywhere..some really nice straw hats for about 5 to 10 Euros and white purses with beading for summer for 5 Euros..I could have walked and shopped all day but it was VERY hot and humid and after 2 hours we gave up..and went back to the ship for a shower..
We met at the tender to go bck to Sorrento and to Carusos for dinner at 6:30 (supposed to be 7 of us) but we were missing one couple who we thought would probably meet us at the restaurant at 7PM..
We took a taxi van and were dropped off in front of Carusos Restaurant , we have been there before, it is not only a restaurant but also a Caruso museum..just lovely..
The Maitre d opened a bottle of champangne for us while we were waiting for the other couple and after 15 minutes we decided to order..for starters I had the most fabulous dish..it was Calamari stuffed with crabmeat gratinee..and for dinner I had the homemade spaghtti and meat sauce with olive oil and garlic..for desert was coffee and the restaurant presented us with liminchello and watermelon..this was all topped off with a bottle of local wine..Every one really loved their dinner..but I must warn you it is extremely on the high end of restarants..
After dinner the same driver picked us up to back down the hill to the ship..but as we alighted from the van, I could not pas up the gelato stand that was calling to me..the pistachio was to die for..!!
We returned to the ship after 10 and I came in here to the computer . While in the computer room I ran into the couple who was supposed to dine with us and they told me they had been in Potofino and the ferry to bring them back was 1.5 hpurs late..it is a good thing we were in Sorrento overnight or they would have missed the ship..Everyone should keep in mind the Italians do not keep to schedules !!!
Today, I saw Captain Smith having breakfast with his wife and adorable son and he was very nice to introduce me to them..
It is overcast tody and much cooler but Since I did all my shopping yesterday we will stay on board and read..
Tomorrow Taormina and the Godfather tour we were to tke was canceled..so I think it will be another relaxing day just wandering on our own or maybe look for beach..
Thats it for now..