Rare h20skibum Posted July 21, 2019 Author #151 Share Posted July 21, 2019 A couple more views of the city walls, as we left to return to La Spezia. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare h20skibum Posted July 21, 2019 Author #152 Share Posted July 21, 2019 Since our trip to Pisa was in the morning, we were back to the ship for some lunch, then went ashore to explore La Spezia. For a Friday afternoon, I can’t believe how deserted the city was. The shuttle bus takes you from the ship to the cruise terminal. From here, we walked the waterfront We crossed the pedestrian bridge to find a view of the ship They sure love statues here 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare h20skibum Posted July 21, 2019 Author #153 Share Posted July 21, 2019 After a dinner of lasagna and a Chops filet, we were treated to a nice view of the alps, as we sailed from port 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare lazydayz Posted July 21, 2019 #154 Share Posted July 21, 2019 Great review. Thanks for doing it. Glad you are enjoying the cruise. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare h20skibum Posted July 21, 2019 Author #155 Share Posted July 21, 2019 We made a brief stop at the casino, before going to the illusionist show with Jamie Allan We usually take $20 to play with, but for some reason, I only had a $50. At least I came away with more than my investment I had seen Jamie Allan before, and he put on a fantastic show. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare h20skibum Posted July 21, 2019 Author #156 Share Posted July 21, 2019 Now, I am only a day behind, but it is soon time to go hike Mt. Vesuvius, so writing about our day in Rome will have to wait till later. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare h20skibum Posted July 23, 2019 Author #157 Share Posted July 23, 2019 For our day in Rome, we booked the “Imperial Rome and Colosseum Forum Small Group”. It was a 10.5 hour tour, so it gave us 7.5 hours in Rome, with 1.5 hours travel time from the port. The crowds everywhere were huge, so you want to have as much time as possible. We started our tour at Vatican City, and got in line to enter St. Peter’s. Based on the time stamp on the photos, we entered the square to get in line at 9:20, and it took until 10:30 before we got in to the cathedral. Some photos of the square. This is the line, when we are about a 1 hour wait from this point. We took turns dashing out of line for some photos from the center of the square. There were signs up, reminding everyone of appropriate dress, and what you could, or could not enter with. Even though they have signs up, not to bring anything that could be a weapon, I was amazed at how many knives they confiscated and threw in the trash. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare h20skibum Posted July 23, 2019 Author #158 Share Posted July 23, 2019 After finally entering, you are overwhelmed by the scale and the beauty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare h20skibum Posted July 23, 2019 Author #159 Share Posted July 23, 2019 More photos from St. Peter’s 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare h20skibum Posted July 23, 2019 Author #160 Share Posted July 23, 2019 After leaving St. Peter’s, it was time to walk back to the bus and travel to our restaurant for lunch. The crowds were still large as we left, and judging by the length of the line now, those people would have at least an hour and a half wait. We passed the Olympic stadium on the way to the restaurant Royal Caribbean must have an arrangement with this restaurant, because many of those on tours ended up here. They had tables of six set up, with a bottle of red and a bottle of white wine at each table. Salad, lasagna, dessert, and coffee was served. Of course, the coffee was tiny😁 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare h20skibum Posted July 23, 2019 Author #161 Share Posted July 23, 2019 We passed the American embassy on the way to be dropped off. Our afternoon would be spent walking to other sites. Our first stop was the Trevi Fountain, where we both threw our coins in. It was about a 20 minute walk from the drop point to the fountain. Looking away from the fountain, everyone is trying to get in for their photo op. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare h20skibum Posted July 23, 2019 Author #162 Share Posted July 23, 2019 A funny thing happened on the way to the forum. (I always wanted to find a way to say that) We stopped for a photo op at the Capitoline Hill museum Our guide told us, that when they dedicated this, a group of 20 people had supper in the belly of the horse That gives you an idea how big the place is. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loveheart Posted July 23, 2019 #163 Share Posted July 23, 2019 Loving your review h20skibum. We have been to Rome several times and love it. Will be there again next June with Vision of the Seas. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare h20skibum Posted July 23, 2019 Author #164 Share Posted July 23, 2019 The forums are usually €16 each to enter, but entry was included with our tour. They were an ancient meeting place in Rome 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare h20skibum Posted July 23, 2019 Author #165 Share Posted July 23, 2019 We also found the spot where Cesare was thought to be cremated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare h20skibum Posted July 23, 2019 Author #166 Share Posted July 23, 2019 The temple of Antoninus and Faustina. A few more from the forums 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grapau27 Posted July 23, 2019 #167 Share Posted July 23, 2019 3 hours ago, h20skibum said: The forums are usually €16 each to enter, but entry was included with our tour. They were an ancient meeting place in Rome Photos and review are excellent. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherman793 Posted July 23, 2019 #168 Share Posted July 23, 2019 Loving this review! We will be on a Med cruise mid October seeing a lot of these same locations. Thanks for doing this I do not see all that many European reviews. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare h20skibum Posted July 23, 2019 Author #169 Share Posted July 23, 2019 29 minutes ago, Sherman793 said: Loving this review! We will be on a Med cruise mid October seeing a lot of these same locations. Thanks for doing this I do not see all that many European reviews. I didn’t see many when I was doing some research for this cruise, so if there are any questions, I will try to answer, based on our experience. We may not have done the best, or the least expensive, but it was based on what we found that we were comfortable with for our first trip over. If this review helps anyone in their planning, that’s what we should be here for. Thanks for reading. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcmagnum Posted July 23, 2019 #170 Share Posted July 23, 2019 This review is great!! Perfect mixture of pictures and commentary. We just got back from 2 week trip (Paris, Rome, and then a Greek cruise). Bring back some great memories!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare h20skibum Posted July 24, 2019 Author #171 Share Posted July 24, 2019 The first glimpse of the Colosseum, after leaving the forum, was when we were led through a construction area. Our guide led us around to the entrance for groups. I am not sure what the problem was, but the guide and the people manning the group access to go into the floor of the arena were arguing (in Italian of course), for about five minutes. Finally, they resolved whatever problem there was, and we entered the floor area through the main gate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare h20skibum Posted July 24, 2019 Author #172 Share Posted July 24, 2019 They limit the group time on the floor to ten minutes, so you can explore and take photos. The area with the white stones is like the box seats area. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare h20skibum Posted July 24, 2019 Author #173 Share Posted July 24, 2019 The tour allowed for another 15 minutes to explore the upper rings Then it was time to meet the bus for our return to the port. This was a great tour, and I don’t know how you could see more, with the time available. It was a long, hot day, and we were glad we packed lots of water. A screenshot of my Fitbit, after boarding the bus, gives you an idea how much walking is involved. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare h20skibum Posted July 24, 2019 Author #174 Share Posted July 24, 2019 This is the only day that our excursion time would get us back after our dinner seating, so it was our chance to try out the WJ. I would not not want to eat there every night, with all those tempting desserts. The ice show, Freeze Frame, was the main entertainment for the evening. Since we just saw it on this ship in January, we found a relaxing lounge, then met our towel animal for the night. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare h20skibum Posted July 24, 2019 Author #175 Share Posted July 24, 2019 After our long tour day in Rome, what did we pick for our stop in Naples? Another long walking tour. We had the Mt. Vesuvius and Pompeii hike. They make a restroom stop at a little place where they hand carve cameos We did buy one. They ask for your passport information for the paperwork. I have my passport copy on my phone, since ours are always in the ship safe. Then, the bus continues the drive part way up Mt. Vesuvius, where you hike to the top of the volcano 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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