This is our second European Cruise, the last was 2 years ago and some of the ports were repeaters, however you only get a day in port and there is always something new to see. DH and I are in our 50's, we chose to go to the Med in Sept as the last time we went in July and it was very hot! This time the teperatures were perfect and we didn't get one drop of rain, the seas were like a millpond. There were only about 10 children on this cruise, a few honeymooners and I would say the average age of our fellow cruisers was about 65. We flew from Toronto to Barcelona via Munich independantly 2 days prior to embarkation. We hadn't been to Barcelona before and we loved it, very vibrant and clean city, there was a major festival called Merce, on while we were there and there were many concerts and a huge parade. We stayed at the Hotel Jazz which is ony about a block from Las Ramblas and we were more than happy with this hotel. We particulary enjoyed the Gaudi buildings and used the HOHO bus to get around. Watched out for pickpockets, gypsies with babies etc and saw nothing except the wonderful city. We took a taxi to the ship at around 2 pm and were in our cabin within 10 mins, we had preferred embarkation but didn't need it as there were no lines at that time. The ship is lovely, sparkling and clean and we never saw a disgruntled crew member, everyone was so friendly. We noticed there wasn't as much pushing to sell items on this cruise either. We had anytime dining and lucked out after 2 nights getting a table for 2 by a window with amazing waiters in the Michaelangelo DR. The Head waiter, Jan was very accommodating and we reserved the table for the rest of the cruise. Food is subjective but we found it to be very good this cruise. We didn't use the specialty restaurants as we have used them before and are happy with the main DR. We used the buffet for lunch and breakfast, usual buffet food but always something that we liked to be found. We also used the laundry on 4 occasions - no lineups at all. We didn't do any of the shows as I'm not a fan. Because this cruise is so port intensive Skywalkers tended to be empty at night (most nights, we checked)We sat in Crooners with friends we had made most nights but wasn't too keen on the singer. Had to use the medical clinic once for a minor medical problem and the clinic staff were effecient and helpful (I'm an ER nurse so I notice these things!) I used the fitness centre to work off some of those souffle desserts and it was always nearly empty, no lining for anything and had good equipment. Used the spa for a manicure and it was very good too. We did either independant tours or "on your own" at the various ports. I absolutely hate the large organised expensive ships tours and found great advice and tour companions on the CC boards. There were just two things that really niggled me onboard. Given the age demographic of this cruise, I was really surprised at the rudeness and nastiness I encountered by many of our fellow passengers towards the crew members. Never a please nor a thankyou, very rude if the crew member didn't understand what was being said immediately. It wasn't just once, it was many times every day. I had to bite my tongue sometimes, I had never noticed it on previous cruises. The second thing was the door bangers, on our corridor the doors seemed to be banging all the time from early morning to late night. People can to be very inconsiderate to fellow passengers it seems. Just small niggles and it didn't spoil our cruise.

Monaco was a little rough tendering across, we only got a short time here because of the lineups for the tenders, they could only be half filled and travel slowly. However we fulfilled DH's dream of travelling around at least some of the F1 circuit, would have liked longer here. We climbed the Rock and visted the cathedral and caught the little train that takes you around the town.

In Livorno we used Rome in Limo. I can't say enough good things about this company or our guide, David. They were marvellous. We arrived in Pisa before the crowds and DH and I climbed the Tower on the first climb of the day. We had heard the wait was about 4 hours long later in the day. We had plenty of time to see what we wanted and then onto Florence going through some lovely Tuscan countryside. We had wonderful stopping points to get good views of the city and had lunch in a great restaurant in the square outside the church of Santa Croce. Our guide was so knowedgable and we had lots of time to see what we wanted to in Florence. He had already reserved tickets for us to see the Statue of David so we had no waiting. A great day! Rome was the next day and we decided to have a day on the ship. We had visted Rome for 3 days previously and felt we needed a nice quiet day which we certainly had on a nearly empty ship. Read more