I am an energetic solo world traveler who has cruised since 1980. I’ve cruised 44 times on Princess, of a total of 55 cruises. Princess has changed drastically since my first cruise with them in 1980, but they offer a large number of ports for the money. The main reasons I cruise with Princess anymore are number and variety of ports and the actual ride on a ship. This cruise was a 25 night back-to-back combination of two cruises in the Mediterranean and Adriatic regions coupled with a westbound transatlantic crossing.

I flew to Rome to embark the cruise, arriving a day early to enjoy a full-day private VIP tour of all the “must see” sights of Rome. It was worth every dollar, and gave me many unforgettable memories. The airport and cruise port for Rome, as well as Rome itself, are hours apart, so plan extra time and get there a day early to avoid stress and rushing. You might as well see this legendary part of the world properly if you are cruising from Rome.

I stayed at Portrait Roma in Rome, a luxury boutique property of the family Ferragamo. Worth the cost, with flawless professional service, location, amenities, and a heavenly bed. I wish they had a cruise line! They could certainly teach Princess some valuable lessons in customer service and appreciation. Read more