Riviera Review
Hambagahle
10+ Cruises • Age 80s
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Additional details
Sail Date: Nov 2017
Cabin: Vista Suite
...and the "one thing" is - it was too short!
We took a "Medieval Masterpieces" cruise from Venice to Civitavecchia in November 2017. We chose this particular cruise because my husband was celebrating his 80th birthday during the cruise and it was a "birthday present" - better than a party! We actually had done the same itinerary before but I had been ill so not able to go ashore at all the ports. We took a Vista Suite on Deck 9. More about that later.
We live in Switzerland so had the luxury of not having to fly for this cruise. We took a train from Sion direct (no change) to Venice. Got off at Mestre and had a transfer company meet us there to drive us to the ship. (Had we gone on to Venezia S.L. we would have had to haul our bags up/down stairs and onto the "People Mover" and at our age we try to avoid that sort of thing). The driver took our 2 bags to the porters waiting outside the terminal and we then checked in. This took all of 3 minutes. There was no one waiting - it was at 1500 so most people had already checked in. Of course we had the "priority lane" but it was not needed. We had to wait a few minutes to board because the gangway was being re-positioned but by 1515 we were walking down the corridor to our suite - and spotted one of our suitcases being wheeled along ahead of us! The second one arrived 2 minutes later.
Cabin Review
Vista Suite
Cabin VS
A very spacious and well-equipped suite with a huge balcony which wraps around the side of the ship. That is well furnished - 2 chaises longues, dining table and 4 chairs, sitting "nook" with coffee table and 4 chairs plus hot tub and outside TV. Please refer to the review above for restrictions on use of the balcony though.
Main bathroom is huge with a large window. Bath with jacuzzi, large shower, two sinks, loo and bidet. Smaller bathroom has a loo, wash basin and a shower.
Wet bar in the sitting room is stocked with your choice of 6 bottles of wine and/or alcohol from a list given you by the Butler.
Port Reviews
Kotor
We had been in Kotor before and taken a tour. Kotor is a small, lovely, walled city and very easy to walk around - ship was docked right at the town. If you haven't been to Kotor do take a tour of the town and the bay and islands...
Catania
We took the Oceania "Taormina on your own" tour simply as an easy means of getting to Taormina. Cost was something like $69 pp and since it was Sunday and trains were not frequent this seemed like a good idea. Taormina is a beautiful small town and the Greek Theatre is stunning. Sadly because of the weather we had no views of Etna - but we have seen Etna before.
Naples
It was pouring with rain. We waited for the guide and driver we had booked to go to Herculaneum for the morning but she did not show up. After talking with the company it seems our booking, instead of being reconfirmed, was cancelled by their computer system. They offered to get us a car and driver for later that day but given the weather we declined. They then offered us a tour of any Italian city (but we were going straight home!) OR when we come back to Naples, for free. Better than that I think they cannot do. And these things happen from time to time. Anyway, as I said, given the weather we were rather relieved not to be trekking about Herculaneum in the rain!
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