RHS'69
This is a rolling blog. It will be updated daily as they check out Italy and Spain. New stuff will be posted as it comes in.
Check back often.
Let's get the obvious out of the way...
Vincent, Wendy and another couple are going on a cruise in the middle of this pandemic?
We'll let him explain.
We killed a little time with a walking tour through the Trastevere section of Rome.
It's really interesting...a funky, bohemian area that clings to its centuries-old, working-class roots. It's known for traditional and innovative trattorias, craft beer pubs and artisan shops, as well as simple B&Bs and budget hotels. Right up our alley, so to speak.
At 7 we pulled out and headed south to Naples with an early morning arrival.
That's a whole 'nother day and 'nother story.
The port at Civiavecchia seems to specialize in cruise ships. Lots of cruise ships. Some shut down because of COVID. Not the Epic and we're ready to go. This thing is BIG.
Today is a bit of a scramble. Up
early and get our baggage
together cause were going cruisin'!
Civitavecchia is the port that all cruise ships sail out of for Rome. It is 1 and half hour drive from Rome.
Our driver Daniel picked us up at 11:30 am and got there on time at 1:00 pm boarding. Before we got to check in, we had to go through 3 check points for port officials and NCL staff to make sure we had the proper Covid documents. Then we all had to be tested via the nose job, swabbing…. ACHOO! Then sit for 15 minute to get our negative test results. When cleared we could go through the normal check in process. All passengers and employees must be vaccinated and tested negative before boarding the NCL Epic.
All these required changes caused a lot of cancellations that a month ago NCL made some route changes. It did not affect us much and we did not mind.
When we got on Board, we found out why…. they consolidated the Barcelona and Rome Cruise together and yet the ship is only half full. Better for the passengers.
We went to Guest Service to make our dining reservations, no line. We went to Internet Service and second in line. Went to have lunch at the Garden Café, lots of empty seats! No line, no crowds, more availabilities and no Virus.
We had dinner at Taste and got window seats and off to sail the Mediterranean.