Provence Villages 22nd Sept

We arrived in Marseille port during breakfast.We had a good view from the windjammer.We had booked a tour today for Wanitas birthday. The tour took us first to an video art exhibition inside an old quarry. It was quite amazing and very different. We then went to Les Baux de?
A village built on a limestone cliff. We had lavender gelati and lemon meringue gelati . We bought a couple of items and then the bus drove us to Saint Remy. We saw the birthplace of Notredamus and the mental hospital where Vincent Van goph  painted his best works. When we got back to the ship we got in our togs and went into the whirlpool to watch the departure. We actually saw the pilot boat man transfer from our ship to his pilot boat as the boat came along side the ship and he climbed down a ladder and jumped on. Amazing! We had dinner with some Americans again. The waiters came with a cake and sang happy birthday to Wanita. We then went to a show called 'Up in the air' ...again excellent. then took some photos of us in our formal wear and went to bed.

Barcelona 21st Sept

We had bfst in the windjammer and got ready for our port day in Barcelona. A shuttle bus took us to the bottom of la rambles, a famous street ,which we walked up until we reached casa Batlio, one of Gaudis famous buildings. I will never tire of looking at it . It is wonderfully creative. We walked to an organic market and then to the cathedral. There were folk dancers dancing in front of the cathedral. We walked toward the old port and found a very cute tapas place with vintage chairs and had some food. Wan had ceviche (raw fish)and I had a quiche. It had free wifi but it was very limited and we couldn't do all we wanted. It was then time to meet up with the Cookes at the Picasso Museum. There was a huge queue but didn't take too long to get inside . Michelle and Robert have had a 24 day cruise and are a bit exhausted. We left them after the museum and wandered around the Gothic quarter back to la rambles and back then you the ship. We watched it being untied and leaving port and then went to the show, an aerial act and juggling .Then dinner in the dining room at a table with an Irish couple and some women from Norway.

Sea Day 20th Sept

We had bfst in the dining room as the ship passed between Corsica and Sardinia . We did a walk around the sporting deck and watched people rockclimbing and on the flow rider . Then we did trivia and towel folding demo , a cooking demo and lunch in the dining room only to discover that there was a poolside Bbq which would have been great to do. We did a line dancing class and watched the belly flop comp then we had a relax in the hot tub and lay around the pool on our towels . Wanita had booked a french wine tasting session so I went and had a coffee at the cafe . We watched the dream works parade down the promenade and the magic show then a late dinner . Full but enjoyable sea day.

Pompeii 19th Sept

I noticed the shudder of the propellers turning the ship ,so I knew we were coming into port. I encouraged Wanita to get up and watch from the deck our coming into Naples. We then went to bfst in the windjammer and headed out to Naples. We walked to the train station, a good 25 min walk and boarded the train to Pompeii, about 35 min. We walked the many many streets of Pompeii in the seering heat. I rested often while Wanita enjoyed an audio guide. I was not fussed with looking at ruins plus I was nursing a headache so all in all I couldn't wait to get back on board the ship . On our walk back to ship we saw some interesting fish markets with bowls of shells . I went back on board while Wanita went off  to find a sightseeing bus for a quick tour of  Naples. She returned to say it is an ugly city . No surprises there. We dressed up for an early formal dinner and went to the ice skating show and then the  Elton John imperdonator/comedian show . Lots of fun. The housekeeping guy used my glasses and towels to make a sting ray on our bed.

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Cruise begins 18th Sept

This morning we enjoyed the amazing breakfast at il nido hotel, with freshly squeezed orange juice. Then we caught the train to Naples , a fast train to Rome and another fast train to Civitavecchia. We tried to walk to the port but the ship was not in the spot I expected it to be and we ended up needing to catch a shuttle bus to the place liberty of the seas was moored. We boarded and found our room, then went for a walk around the ship. It is similar to voyager of the seas in many ways. It even has Gordon our cruise director from voyager as the cruise director on this ship.
We did the life drill and then showered and had dinner in the dining room at a share table with 3 couples from US. After tea we went to the show, Saturday night fever , which was good.

Today we travelled to Sorrento . We caught the bus which dropped us at the door of il nido hotel . Jim and I have stayed here with Joel and Carlie before. We then got the bus into town and walked around and shopped. We did the lemon grove and the old town

 Today we travelled to Sorrento . We caught the bus which dropped us at the door of il nido hotel . Jim and I have stayed here with Joel and Carlie before. We then got the bus into town and walked around and shopped. We did the lemon grove and the old town. Wanita liked Sorrento especially the shopping .I bought a few things also. We had some nice pastries and a lemon and sugar crepe for lunch . I showed her the leather shop and the gelati shop. We had tea at the  hotel and then went back to Sorrento for an hour in the evening .

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Villa San Michele 16th Sept

Bfst at the hotel was croissant, coffee and fresh orange juice. We planned a rest day today though we did go for a walk through Atrani to Amalfi(15min) and went to the paper museum. We also did a bit of shopping before heading back for a swim at our hotel. Did I mention we are staying at this awesome place "villa san michele" right on the water/cliff front. We have dinner proved in this hotel each night and the food us beautiful.

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