Making My Way Back to the Mediterranean

This summer I was back in Europe with the Sapphire Princess to explore the Mediterranean again. Although I have been to almost every port on this itinerary (except for Rome and Livorno) last summer I was able to experience something different this time around.

Barcelona, Spain

The beach with free WiFi

Park Guell

Civitavecchia, Italy
A couple coworkers and I took the train from the port in Civitavecchia into Rome. As it was my first time in Rome I wanted to see as many of the tourist spots as I could. In particular the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps were on my radar and I was able to see all that and more on my own. Success!

Colosseum

Trevi Fountain. Yes, I did throw a coin over my shoulder into the fountain.

Spanish Steps. Conveniently the metro is located a couple steps from here so we were able to make our way back into Civitavecchia after our last sightseeing stop here.

Livorno, Italy

Genoa, Italy

Gibraltar
Last summer I wanted to see the barbary apes that resided at the top of the Rock but I didn't get a chance to. This summer we took the cable car up to the top of the Rock to see the apes. We ended up being super afraid of the apes' aggressive behaviour but it was an adrenaline pumped adventure nonetheless.

 

Making Memories in the Mediterranean (Part 3)

Part 3: Mediterranean cruise

Barcelona, Spain
This was our turnaround port so our time here was short but it was also very productive! From the cruise terminal we had to take a bus (4 Euros roundtrip) to get from the port area to town (Colom). The bus drops off and picks up passengers near the giant statue of Christopher Columbus.
Note: The bus ride takes about 5 to 20 minutes depending on which cruise terminal the ship docks at.
A few steps from the Christopher Columbus statue is Las Ramblas (the famous Barcelona street lined with streets vendors and all kinds of buskers). We walked along Las Ramblas but since it was still early many of the vendors were not set up yet.
We saw the Barri Gotic (the Gothic Church) from a distance and walked towards it to take a few photos and admire its architecture up close.
Ultimately, our main goal was to see La Sagrada Familia. On our way to the train station to get there we saw the Arc de Triomf. From there we continued walking to Tetuan Station where we took the train (2,15 Euros; 2 stops) to get to the Sagrada Familia Station. Right as we exited the train station, we were greeted by the tallest (externally) church in the world: La Sagrada Familia!

This iconic church was so beautifully detailed; we had to remind ourselves to stop taking photos so we could appreciate the amount of meticulous work that was put into creating such a magnificent masterpiece.
Tip: It is really easy to take the train from the cruise terminal to La Sagrada Familia. The closest station to where the bus drops you off at the Christopher Columbus statue is Drassanes Station (located right at the start of Las Ramblas). It takes only about 15 minutes and only 1 transfer is needed. 


Cartegena, Spain
Sadly there was no way I was able to get off the ship in this port because the ship didn't dock until 12pm and my shift for work started at 12pm.


Gibraltar, UK
It takes about 30 minutes to walk from the cruise terminal to Casemates Square (the square populated with restaurants and shops located at the entrance of the main shopping area).  
Note: A bus shuttle for 6 Euros (roundtrip) is also available to take you from the cruise terminal to Casemates Square. 
I spent some time walking around the main shopping area and had a delicious hazelnut ice-cream on a cone from an award-winning chocolate shop. I don't know if I was just hungry or if it was the hot temperature in Gibraltar but that ice-cream was probably the best I ever had.
I also had a Princess Cruises shore excursion: Scenic Drive & Europa Point in the afternoon so I had to walk back from Casemates Square to the ship to meet up with the tour group.

Rock of Gibraltar

From Europa Point I was able to see Africa (more specifically a silhouette of Morocco in the distance). We also had high tea at the Rock Hotel which is routinely frequented by celebrities. I have to admit I have had better pastries on ships which is more of a testament to how great the pastries are onboard than a complaint against the Rock Hotel.
I had a good time on my tour but would have liked to see the monkeys which Gibraltar is known for.


Marseille, France
Unfortunately the gale force winds were too strong for the ship to safely dock in Marseille. I was looking forward to my one and only France port but mother nature had different plans.



Genoa, Italy

Upon exiting the cruise terminal we turned right and walked toward the harbour where the giant pirate ship is located. From there we made our way around the streets to see some neat buildings and many shops. I always thought shopping would be expensive in Italy but Genoa has a huge selection of shops selling cheap shoes, bags and souvenirs. The highlight of Genoa was when we went inside a church to escape the crowded streets and heat outside. Upon setting foot inside the church, a wave of air-conditioning along with the high ceilings and beautiful artwork enveloped me with a sense of peace and serenity.


Livorno, Italy
I did a crew tour to Pisa to see the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa on my last day on the Royal Princess. The bus ride took close to 45 minutes to get to Pisa from the cruise terminal in Livorno.
Note: Livorno is an industrial port and a shuttle ticket will need to be bought to get out of the cruise terminal. However, free WiFi is available in the terminal.
It was a blessing to see the infamous Leaning Tower of Pisa in person and a great way to finish off my contract.

For 5 Euros we bought a ticket to go inside the baptistery and the cathedral. Unfortunately, we didn't have much time in Pisa before we had to head back to the ship. So after a quick look inside the baptistery and cathedral and a few more photos of the Leaning Tower we hurriedly went back to meet our fellow crew members on the bus for the ride back to Livorno.


Part 1: Greek Isles cruise
Part 2: Mediterranean and Adriatic cruise

Making Memories in the Mediterranean (Part 2)

Part 2: Mediterranean and Adriatic cruise

Athens (Port of Piraeus), Greece
This was the first day of my 2nd cruise on the Royal Princess also known as turnaround day for crew. Since we didn't have much time in port before we were scheduled to work we decided to stay in the city of Piraeus instead of taking a bus into Athens.
It took us about 40 minutes to walk from the cruise terminal to downtown Piraeus. Since most tourists go into Athens we were among the locals going about their daily routine in Piraeus. We saw fish markets catering to the locals as well as supermarkets that had good bargains you wouldn't find in a more tourist-populated destination.
Interestingly, we passed by several coffee shops but did not see a single Starbucks. If local coffee shops are your thing Piraeus is the city for you.
On the way back to the ship I bought a spanakopita (Greek spinach pie) from a pastry shop. It was legitimately one of the most delicious pastries I have ever had! The warm flaky phyllo dough and the savoury spinach and cheese filling were delectable.


Santorini, Greece
(The ship anchors and you will need to take a 5 minute tender to the dock.)
My love and interest for Greece stemmed from the pictures I have seen of Santorini. I knew this was the reason I needed to go to Greece and it did not disappoint.  
A cable car located a few steps away from where the tender docks takes you up to the cliff-side town of Fira. Alternatively, you could also ride a donkey or if feeling particularly active you could walk up a thousand steps alongside the donkeys' pathway to get up to the town of Fira.
Note: It costs 6 Euros for a one-way ticket on the cable car and round-trip tickets are not available. A discount for crew applies.
The ride on the cable car was only a few minutes long and upon reaching the top I was immediately wow-ed by the buildings dotting the cliff-side. 

After spending some time taking photos in Fira we went to the local bus station to catch the 30 minute bus ride to the town of Oia.
Note: It costs 1,80 Euros for a one-way ticket which you will have to purchase on the bus. Someone will walk by and collect your money for the bus ticket as soon as the bus starts moving so don't worry about having exact change for the bus.
Almost every postcard of Santorini will have a picture of Oia on it and being there in person exceeded my expectations of how beautiful this town truly is. I took so many photos and as happy as I was with my photos I won't forget how much better it was to see it in person.

After an hour or so in Oia we took the bus back to Fira where we walked around and browsed the shops. I'm not a big souvenir collector but I did buy a bracelet (made in Athens) to remind me of the time I went to Santorini. For lunch I ate a pork gyro at a restaurant and took advantage of their free WiFi to catch up with friends and family back home.
While waiting in line to take the cable car back down to the dock I was reminded of how amazing the scenery is from this village located on a cliff. The views were breathtaking!

I feel truly blessed to have had the opportunity to be in Santorini.


Kotor, Montenegro
I only had a couple hours in Kotor before my afternoon shift at work started so I spent the day walking around Old Town and New Town.

Old Town of Kotor

I also checked out the beach located near the dock. It's a 10 to 15 minute walk from the dock but this beach has pebbles instead of sand.

However, it is still worth checking out as the sea walk provided gorgeous views of the fjords in the distance.
Tip: As you exit the cruise terminal where the tender drops you off, turn left and follow the harbour to get to the beach.


Messina (Sicily), Italy
I took the Princess Cruises shore excursion to Taorimina.
The bus ride from the port of Messina to the resort town of Taorimina took about 45 minutes.

Upon arrival at Taorimina the guide walked us through the busy streets toward the Greek Theatre.
Note: Entrance fee to the Greek Theatre is 10 Euros but admission was included in this tour.
Taorimina is located 700 feet above the sea and the Greek Theatre provided lovely views of the bay below.

We had about 50 minutes of free time to explore the town after the tour guide dropped us off at the Greek Theatre. After snapping a few photos of the view from the Greek Theatre I made my way through the streets again. I bought a ferrero rocher-flavoured gelato on a cone and the vendor was extremely generous with giving me a giant scoop of gelato onto my cone (for only 2 Euros!)
Quickly eating my gelato as the heat was melting it faster than I could consume it I strolled through the distinctly Italian streets.


Naples, Italy
I had to work at 10am so I got off the ship at 7:30am to make sure I didn't miss the chance to set foot in Naples. The architecture of Castel Nuovo, the Grand Palace and the St. Francis of Badua church was a marvelous sight to behold. I stumbled onto the narrow alleys where a few local shops and residential neighbourhoods were located and admired the quaint Italian-style streets. Eventually I found my way back to the main shopping street but many stores were still closed this early in the morning. Nevertheless, I was still happy to get the chance to see Naples.


Part 1: Greek Isles cruise
Part 3: Mediterranean cruise

A Log Of Completed Cruises

As a passenger:
1. August 2008 - 7 night Alaska cruise on the Celebrity Mercury
Roundtrip Vancouver
Ports: Ketchikan; Hubbard Glacier (scenic cruising); Juneau; Sitka

2. August 2009 - 7 night Western Caribbean cruise on the Liberty of the Seas (RCCL)
Roundtrip Miami
Ports: Labadee, Haiti (private island); Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; Cozumel, Mexico

3. May 2010 - 7 night Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Celebrity Solstice
Roundtrip Fort Lauderdale
Ports: San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; St. Maarten

4. October 2011 - 4 night Bahamas cruise on the Norwegian Sky
Roundtrip Miami
Ports: Nassau; Great Stirrup Cay

5. May  2012 - 14 night Hawaii cruise on the Celebrity Century Read about it here
Roundtrip San Diego
Ports: Honolulu (Oahu); Lahaina (Maui); Kona; Hilo; Ensenada, Mexico

6. May 2014 - 14 night Japan (Transpacific) cruise on the Celebrity Millennium Read about it here
Yokohama to Vancouver
Ports: Tokyo (Yokohama), Japan; Hakodate, Japan; Sapporo (Muroran), Japan; Petropavlovsk, Russia

7. February/March 2015 - 14 night Southeast Asia cruise on the Celebrity Century Read about it here
Roundtrip Singapore
Ports: Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei; Nha Trang, Vietnam; Ho Chi Minh (Phu My), Vietnam; Bangkok (Laemchabang), Thailand

8. September 2016 - 15 night Bering Sea and Japan cruise on the Celebrity Millennium Read about it here
Read about my 5 day post-cruise experience in Japan here
Vancouver to Yokohama
Ports: Dutch Harbor, Alaska; Otaru, Japan; Hakodate, Japan; Tokyo, Japan

**Non-cruise trip**
1. September 2017 - 10 day East Coast Canada bus tour Read about it here
Provinces: Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island


As a crew member:
1. December 2012/January 2013 - 2 weeks on the Ruby Princess
(2x 7 night Eastern Caribbean cruise roundtrip Fort Lauderdale)
Ports: Princess Cays, Bahamas (private island); St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; St. Maarten; Grand Turk, Turk & Caicos

2. June/July/August 2014 - 11 weeks on the Golden Princess Read about it here
(11x 7 night Alaska cruise roundtrip Seattle)
Ports: Juneau; Skagway; Glacier Bay (scenic cruising); Ketchikan; Victoria, BC

3. November 2014 - 1 week on the Crown Princess Read about it here
7 night Mexico cruise roundtrip Los Angeles
Ports: Puerto Vallarta; Mazatlan; Cabo San Lucas

4. December 2014/January 2015 - 7 weeks on the Sun Princess
(1x 7 night Tasmania cruise roundtrip Sydney) Read about it here
Ports: Hobart; Port Arthur; Burnie; Melbourne
(1x 13 night Fiji and South Pacific cruise roundtrip Sydney) Read about it here
Ports: Noumea, New Caledonia; Port Denarau, Fiji; Suva, Fiji; Savusavu, Fiji; Dravuni Island, Fiji; Lifou, New Caledonia
(2x 13 night New Zealand cruise roundtrip Sydney) Read about it here
Ports: Fjordland National Park (scenic cruising); Port Chalmers; Akaroa; Wellington; Napier; Tauranga; Auckland; Bay of Islands

5. March/April 2015 - 4 weeks on the Regal Princess Read about it here
(4x 7 night Eastern Caribbean cruise roundtrip Fort Lauderdale)
Ports: Princess Cays, Bahamas (private island); St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; St. Maarten

6. June/July/August 2015 - 10 weeks on the Ruby Princess Read about it here
(10x 7 night Alaska cruise roundtrip Seattle)
Ports: Ketchikan; Tracy Arm Fjord (scenic cruising); Juneau; Skagway; Victoria, BC

7. November 2015 - 9 days on the Star Princess Read about it here
(1x 5 night Baja Peninsula cruise roundtrip Los Angeles)
Ports: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
(1x 4 night West Coast cruise roundtrip Los Angeles)
Ports: Santa Barbara, California; Ensenda, Mexico

8. December 2015/January 2016 - 5 weeks on the Sea Princess
(1x 11 night New Caledonia and Vanuatu cruise roundtrip Brisbane) Read about it here
Ports: Port Vila, Vanuatu; Mystery Island, Vanuatu; Champagne Bay, Vanuatu; Noumea, New Caledonia
(1x 14 night New Zealand cruise roundtrip Brisbane) Read about it here
Ports: Auckland; Tauranga; Napier; Wellington; Akaroa; Port Chalmers
(1x 10 night New Caledonia and Vanuatu cruise roundtrip Brisbane) Read about it here
Ports: Champagne Bay, Vanuatu; Port Vila, Vanuatu; Lifou, New Caledonia; Noumea, New Caledonia

9. March 2016 - 2 weeks on the Grand Princess Read about it here
(2x 7 night California Coast cruise roundtrip San Francisco)
Ports: Santa Barbara, California; Long Beach, California; San Diego, California; Ensenada, Mexico

10. June 2016 - 10 days on the Grand Princess
(1x 10 night Alaska Inside Passage cruise roundtrip San Francisco) 
Ports: Ketchikan; Juneau; Icy Strait Point; Tracy Arm Fjord (scenic cruising); Victoria, BC

11. June/July 2016 - 3 weeks on the Coral Princess
(2x 7 night Alaska Voyage of the Glaciers cruise Vancouver to Whittier) Read about it here
Ports: Ketchikan; Juneau; Skagway; Glacier Bay (scenic cruising); College Fjord (scenic cruising)
(1x 7 night Alaska Voyage of the Glaciers cruise Whittier to Vancouver) 
Ports: Hubbard Glacier (scenic cruising); Glacier Bay (scenic cruising); Skagway; Juneau; Ketchikan 

12. August 2016 - 25 days on the Sapphire Princess (Chinese Chartered Cruises) Read about it here
(6x 4/5 Night Japan & South Korea cruise roundtrip Shanghai)
Ports: Jeju, South Korea; Nagasaki, Japan; Hakata (Fukuoka), Japan; Kagoshima, Japan; Busan, South Korea

13. December 2016/January 2017- 7 weeks on the Emerald Princess
(1x 7 night Tasmania cruise roundtrip Sydney) Read about it here
Ports: Melbourne; Wineglass Bay (scenic cruising); Great Oyster Bay (scenic cruising); Hobart; Port Arthur 
(1x 14 night New Zealand cruise roundtrip Sydney) Read about it here
Ports: Bay of Islands; Auckland; Tauranga; Picton; Wellington; Akaroa; Port Chalmers; Fjordland National Park (scenic crusing)
(1x 8 night Tasmania cruise roundtrip Sydney) Read about it here
Ports: Port Arthur; Hobart; Wineglass Bay (scenic cruising); Great Oyster Bay (scenic cruising); Melbourne (overnight)
(1x 11 night New Zealand cruise roundtrip Sydney) Read about it here
Ports: Fjordland National Park (scenic cruising); Port Chalmers; Akaroa; Picton; Wellington
(1x 11 night New Caledonia and Vanuatu cruise roundtrip Sydney) Read about it here
Ports: Noumea, New Caledonia; Lifou, New Caledonia; Mystery Island, Vanuatu; Port Vila, Vanuatu; Champagne Bay, Vanuatua

14. June 2017 - 20 days on the Grand Princess
(2x 10 night Alaska Inside Passage cruise roundtrip San Francisco) Read about it here
Ports: Ketchikan; Juneau; Icy Strait Point; Tracy Arm Fjord (scenic cruising); Victoria, BC

15. July 2017 - 3 weeks on the Royal Princess
(1x 7 night Greek Isles cruise roundtrip Athens [Port of Piraeus]) Read about it here
Ports: Katakolon (Olympia), Greece; Kotor, Montenegro; Mykonos, Greece; Rhodes, Greece; Chios, Greece
(1x 7 night Mediterranean and Adriatic cruise from Athens [Port of Piraeus] to Barcelona) Read about it here
Ports: Santorini, Greece; Kotor, Montenegro; Messina, Italy; Naples, Italy
(1x 7 night Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona to Civitavecchia [Rome]) Read about it here
Ports: Cartagena, Spain; Gibraltar, UK; Marseille, France; Genoa, Italy; Livorno, Italy

16. August 2017 - 10 days on the Grand Princess
(1x 10 night Alaska Inside Passage cruise roundtrip San Francisco) 
Ports: Ketchikan; Juneau; Icy Strait Point; Tracy Arm Fjord (scenic cruising); Victoria, BC

17. August/September 2017 - 7 days on the Sapphire Princess (Chinese Chartered Cruises) Read about it here
(1x 3 night Japan's Ryukuu Islands and 1x 4 night Japan's Ryukuu Islands roundtrip Taiwan)
Ports: Okinawa; Miyakojima; Ishigaki

18. November/December 2017 - 4 weeks on the Ruby Princess Read about it here
(2x 7 night Mexican Riviera cruise roundtrip Los Angeles)
Ports: Puerto Vallarta; Mazatlan; Cabo San Lucas
(1x 4 night West Coast Getaway with Catalina Island cruise roundtrip Los Angeles)
Ports: Catalina Island, California; Ensenada
(1x 10 night Baja Peninsula and Sea of Cortez cruise roundtrip Los Angeles)
Ports: San Diego, California; Cabo San Lucas; La Paz; Loreto; Puerto Vallarta

19. December 2017/January 2018 - 30 days on the Royal Princess Read about it here
(1x 10 night Eastern Caribbean Voyager cruise roundtrip Fort Lauderdale)
Ports: Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis; Bridgetown, Barbados; Fort de France, Martinique; St. John's, Antigua & Barbuda
(1x 10 night Southern Caribbean Medley cruise roundtrip Fort Lauderdale)
Ports: Princess Cays, Bahamas; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Fort de France, Martinique; St. George's, Grenada; Kralendijk, Bonaire; Willemstad, Curacao
(1x 10 night Eastern Caribbean Voyager cruise roundtrip Fort Lauderdale)
Ports: Princess Cays, Bahamas; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis; Castries, St. Lucia; Bridgetown, Barbados; St. John's, Antigua & Barbuda

20. June 2018 - 2 weeks on the Golden Princess
(1x 7 night Alaska Voyage of the Glaciers cruise Vancouver to Whittier)
Ports: Ketchikan; Juneau; Skagway; Glacier Bay (scenic cruising); College Fjord (scenic cruising)
(1x 7 night Alaska Voyage of the Glaciers cruise Whittier to Vancouver)
Ports: Hubbard Glacier (scenic cruising); Glacier Bay (scenic cruising); Skagway; Juneau; Ketchikan 

21. July 2018 - 1 week on the Sun Princess See photos here
(1x 7 night Asia cruise Singapore to Taiwan)
Ports: Phu My, Vietnam; Nha Trang, Vietnam; Hong Kong (overnight)

22. July 2018 - 1 week on the Golden Princess
(1x 7 night Alaska Voyage of the Glaciers cruise Vancouver to Whittier)
Ports: Ketchikan; Juneau; Skagway; Glacier Bay (scenic cruising); College Fjord (scenic cruising)

23. July/August 2018 - 3 weeks on the Sapphire Princess
(1x 14 night Mediterranean cruise roundtrip Southampton) See photos here
Ports: Barcelona, Spain; Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy; Livorno, Italy; Genoa, Italy; Marseilles, France; Gibraltar, UK
(1x 7 night Norwegian Fjords cruise roundtrip Southampton) See photos here
Ports: Stavanger; Olden; Geiranger; Bergen