Mediterranean / Transatlantic
Oct/Nov 2025
Another few new dots on Mary’s World map! We have been planning this cruise for a while, and when we saw the new Sun Princess was doing this itinerary and the Transatlantic back to North America how could we pass it by? And this time, a friend whom we met on our Africa trip will be joining us for the first half! It should be fun!
Itinerary -
Oct 17 - 21 - Villa Tirreno, Tarquinia
Oct 21- Embarkation in Civitavecchia
Nov 01 - Private Tour
Oct 17 - 20 We’re off!
We’ll soon be on our way to Rome for another adventure at sea!
Pete was right on time picking us up at 3:30. An hour later we were at the airport Special Assistance check in. We had a very helpful agent check us in and arrange to help us get to the drop off spot for my walker. Then the transfers started - first a wheelchair to Security, then another wheelchair to an electric cart pick up spot, and finally another wheelchair to the gate.
So here we sit waiting to board in about 1 1/2 hrs. The crew has started to arrive, so I guess the boarding process isn’t too far off!
From now until Tuesday you’ll need to check back on this post for updates. See you in Rome!
Two - soon to be Three - World Travellers!
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Oct 18 - We’re here!
After good overnight flights we all arrived safely at FCO, the airport for Rome. Timing worked well as our driver showed up just as Barb got through with her luggage.
The hotel is lovely! We have a great room with a comfortable patio, 3 beds, and a compact, clean bathroom. There is a restaurant on site where we have made a reservation for dinner tonight - when they open at 7:30!!! Don't they know that’s my bedtime!! Italy!!!
Dinner was great! Mary and I had ribs, Barb had Brisket. No room for dessert, but we did manage to squeeze in a little libation. Shhhh - don’t tell my dr!!
The restaurant was nice looking out over the pool on one side and the garden patio on another. Someone was snapping photos!
What a cute way to set out the cutlery…. With a clothes peg!
And it’s a wrap for today!!!
Oct 19 - Tarquinia
After a good night’s sleep we awoke to another sunny day in Italy! Temp expected to reach 22°. The buffet breakfast had a good selection of juices, yogurt, pastries cold cuts, and a hot station with bacon and scrambled eggs-
and of course, coffee and a cute Barista making it to order!
After a little nap, Mary and Barb caught the local bus to the Old Town to look around and perhaps take some photos. There are no taxis here so Dorothy could not manage the bus with her walker, and opted instead to stay at the hotel and poke around. It really is a lovely property.
And I couldn’t believe it! They had ice cream without me!!!
Tonight we went back to the Horta Ristorante for dinner as there are really no other choices close by.
Oct 20 - Last day in Tarquinia
A very lazy day today! We have all just taken it easy; after our showers and breakfast we had no agenda, lots of naps, in other words we’ve been ****(sloths!! The weather is changing unfortunately. No more bright sunshine, temperature is around 20° but rain is moving in. This has been a good couple of days to help us get adjusted to the time difference and to rest up before a very busy itinerary.
Tomorrow is embarkation day so watch for the update!
The Three Travellers
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PS **** I have just been corrected! Only one of us was a sloth! The other two went for a walk and scouted out the local Coop store!
PPS HAH! I got even with them tonight!
Jun 28. Southampton, UK
Disembarkation Day!
An early start to a long day! We checked in for the flight last night and now we just have to get to the airport and hope everything is on time.
Just a few memories in today’s blog!
Jun 27. At Sea
Well, they say time flies when you’re having fun! I can’t believe our next stop will be Southampton and the transfer to Heathrow!
This morning we are just going to hang out in the Piazza to watch the silly games - first Bean Bag Toss and then Jenga with giant blocks. It’s Officers vs Guests and it’s always fun to watch.
Officers plotting which block to take out…
And now it’s the Guests’ turn…
Then came the parade of crew and officers and an opportunity for photos….
After lunch we’ll bite the bullet and pack our suitcases. 😢 Sad to think the cruise is over.
We had great ‘neighbours’ at dinner and two fabulous waiters!
Final dinner tonight, suitcases out by 10:00 PM, and final approach to Southampton. Another great trip completed! We see we’re going to be greeted with warm weather in Toronto!
Two Happy Travellers
Jun 26. Haugesund, Norway
Sunshine, 16°
Our last port of call, Haugesund!
Today we opted for the hop on hop off bus; it stopped right in front of the terminal so there was little walking to get on. We went around the route twice, changing seats for better views the second time. It was a good overview of the area and the city.
Many of these ports on an archipelago look similar with their waterways, wooden houses with slate roofs, a mix of old and new architecture, and churches.
Back home for lunch! And now we have the afternoon to prepare ourselves for the final formal night! 🤣😂 Very disappointing menu - almost the same as the last formal night on the first leg; this time Mary had the Always Available Steak and Dorothy had JumBo Prawns with Truffle Risotto (KAK!). It was interesting that Mary and both of the people we sit with ordered from the Always Available Side, which should tell them something!!!
We decided not to go to the show tonight as it is a repeat from the first cruise which we didn’t think was that great. So we are sitting in seats overlooking the Piazza for a while before we go back to our cabin. We had a surprise! The two performers from a couple of nights ago came back to put on a short show!
We have received our ‘eviction notice’ and luggage tags, so I guess tomorrow will be packing day! 😟😟
Night! Night!
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Nov 8 - 15 At sea Last night we set sail from Tenerife to begin our 8 day crossing back to North America. We are hoping the weather will...
