From Rome to Messina: The Cruise begins!

Monday, July 8, 2013:
Just made port in Messina on the island of Sicily.

Arrival at the port of Messina with Mt. Etna in the background.

No Mafia sightings yet, but then we haven't left the ship. Today's post is to catch up on yesterday (Sunday) a day of rest and transition. We began by packing to leave our charming old world apartment in Rome. One last coffee and breakfast at the cafe below our second story walk up. Per had dropped us off the evening before after our late night return from the Amalfi coast and taken the rental car where he knew he could park it safely.  He came this morning with the car at 10 and after breakfast we bid him farewell as we set out for the hour drive to the port at Civitavecchia on the west coast.
Aron dropped Hapny, Sofie and me at the dock with luggage while he and Carol (whose feet were not so tender as mine) went to refuel the Pugeot and deliver it to the rental car place. They had some adventure/ challenges with self-service diesel pump and directions only in Italian. They had to go to three different stations trying to find one with an attendant, which they never found. Finally, they abandoned trying to use a credit card and resorted to feeding precious Euros to the bill reader, something they wished to avoid, being unsure how much it would cost to fill the tank. We were amazed that we had been able to drive to the Amalfi coast and back (@ 400 miles) on less than a tank! Anyway, Aron and Carol also struggled to follow a map on poorly identified roads to find the rental car location.  Being Sunday, of course, it was closed so we are all hopeful that the mail slot into which they deposited the keys was the correct action! Next, they had to walk a half mile to the train station to get a taxi. They happened upon a hotel with staff who graciously summoned one.

Meanwhile, Hapny, Sofie and I waited patiently with luggage close to two hours under the tented check-in locale with increasing unease at their delay. Reunited at last, we began the check in procedure, which also carried its own set of challenges.

Finally we boarded the ship, Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Sea. Aron arranged for me to have a nice cabin with a balcony. It had a king bed that could be separated to twins.

 

Aron, Hapny and Sofie shared a room (large window only) and there was a third windowless room that was optional for Carol's use. The cruise line had required us to have the third room.... This is my first cruise experience. Frankly, it has not been on my bucket list. When Aron first offered to take me on a cruise, I turned it down thinking he meant Caribbean destination. When he clarified that he meant Mediterranean, I jumped at the chance to see all the old world wonders and historic sights.

 



For myself, I am happiest just being in my cabin enjoying the view and the sound of the vessel plowing the waters, a sound that lulled me to a sleep at night. Of course, I also want plenty of face time with my family, so there are compromises.

 

A word here about Sofie. Despite all the tedious travel, she has been a sweet, happy angel almost the entire time! She has grown past the terrible twos phase and is really a very patient, charming, happy and durable four year old, which certainly makes her all the more endearing and easy to be with.

 



The first few hours of the cruise were chaotic and I did not care for the mob of people crowding the public spaces. The main interior of the ship is like a shopping mall, only noisier with added "music" and announcements to further assault the senses. I plan to avoid those areas, if I can. Then there was the required emergency safety drill when we all mustered on the main deck for life preserver demo. I was distressed knowing that in an emergency I will be assembling in an assigned group and lifeboat with strangers and no family or Carol! That's not a likely scenario at least. Ciao for now! ##