Huw & Nikki Travels & Stuff
Legend of the Seas
Sep 30th - Oct 11th 2026
Wednesday September 30th 2026
Home to Luton
Left home at 14:40 for an easy drive to the Courtyard by Marriott at Luton Airport. It took around an hour. Check-in was very straightforward and we’re in 717 with a runway view. Did some unpacking - we can worry about repacking it all tomorrow morning! Sat on the bed and watched some TV.
Around 17:40 we headed out to meet up with Stuart for some tea. We managed to park in a lay-by outside the Hampton by Hilton so picked him up off the train at Luton Airport Parkway and drove up to The Old Moathouse in Luton for a carvery.
It’s a Stonehouse but, like the one in Milton Keynes last week, was actually really nice - certainly helped by a 25% off voucher and Pepsi Max. We all had a carvery with much talk about our plans for the week.
After that we went to the McDonalds in Leagrave for a McFlurry and then dropped Stuart at the station. We’ll meet up next in Barcelona on Friday!
Quick return to the hotel by 20:30. Watched some TV and off to bed by 22:00.
Thursday October 1st 2026
Luton to Barcelona
I woke up around 04:00 and sat up in bed for a bit on my phone and then dozed between 05:00 and 06:00.
Got up and made some coffee before going down for breakfast at 06:45. Quite a decent spread - Nikki had granola and yoghurt followed by some cooked and I had some lovely bread and rolls. Not bad for £11 each.
Back up for showers and some repacking. I took the big case down around 08:20 and came back up for a rest. We left at 08:40 for the long drive up to the airport. We’re in Car Park 1. I went to check in the Blue Badge so we could take it with us but they said don’t worry about it.
Across to the terminal and went to SA. EasyJet check in was a doddle. Took less than 10 mins. As was security. Top marks for Luton Airport. They’ve moved the airside SA so we made ourselves known there before going to the lounge. We were 45 mins early but they let us in.
Had a relax and some nibbles before suddenly realising I’d lost my car keys!! I shot back to security where a very helpful chap searched everywhere. Worked out a back up plan for our return involving taxis and spare keys but as we were about to go, I finally figured that I’d left them on the driver’s seat in the car. I’d left Nikki in the car and gone to sort out the Blue Badge and then forgotten to put the keys back in my pocket. A phone call to Luton Airport Parking and an amazing chap called Gary went and got them and took them to the office for my return.
Our flight was shifting between 10 and 60 minutes delayed but then settled on 20 minutes. We waited in the SA area keeping an eye on our aircraft which was coming in from Alicante. On the EZY app it was showing our flight with a flight time to Barcelona of over 4 hours so my theory was they were going to put us on the plane and then tell us we had to wait for take off clearance.
After about an hour of waiting 2 chaps came for us and took us down to the ambu-lift. We then spent the next 49 minutes driving around the apron waiting for stuff next to our aircraft to be moved!! Eventually we got on board and into our seats in 1E and 1F.
And then my worst fears were realised - the Captain came on and said, due to storms in Barcelona, they were limiting landing slots so we’d have a 2 hour wait on the ground at Luton. To be fair he was very good in keeping us informed and said we could move around the cabin but be prepared for the seatbelts sign to come on so we’d could move swiftly if he managed to get a slot. At one point there was talk of us moving to remote stand to wait but that didn’t happen. Me and Nikki broke out our Pret sandwiches and had our lunch!
After about an hour the Captain said we were good to go so we did. Flight itself was around 2 hours and wasn’t too bad - made better by a drink and some Chocolate Fingers! Weather around Barcelona was pretty bad - I think the weather is going to be a major talking point on this trip sadly.
We landed at 17:31. Quite a long wait for the ambu-lift but once it came it was all systems go. We were taken in via the Schengen area and our chap just knocked on the back door of the passport man’s cabin and he admitted us within 2 minutes. Then at baggage our 2 bags were right there as we came through and our driver was waiting by the door with our name on his sign. Very quick load and about 10 minutes to the hotel!
Check in the Renaissance Fira was SO slow. Nice chap met our van and whisked away our bags and handed us over to Judith on reception. She was taking forever and then said she was upgrading us to the best suite in the hotel and comping us breakfast - well ok - take your time Judith. No rush!
We are in 2601. It’s a weird hotel with a very open central section all the way up to 26. And when I say open, I mean open to the elements. Odd metal staircases that seem to be just hanging over an open drop. Not a hotel for people with vertigo.
The room itself is huge with a dining room near the front door - then a seating area with a balcony and then a bedroom. It’s a square shape where you can walk around and end up where you started - and it’s ALL white. Everything. Chairs, table, sofas - everything. Not a place for a Penne Pasta and chocolate milkshake party!
Did some unpacking and explored the room. Could hear voices on the pool deck one floor up from us so I went to check that out and it looked like a work presentation. We then went to Goiko Burger just opposite the hotel and had a really nice burger but sadly the chips were slathered in salt. Then to Mercadona for some milk and coffee. They didn’t sell Pepsi Max. Poor show.
We were flagging by this point so came back to the hotel and we were ready for bed by 22:00.
Friday October 2nd 2026
Barcelona
Not the best night sleep for me but Nikki slept like a log. I was up from about 05:00 just mooching around the room. I was so thirsty after last nights salty chips.
Went down to breakfast at 07:00. Amazing spread including champagne, doughnuts and a big bowl of Smarties! I had some lovely melon with strawberry yoghurt to help with the dehydration - along with a gallon of orange juice. Nikki had some fresh oranges and a mushroom omelette. Excellent breakfast.
Back up to the room where I made an osteopath appointment for later. Then we tried the jacuzzi. Much fun! Relocated to the balcony where we sat on the giant sun bed. Cloudy but quite humid. I used Uber Eats to order 12 cans of Pepsi Max from a Carrefour Express in Barcelona. Chap came very quickly so we stocked the fridge.
Around 10:30 it was time for me to leave for my osteopath appointment. I got a cab from outside the hotel and, after a bit of confusion as to where we were going, he got me there with 5 minutes to spare. After being poked and prodded I went outside where it had just started raining and called an Uber who brought me back to the hotel.
Chucking it down by this stage so we decided to stay put and ordered some sandwiches and cakes from Paul via Uber Eats. I went to reception to meet the chap who’d messaged saying there was too much rain so he’d be coming later! He eventually came and we had lunch at the dining table. Both had a nap afterwards.
Spent most of the afternoon watching some TV and dozing on the couch. The rain stopped around 16:00 so we went for a walk around the block and then watched Stuart and Matthew’s planes landing.
We walked over to their hotel just before 20:00 before going to Vapiano for dinner. Very nice meal. Quick stop for a KitKat McFlurry at a packed McDonalds and we were back in the room by 22:00 and ready for our bed.
Saturday October 3rd 2026
Barcelona
Had a decent night’s sleep and woke up just before 06:00. Dry for the moment. Got up and made some coffee and sat in the lounge updating the blog.
Nikki got up around 06:45 so we discussed plans for the day. Original plan had been to hire a car and to head down the coast to Sitges for lunch - but the weather forecast is showing red warnings and torrential thunderstorms so we shall see.
Went for breakfast after showers at about 08:00. Busier than yesterday. I suppose because the hotel is equidistant from the airport and the port, it’s popular with cruise passengers. Messaged Matthew and Stuart and the general feeling was - it’s not raining at the moment so let’s go for our Sitges plan.
We walked over to them and then headed for Sixt to rent our car. The walk took about 20 minutes in total. It’s a very industrial area but thankfully all flat. Only one chap on duty at Sixt so it took about 20 minutes to get our car. Very nice BMW X1. Got set up with Google Maps and headed off.
It’s about 30 minutes to Sitges on the motorway. Lots of tunnels. Figured out how to use the toll booths with no issues. The rain started while we were on the motorway but not too heavy at this stage. We parked at Mercadona at the top of town and had a look around the indoor market and also Mercadona itself.
Plan had been to walk down through the town towards Amanit on the sea front where we had a 13:00 reservation for dinner. Decided we’d drive to that area and see if there was any Blue Badge parking. Amazingly we found a spot just off the sea front. Did a quick walk to the first place we saw with umbrellas outside and set up camp there. Once we got settled we realised we’d actually sat down at Amanit anyway!
Had some coffees under the big umbrellas outside while the rain came down around us. Stayed there for over an hour. I went in to the loos and got chatting to the manager. He asked if we’d come in for our 13:00 lunch as it was getting dangerous for his staff on the slippery steps at the front. He told me I could bring the wheelchair in through the hotel next door.
The wind and heaviness of the rain had suddenly picked up so we were happy to relocate! By this point the rain heaviness was on a 2. It was bouncing off the pavements and turning the roads into small rivers. Manager said his chef was struggling to get in so we had another round of drinks and waited.
Just after 13:00 we ordered and had a great meal. Most of the discussion at this stage was the weather. We decided to head off a bit earlier than planned and go to Carrefour by our hotels which was part of a giant shopping centre. Journey back was OK if very, very wet. So much surface water.
Got to Carrefour and found the underground (dry) parking. Stuart’s case had broken at Luton on his outbound flight so he was in the market for a new one. Thankfully Carrefour was able to help. Nikki wanted a Kat Slater top for jungle night on the ship and they helped there too. We dropped them back to the car and then went back in for a general mooch and to get me some Pepsi Max for the cruise.
After that we drove over to our hotel and parked in the underground car park. While in our room we had a notification from Royal Caribbean that our ship’s arrival into Barcelona would be delayed on Sunday due to adverse weather conditions and that our boarding times would be pushed back.
And then all our phones started blowing up with a Civil Alert warning of torrential, danger to life storms from 20:00 to 14:00 tomorrow. It then became apparent that flights into and out of BCN were being cancelled at a rate of nots. Judging by the Legend of the Seas Facebook groups, panic was beginning to set in. People were sat on the tarmac for 4 hours back in the UK - on flights that were then cancelled. Wow. Add to that the people currently on board who were disembarking to catch flights home - only to find their arrival back to Barcelona delayed - and then their flights cancelled. Not a great day.
Stayed in our suite and watched some YouTube videos before I dropped the car back at Sixt. No sign of the rain yet. And when I got back to the hotel - my God it started. Absolutely chucking it down. We went across to Goiko for our tea and it was torrential. Luckily it’s quite close to our hotel but even that left us soaked.
During dinner we were seeing the ramifications of the storm. Roads and pavements turned to lakes. Spoke to Charlotte who grew up in Spain and she said this happens every year as Summer collapses into Autumn. It’s called La Gota Fria.
After dinner Matthew and Stuart dashed back to their hotel via the subway and sent videos of the water pouring down the steps into the metro.
We got back and as soon as we arrived in the room all the power went out in the hotel. It lasted for about 20 seconds. Very disconcerting. We sat on the sofa and watched the lightening flashes and counted the thunder gaps. Some of them were immediate. Had another brief power cut. It seemed to start easing by about 22:00 and stopped entirely by 22:45. Just left with the rain.
Ventured to bed just after 23:00.
Sunday October 4th 2026
Barcelona to Legend of the Seas
Well, thanks to the weather and the delay on the ship arriving, we didn’t need to be and about so early. Still woke up though! Sat in bed for a while but was very thirsty so got up and made a coffee.
Lots of lightning around up towards Girona but it was dry and there wasn’t any thunder. Had a coffee on the sofa. Went down to breakfast around 07:45. No oranges for Nikki this morning sadly. Had showers and did a bit of half-hearted packing.
Our driver was coming at 11:30 so around 11:00 I called down for someone to get the bags. He was very good and said his town had suffered dreadful flooding overnight. Left Nikki in reception and went outside and realised our man was already there. I asked him if he’d be able to pick up Stuart and Matthew from the Hampton and after €20 changed hands he was quite happy to. Got loaded and went for the chaps and headed off towards the port.
Very busy on the approach roads. Not surprising when there were 5 cruise ships - including Legend of the Seas disgorging and swallowing thousands of passengers each. Chap dropped us in front of Terminal B. Legend is so large, she spans 2 different terminals!
Joined a queue to drop off luggage. I gave the porter €10 and he whisked us away to a priority lane. The terminal wasn’t open yet so we waited about 20 minutes. When it did open it was very swift going through check-in and security. They’d put on some biscuits and cakes along with coffee and water in the boarding lounge so we waited there for maybe another 20 minutes.
We actually boarded around 12:30 - the whole process was very simple. We got on via Deck 5 right next to The Pearl. It’s like arriving in a modern shopping centre. Incredible. Lots of staff to welcome us on board and to answer any questions we may have had.
We headed to the Main Dining Room (MDR) to drop off our hand luggage and to see about The Key lunch. Spoke to them about our dinner table for tonight. Key lunch was very good. Mushroom soup which was delicious - followed by a Tofu Sweet & Sour. On previous sailings Nikki had complained that The Key lunch didn’t have a vegetarian option. So maybe her complaints have helped. Me and Matthew finished off with quite a bland New York Cheesecake while Stuart and Nikki had this gorgeous looking chocolate cake.
After lunch we went to Central Park to get our bearings. Still amazes me that the bigger Royal Caribbean ships have an actual park - open to the sky - onboard. We then went up to the buffet on Deck 15 - for research and information purposes you understand. Didn’t linger as it was packed but it gave us an idea of their not insubstantial offerings.
After that we decided to sneak into our cabin. Managed to Secret Squirrel it through a closed door and broke the 15:00 cabin embargo by half an hour. As we were walking up to our cabin, we spotted our bags just down the hall awaiting delivery.
We’re in 14654 which is a big disabled access room. Balcony is a good size too with 2 comfortable chairs and a table. Bathroom is a wet room. Nikki flopped on the bed while the rest of us had a good nose. Stuart and Matthew went off to find their cabins on Deck 10 and I went back to nab our cases. Got the big one unpacked and then my energy dropped so I also flopped on the bed in my pants while Nikki did some sorting.
As she was going into the bathroom she pressed the button for the automatic cabin door so I was open to the corridor - lying on the bed in my pants! What a treat for our fellow passengers. Both had a doze with 2 Broke Girls on the TV. It has YouTube and Amazon Prime built in so no need for my Apple Box.
Sat on the balcony until about 17:30 and then got ready for drinks and dinner. Met in the Schooner Bar for drinkies. Nikki had bright blue G & Sea while I had a 0% Heineken. Watched the world go by while chatting about a possible return visit to Jewel of the Seas but this time around Norway/Sweden.
We went in for our 19:15 booking in the MDR. We were on table 838 with Franky as our waiter and Rongyan as his assistant. Very nice tomato soup to start. Nikki had a Stuffed Portabello Mushroom while I went off menu with a vegetarian Indian curry. Both very happy. I had a chocolate custard to finish and Nikki had Key Lime Pie.
After dinner we went up to the Duelling Pianos Bar. Sadly no duelling - just the one person. Very good though - lots of sing-a-long stuff - Billy Joel, Adele etc. We sat outside just opposite in four comfortable chairs.
Around 21:00 we went down to The Music Hall for a music quiz. Got some drinks and thought they’d cancel it as there was nobody else there. But 5 minutes before it started the place suddenly filled up. The audience was split into 2 teams - Guacamole and Tacos. Our Mexican host got us identifying songs, artists and answering trivia questions. If you were able to answer you went down the front, sat in a chair and gave your answer. He’d often follow up with a bonus point if you could do the dance associated with that song - Thriller, Gangnam Style etc. Most enjoyable. Finished around 22:30 and me and Nikki called it a day and headed off to bed!
Monday October 5th 2026
Barcelona to Palma de Mallorca
Not a great night’s sleep. Bit of movement and some clanking from the ship. Got up 4 times for the loo - maybe cut down on the Sprite!?
Went for coffee at 06:00 at The Pearl Cafe which was surprisingly busy. Coffee wasn’t up to much - Starbucks tomorrow I think! Sat on the balcony in the warm and watched our arrival into Palma. Great view of the cathedral in the dark.
We docked around 07:30 and met for breakfast at 08:45 on Deck 3. We were given a table but it was quite small for the four of us so we got moved to a bigger one. Had some coffee and freshly squeezed juice before a fruit plate and some eggs with a hash brown and some toast. Not a bad breakfast. After that we went back to our room where I discovered I’d managed to leave my toothbrush in Barcelona - so that’s a job for today!
Went down to Deck 2 where they have the wheelchair gangway and met Stuart & Matthew in the terminal. There had been much discussion of how we were going to get into Palma. We then discovered Uber were now banned from the port so we reluctantly joined the taxi queue. To be fair it moved very quickly and we were soon in a big old van which cost €30 to Sa Llotja where we were meeting Jan & Richard.
Palma is very busy and the Paseo Maritimo is looking more rundown than ever. I guess people’s tastes have changed from a walk along the prom to walking in Palma’s beautiful streets and squares.
Jan & Richard arrived and we spent a most enjoyable 90 minutes sat outside a cafe in the square having a catch up. After that we stopped at a small supermarket for me to buy a replacement toothbrush and then we jumped in a cab back to the ship. Halfway down the Paseo Maritimo I realised I couldn’t find my phone so - with a translation app - I got the driver to turn around and then to stop so I could double check it wasn’t in the car. As I got out my phone dropped onto the floor - it had obviously fallen out of my pocket. Phew!
Back at the ship we went up to Base Camp on Deck 16 where they made me some veggie burgers with tater tots for lunch. Nice sitting outside and watching all the ship activity. After that we went to Windjammer on the hunt for ice cream. No luck but did find some mini cakes. We then went to sprinkles on Deck 15 for an ice cream before a visit to Rye & Bean for a drink on the same deck.
By this time we were flagging so some downtime was needed. Back to the cabin for a doze on the bed. I asked the cabin attendant for some ice for my back and he obliged with a giant bag full so I sat on the balcony watching our departure from Palma. We sailed down to Dragonera and turned right to go up the north-east coast of Mallorca.
Met in the Schooner Bar for drinks at 18:00 and then went for dinner around 19:20. I had Arancini in a tomato sauce followed by a mushroom and cheese pot pie. I gave desert a swerve so give my diabetes some chance. We went back to the cabin to pick up jackets ahead of the 22:00 Fusion ice show.
Very busy in the ice theatre but found some decent seats. As the show got closer there were loads of people who just turned up expecting to find seats. Not a chance. I heard one man telling the helper that he’d booked on the app and was wondering where his seats were. This was 2 minutes before the show started. Not how it works sunshine.
The show itself was spectacular. The skaters are so talented and the costumes and settings were quite excellent. In the last section the drones came out. Overall a first class show. By the end it was 22:50 so well past my bedtime so that’s where we headed!
Tuesday October 6th 2026
Palma de Mallorca to Marseille
Decent night’s sleep but woke up around 06:00 - absolutely exhausted. This holiday malarkey doesn’t half take it out of you.
I went down to Starbucks and came back and sat on the balcony watching our approach to Marseille. Soft orange light in the sky as the sun started to make an appearance. Watched the pilot boat arrive at 07:30. As we were getting close to Marseille we were joined by some dolphins! Sat and watched the docking process. Very slow, very careful and very gentle!
Had a slightly later breakfast today as we weren’t getting off in Marseille so met at 09:10 on Deck 3. A lot busier this morning and the service was dreadful. It took 50 minutes for our food to arrive so our displeasure was conveyed.
Went for a wander after breakfast and ended up at the top of the ship working our way down checking out the places we hadn’t already seen. I’m sure by the last day there will still be places we haven’t seen! Lots of general mooching.
We then went for coffee from The Pearl Cafe and sat outside Duelling Pianos watching the world go by. It looked like a group of French travel agents and influencers were being given a tour of the ship by Royal Caribbean.
At 12 we joined a musical bingo event and soon wished we hadn’t. The host was somewhat loquacious in his duties. Avoid that one again. We had lunch up in Aquadome Marketplace where we had some tapas. Very nice. After that Matthew went off for a solo wander and we hit the children’s buffet for some ice cream. Much needed downtime after that!
After a doze, I iced my back on the balcony while watching the world go by. We then met up in the Schooner Bar for some trivia at 16:15. Didn’t do too well but enjoyed the questions. Really inventive!
Quick dash back to the room and the hit the buffet at 18:15. Quite busy there. Had some butternut squash soup to start followed by a salad and then some Indian food. Service was over-good. If you put a knife down, the waiters took it!!
After that we went to the theatre for Wonka. Easy way down for the wheelchair going to a backstage area and taking the disabled lift. Beautiful theatre and the seats were very comfortable but I didn’t think my back would manage it for 100 minutes so I left them to it.
I had a good wander around the boat with everyone in their finery and me in my shorts! Went back to the theatre around 21:50 and saw the last 15 minutes. What I saw didn’t impress me much and Nikki generally felt the same when I collected her.
And so to bed.
Wednesday October 7th 2026
Marseille to La Spezia
Reasonable night’s sleep. Went for a coffee at Starbucks and watched our approach to La Spezia from the balcony. So much activity due to it being our one and only tender port. The pilot boat was out along with 4 tugs and they were attaching pontoons to the side of the ship. I counted 6 tender boats roaming around the ship. The first one was loaded and heading off at 07:30.
We met Stuart in the Windjammer at 08:45. Had some nice melon with strawberry yoghurt followed by a bagel with cream cheese accompanied by fresh juice and a coffee. Back to the room to pack for today’s adventure and then met Matthew at Starbucks.
We were sent down to Deck 2 because of the wheelchair and then walked along I-95 to get to the pontoon. Tender was pretty full and getting on was a bit dodgy. The gangway was very narrow so Nikki had to walk - but there were some bits without a handrail. Very scary for her!
Took about 15 minutes to get from the ship to the port. Again, getting off wasn’t fun but we managed it. Getting the bus down to the Europcar office wasn’t straightforward but we figured it and they were quite speedy sorting out our car - which was parked outside so we got loaded and hit the road.
Porto Venere is about 30 minutes from La Spezia and along very windy, picturesque roads. We took one wrong turn but realised that and did a u turn. In Porto Venere we managed to find a Blue Badge space in a car park just out of town and then walked along the sea-front path to the town/village. At the end of the path we had two options - the small sea front or the equally small square. We did the front first and started scoping out the restaurants before going for a toilet break.
Settled on one restaurant right on the water front called Trattoria Della Marina. They didn’t have much veggie but made us a nice spaghetti with tomato sauce and a Caprese salad. Matthew had a fishy concoction. Service was slow and paying took forever!
After that we went back into the square and up into the narrow street towards the centre. Should have come up here to lunch. Lots of beautiful looking places to eat just clinging to the side of a street that you’d struggle to get a Smart car along. Had a nose in a few shops - Matthew got some bits for work - while admiring the ice-cream and bread shops.
We went back to the square for some ice-cream. Me and Nikki had Stracciatella and Nociolo which was amazing. The Italians do ice-cream so much better than anyone. Plus sitting in a beautiful square with bougainvillea and houses in various shades of terracotta helps.
We drove back to La Spezia and dropped off the car before catching the bus up to the square next to the port. Had a look in a few shops and then caught the tender back to the ship. Me and Nikki then sat on the balcony with a drink before tiredness took over so we had a nap on the bed.
All evening the tenders were going back and forth. The last one back to the ship was at 19:00 but there still people going to La Spezia at 17:30. Most odd.
Met up with Stuart in the Schooner Bar at 18:15 to catch up on the day’s events before going to dinner at 19:15. Stuart had got talking to the staff while we were in Porto Venere and had told them about our long wait at breakfast on Tuesday. Well this evening we had every conceivable manager turning up and offering us everything. Royal Caribbean are obsessed that we don’t rate their cruise as anything below 10/10 so they pull on every lever if there’s even a hint of dissatisfaction. It did become a bit of a farce though being checked on literally every few minutes!
After dinner we had a mooch and left the chaps in Duelling Pianos for an early night. In bed by 21:30 - that’s a cruise record!
Thursday October 8th 2026
La Spezia to Civitaveccia
I was up and about before Starbucks opened at 06:30 so was forced to go to The Pearl Cafe for our coffees.
Sat on the balcony watching our arrival into Civitavecchia. It’s a day where some people start and end their cruise so very busy on the dockside. Watched the lorries delivering supplies to the ship as well as forklift trucks unloading the rubbish we’ve accumulated since Barcelona - and it’s more than a couple of bin liners. More like 3 giant skips.
Went down to Deck 3 for a most acceptable breakfast before meeting Stuart and Matthew at their lift bank. I’d forgotten our umbrella so went back for that. Getting off was very easy - as was the bus around to the exit of the port at Largo Del Pace.
Walked about 50 metres to the Europcar office and got issued our very square car. Very yellow inside - but does the job. We joined the A12 out of Civitavecchia down to Rome. We figured out how the toll plazas worked. Got a tiny bit lost close to Rome but found our way via the airport dual carriageway and alongside EUR Magliana where we’ve stayed a few times.
The satnav brought us right to the entrance to the car park I’d found. Little bit of a queue as it was one out, one in but it all worked well. The car park goes down four levels so we’re under the Tiber - plus it had a loo so all good. Took a lift up to the exit on Vicolo delle Prigioni and Matthew navigated our 10 minute walk to Piazza Navona.
The streets in this area are cobbled so it was a bumpy ride for Nikki. The streets themselves are gorgeous though - lined with appealing restaurants and ice-cream parlours. We got to the Piazza and headed to Tre Scalini. We’ve been coming here since at least 2008. Enjoyable, but not outstanding lunch watching the world go by. Despite the dire weather forecast for rain all day, it was dry and quite humid so we got lucky!
After a long lunch we wandered through the backstreets towards the car park stopping for an ice cream in a little square on the way. Decided now that our next visit to Rome for a meal will be in the back streets around Piazza Navona rather than in the square itself. The restaurants looked amazing and without the tourist price tags in the main square.
We went back to the car and, after a loo break, headed back out of Rome. The drivers are completely bonkers but I sort of like that. It’s part of the charm of the place. Got lost near the entrance to a tunnel - not my fault you understand - but eventually found our way out to the A12 via Magliana again.
Stopped off at a service plaza and again to fill up with petrol. Odd experience. We went to the serviced pump and the fella definitely put the pump handle in the car - but the needle on the dash didn’t move - and I was charged €40. When we got back to Europcar I showed him my receipt and he accepted the car was full despite the fuel gauge saying otherwise. Very strange.
Caught the bus back to the ship and had a row with the driver about him not deploying the ramp. Back on board we went up to Deck 15 for a lime drink for Nikki and a glass of ice for me and retired to our balcony to watch the world go by with a Pepsi Max.
Met in the Schooner Bar at 18:30 before going for dinner at 19:15. The managers are still fussing around us and it’s turning into a bit of a farce. Practically every fork full, we’re being asked if everything is OK! After dinner we went to the Music Hall on Deck 3 to see 80’s cover band The Wild Boys. They were truly excellent. Not just what you’d consider 80s standards - they also did Human Nature, Pour Some Sugar On Me, Against All Odds etc. Thoroughly enjoyable 90 minutes.
After that we were exhausted so bed was beckoning.
Friday October 9th 2026
Civitaveccia to Naples
Woke up at 06:50. A reasonably disturbed night with my back but still the longest lie-in of the holiday so far!
Went down to Starbucks again forgetting my little cardboard cup carrier. Every day they give me one and every day I forget to take it back with me. Quite the collection in the room!
Sat on the balcony looking out at Naples. Dry at the moment but with lightning down over the Amalfi area. Heavy rain expected later. I had a 4 mile walk that Chat GPT had planned for us but it looked unlikely at this stage. We met Stuart for breakfast in The Windjammer at 09:15 by which time the heavens had opened.
We went back to the room and when we were sat on the balcony, one of our room attendants appeared through the adjoining balcony door to say they were cleaning all the balconies so we retired inside and closed the door. He then arrived with an ultra long hose pipe and washed everything down.
My back was playing up so I couldn’t get comfortable anywhere. I was running out of Pepsi Max so I used Deliveroo to get some delivered. I went to the terminal to meet the driver and it was raining like crazy. Ended up being a total faff - particularly when I noticed the shop in the terminal already sold Pepsi Max. Oh well. At least the fridge is stocked again.
Met Matthew and Stuart in the area behind the diving pool and had a beverage there watching the torrential rain through the massive windows. The cloud got so low we couldn’t see parts of the Bay of Naples.
Myself and Stuart went for a wander and popped into The Windjammer to see what was on offer for lunch. So impressed we called Matthew and Nikki to join us for an impromptu meal. Found a good table by the window. I had hummus and flatbread while Nikki had an Asparagus Brie Tart with salad. Stuart and Matthew were happy as there was a carvery station. By this point the rain had started to ease so the decision was made to try my AI walk. Stuart stayed on board so the three of us set off.
We went up the big square opposite the cruise terminal and then left along the front of Castel Nuovo. There was obviously a wedding taking place there judging by the people in posh clothes and the high-end cars coming in and out. The pavements were, to say the least, challenging! We then walked across Via Vittorio Emanuele III to the Galleria Umberto. Very impressive. Like the famous shopping arcade in Milan. High glass roof, marble floors and lots of shops - maybe not quite as high-end as the one in Milan.
We then walked to Piazza Trieste e Trento and Piazza del Plebiscito which is a massive square with lots of official looking buildings including a former royal palace. Then it was downhill on Via Cesario Console to the sea-front. The paving here was as smooth as you like with great views of the Bay of Naples to Vesuvius in one direction and Capri in the other. We walked along Via Partenope admiring the buildings. A lot of them were nice looking hotels.
At the headland we came across Castel dell'Ovo which guarded the approaches to Naples. We went on a bit further and stopped at a restaurant for a drink and some cake. The waiter forgot my drink but, as my back was playing up, we made our excuses and left. Retraced our steps along the sea-front towards the ship tackling the cobbled area and ducking into a park to give Nikki some respite from the constant bouncing.
Got back to the ship and grabbed Nikki’s sparkling water and lime drink and retired to the balcony. We’d walked a total of 5.9 miles. Back was in agony and our room hadn’t been cleaned. But after some painkillers and a visit from our room attendant with some ice - things started to improve. We did think we’d be doing room service but by 18:30 I was ready to go out again.
We met Stuart and Matthew in the Schooner Bar at 18:40. It’s Halloween theme night so there were some great costumes. As we were seeing the diving show, we needed a quick dinner and our waiters Franky and Rongyan (Pyongyang) were primed with our meal. I had a surprisingly nice Caesar Salad while Nikki ventured down the Avocado Salad route. She then had an off-menu Mushroom Risotto while I had a Cheese Tortellini. We then dashed up to the Aquadome only to find the show had been cancelled. So it was back to the restaurant for our deserts!
We then went to the Music Hall to get some drinks and retired to our balcony to reflect on the cruise. Matthew and Stuart headed off around 22:10 and I popped out to get some bottles of water before hitting the hay.
Saturday October 10th 2026
Sea Day
Another early morning run down to Starbucks followed by a sit in the balcony. It’s one of my favourite things to do on a cruise. This time - no port or no port approach to watch as it’s a sea day. As a consolation we did see Corsica passing on our side of the ship. We seemed to be in the Bonifacio Strait for a while so some great views.
Went off to meet Stuart for breakfast on Deck 3 at 08:30. We were a bit earlier today as he had a tour of the kitchens and we were off to Captain’s Corner in the Aquadome. Nice breakfast and a quick pitstop in the room for a tooth clean and we grabbed our seats for the Captain’s Q&A.
Captain Marshall is a Canadian who certainly knows how to entertain an audience. He told us about his career coming up in oil tankers and then following a girl into a career with Royal Caribbean. A highly engaging speaker who then fielded question including what happens when we sink, what happens if all our engines stop working and will he be last to abandon ship!
Matthew and Stuart had joined us so after Captain Marshall’s talk we went down to Deck 6 to see the 11:00 parade. Bonkers but enjoyable. Only lasts for 20 mins but is full-on energy.
Opposite is on Deck 5 was Sorrento’s - the pizza place - and Nikki had said she’d like to try a slice so we went off there. Very nice indeed. We then went back to the Aquadome for a talk and Q&A from the entertainments cast. Not as good as Captain Marshall but entertaining.
By then it was 13:00 so we went down to the dining room for a very forgettable meal - first one of the trip. I also didn’t help by dropping my glass of water meaning we needed to change tables!
Back to the cabin for some downtime and I did doze off for 15 minutes on the bed. By now the seas were getting rough so we couldn’t stay on the balcony for too long which is a shame as that’s my favourite part of a sea day. The Captain had said it would be rough seas between 16:00 and Midnight and he wasn’t wrong that’s for sure.
Did some packing so we could leave the case out for 22:00. A slight panic after I’d packed my shoes and trousers before remembering I’d need them for dinner!
Met up with Stuart and Matthew in the Schooner bar at 18:15 for pre-dinner drinkies. By the time we got to dinner I wasn’t feeling so well. Think I’ve got a touch of the lurgy so I only had a nibble at my starter and desert. Had a stop in the cabin after dinner prior to the diving show where I may have dozed off again!
We meet Stuart and Matthew very early at Shockwaves so we could get the seats we liked. No problem and not as busy as I thought it would be. We’d been due to see the show yesterday but it was cancelled at the last minute for technical reasons and our booking moved to tonight.
Just before 22:15 the cruise director came out and said that because of the motion of the ocean, there’d be no diving. A bit disappointed as that’s the whole point of the show. But the cast put on an amazing show - just without the diving. The waterfall from the ceiling, the dancing, costumes and music you could feel in your chest made it very memorable. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
After that it was nearing 23:00 so off to bed!
Sunday October 11th 2026