Docking in Livorno - Day 2!

After a wonderful nights sleep on lovely comfortable beds! I woke up with excitement as today was our first port of call, Livorno, I'd booked shore excursions so that all the hassle was taken out for me! We disembarked which was well organised I must say, I was a little worried about how/where to get off. 

We were greeted by the coach and friendly tour guide "Rosa" and then we were on our way to Pisa. It was only about a 30 minute drive to Pisa, and the scenery was lovely seeing Italy's famous umbrella Pine trees was interesting. The sun was shining and everyone was ready to see the famous leaning Tower of Pisa, I know I was. Arriving in Pisa and a short walk past some stalls and street sellers all trying to make you buy knock-off handbags etc, I guess we've all got to make a living somehow. When you enter the walls of Pisa it's quite a surreal moment as you spot the tower leaning over at quite a dramatic angle, I must admit it was smaller than I imagined but the actual building itself was quite stunning. We had a good wonder round, it was very clean and well kept lawns, there is the cathedral also which has some beautiful carvings on the doors and very intricate architecture. 

The Leaning Tower Of Pisa & Cathedral

After taking the corny mandatory photos, we bought some souvenirs and headed back to coach for our onward trip to Florence. After about a 45 minute coach journey we arrived and walked towards the Cathedral, Basilica of Saint Mary of the Flower, I can safely say that this is one of the most amazing buildings I have seen, the detail, the colours and the size of it! We didn't go inside as the queue was huge, so just walked around it. We saw the replica statue of David and other statues, had pizza whilst overlooking the Palazzo Vecchio, it was great even if the food was overpriced. We didn't visit the Ponte Vecchio as it was just too busy I can't imagine what it's like in peak season! After nearly being run over by a taxi we decided to call it a day and sit and watch the world go by, by the Cathedral. 

Florence Cathedral

Our tour guide was great though, she made us aware of the most important things and kept us all safe, whilst making us laugh. It was a good day all in all, the only downside is how busy it was and then there was a long walk to meet the coach again as Florence is all pedestrianised and normal traffic cannot enter, so I'd recommend comfortable shoes! 

Once comfortably back on board we headed to the main restaurant for dinner, which was nice, very fast service simple but tasty food. 

After a few drinks in the Exchange bar and the night club we headed to our cabin as it had been a long day. 

:) 

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Norwegian Announce $250 Million Fleetwide Upgrade

Norwegian Cruise Line have announced they will be investing $250 million into a fleetwide renovation program called Norwegian Next. With this program many Breakaway-class dining and entertainment features will be added to all ships by 2015.

Norwegian Spirit 

As part of these upgrades: 

Entertainment will be enhanced with new shows, game shows and theme nights and not forgetting the acrobats and the H2Glow party will be extended to all ships! 

Dining is set to be widely updated with new menus in the main dining rooms and Garden Cafes. The O'Sheehan's Bar & Grill, Carlo's Bake Shop and Sugarcane Mojito bar will be expanded on all ships. And last but not least brand new training will be given to staff for new wine menus and Bar Lab cocktail creations. My mouths watering already!

Kids' Activites will be given a revamp with new activities, dining and brand new meet and greets onboard the five ships with Nickelodeon entertainment. Also when visiting Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian's private island kids will get the chance to get slimed plus other great activities! 

Norwegian Epic

I think these improvements are well welcomed especially for ships like the Norwegian Epic which is pretty much considered Breakaway class, will now match up to her sister ships. 

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Royal Caribbean Ship to Homeport in Australia

Legend of the Seas at night

Royal Caribbean will be deploying Legend of the Seas in Brisbane, Australia for a five month season in 2015 & 2016. Having being recently refurbished the Legend will join fellow Royal ships Explorer, Radiance and Voyager of the Seas down under! The refurbishment in Feb 2013 incorporated a number of new dining venues, cabin upgrades and not forgetting an outdoor movie screen along with other upgrades. 

Royal believe that this will help ease with the growing demand from Australian and other international guests wanting to discover the South Pacific and Queensland. Normally Legend sails Canada, Caribbean, Europe and the Panama Canal will now call on ports such as Cairns and Airlie Beach in Whitsundays. She will be one of the largest ships to dock in Brisbane's Portside Wharf. 

This news was revealed after Royal announced that Quantum of the Seas will be sailing year round from Shanghai from May 2015. 

I don't know about you but I'd love to discover this part of the world on a lovely ship like the Legend. 

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P&O Ventura - Day 1

Well with all the excitement getting packed and getting ready to travel it was time to leave for the airport! After clearing passport control and checking in smoothly we relaxed in the airport departure lounge waiting for our flight with a nice cold beverage. Before I knew it, it was time to board our aeroplane to Genoa, the flight was short and sweet landing in Genoa and transferring to the ship was straight forward and well organised by P&O. On arrival I could just see the Ventura waiting for us in all her glory, what an impressive ship with such a presence! Boarding was fast and simple with numerous members of staff on hand to assist! Once on board we headed straight to the higher decks of the ship to get a good view of Genoa and to see what was to offer on board! 

Ventura at first glance - WOW

After taking in the views it didn't take long for us to find the buffet where lunch was being served, with a selection of different meals and choices available this was a good start to our cruise! yummy! As our cabin was not ready until around 1pm we relaxed on deck at the pool side bar with a drink and the lovely hilly views of Genoa, couldn't ask for anymore!

Once the announcement had been made that our cabins were ready we ventured to find our cabin number which was surprising easy as the ship is rather large! The cabin was very clean, neat and actually larger than I was expecting with an extremely comfortable bed, tea and coffee facilities, a fridge, interactive TV, hair dryer, valuables safe and bathroom with shower, very comfortable indeed for an interior cabin. I guess it's good to have an inside cabin as you spend more of your time enjoying the ship to the full. Our cabin steward had delivered our suitcases to our door and was very helpful insisting if we needed anything to just ask.

Watching the ship set sail from Genoa was a great experience just watching the huge ship gently sail out of the port with such grace was pretty amazing to be honest. 

We ate in the main restaurant the Bay Tree and the food was great a nice selection of dishes which where all presented well. We relaxed after this in the Exchange bar which had a friendly atmosphere and great staff making sure your every need was met. We then headed back to our cabin for a good nights rest ready for our first day in port! 

Until then keep smiling! :)

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