My Perfect Cruise

I have always said that there is a ship for everyone, and If someone doesn’t like cruising, it’s because they are on the wrong ship. Over the years I have been fortunate to both cruise for my own holidays and be invited to many cruise ship launches. Also, as part of my ongoing training as a CLIA cruise Master, I have had the opportunity to visit ships when they call into UK ports, mainly Southampton, Dover, Liverpool and closest to home, Newcastle. In June 2018, for my own holiday I flew to Rome and stayed overnight at the Hotel Quirinale. I took in many of the main sites; Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Forum and Colosseum in the rain, followed by the most amazing wine and cheese tasting, deep underground with Urban Adventures. Using Holiday Taxis, we transferred to Civitavecchia to board Oceania’s Riviera for 8 nights. Staying in a Concierge Balcony cabin, with access to both the Concierge lounge and more important to me, the Canyon Ranch Spa with the Spa Terrace. We had booked into the bespoke dining experiences and were not disappointed. They claim to have “The Finest Cuisine at Sea” and its well deserved. The Grand Dining was stunning with plenty of tables for 2. And in the mornings, the Terrace Café was the place for breakfast, sitting in the sunshine, or in Baristas enjoying complimentary Illy coffee. Surprisingly for the size of the ship the entertainment was top class, with a dance troupe, comedian with puppets, singers and the resident quartet. Our ports of call included Sorrento, climbing over 100 steps up to the piazza Tasso, discovering the Limoncello shop. And wandering around Piazza Antiche Mura. Catania was the next stop. Most people headed for the coaches for excursions to see Mount Etna. We explored the city, with its open air-markets selling fresh local fruit and veg and locally caught fish. Next time I will not wear sandals, there’s black dust everywhere and it sticks to your feet. A day on the beach, was next in Argostoli, Kefalonia. We jumped into a taxi and popped over the hill. Kotor in Montenegro was one of the most beautiful arrivals, sailing down the fjord, arriving into the medieval city with Romanesque churches and cathedral. I found a Christmas Shop, so more for my tree and for the adventurous there’s the climb up to San Giovanni. We had lunch in the most fantastic street side restaurant. I will be back, Kotor. An interesting hop on/hop off trip in Split found us the only English people on a coach full of Italians. It was more a tour of Split with no hopping off or on, followed by a walking tour of the old town. Be wary of the marble floor, it’s very slippery. A busy harbour with plenty to see. Koper is a small walkable city with pretty squares and nice shops. There are interesting excursions available to Lake Bled for a full day or for half a day, Postoyna Caves. We chilled for the day after our walk, I love a ship when it’s so quiet. The final days were in Venice, with that wonderful sail past St. Mark’s Square and Bridge of Sighs, a panoramic view of the island. A great way of getting into the centre is the new People Mover, 5 euros and straight into Piazza Roma and access to the Vaporettos. We travelled to Murano to see the glass blowing, then back to satisfy our curiosity for this amazing city. Staying post-cruise in the 4-star Hotel Principe, the main restaurant overlooks the Grand Canal watching the water traffic go by. Then transfer with Alilaguna to the airport, speeding across the lagoon recreating a scene from James Bond! Our trip of Oceania’s Rivera was perfect, the ship was a delight, and the people we met, and the crew were amazing, the food was without doubt “the finest cuisine at sea” the space and décor were very calming. And outside the soft comfy sun-loungers. Every whim catered for.