Mariner of the Seas

Mariner of the Seas




We have just completed day 4 of our cruise. The boarding process in Civitavecchia was painless and fairly quick. We were able to get to our cabin which faces the front of the ship so we can always see where we are going. We have had nice weather although it rains every afternoon just at sailaway time. It only lasts for about half an hour. Our first port of call was Napoli, otherwise known as Naples. We took the ferry to Capri where we climbed one-thousand feet to the Villa Jovis, summer limlhome of the Roman emperor Tiberius. He would invite his enemies up for lunch and then push them off the cliff. It was a pretty grueling climb but totally worth it. We packed a lunch and had a picnic amongst the ruins. Quite lovely. The hike down was just as difficult so we really had quite a workout We had a sea day yesterday and we needed the rest. Last night was wonderful with our special dinner with the captain. He is charming and a great conversationalist. Great conversation, great food, great wine. What else can you ask for?



Today was our port stop in Athens, Greece. It was hot, smoggy, crowded, but no riots today. They have been having some political unrest but it was calm today. We did get caught in a rain storm with lightning and thunder but we survived. We took the subway back to the ship and then walked two miles to get from the subway stop to the ship. It was good because we rode the sightseeing bus in the morning and we needed to get some exercise. Everything was about the same here as we remembered it from last time.



The ship is good. The passengers are from all over the world and we all seem to be getting along very well. Today four Chinese passengers missed the ship. I have no idea what they will be doing and how they will catch up.



Tomorrow we visit Turkey, a port stop we have been to so we will get off the ship whenever we get up; no rush. It is a port stop which is good for shopping. We will not go to Ephesus since we have been there on two previous occasions. The seas have been very calm in the eastern Med and that is good for Jerry. Life on a cruise ship is good and travel is so much easier. It really is the only way to go.