World cruise 2025 number 2!!

[Jeanf]

Taking Drake passage. Hope you are not inclined to sea sickness…

[RichardBartlett]

Originally Posted by Jeanf

Taking Drake passage. Hope you are not inclined to sea sickness…

this is our third world cruise, never been sick once ..we'll be fine :-)

[RichardBartlett]

Day 4 Catania Sicily
They say Italy is an open air museum. Not far wrong. Up early as docked at 07.00 but short stay till 12.0
A walk around the city. It's amazing. I recommend Sicily to visit it's alive with dead people's stuff.

I feel the holiday started today

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[1William]

I have always wanted to go to Sicily. Maybe one day. Thanks for the pictures.

[RichardBartlett]

When in Rome....

It's a 2 hr coach from the port to Rome. We spent 5 days a couple of years ago so very little new for us but as it's part of our free excursions it made sense plus with a super guide he talked us through the day regarding the city. Of course it went in one ear and out the other but it was welcomed none the less. Far fewer pictures for the same reason.

We were promised rain and Rome didn't disappoint.
Again anyone who hasn't been to Italy or Rome it's worth a trip to see how amazing ancient Rome must have been..

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[RichardBartlett]

Rome, sunshine on a rainy day

The Vatican

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[enjoythemusic]

Inspirational, following :)

[RichardBartlett]

Last Italian stop till the return journey.
Savona laguria
Again full of old buildings with fine Italian architecture.
I urge if you've ever wanted to visit Europe make sure Italy is one of the countries

Savona is just another beautiful town set on the coast . Nothing special except it's special in it's own way.
Weather cold 10c but windy. Clear sky so sunny.

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[1William]

Great pictures.

[Oscarpapa]

Thanks for taking the time to post. Great images.

[77T]

Looks like the weather cooperated for this excursion.

Any pizza consumed in the local shops while you've been on the first leg in Italy!

You know - pics of food!


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[m j b]

Originally Posted by Tri-Tip

Not sure I could do 131 days, went for 16 days in October, and I was itching to be home after 13.

Yeah, I don't know how long I could stand it. I did a week cruise once, long ago, and that was enough for me.

Originally Posted by RichardBartlett

I recommend Sicily to visit it's alive with dead people's stuff.

LOL, thanks for the great pictures and commentary!

[RichardBartlett]

Originally Posted by m j b

Yeah, I don't know how long I could stand it. I did a week cruise once, long ago, and that was enough for me.







LOL, thanks for the great pictures and commentary!

Cruising is an acquired taste mainly suited to old folk. Although there are a lot of 20-40 year olds here. We were sitting with some world cruise old hands and laughing that it's like being in prison. You're told what time to eat and what and when you're allowed out and more importantly what time you must be home. The ship becomes your comfort blanket. It's mother and father to you. However the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. Every day you wake up to something and somewhere different. The chance to see so many new and exciting places.

If you like going to hotels and relaxing on a AI basis you'll love cruises.

If you believe (in your own mind at least) you're some kind of Dr Livingstone explorer discovering new places, lost tribes and unknown animals then probably not. It's not a one stop solution nor does it profess to be

You just have to reset your mind and go with the flow..

On my first cruise (a 2 week Caribbean) I sat there for the first few days thinking "what's all this about?" Once I relaxed, I started to enjoy it and now l/we love it. .

it's our 3rd WC and I'm already one eye looking to our 4th .. :-)

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[TRS1]

Sounds like a great time!

[77T]

World Cruising is a moveable feast upon a huge bateau filled with like-minded souls.

I couldn't embark on one - due to other obligations - but I do enjoy the sights you share, Richard.


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[RichardBartlett]

Marseille more so so.

Spent time here on the first world cruise but walked to an excellent motorcycle museum. Full of very interesting old bikes (if that's your thing)
This time it's far colder and windy. So we choose to walk around. There is a huge cathedral high up which I'd forgotten about so we never made it. Next time
Lots of fresh stalls and markets. Although it's quite expensive here approx 3x more than home and up to 5x more than Sicily for fish and veg etc.

Plenty of eateries but again it's not cheap here .
In summer it must be a very pleasant stay for a day.

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[RichardBartlett]

Barcelona!

Ok everyone either has been to Barcelona or wants too. There is no in between. We have been several times so this was more of a supplies run.
The ship docked as far away from the city whilst still remaining in Spain. Approx 1.5 hours walk. Which we choose to do. Our ship is the far one and we are about a quarter distance done..

However during the walk and shop we took in a few sights but not the biggies so l urge, if you're in the latter of the above make the effort for at least a few days. It's totally worth it



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[RichardBartlett]

Barcelona was the final pick up point for world cruisers. So we are now officially on the world tour.
To celebrate that we had the formal introduction of the crew up to and including the captain.

I'm quite surprised how relaxed they are and how open and friendly. Was expecting it to be in the theatre not the indoor pool area..

Open shirts and vests .
I wasn't expecting a Tony soprano type line up tbh.
But "whatchagonnado?"

Anyhoo, all good and a light disco after for more friendly fun. Compared to MSC the passengers are more laid back and willing to join in.

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[John Doyle]

Yeah not for me at all but enjoy!

[RichardBartlett]

Day at sea en route to Casablanca

Currently just passing the straits of Gibraltar..lazy day bit of exercise and food.
Had a discussion with the excursion desk re the 'free' excursions and changing a few to other places etc as we'd done those excursions previously. Sadly computer says no..

Still enjoying the life and being away from home mixing with numerous different nationalities is always fun. Or usually as some can be quite a struggle to cross the differences between cultures

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[RichardBartlett]

Morocco side

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[austinp]

Originally Posted by RichardBartlett

Day at sea en route to Casablanca

Currently just passing the straits of Gibraltar..lazy day bit of exercise and food.
Had a discussion with the excursion desk re the 'free' excursions and changing a few to other places etc as we'd done those excursions previously. Sadly computer says no..

Still enjoying the life and being away from home mixing with numerous different nationalities is always fun. Or usually as some can be quite a struggle to cross the differences between cultures

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So cool. Have a blast!


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[RichardBartlett]

Casablanca.. of all the ports.
First time to Morocco so first time to Casablanca.

A very pleasant surprise.

Firstly I wasn't expecting the people to be quite so extremely friendly and polite. Other middle eastern countries especially the men have a poor reputation towards western people especially woman. Not Morocco from our experience. Sure they have a strict Muslim code but not everyone is Muslim and they seem to coexist far better than as I say other middle eastern countries.

As a result it was far more cosmopolitan than expected and far far larger.
It's a long day here 07.00 to 22.00 so we walked the town in the morning and had an excursion in the afternoon which lasted 5.5 hours.
Both enjoyed in their own way. To get some perspective on how much we walked. Dalia's I watch recorded 32100 steps. So a fair distance and my feet are letting me know it.

All in all an enjoyable day. Not that I'd rush back but extremely glad we came.

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[RichardBartlett]

Casablanca mosque deserves it's own post. Doesn't look overly impressive from the outside but the Craftsmanship on the build is pretty darn amazing. My pictures capture none of the sheer size and splendor of the building

Built in late 80's early 90's btw

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[Maleg]

Originally Posted by RichardBartlett

Casablanca.. of all the ports.
First time to Morocco so first time to Casablanca.

A very pleasant surprise.

Firstly I wasn't expecting the people to be quite so extremely friendly and polite. Other middle eastern countries especially the men have a poor reputation towards western people especially woman. Not Morocco from our experience. Sure they have a strict Muslim code but not everyone is Muslim and they seem to coexist far better than as I say other middle eastern countries.

As a result it was far more cosmopolitan than expected and far far larger.
It's a long day here 07.00 to 22.00 so we walked the town in the morning and had an excursion in the afternoon which lasted 5.5 hours.
Both enjoyed in their own way. To get some perspective on how much we walked. Dalia's I watch recorded 32100 steps. So a fair distance and my feet are letting me know it.

All in all an enjoyable day. Not that I'd rush back but extremely glad we came.

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Beautiful pictures.

Morrocco is not the middle east. It is north Africa. It's culture is heavily influenced by colonial France and is quite cosmopolitan. It's a beautiful country if you have the opportunity to return and explore Marrakesh and Tangier you will be pleasantly surprised.

[RichardBartlett]

Originally Posted by Maleg

Beautiful pictures.



Morrocco is not the middle east. It is north Africa. It's culture is heavily influenced by colonial France and is quite cosmopolitan. It's a beautiful country if you have the opportunity to return and explore Marrakesh and Tangier you will be pleasantly surprised.

Many thanks I stand corrected on the geographic error. :-)
Casablanca does indeed have a strong French influence and has its own little France quarter.
Perhaps I should have taken more pictures of that side but I wanted to major on it's own culture rather than the imported one


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[996marty]

Some fabulous photos of some great looking locations. I look forward to seeing some more from another great trip

[JSol1]

I followed your last cruise Richard and will be closely following your journey. We are doing a World Cruise in January ‘27 and are anxious and excited at the same time.

[1William]

Great pictures and it looks just like I thought.

[RichardBartlett]

Originally Posted by JSol1

I followed your last cruise Richard and will be closely following your journey. We are doing a World Cruise in January ‘27 and are anxious and excited at the same time.

Which line you booked with?

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