Cruising the Mediterranean...checking into my stateroom.

The major interest on my first of a lifetime journey to Europe and the Med was focused on my keen historical and cultural interest in the country of Turkey...lots more on Turkey when it begins in 8 days.

However additional European towns of interest that can be visited easily is a cinch with the right cruise tour and for me the dates had to work with my booked Turkey trip. The time I spent late at night surfing the internet sites for suitable cruise deals was exhaustive...but it also paid off.

The cruise tour I liked best was the one I am on now and the dates amazingly worked out in every way. I am traveling as single occupancy so the discounted special rates that was declared for the available cabinis, instantly doubled and I wasn't expecting that! As I checked each cruise line the policy for single occupancy is the same even if they have empty cabins...so it can pay to have a companion when you wanna capture those great cruise deals?

This cruise line is Holland America and I recall from prior RCI family crusies that HAL was considered for oldies and even the recent reviews I poured over on this particular ship declared that travellers complained that there was people with walkers and wheelchairs most everywhere? Well its day four now and I have seen only one wheelchair at an evening dinner and zero mobility walkers and canes, and there is also plenty of younger couples...Hmmm, gotta take those travel reviews with a grain of salt!

My stateroom was upgraded to include a large verandah and I have a queen bed, bathroom with tub and shower, well appointed, very clean, and no need for extra clothes hangers or space on this go? The room location is great for me at the very end starboard side on the desireable 7th floor. The HAL service staff is almost exclusively Asian and they are all very pleasant and cordial. Now there isnt a skating rink or a multi storey shopping mall, nor rock climbing walls, sports fields, nor multiple pools and tubs like other ships I have sailed...that stuff is great for families and young singles but not very important to me any more?

I have sure met some wonderful people at the dining events and on the excursions, the cruise food of course is in over abundance and lotsa variety! As for me I enjoy the port excursions most, and with Italy, France, Monaco, and Spain on the agenda...its gonna be a real cultral and history life lesson! :-)

Cruising is still a great way and means to get an easy first time glimpse of some great cities while having a very comfortable place to come back to with your own private cabin, superb food, on board activities, and it obviously still works well, based upon all the repeat cruisers and all the cruise ships that sail week after week!

Hoping this simple very late night blog will post, as it's a real challenge with this satellite internet...it was a great first port excursion today of Naples, Pompeii, the rugged and beautiful coastline, and popular Sorrento. I hope to compose and send that post tomorrow after my Palermo/Sucily visit, so stand by!