16 November 2024: Sail Away, Civitavecchia, Lazio, Italy—November 16 has arrived, and today we returned our leased car to the dealer close to Fiumicino Airport in Rome, rode the dealer’s shuttle to the Fiumicino Airport, met the Holland America transfer at the Airport, rode to the Civitavecchia Port, and boarded the Neiuw Statendam for a transatlantic repositioning cruise to Fort Lauderdale. The boarding process was seamless, and, we boarded the ship prior to our luggage’s arrival. Thus, we immediately went to the Lido, i..e., the Buffet Dining Room to see what we could see and have our lunch. All of a sudden, I do not need to speak Italian anymore. English seems to be the accepted taken-for-granted language even though there definitely are other nationalities on board. Additionally, the food and beverage options are more familiar to the way that we typically eat at home. There are always Port-to-Table choices, bringing in local favorites for passengers to sample, but one can always choose something else if one prefers. The coffee cups are larger than the espresso Demi-cups, and the cofffee is not as strong—because the coffee in main dining areas is not espresso. Espresso is available in specialty beverage venues on thee ship, and it tends to cost extra. This is not better nor worse by any means, but it is different from how we have lived in Italy for the past two months. This is also flu season, and the particular flu that the ship would rather not have on board is the highly contagious and messy gastroenteritis’s caused by a virus. Thus,, there are hand washing areas by the main dining room, our hands were sanitized when we boarded, and health advisories to wash hands often are printed and distributed in guest room newsletters. At the buffet, no one serves him- or herself, and food is behind glass enclosures. The beverage area is cordoned off to guests, permitting only a Holland America staff member to serve the beverage requested. Tables are washed and disinfected after use. I appreciate this although I am certain that it means extra work for the staff’s long workday/workweek/work contract. The ship is beautiful, our room is comfortable, the weather today was gorgeous, and the sun/sunset were postcard-perfect. Mass was celebrated on board, and I was able to attend it late this afternoon. I love that Masss is offered on board the ship—I do not believe that all other cruise lines do this! I hear that the trend is for cruise lines to try too eliminate such services, but I hope that Holland America will not be among those. Today, for example, Mass was SRO! Boarding was a pivotal activity today, but so was sail away! Watching the ship slowly leave port—and the Italian shore behind was difficult for me. I knew that we would do this, but when the time came, I was a little overtaken by emotion. I did not expect that. I thought I had already dealt with that inevitability well before today. But….My U.S.. home is calling loudly after giving me the privilege/opportunity to spend a beautiful two months in my native land, and my heart is yearning for my family at home, while simultaneously grieving for Friends and Family I must now physically leave behind. Tension….and Reality…..Tomorrow is a sea day. We are sailing through the Strait between Sardinia and Corsica on our way to Cartagena, Spain. Monday is a port day. Typically, we will have internet and phone connectivity on port days, and not on sea days. We look forward to the promise of tomorrow, as I already have a full itinerary planned throughout the day. John is doing well. He is enjoying the opportunity to read, watch some TV, and relish thee warm sun on deck.
Our Travels 