My Maiden Voyage: Lessons Learned During my First Cruise

As many of you know I recently experienced my first cruise.  I can see how people become addicted to cruising!  I had a blast!

My first cruise was on the new Carnival Vista for an 8 day Mediterranean Cruise.  Ports of call were:  Barcelona (Spain), Palma de Mallorca (Spain), Sicily (Italy), Naples (Italy), Rome (Italy), Livorno (Italy) and Marseilles (France).  As you can see the schedule was intense!  Before I share many of the amazing photos, I want to share some lessons learned during my first cruise:

1) Enjoy the ship!  This is my only regret.  As this was my first time in Italy, Spain and south of France, I was eager to do many tours.  I spent hours off the ship, walking, and sightseeing - being a tourist – but off the boat.  While I did enjoy my time spent off the boat, I wish I spent more time on the boat.  You can see why with this virtual tour:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_E4LySdEi8

2) Plan your expenses!  I have heard so many “horror stories” from people who would cruise, enjoy their time and their drinks but then sober up quickly when they received the final bill before leaving the ship.  The drinks and many services are not free and do add up!  I started paying for the cruise in September 2015 and let me tell you … I am glad I put away $100 a month to spend on the cruise!  And yes, between the spa (ya’ll know I was at the spa more than once haha), eating at a couple of restaurants where the food was not free (worth it!) and not to mention the drankin’ (bubbly with appetizers and red wine with dinner not to mention day dranks which were Brugal Anejo doubles with coke) … yes I spent most of every cent of the $1200 saved!  But it was worth it and I never stressed over spending money or the final bill.

3) The room is just for sleeping.  As this was my first cruise I was easily convinced that a balcony room was the way to go.  The vision: wake up early, enjoy the sunrise as we cruise into port or enjoy a sundowner cocktail on your balcony as we leave port.  The reality: I spent my mornings getting ready for the excursion and spent only seconds on the balcony to update my snapchat loves with our destination.  In the evenings I met with my friends on a higher deck to enjoy a sundowner and the sunset. On my next cruise (yes, there will be a next) I plan to save a couple hundred dollars and pay for an interior or ocean view room.  I can use the extra savings for more spa time or drinks! haha

4) Bring appropriate attire and shoes!  One of the biggest lessons learned on this cruise is what to pack based on the ports of call as well as the excursions planned.  We did so much walking during the excursions (3-4 miles a day, easily) but I did not have the right shoes and I suffered for it (though that did give me a reason to book a glorious 30 minute foot massage at the spa).  Additionally, I wish I packed clothes which were a bit more comfortable (e.g. yoga pants, t-shirts) to wear during the excursions, as again, we walked quite a bit.  Finally, I wish I packed sexier / club clothes for the nightlife! 

5) Enjoy every single second!  I have nothing but great memories from this cruise.  I also have some wonderful photos! So without further ado, ENJOY my photographed memories from my first cruise!

Photos from the Yellow & White Party

We were a large group of 77!  This was a great way to meet the rest of the group and we had a great time!

#TheTastyTraveler and #ThePettyTraveler

Time to dust off and get sexy for dinner!

The Petty Travelers

Excursion Time!  Time to get off the boat and venture into the ports of call!

Sicily:  In Sicily we took a short walking tour which included typical street food.

Look familiar?  This is the opera house in Godfather III.  On these steps the
death scene of Michael Corleone's daughter was filmed!

Fat fried fat .. naw, don't ask. 

Pizza and it was so good!

Swordfish balls.  I wish there were served warm!
They were good nonetheless.

Tempura style fried veggies

Chickpea fritter and a cold local brew

Arancini:  deep fried rice balls filled with goodness!

Crocche:  mashed potato and egg, deep fried.
Yes.  With Tabasco .. big YES!

The Petty Travelers on top of the world

  

Naples:  In Naples we went to Capri and WOW, Capri is gorgeous.  I wish I could have spent 2 days on the island.  Also, we met up with friend, Arleta, who showed us how to enjoy pizza and introduced us to meloncello!

**FUN FACT:  Did you know pizza has its origins in Naples, Italy?**

A view on my way to the top (Capri)

I am afraid of heights but I braved the chair lift simply
for the view.  Capri is gorgeous!

Gorgeous ladies

At the top (Capri)

The Petty Travelers in Capri.  We cute!

Meloncello is DELICIOUS!

We goin' straight to the top!

Heeeeeeeeeeeeey Arleta boo!
#ThePettyTraveler and #TheRealJetsetter

#TheTastyTraveler and #ThePettyTraveler

Rome:  WOW, what can I say about Rome? I definitely needed more time!  Rome is so amazing, filled with the present and the past, definitive architecture and wine.  

*FUN FACT: did you know origins of the childre's story, Pinocchio, is Italian?  In Rome there was a small wood making shop where one man, with great detail, spent his time in silence whittling mini Pinocchio puppets!**

When in Rome you MUST visit the Vatican.
Did you know Vatican City is actually a COUNTRY!

A window view of St. Peter's Square

By Michelangelo:  Mary carrying the lifeless body
of her son, Jesus, after taking him down from the cross.

Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.  Shhh don't tell
anyone.  No photography allowed!  BUT how could I
NOT take this photo?!

Hello gladiators!  #ThePettyTraveler in front of the Colosseum.

Trevi Fountain.  When here you MUST throw in a certain number of coins to "buy"
your wish!  1 coin - Wish to come back to Rome, 2 coins - Wish a return to Rome with
a new love!  Now, you must throw the coins with your back to the fountain, with your right hand
and over your left shoulder.  I threw in TWO coins *wink*
 

Livorno:  This city is quite close to Pisa and Tuscany.  Because of the timing, we chose to skip Pisa (nope, no photos of the Leaning Tower of Pisa) and instead enjoy a wine tasting in Tuscany!  Farm: Tenute di Badia.

**FUN FACT:  While it is assumed that Tuscany is famous for its red Chianti, this is only partially true.  In the Northern part of Tuscany you will find that white Chianti is quite popular (and delicious)!

Wine snacks.  The olive oil was AMAZING!

Our favorite!

Aix-en-Provence, South of France:  I have only been to Paris but if I had to choose, I would love to see more of the South of France! There, again, is so much history in this city.  The Aix Cathedral was built and added to between the 5th and 15th centuries!

In Aix-en-Provence we also enjoyed a wine and cheese pairing!

Baptism pool in the Aix Cathedral from the 6th century!

The Historic Les Deux Garcons.  

The wine and cheese pairing. I bought two bottles of the rose!

Barcelona:  We enjoyed Park Guell as well as enjoyed a city tour on the big red bus!  Again, I wish I had more time to see and eat in Barcelona!  

Also, if you are in Barcelona, you must enjoy amazing tapas and sangria at Palosanto!  Try to reserve an outside table when the weather is nice!

White sangria

Tabla de queso

Papas bravas

Cerdo (pork)

Last night, in Barcelona ... XOXO from The Petty Travelers

Finally, I was on a cruise ... enjoy the sunsets taken while sipping sundowners with my Petty Traveler Crew!

Tisk tisk tisk, you could have enjoyed my memories as they were happening!  Follow me on snapchat: pmkenney79 and never miss my memories as they are made! XOXO