Single Male FOD Cruiser Dream Oct 27 '09

Took train around Italy last September. NEVER AGAIN! The train itself wasn't bad. But nobody in the terminals had a clue. We were sent to wrong platforms, told we didn't need to check in by the person who was suppose to check us in (had railpass) When we got to the train we missed it because we didn't check in. That was just Rome. Things were so late in Genoa, we missed train to Nice, France. Finally said heck with it, and took a cab from Genoa to Cannes. (400 euro) Could of paid for a cruise for the price of that cab.

YUP! That's Europe in a nutshell.  Never expect anything to run on time. It takes 10 minutes for the hot water to become hot. If you pick-up the hotel phone and there's a dial tone, well that's a small miracle. And NEVER go to an "Information Booth" looking for information. Ahhh, the romance of international travel.

HEY GUYS...  thanks for the "heads-up"(literally)! Carnival's been really hush-hush about all the entertainment options that will be available to guests. But it sounds like it's going to be just like visiting Fremont Street in Vegas. And I LOVE Vegas! As for the transfer: I'm committed to training, as I secretly long for a mini 'Orient Express' experience (without the messy body count). Packing tip: I had rented a condo in the Canary Islands a couple of years ago so I'm anxious to return to my old stomping grounds; it was 100 DEGREES in early November, so be sure to toss your Abercrombie & Fitch cargo shorts into the mix.

I'M STILL LOL!!!  It's officiall... you two must be a scream! I'm not picky about the train but around noonish is probably the ticket for me since I'm so close to the terminal. Once the train arrives in Civitavecchia you can locate the small cruise port buses in front of the station. It only costs one Euro and it's only a two minute run to the dock. At the dock you'll look for the Carnival bus (at the time of this writing it was still free). Hop on & it will take you to the ship. Look for the LONGEST line-up and that will be for our boat. If you're a neurotic plan-aholic like me, then you'll want to visit Google Earth or Windows Live Earth: zoom in on the port city and you'll see the train station & slightly NW you'll find the docks... easy peasy! As for gettin' around I plan on hoofing it for the most part. On Monday I booked a nine hour bus tour that visits ALL the highlights of Rome. I'm exhausted just thinking about it.  As for the piano bar, it's a date! I'm all about Peggy Lee! But if either one of you sings "The Love Boat"  I'm walking out! Especially if you do the CHARO version!!!

YOU'RE KILLING ME!!! Don't force me to sing the "Morning After" song from the Poseidon Adventure!  I'll do it! I swear I'll do it!

Well... all right! But don't you DARE do the Bill Murray version of "Funkytown!"