Rome to Galveston, Texas Oct 21, 2011 - Nov 11, 2011


When I knew I would be retiring in Sept./2011,  I knew that my 7 and 8 day cruises would be coming to an end, and I would start focusing on longer cruises. I had already done my first solo cruise in Apr/2010, on the Carnival Elation repositioning cruise through the Panama Canal, so I already knew how much I enjoyed cursing solo. Now, mind you, cruising solo, doesn't me alone.

I booked this TA cruise in May/2010, so I had a year and a half of anticipation. My friends from San Diego, Amy and Bob, and friends I me on a cruise in 2008 from Tennessee, Dennis and Carolyn, also booked.

We had decided to fly over to Rome early, and spend 4 days there, prior to boarding Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Sea.

So, my journey will begin on Oct. 21, 2011, at the crack of dawn (or close, since it's still dark out), heading down to the airport in San Diego for a 0645 flight. We will change planes in Philly, then off to Rome we go.

Carolyn and Dennis were on a different flight, but we all arrived in Rome at about the same time. It is about 0800 on Oct. 22nd in Rome, so the body is a bit confused. I actually slept on the plane for about 4 hours, which is rare for me. I did try to follow all the pointers before I left about jet lag, but even though it said avoid alcohol, I had to have that 1 glass of wine. After all, I thought it would be a good sedative. And it was!!!! I'm not feeling to bad after that 4 hr. nap, and definitely excited to be in Italy.

Check off the bucket list!!!!

The next few pages will be about our 4 days in Rome....enjoy!