Mediterranean Cruise
October 2023
We took this trip for my oldest daughter’s high school graduation present. We did use a travel agent, and we cruised on the MSC cruise line. The lovely thing about this cruise is that it is on a loop, so it never stops, and people get on and off every day because every stop is also a port for embarking or disembarking.
We flew out of Atlanta, GA, because it was cheaper, and also, Rome had a direct flight home to Atlanta. We have family in Chattanooga, so we drove down, stayed the night with them, and got up early to drive to Atlanta. From there, we flew to JFK in NY and then on to Rome. The main part of the flight was overnight, and it wasn’t too terrible.
Let me start off by saying first and foremost, that I am NOT advising a celiac to eat gluten when in Europe! I have worked for 9 years on healing my gut using the Plexus triplex and have had great results. So I personally felt comfortable trying gluten and did okay for the most part. However, they do have gluten-free options in Europe as well. Also, keep in mind that at this time, I did not have Alpha-Gal yet and was still eating dairy. Pictured is me eating a pizza, the place we ordered it from, and the gelato we enjoyed in Rome.
So after eating, we checked into our room and got some rest for our big day the next day. We started with some coffee and breakfast, and then took the train into Rome, where we met up with our tour guide, Patrizia. We booked a golf cart tour through “Tours by locals,” and it was very fantastic! Here is our itinerary:
ITINERARY
Venice Square
Altar of the Fatherland, better known as the Wedding Cake
Circus Maximus
Foro Boario
Marcello Theatre
Largo Argentina, where Giulio Cesar was stabbed
Navona Square
Pantheon (outside)
Temple of Hadrian
Trevi Fountain
Spanish Steps
The itinerary can be customized according to your requests
Generally, in all the Roman historical monuments and churches dresscode
for both men and women requires shoulders and knees to be
covered. Shorts and skirts are fine, but below the knees.
This is us on our golf cart!
The Colosseum
Trevi Fountain
Pantheon, we actually got to go inside this one.
We ended the evening with dinner in a foodcourt-type place where we were picked up for our tour, and then took the train back to our hotel. The next morning, we checked out of the hotel and went to the port to board the cruise ship. We did a 7-night cruise and had a balcony room (which I highly recommend), and our port was Civitavecchia, Italy. Our ship was the MSC Seaview.
Our first port was Malloaco in Spain, where we took a private tour over to Palma on the coast of Spain. Our tour guide was Gina Vasquez. Our itinerary was:
ITINERARY
-Meet up
-Off to the beach!
-Lunch
-Relax
-Return
and she added on a stop to the Bellver Castle on the way to the beach, which was a nice surprise!
Bellver Castle
The beach at Palma (note you will see topless women!).
Let me point out here that when you have food allergies, and you are cruising, you MUST let them know at the time of booking what the allergies are so that they will be prepared for you. I always eat my meals in the dining room, but make sure you notice the hours. They are not open 24/7 like the buffet. But I do not eat at the Buffet.
Gluten free pasta dish
Main course with the pasta dish.
A lunch pasta dish.
Day 2, we ported in Barcelona. We had booked our tour here through the cruise line for a wine tasting, but not enough people booked, so they cancelled it, and we were on our own there with no tour. So we hopped on the double-decker red bus, got the headset, and toured around to learn the history that way. Not as planned, but still okay. My favorite was the architecture. The Spanish tile was so beautiful.
Gorgeous Spanish Tile
What I ate for lunch. Acai bowl.
The next day, we ported in Monaco, France. This tour we did was through the cruise ship, and our bus was supposed to be all English speaking; however, this one family got on the wrong bus, and the communication gap was awful. They were late coming back at every stop, and it was super annoying to everyone! I will say, book your tours private. It’s so worth the money and the experience.
Rose’ on the streets. Monaco is its own “country” with its own rulers within France. There is zero crime here!
We then went to Monte’ Carlo. It was a Sunday, and sadly all the shops were closed, but also that was a good thing because all the shops are very high-end!
My husband in front of the casino with a Rolls-Royce car.
The next day, we stopped in Genova, Italy. We did a private tour here, and our tour guide was Natascia Clemente.
ITINERARY
– From your meeting point, we’ll drive towards the Riviera, and we’ll
have a scenic overview of the Tigullian Gulf and, through Santa
Margherita Ligure.
– We will end up in the worldwide renowned Portofino, for a visit at
leisure, strolling around the piazzetta or reaching the panoramic
Church of St. George.
– Lunch or a break can be arranged in Portofino or Santa Margherita,
at your pleasure.
We did have our lunch break in Portofino and it was lovely.
Portofino view of the town area from up at the cathedral.
Inside the Cathedral
The next day, we ported and went on a tour through the cruise line (this one was a better experience) to Pisa. We drove that morning as the sun was coming up through Tuscany, and it was beautiful. The leaning tower of Pisa was amazing to see in person as well.
Leaning Tower of Pisa
In Florance we toured the city and found the Statue of David.
Our final night on the cruise, and then back to get off at the same port we got on at. We are returning to the same hotel for one more night before we fly a direct flight from Rome back to Atlanta.
Every night you sit at the same table and have the same wait staff. The menu changes every night, and they have a separate menu for those with food allergies.
