DAY 117 - DAY 111 CRYSTAL SERENITY

WELOME TO CIVITAVECCHIA, ITALY

We enjoyed a pre-dinner  drink at the Avenue Saloon and Bartender Dennis took excellent care of us  as he did on the Holiday  Cruise and the seven day California Cruise.

Last evening was the Crystal White Extravaganza so we  wore something white.

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These are the dinner menus  from Waterside.  

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We enjoyed dinner at  Waterside.

Head Waiter   Augusto made Keith Tuna Tartare which he enjoyed for his appetizer  while Anne Marie had the Barbecue Tiger Shrimp.  We both had a mixed salad for our second course.  For our entree we both went with Salmon.

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The featured entertainment was Mind-Reader Marc Paul who performed two shows.

We slept well as the ship sailed to our next port of call in Civitivecchia.  The Mediterranean Sea was calm and  we just had the gentle rocking of the ship.  We began our day as we always do with an early morning workout for Keith followed by Coffee and Breakfast in  our room.

Keith had a Personal Training Class with Fitness Director Melanie.  Afterwards we  both walked together.  The Fitness Center was relatively quiet.

​We were last to Civitivecchia when we boarded Serenity last September for three back-to-back cruises.  We have been here several times before.   This is the port that serves Rome.  We didn't make any plans for today as we have been to Rome several times including last September when we stayed five nights before our cruise began.  It is a ninety minute drive to this port.  

Civitavecchia was founded by Emperor Trajan  in  the 2nd  century. Today Civitavecchia is a major port for Passenger Cruise ships 

The port entrance changed around 2015.   Prior  to the change you could take  the port shuttle to the entrance which was located by the old fort.   It is no longer practical to walk from the ship to the entrance which is located quite  a bit further from the old entrance and further from other areas such as the train station which people use to get to Rome.   When you  take the port shuttle and are dropped off there are lots of people trying to sell  you tours and also there is a bus that for a fee takes  you to the train station.  

Shortly before we were leaving the ship, Captain Birger spoke to everyone from  the Bridge.  He mentioned that in five to ten minutes the gangway would be closed.  Evidently the local port authority needed us to move  100 feet from our original docking location.  This is  because  we were blocking the flight path that was being used for the Prime Minister of Italy to land.  As it turned out he landed at the fort.  Once the ship was moved we took the shuttle to the port gate.  From there we walked for a little while.

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After returning from the city we  enjoyed the rest of the day on Serenity.  We had lunch at Marketplace and afterwards Keith played Paddle Tennis while Anne Marie walked.  Keith was fortunate  as it had rained right before lunch but stopped while we  were eating.  A  member of the crew was called up to dry the court off.  As Keith left the court he saw a helicopter flying relatively low and think it might have been dispatched to pick up the Prime Minister.

​Tomorrow we have a full day tour.

Today's daily Reflections Program Follows.

Cheers,

​Anne Marie & Keith

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