Costa Pacifica Postcard #8.1

The sun is up and so are we for our arrival at Civitavecchia. The cases went in the night and all that is left to do is to get dressed and go for breakfast. Our meeting point for disembarking is at 9:15 in the Grand Bar on deck 5. Fingers crossed our transfer will be where they should be.

Arrival at Civitavecchia

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Costa Pacifica Postcard #7.3

Arrivederci Palermo

We have left Palermo and are heading back to Civitavecchia where we will disembark the Costa Pacifica. It will be an early start as we need to vacate our cabin by 8:00am.

Heading North to Civitavecchia

Costa Pacifica Postcard #7.2

Our arrival at the port of Palermo

Main entrance to the port

Well all I can say is the English speaking Costa hostess did warn us there wasn't a great deal in Palermo.
Shortly before 9:00am we left the ship and proceeded to the security gates of the port. The first bottleneck was the local taxi tour firms and HoHo bus agents all urging you to take one of their tours. There must have been about 30 of them all waving their little brochures in you face. Once you had circumnavigated that obstacle there were the horse and cart tours all doing the same thing. Why is it that one will see you saying "No thank you" to the person in front and then still ask you and expect you to say "Yes" to them?
Anyway, once out of the gates came the turn of the motor scooter taxi brigade, again in large numbers. This continued for about a quarter of a mile and to be honest we were really getting fed up with it by now. When we eventually reached the Opera House and sat and took a few photos before deciding to head back to the ship but thought that by going a different route would minimise the agro. It did but what a sad run down and dirty place it is behind the main streets. We experienced piles of stinking rubbish piled high and could only determine there must be some sort of industrial action going on. Dirty and shabby would be the words I would use to describe the area of Palermo we witnessed. Even the Opera house was grubby on the outside. In all we spent just short of 2 hours off the ship and would conclude that if we ever stop here again we will stay on board.

The port entrance viewed from the ship

Palermo Opera House

A busy Palermo street in front of the Opera House

What lies behind the main streets

Looking out of the port gates on our way back to the ship

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Costa Pacifica Postcard #7.1

This our last port of call before returning to Civitavecchia tomorrow morning and disembarking for trip back home. This stop is another short one and because of this it will again mean for us that it will probably be just a case of getting off and having a stroll and taking a few photos.

Today - Palermo - Page 1

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Costa Pacifica Postcard #6.3

After getting the free shuttle service into town we made our way up the Largo Carlo Felice to the top of the hill where we had planned to visit the remains of a roman amphitheatre. When we got there the site was all closed off and looked like it hadn't been open for years. So we walked back down the hill and explored the many narrow streets before stopping to have a very enjoyable lunch at the Ristorante La Gobbetta.
Before heading back to the ship we took another walk along the main frontage to the port area which was called the Via Roma.
Our after thoughts were it was somewhere else we could tick off the list. One final observation was that I do not think I have ever known anywhere with so many street peddlers. They were absolutely everywhere that we went and all over town, we wondered why here?

The free shuttle service at the port

Largo Carlo Felice

Costa Pacifica funnel from the top of the hill

One of the many narrow streets of Cagliari

Lunch at the Ristorante La Gobbetta

Ristorante La Gobbetta

Via Roma Cagliari

The view from the ship

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Costa Pacifica Postcard #6.2

Just approaching Caligari

We are just coming into Caligari and the sun has come out.

The port of Caligari

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Costa Pacifica Postcard #6.1

Another day and a new port for us. Today we will be arriving a Cagliari, Sardinia at 1:00pm and will have 5 hours to spend there. I always wonder about these short stops and wonder if they are geared to making you book the tours?
Anyway, as you will see from the daily programme we will need to use a free shuttle bus while in the port so that is what we will do.
Tonight is Italian night and the dress code is green, white or red.

Today - Cagliari - Page 1

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Costa Pacifica Postcard #5.5

Deck 12 looking back

The afternoon started as overcast but it eventually cleared to give us some lovely weather. There is still a slight nip in the breeze and it is a bit deceiving when in the direct sunlight. If you could find a nice secluded area out of the sun then it was rather nice to sit out in. We did a bit of improvisation and used some spare sun beds to provide a wind break.
Its a Gala night tonight, I wonder how many will make the effort?

A warm afternoon on deck

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Costa Pacifica Postcard #5.4

We are on our way again to our next stop. Half a sea day which is a bit of a novelty on this cruise.

Goodbye Palma

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Costa Pacifica Postcard #5.3

Here's one for all fans of Costa funnels. Some of you maybe in denial but I know you are out there!

Costa Pacifica Funnel

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Costa Pacifica Postcard #5.2

Palma De Mallorca

With this being such a short stop we can't see the point in getting off. The weather is brilliant so its up to the top deck for us.

Island Escape in Palma De Mallorca

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Costa Pacifica Postcard #5.1

Virtual Plaza Home Page

I have been getting to grips with the ships WiFi and now I understand its a little easier. Logging on to the Virtual Plaza doesn't cost you anything and from there you can access the daily programme and the photos and names of the ships staff. If you are brave enough you can also book certain items. http://onboardportal.pacifica.costa.it/Portal/
By re-entering seapass number and password you can then access the internet.

Captain Paolo Benini

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Costa Pacifica Postcard #4.6

I was only just saying yesterday about the view at diner and hey presto we get one!
We were also treated to a little balancing trick by our waiter which involved 2 forks, 2 cocktail sticks and bottle with a cork in it. Bottle kindly donated by someone on first sitting!

Barcelona Skyline - The view for diner

Barcelona Skyline - The view from our table at diner

The waiters little trick

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Costa Pacifica Postcard #4.5

Goodbye Barcelona

Back into the open seas now as we leave Barcelona behind. My thoughts are now on diner!

Calm seas leaving Barcelona

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Costa Pacifica Postcard #4.4

MSC Splendida leaving Barcelona

The MSC Splendida has just departed and left us with a lovely panorama of the cruise terminal and southern area of Barcelona. We are due to sail at 8:00pm so it should just be getting dark by then.

Barcelona Port

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Costa Pacifica Postcard #4.3

The Costa shuttle service dropped us off on the avenue in front of the World Trade Centre and from there we purchased day tickets for the Barcelona Bus Turistic which is HoHo bus service. The tickets cost €26 per person and there are 3 routes you can take all with the same ticket. We took the red route which covered the southern part of the city and the bus took you round that many places I have forgotten what most of them were. The route took 2 hours and we managed to get a pair of seats on the top deck so we could sit out in the sun. The buses also had free WiFi if you required it.

When we got back round to the Columbus Memorial took a stroll up La Rambla and found a nice sunny tapas bar and enjoyed a cold beer and tapas for 2. Its been a glorious sunny day and we have had a fantastic time seeing the sights of Barcelona.

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Barcelona Bus Turistic

A spring day in Barcelona

The Columbus Monument

Tapas for 2

Looking back to the Columbus Monument from the Ramblas

Costa Pacifica Postcard #4.2

Barcelona Pilot getting off

We are very close to where the pilot gets on and off and have just seen him getting off the ship.

Barcelona Pilot

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Costa Pacifica Postcard #4.1

We are just coming into Barcelona where the ship will be docked from 9:00am until 8:00pm. Today we have purchased shuttle tickets for, wait.... you've guessed it €9 each and will be heading into the city. The buses run every 30 minutes so there should be plenty of time to go and explore. The forecast is sunny with a temperature of 20C.

Our approach to the port of Barcelona

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Costa Pacifica Postcard #3.4

New York New York Dining Room

Our evening dining is in the New York, New York dining room which is the rear of the two dining rooms on the Costa Pacifica. We have table 335 which is right at the stern and dead centre of the ship. If it wasn't dark and the blinds not down we would have the most amazing view out. Our waiter is called Roger and is from the Philippines and he has worked for Costa for 12 years now. His assistant is called Jason and is also from the Philippines. He is much quieter. Together they work 4 tables, 1 of 8, 2 of 4 and one of 2. With all the courses you get on the Italian cruise lines they are kept very busy. The food is as its usual high standard and its nice not to get huge portions which in turn is a good way of stopping you eating too much.

New York New York Dining Room - Table 335

View around table 335

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