Rome to Ft. Lauderdale on Liberty.. U OUT THERE??

Greetings from Australia!
We are going on this cruise (and the one before Oct 12th). Sandra & Peter from Brisbane.
I have done quite a lot of planning for port information using our library. We've borrowed travel DVD's and DK Eyewitness Travel Guides. These are excellent because they have diagrams of places of interest. They also have a check box with sights not to be missed. We have been to some of the ports Civitavecchia, Barcelona, Palma & Funchal.

Sandra

[Tweety]

The tall ship leaves from Great Bay which is the Bay the ships dock in Kuki. I don't remember seeing it there before either but the web site says it's there so must be new.

[Kuki]

Sandy... WELCOME ABOARD!! Think you're the 3rd couple doing back to backs. LUCKY group!

We love the Aussie spirit. Look forward to meeting you on the ship!

[Kuki]

Someone pointed out that the change from Daylight Savings Time occurs while we are cruising... as a result.... on this cruise we get SEVEN - 25 hr. days.

BONUS time!!! That's time for an extra 4 meals <G>

Hello All! We are Brenda and JR from Knoxville, TN. We will arrive in Rome on the 22nd around 9am and will be staying a block from the Vatican at the A San Pietro da Susy. We are still trying to figure out what excursions we want to do. I believe we are going on a Rome tour with Cruisinpaige and Crusintom with a few other people but other than that we are still deciding. And I believe that we are going to ride the train to the port.

We are looking forward in meeting everyone and seeing some beautiful countries.

Brenda

[Tweety]

Good to have you join us Sandy, Brenda and JR. 116 days till we leave for Rome and I for one can't wait. This is certainly gonna be a memorable cruise. I hear tell that aside from the activities John Heald has planned as ships activities, Kuki is planning a few of his own. 10 sea days gives us all plenty of time to have a blast.

Good morning Tweety! Thanks for your kind welcome!! I can't believe that the time is almost here. Now it is decision time. So much to see in Rome with not a lot of time to do it. I would love to take a day trip to Florence but I just can't decide. I wonder if anyone else is thinking about a trip to Florence. My neighbors went and they said it was so beautiful.

I found a neat website this morning that everyone might be interested in. The web address is www.seatguru.com. You click on the airline that you are going on, than click on the type of plane you are on (we are on a Delta 767-300), and you can find your seat and it tells you if it is a good seat or not where everything is located, what movies are playing and the radio stations.

Everyone have a wonderful day!
Brenda

[Kuki]

Welcome the Liberty thread Brenda!! Delighted that you're joining in.

I've been to Florence several times, and it's one of my favorite cities in the world! Really nothing like it anywhere, and I loved it even more than Venice or Rome. I know time to make that visit is short, but if you do go, you'll love it.

Have been to Rome before too, but never really had time to explore the city alot on our own. This time we'll have three days to get to know the city a bit.

btw Barcelona is also on my favorite cities list. One of the things that made this itinerary so appealing.

Hi Kuki!

It is nice to meet you!! Ok, I need your thoughts. If we do a day trip to Florence what should we do or see? Or do you think that we should use our 3 days in Rome? What would you do? I won't probably get back over there for a while so I want to do what is best.

I read that you have got some plans for some of the sea days. I'm really interested and can't wait to hear what they are.

Well, I must get some more housework done while I'm off for the next few days. I can't wait to hear your thoughts.

Brenda

[fsdcriuser]

Hi Kuki and all fellow cruisers!
I have a question that may have been asked. We are doing a land tour before the cruise and then the two back-to-back including the transatlantic. Since our time in Italy and the Med is so long, I am considering a purchase of the Moterola phone with Simm card. (rental would cost more than purchase because of the six week visit.) I have used phone cards which often are not working in certain countries, or the number to call is hard to find,etc. Has anyone used a mobile phone over there? Thanks!

[Kuki]

Brenda....

Hard to advise you if you should go to Florence. It's not like there's not alot to see in Rome <G>

If you do choose to visit Florence for a day, most of the "highlights" are located in a few block area... with the Uffizi Gallery, the Academia, and the famed Pontevechhio all within a few blocks of each other. You can reserve tour space/time in advance at Uffuzi and Academia... which I would advise so you don't waste too much time in lines.

Jill and Larry...For the last couple of years, because of aging parents and business concerns I cruise with a satellite phone. Bought it before " world cell phones" became more common. But the advantage to it, over cell phones, is I can call from anywhere in the world, as long as I'm outside. So, even on sea days... if I'm sitting on the balcony, I can call and check in if I feel the need.

My sister returns today from an eastern med cruise, and they rented a "world phone". After I talk to her, I'll let you know her thoughts on if they found it useful.

Roll Call! Updated 6/30

Please add your name & state

Cruisedivas (Linda , Rita & Mina)- Maryland

Muffy - Ohio

Tweety is Gaile--- Oviedo Florida.

Kuki is from Calgary, Canada

Linda and Guerry Griggs -Fayettville, NC.

John & Priscilla -Punta Gorda, FL

Donald & Yasmin- IIllinois

Paul and Peggy B from San Antonio, Texas.

cruisin paige -Florida and cruisin tom-OH

Ray & Helen -Ocoee, FL
KS-

Pat & Tom- Long Island, NY

Sunflower-

Sandra & Peter -Brisbane, Australia

Brenda and JR -Knoxville, TN

Jill and Larry from South Dakota

Good morning all,

I was wondering if anyone was thinking about going to Pompeii? My husband and I are trying to decide whether or not to go. Kuki, have you been there?

Brenda

[Kuki]

Yup... we've been to Pompeii, and it's awesome. It's best seen with the aid of a good guide, who will fill you in with stories of the history.

We did Pompeii from Naples, along with a drive down the Afalfi coast to Sorrento. Truly beautiful scenery.

There's just SO MUCH to see in Italy (and all of Europe in fact), that if time is limited you really do have to just pick out a few spots to enjoy..... and then make sure you go back to see more another time.

[Tweety]

Hey only 109 days left till we leave. Hope everyone is as excited as we are.

[fsdcriuser]

Hello all,
Yes, excitement mounts as we approach the cruise.

Kuki, Thanks for the comments on the satillite phone. That sounds like it works for you but not sure about the size of it and what the service for it entails. But please let me know if your sister used a cell phone with the simm card for installation and use in countries other than the US. Thats probably what I will do and I am thinking of the Moterola a840 model, if anyone has used it ,or if the Samsung is better. (looked at both)

We are going to Pompeii. The book we got divides it in sections which prioritizes if you have either 2,4,or 6 hours to spend there. We are hoping for the 4 hour at least but not sure what the tours off Carnival will entail. Our trip there is on our pre-land trip before we sail.

Was very sad to hear of the bombing in London. Hope this is the last of those type of incidences!! I will never understand the mentality except to say its demonic.

Have a good weekend everyone!

[Kuki]

We're close!!! We're almost DDMs!!!!

I'm right in the thick of work with the Calgary Stampede going on. But another few days it'll be over, and I can start spending more time dreaming about the Liberty crossing <G>

Hit my target weight for my diet.. down about 38 lbs.... so you get to see a new "svelte" Kuki on the ship.

[Paul B]

Darn, now none of us will be ably to hide behind you! Congrats on your accomplishment.

[rayb]

Pictures of the Liberty may be seen at the following site:

HTTP://Community.webshots.com/album/39626241ohtiyde

[rayb]

Apparently it did not work. Sorry

[rayb]

Let try again. slight modification.

HTTP://Community.webshots.com/album/396262410htiyDe

[rayb]

This last one works. Take a look.

[LGriggs548]

Wow Ray, thanks. This really gets me ready to pack. Can't wait to see you, Helen and the rest of the gang. See ya soon, we aren't going in as early as you guys but I still think we're Double Digiting!

Linda

[Tweety]

Nice pics Ray. Thanks for sharing.

[Kuki]

The pics do look interesting! Some nice changes apparent from this to the Destiny class which I've sailed before.

You better hurry..... the airs are filling up and the rates are growing....
I got it for 457 RT ...and now that same flight is over 1000.

You can add Maxine and Mitch from Florida to your list....we're on this trip too,

I usually post at the other list ... cruise critic

[Tweety]

Welcome aboard Maxine. What flight and when are you flying. We are going out of FLL on the 20th thru Cincinatti.

[Kuki]

Hey Maxine and Mitch! Happy that you popped in to say hello.

Just 3 months until I'm enjoying our Rome pre cruise! The clock is ticking.

[Tweety]

Can you make it tick faster please..... I want it to be NOW!!!