Civitavecchia, Italy to the NCL Jade – 2/4/2015 – http://fulltimetimeshare.com/blog

FEBRUARY 4, 2015 (Wednesday)

After sleeping on and off all day yesterday, we went back to sleep and lazed around. We finally got up and dressed and ventured out into the kitchen area, where the hosts of the B&B had left out some breakfast items, along with a note saying there was milk and juices in the refrigerator.

Italian/english note from our non resident host. — Italian/English note from our non resident host.

I love Europe and European kitchens. The refrigerator looks just like a cabinet. Anyway, we had our breakfast of a croissant roll, some Melba toast with jam, and some juice. We tried to make some coffee, but the European coffee maker defeated both Michael and me.

Normal looking cabinets, this one hides ... — Normal looking cabinets, this one hides …

Packaged breakfast left for us. It was all tasty.

Our coffee pot. I had to show Edie how to use it...she is still waiting. — Our coffee pot. I had to show Edie how to use it…she is still waiting.

Keys to the front door, bedroom and bathroom.

We left our little room around 10:45 AM and headed out to look for a taxi. When we got up to the train station (about a two block walk), in the rain, we got to talking to some people waiting on a bus to the pier. They said the taxi would cost about 30 Euro and the bus ticket was 85 cents. We opted for the cheap. I sent Michael in to get the tickets, after the nice couple had explained exactly where to get the tickets (while I stayed with the luggage). When Michael finally got back out, he said he was never going to do “The Amazing Race.” He could not figure out and swears he did not hear the couple say where to go. He said he ended up going to each of the counters before he figured it out. Anyway, he was successful and got the tickets. We went back to the bus stop and the nice couple was still there and we got on the same bus and went to the pier. It would have been way too far to walk comfortably. The ride was nice and the town looks so old and quaint. We will enjoy exploring it when we get back.

Rough looking day as we leave our nest and strike out to get to the port and ship.

The check-in process to the ship was really very easy. We are bronze level of NCL so we got to use the priority check-in and bypass the long line. Very nice. Once we were checked in, we boarded the ship. Very lovely decorated and large ship. We are on level five and our room wasn’t ready but we were able to leave our bags and go explore. We also got to meet our room attendant, Lenna. We walked upstairs to the Blue Lagoon and had lunch. Michael had a grilled chicken breast sandwich, and I had fish and chips. The food on this ship is much more flavorful than our MSC cruise .

Processing building. Edie got us priority boarding.

What are the odds? Holly and Roger, who we shared the taxi with from Rome, walking on the ship at the exact same time as us.

Our room: Bed. It was very comfortable. Window upgrade, if we had it to do over, we'd go cheaper, inside. The window stayed too dirty to take many pictures through, and scared the daylights out of us in big storms. — Our room: Bed. It was very comfortable. Window upgrade, if we had it to do over, we’d go cheaper, inside. The window stayed too dirty to take many pictures through, and scared the daylights out of us in big storms.

Our safe, it gave us comfort for all our little valuables.

It was tight for me but a very nice shower.

The Atrium, at the center of the ship. On our way to the Blue Lagoon looking for our missing cup of coffee.

Edie's fish and chips. I don't know what happened to the photo of my grilled chicken sandwich, it was delicious. — Edie’s fish and chips. I don’t know what happened to the photo of my grilled chicken sandwich, it was delicious.

Big sea wall. Notice the workers at the base in the center of the picture?

The brownie was warm. Very delicious. Edie is good to share with as she is generous.

Pilot boat, we are getting ready to move.

We got to talking to a couple at the next table to us and got some cruise tips from them as they have been on the cruise for the last ten days and are staying on for eleven more days. Around 4:00 PM was the muster drill, where we had to go upstairs to our muster station and learn how and where to put on our life vest. Nice that we didn’t have to drag around our vest to the demonstration. Afterwards we went to the Spinnaker Lounge to meet with some Cruise Critic people (wearing beads). Because it was raining, the ship had its sail away party in the lounge so it was very loud. We got to meet some very nice and fun people, and meet some people we’re doing tours with. We’ll see them again tomorrow at the actual meeting at 11:00 AM.

Cruise critic folks agreed to meet in the top and forward most lounge. Unfortunately the ship scheduled a DJ and dance contest at the same time and talking got very difficult.

Nice cruise critic folks, all interested in seeing a lot and saving money. — Nice Cruise Critic folks, all interested in seeing a lot and saving money.

Shelly talking with Edie. She is deaf and travels by herself. She is fun.

Maria on the left, an avid walker. Shelley and Edie. Starting with the fellow sitting, a really nice group of 4 Brits. The man in the red shirt is in a long term relationship with the woman in the black top. His mom is sitting next to him and her mom is standing next to her. We later toured Pompeii with them and they are very nice, generous and delightful.

Two very nice women we met at the train station getting the bus to the port shuttle.... — Two very nice women we met at the train station getting the bus to the port shuttle…. (Nicole and Jayne?)

The front was so loud, we tried moving to the back.

On the left, Kim and Hein, lots of fun. Moving didn't really help. It was impossible to talk it was so loud. Se we met several and knew we would see thim more. — On the left, Kim and Hein, lots of fun. Moving didn’t really help. It was impossible to talk it was so loud. So we met several and knew we would see them more.

It looks like a tug, with a line, pulling us away from the wall.

Couldn’t believe we were hungry again but we were so we headed up to the Garden Buffet. Excellent selection of fruits, vegetables, Asian, Indian, meats – you name it, it looked like they had it. It was very good and very spicy. A nice couple celebrating their 50^th wedding anniversary joined us and we had a nice talk about life, cruises, and everything in-between.

By this time it was time to go see the show in the Stardust Lounge. The lounge is huge and had a lot of empty seats. Michael wanted to sit in the front row (it was way too close for me). The show was fun and had singers, dancers and a magician. My favorite was a Motown group. Looking forward to the shows because it appears there is a nice variety.

Hallway carpet. The fish swim towards the front of the ship. I am Mr Worst Case Scenario, it only takes one glance for me to see the missing element, ocean water, and imagine it rushing through in a disaster.

Support columns are topped with jester hats.

We were early, but the first show was not greatly attended.

We walked around awhile and were back in our room by 9:30 PM. No we didn’t eat again but we sure thought about it.

The Jade was outfitted for Hawaii. Very tropical and colorful.

It is a big ship, so maps at all the elevators and landings.

Anyway, that was our day. Hope yours was great!