I typed a novel while minutes were ticking, and the LCT site went down at that time. I knew to hit copy but didn't since it was going so well. Now I logged off and am typing first and will then paste after I log back on. I would have send earlier mail from my Blackberry, but I did not know my password, and the lost feature never sent it to me. Anyway...

The trip from Houston to Rome was OK. I had some glitches in Gatwick. One bag does not mean a bag and a purse. I ended up schlepping my 17 inch laptop across the entired airport and checking my other bag. I was relieved when I saw the bag in Rome.

The Hassler's driver was there to greet me. He chatted to his friends the entire ride in Italian and ignored me, but we did get there fine.

Check-in was a breeze. They knew who I was when I walked in the door. I had been told on the phone that no single rooms had city view, but from my sleeping area, I had half a view, and from the bathroom, I had the other. I had sweeping shutter type windows that I left open almost all the time. I was behind the church bells. My room was just around the corner from the terrace, so I went over there a number of times.

I walked for hours and saw many things. I don't know what most were, but I have a lot of pictures. I saw churches, fountains, etc. I enjoyed seeing all the cafes and gelati places. I had a late lunch at a little pizza house. They weighed my marghareta pizza by the kg and gave me white wine. All told, cost was 5.8 Euros for 2 slices and the wine.

Later, I had dinner at the Hassler rooftop. They give the romatic tables to couples. There was everything from casual slacks to mink coat and dress on ladies. Men were in jackets with ties. I had fois gras terrine and sea bass. The fish was incredible. The did not tell that the water was 9 Euros. Everywhere, water is more expensive than wine. Even still water. The petit fours were to die for. I had the best ricotta I have ever had, also, and the chef brought out some sort of pumpkin appetizer with different colors and tastes in the same bowl. Two courses cost 101 Euros for one person.

After that, I had a nice steam at the gym and then went out to see the steps at night and walk the town at night a bit. Bought some wine and strawberries for my room. Again quite cheap. Had the strawberries for breakfast.

Went to scheduled steam bath. Gym and spa are a first rate operation at Hassler. Had a bubble bath in room and felt I was ready for another long walk. Could not endure the steps, so I walked to a park and some more churches. The art at the top of the steps is amazing. For 50 Euros you could buy amazing things. I did not do that. I bought a few cheap souveniers.

I had lunch at the top of the steps at Hassler's spaghetti place. Anything Hassler was pricy. They streets are interesting and cheap. Anyway, I had wonderful spaghetti with cherry tomatoes and basil and a lovely green salad. I was seated near a water wall and had a lovely view.

It is amazing to watch the crowd on the steps grow with the time of day, and people in Rome just walk, and most are not going anywhere in particular. I loved that.

I saw the coloseum but only from the car. I was on top of it pretty much.

The train station for Spagna is right there at the hotel, so you could figure this out if you were so inclined.

At 1:30, my ride came for the ship. This was another Mercedes, and this driver was pleasant and giving a tour. We arrived in one hour One . It took longer to get out of Rome than to go down the highway.

A young Italian said to leave my large bag. I schlepped my own carryon that was quite heavy up the gangplank. At no time was I offered assistance. At the top, I was not shown where to check in, only told where it was. I went there. Was not offered champagne, had to ask. They don't have the nice smoked salmon and things like SS. Also, I had to ask how to get to elevators, and I got lost and staff just laughed. I mad
e my way up to my deck, and a nice Filipino giggled and took me to my cabin. Again, no assistance or anything, and she just left.

Minutes later, another girl came and said she was my stewardess and showed me the room. I asked for chardonnay for the fridge. She seemed perplexed, but before bedtime she brought it. They do not have juice in the fridge like SS.

Closet smaller than SS but lots of hangers and very workable and nice setup. Bathroom is marble. No choice of amenities like SS, but the Avedo ones provided are quite nice. The couch is bigger than SS, and the whole living room is larger since the closet is smaller. This works nicely. Bedding is not as nice as SS, and I need to get some firm pillows today. TV is in a better place than on either SS sized ship. No binoculars like SS. Next time I need to remember to bring my travel ones.

Turndown was nothing special, though they left the Regent pin and a chocolate. The Passages don't give the next day's menu like SS. They do have movies going, but they end at midnight or earlier, which was when I was ready to watch.

The white orchids in the abin and around the ship are very nice.

I was told lunch was on deck 11. I found that and went up and had lunch with a nice lady and her mother. I had salad with baby shrimp and some fruit (yes my 2nd lunch). We had delightful conversation. This was when I was going to use the hot tub, but I will get to do that a lot.Some were sunbathing, and it was warm enough and lovely enough.

Service took a while there, but once they figure out you are there, they wait on you.

I gave myself a self tour of most of the public areas. I came back to my cabin and saw my large suitcase outside the door. Key did not work, so I had to get it redone, then schlepped my own bag, unlike SS where they are waiting for you and you don't touch it ever. Unpacked large bag, but before I got the small one unpacked, it was time for the lifeboat drill. This was very painless. After that, they have a block party vs. a sailing party. I met everyone on this hall. Quite a few Texans but none from my neck of the woods.

The demo on this ship is like SS, all ages, but as stated many places, it trends younger than SS.

I finished unpacking and went to the solo traveler reception and dinner. Most were 55 and up, and I was the only one in my 40s. There were enough of us for two tables, and we had a lovely time at dinner. One gentleman at my table has over 200 nights with Regent and over 100 on Voyager, and he said my experience in checkin was worth telling the hhotel director about so they will know. It was a mediocre (3 out of 10) half hour that left a bad first impression. It has all been nice since. Service is far less personal than SS. This is understandable to some degree since there are up to 700 passengers. One lady on my hall at the block party was rather nosey and snotty about single passengers being discouraged and whatall. Many of the solo travelers are married or widowed and here because spouse couldn't come and they are like me just here to take it in as it comes. We paid plenty, so I hope that will not be the typical attitude. I doubt it, and I imagine she did not mean it like she sounded.

Anyway, some people were dressed up more than others. It was country club casual. The men at our table had jackets, but 2 of the 3 were hosts, and the other was being a self host.

We had an exceptional dinner and a delightful time. I was able to get delightful choices. The lady next to me had the digestation menu. She was very happy with it. I had mussels, shrimp and king crab (two appetizers), spinach salad with egg and bacon and some wonderful balsamic. I had a yellow squash soup that was out of this world. I had the sea bream, and it was delightful. Most of us did not like the daily pour for white, a savignon, but they filled the whole glass, then we all got whatever other choices we could get. Those with the red liked it. They did not offer to switch to red, and the service was rather casual but efficient enough. The petite fours were brought out along with the dessert menu. I had a nutty one and did not order dessert.

We finished dining at 9:35. I went straight up to the show. She sang Gerschwin and Cole Porter. Then I went to Voyager Lounge and they sang a wide variety of tunes. I left when they quit. I didn't know the disco was starting.

I came to my room and perused the in-room movies. All were about half over. I read the next day's passages. They do not give the next day's lunch and dinner menus like Silversea. Is there a way to get these? I like to post them and save for a souvenier.

They have daily quizes, sudokus and crosswords like SS, and they have team trivia during tea at 4:15. Cabins have DVD players, and you can get two DVDs a day. I imagine if you have teens and turn them in, you can trade for two more.

The time changed this morning, like the old US schedule. It doesn't change in the US until next week. The clock changed automatically on the TV, a nice touch. Well, since this got deleted and I had to start over, we arrived in Livorno and I missed my stretch class. Now I may go sit in the hot tub. I think I will mosey to breakfast first once I figure out where it is.


My tour today is at 2:15 to Lucca to Maionchi Vineyard. I am looking forward to that. I may not leave the ship before that.

The weather is incredible.

I will try to get some pics up at some point.