We arrived at the station to find the incoming train was running late. The board kept updating the information, and it ended up about 10 minutes late in and 5 minutes late departing. The 'bin' was not put up early but in fact there was easily enough time to walk down to it. We could have gone for an earlier train that goes on to Pisa but we thought one that terminates where we wanted was easier. In fact the train had announcements in English as well as Italian before each stop, apologising the first few times for being 5 minutes late until they had actually caught up.

It was an easy train to get luggage onto and for 2nd class it was very comfortable . As a shuttle bus would have been 99 euro the 9 euro was a bargain. It stopped at a number of stations in Rome itself and then a few in the countryside. We even went past the sea for a bit although the cloudy day did spoil the view a bit.

At the end of the line we just followed the crowds. Seeing the souvenir sellers and passing a man offering to take our bags for 5 euro was enough to confirm we were going the right way. We arrived at an old fort, where the free shuttles were waiting. We got to the luggage drop then followed the signs in to check in. This was also very smooth and we were on board soon after.

Once on board we went to the Lido for lunch. There is clearly a concern about noro-virus because there are signs everywhere about the need to wash hands etc and the Lido, which is normally self service, is doing more like a full service for the first 2 days of each cruise. We then went down to our room although we were a little early .

I took the chance to try to win something by doing a tour of the ship collecting stamps while John had a break. It was fine except I did feel a bit pressured by the people in the spa area. Internet is expensive ($US100 for 4 1/2 hours) but we think we may sign up for a package.

I went to the presentation about the first 2 places we visit. It gave advice about independent trips as well as the Hal (Holland-America) shore excursions. I later found it was on one of the TV channels so that is easier. The presenter will also give one-to-one advice. She mentioned that the Ponte Vecchio, which we had seen in Florence, still exists because Hitler ordered this bridge to be preserved but blew up the area near the bridge instead. All other bridges were destroyed. She said that Monaco is the second smallest ‘country’ with only the Vatican smaller. The name (mono meaning single) comes from there being only one god there, Hercules. If we want to go to the casino we need to take our passport because it is illegal for citizens to enter the casino . We were told to look out for the Lady Morag boat which belongs to a Saudi Prince and the boat name is done in solid gold.

The lifeboat drill was at 4pm, then we joined the others and had a glass of champagne as the boat left. It was not a romantic port to sail out of although the sun did shine through the clouds for a while and the champagne, courtesy of Philip, did help

We decided to have a look around the ship and started at the top. They had a 2 for 1 drink deal so we ordered, not thinking that we would get 2 drinks each although I am not sure what we did think we would get. The man on the guitar was excellent and I am sure it was not just the drinks that had us singing along. We are invited to a 2 for 1 ‘Australia and New Zealand’ get together tomorrow and will try to order 3 drinks for the six of us.

We have opted for the ‘open-seating’ meals (which means you can dine whenever you like as long as a table is free) so went to the Vista, the main dining room for dinner . The wine is expensive but we didn’t want any and the meals were great with a good choice. There is also the Pinnacle Room, which you can book, the Canaletto (an Italian restaurant) and the Lido room for casual dining. Today the Vista Room required ‘smart-casual’ dress.

I looked around a few of the activities on the boat while John watched sport on the TV. I stayed for a while at ‘Let Us Entertain You’ which looked as though it was going to be song and dance. There was a small amount of this and then it switched to a game-show type activity where a man had food on his head to put into a bucket. At this stage I left. I didn’t want to sit in a bar so went back to the stateroom (the term cabin doesn’t seem to exist).