2008 Carnival Splendor Cruise--Genoa to Dover

7/1/2008

Our plane took us from LAX to Milan Milpensa Airport. We arrived at around 8:15AM and took the Volpi Bus from the airport to Genoa for 22 Euros pp. Through the interpretation of a helpful student on the bus, the bus driver told us that he will actually drop us off at the Novotel where we would be staying for the night. That saved us a taxi trip from the bus station to the hotel, what a great guy! Of course we gratefully tipped him extra when we got off the bus right in front of the hotel. The Novotel was nice and clean, nothing special, but a bargain. 

Waiting for our flight at LAX

After dropping off our luggage we went in town to explore. We just walked from the hotel to the pier and then to old town which was quite a way but we didn't have heavy luggage so it was fine. We kept walking and not knowing the area too well we accidentally walked into the red light district. Got out of there real fast.

San Lorenzo Cathedral in the heart of town.

Then we had a light dinner at the streetside cafe near San Lorenzo.

After eating, we went back to the Cathedral to have a look inside. Then we walked a little bit more towards the shore and got a taxi to take us back to the hotel for 12 Euros. We also made arrangements for the driver to pick us up the next morning.

Inside San Lorenzo

7/2/2008

After breakfast, we waited for the taxi driver to pick us up to the port. This time it cost us 20 Euros.

Embarkation process was fast and organized at this huge terminal. Our cabin was not ready so we went to the Lido deck for lunch. It was still early so the whole place was pretty quiet. This is a brand new ship and we were the first group of paid passengers sailing on this maiden voyage. They did have a short trip for the agents to a nearby island the day before. 

Checking out our cabin--an oceanview cabin.

Muster Drill--we had to go out on deck with safety jacket and everything.

Ready for sail away.

We had an early dinner (6:00pm) at the Gold Pearl, table 420. Luciano and Budi were our wait staff. They were wonderful throughout the whole trip so we requested to be at the same table with them on our next cruise from Dover to the Baltics.

Lots of circles.