Boarding the MSC Splendida

11/02/2012 (Friday) -- Civitavecchia Port

This morning we picked up Rev. and Mrs. Siah at the airport. Fortunately, they were able to fly out of JFK on schedule. Their flight was actually one of the first flights out after super storm Sandy. They will be with us for the next 20 days. 

A good meeting point at FCO, right outside the exit after baggage claim.

After resting for a couple of hours, RomeCabs came to pick us up to go to the port in this nice Mercedes van. 

Our cruise document said check-in at 11:30, but when we got there, they told us that boarding won't happened until 2:30PM. We had to wait around this tent-like area with only water and orange juice offered. Some people had to take the shuttle to go in town and bring back pizzas. First impression of MSC, not so good.

While waiting and being bored to death, I went outside to take pictures of the ship. When it was around 1:40, things started to happen. We had done our online registration so we had priority check-in but it was like free-for-all and we had to fight our way to get through. People will cut in line whenever they can. Like a broken record, I had to keep saying "There is a line here." They will still try to cut in front like they do not see the line. 

We finally went through the passport check by Italian police, security screening, onboard photo, and stepped into the beautiful Splendida. We were escorted to our cabin, #8236. The crew member who escorted us explained all the bells and whistles about the cabin before leaving. This is a nice aft cabin with balcony on the starboard side of the ship.

Leaving Civitavecchia port

beautiful atrium on Splendida

Dinner at the La Reggio every evening-- I found the food to be very good and interesting. With several courses every meal, no one should go hungry and the portions were just right for me. It's definitely Italian and they serve good food, really.