Time for the “Shakedown”

Well the time has come for my first educational of the year – and this has been named a “Shakedown”..

I am actually flying out to Venice early morning Saturday 1st December to embark the brand new Holland America Line Nieuw Statendam for a 4 night cruise from Venice to Rome, with a stop in the beautiful port of Dubrovnik.   I am looking forward to once again cruising out of Venice the views as you sail away are truly amazing, and will bring back many happy memories.

This will be quite a unique experience in many ways:

We will be the first people on this ship – it is not accepting “passengers” until it’s maiden voyage from Rome on the 5th December

This will be my first time cruising with Holland America Line

This will be my fist ever Balcony cabin with a BATH…. so I am hoping for calm seas on my journey and will have plenty of time to make use of the facilities of the ship and to hopefully have a lovely relaxing Bath.

I have already pre-booked 2 of the speciality restaurants: Canaletto – The Italian and Tamarind – Asian restaurant, sadly had left it to late for the Pinnacle Grill Steak House but will try on board just in case..

I have been fortunate enough to visit Dubrovnik last year on my own holiday cruise so will probably get off and explore at leisure and the ship actually arrives into Civitavecchia the afternoon of the 4th December so there may be an opportunity for a local tour there rather than make the long journey to Rome 2 days in a row including for the return flight home.

Please follow my facebook page and I will try to post updates along the way.

A full report to follow in a couple of weeks when I am back before I head off for the next one !!..