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Rome from Citavechia is best done by train we paid 12 euros return in 2007 the trains run bang on time and you can get off at the Vatican (watch crossing the road) or go straight into the central station. be warned the best way around rome is by Taxi and relatively cheap, crossing the roads is and adventure and lethal. the train from the central station back was clean and prompt.

Congratulations! You will have great time, we have booked again for western horizons cruise end october, this will be our 4th cruise on the escape, very friendly people from crew and passengers. duty free shop on board for chocolate and sweets, pringles, etc. However presume you are sailing from Palma, once on board you are free to leave the ship before departing the port, and right opposite is the duty free shop, where you can buy all sorts (chocs, spirits, and more important bottled water, packs of 6 & 12) not sure if thomson allow you to take spirits on board, but nobody questioned us when it was island cruises, so that will be the chance you take! suppose they would confiscate and return to you at end of cruise! Mahon is a lovely town once you have climbed the 80 or so STEPS from the ship, so save your strength honeymooners and you certainly have a Great Time. Good Luck.

I agree with all the other hints about excursions, and would add my own when in Genoa. Make your own way to Portofino - about 45 minutes in the train from Genoa Centrale ( 5-10 minute walk from the ship) to Santa Margherita followed by a picturesque 10 minutes bus journey from outside that station. Total cost last year was about 10 euro and a typical organised excursion would be 3-4 times that. The train and bus service were frequent and as long as you remember to validate your tickets before travelling you should be fine ! Portofino is well worth the visit and you'll need to save every penny if you want to have a beer when you're there !!!!

Can't comment on the ship other than for a first time cruise should be just right. However in Villefrance you can walk from the tender point along the bay front to the local train station where for less than 10 euros I think you can get a train to most places, Monaco (worth a wander) or Nice (big town lots of shops and some beaches) or Cannes (a bit further but a nice front). There is a lot of info re the trains, I don't speak French beyond Bonjour and Merci and got around fine. Mahon is also another place you can wander and do alone with a bit of research. Civitavecchia is some distance from Rome (over and hour by coach). You can take the train, but I stuck with a ship based coach trip to take the pressure off getting back in time. If you go it alone there is loads of advice on this site and others but I'd pick one or two specific bits of Rome you want to see rather than try and get round them all in the limited time you'll have. I haven't been to the other ports but in every itinery there's a less interesting port where staying onboard and enjoying a quieter sun bathe is also an option. Just get on the internet and search for info maybe even print the odd guide and map in advance. Oh and you might find plenty of chocolate in the deserts but most ships have little general shops selling snacks.

Firstly, congratulations. Secondly, yes you can buy chocolate on board but choice is very limited so I would consider taking your own supplies. We celebrated our 40th anniversary last year on this ship and staff treated us really well. We didn,t buy any special packages but I mentioned it to reception and we received fruit and wine in our cabin, we were serenaded in the restaurant which was rather cheesy but also quite emotional. If you get the chance to go on the bridge when the ship is leaving port ( an extra charge) this is worth doing as it is something you will never forget. We went on excursions because my husband cannot walk far but it is really quite easy to do your own thing although the excursion team try to persuade you otherwise, we met many people who had done just this and I am sure that you will recieve suggestions and advice. There are good guide books in the shops that detail the cruising ports of the med. and one of these might be useful. best wishes pat

What are your destinations? I am sure you can buy chocolate onboard