Air Traffic Control strikes meant we had Cancelled flights!!!

For those of you that read my blog, you will know I was traveling out to Genoa last weekend for the christening of a brand new ship the MSC Seaview.

This is the first part of my adventure.
On the Thursday afternoon as we were flying Friday morning we were told that Italy had an air traffic control and transport strike planned and that lots of flights had already been cancelled, we watched all day with baited breath and our flight which was a Flybe flight was still going ahead, then just as we thought it was happening we got the dreaded email FLIGHT CANCELLED.
So what happens now? are we going or not? MSC sprung into action and managed to get us on another flight into Milan from Liverpool early in the morning so that it arrived before the strike started, phew!
The flight was on an airline called Blue Air and what a breath of fresh air they are, very helpful staff with smiles, we had lots of leg room as well, but the difference with this low-cost airline is the fact that they come around with complimentary drinks and a bite to eat, in our case it was a bagel, it was really nice.
The flight took off on time with no issues and a very smooth 2 hours later we arrived into Bergamo, Milan. Our transfer driver was waiting as we came out so that was good as we had no waiting around at all. I really think he thought he was in an F1 rally as I had my feet on imaginary brakes all the way there.
The transfer itself because it was a bit out of the way was just over 2 hours but after you get past the initial motorways it goes through some stunning countryside with houses perched on the sides of the hills, even in the mountains there were little towns all over the place with the church at the center. I loved that.
Once we got into Genoa we could see the sea in the distance all blue and sparkly and the excitement kicked in and before we knew it there she was, MSC Seaview all brand new and sparkling in the sunshine, she was an absolute treat for the eyes and a stunning looking ship.

well, that is that for the moment, I will tell you more about the christening and the ship itself in my next blog in 2 weeks as there is a lot more to tell.