This week we discuss Italy and why it is our favorite cruise destination.  We feature tips and advice for port cities as well as pre and post cruise suggestions.  Learn all about Venice, Rome, Florence, Naples, Ravenna, Ferrara, and Padua. Cruise news features a newly named ship for Carnival, a new ship order for Norwegian, and the sentencing of the Costa Concordia crew.

This week we discuss luxury cruising, specifically Silverseas, with Jason and our guest, Darlene. They detail the tangible differences of a luxury line including dining, staterooms, and inclusions.  Jason also interviews Silver Spirit cruise director, Don Fluke, who gives us an insider's perspective of the cruise line. Cruise news features a new ship for Galveston.

In this episode, we give tips and advice for touring Florence, Italy from the cruise ports of Livorno or LaSpezia with details on attractions and much more! Cruise news includes some new ship features from the Norwegian Breakaway and Royal Princess, as well as a new MSC ship in Miami and a new route for Carnival.


Show Outline
   Cruise News
     Norwegian Breakaway to feature waterpark, Spongebob Squarepants kids area & Nickelodeon events
     Royal Princess will have a television studio, Princess Live! for morning show with audience & more
     Brand New MSC Divina will homeport in Miami
     Carnival Glory heading back to Boston next year with Fun Ship 2.0 Features
   Florence Itinerary
     From the cruise ports of Livorno and LaSpezia, we suggest the "Florence on your own" shore excursion transfer, usually around $79 per person, due to the difficulty in getting there on your own which requires two bus rides and a train each way.
      Transfers usually drop you near Santa Croce church, where we begin our itinerary.
      Don't visit Santa Croce unless you have time to spare and want to see elaborate tombs.
      Head to Piazza della Signoria to see outside gallery and Palazzo Vecchio.
      Go to Piazza del Duomo (or the square with the Duomo) Santa Maria de Fiore, and see outside of baptistry and church. Climb dome if you wish and have time.
       Eat at La Mescita

   Visit the Accademia to see the statue of David by Michaelangelo
   Visit either the Pitti Palace or the Uffizi Gallery, depending on your tastes. 

    See the Ponte Vecchio 
    Shopping and General Tips
    Eat Gelato (in this article, the one we recommend is the second gelateria discussed)
    Who should take an organized shore excursion in Florence and why
    General Florence gushing ;)
  Closing
   Mikey's Cruise Blog's Cruise3Sixty coverage

Our Florence port touring page
Our Florence Review

Love is in the air as we discuss how to make a cruise more romantic, why cruising may be more romantic than a land vacation and our favorite romantic ports.  Cruise news includes continued coverage of the Costa Concordia as well as new ship deployments for Carnival and an interesting survey from Royal Caribbean.

   Our cruise news this week includes stories from Carnival Corp. and the Mediterranean island of Malta. Carnival Corp. has ordered three ships for two of its subsidiary companies: 2 for AIDA Cruise Line and 1 for Costa Cruise Line. All three ships are larger than any previous ship in their respective lines.  The AIDA ships will be new additions to the fleet, while the Costa ship will replace older ships which are being sold off.  The ships will be delivered in 2013 and 2014. 
  The port of Malta is improving its terminal facilites, and will include ferries to Gozo as well as to the other side of the harbor.  Its cruise traffic has increased in the past few months, and is up for the year.  Malta is a great port to tour independently, and is a growing cruise destination.

  We interview Vanessa Bloy of Windstar Cruise Line and learn all about their ships, itineraries and dining options as well as discuss cruise news and deals.  She tells us about the upcoming cruise with Fabio Viviani of Top Chef fame, and details the role he will play on board, not only as a chef, but will provide cooking demonstations for passengers.