A cruise for my birthday, oh why not….

In just under 11 weeks I will be travelling to Venice to join the P&O Ventura for a weeks cruise in the Eastern Mediterranean.  Being excited is just a bit of understatement. Not only am I excited to be cruising again but I fly out and start my holiday on my birthday.  It’s not a big birthday, that’s next year and I’m already planning the cruise for that one, I’m thinking of either the Caribbean or through the Panama Canal.

I decided to take my aunt with me on this cruise, she has always wanted to cruise and to this particular area of the Med, so I thought why not.  Her husband was more than happy for her to go with me, I think this then means he gets as many golfing break holidays in with the lads as he can without any hassle!  I know the company will be good as I have a very good relationship with my aunt and I am sure we will have more than a few wines on board, so it’s going to be worth checking out the wine packages that P&O offer on the Ventura.

My aunt is a retired England international sports woman, so the Ventura is a great ship for her as there are so many activities on board to keep her entertained.  I am not a sporty person, so I will be picking my spot around the pool and staying there whilst she enjoys all the sporting activities that are on offer.  Although we both will enjoy the adventure of seeing new countries and cities to explore in the days we have available onshore.

I recently went to Venice for a weekend in November last year and my aunt has visited there previously too, so we decided not to opt for the itinerary that includes the overnight stay in Venice. If neither of us had been there before, then of course without doubt Venice is a must and I would highly recommend any cruise that includes an overnight there to enjoy the beauty of this city.  So our itinerary means we just arrive into Venice, but I am excited about the sail-away from Venice, as when I was there I saw the Ruby Princess and the Splendour of the Seas leave Venice and was extremely envious of those on board being able to see the beautiful sight of Venice from a ship.

Our itinerary includes Kotor, Corfu, Rome and Corsica before arriving into Genoa to return home.  This cruise can be taken as a 7 or 14 night duration.   Apart from Rome, I have never been to any of the other destinations so over the next few weeks we shall be deciding on what to do whilst in port. My experience of Rome on a previous cruise meant that I still haven’t seen Rome to it’s fullest as our tour bus was caught up in an accident and we spent 3 hours sat outside the Colosseum, so this time I expect to see more of Rome without it being a quick pass by through a coach window and getting a crooked neck and photos that do not have my reflection from the glass window.

We have already started to plan our wardrobe for the cruise, we have 2 formal nights on board so our posh frocks will be dry cleaned and ready to go.  My aunt has suggested that she thinks we may have to go on a bit of a cruise shopping trip beforehand to get all that we need, personally I never need an excuse to go shopping but I will except this one.

Although I have cruised before, the excitement of booking and cruising again is still  like the first time.  It’s the same when I book cruises for other people, I get excited for them at the prospect that they are going to have a fabulous holiday with memories made for a lifetime.

My aunt cannot keep from telling everyone, she even opened the front door and shouted it down the road to all her neighbours (no I am not joking) and I know that she will be bit by the cruising bug as soon as we arrive and step on-board.  I expect her husband cannot wait to drop us off at Gatwick in 10 weeks and 5 days time just so he can have a weeks piece and quiet from cruises.  Although I know that on our return he will be having to pull out his credit card and take her on her next cruise…..