CIVITAVECCIA (ROME), ITALY, Friday, April 11

Civitaveccia has been the principal port of Rome since the 13th century. It is also one of the main ferry ports for Sardegna. Many medieval fortifications still stand today which were developed by Michelangelo.

The weather was cool (63) and raining. We walked around the city visiting the open markets & small shops. Lunch was in a quaint pizzeria and consisted of a little pasta, a little pizza and a little Chianti. We got back to the ship just in time to see the lead tennor from the Rome opera who came to the ship to perform. He was wonderful! Afterwards we went to the Friday night service and for the first time we have Rabbi on board. It's a woman and she & her husband are from Philadelphia. They will conduct the Passover service on the 19th when we are in Ireland. Several people left the ship today including the captain & the head of security. Good-byes are always sad. We also have 50 new arrivals for the last 10 days. Tomorrow Cannes. For the past few days we have been in a port every day...everyone misses the sea days.