Two coins in the fountain and our first Cruise

A beautiful sunny morning in Rome! We had a lovely walk through the streets from the Spanish steps to the Trevi fountain, with church bells pealing all around. I made James throw a coin into the fountain and so did I - to ensure our return! Soon we were on the train to Civitavecchia which took about an hour, first through the city and then through farming countryside to a series of seaside towns. And then began a new and (to us) strange experience. Our first ever cruise! We got on the ship via a large building at the quayside where we were efficiently parted from our luggage and processed through until we found ourselves in our "stateroom". It is a good size with double bed, couch, plenty of storage and our own wee balcony with chairs on it! We have explored the ship a bit; I have never been anywhere like it. The only way I can describe it is a cross between Centre Parks, Gleneagles, and the ferry to Arran! Except that it much, much bigger than the ferry to Arran! James and I keep looking at each other and saying "This is weird!". After compulsory life boat drill we set sail and James and I have been alternating between the jacuzzi and watching the sea and the Italian coast from the deck as we sail southwards towards Sicily.