Scottishnellies Mediterranean Cruise. Day 8. Rome to home

[scottishnellie]

We slept with the balcony door open again. I’m going to miss falling asleep to the soft ocean sounds. Slept so well again but did wake when started to dock at 4:30am and the noises came from below, but closing the door again sorted that and I was straight back to bed.

Our information leaflet for leaving advised us to be out of our stateroom by 8am and to meet in the theatre for 8:30. We would wait there until our luggage number was called and at that time we would leave the ship, collect our luggage and take it to the transfer coach. All very clear and seemingly well organised again.

We had set alarms for 7am, quick showers and up for breakfast.

Over breakfast we both agreed we wished we were staying in for at least another few days. Kevin said it’s the most relaxed he’s ever felt on holiday and it’s the first time he really feels like it hasn’t been long enough. Its been so chilled but we’ve also done loads so it’s gone so quick.

Back down to the room and collected our hand luggage. Said goodbye to our lovely room attendant Hiras. Although our package had tips included I’ve been leaving him a $5 tip each day at the start which I later started upping to $10. He was just so accommodating. There were days we showered morning, late afternoon and again in evening yet every single time he has been in and left fresh fluffy towels. I know it’s not great environmentally but it sure feels amazing. Also, when you first arrive the fridge is stocked with items not included in your package that you can buy, and there are 2 big bottles of Evian on the counter that are also an additional charge. When we first arrived in the room and Hiras knocked to introduce himself I had asked him if these things could be removed and he said of course. They were gone the next time we came back to the room, and we were able to bring the cans of water and juice back from the bar and have it stocked as we wanted. He would always be around when we were leaving and would ask our plans for the day, then he would always do the room when it suited us. Not to mention how funny he was when he thought I was burnt, or the bottle of wine on my birthday. He was just right on the button all the time. Excellent service. My sad face leaving

As we got in the lift at 8:05 the announcement came saying our luggage number was ready, so we headed straight to the gangway on level 5 as instructed, scanned our sea passes with the security guard for the last time, and walked down the 100 yard gangway into the luggage room. We were met by a rep who asked our luggage number and directed us to our section which in all honesty we would have found in seconds anyway as it was so clearly organised and not many people around

We wheeled them about another 30 yards to the coach, showed our transfer booking, they loaded the luggage on and told us the bus would leave within a few minutes which it did. We were away by 8:15 even though the bus was only around half full. They have loads of airport busses lined up and as soon as a bus is about half full that one goes. No waiting and waiting til it’s full. Just so efficient again which appeals so much to me. They are SO slick and make it all so effortless. The fact I’ve no photos shows I’d no time hanging around!

The bus to FCO airport takes just over an hour. We arrived and as we stepped off the coach our cases were put on the pavement

We walked through a heaving airport, and found desk 162 for easyjet bag drop which was empty.

We went forward only to be told bag drop didn’t open until 10:15 for our flight at 13:15. So we just took a seat to the side to wait the 40 minutes. David arrived as he is on the same flight as us so he waited with us.

It opened a wee bit early at 10am and we were done and through security by 10:20. Loo break and we had a look in duty free. Kevin had decided he was going to spend his casino winnings on the Tom Ford Leather aftershave but when we got there they had hardly any Tom Ford, and no leather. So that was that.

Walked through the airport. Well seeing it’s Rome. Never seen so many designer shops in one place.

We found a seat as we now had nearly 3 hours to kill. I decided I’d pass the time catching up on the last few days trippies. It’s definitely harder doing it even a couple of days later. It’s definitely easier when I have time to do it as I go along. I kept mixing up what happened what day. I’d never be able to do one after I got home. Heads like a sieve!

Gate got called at 12:20 and we boarded by just after 1, but the pilot then announced he had a pushback slot of 2pm now.

We eventually took off at 2:20pm - over an hour late. I know it’s not a massive delay but we only have a short time to get across to Euston to get a train home to Glasgow tonight or we are stuck staying in London. so it makes a huge difference to us.

Had a good cuppa

And used the time to continue typing up the last few days of my trippie.

We landed at 1:45 so 30 minutes late but then the pilot announced that there was nobody to attach the walkway to the plane, and that they hoped that would be at 2pm. We waited and we waited and eventually we got off at 2:20pm. Through passport control fine but of course no bags for ages. We got the bags eventually at 4pm.

We said goodbye to David who raced off to get his connection to Belfast from the south terminal. And we made our way to the gatwick express. We checked the Trainline for the quickest route and it was via London Bridge to Euston. Bearing in mind is was Saturday and 28 degrees in London, we had a hot sweaty trek across a very busy London and reached Euston at 18:15.

We just had time for Kevin to grab a couple of sandwiches and straight onto the 18:30 train. This was the last train to glasgow tonight so if we had missed this we would’ve been stuck trying to find a hotel for the night.

Across from us was an American lady from Nashville with her teenage son. They are over to stay with the sons best friend and his family who lived here 2 years ago and were nice to chat to.

We left on time but the train started running behind - 20 mins then 30 then 40….

By this time we knew we weren’t getting a train from Glasgow to our home town and the thought of trying to get a black cab at central on a Saturday night was filling me with dread. Next thing my brother messaged to say he would come and pick us up having heard from my dad what was happening, so that was very kind of him and I was really grateful.

Then we got to Preston and loads of drunk rangers fans boarded as they had been playing Blackpool today apparently. They were all shouting and swearing - nothing too scary but I felt bad for the American lady as it wasn’t nice. A load of them got off at Lockerbie which was where the American lady got off.

When we reached Motherwell we pulled into the station to see the platform choc full of police. They boarded our carriage and were asking if anyone had texted a report into the police. Then one of the police men turned and asked me if I had seen anything of concern. I said no - they’ve been a bit loud but nothing else. They took some lad off the train and were questioning him and we were all just left sitting while this happened. I could t believe this when we were already delayed. They finished with the lad and just let him back in the train so we still don’t really know what happened.

We pulled into Glasgow central at 00:12 when we were due in at 23:14. Off, out and round the corner where my brother and his fiancé (whom he’d just picked up from her hen night!) were waiting for us, bless him. We then found he’d already driven Hannah and her pal home from the hen party earlier so he had basically just been taxi dude all night.

Home and kieran came out onto the drive to meet us. He has clearly missed us! My mum had been in and left us soup and the kids had the house nice n clean. We just had quick showers and straight to bed, exhausted after such a long day. However, nothing can take the shine off that holiday.

I can’t believe we actually managed to go after everything that’s happened in the lead up. And I’m even more surprised at just how brilliant it all was. I know we will cruise again. Most likely on celebrity. For now it’s back to reality and a few days of hopefully negative covid tests before we can risk visiting the hospice again.

If you’ve followed along thank you so much. If you’ve commented thank you even more. It’s been so nice sharing it with you. I love the dibb ❤️

finishing with my favourite memory of the cruise. Our final toast on our balcony

[Sparksy72]

Thank you so much for your wonderful report. We have never cruised but it looks fantastic! Also I loved all of your outfits. 😍

[Rob & Jan]

I've loved reading your daily reports (with a cuppa), the cruise looked amazing and all the places you visited, especially Portofino .
Thank you for sharing your holiday and a belated 'Happy Birthday'.

[cornishfrogboy]

Awesome report!

Thankyou very much.

[mrsdjh]

I’m so glad you both had a great time and Kevin in particular could relax. The cruise sounded well organised and it looked like you had a lot of fun. Shame getting home wasn’t so relaxing.

Thanks for the report - very informative as always. Hope it’s not too long till the next one both for you and us 😂

[slicer]

Hi
Thanks for this fab trippie. Really enjoyed reading and you obviously had a great time!
We are on a similar cruise early September so found it very informative.
We already have our trips booked for Rome and Pisa/Florence.
Looking forward to the lovely food and, of course, researching the extensive cocktail menu!

Sue x

[BevS97]

I've really enjoyed your trip report. I agree it's much harder to do them once you get home.

That sounds like an epic journey home! You will have been relieved to get in the door.

[JudeB]

Thanks for another great trip report, Helen. Hopefully you both stay Covid-free and will soon be able to visit Kevin’s mum.

[DUNXandWILL]

Another amazing trippie Helen, although we're in Egypt 🇪🇬 just now... I truly felt I was on the cruise with you! Your writing is so descriptive and enjoyable, just love a scottishnellie trippie ❤️😎

Looking forward to the next one 🙏 xx

[JessBlu]

Hair back and jewellery! Great tactic, it saves so much hassle.

And that last photo is just fantastic.

Great trip report, thanks.