CURRENT NEWS
Independence of the Seas - Cruise August
2008
This year we
decided to try something different for our
two weeks away in the sun. Following the
launch of Royal Caribbean's Independence of
the Seas in May 2008 we joined her for a two
week cruise around the northern shores of
the Mediterranean. Our itinerary was
packed full of action and adventure as we
travelled from port to port, visiting the
many sites along the way.
09 Aug 08 – Left Southampton
12 Aug 08 – Gibraltar – UK
14 Aug 08 – Cannes (Monte Carlo)– France
15 Aug 08 – Livorno (Florence/Pisa) –
Italy
16 Aug 08 – Civitavecchia (Rome) – Italy
17 Aug 08 – Cagliari (Sardinia) – Italy
19 Aug 08 – Seville (Cadiz) – Spain
20 Aug 08 – Lisbon – Portugal
21 Aug 08 – Vigo – Spain
23 Aug 08 – Arrived back at Southampton
THE SHIP
The
Independence of the Seas is one of the
three Freedom Class ships, the largest
Cruise Ships Afloat, and was launched on 2
May 2008. This being its Inaugural
Season, and sailing from Southampton this
made the ideal holiday for 2008.
With deck after deck of amenities there
was always something to do, and as ever
when we left the ship there were still
things we hadn't had the time to go and
do.
Tash on the Flow Rider
Our Cabin - 7572
The Golf Course
To View more pictures
of our Independence of the Seas Cruise CLICK HERE
GIBRALTAR
After 2 full days at see we arrived in
Gibraltar, at the entrance to the Med from
the Atlantic. Here we started by
going on a Dolphin Safari out through the
harbour. There were loads of
Dolphins, and several of the species,
in the bay. Quite a number had their young
with them, which was great to see.
In the afternoon we went for a walk
through the tow to the cable car before
returning to the ship later in the day.
The Rock - From Dolphin Boat
Gibraltar at Sun Rise
Two of
the many Dolphins seen.
Glass Blowing at Gibraltar Crystal
CANNES
After
another full day at see, day 6 saw us visit
the French Riviera, as we arrived in Cannes.
Here due to the size of the ship we anchored
in the harbour and tenders were used to take
everyone to the shore. We made use of
the time by visiting Fragonard, a French
perfumerie in Grasse. Following which we
paid a visit to St Paul de Vence, the 16th
centry town in which time seems to have
stood still.
Tendering in Cannes
The Beach (no sign of Mr Bean)
Inside The Fragonard Factory
The Hill Top Town St Paul de Vence
To View more pictures
of our Independence of the Seas Cruise CLICK HERE
LIVORNO
The first
of 3 stops in Italy, Livorno, and the first
of our long trips into Tuscany. We
started the day with a guided tour of
Florence, the birth place of the
Renaissance, and while returning to
the ship visited the University town of
Pisa. While in Florence we visited a
number of the famous landmarks, including
the famous Cathedral, bell tower and
baptistery, stopped at Piazza del Signoria
and saw many famous statues (including
Michelangelo's David). In Pisa of course we
visited the famous Leaning Tower, Cathedral
and Baptistery.
Church of Santa Croce
Michelangelo's David (copy)
The Field of Miracles
Tash holding up the Tower
CIVITAVECCHIA
The gateway
to the ancient city of Rome. Again we
spent the day visiting the famous sites of
this historic city. We visited the
Trevi Fountain, Forum, Coliseum,
Marcus Aurelius's Column, Constantine Arch,
Victor Emmanuel II monument and many other
sites. After a spot of lunch we
visited Vatican City, St Peter's Square,
St Peter's Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel.
Trevi Fountain
Victor Emmanuel II (The Wedding Cake)
St Peter's Basilica
St Peter's Square
To View more pictures
of our Independence of the Seas Cruise CLICK HERE
CAGLIARI
After two
very long and busy days we decide to take it
easy and day 9 saw us visit the port of
Cagliari (Sardinia). We spent a few
hours of the ship and visited the
Archaeological Park of Nora. Nora was
an Important Phoenician colony and port
approx 3,000 years ago. Excavations
started in 1952 and in the following 8 years
over 3 hectares of ruins had been
discovered. After our guided tour of
the ruins we visited the beautiful beach of
Sant Efisio.
Cagliari from the Harbour
Beach at Sant Efisio
Storage Jar uncovered at Nora
Mosaic Floor at Nora (one of many)
Cadiz
Following
another day at sea we arrived in the
Seville, Cadiz, in Spain. Here we
spent three hours touring the historic Port,
we visited the old tobacco factory built in
1741, Santo Domingo Church, Old Royal
Prision, the Roman Theatre, and the San
Sebastian and Santa Catalina Castles.
We also walked around the San Carlos Gate,
the Alameda Apodaca and the Church of
Carman. The Cathedral, and the 17th
Century City Walls.
Santa Catalina Castle
Main City Gate to Cadiz
memorial commemorates
the
18th Century Cathedral
1812 Cadiz Constitution
To View more pictures
of our Independence of the Seas Cruise CLICK HERE
Lisbon
Time is now
running out, and with only two ports and 3
days left of our holiday we arrived at
Lisbon, sailing under the bridge at around
08.45. Of all the ports we have
visited this is the most impressive entrance
yet. We toured the harbour area,
seeing structures such as The Monument to
the Discoveries, a tribute to Portugal's
maritime explorers, Black Horse Square, and
of course the famous Lisbon Zoo.
Lisbon's Old Power Station (now
Lisbon's own Golden Gate Bridge
Museum of Electricity)
A pair of Dolphins at Lisbon Zoo
Parrots at Lisbon Zoo
Vigo
Our last
port has arrived, (or should I say we
arrived at our last port), today with the
weather not looking as though it will be
favourable. Today we took a trip
white-water rafting from the Frieira Dam in
Afreira to A Estacion a journey of some
18km. The views were fantastic and,
although tiring, was great fun.
Arriving in Vigo
Arriving in Vigo
The Start point at
Frieira Dam
On the River Mino
To View more pictures
of our Independence of the Seas Cruise CLICK HERE
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Robert
Fish
Contact us:
Mr Robert
Fish
e-mail:
robertfish@robertfish.net
Robert Fish
© 2008
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