THAT'S A HOOT!  I just finished watching ALL of HBO's "Rome," as I'll be spending a few days there pre-cruise. Your costume choices are excellent!  As for me... being a Trekkie means I simply reach into the closet and pull out a uniform. VOILA! Hamilton sounds like fun: You guys are gonna love the Princess... we have a Fairmont Hotel here, in the nation's capital, and I always enjoy bringing visitors to the Chateau for High Tea. Be sure to ask for extra Devonshire Cream!

Ken

Also in Rome for three days before the cruise. Staying near the Termini in the Monti section. Trying to get my best Italian accent back to shop and find great treats. Mi scusa, dove il migliore negozio di gelato è con una bella veduta? So far its not working as well as I hoped, it keeps turning into spanish. Maybe by Barcelona I'll be ready? JL

I guess great minds think alike.  I'm also staying in central Rome, just five blocks from the terminal. However, your Italian is MUCH better than mine... but I can swear a blue streak if I have to (long story). On the plus side: I can order a beer in six languages. "Una birra, per favore!"

Ken

Well I started packing today. Just learned about the laser show and that should make a Trekie smile! How are you getting to the ship from Rome? I was thinking about the countryside tour the day of embarkation but dont really want to run all over to make that connection.

HEY JL! Way ahead of you... the packing is complete but, now I'm in the editing process.  Lasers??!! Did you mean the light show at the Forum? I was thinkin' of hitting "Rewind Rome 3D" near the Coliseum or "Time Elevator" at Piazza Venezia for my requisite Virtual-Reality event. As for the transfer... I'm opting for the romance of the rail. It's about an hour to port from the Termini and only costs around ten bucks depending on whether you travel Regional, ICE Train or EuroStar. Click here for ticket info...

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=ad1ce14114bc9110VgnVCM10000080a3e90aRCRD

I'm Livin' The Dream!

Hi, Thanks for the info on the train. I heard it was a hassle but maybe its not. The laser show is on the shjp. http://travelmaven.typepad.com/travel_news_from_sources/2009/09/carnival-dream-offers-highenergy-laser-show.html JL and JJ

Took train around Italy last September. NEVER AGAIN! The train itself wasn't bad. But nobody in the terminals had a clue. We were sent to wrong platforms, told we didn't need to check in by the person who was suppose to check us in (had railpass) When we got to the train we missed it because we didn't check in. That was just Rome. Things were so late in Genoa, we missed train to Nice, France. Finally said heck with it, and took a cab from Genoa to Cannes. (400 euro) Could of paid for a cruise for the price of that cab.

YUP! That's Europe in a nutshell.  Never expect anything to run on time. It takes 10 minutes for the hot water to become hot. If you pick-up the hotel phone and there's a dial tone, well that's a small miracle. And NEVER go to an "Information Booth" looking for information. Ahhh, the romance of international travel.

HEY GUYS...  thanks for the "heads-up"(literally)! Carnival's been really hush-hush about all the entertainment options that will be available to guests. But it sounds like it's going to be just like visiting Fremont Street in Vegas. And I LOVE Vegas! As for the transfer: I'm committed to training, as I secretly long for a mini 'Orient Express' experience (without the messy body count). Packing tip: I had rented a condo in the Canary Islands a couple of years ago so I'm anxious to return to my old stomping grounds; it was 100 DEGREES in early November, so be sure to toss your Abercrombie & Fitch cargo shorts into the mix.

Well now I need to decide about the train. The Eurostar is at noon and must be easy enough? I think you have to get the ticket there? Sounds like an adventure. What do you do to get from the station to the boat? Thanks for the hot tip on the Canary Islands. I also checked out the 3d Rewind site and that looked fun. Getting a Roma Pass as well and going to use the 117 bus and the metro. Getting my voice ready for the piano bar. Hint : bone up on near dead singers and their playlists. I wowed them last time the night Peggy Lee died with my rendition of "Fever". It's cheezy but works. JL

I'M STILL LOL!!!  It's officiall... you two must be a scream! I'm not picky about the train but around noonish is probably the ticket for me since I'm so close to the terminal. Once the train arrives in Civitavecchia you can locate the small cruise port buses in front of the station. It only costs one Euro and it's only a two minute run to the dock. At the dock you'll look for the Carnival bus (at the time of this writing it was still free). Hop on & it will take you to the ship. Look for the LONGEST line-up and that will be for our boat. If you're a neurotic plan-aholic like me, then you'll want to visit Google Earth or Windows Live Earth: zoom in on the port city and you'll see the train station & slightly NW you'll find the docks... easy peasy! As for gettin' around I plan on hoofing it for the most part. On Monday I booked a nine hour bus tour that visits ALL the highlights of Rome. I'm exhausted just thinking about it.  As for the piano bar, it's a date! I'm all about Peggy Lee! But if either one of you sings "The Love Boat"  I'm walking out! Especially if you do the CHARO version!!!

Hi, I think I will save the CHARO version for "Barthellyona" as I want the crowd behind me. Or maybe the Bill Murray version for the commedy club! JL

YOU'RE KILLING ME!!! Don't force me to sing the "Morning After" song from the Poseidon Adventure!  I'll do it! I swear I'll do it!

Well... all right! But don't you DARE do the Bill Murray version of "Funkytown!"

hello, Well I am all packed and ready for fun. Just found out that the Vatican Museum is free on the last Sunday of the month! and doing a Rome @ night tour with a stop at a restaurant on the day before the cruise. Also decided to take the train to the boat. Hope a group of FOD can do the supper club or get seated together in the main room. All ready for the spa too as I got down to my "cruising wieght" and my bathing suits from Pistol Pete just arrived. ... yooo hoo! We both hope we connect with all the FOD and make this a great adventure. How will we can all get together. Sometimes the FOD gatherings are at odd hours. So lets have a game plan. JL