We will be spending 2 days in Rome pre cruise and was concerned about pick pockets, etc around Rome.Is it as bad as I hear and should we leave all our  jewelry home and only wear costume jewelry?Thanks for any help.

We have traveled in Rome (not with any cruise line) and yes I would recommend leaving all your 'real' jewelery in the stateroom safe. Pick pockets are rampant in the tourist areas. Our logic was that while a thief might not try and rip my wedding ring off my finger, he might assume that because I had on multiple diamonds, we might be carrying a lot of cash. For that reason I removed all jewelery at home (we lived in Germany at the time) before jumping on the train. In most pictures no one will notice if you have earrings on or not and you can always cover your left hand with your right or put it behind your back or behind your spouse if you feel weird about being photographed without it.

 Thanks for the info Maureen,now I just have to convince my wife to leave the good stuff home.We will be in Rome pre cruise so I hope the hotel has a safe in the room.

We were in Rome two days prior and two days after our cruise in October 2006.  I too left all my real diamonds at home.  I purchased some beautiful jewelry on QVC and HSN that looked like diamonds, but are not, but be careful....remember the idea is to go understated, not buy a large sparkler.  I also purchased a small purse that hung across my front instead of having one hanging at my side.  The main thing is to be observant as you would anywhere else in the world.  Don't be distracted by street entertainers, men - place your wallet in your front pocket, carry cash in a couple of different places (my husband wore a money belt under his waistband) in addition to the wallet in his front pocket, that way nobody saw all our money.

Word to the wise....be sure to carry extra kleenex or toilet paper during your trip to Europe...we had to use our personal stash a number of times (especially on tours as everyone hits the same place at the same time and the various workers don't have time to refresh the toilet paper.  I saved several rolls of toilet paper from home (replaced them as they got about an inch thick).

 Hi ebbygirl,

  Thanks for the info,I have decided on the money belt and neck pouch for items that I need more often, also thinking about a velcro strip in my front pocket around halfway down to block full access to my pocket.Isn't a shame we have to take such precautions.I knew about the tissue problem,not only the lack of but sometimes being charged for it.

Thanks again,

Al