When I entered Rome’s Fiumicino Airport and breathed in the fresh aroma of coffee and raw prosciutto, I immediately felt the spirit of vacation.
In order to continue with my adventure, Norwegian Cruise Line's professionals needed my COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate, which they verified and approved. After arriving at the Port of Civitavecchia, I entered the NCL terminal. It was then that all my doubts and concerns about traveling disappeared. Looking around, I could see people wearing masks and smiling with their eyes, hands, and body language.
Everyone was friendly and welcoming, including the team performing the Covid tests on the incoming cruise ship guests. Before boarding the NCL Epic, all procedures went smoothly and safely. After 20 months of no travel, I felt grateful. I passed the safety and security processes with ease, and then I boarded the ship that was shining and lit up with the kindness and courtesy of the EPIC cruise staff.
From there, a crew member escorted me to my own spacious cabin with a king size bed, service facilities, and a balcony. I was beaming with smiles and joy. Once I left my luggage in the room, I stopped at O'Sheehan's Bar & Grill for my first margarita, nachos, and stew pie. As a follow-up to the Irish experience, I checked out the roof deck with live music, bars, swimming pools, hot tubs, water slides, climbing wall, and a buffet at any time of the day.
After watching the sunset, I went back to my room to prepare for the first dinner at Le Bistro French restaurant. In celebration of this warm evening, hosted by Nick Wilkinson, Regional Vice President of NCL, I ordered an autumn mushroom cream soup, juicy medium-rare filet mignon, and strawberry-pistachio panna cotta, all served with an excellent Rioja and top-notch service (video). After dinner, a Spanish illusionist, Daniel, made the evening even more magical, and next I sang La Isla Bonita at Bliss Ultra Lounge's karaoke. In response to my audience's applause, I danced to the disco groove party at Spice H2O on the rooftop of deck 15.
I woke up the next morning, smiling from head to toe. Back on the roof deck, it was me, Napoli, and my favorite Italian food. I grabbed a coffee at the Garden Cafe, went ashore in the Italian Port for an organized tour with NCL and met our magnificent guide – Brunella. I heard so many amazing stories about Neapolis ("New City") and the first pizza margherita. Isn't it interesting that margherita’s colors match those of the Italian flag? Green for basil, white for Mozzarella, and red for the tomato sauce. Fantastico! Naples' old city is famous for its pizza fritta, which Brunella brought to our group to taste. The sounds of Italian, loud laughter, and men selling souvenirs and flirting with international tourists filled the tiny streets of the capital of southern Italy. Totally charming! Everything they sell is meant to bring luck and love. What a wonderful combination. Fortuna e Amore!
Having enjoyed a pizza margherita and espresso along with delectable limoncello in Italian market style, our group then returned to the port. Once I said arrivederci to this magical city, I prepared to explore The Haven- the Epic’s boutique and exclusive penthouse. Beige and gold colors make the top floor totally luxurious
Guests of The Haven have access to several high-end suites, a private pool, a fancy bar, and an exclusive restaurant. The place felt like an island in an endless sea. From The Haven I continued to the Cavern Club to sample refreshing organic cocktails. Cucumber Cool was my choice. That evening, I attended a dinner at The Manhattan Room where there was live music, which enhanced the French onion soup and Tagliatelle alla Bolognese. Then I went to the Epic Casino for a night of gaming that included roulette, blackjack, darts, and Courvoisier cognac. The night was topped off with a frozen margarita and fish and chips at the Irish Pub.
The following morning, I awoke to a beautiful and sunny day at the Port of Livorno. We went on a full-day trip, well organized by Norwegian Cruise Line, traveling through the green fields of Tuscany this time, driving along the winding roads with an Italian driver. It was quite an adventure! When we reached San Gimignano, we stopped at Fattoria San Donato for a typical Tuscan brunch. Freshly sliced salami and prosciutto crudo, a mountain of ricotta, gorgonzola, olives, olive oil bread, and unlimited Chianti straight from the winery. I can still taste the deliciousness!
Suddenly, we were surrounded by the most breath-taking view of Tuscany while walking through the quaint streets with little shops, pizzerias, and restaurants with blue Nastro Azzurro. This tour was a fun and joyful addition to my NCL cruise holiday.
After this magnificent day, we returned to our "floating hotel", where we enjoyed another extraordinary dinner at La Cucina, which was Italian-style risotto followed by a colorful and tasty seafood dish. With a Malbec in hand and a smiling and eager-to-please crew, I decided on cheesecake for dessert. It was an excellent choice.
From La Cucina I continued to Epic Theatre Bar. Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical, the wonderful and unique cabaret of two drag queens and a transgender woman traveling across the desert definitely opened my mind. It got a standing ovation. My feet led me to the GLOW party at Spice H2O where I met some friends from Israel, a Dutch student, and a Latin sergeant. What an awesome team! The entire night was filled with dancing and joking. I had a wonderful time. A big thanks to everyone!
Shabbat (Saturday) was a day to relax. I started my day with freshly prepared scrambled eggs, salmon, and bearnaise sauce on the side, freshly cut fruit, and a Starbucks Americano at Taste dining room.
Today was a day of quiet and rest for the body and soul… Fitness and spa before brunch, a light lunch on Deck 15 with a live band and deep blue sea in the background, duty free shopping after lunch, Cigar and Whiskey Club with Cohiba and Black Label for an aperitivo. Relaxing vibes became lavish fusion at the penthouse's Posh Beach Club.
The fusion of flavors continued at Cagney's Steakhouse with a delicious lobster dinner and French wine. Next, I went to the Ice Bar to intensify the experience. I had a shot of SKYY vodka in an igloo at minus seventeen degrees Celsius. A few minutes later, I enjoyed watching one of the hottest Broadway musicals, Burn the Floor. At the 90's Throwback Party, I met my gang of friends and we danced all night long.
A few hours after I woke up in Barcelona's port, I realized that I had to fly back home. The cruise vacation had come to an end. I will undoubtedly stay seven nights next year instead of four, and travel from Barcelona to Palma de Mallorca, back to Civitavecchia via Sardinia.
I feel confident and excited about recommending this cruise to anyone in Israel or abroad after knowing that there is complete safety and security on board.
