Year 5, Day 175 “Living the Dream”. Wednesday, 10/22/2025 – Day 16 of 30 day trip to Rome, Italy with a Mediterranean cruise and a transatlantic cruise back to Bayonne, NJ. Day 11 of 10 night Greece, Turkey, and Italy cruise on Odyssey of the Seas and Day 1 of 14 night transatlantic cruise on Odyssey of the Seas – Today is our back to back day in Civitavecchia, Italy. We will be heading home transatlantic to the United States and docking at Bayonne, NJ. It will take us 14 days and time will be changing on this cruise seven times. We will go back an hour at 2am on days 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12 and 13.
Civitavecchia is situated on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea, about 60 kilometers (37 miles) northwest of Rome. We docked at 5am and passengers were able to depart at 6:45am.
There are 499 passengers doing this back to back. We booked both of these cruises through vacations to go with guaranteed balcony rooms. As you are aware these past ten days we were on deck six with a lifeboat view. Our next room is on deck 7. Room 7600. We packed all our stuff up and left our suitcases in our room. We had to be out of our stateroom by 8am. Anything in the closet we left hanging. Our Cabin Attendant will move everything to our new room. We went to the Seaplex on deck 15 and received our new room key. We checked out of our old room and turned in our room keys. We keep all our room keys so we asked for them to be returned later. We were given stickers to wear that said consecutive cruiser. We were also given cards that said in transit if we wanted to leave the ship. We elected to stay on the ship today.
At 8:30am we reported to two 70. Italian Immigration officials were coming on board to look at and stamp our passports. The balloons are all set up for the new cruise balloon drop while the passengers are sleeping.
There was a special back to back lunch served in the deck 4 dining room. It was very good. The best part was the company. Eating with Gretchen and Dan was a lot of fun. The Caesar salad, and spaghetti was excellent. The vanilla ice cream was weird tasting. Apparently most people I have talked to think the vanilla ice cream is awful on this ship.
After lunch we went to our new room. It is exactly the same room, but I can see the ocean from our balcony. The lifeboats are now below us.
Look at this I guess that Crown Lounge coffee machine needs less of a workout.
While in port the crew is checking out the lifeboats before crossing the Atlantic. Great idea. It makes me happy that they are thinking of safety.
Large table at dinner with new table mates. Love it. Super nice people.
A little casino time. We played for hours and actually came out a little ahead. It was a great day. One of the things I really don’t like about cruising in Europe is the time difference between here and PA. Hard to talk to Jenna. I really miss talking to her. 9:30pm ended the night talking to Jenna and Julianna. Awe now I can sleep.
Oops – forgot the ship review. 10 night Greece, Turkey, & Italy cruise on Odyssey of the Seas Review (10/12/2025 – 10/22/2025)
- This was a 5 star cruise.
- Lovely clean ship with great employees.
- The ship is four years old.
- The captain is so nice and friendly.
- Our balcony stateroom did have a terrible view of the life boats. Would recommend not staying in room 6190. This was my fault. I would advise not doing a guaranteed balcony on a Royal Caribbean Quantum class ship.
- The food has been okay. The Windjammer buffet food seemed to be the same everyday. The omelets were a little greasy. The oatmeal was fantastic along with the toppings. There were lots of fruits and salad makings at every meal. So there was plenty of healthy options.
- The coffee has been excellent all around the ship. Crown Lounge coffee machine was broken more than it worked.
- Crown Lounge concierge was excellent. Very nice man.
- The Dining room waiters were a little over the top. I do not want people hoovering over me. Back off!!!!.
- Boarding was easy and quick.
- Excursions were well organized.
Cruise Compass Day 1 of 14 – Odyssey of the Seas Embarkation in Civitavecchia, Italy
Welcome Aboard Dinner Menu – Day 1 of 14 Odyssey of the Seas Embarkation in Civitavecchia, Italy
Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.
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