With just 24 days until our Carnival cruise onboard the Vista it is time to start making those final arrangements.
I have travel insurance with my bank account but after investigation it doesn’t cover us for a cruise as you need specialist cruise insurance cover. I picked up a good level of insurance for a family of 6 for under £30.
The great thing about Carnival cruise line is that you can check-in, book childcare clubs, restaurants, spa treatments and arrange excursions all before you board.
As it is Kian’s 16th birthday whilst we cruise we have organised it for the cabin to be decorated and a birthday cake with our evening meal.
There are dozens of excursions to choose from and you could not fit them all in, even if you tried and it is a tough choice. We have decided on three:
Mount Etna: We have decided against the full visit as the kids are too young, however we will travel through vineyards and valleys of stratified lava, until reaching an altitude of 6500 ft. Along the way we will be able to observe the vegetation that grows in striking progression, alternating the Mediterranean maquis of the low altitudes with a whole series of mountain forms that become increasingly bare as you travel upwards. From the top of the Silvestri Craters we will be able to admire the volcano in its entire spectacular, and at the same time terrifying, charm.
The Ruins of Pompeii: For this excursion we will have a guided tour of the amazing city of Pompeii, possibly the most famous excavation in the world. Twenty thousand people lived in this provincial town, of which 2,000 perished in the horrifying eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Twenty feet of ashes and pumice stone covered Pompeii, and much of this has been removed during the last 200 years to reveal all the details of everyday life. The mosaic floors and the brilliant frescoes shine forth in all their undiminished glory.
The theatres and the luxurious villas, even plaster casts of the locals at the moment of asphyxiation, are there for our inspection. And looming over all is Vesuvius. Afterwards, a stop at a cameo factory will be made to see how this delicate work is created.
Leaning Tower of Pisa: A guided visit to Miracle Square, the home of the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Walk 15-minutes to the Square; enter the Pisan Romanesque-style Cathedral and view the marvellous facade adorned with colonnades, arcades and imposing bronze doors.
Visit the inside of the breathtaking circular Baptistery. The highlight of the tour will be the close-up exterior views of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
There is lots more we would have liked to have done, but there is so much to do onboard the Carnival Vista that spending time on the ship and enjoying everything it has to offer is a must too with the ropes course and sky ride top of our list of must do’s, well we are their thrill seeking ambassadors after all.
So now it is time to think about what activities onboard to book, what to pack and which cocktail I want to try first.
If you want to find out more about what the Carnival Vista has to offer families who want to cruise, check out these reviews of the ship from Tinbox Traveller.
Have you been on a cruise before?
Image Credit: Shutterstock.com
Amazing photos, I’m so envious of you. Would love to do a cruise. xx
I’d love to go on a cruise hope u all have a lovely time and ur son enjoys his 16th birthday.
I’m so jealous! hehe.
This is definitely something we will look into for the future.
I hope you all have the most amazing time and that your son has a lovely birthday x
We’ve never been to a cruise before. Partly because I’m not a big fan of it, though admittedly that carnival cruise sounds really lovely!
Soooooo exciting! Can’t wait to hear all about your cruise. Shall live vicariously x
I can’t wait to hear all about it! Your excursions sound incredible, but I bet you’d hae a fantastic trip even if you stayed on board the whole time. Sounds as though there’s tons to do.
I hope you have the best time and I cannot wait to hear all about it x
Oh, you will love Etna so much! It’s a very special place, on top if feels like you are on the moon and the atmosphere gets even better when clouds are passing by. Remember that up there it’s very cold, and bring some jackets 🙂
Loving your photos. Good you checked your travel insurance details.
Oh wow! How exciting. Hope you have an amazing time!
I would love to go on a cruise..its on my list of things to do….one day!
Your photos make it look so exciting. I’ve not visited the leaning tower of Pisa since my student interrailing years. What a treat trip it is going to be.
I’ve never been on a cruise but this looks fantastic, what a great bargin on the insurance too, hope you have the best time!
I’ve never been a cruise before but I’d love to one day. I hope you enjoy your cruise and visiting all those fab historic sites.
I bet you are so excited – We would love to go to Pompei and Herculaneum. Both the boys have it on their wish lists. Good tip re insurance
We loved Pisa when we went – I can’t wait to see your photos x x
oh my goodness, how exciting! Even more special having a birthday onboard too x
I have always wanted to go to Pisa, 20 something days? Not long to go now can you take me with you lol!
How exciting! I’ve never been on a cruise before but would love to. Looks amazing! 🙂
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Been cruising once and absolutely loved it! It’s great that they sort everything out and make those special times even extra special by adding cute birthday decor etc :). Great pics!
I’ve never been on a cruise but would love to, you will have an amazing time I’m sure x
Oh wow, how exciting!! I have never been on a cruise before, but would love too 🙂
ooooh Kara, I am SO excited for you. I can’t wait to hear all about it.
It does look amazing – we loved Pompeii last year.