My last cruise onboard Oceania Riviera, from Istanbul to Rome.

We chose this cruise because it started in Istanbul, a city high on my ‘Bucket List’ and we were not disappointed. Amazing skyline, architecture and culture, everyone was so friendly. Two turtles cavorted in the harbour on Crete near to where we were docked and as usual Santorini offered an amazing sight with little white houses’ clinging to the volcanic cliff sides.

Rhodes, Cephalonia & Kusadasi were visited next, followed by Sicily and Mount Etna puffing away like an old man with a pipe. Sardinia offered us Costa Esmeralda a playground for the rich then Amalfi with the sophistication only Italy provides, from here we took a short boat ride to Positano for lunch.

The ship overnighted in Livorno so we spent the first day in the resort of Forte de Marmi, the ship’s concierge organized an hotel for lunch and sorted out time tables of local transport, but we took a taxi in the end.

We will certainly cruise with Oceania again if only for their amazing bathrooms, attention to detail and wonderful food.