visited 20 countries (8%) 
7 days on the brand-new ship MSC Splendida in a fortune with balcony. A classic Route: Genoa - Marseille - Barcelona - Tunis - Valletta - Messina - Civitavecchia - Genoa. 
the links I have a little more about the various destinations and our arrival with the offered Bus written. Anyone who has any questions or would like to know more detail, ask me! If I have time and know the answer, I help you. What also helps: If someone wants to take trips on their own: I found on Google Maps created a map showing approximate docking of the ship on our trip.
Here are some impressions of the ship:
The ship is obviously huge, it was always the largest in the ports and often extends well above the surrounding houses. Here is the direct comparison Barbara - ship. ;-)
MSC Splendida is very new, baptism was only in July.
good 3,500 people, many families with children of different nationalities (many Italians of course) provide a certain level of noise clearly. We had expected. In the buffet, it is sometimes difficult to get a seat, but you can later come back, counter-cyclical act is the motto. We sometimes had the most beautiful places in the cafeteria right on the rear with views of the towns we visited, the best view of 14 Deck!
The food was good, there was a certain variety of cheese and sausage (salami times, sometimes mortadella, etc.), pizza, pasta, fish, meat, lots of vegetables and salads. Croissants for breakfast (whole grain) bread, muffins, fruit, yogurt, scrambled eggs, cheese, sausage, etc. Coffee, tea and juices are served.
I personally found the food in the buffet restaurant better than the food in a standard restaurant. One can in the cafeteria better to choose the freshest salads and many vegetables were great. Pizza there was every lunch.
Toll I find the large number of balcony cabins. Our cabin was pleasantly spacious, well equipped with bed, bathroom with shower, sofa, desk, etc. On the balcony, there were comfortable chairs and a small table. The rest of the ship was of course perfectly in shot.
It is really a modern ship. Who writes about negative and of service, food, etc. Mosert complained, at a very high level. Such people then I recommend the really expensive cruises with private butler and gourmet cook, so what it is all. On the way, there is a so-called Splendida Yacht Club suites, a special pool area, concierge, etc.
From Value for money I found our stay perfect. We have paid for 7 Days Western Mediterranean in a balcony cabin on the upper car deck (13) per person 849 EUR. Included is the normal food. There are also other restaurants (Mediterranean, Mexican, Tuscan wine bar, sports bar and a pastry) and many bars where you eat or drink (cocktails, coffee, wine, beer, etc.) can get an extra charge. Beautiful is the minibar in the room that is also equipped with Campari Soda - an advantage on an Italian ship. :-) There are ice cubes (for free, I think) only on request. On the ship, various drinks packages offered including for water, wine, beer, cocktails.
an area with free drinks (coffee, tea, water, ice, lemonade, etc.) there are not or only occasionally at mealtimes in the cafeteria. The water is normal, heavily chlorinated tap water. This is a disadvantage compared to other cruise ships, where this service is usually included. Mineral water (costs) in the cabin was filled only once a day. You can get yourself to any bar but some.
It was the second cruise this year for us, we tend naturally to be compared. Both ships were great. In contrast to the Jewel of the Seas, the waiters are different here drilled: The Royal Caribbean shines through the American public more value to put out that the waiters, chambermaids smile, etc., consistently kind to all, and also even a small Talk begin.
What struck me negatively, is the typical European occupation of sun loungers. The pool and resting areas are large, but the amount of passengers it is still difficult to find a nice place, as most chairs with towels but no people are busy. Then, when the lunch time 3 people in the pool are occupied and about 100 chairs around the pool, then it can not be that people just are all in the pool. could 
would be nice in such situations, if one could grab a couch for 30 minutes, sometimes short in the pool would go and then some sun, then I would be as gone to lunch and had my back deck cleared. Such a thing is unfortunately not, because you only ever looking until you find somewhere even an empty bed. And I never would have taken the place because I would have gone back, had come to the lunch eaters again. On an American ship then something is much more relaxed, because (almost) all lying vacant are to occupy so no need to get one. Stupid somehow ... I am intrigued by the way, that do not only German (that was my prejudice), but the other nationalities. It is also common early chairs to reserve, then go for 5 hours to visit and then use the sun really ...
The route I was ingenious: They called themselves the tour "In the Footsteps of the Crusaders" and was sold with the call "Follow in the footsteps of history in the western Mediterranean." I think that it hit very well. The stations of the journey are selected really perfect and falls while visiting one of the historical context of the western Mediterranean region on the first really. Impressive!
against 10 clock our color was called, you could check out and take the box in reception. We are still short in making the city a few errands and then comfortably to drink an espresso. was supposed to drive off the bus at 12 clock, but had 2 guests, the announcements on the ship does not belong and were late, so we only briefly of 13 Clock came loose. Too bad I was again (like reservation of beds), the rudeness of some tour guests to fill quickly all kinds of seats with jackets and bags. On the first pass through the bus I could not find a single Unbooked seat. At some point, people had agreed to their seats and figured that not everyone will get two seats (for 71 persons at 75 sites was a logical ...), but only the one for which they had paid for, so that once seats were free ...
due to a mudslide on the way back burner went over to Milan in the north, through Switzerland on Lake Como, Bellinzona, via Augsburg to Lindau to Munich and then back to Nuremberg. Logically, with a fairly late, so we were at home until well after midnight.
service stations there were breaks in the south to 16 clock in Switzerland (short) and with time for a dinner to 19 clock of Bregenz.
The return journey I was tougher than the one way . Apart from the sound of folk music and annoying and annoyed fellow travelers, we were without the night and with the very long detour on the road.
The bus drove straight into a parking garage next to St. Peter's Square, so you got a prime central location. Net time in Rome were almost 6 hours. 
Since we were last year for a weekend in Rome and then some "failed" had, we were able to do so now. So we are first of all in the Vatican Museums and then have the remaining time used to visit the Circus Maximus and the Church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin with the Mouth of Truth, Bocca della Verita . 
The queues at the Vatican Museums was so early in the morning (I think it was around 9:30 clock) manageable, felt after five minutes we were there. 14 EUR is the entrance fee, it seems also possible to book tickets over the Internet, which you can then pick up at a different office - perhaps can really save time. It will be screened, so it should not pocket knife or similar carry with them. We rented for 7 EUR Audio Guides, which I think is a good thing (we also had a guide with Rome, which contains several pages of the Vatican). Prior to the audio guide is also a snake had formed. 
Since you could spend several days in the museums (there are an awful lot to see!), It makes sense to think about before, which you would like to view detail. 
Before the Sistine Chapel, we did not want to blow that buried it was very crowded and uneasy - not at all holy spirits. This may not be photographed, but the supervisors were overwhelmed to point out all the photographing tourists. 
In the Vatican there is a cafeteria and pizzeria, we ate pizza ( photo of it here ) and wrote postcards here. 
Since we have a long time spent in the Vatican and it was almost 14 clock, then we had to hurry. 
From there it is close to the truth of mouth - well, the look I wanted. 
Previously, a queue of people wanting their picture taken with them, even many children. 
Funny, I found a waterhole on the way from the Castel Sant'Angelo in the direction of Peter Church: 
A small dragon is represented there - and we also see that I was wearing comfortable shoes - we have on this day down a considerable distance to walk back! 
On the last night of our cruise, we of course once again made a ship-walk and admire the sunset. 
I always find it fascinating when you are standing on the balcony or on deck and breathe the fresh morning air meerige, in the distance the country can see and watch the sunrise. 
There was a bus 1.5 hours by a very interesting track with lots of views, the desire for more Sicily made. 
went on for more Silvestri craters to 1986 m altitude, where there is next to a large parking lot a building with a bar / cafe and restaurant. The toilet was filled there, as our bus arrived ... 
Here you see me, at what level it is here already. :-) 
near the Silvestri craters we then had an hour to drink a good espresso and the other two in the crater of Mount Etna to watch. 
When the bus went off a little further, then not too many people were on the road and found some time to rest, the beautiful views and experience enjoy. 
After the fitness program we went back by bus the same route. We came back in time to ship, so that was still enough time for a little stroll through Messina. 
place on Cathedral Square is also an interesting fountain, fountain Orion, for which one needs some time before you have admired all the characters and the work of art. 
At 14 clock drove the boat will be off again. 
We have taken down in the Modigliani-Deck (Deck 6) at Café "La Piazzetta" still a hot chocolate and ice cream to us, and the cakes looked great. Unfortunately, my stomach can not expand indefinitely. ;-) 
were short 19 clock we are still in the pool and swam for a while. Until I came back to our bed, my slippers were gone. Two pool supervisors have told me afterwards that they had seen a couple that would be my fairly new brand shoes closer look and then plugged. The lost and found they were not given. Such a thing can happen to stop ... But I came the next day without shoes or other shoes along well. was 
evening in the restaurant's ice bomb and music, huge fanfare. Then there was the buffet restaurant or a midnight buffet with snacks, pies, carving, ice sculptures and great shows. 
It is one of the most beautiful ports, you can imagine, you have a wonderful view over the city and large parts of the island. Because I could not get enough: The look, the buildings, the color that is so typical of the country (a kind of ocher, as the stone there), the sounds and smells of the sea in the background. 
It's obviously good at so high a ship to be, because you get a different perspective. That was very impressive, I just stood there, I looked, enjoyed and was astounded. 
foot one can easily reach the bus parking lot (no, not the horse in the photo but the hill, not forgetting the recollections of the Grand Harbour - a dream!). For 3,49 EUR you get on the bus a day ticket for public transport on the island. 
general, everything is incredibly easy, everyone speaks English, the people were friendly and helpful, you pay with € - great. The bus network is well developed, good routes, is the road map it online. Part of the buses are very old and recognized by the colors from a distance. 
We are a bus to Mdina and Rabat, the so-called Twin cities. Mdina is the old capital city and worth seeing. 
The guide was presented well, he has taught a lot about history and the many attractions and is highly recommended. The cathedral I found interesting, the museum next to it, of course, the Citadel, the city gate, etc. Everywhere there is the possibility for short breaks, some with great insight in courtyards or views of the island. 
In Rabat, which is really right next to it, we strolled through small alleys and have let everything affect us. 
With the bus we are back to Valletta. From the bus station can be directly through a gate into the city and comes on a large square and main street Republic Street with many shops and street cafes. was 
For the visit of the Grand Master's Palace, unfortunately no time, but it was enough for a quick tour of the cathedral - also worth seeing: The interior is stunning and you should really need much more time. As in Mdina is also typical floor inlays were made of stone. 
Malta is definitely bookmarked for a longer trip. The island we liked very well, it's so diverse, relaxed, interesting, relaxing. 
The exit from the harbor was obviously a highlight and it is only at the shows. Then the ship sailed towards Sicily, we looked for a place at the pool and are still swimming strong. 
