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More Like This:Pizza in Portugal • Lisbon Restaurants
Forno D'Oro Pizzeria in LisbonOn a summer weekend in Lisbon we walked from our hotel to a really great pizza place about one mile away - Forno d'oreo. haha okay no, it's not called that, but autocorrect made it the Oreo Oven instead of Gold Oven and I'm leaving it because just imagine the possibilities of a place called Oreo Oven.... Okay. Back to Pizza. 
Forno d'Oro Pizzeria in Lisbon
It was a bold move to show up to a popular Lisbon restaurant like Forno d'Oro on a Saturday night without a reservation. We acknowledged right away that we had no reservation, hoping to curry favor, and wondered if they might acquiesce to letting us have a table. It didn't seem super promising, but I guess the fact that this post exists is a spoiler, isn't it? :p
The guy let us know that we could have a table if we would be done by 21:15 (9:15pm) when they presumably had a reservation. It was about 19:45 (7:45pm). So we had an hour and a half - that seemed reasonable!
Travel Tip Related to Time (Not a Time Travel Tip, that's different): Get used to the 24h clock here. Medical people - you'll be fine, you're already used to it. Everyone else, you'll probably be doing small math in your head to work out the times. hehe
Inside Forno d'oro
As you would expect, there is a literal glistening, golden oven. Our table was quite near to it. Don't you love getting to see the pizzas being slid off the peel into the oven and pulled out a few minutes later?
Dinner and a show! Be sure not to miss the industrial sized mixer in the corner - can you imagine how much glorious pizza dough that makes at one time?! 
The Golden Oven at Forno d'Oro Pizzeria in Lisbon
The golden oven branding is thorough, even adorning the napkin rings!
Forno d'Oro Pizzeria in Lisbon
Forno d'oro Seasonal Pizza Menu
It's great to see a Pizze Stagionali (Seasonal Pizza in Italian) menu because it means the pizzeria is taking advantage of local ingredients that are currently in season like Portugal's incredible figs.
Seasonal Pizza Menu Forno d'Oro Pizzeria in Lisbon
How much are speciality Pizza's in Lisbon?
The seasonal Pizzas at Forno d'Oro are 16.95 euro - June 2024 pricing. That's about $18.40 for a premium pizza at a top restaurant. Forno d'oro Menu
If you're looking at a more classic pizza like a Margherita, it will run you 11.95 euro or about $13.
For those not interested in Pizza there are appetizers you may like as well as a selection of pastas. 
Forno d'Oro Pizzeria Menu in Lisbon
Forno D'oro Beverage MenuWines by the glass and bottle are available at Forno d'Oro, as well as craft beers. 
Beverage Menu at Forno d'Oro Pizzeria in Lisbon
The bevvies
Beer is always a perfect match for pizza so we ordered one Benediktner Dunkel from Germany (2.95)
German Beer at Forno d'Oro Pizzeria in Lisbon
And one Portuguese craft beer called Letra D. I have a hard time passing up a red ale. It was a splash out at 5.50, but I had no idea what a fancy experience I was in for..
The waiter opened the bottle, poured a little splash into the glass and had me taste it as if it was some sort of expensive wine. I hate the attention and feel incredibly awkward so I give it the fastest sip and thumbs up ever so we could move on. 
Letra D Red Ale Portuguese Beer at Forno d'Oro Pizzeria in Lisbon
And move on we did... to this single bottle of beer chilling in a table-side ice bucket like it was champagne or something. Que fancy. This had me cracking up the whole time. I was also like.. does he come back to top off my glass or do I do it? lol. Yeah, he didn't come back for that. I did it. :p 
Letra D from Portuguese Microbrewery Served at Forno d'Oro Pizzeria in Lisbon
Letra Brewery in Portugal
Side Note: Cerveja Letra is a microbrewery from Vila Verde in northern Portugal. They also have locations in Braga and Porto. If you're in the area, stop by one of their taprooms. High recommendation.
Margherita DOP
As you know, we almost always get a margherita pizza at a new pizzeria as a baseline. You can obviously tell from the pic below that it was not a bad decision. ;)
Margherita Pizza at Forno d'Oro Pizzeria in Lisbon
A simple pizza with tomato, fresh mozzarella, and fresh basil. What more can you ask for?
A drizzle of olive oil you say? It's on the table for you :) 
Bottom of Margherita Pizza at Forno d'Oro Pizzeria in Lisbon
Take a peek at the bottom of the crust. We're looking for texture and some nice coloring from the Gold Oven.
Fichi, Prosciutto e gorgonzola pizza
We have developed another condition where when we see a pizza with fig, prosciutto, and gorgonzola on a menu, we almost cannot pass it up. We have had an incredible fig pizza in Lisbon before and it's just such a journey you go on that you want to keep coming back to experience again and again.
Fig and Prosciutto Pizza at Forno d'Oro Pizzeria in Lisbon
I mean just look at this! Quite generous with the prosciutto ham, wouldn't you agree? 
A Pizza with Fig, Prosciutto, and Gorgonzola at Forno d'Oro Pizzeria in Lisbon
Can you see the slices of sweet figs under the prosciutto blanket? 
A well baked pizza at Forno d'Oro Pizzeria in Lisbon
And of course, a peek underneath!
This is a delicious seasonal pizza. You get the texture and chew of the prosciutto as well as its saltiness, added to the sweet figs, and the savory flavor of gorgonzola cheese - it's soo yummy! The only thing we missed was a touch of heat! (hot honey drizzle anyone!?) 
A Delicious Seasonal Pizza at Forno d'Oro Pizzeria in Lisbon
With two solid pizzas devoured we still had some time left on the clock before we had to vacate our table so we opted for coffee and dessert!
Espresso & Tiramisu
Forno d'Oro in Lisbon serves a lovely Italian Espresso by Illy (1.40). You can order Illy Italian Coffee in the US anytime, by the way, if you'd like to try it.
Illy Espresso at Forno d'Oro Pizzeria in Lisbon
They serve a beautiful tiramisu as well. We just shared the one (5.50) and it was a perfect finishing touch to this outstanding meal in Lisbon!
In a traditional show of hospitality a complimentary shot of liquor was offered at the end of the meal, grappa or limoncello.
Grappa at Forno d'Oro Pizzeria in Lisbon
This gave us a moment to look around the restaurant and reflect on what we had experienced.
Forno d'Oro, glistening in the corner, churning out fresh and delicious pizzas to a restaurant full of patrons - there were couples on dates, young families with children, larger groups celebrating the high moments of life, and solo diners enjoying every delicious bite. Pizza really brings people together. ❤ 
Glistening Golden Pizza Oven at Forno d'Oro Pizzeria in Lisbon
With that, we left our table at 21:06, phew, 9 minutes to spare. 
A Momentarily Empty Table at Forno d'Oro Pizzeria in Lisbon
I wonder who sat at this table and ate at the Golden Oreo next?
Outside Forno d'Oro Pizzeria in Lisbon
Until Next time Forno d'Oro! Because there definitely will be a next time ;)
More from this weekend in lisbon:
Coming soon..
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See More: Lisbon Hotel Reviews • Lisbon Restaurant Reviews
Turim Saldanha Hotel
We grabbed an Uber from the Sete Rios Bus Station to Turim Saldanha Hotel.
The main entrance is to the left of the man standing in the photo below, sort of tucked in from the street. 
Turim Saldanha Hotel in Lisbon Portugal
Upon entering the hotel lobby you'll see some seating and the bar area. To the right you can see the elevators and just out of view is the reception desk. Checking in was smooth.
Lobby of Turim Saldanha Hotel
About checking in to hotels in Lisbon
Language - Throughout Lisbon if you are staying in a traditional Hotel there is almost certainly going to be someone at the front desk who can speak English. Nevertheless, we do like to use these opportunities to practice our Portuguese and if we don't understand then staff is gracious enough to switch to English.
Identification - It is common for all guests to be asked for their IDs whether that be a local residence card or a passport from your country. City Tax - A city tax of 2 euros per person per night may be due upon check in. This is capped out at 14 euros per person. So if you stay at one hotel for longer than 7 nights at 2 euros per night, you will not have any further city tax charges.
Lisbon City Tax Increase - An increase to the Lisbon tourist tax has been approved and is to be in effect beginning September 1, 2024. The tax will go from 2 euros per person per night to 4 euros - doubling. source
standard room turim saldanha
Here is a view of the standard room from the entry way, just passed the bathroom door.
Standard Room at Turim Saldanha Hotel in Lisboa
It's very common in Europe to have two smaller beds next to each other instead of one Queen or King like Americans may be used to. 
Room for 2 at Turim Saldanha Portugal Hotel
To the right of the bed a sliding full length mirror (see photo above) opened to the closet which housed a small safe, and a few hangers (see photo below). A phone was available at the side of the bed. 
Closet Space Turim Saldanha Hotel
Have a look at the room from the head of the bed. A TV is mounted to the wall and below it is a floating shelf perfect for your keys, sunglasses, and whatever bits and bobs are in your pockets.
To the right is a desk area with mini fridge and hot beverage set up. 
Turim Saldanha Television
For some reason the garbage can is right beneath the chair. It's always good to have a little garbage can in your hotel room outside of the bathroom.
Space to work and eat at Turim Saldanha
Some hotels we have stayed at recently do not have space to really eat a meal or work on your computer or even charge your devices. While not a ton of space, you do definitely have some options in this room between this desk and the small round table in the corner of the room.
Turim Saldanha Work Space
Free beverages at Turim Saldanha
Taking a look at the beverage set up above the desk, you can see there is a glass bottle labeled "Courtesy Water". It was great to have this free water in the hotel room! The housekeeping staff will replace it.
As you can see, the outlets are European style. So you will need to bring an adapter. 
In-room Complimentary Beverages Turim Saldanha
The coffee situation, on the other hand was rather sad. The coffee was instant, to be used with the electric kettle, and upon arrival there was one package of black tea, one package of caffeinated coffee and one of decaf. I found it really strange that there wouldn't be two of each given that there were two guests booked into this room.
1 each - instant coffee, decaf, black tea
Each day of our stay I had to ask the front desk for more coffee packets. The staff down there was great and it was no trouble at all, but it would certainly be better for the guests if they just put a couple more in the room.
And let's be clear - no one is trying to take this coffee as a "freebie". It's not good. Like... at all. You only drink it out of pure necessity to fuel you until you can get a proper cafezinho. ❤ Mini fridge prices in lisbon
Taking a peek into the mini fridge we found water, juice, coca-cola, sagres beer, a Toblerone Swiss candy bar, mixed nuts, some liquor and a tiny can of Pringles.
Mini Fridge Turim Saldanha Hotel
Curious how much mini fridge items cost in Lisbon?
Mini Fridge Price List in Portugal, stains not ours
This grubby little price list was in the room and no, we were not the ones who soiled it. lol. Kind of gross, but still informative. I never use stuff out of a mini fridge, and here's a great example why. One can of Coke 4.50 euro? that's almost $5. come on... I always bring my own snackies and this weekend was no exception.
Would you like to see the view from our room? 
View from Hotel Room Turim Saldanha
Turim Saldanha Restaurant Menu and Prices
At the small round table near the window we found a menu for the room service from the restaurant in the hotel.
Turim Saldanha Standard BathroomNow let's check out the bathroom. 
Turim Saldanha Bathroom Sink Area
You've got your standard toiletries along with wall-mounted tissues, hair dryer, and mirror.
Turim Saldanha Bathroom Toilet Area
Shower with bathtub with a glass door that doesn't slide enough to keep water from splashing out...
Turim Saldanha Bathroom Shower Area
Overall a nice bathroom! Until I washed my hands and realized there was a design flaw - where do you put the bar of hand soap when you're done?!
The sink ledge is curved, so you can't set it on the sink. The toiletry stand has openings cut out to fit each toiletry in packaging. No where to set the soap. Until I realized... that roll of toilet paper in the corner. It's not just the back up... it doubles as a soap rest! 8) 
Turim Saldanha Bathroom Design Missing One Thing...
Let's get a close up of this design genius... It's like a little crown for the TP! :)
Makeshift Soap Holder :p
Oh wait.. our door lock doesn't work
It's about this time when we came to the realization that our door did not lock properly. You know how when you turn a deadbolt lock the deadbolt comes out of the door? Well in this case, the part you turn just turned 360 degrees and the deadbolt didn't ever emerge.
After a quick ring to the front desk, someone from housekeeping came by. The dear lady did not speak any English at all. While front desk staff will often speak English, as noted above, other staff may not as you can see here. Another great opportunity to practice Portuguese presents itself! We explained and demonstrated the issue and while she didn't seem too fussed about it, she did get on the walkie talkie to her colleague. Her colleague laughed and said in Portuguese "Oh room # _____. It's just like that." And then the lady parroted that back to us as though it was a solution. So we asked if we could just switch rooms. She had to walkie talkie her colleague again, but conveniently turned the volume down this time. And a few minutes later someone from reception came up to meet us with a new room key and escort us to the new room - next door. The lock functioned normally there. :) He said he would put a maintenance request in for the other room. So after all, these pictures are of the room we did not stay in. The room next door was almost identical though, don't worry. :) Overall Review of turim saldanha
Turim Saldanha Hotel is a nice place to stay in a great area of Lisbon. The rooms were nice, simple and clean with modern touches and had everything you would need. You're in close walking distance to a lot of great restaurants and you're a quick uber away from anything you'd want to see. This hotel does not offer free breakfast and we did not try their paid offering. The staff was very nice and I would not hesitate to stay here again.
Lobby of Turim Saldanha Hotel
There are lots of other hotels for us to review, though. ;)
More from this weekend in Lisbon
Coming Soon
The americana diner on sun princess
The Americana Diner is a great concept on Sun Princess. It is essentially the third floor of the main dining room and always offers walk-ins with a mostly standard menu featuring "classic American fare" along with a few items of the dinner menu which rotate each night in the bottom right hand corner.
Here's a sample menu: 
Everyday Menu at the Americana Diner on Sun Princess
The hit buffalo wings
Five crispy wings tossed in buffalo sauce with blue cheese dip
The Hit Buffalo Wings on Sun Princess' Americana Diner
The wings were coated in a sticky spicy-sweet sauce and topped with micro greens (Sun Princess is all about the micro green garnishes..) alongside a few leaves of green lettuce and a basket of fries and dipping sauces. I would not really call these "buffalo wings", personally, because to me a buffalo wing is topped in a spicy yet tangy pepper-vinegar sauce mixed with butter. Red Hot, anyone? Now don't get me wrong, these wings were delicious and a total win. I was just very surprised by the sauce which looked more barbecue-y than buffalo imo.
Sticky Pork Ribs
Pickles, raw and smoky slaw, BBQ dip, cornbread
Wait... cornbread? I'm just now realizing there is no cornbread on this plate. Corn, yes. Cornbread no.... :( 
Sticky Pork Ribs with caramelized onions, sweet corn, and a pickle spear
The ribs were really good and we were quite impressed. Some of the meat fell right off the bone while other times required a bit more effort. Either way I can confirm that between these ribs and the "buffalo" wings, the way your cloth napkins will look by the end is arguably worse than any child's handiwork at a restaurant. And that's saying something.. Our waiter was so nice and brought extra napkins, insisting that we really enjoy and not worry about getting messy. :)
The Americana Burger
1/3lb patty, gouda and cheddar cheeses, bacon jam, tomato aioli, and arugula on a brioche bun.
This is a legit burger. 
Americana Burger with basket of fries, tomato aioli, and a mini salad
Check out that profile! That is a well structured burger and look at the char on the patty. Solid!!
Would you like a peek at the Bacon Jam?
Arugula and bacon jam on top of the Americana Burger at the included dining venue Americana Diner
Coffee and donuts milkshake
Tiramisu Ice Cream, Lavazza Espresso and Milk. Garnished with a sugar donut and whipped cream.
Coffee and Donuts Milkshake - free at Americana Diner
A really fun feature of the Americana Diner is that you can get free milkshakes here! I suspect this milkshake is vanilla ice cream and tiramisu flavor syrup. I honestly did not taste coffee in it so I would be quite surprised if there was really Lavazza Espresso in it like the menu says.
Donut Garnish on the Coffee and Donuts Milkshake - a bit dry and would not be missed :)
The canned whipped cream can stay, but the donut was not impressive so I say it can go, although they may need to change the name of the milkshake then..
We really enjoyed our lunch at the Americana Diner. This is a free dining option on Sun Princess Cruises and we definitely recommend checking it out. It was relaxed, the crew were extra friendly up there and the food was very good! Now.. let's explore the Sun Princess ship some more. Public Restooms on sun princess
Here is one of the many public restrooms on Sun Princess. As you can see it is modern, spacious, and bright. There is a baby changing station at the back wall, several toilet stalls, and a number of sinks with backlit mirrors.
Public women's restroom on Sun Princess
The sinks seemed like a neat concept - having the water, soap, and dryer all in one spot. But honestly this did not work well in practice. It was almost comical to witness everyone struggle trying to get soap and water to come out of the right side. Either you got water and could not get soap. Or you got soap and could never get water.
Sinks in the public restrooms on Sun Princess
Eventually it came out that you can't just move your hand from one side to the other, which is intuitively what everyone does. You have to take it completely away from the faucet and then reenter the sensor zone from the side you want - left for water or right for soap.
Most people did not opt to use these air hand driers because their position over the sink coupled with the strong air movement meant water from the sink would be spraying back up at you which is kind of weird. Fortunately there were always paper towels as an option. :) Alfredo's Pizzeria
Alfredo's Pizzeria is a casual restaurant on Sun Princess with an extra charge to enjoy unless you have booked the Princess Plus or Premium Fares in which case you may dine here at least once for free.
Table for 2 at Alfredos Pizzeria
Inside Alfredo's Pizzeria on Sun Princess
Of course loved the decorative plates with tile elements.
Reserve a special table for 4 at Alfredo's Pizzeria
Sabatini's Italian Trattoria
A classic Italian trattoria at sea with a cover charge of $35/per person, let's take a peek inside this specialty dining option on Sun Princess.
The $35 cover charge includes one selection from each course on the menu.
Free jewelry cleaning - story time.
In the Princess Patter and on the Princess Cruises App you will find various activities including complimentary massage tasters and complimentary jewelry cleaning, for example.
Now let's be clear... yes. These things are "complimentary". However, obviously like any free sample the overall purpose is to get you in the door, to try something, and to walk away buying something. After deliberation I decided to work up the nerve to get my "complimentary" jewelry cleaning of my wedding rings seeing as they needed it and this was an anniversary cruise after all. :) It was a funny experience.
Cruise Tip - Free Champagne on a Cruise: This is a good time to let new cruisers and budget cruisers know that there are a number of opportunities to enjoy a free glass of champagne throughout a cruise. Some require more nerve than others.
For instance, you can often enjoy a free glass of champagne or rosé at the jewelry store or watch store. While you browse expensive jewelry the cruise lines are happy to dull your senses with a glass of something or other so that you don't see the price tags as clearly ;p In some case there will be set times scheduled on your cruise app / daily schedule like the princess patter indicating they are offering this. In other cases there is always a bottle on ice inside the stores and if you feel like it you can waltz in, ask for a glass, look around, and then leave. Afternoon treats
Since that was sort of a bust we thought we had earned ice cream cones so we made our way to the deck 9 free ice cream cone station on sun princess. Of course, we had to pass through the International Cafe and the Eatery buffet and it seemed like we needed to try a chocolate cupcake for your sake.
The chocolate cupcake had a nice and light looking topping finished with chocolate shavings and a strawberry, but it really was not that good. The cupcake was on the dry side and the icing had that weird oily texture that leaves a film in your mouth. Not a fan. Skip this and save your treat allotment for something else. You're welcome..told you we did it for you ;)
The free soft serve on Sun Princess is really good!
Back to the original plan with 2 ice cream cones and this was a great success! They only had vanilla ice cream cones (this would change during the second sailing) but the ice cream was really tasty. I preferred the ice cram on Sun Princess over the free soft serve on Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas in 2023.
Actually these ice cream cones reminded me of the occasional service break at McDonald's for an ice cream cone growing up! Nothing tastes better than nostalgia. :) Scotch with a view
In our balcony stateroom tour post, I mentioned the minibar set up in our room. This is complimentary for any cruisers with Elite status on Princess Cruise Lines. To get elite status you have to sail with Princess for many nights, but there are a couple of other ways to enjoy elite benefits ;)
Relaxing on the balcony, with or without a drink, and enjoying the sea air and peaceful ocean views is one of the best parts of a cruise!
the Captain's Champagne Effervescence show
Just before dinner was a show in the Piazza. As you can see, all 3 floors of the Sun Princess Piazza were packed out for the Captain's Champagne Effervescence Show. This show featured the Cirque performers and they did some unbelievable aerial stunts. In fact, afterwards we got to thinking how there was no safety net whatsoever and some of the moves seemed very risky let alone on a moving ship! :-/
Captain's Champagne Effervescence Show in the Piazza on Sun Princess
During this show crew distribute free champagne to anyone who wants some on all three floors. This is another opportunity to enjoy free alcohol on a cruise, but not every cruise line has a Champagne event like this one by Princess.
Captain's welcome dinner in the main dining room
Captain's Welcome Dinner Menu on Sun Princess
Prociutto Ham Starter
buttery manchego cheese, sweet port cherries
Neither of us could pass up the prosciutto ham starer with manchego cheese and sweet port cherries. The above photos are 2 different portions. This is a fabulous starter, high recommendation.
Caesar salad
A run of the mill Caesar Salad
The Caesar salad was good, nothing extra special to note here.
Roasted beef tenderloin and grilled tiger prawn with port wine reduction
velvety potato mousseline, buttered vegetables
Elegant Tiger Prawns and Beef Tenderloin
Tip For Home Cooks: If you want to make something fancy just sprinkle a few micro greens on top. That's the messaging I got on this cruise. But also... if you can intertwine a couple of shrimp and stack them on a slice of beef tenderloin.... also fancy. And if you call the shrimp prawns... even more fancy ;)
Captain's Welcome Dessert Menu
Dessert Menu on Sun Princess Captain's Welcome Dinner
Caramel pecan turtle cheesecake
cheesecake with butterscotch sauce
For the cheesecake and caramel lovers out there, you may enjoy this turtle cheesecake garnished with a piece of brittle!
Black forest cake
Chocolate cake, kirschwasser-flavored cream, bing cherries, chocolate shavings
More in this sun princess cruise review series:Ready to enjoy a sea day on the mediterranean?
When trying to decide what to do in Naples cruise port, the age old conundrum arises - DIY or shore excursion? We often DIY our time in cruise ports because we like to explore on foot, leisurely, and try to get a glimpse of "local life".
Of course I put local life in quotes because authenticity can be eroded in any port city with so many tourists. Still, you can always find it to some extent if you're interested in it and willing to put forth the effort to walk a little farther or take a peek down that grungy, unpolished alley. :)
And let's face it, shore excursions can be expensive. We live a very simple life and we are just happy and grateful to be able to be on the cruise, period, even if we can't do all the "bucket list" excursions in every port. Another day I will share some of the Naples Cruise Port Best Excursions for those who have the means (or patiently and intentionally saved up) to splash out! diy walking tour around naples
For now, let's take a stroll around Naples!
Heading to the right after crossing the street from the Naples Cruise Port, I really enjoyed this botanical display outside the Luxury Hotel Romeo Napoli. It felt like a free visit to Phipps' Botanical Garden Desert room. :) 
Hotel Romeo Napoli Cacti Landscaping
piazza giovani bovio King victor manuel II Monument
We worked our way inland toward Metro stop Università at Piazza Giovanni Bovio. At the center of this Piazza is a monument which I had no idea what it represented (which will be a running theme lol) but figured I should snap a picture and look into it later.
Monument to King Victor Manuel II in a Naples Piazza
As it turns out, this monument is of King Victor Manuel II.
"It is a sculptural ensemble formed by the equestrian statue of the king, of eighty tons, the work of Alfonso Balzico on a drawing by Emilio Franceschi, by the mermaid Parténope, mythological founder of the city of Naples, carved by Salvatore Cepparulo, and by an eagle spreading its wings." - Wikipedia Camera di commercio napoliThe building in the background also felt noteworthy ;p, the Camera di Commercio Napoli (Camera di Commercio Industria Artigianato e Agricoltura di Napoli in full). Please enjoy an obligatory photo of the lion statue with some sort of cherub (?) out front. Apologies I can provide no context. This is why people pay for tours lol 
Litter and graffiti at the foot of the cherub and lion statue - Camera di Commerce Building in Napoli
The stroll continued to our first Italian fountain - hooray! But we were sort of in a hurry once we found out the pizza place was about to close, so I snapped another obligatory pic as we rushed on for a few more blocks. fountain of neptune - number one fountain in naples
It turns out this is the Fountain of Neptune (Fontana del Nettuno) which Tripadvisor identifies as the number one fountain in Naples - good thing I got this low quality photo right?!
Remember the monument to the Italian king earlier in this post? Apparently it used to be located in this square and the fountain of Neptune used to be located in the Piazza Borsa (Piazza Giovanni Bovio) where the King statue is now. I had no idea they moved these things around.. 
Fountain of Neptune - Number One Fountain In Naples, Italy
What is interesting about the Naples Fountain of Neptune is that it was sculpted between 1600-1601! (source)
It also made me happy to see some kids kicking around a ball in the plaza as it feels like a glimpse of local life - a lazy Sunday for Neapolitans. Also because seeing kids playing outside has become somewhat of a rarity these days, unfortunately.. But let's not think about that, because we're on our way to get pizza, remember?! streets of naples
A Girl Walks Down A Street In Naples
The streets of Naples feel busy, whether there are many pedestrians or not. The wires, the balconies, the plants, the laundry, the signs, the scooters, the garbage bins, and the dark cobble stones which my Italian uncle told me are made from the lava of Vesuvius! It's a lot to take in.
A man drives a motorcycle down a narrow street in Naples with a cruise ship in view
Can you see a cruise ship peeking through this narrow street in Naples? And see that blue shadow in the background - that's Mount Vesuvius and it is considered an active volcano "overdue" to erupt according to volcanologists and geologists.
Also notice the motorcyclist in the black helmet driving down this narrow street full of pedestrians. You really need to keep your wits about you! All that walking and trying to avoid being hit by a vespa and we were ready forPizza in Naples! Pizza & passione di Lino Gas Naples
The doors are wide open at Pizza & Passione di Lino Gas in Naples
Jump to the --> Pizza & Passione Naples Pizzeria Review <-- for all the delicious food pics and cost of pizza in Italy details!
After eating a delicious Margherita Pizza and Pizza Fritta, it was time to walk it off.
Napoli Metro Station
We came to Napoli Metro Station and took a peek inside. It was later Sunday afternoon and there was someone in the office if you did need help. I always think it's interesting to take a look in a metro station. Sometimes there is interesting art to be found. Do you know of any subway stations with cool hidden details that are largely unknown?
Line 1 Route Maps for Naples Metro Napoli Station are shown below.
You can reach a metro station (not this one) in brief walk from the Naples Cruise Port which is very convenient. The closest metro station to Naples Cruise Port is Colombo-Porto.
How much do Metro Tickets cost in Naples, Italy? Tickets cost just over a euro so this would be a great and affordable way to get around Naples if you are an independent traveler who likes to explore on your own! authenticity in naples
Residents' laundry hangs outside to dry along the public street near Napoli Metro Station
Across the street from Napoli Metro Stations were signs of every day life - laundry in the street above and a stepladder in the picture below presumably reserving a parking space reminiscent of the way a chair set in the street can hold a parking space in some Pittsburgh neighborhoods. iykyk lol.
A stepladder reserves a parking space in Napoli
If you're wondering what shoes to wear in Naples and how women are dressing in Italy - this is something you will see a lot of. Whether a classic floral or a bright abstract patterned dress, nearly everyone is rocking comfortable tennis shoes. You're doing so much walking on varied surfaces that you want footwear that is comfortable, supportive, and stable.
fashion in naples
Italian women in dresses rock tennis shoes as their chosen footwear
We made some lovely new friends on the main street - Via Toledo. This street is full of shopping and a draw for Italian tourists, cruise ship passengers, and just about anyone visiting Naples city center.
Travel Tip: Be sure to have internet access and a translate app downloaded so you don't miss out on great conversations in foreign languages ;) 
Friendly faces greet hundreds if not thousands every day on Via Toledo in Naples, Italy
deeper than decorative
And to end our day walking around Naples, here's another random statue. This one set in front of a University, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, to be precise. Founded in 1224, UniNA is actually one of the oldest public universities in the world!
With its femininity, it seems that this statue may be a sphinx from greek mythology. During the Renaissance, European decorative art saw a revival of the sphinx. There is a lot of historical symbolism and even religious significance around sphinxes in various cultures. 
What appears to be a Greek Sphynx Statue at the steps of UniNA
But alas, we've come to the end of our walking tour around Naples.
Naples is a great port as you can take amazing all-day excursions to historical sights or do a DIY food tour, walking tour, or just observe Neapolitan architecture and try to decipher some of the history of the design elements and monuments all around. vesuvius in view
Sun Princess Cruise Ship Docked in Naples with Mount Vesuvius In View
You know when you want a pastry, a delicious pastry filled with chocolate, but you also want said pastry to give an illusion of being "healthy" so you can hold your head up high, filled with pride, as you gobble it down?
Yes, I'm sure you've been in this very situation before unless you're one of those people who do not like sweets ... or joy. In which case that is definitely a sad existence and I am sorry to even let myself imagine it for a moment. On the other hand, If you're.a person who does not like sweet treats, but you do still like joy then I support that totally and at times I may even admire you all the more for it! :p At any rate - we have found a solution for you at Aldi in Portugal! Espiga multicereais Chocolate
Check this baby out!
I don't truly know the correct translation of the name Espiga Multicereais Chocolate to English. Multicereais in Portuguese means multi-cereal, as in multigrain in English. Espiga apparently can mean "ear", "cobb", or "spike". 
Aldi Portugal's Espiga Multicereais Chocolate aka Chocolate Log
I guess now that I'm looking at the picture while typing this, the decorative (and functional, no doubt) slits at the top do sort of resemble the pattern of a wheat spike - so maybe we solved the mystery after all!
And obviously Chocolate means... chocolate. ;) 
This Chocolate Nutella Filled Pastry should be enjoyed with a coffee and a friend
Speaking of chocolate... I want you to notice that this long, chocolate-filled Portuguese pastry is filled from end to end. None of this "filled" donut nonsense where there's one bite's worth of cream and the rest is dry donut. Talk about a scam.
No, my friend, this is the real chocolate-y deal. :) 
This Portuguese Pastry is cheia, filled, end to end with nutella/chocolate
But remember, this chocolate pastry is HEALTHY. I mean look at all those little seeds and grains on top! There are bits of oat, flax seed, and who even knows what else - all you need to know is it's healthy. ;) 
So many grains in the pastry and on top make this a "healthy choice" *wink*
And because I know you want to see that the inside of the affectionately nicknamed chocolate log pastry is not hollow... someone took a bite just for you! :)
To note, the majority of "chocolate" pastries in Portugal tend to have Nutella slant. 
Taking a bite.. for science. The people need to know!
Aldi Portuguese Pastry Review: Espiga MultiCereais Chocolate
SO! It's a perfect treat to split in two - one half for you and the other for a buddy or half for now and half for later!
And you should definitely enjoy it with a cafezinho (a little coffee, in cute-portuguese speak) Aldi - please don't read this and make it smaller. That would be no bueno, er... mau. muito mau. Se faz favor, não faça isso. We like it how it is! Obrigada bjs. :) ❤ How much is the multi-grain chocolate filled pastry at aldi in Portugal?
For the grocery cost-of-living in Portugal researchers, it's essential to know the cost of food staples like this.
The Espiga Multicereais Chocolate pastry is currently .99 euro cents in summer 2024 which is approximately $1.08 USD. Not too shabby, eh? Find Similar Content you'll enjoy in these folders:
Aldi • Grocery Reviews • Americans in Portugal • Expats in Portugal • Reviews • Pastries in Portugal
Our Delonghi Espresso Machine
Every great pastry not only deserves, but requires a great cafezinho.
We saved up for a Delonghi that was a nice balance between a solid espresso shot with some optional manual adjustments and the convenience of automation for busy days which, let's face it, is every day. If you're looking for a new espresso machine check out the Delonghi Magnifica on Amazon and compare the price to the Delonghi site to see who has the better sale price on Espresso Machines. BTW. The cost of these machines is generally much cheaper in Europe than in the US. One of the few appliances where that is true - showing how culturally essential coffee is to the Portuguese people.
Post By: Marissa Books Travel
Looking for a last minute cruise deal for August or September? Here is a preview of what is available!
August 2024 last minute cruise deals
*prices per person
September 2024 LAST MINUTE CRUISE DEALS
*prices per person
Looking for a kid-free cruise?Everyone who knows me knows I love kids :) Despite that fact, sometimes you just want to sit at the edge of the pool in your casual clothes with your toes dipped in the water without getting soaked by a stranger's small child *running* the entire pool ledge repeatedly (hello, not to be a party pooper but this is extremely dangerous! where are your parents?!) splashing everyone along the way, and not that any of us didn't already see this coming but... it does eventually end in a very sad moment of slipping, falling into the pool after striking the ledge (ouch!!) and many tears. It's a not-so-hypothetical scenario and sometimes you just don't want to see that..... :) :) :) In other words, sometimes you just want a cruise vacation with no kids. lol In that case you should check out current deals for an adults only cruise line - Right now the second sailor is 70% off and free balcony upgrades are happening ;) PIZZA IN NAPLES - DAY 2 SUN PRINCESS MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE WITH GREEK ISLES, ITALY & TURKEY7/15/2024
On the second day of our Sun Princess cruise, we woke up in Naples with a one word mission: Pizza! It's almost literally illegal to visit Naples and not have pizza, right? ;)
But first, let's take in the views from the balcony! 
Naples Cruise Port Balcony View From Stateroom 11221 on Sun Princess
It was a bit overcast when we visited Naples Cruise Port, but don't be deceived - it was still plenty hot even though it was early June.
Hazy mountain outlines in the distance - Naples Cruise Port
Would you like to see a view of Napoli from the docked cruise ship? 
First look at Napoli from Sun Princess Mediterranean Cruise Ship
Quick bites to eat on sun princess
With those glimpses of Naples taken in, we were excited to get out on foot to explore the city and, of course, eat pizza!
But first, we needed to fuel up with some quick bites on the ship. Here's what we snagged for a very late breakfast/early lunch on Sun Princess. International Cafe - Pastel de nata
On our way to the buffet, which is called The Eatery on Sun Princess, we were walking past the International Cafe and it seemed a requirement to try a Pastel de Nata.
Portuguese Custard Tart, Pastel de Nata, on Princess Cruises
A Pastel de Nata is a delicious and famous Portuguese pastry - a custard tart which we are well familiar with ;) 
Pastel de Nata Portuguese Pastry at the International Cafe on Sun Princess
How good could a pastel de nata be on a cruise ship? In our opinion, what makes a pastel de nata a success comes down to having a crisp and flakey crust and the custard being just the right texture, not too eggy. As you can see we take very seriously checking the crust - and this looks very promising ;) 
A crisp and flakey crust is key to a delicious pastel de nata Portuguese egg custard tart
We felt like this was a respectable representation of an iconic Portuguese pastry for the uninitiated! The only thing missing was a sprinkle of canela (the portuguese word for cinnamon) on top!
By the way, it's easy to make these Portuguese Pastries! See how here: Inspired By Travel: Making Pastéis de Nata Portuguese Custard Tarts INTERNATIONAL CAFE - Spinach Quiche
I find it difficult to pass up a quiche. I'm not sure why?
Maybe because they are delicious. Maybe because it reminds me of stopping for breaks at Panera on a Saturday morning with my family growing up and occasionally splashing out for one of their quiches? or maybe it was a soufflé? Honestly I can't remember, but those were so good - do they still have them? 
Spinach Quiche - International Cafe on Sun Princess
Check out the side view of this quiche though. I mean doesn't that look delicious?! What impressed me most about this quiche on a cruise ship is that it was warmed up!!! I was 100% not expecting this at all, but absolutely delighted when the girl pulled it from the case and put it in the warmer. Should you serve quiche warmed, room temperature, or cold? Honestly, I'll eat a quiche any way, but imo quiche served warm is next level and my only regret is that I didn't have any follow up quiches throughout the rest of this med cruise. :( 
Worth the wait for a warm quiche on Sun Princess International Cafe
The Eatery on Sun Princess Lunch - Tom Kha gai + poke bowl
A visit to the eatery usually consists of walking the entire buffet to survey the options, but since we were eager to explore Napoli in a day, I grabbed the first things that jumped out at me - Tom Kha Gai Thai Soup and a Poke Bowl.
If you know Thai food, specifically the soup Tom Kha Gai, you will probably be surprised at the look of this soup. What is Tom Kha Gai? ต้มข่าไก่ Tom Kha Gai is a chicken soup with a coconut milk based broth and loads of flavor. The color is very off on this bowl and I really can't say there was any coconut milk in this soup which is bizarre. While I don't feel it does the traditional Thai soup justice, I did find the soup overall to be quite flavorful and I did enjoy it. After all, when you have a bundle of enoki mushrooms in your bowl, it's hard not to enjoy, amiright? 
Tom Kha Gai Thai Soup on Sun Princess
The Poke Bowl on Sun Princess was an absolute star! these poke bowls were available every single day and I wish I had gotten more. What is in a poke bowl? At the minimum this poke bowl had fresh, raw salmon, cucumber, beets, radishes, seaweed, and red cabbage along with sticky rice and a sprinkling of mixed sesame seeds. This Poke Bowl is a beautiful dish - colorful, light, refreshing, and a satisfying mix of textures and flavors - making it one of the best things I ate in The Eatery Buffet on Sun Princess. 
A favorite food in The Eatery on Sun Princess - Light Refreshing Poke Bowl
If you're looking for fresh, healthy meal ideas for hot summer days - try a Poke Bowl! :) INTERNATIONAL CAFE - Chocolate Drizzled Merengue
Since we had to go past the international cafe again to get back to our room, it seemed like a good idea to grab this meringue cookie because it's basically just air right? :p
What are meringues made of? Why are meringues so delicious? Good question. Meringues are primarily made of egg whites and sugar and that's why they are so delicious. My favorite meringues have that light crunchy exterior texture and are a bit chewy in the center, how about you? 
Delicious Merengue, I mean Meringue, at the International Cafe on Sun Princess
Okay enough of the cruise ship food. Let's get to the main event - Pizza in Naples! Pizza & Passione Pizze - Italy Restaurant ReviewAfter getting off the ship we met some lovely friends at the carts who recommended we be sure to try fried pizza, aka pizza fritta which is classic Neapolitan street food so we determined to follow through. ;) We walked to a restaurant called Pizza & Passione which was probably about a 1 mile walk from the cruise ship. We took our time taking in the scenes as it was our first time in Naples (more pics below) and once we arrived we nearly were turned away as they were about to close. :-/ 
Pizza & Passione di Lino Gas - Pizza Fritter near Naples Cruise Port
Americans, take note: It is extremely common in Europe for restaurants to close for several hours between lunch and dinner. I know that some restaurants do this in the US, but overall I think Americans are used to being able to get food at any hour of the day easily whereas in other parts of the world you really do have to manage your time to ensure you get in by 3pm or else you'll be waiting until 7pm often times!
Also be aware that the information on a restaurant's google listing is not always accurate. It may imply a restaurant is open all day and night and not actually list the space of time between lunch and dinner where they close. If you are not flexible with where and when you eat, be sure to call ahead to confirm hours and avoid disappointments. Let's carry on and take a peak inside the kitchen: 
A red hot pizza oven in Naples, Italy
I can't imagine how hot it must have been inside given the temperature outside. 
The smallest spaces often make the most delicious food
Hard at work cranking out pizzas for the seated guests. Here's a peak at Pizza & Passione's seating: 
Al fresco dining at Pizza & Passione di Lino Gas in Napoli
When it comes to beverages on a hot day like this, a cold Peroni is the only way to go while you wait for your pizza. How much is Peroni Beer in Italy? At this restaurant, a larger glass bottle of Peroni Beer (66cl) was 3.50 euro and was a perfect size to share! 33cl bottles are currently 2 euros each. 
A cold Peroni Beer at Pizza & Passione in Naples Italy
Ripieni Fritti - o' battilocchio Fried Pizza at Pizza & Passione
What is Pizza Fritta?
Pizza Fritta, shown below, is a type of fried pizza originating in Naples, Italy. A round pizza dough is filled with sauce, cheese, etc, then folded in half and deep fried. It looks like a giant empanada! 
Ripieni Fritti - O' Battilocchio Fried Pizza at Pizza & Passione Naples Italy
What is in Pizza Frita?
We ordered O'Battilocchio (should we have been insulted?) and the ingredients were pomodoro, provola, and pepe which translates to tomato provolone, and pepper. I could really taste the more intense, slightly smoky flavor of the provolone in the fried pizza compared to the Margherita pizza we also tried. Here's a cross section, if you want to see what the inside of pizza fritta looks like and get an idea of the thickness and texture of the dough. 
Inside a Pizza Fritta (Fried Pizza) in Naples Italy
This reminded us of something you might get at the fair in Pennsylvania in the summer time. :) Pro Tip: Anything deep fried is always best eaten immediately before it has the chance to lose its crisp and get soggy. Don't waste a moment when your Pizza Fritta arrives! How much is Fried Pizza in Naples? At Pizza & Passione the pizza fritta we ordered was 7 euros in June 2024. margherita PIZZA AT PIZZA & PASSIONEWhenever we try a new pizza place we almost always get a Margherita because we want a baseline for the establishment. We want to see how good a simple and classic Margherita pizza is. 
Our first margherita pizza in Italy
What is on a Margherita Pizza? A margherita is a simple, fresh, delicious pizza consisting of olio, pomodoro, and mozzarella and basilico - that is to say tomato sauce, mozzarella, and finished with a drizzle of olive oil and fresh basil. 
A margherita Pizza in Naples - tomato, mozzarella, basil, and olive oil
How much is pizza in Italy?
This margherita pizza cost 6 euros in Naples, Italy in June 2024. 
A glimpse underneath the Margherita Pizza at Pizza & Passione
How good is Pizza in Italy? Listen. It's so so good, but you just need to go experience it first hand if it's within your ability. :) Why is Pizza in Italy so much better than the US? Italians are using high quality ingredients, often locally sourced, which will always yield the most delicious results. That being said, there are many incredible pizzerias in the US doing the same. Still, Naples is considered the birthplace of pizza. Eating pizza in the very place pizza was invented is a special experience for any foodie. ❤ Pizza & passione Naples Italy Menu 2024
Menu = Cost of Pizza, Fried Pizza, Coffee, Limoncello, Coca Cola and Water in Naples Italy June 2024
returning to the ship in Naples
As it was time to board the ship, we made our way back to the Naples Cruise Port Terminal Building
Naples Cruise Port
After entering the building you will go up stairs or the escalators and staff directs you from there.
Inside Naples Cruise Port Terminal Building
You will walk the length of a building filled with souvenir shops - so if you missed grabbing your massed produced magnets and aprons with lemons or a little bottle of limoncello or some "leather" goods that the sales man made himself........ not skeptical at all ..... this is your chance to snag a momento on your way out of Naples. At the end of the building you will go back down stairs and outside to your ship!
Sun Princess Docked in Naples Italy for a Mediterranean Cruise - Is that Mount Vesuvius?
Dinner on the pool deck
We waved farewell to the passengers on the Aida Stella cruise ship and then said arrivederci to Naples, contented by the day and eager to return - sooner than you may think ;)
As there were no dining reservations available for the main dining room (we could have waited in a walk-in line), we decided to have dinner on the pool deck where Movies Under the Stars are shown every night.
Unfortunately, no sooner did we sit down at a perfect spot than a group of people sat right behind us including a woman who proceeded to loudly recap the entire movie to her friends while we (and others) were obviously trying to watch said movie for ourselves.... *eyeroll* What can I say? That's the general public for you. haha :p
The shwarma was delicious and highly recommended. The salad station has several suggested salad configurations or you can DIY. I went for the Chicken Cobb Salad and it was good, but I found the bacon to be unusually dry/hard to chew so I left all those bits behind. It did have plenty of chicken and blue cheese. This salad can easily be its own meal, not just a side.
Dessert at the international cafe
One last stop at the international cafe yielded the following little desserts:
A lovely slice of tiramisu, as shown below. Perfectly portioned and generously topped with cocoa powder, I found the flavors to be mild yet tasty and better than expected tbh! 
Tiramisu at the International Cafe on Sun Princess
Historically I've not always been a big fan of cakes on cruises as they always seem to be a bit on the dry side. However, this nice chocolate cake held up to scrutiny pretty well thanks in part to the thin layers of cake and the fact that they were topped in fluffy mousse and smooth, shiny ganache. :) 
A Chocolate Layered Mousse Cake at the International Cafe on Sun Princess
On that sweet note we close the second day of this Mediterranean Cruise on Sun Princess' Inaugural Season!
Sun princess Inaugural Season Cruise Blogs:
Book a mediterranean cruise
Ready to book your Mediterranean cruise?! I'm ready to help!
❤ Let me know when you want to set sail! ❤
Step One: Log into your Chase Account and Click "Ultimate Rewards Points"
On a desktop you will see it at the top right of your log in page.
Step two: Select Which card you want to see
In this case since we are transferring to travel partners we need to select the Chase Sapphire Card
Step Three: Select Transfer points to partners
At the top of the page you will see the drop down menu under travel. Select "Transfer points to partners"
Step four: Scroll down to select united airlines
Scroll down to select the travel partner of your choice - in this case United Airlines.
Step five: Click transfer points
Step six: Confirm Your Mileageplus account
You will need to enter your United MileagePlus Account Number here. If you do not have an account, you can sign up for one for free here. Then click next.
Step seven: Confirm how many points
You'll go ahead and type in how many points you want to transfer. Please note, you can only transfer in increments of 1,000.
Example: If you need 38,500 points you will need to round up and transfer 39,000 points. Click next on the bottom right when you're ready. 
Step eight: Confirm details and submit
Take a moment to confirm the details of your transfer. On the left side you will see your Chase card, how many points you are moving and how many you will have left. On the right side you will see the travel partner, in this case United MileagePlus, and how many points that account will be receiving. When you're sure the values are what you need for your trip, click submit! :)
How long will it take for my chase points to show in my united account?
As you can see by the fine print on the image above, officially "most point transfers process by the next business day, but may take up to 7 business days."
In my personal experience, the points have shown up nearly instantaneously - it's amazing! If you are logged into your United account you will need to log out and then log back in to see the points. You may have a different experience, but all I can do is share what has happened to me 100% of the time in the past 8+ years doing this. I hope you have the same experience I have had so far! :) Tips for transferring chase UR points to United
how do i get these amazing points for free flights?
Easy peasy lemon squeezy! You just need a Sapphire Card or if you already have one, get the United Card. With both you will get a really great sign up bonus. Bonuses are linked on the Best Travel Credit Cards Page
Are travel agents worth it?
... with tips like these, is it even a question? ;)
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After checking out our room it was time to explore the ship a bit and start trying all the included food options!
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International Cafe on Sun Princess
We made our way down to deck 9 and as we traversed the piazza, took a peek at what the international cafe had to offer. The international cafe is a great feature on Princess Cruises. This spot is open 24/7 and has sweet treats (even Pasteis de nata!) and small savory items like little sandwiches and the like to curb the rumble in your tummy. :)
Princess Pizzeria on Sun Princess
The Princess Pizzeria located outside on deck 9 of Sun Princess served a style of pizza that was quite thick. I had hopes that it was a thick and airy/fluffy style of pizza, but to the contrary, I personally found it a bit heavy and it felt like the pizza dough was not quite cooked all the way through. We'll give it another go later in the cruise!
Burgers & Fries
Not to worry, just beside the pizzeria on deck 9 you could order burgers and fries and the crew were more than eager to invite us over! We requested only a basket of fries and they insisted that we sit down and relax and they would bring it over after they had been freshly fried. To my surprise they brought us 2 baskets!
Shop: Adorable mini fry baskets
2 cats in the piazza
As it was nearing sail-away time and we wanted to be on the balcony for that, we made our way back inside grabbed a cup of coffee from the buffet (aka World Fresh Marketplace) and stopped to watch a performance in the Piazza. CATS Strings were a talented electric violin duo who played in various venues around the ship. They always wore headbands with little cat ears.
Rome SAIL-AWAY on Sun princess
We made it back to the balcony to enjoy sailing away from Rome (Civitavecchia) cruise port. It's always exciting when you see the ship start to move away from the shore line. You can enjoy the sail-away on any public deck of the ship if you'd like, but we usually prefer to dodge the crowds and watch from our balcony if we have one!
sail away dinner menu Sun Princess
I would love to know what you would order off this menu. Feel free to leave a comment with what sounds most tasty to you!
Sun Princess 2024 Sail-Away Dinner Menu
Greek Salad
Sun Princess Mediterranean Cruise Food - Greek Salad
Chicken, Ham, Parmesan Croquette
Sun Princess Mediterranean Cruise Food - Chicken, Ham, Parmesan Croquette
Pork Tenderloin with Huckleberry Jam
Sun Princess Mediterranean Cruise Food - Pork Tenderloin with Huckleberry Jam
Linguine Vongole
Sun Princess Mediterranean Cruise Food - Linguine Vongole Seafood Pasta
Dessert menu day 1
Sun Princess Mediterranean Cruise Dessert Menu
After much deliberation we ended up with Vanilla Mascarpone & Blueberry Crèmeux
French Vanilla Bean Crème Brulée
Sun Princess Mediterranean Cruise Food - Creme Brûlée with Madeleine Cookies
Seasonal Fresh Fruit Plate
Sun Princess Mediterranean Cruise Food - Seasonal Fruit Plate
With that our first day on the Sun Princess Mediterranean Cruise came to a close. After a long day, once we returned to our room, I was thrilled to find the stateroom attendant had dropped off the fluffiest robes imaginable.
Sun Princess Tips: On embarkation day request a fluffy robe!
Sun Princess Tips: On embarkation day request a fluffy robe!
SUN PRINCESS INAUGURAL SEASON CRUISE BLOGS:
- Sun Princess Mediterranean Cruise with Greek Isles, Italy & Turkey - Day 2 Pizza in Naples
- Sun Princess Mediterranean Cruise with Greek Isles, Italy & Turkey - Day 1 (you are here)
- Sun Princess Deluxe Balcony Stateroom 11221 Cabin Tour
- How to get to Civitavecchia Cruise Port by train from FCO Fiumicino Airport in Rome, Italy
- Traveling From Portugal to Rome For a Mediterranean Cruise - Ryanair flight review
Want to book a MEDITERRANEAN Cruise?
Read Next: How to get to Rome Cruise Port By Train & Save a lot of Money!
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SUN PRINCESS MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE WITH GREEK ISLES, ITALY & TURKEY CRUISE REVIEW
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If you want, you could get a private transfer from FCO airport to the cruise port. It will probably cost you around $100 per person. On the other hand you can a take the train and it will cost you around just 11 euros per person. You don't have to guess what we chose lol.
What follows is a step-by-step travel guide that will help you take the train from Rome airport to the cruise port and potentially save a ton of money! :) |
How to get to the train station from FCO Airport
After disembarking our RyanAir Flight, we followed the exit signs "Uscita" as you can see below on the right.
Exiting Rome Airport
Once you round the bend, look for the bright yellow sign featuring various modes of ground transportation including the Train.
Follow the yellow signs for the train in FCO Rome airport
In our case, we were directed to exit the airport and walk outside to the train station. Periodically you would see the yellow square sign with the train icon on it.
Entrance to Stazione Fiumicino Aeroporto train station
The train station had lovely, large planters with tropical foliage which provided seating for passengers waiting, as well as a cafe and ticketing offices on either side.
In the picture below, the train platform is behind us and in front of us is an entrance to Fiumicino Airport. It's really convenient that you can take the train directly to the airport in Rome for your flight or hop on a train to your destination, like the Civitavecchia Cruise Port for a Mediterranean Cruise right after your flight!
Inside the train station at Rome Airport
Entering the rome airport train platform
The train platform at FCO stazione is not exceptionally big. Therefore you can only pass through when your train is one of the next to arrive. For mobile tickets, we had to see a live staff member to go through. Paper tickets could be scanned automatically. A bit counterintuitive, but whatever! :)
Closed doors leading to the train platform in Roma Aeroporto
Upon entering the platform is a sign showing the next train and the stops it will make, as seen below.
Upcoming train scheduled stops at Rome Airport Train Station
Rome Airport Train Station - Buying Tickets
When it comes to buying train tickets you have a few options.
- You can buy them in advance from trenitalia
- You can buy them at a ticketing machine in the airport or train station
- You can buy them at a ticketing counter - which is helpful if you need assistance from a human. :)
We bought our tickets in advance. Once you get to the train station you can validate your ticket on the app. Once validated, ticket times cannot be adjusted.
For instance if you want to board an earlier train, but you have already validated your ticket, you will have to wait until the scheduled train time.
This happened to us. We wanted to have tickets booked in advance so we wouldn't be stressed at the airport/train station, knowing we would be tired. We also weren't sure how timely our RyanAir Flight would be, so we added a little buffer time of around 1 hour after our flight was scheduled to land for our train ticket. In the end we could have taken an earlier train if we adjusted the ticket time once we arrived to the station and then validated the ticket. At least that's my understanding from what the attendant told me. :)
Really it was not too long or a big deal to wait and it gave us time to observe the flow of the airport station. Just sharing the details in case it helps you on your next trip to Rome!
Pro Tip: If you're having difficulty purchasing tickets for a train from the airport through trenitalia, try entering your search and clicking through rome2rio. ;)
A train on the platform at stazione fiumicino aeroporto in Italy.
Roma Ostiense - Changing Trains
To get to Civitavecchia Cruise Port from Rome Airport you will need to take 2 trains. We took the train from the airport to Roma Ostiense station. We followed the signs to the platform where we would board our connecting train, which you can see below.
Lost in translation
One amusing thing when traveling is finding humor in how signs are translated to English. Apparently, if you do not speak Italian the elevator is only operational from 5am until noon. lol in actuality it runs from 5am to midnight. :p
Elevator operational hours at Roma Ostiense Station
GEtting to the cruise terminal from civitavecchia train station
After exiting the train station at Civitavecchia station, there were quite a few drivers offering to take passengers to the ship for a fee. There is also a paid shuttle bus that costs 6 euros per person. We had read conflicting things about how far that bus gets you and the area was so congested we decided to just keep walking toward the ship on our own.
I have to be honest, it was not a super easy walk. It was extremely hot out, we had left our house at 3am and it was now like 1:30pm and we were running on fumes, at least I was for sure. Also, the sidewalks are in no way designed for seamlessly pulling luggage. We each had just one carry-on with a personal bag on top, but if you also had checked luggage - forget it! lol
Michelangelo Fortress Civitavecchia
As you are walking toward the cruise port, you will see Michelangelo Fortress on your left. It is not necessary to take this path to get to the cruise ships. You actually want to stay on the other side of the street.
Michelangelo Fort Civitavecchia
Free Shuttle to Civitavecchia Cruise Port
After crossing the street, to our happy surprise, we found a free shuttle to the cruise ship! It all happened so quickly, I snapped this picture of what was outside the window of the shuttle once we were on.
Onboard the free shuttle to Civitavecchia cruise port
Here is a snip of a map from the Port of Civitavecchia. I circled in red where the train station is located on the bottom right and where the free shuttle pick up is.
Map showing the free cruise port shuttle pick up location and Civitavecchia train station
The shuttle was quite full and it was hot onboard as well. About 20 minutes from when we boarded we were close enough to see the ship - so exciting!
View of the ship from the packed shuttle
There she is - the brand new Sun Princess!
Sun Princess in Rome (Civitavecchia) as seen through shuttle bus window
Boarding sun princess cruise ship in rome (civitavecchia port)
Boarding Sun Princess was an absolute breeze. If you're used to sailing the Caribbean you will be more accustomed to longer wait times to board your ship. Because many European/Mediterranean cruises are multiple voyages combined, you don't have a day where 100% of the passengers are disembarking and all the new cruisers are embarking.
Roma Cruise Terminal
Some people stay on the ship for 2 or 3 itineraries back to back. This makes it really nice, I think, as it cuts down on congestion and speeds up your embarkation time. And hey, if you can swing it financially you might as well. You're probably traveling quite far to embark and if you can stay for 2 segments you will see a ton of Europe or the Mediterranean in one go!
As you can see there are very few people in line to board and the chairs are totally empty. :)
Inside Roma Cruise Terminal Boarding Sun Princess
It took just a few moments at the counter for us to pick up our "Medallions". Some cruise lines use plastic cards as your room key and to scan you in and out of the ship at various ports. Others have move into various wearables like the Medallion Princess has. It comes on a lanyard, but there are tons of accessories you can buy for it if you're into that sort of thing. From wrist bands, to keychains, and Apple Watch adapters to necklaces and bracelets.
Supplies waiting to be loaded onto Sun Princess for a Mediterranean Cruise
With our medallions in hand it was time to let the adventure begin on this Anniversary Mediterranean cruise "onboard the Marvelous Sun Princess! Ciao.... for now" iykyk :p
A friendly bear welcomes you to Sun Princess!
Read This Next: Sun Princess Deluxe Balcony Stateroom 11221 Tour
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We're Justin and Marissa
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