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!
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