New Years in Naples

Naples – Part the First!

When first we booked this cruise on the Viking Sky to tour the Southern Mediterranean the countries of Tunisia and Algeria were the big draw for all three of us.  A few months ago Tunisia was pulled from the itinerary due to government restrictions.  Naples was substituted.  We all had wished it had been somewhere more exotic as I think most on this level of cruising have pr0obably already been to Naples and maybe more than once.  The three of us wanted to go to Herculaneum since we had been to the more famous Pompeii previously, so were happy enough with the change.  Then we started noticing the difficulty to arrange private tours since Viking didn’t have one going there. In fact, other than the included drive around – walk about, nothing was offered.  Hmmmnnn… January 1^st was a Sunday but the real problem was that it is a national holiday so everything government owned is closed!  And in Italy the government pretty much owns everything! 

We breakfasted at the most spectacular Brunch Buffet I have ever encountered.  Dozens of tables created at least at least a dozen stations featuring everything from made to order omelets and Eggs Benedict to Chocolate Cherries Jubilee.  Wine flowed, lobster tails were cracked, shrimp was present in many different styles.  The cheeses covered about 6 feet of white tablecloth and fresh fruits and vegetables doubled that space.  The entire pool deck and the WinterGarden were repurposed for an indulgent ringing in of the New Year.

After about an hour and a half of indulgence we rolled back to our cabins to prepare for the bus tour to a beautiful overlook and a walk through the old part of the city.  I very much enjoyed it all.  After the tour Carol and I used our free time to walk further into the warren of cobbled streets.  Neither of us are shoppers but the people watching was fabulous.  As the crowds grew after noon the lively atmosphere also grew.   Children danced in the streets and long lines of people waited at their favorite pizzerias for a single slice.  These places had no tables or drink service just pie by the slice.

You can always find  McDnald's.  Since free WiFi is on all the Viking ships we don't need it of we would be here.                    To me this looked like locals enjoying the huge, glass roofed mall! Maybe the pizza mob was too big!

Police presence was noticeable and we saw them ticket several motorcyclists who were speeding through the pedestrian mob scene.  And I saw lots of puppies including some long haired small ones with tails like Wonton Noodle.  So maybe that is the long haired Chihuahua in him.  If people have dogs you can always communicate no matter the language you each speak!

Back on board we joined the Captain and Officers in a Welcome Toast.  It is meant for past cruisers who are automatically members of the Explorers Society.  I think that included everyone on board, all 923.  This small ship is a nice and friendly way to travel and feel elegant and very grown up.  No one under the age of 18 is allowed!

 We dined in the World Café.  In truth the morning brunch would have sustained us but after all, it is a cruise!   Wherever we choose the food on Viking is way better and fancier than I ever cook and the service is excellent.  I like that you will even see officers pitching in to serve drinks or clear tables when it is busy.  Any crew you speak with are always quick to tell you how happy they are and that they feel like family.  It doesn’t hurt that crew also has free WiFi just like guest.  They can keep in touch with the family at home and not feel so isolated.  I think it still is the only cruise line that does not charge anyone, even crew, for internet service.

The evening show was ABBA tribute.  The four vocalists provided a fun evening with their representations.  Not that they tried to mimic.  They crack me up though as all the choreography is so structured and slightly stiff.  The movement from one to the other is regimented and not really necessary to the song's expression, at least to me.  It seems a little frenetic.

Late night tea and some reading in my comfortable bed completed a very Happy New Year!