COSTA DIADEMA 1st November 2014 Part 8

Part 8

Thursday 6th November 2014
Today is my first-ever birthday at sea. I opened my cards from loved ones at home (I had special dispensation to be away…), my cabin steward made a funny hanging towel animal with a little note once he had seen my cabin, and prepared to enjoy the half day here in Naples, Italy. I could see lots of ships of all kinds, so today’s list should be lengthy despite the early morning damp air as we berthed. Vesuvius loomed over the bay with the usual ash cloud over it.

Rhapsody, ex Napoleon Bonaparte, viewed as we approached the Naples Maritime Station berth

Norwegian Spirit was already in port

Laid up lovelies I could see

Another view of Rhapsody through the early morning mist

Galesus the tug was in attendance

Going astern beside the Maritime Station, which allowed us to see lots of ships in the port

Marmorica of Toremar

Aida Vita in dry dock

Another view of Rhapsody, ex Napoleon Bonaparte

I could see dents in the hull midships

raffaele rubattino

SNAV Sardegna was already in port

Croazia Jet in the middle

More laid-up lovelies; I am now informed that the ALA is the former Clyde vessel MAID OF SKELMORLIE, built in 1953

Patrizia laid up

Rosa d'Abundo (ex Angelina Lauro b. 1981) sailed past


After a short walk to a nearby ferry terminal, we watched a few arrivals there.

Fauno, a local ferry, came in fast


We then returned to COSTA DIADEMA for coffee in the Chocolate House. The Chocolate Fountain in the glass case seemed not to be working still, and maybe the white-overalled engineers standing around it with screwdrivers yesterday had found a little problem. Ah well, the staff were able to provide fruit portions dipped in delicious chocolate and the most yummy and squishy macaroons in various colours so the coffee break was very satisfactory.

Trinacria

Macaiva of Gestur

Dimonios

An interesting line-up

Another unknown

What's that in the corner?

Palermo, I think. No, I'm informed this is Falerno, built in 1965, but laid up since 2011.

Super Flyte?

What is this?
The black-hulled ship laid up by the CROAZIA JET is the CAPRI. She was built in 1962 as the passenger and cargo ship BASILUZZO for the Eolian islands. She went to Greece as the CITY OF ANDROS with her sister VULCANELLO which became the CITY OF POROS. The CITY OF ANDROS eventually returned to Italy as the small cruise ship CITALIA, then CAPRI, registered in Madeira.

More unknowns

Teseo, something unknown, and Ievoli Sky

Two more unknowns

Driade arriving at speed

Salerno Jet arriving


Photos, lunch and a quiet time on deck prepared us for departure from Naples at 2.40 (late) under a navy-blue coloured sky. We raced away from the port at 21.8 knots, listing slightly with the swell and watching the mist become closer and cold, as we headed for Genoa.

By 6.00 p.m. our pre-dinner drinks on our favourite Deck 5 aft Bar were accompanied by a dramatic thunderstorm. There was sheet lightning all around the ship and the most torrential rain which bounced up from the deck and poured down from overhead gutters. The outside lights flickered and went out a few times and when we could no longer hear ourselves talk we retreated inside. That was all rather dramatic we thought.

A meal in the Pizza Bar was enjoyable, especially with gifts of Champagne, and a specially designed print of the COSTA DIADEMA by Roberto Bixio, issued for her Maiden Season 2014, and the company of good friends.

I returned late to my cabin to find a birthday card signed by the Captain, and a birthday cake with candle on the dressing table. What a kind thought from Costa, although too late to share with my companions.

Birthday cake


Ships seen: Rhapsody (the ex-Napoleon Bonaparte), Raffaele Rubattino, SNAV Sardegna of GNV, Norwegian Spirit, Ala next to Patrizia (old and laid up), Rosa d’Abundo (the ex-Angelina Lauro of 1981), Marmorica (old, laid up, of Toremar), Teseo in dry dock, Aida Vita in dry dock, Dimonios of Tirrenia, Trinacria of TTT Lines, Macaiva of Gestur laid up, Fauno of Caremar, Sindaco Malvito V, Ievoli sky next to Teseo, ARV 2 (ex-Diana 2, ex Meloodia), Agata of Medmar an ex-Tallink ship, Isola de Capri of Medmar, Adiona something of Toremar, Myriam laid up, Croazia Jet and various unidentified others


To be concluded...

COSTA CLASSICA 14th April 2013 MALTA

Sunday 14th April 2013
Another early start today, as we approached the George Cross island of Malta, the island situated between the North African coast and Sicily. I really want to visit the commemorative Bell and Memorial high on the cliffs of the Grand Harbour so that is one plan for today.

Malta

I particularly liked the last two lines

The Pilot arrived and we went in, turned and berthed alongside the Cruise Terminal quays. This area has turned into 'restaurant row' and I'm glad for the locals as it must bring in a lot of business, especially when cruise ships are in. KRISTINA KATERINA is also here, and looks like a ferry although she is a cruise ship of Kristina Cruises.

She arrived before us

A view

The Bell I want to see

Bell and belfry

Kristina Katerina

Dry dock and crane

We set off after breakfast and walked first along the quay to the KRISTINA KATARINA. I walked up the gangway and again asked if it was possible to have a couple of postcards please, as we had heard of the ship and admired it. I came off the ship with two postcards in my hand.

Next we went to catch a Hop on Hop off red double-decker bus, on the blue route, stopping first at the Malta Aviation Museum.

Malta Aviation Museum

There were very few of us there, but the big hangars were filled with all sorts of fascinating aircraft and remains. The first aeroplane I ever travelled on was a DC3, and there was the shell of one there, plus all sorts of other crashed bits that someone somewhere had saved. There was a 'Flying Flea' on display, showing a picture of it at Shoreham Airport in Sussex, England.

Douglas DC3 Dakota

Aircraft Radio & Instrument Training Company

Goodness me!

More Museum pieces

This caught my eye

That looks fun

In one vast hangar the air was violently disturbed by someone sounding the extremely loud air-raid siren – it wasn’t me but I did see who did it….

We waited by the roadside and caught another bus, this time to the hilltop city of Mdina. Under a clear blue sky the hot sunlight made it look really appealing, especially from the open top bus, although the heavy traffic made progress difficult, especially with all the parked cars lining the last few miles of the route up to the city. We hopped off, and joined the crowds trying to enter the city through the main gate. All was hot, loud and fascinating.

Up to the hilltop city of Mdina

Today is a special celebration day and everyone was out enjoying it. Flags were fluttering, or being tossed high in the air, banners were hanging around the ancient walls, local people were dressed in old-style re-enactment costumes, and it took some time to get around; we met a couple with a small boy having a wonderful time with his new bike without pedals and stabilisers, his Maltese parents happy to talk and explain what was happening, and finally we could reach the ramparts and enjoy the views over so much of the island as far as the distant sea.

Cathedral Museum

Another corner

Part of the pageant

We took another bus back to the city, and walked past one of the City gates being renovated, under the architect Renzo Piano.

Valletta City Gate project

For lunch we ignored McDonald’s and cafes offering horse meat, and found a little establishment offering local food and wine.

After this we could go and see the Operation Pedestal Memorial for the 1940-43 siege of Malta and I was so pleased and moved to see this beautiful Memorial, and of course it reminded me of the Union-Castle Line ship ROCHESTER CASTLE which was the lead Merchant Navy ship for the relief of the island. (see my blog piece Horizon Part 5, July 2012 for more details)

The Memorial Bell

The Memorial Bell plaque

Memorial Bell Dedication

From the Memorial I watched KRISTINA KATERINA leave the Grand Harbour, and then it was time to return to the ship before our departure.

Victoria Gate

Once again we lined the rails to watch, and once again there was one couple who had not returned and the ship was slightly delayed in leaving.

Another evening on COSTA CLASSICA was enjoyed at sea, with Italian Prosecco and dinner with new friends.

Ships seen: Kristina Katerina, Sacro Cuor-1, something unknown in dry dock, Princess Ariel the cross harbour ferry, and various small vessels

Monday 15th April 2013
Another lovely day at sea, sailing back from Malta to Marseilles in France. I went to the early Pool exercise class and again enjoyed breakfast afterwards. Today’s choice of entertainment included Flip Flop throwing, quizzes, dance lessons, arts and crafts handicrafts, and super bingo, plus this evening’s Election of the Ideal Couple, in the aft Puccini Lounge. Gala Dinner was held at night, with the usual two sittings.

Tuesday 16th April 2013

Napoleon Bonaparte

Princess Danae in Marseille

Ships seen in Marseille: Napoleon Bonaparte, Princess Danae, Sadan Bayraktar

We are due back in Marseille at 8 a.m. after an interesting and enjoyable ten days on the COSTA CLASSICA. I like and admire the Costa product and itineraries, sailing with friends and in good company and this has again been an interesting trip.

View of Costa Classica

Funnels and flags and fun