USA Home City to Rome, Italy

Today you will depart from your home city and travel to Rome!

Rome, Italy

Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and begin your adventure and exploration of the Eternal City. During this tour, you will visit the Colosseum and the Roman Forum to see its ancient ruins like the Temple of Julius Caesar. 

Vatican - Ancient Rome walking tour

This morning, tour the Vatican, the world's smallest, yet wealthiest, independent state. Your guide will start with an overview of the history of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. See the Hall of Tapestries and the Maps Gallery. The highlight of the tour will be the Sistine Chapel, where the ceiling is covered with Michelangelo's famous paintings of the 'Creation' and 'Last Judgement'. Then we explore St. Peter's Square, with Bernini's 284 columns, before entering St. Peter's Basilica, the largest church in Christendom. See the many treasures including the golden mosaics of the apse, Bernini's bronze baldachin and the famed 'Pieta' by Michelangelo. This afternoon you are free to enjoy the city of Rome. Afternoon walking tour of the old town, the Spanish steps, one of Rome's most recognized landmarks, immortalized in countless postcards and films. Walk up these famous steps to enjoy a lovely view from the top, and then continue along Rome's winding cobblestone alleys to the Trevi Fountain. We will make our way to the Pantheon, a stately temple known for its concrete dome and open oculus. 

Rome, Italy

This morning we travel outside the "old city" of Rome to attend the long-awaited experience of visiting the LDS Rome Temple. This afternoon will be open to enjoy the city on your own. 

Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy

With 28 centuries of celebrated history, Rome holds the edge when it comes to unrivalled adventures. The city that sparked the world’s largest empire is very much alive today with a jumble of ancient ruins, world-renowned art and vivacious street culture. Here you can live 'la dolce vita', recalling the glory days of Ancient Rome and twirling forks full of pasta in a trattoria. Ride past centuries-old basilicas in a three-wheeled Ape Calessino, or stand in awe of paintings by Italian masters at Villa Borghese. Whether it’s Vatican City’s spiritual allure, Trastevere’s backstreet charms, or the Colosseum’s embattled legacy – The Eternal City endures with endless adventures.

Cruising - Fun day at sea

Today you are free to enjoy the ship and its wonderful activities at your leisure.  We will hold a welcome meeting today to get a chance to talk about the sites we've seen in Rome as well as what is to come.

Athens, Greece

Athens offers a looking glass back in time into Greece's powerful, ancient civilization. Art lovers, epicureans, and history buffs will be delighted by the ancient ruins, museums and tavernas of this picturesque town. Just 10 minutes from the port, you'll find the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus, filled with sculptures from the Bronze Age to the Romans. Walk to the Zea Harbour to discover how the Hellenic Maritime Museum will bring to life the grandeur of ancient Greece's naval capacities. Jump onboard an Athens cruise and relax at the small harbor of Mikrolimano, enjoying a meal of grilled octopus and chilled white wine at a small restaurant overlooking the sea.

Included LDS Guided Shore Excursion:  We arrive in Athens at 12noon.  We will disembark together and start or exploration of this ancient city at the Temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounia with some free time in Phokaia to enjoy the wonderful views along with the sights and smells of Greece.

Athens, Greece

Today's included LDS private shore excursions will be exciting as we climb to the Acropolis to see the Parthenon and appreciate the amazing views and history that opens in front of us.  From here we move over to Mars Hill for time to learn about the important teachings of Paul from the very site. 

Rhondes, Greece

The Colossus might not be standing any more, but the Greek island of Rhodes still delivers beauty and allure on a giant scale. The island instantly greets you with serene white-sand beaches and wide-open blue skies. See the site in the harbour where the now-destroyed wonder of the ancient world once stood. Then, head to the Old Town, surrounded by medieval walls and seven ancient gates. Don't miss the Palace of the Grandmaster, with its mosaic floors dating from Hellenic, Roman, and early Christian times. Shop for a colourful menagerie of seashells by the shoreline – and don't forget to spend some time relaxing beside the translucent blue waves with your Greece cruise.

Ephesus, Turkey

The UNESCO World Heritage ruins of Ephesus impress even those familiar with the world's other ancient cities. Though excavations have been underway for 150 years, only 20 percent of the city has been uncovered. Check out the Celsus Library — built-in 117 A.D., the site is made up of towering columns highlighted by the statue of the goddess of wisdom. Cruises to Ephesus will give you a taste of Turkish life by strolling the seafront promenade and the bustling city center. Walk Marble Street, paved with actual marble slabs, which takes you from downtown to the Temple of Artemis — you can still see one lone remaining column from this wonder of the ancient world.

Today's included LDS Shore excursion will be to the ancient city of Ephesus, one of the most intriguing biblical cities and one to which today's American Christians can relate.  We start the day at the believed House of Mary, the mother of Jesus, where she was brought after his Crucifixion and Resurrection by the Apostle John.  From there we see the great marble temple of Artemis, the pride and center of the city in that day, the ruins of which are one of the legendary Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. While Paul lived in Ephesus working with the congregation he apparently was organizing missionary activity into the hinterlands and this was where he wrote the letter 1 Corinthians.  We will enjoy a provided lunch before returning to the ship.

Cruising

Are you ready for a day to sleep in?  Enjoy your morning at the pool or library before our afternoon class with Brother Godfrey giving us the teachings to help enhance our upcoming cruise stops.

Jerusalem, Israel

Included LDS Shore Excursion: Today we will start our 2 full days in Israel as we depart the ship after breakfast and take a one-hour drive to Jerusalem.  This city is sacred to Jews, Muslims, and Christians alike. We will enter the Old City through one of the eight gates, built in the early 16th century by the Turkish Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent — see the ferocious-looking animal carvings of the Lion's Gate or the flower rosettes carved above Herod's Gate. We will see many of the sacred sites of the Old City including the Western Wall, the Last Supper Room, The Dome of the Rock, The Garden of Gethsemane, and the Garden Tomb, as many as time permits.  We will then check into our hotel in the city of Jerusalem and the evening is yours to enjoy after the provided dinner.

Haifa, Israel

Day 2 of included Shore Excursion Package: Today we will depart the Holy City and head north through the Jordan Valley.  Upon arrival in the Galilee, we see The Mount of Beatitudes, Capernaum, The Jordan River, and Nazareth before returning to the ship as our journey continues.

Cruising - Day at Sea

Today you will get to relax and recover from your busy touring schedule.  Take some time to enjoy the On-board activities listed below.  Brother Godfrey today will hold a class to review the sites you just visited and enhance the teachings you learned while touring them.  

NORTH STAR® - It’s time to raise the bar on adventure – with 360-degree views of the world from 100 meters above sea level in the North Star® observation capsule – winner of the Guinness World Record for tallest viewing deck on a cruise ship.

RIPCORD® BY IFLY® - There’s no rush in the world like skydiving – and on the RipCord® by iFLY® simulator you can feel the freedom of freefall without even leaving the deck.

FLOWRIDER® - Grab your board and get ready for 100,000 liters of rushing amazingness headed your way. The surf’s always up on the 12-meter-long FlowRider® surf simulator.

Cruising - Fun day at Sea

Today we suggest a spa treatment if you haven't indulged in one yet! If so, try another. We will have another scheduled class with Brother Godfrey in the afternoon.

Naples, Italy

With a skyline defined by towering Mount Vesuvis, Naples is a bustling Italian city brimming with beauty. Experience its rich neoclassical architecture at sites like Gesu Nuovo Church, with its lavish interior adorned with detailed frescoes, statues and gold inlay. Go even deeper into history at the San Gennaro catacombs, where Naples' first bishops were buried in the second century A.D. Walk along the Miglio Sacro ("Holy Mile") and people-watch your way through the cafes and shops of the Sanita district with a zuccherato (sweetened espresso) in hand. Jump onboard a Naples cruise and take the short bus ride to the base of Mount Vesuvius —the easy 20- to 30-minute hike will take you to the summit — and tour the ruins of Pompeii afterward.

Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy

With 28 centuries of celebrated history, Rome holds the edge when it comes to unrivalled adventures. The city that sparked the world’s largest empire is very much alive today with a jumble of ancient ruins, world-renowned art and vivacious street culture. Here you can live 'la dolce vita', recalling the glory days of Ancient Rome and twirling forks full of pasta in a trattoria. Ride past centuries-old basilicas in a three-wheeled Ape Calessino, or stand in awe of paintings by Italian masters at Villa Borghese. Whether it’s Vatican City’s spiritual allure, Trastevere’s backstreet charms or the Colosseum’s embattled legacy – The Eternal City endures with endless adventures.