Posted on: October 26, 2022 at 8:34 AM
What specific cities and /or countries did you visit? Wonder of the Seas - Barcelona, Naples, Marseilles
What was your favorite memory from this trip? The Wonder of the Seas is fantastic and we loved every minute of the ship and the excursions off the ship were great, too.
Top excursions and landmarks/sites to visit: Pompeii in Naples was so interesting and I learned so much about Vesuvius's eruption and what life was like when the town was covered in lava and ash. Barcelona - Its amazing artist Antoni Gaudi's works surround the city and give it depth and personality. The Cathedral of the Sagrada Familia is breathtaking and it's not completed! Marseilles - The Cathedral of Notre Dame de la Garde is impressive with views around the city of Marseilles.
Were there any standout restaurants or foodie must-haves on this trip? Pizza in Naples - to die for -- no pictures because we gobbled it up so quickly. Gelato was also amazing in Naples.
How would you describe the people and culture of this destination? Any interesting cultural lessons? Naples was 'New York but older' according to my daughter. Busy, hectic but full of culture and interesting sites and a feast for people watching. Aix en Provence and Marseilles had character and were great for exploring and strolling - getting a feel for French people, culture and food.
What is something people would be surprised to learn about this destination? They would be surprised to learn that the Wonder of the Seas is the biggest cruise ship in the world. They would be fascinated to learn that La Sagrada Familia is not finished!
Top 5 Tips and recommendations for this trip:
- Pompeii is a must see for history lovers.
- La Sagrada Familia is a sight for believers and non-believers.
- Park Guell is a joy for a stroll.
- The views from the Cathedral of Notre Dame de la Garde are breathtaking.
- The Wonder of the Seas is a wonder for certain.
Did you travel via cruise ship? If so, please describe the experience and some of the standout features that you ere excited about. We were on the Wonder of the Seas and it was incredible. The ship is immense and we often felt like we needed more time to explore it! The water slides were great, there were things to keep us busy like Silent Disco, The Ultimate Abyss, The Carousel, The Perfect Storm, Ship Scavenger Hunts, etc. The food on the cruise was delicious and the service was outstanding. Central Park was a natural sanctuary. We can't wait to go back on the ship!
What makes this destination a must-see in your opinion? We like to stroll, walk and explore - finding charming unknown spots in a city. We enjoy learning historical information we didn't know before or having a conversation with a local and making new friends. Marseilles and Aix en Provence were charming, Pompeii and Barcelona taught us new things we didn't know before such as the actual year Vesuvius erupted and that one of the most amazing churches is funded by people's visits. We met some lovely people along the way and hope that in making our connections with them, we will have some new friends.
Additional thoughts and insights? Our vacation was great. We got to see different places and experience an amazing ship. We relaxed a lot, learned a lot and connect a lot as mother and daughter. I highly recommend seeing the world this way....you get a glimpse into these locations to see if you want to go back and explore even more. We will likely plan to see all these countries in more depth in an upcoming trip.
To book your next cruise on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas AND Icon of the Seas, contact your local Cruise Planners advisor.
