Monday, Day 2, was our first Sea Day. We were invited to tour the kitchen area and see how and where all that delicious food is prepared.

I can honestly say that there was very little down-time aboard the ship. They tried their very best to keep us all entertained and busy.

Larry checked out the workout area and it had a view that is pretty impossible to beat. Imagine working out on machines that give you a view of the Mediterranean Sea! Very cool!

I really don't remember what we did for the rest of the day; probably tried to orient ourselves with the ship. At the end of the 12 days we were still trying to do that!

Tuesday, Day 3, was our first shore excursion to Pompeii and its ancient ruins. We took a bus and first visited a cameo factory. I'd had no idea they were carved from seashells! Too bad they didn't allow us more time to shop. When faced with hundreds of possibilities, I usually end up getting - NOTHING! Maybe next time...

In the afternoon we took the city shuttle to the port city of Salerno to look around. It was a local holiday, St. Matthew's Day, most of the shops were closed. We did find the church eventually and it was spectacular, especially the crypts downstairs. Larry also contacted a local police station and exchanged greetings.

That night was our Specialty Dining Event at the Murano Restaurant. Jim and Claudia hosted our group and we dined in style. Elegant and Delicious. Many of us had the "Surf and Turf" with a cheese appetizer (under a lattice bread basket) and a seafood bisque that was poured into our bowls from a teapot. The waiters had a lot of fun watching our reactions to that.

For our dessert, Jim and Claudia ordered Grand Marnier Souffle for all of us. YUM!