The future Mr and Mrs Cox are amongst the growing number of couples who have opted for a cruise as their way of enjoying their honeymoon. It's a fabulous idea as it is an ideal way of combining visits to a number of different cities, whilst staying in the lap of luxury...and without the hassle of packing and unpacking every time they arrive somewhere different.
Fred and Katie have chosen a great cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line's flagship, Norwegian Epic, the real jewel in the crown of their fleet and certainly one of the newest and best-equipped cruiseships circling the routes around European waters this summer. Norwegian Epic with all its fabulous facilities and luxuries will give Fred and Katie an ideal base where they can rest and relax in comfort as they travel between some wonderful destinations.
Although many cruiseships now start and finish their itineraries in UK ports such as Southampton and Dover, which has a lot of attractions for passengers wishing to avoid some of our airports, these do have the disadvantage of meaning that the first and last 30 hours or so at sea are spent navigating the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay, before passing through into the Med. Even in the height of summer, these waters can be 'choppy' and this certainly can give a cruise either a bad start or finish. Fred and Katie are missing out on this by taking a flight to Spain and joining their ship right in the heart of the sunshine in Barcelona.
Norwegian Epic will leave port at 6pm and will then make its way across the Med over the next 36 hours to Livorno on the Italian coast. From here, the couple will be able to enjoy a range of shore excursions which will include stops in the beautiful city of Florence and they will also be able to visit Pisa, with its famous leaning tower...and no, we don't know why it hasn't fallen over yet either !
They will then sail overnight down the coast to Civitavecchia, which is the stopping off point for cruisehips for passengers wishing to visit 'The Eternal City' - Rome. They will have a full day to explore Rome and its iconic sites, such as The Colloseum, The Therme, the Trevi Fountain and the Vatican City. Hopefully, they will also find time for one of the great Roman passtimes - people watching ! Just sit there with a tiny espresso coffee (if you are being very Italian, drop of sliver of fresh lemon into it and you'll be amazed at the difference that it makes) and just watch the people go by. This experience can equally as well be enjoyed with a glass of campari-soda...However, unless you want everyone to know you're a tourist never with a capucchino...In Italian eyes, this is a drink for breakfast times only...and most defintely, never after a meal !
After another overnight journey down the Italian coast, Fred and Katie will arrive in the great southern city of Naples.
There are lots of stories told about Naples, mostly by people who haven't been there. It's bustling, crowded and noisy - and, yes, you do have to be careful of pickpockets and the bag-snatchers on their Vespas, but there are lots of cities in the world like this. What Naples has that they don't is an incredible atmosphere and vibrancy that people never forget. It's also traditionally the city that lays claim to having 'invented' the pizza. Whether this is true of not, they do taste better here than anywhere else ! Also from Naples, there is the opportunity to visit Pompeii - the Italian city in Roman times which was swamped under the lava flows from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD79.
At the end of their day in Naples, it's 'arrivederci Italia', as they sail back across the Med, before stopping for a day in Palma. Here, they will have a chance to look around the Mallorcan capital, including its spectacular cathedral which will dominate their view as they sail into and out of the cruiseship harbour.
From Mallorca, it is time for their last night on board Norwegian Epic, as they sail back across the Med on the last leg of their journey back to Barcelona, and then to their flight home...Truly a 'bon voyage'.
In addition to making a general contribution to the cost of their honeymoon, you can also opt to donate towards the cost of a specific shore excursion in one of the cities that they are visiting on their cruise.
If you would like to make a contribution to the costs of their travel arrangements in place of a wedding present, then please download the contribution form below and sent it to us at the address at the very bottom of this page, together with your cheque or credit/debit card authorisation.
Unlike many other wedding list systems, Fred and Katie will benefit from the full value of whatever you would like to donate towards the cost of their trip.
