15 April 2024

A week before leaving we received this offer from Princess Cruise lines:



How could we refuse such an offer. A FREE 30 Day or 2 - 15 Day Cruises of our choice within the next two years, with all the money we have spent "refunded". Seemed impossible to refuse, but after much discussion between ourselves and consulting our "CONSIGLIERIES" Rick and Tina, we decided to reject the offer. At our age, you just don't know what tomorrow brings.

16 April 2024
 
We had settled into the idea of sailing in a Cove Balcony cabin which we had booked back in August of 2023, rejected the FREE Cruise offer, and then we received this offer from Princess Cruise lines:



We had been upgraded to a Deluxe Cabin, 10633, with an "Aft" view. We had 48 hrs to reject the upgrade

Ken came to drive us to the airport, and we left the house around 15:15.

Arrive at the airport around 17:00.

Stoog in line until 17:50 and the started checking in. They couldn't find our checked in luggage payment. I was in touch with British Airways many times on the phone and chatting with an agent. Paid $330.00 they didn't send a receipt. They kept saying "Trust Us" everything will be straightened out at the airport. It took about 15 - 20 minutes until it they finaly found the payment. Had a Wendy's coffee before going through security. As you can see I wasn't thrilled with British Airways.

The plane left at 8:50PM for the 9h10m duration flight to London Heathrow. We had bought our seats at the beginning of January, good thing again, because the seats were gone by the middle of February. I was able to reserve seats 31B &31C for us. The price was $99.00 for Rita and $189.00 for me (no seats in front of 31C with lots of leg room). Checked back in February and our reserved seats were gone. Phoned British Airways, and was told that 31C had been taken out of service. I protested that I needed the leg room and was finally given 31H and Rita was given 31F which is across the aisle from me. After being married so long, it's a positive change to have some space between us.

Before takeoff Rita was asked to change seats, because there was a young man with some sort of leg injury. She was seated beside a younger Asian gentleman in the row in front of me, and after asking and asking him to help her with her monitor, table etc.  he decided to offer me his seat. So we changed seats. My seat cost $100 more, but his seat had just as much leg room as mine. I could have saved a hundred bucks, if I had known. It was worth every penny, because there was plenty of leg room and was able to stretch my long legs out.

23 April 2024

Landed in London at London Heathrow Terminal 3 at 2:00 PM, had 2hr. 30 min. layover to transfer, by shuttle bus, over to Terminal 5 for the flight to Rome. Lined up for the shuttle and was able to get on the fourth bus that came. In terminal 5 we had to go through security again. Rita was asked to put all liquid containers in plastic bags. The attendant helped in separating all the cosmetics etc. They asked me to take off my belt. I told them that the belt had plastic clasp. Didn't matter. I tried pulling the belt out it was realy hard. He finaly said to leave it and tell the next guy of my difficulties. Went through the x-ray type of security scan. No problem. We looked at the board and it said the gate would be assigned at 3:30. No problem we were already in terminal 5 and there would be an hour left before takeoff. 3:30 came and went still no assigned gate. A couple of dozen people like us were starring at the board. After a while the sign changed to "please wait". We waited and waited. Finally at 4:00 The gate was assigned. C64 there was a mad rush of all the people to another shuttle that went to gate C64. Boarding started at approximately 16:30, the time the plane was supposed to have taken off. We finally took off at 17:15, 45 minutes late. After take off the pilot came on and announced that the plane would be late and that he would take a shortcut and we would arrive in Rome only 15 minutes late. Now I'm not that smart, but how does a plane take a shortcut? I will have to ask Sammy how that is done.

Arrived in Rome at 20:15. Walked and walked to the luggage pick up carousel. Picked up our luggage. The taxi, as arranged, was there to pick us up. Took us to Borgo Pio 91. He was really helpful with the luggage etc. so I tipped him 10EU. Went in to Borgo Pio 91. There was a long hallway with stars at the end. Walked up 1 flight nothing, walked up another, nothing, walked up a third and guess what, nothing. I was ready to head back down when I heard a voice from the fourth floor asking me to go up one more flight of stairs. He showed me the room we were to stay in. Went down brought up one piece of luggage, went down and brought up another piece. Yes went down again, and this time Rita came up with me. While Ken was driving us to the airport in Vancouver, he bragged, the braggart that he is, that he walks up and down his stairs 20 times for exercise. He should try carrying 23Kg bags with him a few times, to outshine MY bragging rites.

Checked in, the proprietor took picture of our passports, and 48EU cash. City taxes that have to be paid at check in.

Rita was really disappointed with the room. I was bagged and not caring about anything except going to bed.