US Flights - ROME

Today we depart your home cities and travel overnight to Rome

ROME, ITALY

Welcome to Rome! Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and begin your adventure and exploration of the Eternal City with a guided tour of Imperial Rome with the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. Tonight, we enjoy our welcome dinner and introductions.

ROME, ITALY

Today we travel outside the "old city" of Rome to see the Rome Temple Visitor’s Center and Temple. For those who wish to do proxy work in the temple, time will be allotted to do so. (Temple attendance pending individual appointment availability.) Afternoon sightseeing includes old town Rome with Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and Piazza Navona. Evening at leisure.

ROME, ITALY

This morning we will explore the Vatican with a guided tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. Afternoon is at leisure to explore on your own or do some souvenir shopping.

ROME, ITALY – CIVITAVECCHIA CRUISE PORT

Following church services in Rome we then depart to the cruise port city of Civitavecchia to board your awaiting ship

NAPLES / CAPRI

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 — it's an easy 20- to 30-minute hike will take you to the summit — and tour the ruins of Pompeii afterward.

*Optional Private Group Shore Excursion in Pompeii (Naples) - $220 per person

Today our private group will be met at the port by our host to start our tour of the amazing town of Pompeii and discover this city hidden for hundreds of years under the ash of Mt Vesuvius. This city tells many stories of the ancient Romans and their lifestyle and will surely be a tour highlight for all. After an included lunch stop, we will travel back to the coast and discover why the Amalfi Coast captures many with its pastel-colored towns and thriving fishing port framed by the turquoise waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

DAY AT SEA

Enjoy your day at sea exploring the ship and all the fun areas it has to offer. Today we will also enjoy a faith-based devotional with Steven Kapp Perry for those who'd like to join us.

SANTORINI

Santorini is one of the world’s most popular islands, known best for its dramatic scenery, whitewashed villages and fiery volcanic activity. Here adventure bubbles above the Aegean Sea in the most bold and breathtaking ways. A cable car takes you to the capital of Fira, a bustling cliff-top town awash with old cathedrals, enthralling museum collections and cozy tavernas. Venture to the coast for a swim in the deep blue waters that lap red and black pebbled beaches. And peel back layers of lava and history among excavated Akrotiri. Whether it’s by bicycle, ATV or on your own two feet, exploring this Cyclades isle never fails to impress.

*No Private Group Excursion Today

ATHENS

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.

*Optional Private Group Shore Excursion in Athens, Greece. - $208 per person

In Athens, it is all about Paul and Acts 17.  Our private guide will give us a wonderful tour of the city including Syntagma Square and the Olympic stadium, but it will be when we head to the Acropolis to see the Parthenon and Mars Hill your heart will start to race.  We’ll hear Paul's sermon about the unknown Gods and climb to the top of the Parthenon and walk around the monumental ruins of the UNESCO-listed site. This afternoon we visit the Acropolis Museum. 

EPHESUS

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.

*Optional Private Group Shore Excursion for Ephesus and Istanbul (3 parts). - $300 per person

Part 1 Ephesus 

In Ephesus, we will depart the port of Kusadasi and drive to “Mary’s House” one of the believed sites of where Mother Mary, the virgin, may have lived and died after her son's crucifixion. From here we travel to the ancient site of Ephesus where Paul preached and converted many.  It is one of the best-preserved ancient Roman sites with much to see and explore.  After lunch, we will visit the Basilica of John before driving back to our awaiting ship. 

ISTANBUL

Once the seat of two massive empires, Istanbul has been shaped by its colorful history. From massive Byzantine churches that still captivate visitors' attention to towering Ottoman mosques, history can be found in each building no matter what part of the city you wander through. Architecture buffs will get a thrill from the ancient buildings while foodies will spend their day indulging in traditional Turkish cuisine like doner kebabs and lamb kefta. If you're looking to take a memory home from the city, head to the Grand Bazaar and try your hand at haggling with the locals.

*Optional Private Group Shore Excursion for Ephesus and Istanbul (3 parts).

Part 2 Istanbul

Today we meet with our private bus and guide at Istanbul cruise port and drive to the Eminonu area for our boat ride on Bosphorus. On our boat ride we will see houses, palaces, mosques located on European and Asian sides of Istanbul. Our boat ride will also give us a nice orientation of the city. After our Bosporus boat ride, we will walk to Spice Market and will have free time there for shopping before returning to the Istanbul Cruise Port.

ISTANBUL

*Optional Private Group Shore Excursion for Ephesus and Istanbul (3 parts).

Part 3 Istanbul

Today, we will discover Constantinople, capitol city of Eastern Roman and Ottoman Empires in detail. On our way to the Topkapi Palace we will view the city walls of Constantinople. The Topkapı Palace Museum holds a fascinating collection of the world’s most famous and spectacular jewels including the famous Topkapı Dagger. This dagger was the subject of the famous film Topkapı.  After visiting the Topkapi Palace, we will continue to Hagia Sophia. The Hagia Sophia is an enormous architectural marvel in Istanbul, Turkey, that was originally built as a Christian Basilica nearly 1,500 years ago. Much like the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Parthenon in Athens, the Hagia Sophia is a long-enduring symbol of the cosmopolitan city. After free time for lunch, we will meet again to visit Hippodrome and the Blue Mosque. 

DAY AT SEA 

Enjoy your day at sea exploring the ship and all the fun areas to enjoy. 

Today there will be an included seminar with Steve Perry and lots of free time to enjoy the ship. 

Are you an adventure seeker?  While there are traditional cruise ship activities onboard, such as bingo, trivia, and demonstrations, there are also lots of whiz-bang things to do as well: 

• FlowRider surf simulator 
• Rock climbing wall 
• Ripcord by iFly skydiving simulator 
• NorthStar observational pod 
• Sky Pad virtual reality bungee experience 
• Zone Zero fully immersive virtual reality experience 
• SeaPlex activity center 
• Bumper cars 
• Music Hall 
• Splashaway Bay aqua park

DAY AT SEA

Enjoy your last full day on the ship.

Today we will have our last group devotional for those who would like to join us.

Rome, Italy - Flight Home

Today our ship returns to Rome with a heart full of the many spiritual and historical sites we've experienced. Memories to last a lifetime!