Carnival Splendor pre-Inaugural Cruise July 2-10, 2008

Guess it is cartwheel time - everything made it to Genoa, but I am beat!

I was presently surprised with Iberia and then one not.

First class on Iberia still looked like first class which, unfortunately I was not part of.

Even in the cattle class, the food was above average. I had beef in a tasty gravy with pearl onions, mushrooms and mashed potatoes. There was also kind of a tasty cole slaw/green salad combo and some really good bread. They even came around later passing out extra bread to all who wanted.

Beer or wine was included with dinner with the peasants.

There was even real flatware with a real knife for everyone.

Getting to my camera was too difficult + I was too tire, so the food porn will have to start tomorrow.

Madrid airport was very much a rat race, but I survived.

The second flight on Iberia, from Madrid to Roma was a little different. They still took care of the first class passengers - you could hear them eating on real plates, but everything including water was pay per view in coach. On the other hand, the sandwiches they were selling looked a lot better than that turkey croissant I bought for $6 on American.

Recaro seats on the A321 were different and I liked them.

Alitalia didn't let me switch to the earlier flight. one agent was a little snooty about it, a second one at least checked further and shook her head at even attempting standbyl.

When I later checked my bags, I wasn't charged a dime even though I was well over the limit. Cool!

I did try focaccia with proscuitto and cheese in the Rome airport, so that is out of the way. I'm certain not as good as what I could have gotten on a restaurant in Genoa, but that's not going to happen now. I will be eating some tasty parma ham I picked up at grocer store.

Killing 5 hours in Rome airport

Too funny is how much luggage was orphaned all over the place. You would think some might investigate bags out in the open but only occasionally would a driver approach, decide it wasn't one he had lost and then leave it where it was (which was sometimes in the middle of an airport road).