Pearl Anniversary Cruise

Unbelievably this year Hubby and I celebrate 30 years of wedded bliss - how did those years pass by so quickly. To celebrate we decided to do our first Sea Cruise and chose Adriatic Splendours on Marella Explorer 2 (Tui's first adult only ship)

Marella Explorer 2 - Tui at night - pool deck big screen

All told we had a good time, somethings not as we expected, some things better, but even a leaking balcony on our special day didn't spoil the occasion.

Our Junior Suite was bigger than some hotels we have stayed in with a really comfy bed, sofa, table and chair and Lavazza coffee machine. The bathroom was good, just a shame it was a bath with shower over. Our balcony was huge with two sun loungers as well as a table and two chairs. The cabin staff were great guys, did a good job morning and night with a little extra too.

Towel art - door banner - all our cards

There will be no surprise when I say the bar stools in Aperitif became our regular spot - Anton, Serhii and Gilbert were fantastic bartenders. It was a pleasure to watch them making such a variety of drinks, lovely chatting with them and of course trying one or two of their cocktails !

Vespa Martini - Espresso Martini - Porn Star Martini
Espresso coffee - Chococchiato speciality coffee

The food in all the restaurants was superb, we ate in Latitude 53 most evenings but for our anniversary we paid a supplement to dine in Surf and Turf. The chaps at Aperitif provided a very nice Pouilly-fume bottle of wine, perfect with our sharing fish platter. We followed this with a sharing 18oz Porterhouse steak with lobster macaroni cheese side accompanied by a very nice glass of South American Malbec. A trio of desserts completed our delicious meal. However it wasn't quite the end as the Maitre D appeared with a second dessert; 'Happy 30th Anniversary' written in chocolate with a layer cake, such a lovely gesture with all the waiters wishing us many more happy years.

Our Surf and Turf anniversary meal

But the cruise wasn't just about our special day, it was a chance to see new places. We travelled from Naples, through the Strait of Messina, across the Ionian Sea, up the Adriatic Sea with return to Naples the same route.

Plan of our travels - taken on cabin tv

Arriving on board in Naples we were surprised at how big the city was - on the transfer from the airport the buildings seemed to stretch for miles. Sailing away we passed Sorrento and Capri before cruising open sea for 24 hours to Split.

View of Vesuvius as we left Naples

Split was a beautiful place, I was very taken with Croatia before we even stepped foot ashore. All the buildings had character with a variety of styles, shutters and roofs; much rebuilt after the Bosnia conflict.

We decided to wander around on our own as the town was so close to the port. It was an easy but very hot walk to the Diocletian's Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I find it quite overwhelming visiting ancient sites, I'm amazed at the architecture, the knowledge of construction and the actual building work in an era long before our computers and mechanical diggers.

Split Cathedral

Part of the Diocletian Palace

Five Angel's above the altar

The water front at Split was a mixture of modern elite hotels, bars and cafes and market stalls - one thing we all had in common with all the other visitors and native Croatians was finding shade from the 32 degree sun.

A small section of Split's promenade

Overnight we sailed to Venice, arriving at 5am - Hubby and I set our alarms as we did not want to miss sailing into such an iconic place at dawn. The light on the buildings was amazing - with storm clouds brewing there was a touch of red to the morning glow.

Campanile  di San Marco - Palazzo Ducale

Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute

Sunrise over Venice

After breakfast we used Tui's small boat transfer to reach the centre of Venice. The clouds opened and the water city greeted us with a rain storm but St Mark's Square is lovely in any weather with the beautiful facade of the Basilica de San Marco making a striking focal point. We wandered up and down many small alleyways, over bridges, down wider streets and through small plazas. It's a bustling city with many visitors all discovering the same delights. As the rain stopped we paused for a glass of wine and bruschetta outside a bar in one of the small square - it was just lovely.

Bridge of Sighs

Basilica de San Marco

Palazzo Ducale

Wine and bruschetta- lunch stop

Hubby and I certainly want to visit Venice again, the cruise was a perfect way to see it's highlights but we'd love to return with time to wander further and enjoy some of the many inviting restaurants and bars.

The following morning we awoke in Ancona, a smaller Italian port. After plenty of walking in Split and Venice, and our celebration being the following day we decided not to go ashore. Added to which it was Sunday and over 30 degrees.

Ancona

The ship had plenty of activities should you want them, some chargeable such as the Champneys Spa or the Golf Simulator but the pool side activities were free. We didn't sit by or go in the pool as out on deck was quite a sun trap. We did sit in one of the beach huts for lunch but with sun loungers on our balcony we enjoyed some relaxing quiet time.

Every evening, after spending time on our 'reserved' bar stools followed by superb dinners, we went to the evening show in the Broadway Show Lounge. The stage performers were incredible, a different show every evening with different music and dance styles. No part of any show was repeated and apparently on a two week cruise you would not see the same thing twice - they work so hard. Hubby and I thoroughly enjoyed every evening; Tom Binns came on board one evening to do a show too.

Great entertainment every evening

Our final city to visit was Dubrovnik- the perfect place for our actual anniversary, 24th June. We chose to do one of the Tui tours, our guide was a lovely lady. We first travelled by coach high above the city where we enjoyed amazing views.

Overlooking Dubrovnik

The coach then travelled into the city and we began a walking tour through the old town entering through Pile Gate. Our guide was only 9 years old during the conflict and explained about life then, how things were destroyed and now how things have been rebuilt. She is very proud of her country.

Pile Gate - Saint Blaise holding Dubrovnik in his left hand

Dubrovnik old town

Dubrovnik architecture

After our walking tour and some time on our own we rejoined our group and our Tour Guide for a boat ride from the small harbour back to our ship in the big harbour. It was a 40 minute trip seeing Dubrovnik from yet another view, it's a stunning place.

Dubrovnik from our small boat trip

After a day at sea relaxing on our balcony it was time for our final dinner, final show and final drink at Aperitif. Midway through our evening we passed the island of Stromboli where its volcano has been active for 2000 years. As darkness fell we stood on deck looking at what seemed a hill in the sea .... then as we sailed past (the Captain slowed the ship for a while) there was a red glow followed by hot lava shooting high into the night sky - what a sight, nature's own fireworks for our cruise finale.

Stromboli at sunset 

Amazing to see this feat of nature

Hubby and I had a super week, so many memories, so many new places discovered, super celebrations with many cards and messages - thank to everyone who was part of our special cruise - we have treasured memories of our Pearl Anniversary💕

Our 30th Wedding Anniversary Cruise