Value Alert: $3000 All-Inclusive 11-Day Seabourn Rome To Barcelona Oct. 27

Rome St. Peters Square

Through June 25, luxury line Seabourn is promoting an 11-day sailing Oct. 27 from Rome to Barcelona for $2,999 per person. You must tell your agent to specify "We Select Your Suite" to get that price for a guarantee ocean view cabin. A guarantee veranda suite is $3,299.  This is under $300 a night, the low end of the cruise line's usual rates.

Seabourn Odyssey

Some agents may offer on-board credits or other benefits; always ask. Most accommodations on Seabourn Odyssey are the same size and have the same amenities, so there is no need to pay more to specify a particular cabin. Add Taxes, Fees & Port Expenses of $308.

Seabourn Odyssey, 450 passengers, built 2009, refurbished 2017.

We are traveling on this same cruise, although we start earlier, in Athens, for the 18 day itinerary we recommended last month. We will renew our acquaintance with the Odyssey and offer an up-to-date review. If you choose this cruise, please join us for a drink on board.

We will also publish insight into the ports of call on this voyage, which touches major destinations that are well-suited to first-time visitors because of excursions to popular attractions from Capri and the Amalfi coast to St. Paul de Vence.

Veranda Suite

Note that the departure described as Rome is actually from the port of Civitavecchia, a 1.5 hour drive. If you stay in Rome a day or two before the cruise, plan ahead for the transfer to the port.

A taxi or shared van transfer for two people costs $125 and up. Our preferred limousine service, Blacklane, quotes $170 for the trip in a "business class" Mercedes E-Class or similar. The main Rome airport is about a one-hour drive from the port and transfers are proportionately less.

Civitavecchia

The "trick" transfer we have used successfully is the inexpensive commuter rail from Roma Termini station to Civitavecchia, but you will have to schlep your own luggage and on arrival in Civitavecchia take a local taxi to the port. Train details are here.

But there is a less stressful way to get to your ship: arrive in Civitavecchia a day before the sailing and spend the night at one of several modest small hotels and B&B's. We have stayed several times at our first choice, Hotel San Giorgio at  http://www.sangiorgiohotel.biz/hotel-cruise-civitavecchia.htm

Hotel San Giorgio Classic Room

San Giorgio offers a cruise package starting at about $150 that includes breakfast buffet, free WiFi, and shuttle service to the Cruise Terminal. Rooms are adequate but not deluxe by any means. Try for one with a sea view. Small cafes for dinner are a short walk from the hotel. Also easily walk-able is a local shopping area where you can pick up liquids or other needs for the cruise that you don't want to fly with. The best feature is transfer to ship-side. The town refurbished its waterfront a couple years ago, so there is a pleasant promenade for an afternoon or evening stroll.

Itinerary

DAY 0: October 27, 2018 Departs 05:00 PM Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

DAY 1: October 28, 2018 Arrives 08:00 AM Departs 06:00 PM Naples (Pompeii), Italy

DAY 2: October 29, 2018 Arrives 10:00 AM Departs 06:00 PM Trapani, Italy

DAY 3: October 30, 2018 AT SEA

DAY 4: October 31, 2018 Arrives 08:00 AM Departs 06:00 PM Monte Carlo, Monaco

Marseilles

DAY 5: November 01, 2018 Arrives 08:00 AM Departs 11:00 PM La Joliette (Marseille), France

DAY 6: November 02, 2018 Arrives 08:00 AM Departs 05:00 PM Sete, France

DAY 7: November 03, 2018 Arrives 10:00 AM Departs 06:00 PM Mahon, Menorca, Spain

DAY 8: November 04, 2018 Arrives 07:00 AM Departs 05:00 PM Ibiza, Spain

DAY 9: November 05, 2018 Arrives 08:00 AM Departs 06:00 PM Cartagena, Spain

DAY 10: November 06, 2018 Arrives 08:00 AM Departs 06:00 PM Valencia, Spain

DAY 11: November 07, 2018 Arrives 07:00 AM Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona Guell Park

Seabourn advertises its definition of luxury this way

• Intimate ships with a private club atmosphere
• Intuitive, personalized service provided by staff passionate about exceeding guests expectations
• Curated voyages to all seven continents delivering award-winning experiences
• All ocean-front suites, luxuriously appointed
• Complimentary premium spirits and fine wines available on board at all times
• Welcome Champagne and complimentary in-suite bar stocked with your preferences
• Tipping is neither required, nor expected
• Finest resort at sea that is masterfully designed
• Seabourn Conversations, connecting with visionary experts
• World-class dining, further enhanced through a culinary partnership with Chef Thomas Keller
• Ventures by Seabourn™, optional shore excursions, enhance and extend your experience in select destinations
• All dining venues are complimentary, dine where, when and with whom you wish
• Select purposeful and sustainable travel experiences in partnership with UNESCO
• Spa & Wellness with Dr. Andrew Weil, featuring an exclusive mindful living program
• An evening entertainment experience in collaboration with Sir Tim Rice

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------