Exploring Naples: A Solo Cruiser’s Adventure

Solo Cruise Part III

My alarm blasts at 7:00 am. No sleeping in for me, not on my cruise! I throw off the covers and fling open the curtains to my balcony. It is a ritual I started on my very first cruise, and it never gets old. The ship is already docked, and I am greeted by the breathtaking view of the Port of Naples. I am in Italy, baby! I take a few moments to soak it all in, feeling the excitement build. Okay, time to get moving!

Tip: Make opening your balcony curtains part of your morning routine—you never know what amazing view might be waiting!

My scooter is waiting for me outside my room. I take a few pictures of Naples, then head to the Windjammer for some grub. I am solo on this cruise, so I am taking over the photo duties usually managed by my niece, who takes the day of the week sign on the floor of the elevator. I roll into the elevator, admiring the impressive dragon sculpture hanging from the ceiling as I zoom up to the 15th floor. I will figure out later what the dragon represents, as well as the statues in Central Park.

Tip: Take time to appreciate the unique decor and details that make your ship special.

The Windjammer is not crowded, a pleasant change of pace from the usual crowds. I wash my hands and find a table. A friendly young man offers to grab my food. Royal Caribbean always goes above and beyond for passengers with disabilities. I order French toast, bacon, hash browns (RC’s potato dishes are LEGENDARY), chocolate milk, and water. My server and I chat for a bit—I love connecting with the amazing staff.

Tip: Do not hesitate to ask for assistance; the staff are there to make your experience amazing.

After breakfast, I have some time to kill before my 1:30 excursion. I decide to play ship detective and track down the remaining two astronauts (there are three on board—I found the first last night!). I take a picture of the stunning views of Central Park from deck fifteen and then head out on deck to take more pictures. As I am taking pictures of the pool area, I spot the second astronaut. Aha! Astronaut number two is chillin’ on the bleachers with a heart in its lap. I take a few more pictures and make my way to the elevator. I get on and press the button for deck six, then roll to the back of the ship by the aqua theatre and spot the third astronaut hanging on the rock-climbing wall. Mission accomplished!

Tip: Explore your ship and find its hidden gems—you never know what fun surprises you might find.

Back in my room, I give my phone a quick charge and prep for my excursion. I am meeting my group in the Royal Theatre at 1:15 pm. Once my phone is charged, I grab my things and head to the Royal Theatre. I hand over my ticket to the excursion leader and get a sticker with a number on it in return. Before I know it, we are being escorted off the ship to our waiting bus.

Tip: Keep your social media followers in the loop; they will love living vicariously through your adventures.

Accessible Adventures in Naples is the excursion I booked through Royal Caribbean; this tour is specifically designed for travelers with disabilities. There is usually one accessible excursion per port. Some ports do not offer accessible shore excursions, so I booked this one before my trip (I recommend doing this for all excursions).

Tip: If you are rolling like me, be sure to complete the Accessible Form and connect with the Accessible Shore Department to ensure your excursions are a go.

Critical Pre-Trip Planning for Accessibility

To ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey, it is imperative to address accessibility arrangements well before your departure. Once you have completed the Accessibility form found on the website, an Accessible representative will contact you via email with further guidance.

If your itinerary includes excursions, immediate action is required. Contact the Accessible Shore Excursion desk as soon as possible, providing details of the accessible excursions you plan to take. This step is of utmost importance, as not all tour companies providing accessible excursions can guarantee buses equipped with ramps.

Please be aware that accessibility standards vary significantly by country. Proactive planning is essential to navigate these differences and ensure your needs are met.

I will break it down in steps. After booking your cruise:

Book your accessible excursions, if offered. Not all ports have accessible tours.
Complete the accessible form found on the website.
Email the Accessible Shore Excursion department.
In the email, include the accessible excursions you signed up for.

Please note: These steps are for Royal Caribbean. If you are not sailing on Royal, contact the supplier or your travel agent for the company’s procedures and policies. Research, research, research—it is key to a smooth and enjoyable trip.

Before boarding the bus, I snap some pictures of the stunning port. There is something familiar about it, like I have been here before on a previous cruise. But as I gaze up at the hills, I realize this is uncharted territory. The tour operator lifts me and my scooter onto the bus, then locks in my scooter as I take a seat by the window—I am the first one on the bus again! I take a selfie and post it to Facebook, letting my family know I am the first one on the bus. My family will get the reference.

Once everyone settles in, our tour conductor and bus driver introduce themselves with a warm hello. Earbuds are passed out, and we get the lowdown on the sights we will be seeing and the two stops we will be making. As the engine roars to life and we pull away from the port, I scan the other passengers. Everyone has a partner but me. I brush it off—I am on a solo adventure, and I am ready to soak up every moment!

As we roll out of the port, our tour operator announces we are approaching the breathtaking Castle Nuovo. I snap pictures as fast as my fingers can fly—the bus slows down, but we are still moving. Next up, the stunning Church of Santa Maria, followed by the Mermaid Fountain. I cannot get enough of the ancient buildings, the architecture that whispers stories of centuries past. I keep my camera glued to my face, capturing everything from what might be legendary landmarks to what could just be a charming old building. Either way, I am smitten.

The monument of Obelisco di Portsalvo comes into view, and we keep rolling past a parade of buildings, monuments, and fountains that leave me awestruck. As we make our way through the shopping district, I feel like I could be in any American city as I look at the different designer stores. The bus continues through the streets, and then up a steep incline, it slows as it reaches the top. And then we stop. Our first stop of the day has arrived. We have a quick 10 minutes to jump out, take pictures, and take in the view. I leave my scooter behind and carefully make my way down the steps, taking in the sights.

We stopped at a viewpoint overlooking all of Naples. Our operator points out the island of Capri and the former home of Pompeii. The view is simply stunning. I soak it in, take a few pictures, and get back to the bus. The tour is winding down, with just one more stop on the agenda—a quick snack at Lanuit. The operator lets us know the snack is on the house, and there are bathrooms available. Please note: Some businesses in Europe charge for the use of public bathrooms. The bus pulls over, and everyone pours out. I opt to leave my scooter behind again, knowing we will not be there long. Our operator gives me a hand getting off the bus and offers to grab my snack for me. I go for the gelato, and a few minutes later, he arrives with a dish of vanilla gelato atop a brownie. That first bite is pure heaven! The folks next to me strike up a conversation about the tour and our cruise. It is warm, and my gelato is melting faster than an ice cream cone in July. I savor a few more bites before calling it quits and get back on the bus. One of the ladies offers to toss my cup, and I thank her for her kindness.

Back on the bus, I settle in and catch sight of our ship through the window. Everyone else piles back on, and our operator thanks us for joining the tour. The bus pulls away, and we are headed back to the port. Ten minutes later, we roll in. As everyone files off, they thank our operator and driver. It is my turn, and the bus driver flips a switch. The ramp rises to the level of the bus floor. I walk onto the ramp and am lowered to the ground. I watch as they repeat the process with my scooter, our operator at the helm. Once my scooter is safely on the ground, I thank the guys, tip our operator, and hit the road. Another adventure in the books!

A Sassy Souvenir Shop and a Ship Shape Return

As soon as I am off the bus, I am souvenir shopping! I grab a mug and shot glass for myself and a snow globe for my sister (a tradition since our first cruise). The cashier is a little gruff with customers before me. It was now my turn. I lay my items on the counter and notice the mug does not have a price tag. I see an opportunity to practice my Italian. “Ciao, come stai?” I ask the cashier. I point to the mug and ask, “Quanto costa?” His surprised expression is priceless. “Parla Italiano?” he asks, and I reply, “Si, ma un po’. Sto imparando.” My attempt at Italian seems to brighten his mood, and he quotes me the price with a smile. I leave the shop feeling triumphant, my items in hand.

Tip: Learn a few key phrases in the local language; it can transform your interactions.