Today we were in Messina, located on the east side of Sicily just opposite the Italian Mainland. Approaching the port is always interesting due to the ferry traffic coming and going from the port. Messina is located close to the mainland, only separated by Messina Strait and most of the traffic from Sicily to the mainland goes therefore via Messina. As a result there is a ferry movement about every 5 minutes. These ferries have sailing preference over other ships and that means that you suddenly might have to wait.

This was also the case on our arrival, according to the pilot we could approach the port slowly as they only had to move a small ship from our dock (only 5 minutes captain..) and we could sail straight in. About one mile from the entrance, the pilot requested less speed, as the small ship was still at the dock (but only 5 minutes more captain…..) So I reduced speed. Half a mile from the dock the pilot requested the ship to stop as the small ship was still at the dock (but only 5 minutes more captain………..) I did not like the idea very much to sit there still with a ship just outside the harbor entrance, and I requested to wait inside the harbor. This was not possible as the harbor master does not allow ships to wait inside, as they might hamper the arrival and departure of the ferries. So we had to wait outside.

5 minutes later the pilots requested the ship to go astern a little bit, as now two ferries were coming out. The small ship was still at our dock. (But only 5 minutes more captain…………….) Luckily the ferries came charging out of the harbor at very fast speeds and that minimized the delay. While the ferries were leaving the small ship moved as well. However instead of docking 30 minutes early, what I liked to do to get the ship cleared and not delay the ships tours, I now docked 10 minutes late. Moral of this story, 5 minutes Italian time is 40 minutes ships time.

1 May is a national holiday in Italy. It is Labor Day and as a result hardly anybody works and that also meant that the shops were closed. Not working on Labor day, I find that somehow a contradiction in terms but as a lot of countries celebrate May 1st., there must be something to it. Most of our guests were on tour and as we are doing three more Italian ports it had not too much impact on the shopping needs of the guests. We only stayed to 1 pm., as it was going to be a fast run to Civitavecchia, the entry port for Rome. So we left nearly on time, two ferries in the way again, and then sailed northbound through Strait Messina. 35 miles North of Messina is the active volcano Stromboli and I had set my courses in such a way that the Veendam would sail past at close distance on the West side of the mountain.

We sailed by on the West side for two reasons, First is was sunny and the view is much better with the sun behind you instead of trying to glare into it and Secondly I like to keep the Volcano on the Lee side of the ship, so the sulfer smoke does not get into the AC system. Even by staying two or three miles from the shore or even further, if the mountain is smoking, the wind can push the smoke very easily towards you and nobody likes the smell of rotten eggs in the cabin. Today there was no smoke to be seen as the volcano top was covered in clouds. The port lecturer gave a narration while we sped by at full speed aiming for an early arrival at Civitavecchia. Six cruise ships are expected in port tomorrow (all arriving at the same time of course). Planning to come in in a little bit before the other ships means that we can be cleared first by the local authorities and have our tours on the way ahead of everybody else.