TRAVEL TALK: Spring cruise a break from Michigan's winter weather

As our seasons change and we approach a season many of us are not looking forward to, let me turn your attention to a spring cruise in the Mediterranean.
We would board a flight from Grand Rapids to Rome, arriving in time to travel to the port of Citavecchia and board the Holland America Noordam. From the time you set foot on this beautiful 5-star ship you will be wowed by its sophistication, service and features. The ship is decorated with a multi-million dollar collection of artwork and antiques, with self guided iPod tours available.
Some of the other notable features on this ship are its two outdoor swimming pools, the greenhouse spa and salon, a two-tiered showroom, piano bar and casino.
After settling into our spacious stateroom offering all the comforts of home, including complimentary fresh fruit, we are ready to explore our surroundings before we set sail at 5 p.m. I usually like to start by going up to the Lido Restaurant, which is a casual dining room, to see what buffet is being offered and get a snack before going to the pool area and enjoy the views from the deck.
This ship also offers the intimate Pinnacle Grill and an elegant, two-tiered dining room to enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner. For a change of pace you could take advantage of the complimentary 24-hour in-room dining service.
Our first port of call is Florence, Italy where we get to enjoy the day from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. There are many options for sightseeing in this historical city.
After viewing the gothic Duomo with its three sets of bronze doors with the Old Testament scenes and Bell Tower, I would take an excursion to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Tuscan countryside.
Our next port of call is the beautiful area of Monte Carlo. Home to the royal Grimaldi family, Monaco is a principality of fairy tale beauty. You can enjoy visiting the Royal Palace or a chic French boutique or take a tour to Nice.
Our next day is spent enjoying all the facilities the ship has to offer, relaxing or going to the Culinary Arts Center for gourmet cooking demonstrations and interactive classes to get an insider’s look at how it is done by the great chefs.
Barcelona is our next stop, with many areas to explore. One of my favorite things to do is people watching on Las Ramblas. I also enjoy the Picasso and Miro museums. We are in port from 7 a.m.  to 11 p.m., plenty of time to enjoy all the city has to offer.
Another notable port is Mallorca, Spain. A few of the sights not to be missed there are the Gothic-style Bellver Castle and the Almudaina Palace, or you can take an excursion to the Caves of Drach.
After another day at sea to relax, we reach  Carthage/Tunis. While there, I would like to take in the Bardo Museum and Souk Shopping.
We then travel back toward Italy with a stop in Palermo, Sicily, with its diverse influence of Roman, Arab and Norman cultures. There are many treasures to be explored there.
Last, but not least, is a stop in Naples. We arrive at 7 p.m. and do not depart until 6 p.m. the next day, so I would love to take journey to Sorrento along the Almafi Coast and enjoy a stop in Pompeii.
Chef John State from the JW Marriott in Grand Rapids is going to be the guest chef on the Noordam.