Italy/Greece 2023 – Day 8: Valletta, Malta (September 9, 2023)

Trip: Rome and Cruise through Italy and Greece (Norwegian Breakaway)
Dates: September 1 – 15, 2023
Who: Me (Jess), Emily (one of my best friends), Beverly (my mom), Jeff (my stepdad), Jen (my aunt), and Megan (my sister).

After two really early days, we were able to sleep in during our Malta port day. We were getting their until almost noon and only Jen had a planned excursion. She sent out a text that she was going to breakfast if anyone wanted to join her. I was the only other one awake (lol), so we decided on O’Sheehans. I got some French Toast (decent) and a Breakfast Sandwich (really good).

After breakfast, I found a cozy spot on Deck 8 to read for a while. One of my favorite things about cruising is that you really can fit so many things in a 24 hours period. Commuting time is short, so your able to switch gears quickly. I love to sneak in reading at random times. I read a few chapters and then decided to get Starbucks before heading back to the cabin.

I got ready for the day and then got my laundry ready to be sent out. NCL was offering a special – $29 to fill a bag. Everyone in our group decided to take advantage of this offer. We made a game out of seeing who fit the most items in our bag. Megan won with 39 articles of clothing! I managed 38.

Megan and I got off the ship together around 1pm. Emily was already exploring and we were going to meet up with her. Valletta is such an interesting port! Very charming and intricate. You feel like you’re in the epitome of old Mediterranean.

There’s a lift that takes you to the top of the fort, where the town is located. It’s a fairly easy walk and not expensive to ride.

The view from the top was gorgeous! We took so many photos and just soaked it in.

Emily found us, so we marched on. It’s not very interesting to say, but we really just walked around for a couple of hours. We would find a street and explore that until we came upon another street to explore. We talked about finding something to eat, but couldn’t decide on what we wanted (it all looked so good). Valletta is very pedestrian friendly…. in theory, it’s very walkable. However, there are a lot of uphill/downhill situations. It wasn’t difficult, but just a mobility note.

After a couple of hours of leisurely strolling and perusing the shops, we decided to make our way back to the ship. This is where things went off the rails……

Malta is beautiful. It’s historical and full of beautiful architecture. Valletta is also the tiny capital of the country. It used to be a naval and military base, making it highly fortified.

Let me just say, they did a great job of making their city protected against the enemy. If the opposition invaded, they would have had a really difficult time even finding the Maltese people. That place is a maze.

We thought we knew where to go to get back to the lift. After walking up and then down and then through, we realized we were in a dead end. We could see the lift. We could see the ship. We were not near either and couldn’t figure out how to get to one of them. You had to go uphill to go downhill to go up steps to go down steps.

Emily and Megan were fine to wind around and figure it out. I, on the other hand, had reached my grumpy point. I was hot, I was hungry, I was tired, and I was done. One reason we’re all good travel buddies is that we give one another time when we need it, lol. I silently followed them from about 50 feet while they found our way down to sea level, lol. My inner monologue was essentially, “Do not lose your shit. Keep your shit together.” on repeat.

When we made it Sea Level, we went through shops. I found some gorgeous ornaments and magnets, which helped my attitude start to shift towards the right direction.

Back on the ship, we quickly dropped off our things and went looking for food. We settled on the Lido Deck, where I found the most delicious salad and Chinese Chicken. And, lots and lots of water. Once we were properly fed and hydrated, we decided it was Hot Tub time.

Mom and Jen were already in a hot tub, so we joined. It was a proper girl hang with hot water and frosty beverages. Em and Megan decided to head up to the gym after about an hour. Mom, Jen, and I decided to stay. Another thing I love about cruising is all of the random conversations you end up in with perfect strangers. We had a lovely 45 minute chat with fellow Americans from Michigan. They were on a family reunion trip and most of them worked for Ford. I learned quite a bit about my own vehicle, lol!

We were substantially pruned by that point, so we disbanded to shower and get ready for dinner. We took our dear, sweet time. We all decided to meet in Savor.

Pictured above was my dinner…. Scallops (Good but a little overcooked); Stilton Cheese Soup (Phenomenal); Not Pictured – Roasted Vegetables and Goat Cheese Salad (Really Good); Whole Roasted Beef (Ok); Lava Cake (Good); and Apple Cobbler (Good).

After dinner, I was ready for an early, easy night. I went up for my Nightly H2O, back to the room, and got ready for bed. I spent some time reading and then went to sleep.

Italy/Greece 2023 Trip Report (September 1 – 15, 2023)
– The Beginning (Vivi Alla Giornata!)
– The Planning Process (Rome)
– The Planning Process (Greece Ports)
– The Planning Process (Italy Ports)
– Flight Confusion
– Day 0: Leave for Rome (September 1, 2023)
– Day 1: Rome Arrival and City Tour (September 2, 2023)
– Day 2: Board the Breakaway (September 3, 2023)
– Day 3: Sea Day (September 4, 2023)
– Day 4: Santorini, Greece (September 5, 2023)
– Day 5: Athens (Piraeus), Greece (September 6, 2023)
– Day 6: Mykonos, Greece (September 7, 2023)
– Day 7: Olympia (Katakolon), Greece (September 8, 2023)
– Day 8: Valletta, Malta (September 9, 2023)
– Day 9: Messina (Sicily), Italy (September 10, 2023)
– Day 10: Naples, Italy (September 11, 2023)
– Day 11: Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy (September 12, 2023)
– Day 12: Disembark and Vatican City (September 13, 2023)
– Day 13: Rome (September 14, 2023)
– Day 14: Leaving Rome (September 15, 2023) and Some Final Thoughts

Italy/Greece 2023 – Day 8: Valletta, Malta (September 9, 2023)

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