Today is day 3 of the cruise and we are in Messina, Sicily Southern Italy. Right now we already know that these 7 day/night cruises are never long enough. By the time you’re settled it’s time to think about packing and getting off, but for a tester cruise with the folks it’s ideal especially as we have a port of call each day.

EO Day 969 – October 25th 2016.

Messina, cruise day 3 (8am to 6pm)

MSC Daily program for Messina

Last night we had the daily program on our bed once again in German. By the end of the week I had asked twice to have it delivered in English, it never happened 🙁

MSC Daily program Messina

The specials for Messina

We approached the port and passed the fort known as either the Forte or Castello del Santissimo Salvatore which has a large statue of Saint Mary at the top of the monument also known as the Madonna della Lettera which you can visit. Just past this point we turned around and docked alongside.

If you go to the front of the ship, outside on deck 9,10 & possibly 11 you would have great views. To get out, just open the very last door at the end of the corridor, it does not have a sign on or anything, but beyond that is a another door with a round window which opens out onto the front deck. Not many people know of it 🙂

Messina port entrance with the Madonna della Lettera monument as we turn

After turning, we eased alongside and this is a slightly strange photo to show.

Panorama from Messina as we ease towards the dockside

Just behind us was a navy ship which was offloading immigrants from somewhere. I was watching them through my binoculars, as they were all kept at the very front of the vessel under some makeshift covers with a bunch of portaloos there. In the photo below you can see them all lined up for processing I guess.

Immigrants being processed having left the navy ship

This stop in Messina is the longest in time available at any of our ports (daylight hours) for you to get out and really see something. Plan your day and make the most of it there is lots to see here.

The Cathedral to the left and Cristo Re Church to the right

With the oldies in mind, the four of us decided to have a stroll through the town with a stop off at a cafe and then the walk back to the ship. Nothing to exciting for us really, but you could visit the resort town of Taormina and other places. The photo below are some of the tours that you can get shoreside from the drivers there.

Some shoreside tours that you can arrange off of the ship in Messina

There is also a hop on hop off bus or even the good old horse & carriage if that’s your kinda thing.

After taking a closer look we decided that the Cathedral of Messina is very close and that we would head here first.

The Cathedral & Cristo Re church in Messina

This is also where you’ll find the Museo Tesoro del Duomo that holds lots of treasures. We didn’t go in, I googled that but we did have a look at the Cathedral.

The Cathedral of Messina clock tower

This clock tower or bell tower holds one of the largest astronomical clocks in the world and at 12 midday is in full operation, Not sure how we came to miss it 🙁 but inside was still interesting.

The Cathedral of Messina

Panorama from Cathedral of Messina

The Museo Tesoro del Duomo

Carrying on with our walk, we headed upwards to make our way to another church that we could see in the not so far away distance. This walk for nearly an hour, took us around a few turns and up, until we finally were getting closer just beyond some rooftops…

The view to Cristo Re Church from the walk up

Lucky for us there just happened to be a small cafe here at top and it was an easy decision to stop. We sampled some local beer and the famous Granita from Messina. Basically like shaved ice flavoured with coffee or other varieties with cream on top, and yes it was yummy, photo far right below.

The cafe with Messina beer & Messina Granita

Just along from the cafe are a few benches to sit and take it all in with views of the Messina strait.

MSC Poesia in Messina with the cathedral of Messina

Over to the right you can see the Santuario della Madonna di Montalto which I have zoomed in a bit here.

The view over to Santuario della Madonna di Montalto from the Cristo Re Church

Another zoomed in shot this time of the entrance to the port with the Madonna and Santissimo Salvatore Castle.

Madonna and the Santissimo Salvatore Castle

The views from here are quite nice indeed and after our pitstop we made our way back down to the ship. Here is the Cristo Re Church that we walked to taken from the viewing area as were those other photos. We didn’t go inside this time.

Cristo Re Church, Messina

The walk back down didn’t take too long but we did stop for a few more photos. This is a panorama with the church behind us looking over the city towards the port.

The actual panorama view from the top

Santuario della madonna di montalto not far away

images from messina

Finally arriving back at the cruise terminal ready for something to eat.

MSC Poesia in the port of Messina

Coffee & cake in the Rendezvous bar on MSC Poesia

Back on board we decided on coffee and cake in the Rendez-Vous Bar deck 5. This services both sides of the ship and all around the lobby area, mind you, the area in front of the actual bar on the starboard side is the busiest.

They don’t serve cakes or anything like that in the Rendezvous so I went to the buffet and returned with a selection for us. Afternoon tea at the buffet has cake, scones, biscuits etc. You just have to get a little creative right.

Coffee & cake in the Rendezvous bar on MSC Poesia

This was the Mokaccino from the list of coffees that are available and is included in the coffee cuddle package 🙂

After over indulging in our afternoon coffee n cake we took a rest before getting ready for dinner. We met up with the folks just before departing Messina and I wanted to show them the front of the ship so what better time to do that now.

Front of the MSC Poesia departing Messina

You can get access to the front of the ship outside via deck 9 & 10 right at the very end of the corridor on both decks. I didn’t check for deck 11 and deck 12 is where the bridge is. A quick view from the outer deck 14.

Unique views over the MSC Poesia

This was a bizarre moment when I returned from taking my photos from up top I saw the ladies playing table football… I only found out after, that they had picked the ball off the floor and started playing, with the slightly cheesed off looking young couple not sure what was going on! They handed the ball back after a few goals had been scored.

Table football on MSC Poesia

Next it was time for dinner and tonight was an Italian theme.

Italian theme evening on MSC Poesia

Italian theme evening in the Le Fontane restaurant on MSC Poesia

Italian theme dinner menu

These are a selection of what we had for dinner tonight.

Italian theme meals in Le Fontane on MSC Poesia

Top left to bottom right; Fanned out prosciutto, Insalata tricolore, Tortellini in brodo all’emiliana, Parmigiana di melanzane alla napoletana, Lasagne alla bolognese, Maialino al forno marinato al mirto, Ossobuco di vitello alla milanese in gremolata, Grigliata di mare alla siciliana, Tiramisu.

I just wanted to show you how close you are on this table for 10… And the Tiramisu of course.

Table for 10 on MSC Poesia & Italian Tiramisu

Time for some drinks then off to bed.

MSC Poesia Cruise Review – Continues, day 4

We’d love to hear your thoughts let us know in the comments below

We’d love to hear from you, tell us about your experiences on the Poesia or any other MSC cruise ship that you’ve been on.

Have you experienced a Mediterranean cruise? What’s your favourite cruise line? How would you like to spend your days onboard?

Looking forward to reading your comments.