Is Catania, Sicily actually a safe port? Expecting Crime, Finding Beauty! Sapphire Princess Ep.6
🛳️ Welcome to Episode 6 of my solo Mediterranean Spring Cruise on board the Sapphire Princess! It's Day 6 onboard the beautiful Sapphire Princess. After a massive storm in the area forced us to miss our scheduled stop in Malta, we found ourselves with an unexpected bonus day docked in Catania, Sicily yesterday and are now also here for a second day, back to the itinerary as scheduled! In this episode, I share my initial concerns about safety and crime in Catania (though rates are thankfully on the decline!), grab a quick bite at the International Café, and head out to explore what this historic Sicilian city has to offer via a bus tour. From the coast of Aci Castello to the bustling Piazza del Duomo, Catania turned out to be better than expected! Back onboard, it's time to dress up for the exclusive Captain’s Circle Cocktail Party, navigate the famous Strait of Messina, and dive into a packed night of Princess Cruises entertainment. 🕒 Video Chapters & Timestamps 00:27 – Day 2 docked in Catania: Weather, Malta Cancellation & Safety Concerns 02:17– Breakfast at the International Café & Disembarking 02:27– Cruise Terminal: Tourist Info & Hop-on, Hop-off Bus Options 02:50– 🎵 Scenic Musical Interlude: Coastal Views & Timings 03:49– Tour Review: Suburbs, Aci Castello Stop & Sketchy Walkways 06:45– Exploring Piazza del Duomo: Buskers, Architecture & Market 08:15 – Heading Back: Would I walk from the terminal next time? 08:49] – Sapphire Princess Aft Deck: Pools & Hot Tubs Galore 11:21– Prepping for the Captain's Cocktail Party 13:00 – Captain's Circle Party & Navigating the Strait of Messina 14:58 – Evening Fun: Trivia, Marriage Match Game Show & "Do You Wanna Dance?" Theater Show 16:00 – Next Stop: Naples & Sorrento! ✨ Highlights From This Episode: The Bus Tour Reality: I break down the two transit options from the terminal and explain why this "hop-on, hop-off" was actually more of a scenic drive with a 10-minute stop at the stunning Aci Castello. Downtown Catania: Witnessing the lively atmosphere, impressive buildings and vibrant buskers in Piazza del Duomo, plus a peek into the open-air market. The Sapphire Princess Advantage: Why I think the traditional layout of this ship's outer decks, multiple pools, and hot tubs beats many of the newer ships. A Bridge Captain's Duty: See highlights from the loyalty cocktail party and find out why the Staff Captain had to step in while the Captain safely navigated us through the narrow Strait of Messina. 📣 Join the Journey! If you enjoyed this look at Catania and life onboard the Sapphire Princess, please give this video a Thumbs Up 👍 and Subscribe to the channel so you don't miss a single wave! Coming up in Episode 7, the Sapphire Princess docks in Naples, where I take a solo DIY trip to the breathtaking town of Sorrento. You won't want to miss it! 🍋🌴 Cruise Date: March 29th - April 5th 2026 #PrincessCruises #SapphirePrincess #Catania #Sicily #Cruising #TravelVlog #MediterraneanCruise #CruiseLife #solocruise #solotravel