Rome

Big ship energy or mid-sized intimacy?

Vicki can’t hold it back anymore.

Different ships, different audiences

Cruise ships are not “one-size fits all.” Different sized ships serve different purposes and cater to different audiences.

Large ships like the Celebrity Reflection (pictured above) carry 3,000 passengers or more. They are built for maximum capacity, fun, and variety. Multiple pools, entertainment venues, restaurants, and activities appeal to multi-generational travelers. They are floating cities, and for this reason, often sail the major routes, hopping between big ports.

We used the Celebrity Reflection back in 2018 for our Mediterranean Cruise. That’s Vicki in the picture above!

The Celebrity Infinity. Image from here.

In praise of the mid-sized ship

In October of 2026 we’ll be returning to the water on the Celebrity Infinity, a sibling of the Reflection. Unlike the Reflection, however, the Infinity is a smaller cruiser. It is classed as midsized.

Midsized ships still have plenty of amenities. But they are not as overwhelming and seek to balance comfort with intimacy, relaxation with activity. Midsized ships tend to attract an audience more interested in destinations than on-board entertainment. They also call on smaller ports that supersize liners bypass.

Sign on for our upcoming Apostle Paul Mediterranean Cruise

Bible Land Explorer is excited to partner with the Christian HolyLand Foundation and Educational Opportunities aboard the Celebrity Infinity. We’ll be visiting Mediterranean sites of biblical significance, including Athens, Rhodes, Ephesus, Thessaloniki, Corinth and others. A pre-tour to Rome is also available. Our onboard talks will be focused on the life of the Apostle Paul. Attention will given to biblical and archaeological angles.We’ll also take time to savor the 40th anniversary of the ministry of the Christian HolyLand Foundation (CHLF).

I hope you will join us for this amazing voyage. Click the link here for the trip brochure.

For a tour of the Celebrity Infinity, follow the link here.

Five reasons why you will be pleasantly surprised by a Mediterranean cruise—click here.

And to learn more about the work of the CHLF, follow the link here.

Piazza Navona: The Living Spectacle of Downtown Rome

From Ancient Stadium to Public Square

The Piazza Navona in downtown Rome is a place of spectacle (and has been for a long time).

Today it is a public space for shopping, eating, and relaxation.

In the 17th century, it was a showcase of Baroque art with impressive pieces still on display (note Bernini’s “Fountain of the Four Rivers” behind the bubble-maker in the photo above).

In the first century the public square was the location of the Stadium of Domitian, a sports stadium called the Circus Agonalis.

Join Us in Rome in 2026

We invite you to experience these New Testament world connections firsthand. We are hosting two distinct opportunities to explore the "Eternal City" in 2026:

  1. Italy Land Tour (Venice to Pompeii): May 28 – June 6, 2026. This journey spans the peninsula and concludes with the wonders of Pompei. View details at the link here.

  2. Aegean Cruise Pre-Trip: October 22 – November 3, 2026. Dive into Rome before we set sail for the wonders of the Aegean. View details at the link here or shoot us an email here.

Bible Land Explorer trips are more than a vacation—they are an opportunity to explore the place where faith begins!