Next step in the red tape saga: a schengen visa for Amy.
Fortunately there is a company that processes visas (only for Italy) based in Durban. After going online (www.myeuropevisa.com) and completing the application form and making an appointment to apply for the visa, you have to pay the admin charges R505.88. As the spouse of na EU passport holder the visa is free.
We got there early and there was no one in the place. It took about half an hour to go through all the forms etc. The passport will be sent to Postnet Scottburgh when done - 7 to 10 working days.

Capago Durban, 8 Pencarrow Office Park, Armstrong Avenue, La Lucia Ridge, Durban

First step in the red tape - a visa for Dubai for Amy. With my French passport I do not need one.
Very friendly people at the office and after coughing up R590 for a 96hr visa, all was done efficiently. Visa will arrive by email. They will only send it at the end of the month because they cannot issue it more than 58 days from date of entry. 

Dubai Visa Processing Centre, Unit 6 Crystal Rock, 14 Solstice Road, Umhlanga

We will be embarking on a new adventure shortly. On the 15th April we sail from Cape Town on the MSC Sinfonia bound for Genoa. With six stops enroute: Walvis Bay (Namibia), Dakar (Senegal), Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Canary Islands), Funchal (Madiera), Malaga (Spain) and Civitavecchia /Rome (Italy) then arrive Genoa on the 3rd May.
Will update with news whenever I can and free Wi-Fi permitting!