Mediterranean Excursions

[RJAYL]

Thats the European traveller in you, remember in La Spezia to tell your tour people its a tender port, i am using Papillon as well so hopfully they know, as we will ahve to get tender tickets there and getting off might take longer.

I have tried to get a quote twice from them I never hear back?

 

[bellelinus]

Thats the European traveller in you, remember in La Spezia to tell your tour people its a tender port, i am using Papillon as well so hopfully they know, as we will ahve to get tender tickets there and getting off might take longer.

Yes, the woman I dealt with at Papillion scheduled a pickup for slightly later than we are due to get there because of the tender situation (not that I won't be there super early to get the tender tickets). She seemd to understand La Spezia although they operate out of Livorno (where we should have docked!).

 

[bellelinus]

I have tried to get a quote twice from them I never hear back?

I would email them again . . . I dealt with Lina at Papillionservice.com and had lots of emails back and forth with her about details . . . I had also checked out some other services and liked the service I received there the best, so perhaps she hasn't received your emails.

 

[OurDogCisco]

Entrance fees and meals are not included. Yes it is 2 adults and 3 kids, but two my boys are older that 10, so that throws them into the "adult" price scheme for DCL's excursions.

But it is not so much the price, because with the exchange rate as it is, after we add the costs of meals, admissions, guides etc. the prices are very close and maybe the private driver route may be a little more. We may never have a chance to do this again and we are willing to pay the difference so that we can expore and experience more in the time we have.

I know my boys would not be very interested in the museums and such (my DW and I would), but with having a driver, we can make our visit more personable. We can get closer to the sites than the buses can. We can go to the small, quaint places that larger groups have to pass up. It is just more flexible and convenient - when we walk out of the Colosseum, our driver is there to whoosh us off to next place.

When it was time for us to decide between DCL and hiring a private driver, we figured that at most, the private driver would cost the five of us no more than $150 than DCL. We think the extra $150 is worth it. It's a personal preference.

I guess it would be similar to someone asking why we decided to choose sailing the Med on the Magic, when there are much cheaper and probably just as nice (not really!) cruise ships - it's a personal preference.

Another day closer!

John

I can see in your situation it would be cheaper especially if you have 2 children that are considered adults. And, I don't doubt your decision to go that route. I'm still having trouble picking a tour guide. It kinda like going in a phone book and trying to pick the best person. Also, how are you paying? Cash? credit card?

I'm still trying to figure out what more are you gonna see than someone on a bus tour. Would you mind sharing a sample tour from one of your ports? Or are you guys planning your tour once you meet the guide? How does that work?

I didn't find that many cruises that were cheaper during this time frame. But my definition of cheaper seems to be different from others. I consider 20% to 30% cheaper a bargain. But 10% isn't really that much to me. I found the Med cruises are about the same price per day as a Carribean cruise. At least for the category we are traveling. I was comparing a summer med cruise with our Thanksgiving cruise we had booked. The Med cruises become more expensive in airfare, extra days cruise days (7 days versus 11 days) and excursions.

 

[jrabbit]

I'm still trying to figure out what more are you gonna see than someone on a bus tour.

This is just a "for example" - I don't know any times / timing for any of the excursions. But lets say we are in Rome visiting the Colesum and Palatine Hill. For the bus tour they allow 3 hours for this stop. Bus tour - you're "stuck" there for the 3 hours. With private driver you can be done in 2 1/2 hours if you want to be or you can take 4 if you find it very interesting. Done with that stop and now you decide to go to Trevi FOuntain - boom you're there, the bus tour you go to where ever you're scheduled to go to next.

Private driver: your own pace and can change your schedule on the fly, big bus tour - you go where they go, do what they do for however long they are doing it.

 

[bellelinus]

We looked into the private driver route but it just doesn't seem affordable for 2 people, and since we are going on one of the least "dis"-attended cruises (6/6) we haven't found anyone to share with. Overall i am ok with either diy or paying disney. the only port that I am at a loss for is Napels (i have decided complaining about la spezia isn't worth my time anymore... think positive ) the naples tours just don't seem to hit everything i want to see, and i know with a driver (if there are any left) i could easily see much more.

Unfortunatly for my trip (and a bit off topic) i haven't been able to do the planning i expected to get done right now because my dh and i have signed a contract on our first home . it is very exciting but in the list of to dos the med cruise keeps dropping to the bottom.

There a train that goes from near the dock in Naples to Pompeii and then on to Sorrento. The following link shows a clear explanation of how to find this train:

http://www.europeportreviews.com/Naples5.htm

Then you can go from Sorrento back to Naples via train or via ferry. If you have enough time, you can even take a ferry to Capri from Sorrento and then back to Naples via ferry from Capri -- the possibilities are endless!!!

 

[Skallywag]

Am trying to decide what to do in Naples. Have already been and done most of the proposed trips. The only one worth doing second and third times is the Amalfi drive which is spectacular. Have found out that you can get a boat that goes round the coast from Naples to Sorrento and also Amalfi and Positano and am investigating that at present.

La Spezia definitely the Cinque Terre Villages- also did this many years ago when stopping at Sestri Levante and Portofino is also well worth a visit.

Pisa is much easier to navigate than Florence and now the leaning tower is back open again worth seeing.

Brenda

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Yes, the woman I dealt with at Papillion scheduled a pickup for slightly later than we are due to get there because of the tender situation (not that I won't be there super early to get the tender tickets). She seemd to understand La Spezia although they operate out of Livorno (where we should have docked!).

Same here

 

[Worktoplay]

Funnybunny,

Can you please email me your pdf of the med excursions! I recently booked this trip and I have a lot of catching up to do. My email address is Tennisthemenice@aol.com

Thank you!!

 

[taysmom]

thanks for the naples info...is there anyone who has NEVER been to these places and is doing "ontheirown". I read these instructions and it looks like it will save hundreds of dollars, but I am still nervous that we'll get lost or miss the boat. And, BTW, I am excellent with directions, just worried about foreign countries.
Any suggestions/comments?
Steph

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

thanks for the naples info...is there anyone who has NEVER been to these places and is doing "ontheirown". I read these instructions and it looks like it will save hundreds of dollars, but I am still nervous that we'll get lost or miss the boat. And, BTW, I am excellent with directions, just worried about foreign countries.
Any suggestions/comments?
Steph

With research you can do things on your own train services operate from
Naples to sorrento and also to Rome from Civv. But the issue is ensuring you get back to the ship on time, whilst I am a seasoned traveller time is important so I am doing private tours.

 

[bellelinus]

thanks for the naples info...is there anyone who has NEVER been to these places and is doing "ontheirown". I read these instructions and it looks like it will save hundreds of dollars, but I am still nervous that we'll get lost or miss the boat. And, BTW, I am excellent with directions, just worried about foreign countries.
Any suggestions/comments?
Steph

You just leave plenty of time to get back -- if you are in Sorrento and plan to get back to Naples from there, you know that the train will take about an hour, so leave 2 or more hours early . . . if you are taking the ferry you could leave a little later . . .

That's the way I do it -- plan for double or more the time to get back to the boat so that it can be done. Then have emergency money on you so that if you suddenly have to take a taxi back you can do it.

The foreign aspect really shouldn't figure in. It's no different than getting to MCO airport in Orlando -- you leave plenty of time to get there and get through security, right? And then most times you end up at the gate way too early, but you had that extra time built in for emergencies. If you have your plans (and backup plans) together, it's really no different.

 

[bellelinus]

thanks for the naples info...is there anyone who has NEVER been to these places and is doing "ontheirown". I read these instructions and it looks like it will save hundreds of dollars, but I am still nervous that we'll get lost or miss the boat. And, BTW, I am excellent with directions, just worried about foreign countries.
Any suggestions/comments?
Steph

And by the way, no, I've never been to Naples and will be doing it on my own (with three kids!).

 

[Skallywag]

The Italians just love children so you will have no problems I feel dont know if the Italian men still have the same custom of pinching a ladies bottom or butt as you say it is an endearment.
Bren

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I dont know if the Italian men still have the same custom of pinching a ladies bottom or butt as you say it is an endearment.
Bren

 

[taysmom]

So now with all the encouragement, I am thinking of doing naples on my own too. I really want to do pompeii and sorrento w/capri. I think I could get it all done too. As long as I don't get too into pompeii. Julie, it's too bad you won't be on the 6/16 trip, then I'd have a copilot! It's looks relatively simple to do. I am not big on guided tours, they usually bore me, but I hate to get back to the ship and hear people say "did you see xxx, it was amazing!" An hour to get to pompeii a couple hours to look around another half hour to sorrento, the boat to capri and then then back to naples. Sounds doable!?!
Steph

 

[LisaTex]

I would love to do the "on our own" thing. I have before - but not with 2 kids and a 67 y/o mom/grandmother. We are going with a private car this time

 

[Hygiene99]

So now with all the encouragement, I am thinking of doing naples on my own too. I really want to do pompeii and sorrento w/capri. I think I could get it all done too. As long as I don't get too into pompeii. Julie, it's too bad you won't be on the 6/16 trip, then I'd have a copilot! It's looks relatively simple to do. I am not big on guided tours, they usually bore me, but I hate to get back to the ship and hear people say "did you see xxx, it was amazing!" An hour to get to pompeii a couple hours to look around another half hour to sorrento, the boat to capri and then then back to naples. Sounds doable!?!
Steph

We have a group of disboarders who are taking on Rome on our own!
on the First 11 night!
Disboarders Invade Rome:
http://www.europeportreviews.com/Rome2.htm

Will be happy to report back after!! If we make it back!

 

[bellelinus]

So now with all the encouragement, I am thinking of doing naples on my own too. I really want to do pompeii and sorrento w/capri. I think I could get it all done too. As long as I don't get too into pompeii. Julie, it's too bad you won't be on the 6/16 trip, then I'd have a copilot! It's looks relatively simple to do. I am not big on guided tours, they usually bore me, but I hate to get back to the ship and hear people say "did you see xxx, it was amazing!" An hour to get to pompeii a couple hours to look around another half hour to sorrento, the boat to capri and then then back to naples. Sounds doable!?!
Steph

Sounds good to me -- we are definitely doing Naples to Pompeii and then on to Sorrento and then I will look at the time to decide on Capri. It is too bad we aren't on the same cruise, but I do have faith in you to be able to do it on your own! And I am doing the train from Civitavecchia to Rome as mentioned in a the previous post . . . should be tremendous fun.

 

[profdsny]

So now with all the encouragement, I am thinking of doing naples on my own too. I really want to do pompeii and sorrento w/capri. I think I could get it all done too. As long as I don't get too into pompeii. Julie, it's too bad you won't be on the 6/16 trip, then I'd have a copilot! It's looks relatively simple to do. I am not big on guided tours, they usually bore me, but I hate to get back to the ship and hear people say "did you see xxx, it was amazing!" An hour to get to pompeii a couple hours to look around another half hour to sorrento, the boat to capri and then then back to naples. Sounds doable!?!
Steph

Yes it does. And that's probably what we are going to do also. I've never been to Italy, but my wife was some years ago after college on a tour. Only place we've both been to is Nice and Monoco. But we will very likely do this all on our own. As she mentioned last night, we've done similar things before, while lugging our own bags to hotels. So this should be a breeze.