Mediterranean Excursions

[Rogillio]

Does anyone know how far it is from the Civitavecchia port to train station?

Looks like we can take a train from the port to Rome for $128 (2 adults/2 yutes) or $198 for first class train passage. The Rome on Your Own Excursion is $316. From what I can tell, it looks like the Rome on Your Own excursion is nothing more than a bus ride from the port into Rome...unless I am missing something?

Also, where is the Rome train station relative to the sites?

~Mike

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

This link was posted earlier and helps re Rome.

http://www.europeportreviews.com/Rome2.htm

 

[buck4568]

We went back and forth on being adventurous and going out on our own or doing the DCL excursions or a private tour company.

The final decision was DCL excursions. Since this is a possible once in a life time trip we (I ) did not want to be all stressed out finding our way around and having the kids and DW grumping about being lost and wasting precious time. I will leave that up to DCL and go with the tide and enjoy the ride.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

We went back and forth on being adventurous and going out on our own or doing the DCL excursions or a private tour company.

The final decision was DCL excursions. Since this is a possible once in a life time trip we (I ) did not want to be all stressed out finding our way around and having the kids and DW grumping about being lost and wasting precious time. I will leave that up to DCL and go with the tide and enjoy the ride.

Good points

 

[bellelinus]

Does anyone know how far it is from the Civitavecchia port to train station?

Looks like we can take a train from the port to Rome for $128 (2 adults/2 yutes) or $198 for first class train passage. The Rome on Your Own Excursion is $316. From what I can tell, it looks like the Rome on Your Own excursion is nothing more than a bus ride from the port into Rome...unless I am missing something?

Also, where is the Rome train station relative to the sites?

~Mike

The actual round trip cost per person for a train ride into Rome and back is 9 euros (about $13) -- you get the BIRG ticket at the Civitavecchia train station which gives you the round trip train ride plus unlimited bus or subway rides in Rome. The Rome on your own is just the transportation. The train into Rome gives you two options for getting out, depending upon whether you want to start your day at the Vatican (get out at the Vatican Scavi stop, about 45 minutes from the port) or the Colosseum (get out at the Termini stop, about 1 hour from the port).

The advantage to taking the DCL Rome on your own is what the previous poster said -- some people feel it would be stressful to worry about getting the tickets, making it back to the train, etc. Others (like me) think the process is part of the fun. Decide which group you are in and enjoy the day!

 

[LisaTex]

Does anyone have any info or thoughts on how things will be on a SUnday in port. I know we will be in Marseilles on Sunday on our cruise - we had planned on doing this one "on our own" as the port is convenient, but then I realized we will be there on a Sunday. As some shops etc. may be closed, would this be a time best served on a DCL tour as MORE likely to know where to go where things are "open" OR do you think it won't make a difference

 

[RJAYL]

We went back and forth on being adventurous and going out on our own or doing the DCL excursions or a private tour company.

The final decision was DCL excursions. Since this is a possible once in a life time trip we (I ) did not want to be all stressed out finding our way around and having the kids and DW grumping about being lost and wasting precious time. I will leave that up to DCL and go with the tide and enjoy the ride.

Basically it is going to be at least $800 US for you own driver & tour guide for 6 this works okay, but for 4 you have to think if you would be better with the DCL tours?

 

[RJAYL]

So what is the general thought on the best days to make reservations for Palos?

 

[OurDogCisco]

I know this will shock everyone since you all think I'm against private tours but I booked one for Naples. It will cost 400 Euros in mini-van Mercedes. They are picking us up at 8:30 am and dropping off at 17:00. We are touring Pompeii and Amalfi Coast. The only thing I don't like there is no guarantee they will show up. They did not request a credit card for hold. Two we have to pay in cash. I'm not sure if I'm interested in carrying that much cash with me on the Disney cruise. Is the front desk going to be able to give out large sums of Euros? But knowing Disney they will rip you off with some sort of service fee. Has anyone ever got a large sum of cash from Disney Cruise? And, now I'll have to bring my booster seat that I wasn't planning on bringing? Okay... I know the above makes me sound like I'm still against private tours. I'm not I just have questions...

 

[OurDogCisco]

So what is the general thought on the best days to make reservations for Palos?

Well.... we plan on doing Palo dinner on a port day. I was thinking ports like Palermo (5:30 pm depart time) or Sardina (departs at 6 pm) or La Spezia (departs at 7:30 pm) where you get back early enough to eat dinner in Palo. I'm going to keep one of my sea days open for the Palo brunch. I figured the sea day dinners will be special nights so I'm gonna keep those open for dining in the dining room.

 

[woody73]

. . . we have to pay in cash. I'm not sure if I'm interested in carrying that much cash with me on the Disney cruise.

We used ATMs in Rome to get Euros.

Woody

 

[Skallywag]

If you are doing Naples on your own try and fit in a look at Positano or Amalfi they are beautiful and it would be a shame to miss them.

We are thinking of doing Naples, Marseilles and Villefranche on our own.
Brenda

 

[Ruth B]

Well.... we plan on doing Palo dinner on a port day. I was thinking ports like Palermo (5:30 pm depart time) or Sardina (departs at 6 pm) or La Spezia (departs at 7:30 pm) where you get back early enough to eat dinner in Palo. I'm going to keep one of my sea days open for the Palo brunch. I figured the sea day dinners will be special nights so I'm gonna keep those open for dining in the dining room.

"I just spoke to someone at Disney. She said for the 11 days formal night is the 2nd night the 7th night & the 10th night (in france) I haven't received my packet as of yet."
Hi
i copied this of another thread- hope it help's, Ruth

 

[OurDogCisco]

"I just spoke to someone at Disney. She said for the 11 days formal night is the 2nd night the 7th night & the 10th night (in france) I haven't received my packet as of yet."
Hi
i copied this of another thread- hope it help's, Ruth

Cool that helps. So 2 of the 3 sea nights will be formal nights. So I guess we could make Palo reservations the final night at sea. ARe they going to do something special like Pirates night the final night. I wonder if they do something special that night too. Does anyone know?

 

[Ruth B]

Apparently they are going to do a Pirates night but not sure on which night this will fall

 

[FutureSailor]

Those who have booked private tour guides: would you mind posting who you are using in which ports? I have started looking into this, but so far cruisecritic has been my main source of info and the amount of info is a little overwhelming . . .

Thanks!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Those who have booked private tour guides: would you mind posting who you are using in which ports? I have started looking into this, but so far cruisecritic has been my main source of info and the amount of info is a little overwhelming . . .

Thanks!

http://www.limoinrome.com/home.htm Rome/Naples
http://www.dream-tours.com/
http://papillonservice.com/
http://provencesightseeing.com/

 

[RJAYL]

http://www.limoinrome.com/home.htm Rome/Naples
http://www.dream-tours.com/
http://papillonservice.com/
http://provencesightseeing.com/

I just emailed Papillonservice for Florence & noticed they also do Naples which ones are you using again?

 

[2littlestitches]

For anyone on the earlier cruises, who have booked Disney excursions already, I was wondering about times for excursions, particularly in La Spezia. There are 2 Disney excursions I like there, and was wondering if it would be possible to do 1 in the morning and 1 in the afternoon.

So if anyone has booked Disney excursions already, could you share your experiences, particularly some of the departure times?


Thanks so very much!!!!!

2littlestitches

 

[misseulalie]

For anyone on the earlier cruises, who have booked Disney excursions already, I was wondering about times for excursions, particularly in La Spezia. There are 2 Disney excursions I like there, and was wondering if it would be possible to do 1 in the morning and 1 in the afternoon.

So if anyone has booked Disney excursions already, could you share your experiences, particularly some of the departure times?


Thanks so very much!!!!!

2littlestitches

We booked our excursions, which ones are you pertaining to? You can also just give DCL a call and they will tell you the times of the excurisons.