ebs0303

Thanks!

Is there a way to see the port shore excursions prior to actually booking? The only way I could seem to see these in the past was under the 'manage my trip' and then review excursions. However, I'd like to see whats available before I've actually booked this time around.

We're likely going to book a summer cruise that starts in Venice/Ravenna, and would like to consider one of Celebrity's pre-cruise City Stay packages. We did this in Amsterdam several years ago and enjoyed the tours and was nice to meet people from the cruise in advance. I would like to know the general itinerary for that package before booking - is this available online somewhere?

The ferry sounds like a great option, as we would love to see the villages from the water as well. I can't tell from the site, but is the $40 for the hop-on, hop-off option you note? On the site it just says 'round trip'. Or that allows you on-off for the back and forth up to Monterosso? Also, how far in advance would you need to purchase? Do these tickets sell out? I'm looking at the Facebook page and seems like its not uncommon for service to be suspended b/c of weather.

Thanks! I am so glad to hear this may be a possibility. So in terms of getting there, I would take the train from Livorno to La Spezia, and then the Cinque Terre Express. Sounds like your plan would have us starting in Riomaggiore and making our way north to Monterosso by late afternoon/early evening for dinner. Then take the CTExpress back to La Spezia - looks like that particular restaurant is a 5 min walk from the train station - and then La Spezia back to Livorno. I guess an alternative is to head immediately to Monterosso and make our way south - are there restaurants in Riomaggiore or Manarola you recommend? Also, are there special contingencies I should be aware of? Do they shut down the train or trails in bad weather? I assume the trains otherwise run on time...

Been reading this thread carefully, as we are on Celebrity Reflection in July and also had our LaSpezia port changed to Livorno. Also disappointing b/c we were planning to go to Cinque Terre, and still might (this stop and CT was one of the reasons we booked this particular cruise) though I understand all the negatives about doing this at this time. One question - if we were do this day trip from Livorno where the ship will be docked for the night (ie, so no hard deadline to be back at Livorno), would that make this any more palatable as a day trip, since we could stay out into the evening?

Appreciate the caution. I'm going to contact Celebrity to clarify, though the description does say "enjoy leisure time to explore". Probably not unheard of but that would be very misleading... Its a (relatively) more expensive excursion, so I'm thinking that means not a big bus of people but I could be wrong. Will also plan on confirming with the excursions desk once we get on the ship, though will need to have a backup plan - any issues with getting ferry tickets to Capri a week in advance?

This was pricey enough and the description states: "Departing from the pier in Naples, you’ll soak in magnificent views of Mount Vesuvius while making your way south along the Amalfi Coast toward the picturesque village of Positano. The village boasts a patchwork of flat and domed roofs, vine-covered stairways which tumble down toward a beautiful beach, and a lovely bay dotted with vibrantly-coloured fishing boats. Enjoy leisure time to explore and photography this elegant town and its collection of designer boutiques, shops, and seaside cafés." Not sure how much time we get there, but seems clear we have time to walk around. I understand your point though, many of these descriptions are purposefully vague.

We'll be on Celebrity Reflection in July - had La Spezia as a stop originally (from which we planned to see Cinque Terre) but our cruise itinerary got changed to overnight in Livorno and then a stop in Genoa instead. We've been to Florence before but are likely going to see Pisa/Lucca one day in Livorno and Florence again another day +/- another Tuscan town, leaving Genoa as the day we'd like to see Cinque Terre. Our ship has one excursion but I've had difficulty finding any other CT excursions from Genoa. Has anyone done this before? know of any excursions?

We will be on Celebrity Reflection in July and on our Naples day have signed up for an excursion that would take us to Positano and Capri. It is marked as "strenuous" and I assume that because of steps in Positano? Has anyone done this excursion? My wife is in great shape (52), I feel like I am in ok shape (51) though overweight, but do Peloton and exercise regularly without issue. Are those steps a significant issue? We climbed the steps to Mount Royal in Montreal last summer, and did fine, though I did have to take a couple of brief breaks. I've gotten winded on more big hiking type incline paths and had to take breaks (going up Bright Angel trail in Grand Canyon, snakepath of Masada). I don't recall any issues climbing up to the Acropolis a few years ago. The description on the excursion says should be able to walk 2.5 mi over cobblestone, inclines, on steps, etc. I don't think it would be a problem for me, but assume its not one straight 2.5 mile hike/walk. I want to make sure I can keep up! Any other insights? Also, the excursion is listed as a photography excursion - have not done one of these before, assume they make plenty of stops for photos?