RTLS

We enjoyed Blu, with the exception that they don't have a big table that can be used for say 4 groups of 2. Most folks sit at tables for 2.

We enjoy dining with different people some evenings and eating on our own on other evenings which is why we don't book a fixed dining time. We are considering Aqua but, if I'm reading this right, it seems we would not have the option of joining others. Is this correct? Also can Aqua class travelers eat in the MDR if they wish?

We are considering a cruise 14 days out of Hong Kong April 12 2015.

I read in an earlier post that Millie is scheduled for drydock April 2015. As I've read quite a number of negative reports on the general condition of the Millie, I'm wondering if anyone can confirm that drydock is indeed scheduled for this time (after the cruise we're looking at). If that's the case we may have to consider going with a similar Holland America cruise instead.

I understand that this is a promotion scheduled to begin Nov. 29th but do these promotions usually have an end date also?

That's very interesting, Carol, because we would be looking for a one way flight from Asia. We have points for our flight there but may not be able to get the return that way.

We have never booked transfers thru a cruise line as that always seems more expensive.

Thanks for weighing in.

Judy

Thankyou both. Your replies reinforce the feeling that I had that it will probably be better to go with my own air bookings.

We are considering booking on HAL for the first time. I'm not having success in checking out how their "flights" work.

We would require a return flight only if we do the trip we are looking at and I have no idea if this is possible with this program. Also is there any way of checking HAL Air prices on line before booking with them. Is this a similar system to Choice Air offered by Celebrity Azamara and RCCL?

Thanks for any information.

Thanks again. Absolutely terrific information.

I just re-read my own response above, I was really all over the map!

 

I just checked something else I remembered; there is a Holiday Inn near the airport that is also near a train station on the regional line. According to their web site (here: http://www.holidayinn.com/hotels/us/en/rome/romdm/hoteldetail), they offer shuttle service to/from the airport for only Euro 2,50. They also offer this service to take you to the local train station (Muratella), which is only 4/10ths of a mile away. This might be the best of both worlds for you; an easy and inexpensive ride from the airport upon arrival, and an easy departure from there to Civitavecchia the next day. If the weather is good, you can spend the morning by the pool!

Thanks so much euro cruiser.

the Holiday Inn looks like an excellent idea. I'll be checking with them to confirm the shuttle situation. I'm wondering whether it would be running as late as our arrival. If not, I'll need to find out how much a taxi will be. I'm a little unclear as to the trip from the local station - Muratella- to Civitavecchia. Are you saying that there is a station along the line that allows us to transfer to the train to Civitavecchia.?

I'm feeling a bit dumb here and really appreciate your help. Last time we came to Rome, we immediately went to Sorrento where we stayed for a week and then made our way back to Rome. We took a taxi out to the airport!

Would you mind sharing with me the name of the hotel you stayed at a couple of weeks ago. Also I'm wondering if you know the names of any of the hotels in the same block as the bus drops off. If you prefer, my email is rjlusk@telus.net

Thanks

I'm not sure this is going to be as economical as you may think, once you add up the costs. Hotels don't run free shuttle buses back and forth to the airport the way they do in the States, so you'll have an after hours cab fare which, even for a hotel right in Fiumicino, will run 15 - 20 Euro.

 

If you are concerned about safety, you could take a cab directly from the airport at any hour into Rome, for a fixed fare of 40 Euro (some have reported that there is a slightly higher fee after hours, although this is not mentioned on the city's web site where the fixed fare is discussed).

 

The time and aggravation of checking in and out of two hotels in two days should also be considered, as well as the expense.

Hi Euro cruiser,

Your advice about taking a cab into Rome is one that we will consider. Thanks.

We won't be checking in and out of 2 hotels in 2 days however as we will be heading directly to the port on the second day. We don't plan on spending any sightseeing time in Rome as we were there for several days a few years ago.

Yes we are arriving the day before our cruise but not until 11pm and we don't want to go right into Rome at that time of night by public transportation which is why we have decided to stay out by the airport for that one night. As you are arriving during tjhe day you have a couple of options of getting into Rome.

The most economilcal would seem to be the Terravision Bus. Check their websit for details - it's 6Euro per person and goes to Termini. You could then take a cab to your hotel depending how far away it is from Termini. The following day. you can take a train from Termini to the port.

This looks like a really good alternative to the train as an inexpensive yet efficient way of getting into Rome from the airport.

I checked the website and saw that the routing is Fiumicino Town, then the airport and then Termini.

We plan on staying somewhere close to the airport for our first night as we arrive at FCO around 11pm and then heading into Termini and onwards to the port the following day so the option of leaving from Fiumiciono Town rather than going back to the airport might work well for us.

The address from which the bus leaves, according to their website, is Piazza Alcide de Gasperi but I can't find it anywhere on my map and I can't bring it up when I try for directions on Google maps.

So I'm wondering whether anyone has done this and knows where to pick up the bus in town and also whether any of the hotels listed as airport hotels but not right on the airport property are close by.

I realise this is quite a new service but I'm hoping someone out there may be able to help me out.