toddw2u

Spain was completely open for cruisers to disembark and explore on their own.

3 hours ago, anyman said:

 

thanks for your comments.. We also have the Tuscan Wine tour scheduled and we are really looking forward to it.

If you like wine, I'd also highly recommend the Cagliari wine tour.  The winery was absolutely beautiful.  On the way back to the ship, they brought us to one of the "rocks" of Cagliari, which afforded a spectacular view of the city on one side, and the wildlife refuge on the other, where the pink flamingos nest.  Our guide, Fabio was entertaining and informative.

Just disembarked the Epic yesterday in Civi.  IN Naples we did the Spacca Napoli tour.  The tour consisted of a bus drive around the city which was informative as well as a walk down the Spacca Napoli to a pizzeria for folded pizza.  If you have ever been to Napoli, specifically the Spacca Napoli, it is a crazy, crowded ancient street.  We really enjoyed it, but there was no chance of maintaining a bubble in that environment.

In Livorno, we did the Tuscan countryside and wine tasting.  A bubble was enforced quite strictly, as the tour consisted of a visit to a winery about 30 minutes from the port, where tables were set up socially distanced and wine and some cheese and salami were served by 2 masked winery employees.  The wine was very good as was the olive oil (we had a case of each shipped home).

Folks, this thread reminds me of a text message that isn't received as intended, because inflection and tone can't be easily discerned.

I too am disapointed that the only option for leaving the ship is an NCL excursion, not really my thing.  However, after the last 18+ months, i'm just really grateful to have the opportunity to go on an actual vacation.  

Perhaps we can all try and show a little grace and understanding to each other, and yes, have a really great time?

Thanks for all the responses.  To clarify, we are booked in a balcony cabin on a deck and a location which works for us.  That being said, if we were able to upgrade to the Haven at a good discount, we would certainly do that.  We have a dollar amount in mind which would make sense to us, which is lower than the "poor offer" currently offered on the bidding page.

Just curious if anyone has ever been offered an upgrade at the pier?

2 hours ago, marktwothousand said:

But my point is, how is that gonna work at ports? Will NCL be testing UK PAX throughout the Cruise to make sure they can get off in Italy?

I don't think anyone knows the answer until the new regs are posted by Italy tomorrow, 8/30.

As an optimist, I had hoped that this Pandemic would be more under control at this point.  However,  I booked with the understanding that bedsides death and taxes, nothing is certain.

I spoke with NCL this morning, and they advised I book excursions with them now, before they are filled up.  I was also advised that the current Italian regulations are set to be reviewed and possibly amended at the end of August. Further, I was advised that the excursions being offered with "free time" are under review, and quite possibly will be altered to keep everyone in "a bubble".  I was assured that should we wish to cancel any shore excursion, if we do so at least 48 hours before the excursion, we would get a refund (not a credit) of the amount paid for each excursion.

As we are in Rome 2 days prior to embarkation, rest assured we will take full advantage of what that great city has to offer.   We also have 2 days in Spain on this itinerary, with currently no restrictions, so we should have some freedom there as well.  We also have the beverage package, so if we are spending more time than expected on-board, well.....

So while I certainly agree NCL should have handled this better, after the last year and a half, a bite of the apple is better than none at all

Frankly, this policy makes absolutely no sense.  We are currently booked to embark from Civitecchia on September 22 with a 2 day deviation pre cruise in Rome.  So while in Rome we are free to go where we want (with our vaccination card in hand), once we get on board, that all goes away?  Where is the logic in this?  I have already booked private excursions in Naples and Livorno for just my wife and I and of course our driver/guide.  How is it safer to get herded on a motor coach with 50 others?  Seriously considering canceling this cruise and taking the FCC, and doing Italy on our own on Land. 

On 8/18/2021 at 11:36 PM, casofilia said:

Could I suggest that you read http://www.italia.it/en/useful-info/covid-19-updates-information-for-tourists.html to get the up to date information.

 

Unfortunately I cannot see anything specific to cruise ships but I can imagine the waits if everyone had to go through the documentation checks to get off the ship.

Thanks for posting that link.  After reading the information, nowhere does it mention any restrictions for cruise ship passengers taking private shore excursions.  We are arriving 2 days prior to our NCL Epic cruise in Rome which embarks from Civi on 9/22.  It makes no sense that while on our own, we are free to wander and visit attractions, but once on the ship, our independence is arbitrarily restricted.

Hoping NCL sees the idiocy of this policy before our cruise.

1 hour ago, cruisingxpert said:

Who? Me?  At rooftop patio at Hotel Smeraldo

I will be staying at the Smeraldo this September, and I'll be sure to keep an eye out for this character!

7 minutes ago, Niquein99 said:

Wow, this whole thread has been a wealth of information!  Based on recommendations here, I've booked Albergo del Senato for a 3-night pre-cruise stay July, 2022.  

 

Will also need aiport transfers and cruise transfers to and from the cruise port.  From what I've gathered from this thread, I've seen Rome in Limo mentioned, and Rome Cars for tours and transfers.

 

Either of these better than the other?

 

Special thanks to "cruisemom42" !

If it's just 2 of you, taxis from the airport to your hotel are flat rate of 48 euros.  I'll be travelling with a party of 4, so we are using Rome In Limo for both airport-Rome and Rome to Civi.  I have used them before and have always been more than satisfied.

I was told by an NCL rep that on September sailings aboard the Epic for the Western Med, capacity would be limited to 60%

12 hours ago, JennJ99738 said:

I did!  But they're really high right now.  The Smeraldo is, and I'm not kidding, € 1100.16 for 2 nights right now in their cheapest room for 2 people.  A little rich for my blood!

Wow, glad I jumped with a prayer that our trip would happen in late September.  I reserved at the Smeraldo for 2 nights in a balcony room for $416.

I've done the RIL Wine tour of Bolgheri and it was fantastic.

I agree that RIL is an excellent operation.  We used them out of Livorno for an 8 person tour for the Bolgheri wine tour.  Visited and tasted wines at a small family winery, Michel Satta and then to a larger winery, Argentiera.  Lunch in the medieval village of Bolgheri  was truly special.  I still remember my meal of wild boar ragu with pasta!

But countries like Greece, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Croatia that welcome millions of American tourists each summer, and greatly depend on them for income and jobs, are set to jump at the opportunity to reopen to the American tourism market with the E.U.’s blessing.  -NYT

Feeling more confident that we will in fact be cruising the Med

Definitely stay in Rome as opposed to Civi.  We are booked on NCL Epic from Rome in late September and are getting into Rome 2 days before sailing to enjoy the eternal city, staying at a small hotel a few blocks from the Pantheon.  Train service to the port is economical and reliable, so that's how we are getting there.