sasandy

Do they still deliver the Fun Times to each room every day? If not, where do we find it?

Thank you, it is always nice to have information from someone who has been there. I have researched a few other options.... Using taxis and audio tours like Rick Steves Public transportation such as the bus, tram or metro (seems confusing) Private tour is too expensive I think and I just need transportation Hop on hop off I refuse to do. Too many bad stories. Is it easy or difficult to get a taxi at the port, acropolis, and NAM?

I am thinking about taking a Carnival excursion to the Acropolis and National Archeological Museum. If anyone has done this in the last couple years, do they let you roam on your own or does the tour guide make you stay with them? There are several things I want to see and some I do not want to see so I am curious if I will have freedom to go where I want. Also, is there time for lunch anywhere?

I emailed Albergo Santa Chiara June 2023 for a reservation in September 2024. If you can not get a reservation online you could call or email. They were very nice and happy to make the reservation. They asked several questions so I could get the room I wanted. I realize this is not the same hotel but the strategy would be the same.

I have read reviews about other ports and it seems they often don't work well. Sometimes not at all. And if the tour guide is not knowledgeable then they will not be able to help you fix the problem. I have been gathering pictures on my phone of places in Europe that show before and after.

Ship excursion.

You have done a very good job researching Europe. It is similar to my plans even the hotel is the same. I spent over a year researching and I still have more to do. I would suggest an excursion from Naples to Herculaneum. It is very similar to Pompeii but a little more preserved. Santorini and Mykonos is the same for us also.

I have seen reviews of the Hop-on Hop-off bus. They are very crowded and traffic is terrible in Rome. I decided to get a hotel, Albergo Santa Chiara, near the Pantheon so I can walk almost everywhere. I booked a golf cart tour to take me to Appian Way and Catacombs since it is too far to walk. I will take a taxi to the Vatican for an early morning tour. I can walk to Trevi fountain, Colosseum and ancient areas like Roman Forum, several piazzas, and some interesting churches.

Do you know if those items are free with Cheers?

I've been trying to figure out how to visit the Appian Way. It is not easy. The area I want to go to has some original road and wagon tracks but that is further down the road. A golf cart tour sounds easy and fun!

Is it warm enough to swim late September?

I just cancelled an excursion that I had used a giftcard to purchase. From AARP. I expected the refund giftcard to arrive in the mail, but I got an email with an egift card that I could use immediately. It was easy.

I have been using them for a 2024 cruise out of Italy. There has not been a problem.

I contacted Hotel Albergo Santa Chiara through their website in June to get a room for October 2024. They saw I wanted a quiet balcony room and contacted me to make sure I got just the kind of room I wanted. I ended up getting a courtyard view but no balcony.

I will be staying in Albergo Santa Chiara with a courtyard view. The description says 3 adjoining buildings. Do you have any information on this hotel in regard to an "annex" type of building or are all 3 buildings "charming"?

This is exactly what we were told to do. We were told to leave luggage in closet until they were done.

I'm a little worried they have been pulled from AARP's website because too many people were getting them. I hope they come back. I have been buying 100's just in case they don't have the 500's anymore. I am not sure how many I can use on Carnival's website for 1 cruise.

We will also be flying out of Chicago September 2024. Our cruise also leaves from Civitavecchia.

Sneakers are a necessity not a fashion choice for me. I need arch support, cushioning, flexibility and sturdiness. I will take a pair of sandals but will be choosy where I wear them because I forgot about grit and pebbles getting in them like cruisemom said. By the way, my husband works on his feet all day and loves Merrill Moab.

Ha ha ok I am on board with going to Ephesus! It really does sound interesting. Especially the terrace houses. For now I think I will book an excursion that includes the terrace houses through the cruise and then can cancel it if I can find a small group.

Some things to consider..... 1. Is this a "one chance in a lifetime" trip? Would you regret it if you didn't go on the excursion? 2. Can he use a cane, or a walker? Some canes have a fold down seat (weight limits for this) that can be used for a rest. Some walkers also have a fold down seat. 3. I have read some reviews say that watching the sunset from the ship is better than being on shore looking out. The sunset can really light up the cliff and houses. Maybe this is good enough? 4. Go to websites other than the cruiseline for reviews of the excursion. I often go to Tripadv. to look things up. Once on the review page you can search key words like steps or long walk. 5. Does he have the ability to strengthen his legs by the trip? Before I went to Hawaii I had an exercise routine that included 100 squats. Really helped. 6. Best way to tell is watch youtube videos of this specific excursion.

Wow that Rick Steves video was really interesting!

I have looked at Rome2rio and will research if the exhibits might also be in English.

Thank you cruisemom42. I am also considering Ephesus as we are very interested in history and ruins. In fact, I will be researching what the places looked like back in their glory and will bring the information and pictures with us. We have 4 days in Rome then a cruise through Greece and back to Italy including Naples where we will go to Pompeii. I am noticing that we will be seeing several outdoor ancient theatres. Not sure if more than 3 is too many.