Mccarbe2

On 8/7/2023 at 6:04 PM, Wavedance said:

Our cruise ends at Trieste on Oct. 11. After looking at many options, we decided to take the train from Trieste to Venice Santa Lucia station. From there, we buy a 2-day pass and take a vaporetto to our hotel nearby. We will use the vaporetto to get around Venice, then will get the bus from Piazzale Roma to Marco Polo airport. We think this will work out okay. We've been in Venice before but stayed on Guidecca.

 

We were unsure about some of the car services because they are basically websites that contract with private drivers, but seem to wash their hands of any responsibility after they pass off the booking to the driver.

Where is the train station in Trieste? Can you walk there or taxi?

On 5/12/2023 at 11:45 AM, sofietucker said:

Yes. And the problem with not signing up for O's excursions is the possibility that any private tours--always our first choice-- may not accommodate last-minute schedule changes... After they started changing times for next week's cruise, we cancelled some private ones for O's instead (using our free shorex credit) so that at least the scheduling issues will be on them, instead of us to guess at. And we've made other days free, to wander off the ship at will. Have also just reserved some cheap, flexible-all-day transportation. We like to plan! This uncertainty isn't fun for us. Damned if you do and damned if you don't. 

interested in finding out the ports  you found offering cheap flexible all day transportation?

On 2/25/2023 at 10:33 AM, deck chair said:

Hello!   People can do what they want but I gave up on ship's excursions decades ago. 

 

1.  Very costly compared to doing it on your on.  There are so many options. In addition, you can see and experience more than those on the ship tours.

2.  You don't have to listen to the tour guide (Often with a thick accent) rattle on and on with TMI.

3.  You are herded around with very little independence.  Forget about stopping where you would like to stop!

4.  You are on a crowded tour bus many of which have poor leg room.

5.  Almost without fail someone goes missing.

6.  It takes forever for everyone to get off the tour bus at the various stops. 

7.  There is always someone coughing and sneezing in the bus.

8.  There are almost always passengers with mobility issues who never should have been on the tour in the first place.  Don't get upset!  I am a slow walker myself these days.

No doubt others can add to my list. 

I do recognize many passengers are terrified of being on their own especially when the cruise lines emphasize with subtle hysteria that you will not be left stranded if you are late back to the ship when you are on an organized excursion.  The cruise lines want to scare you into taking one of their tours.  (Like you could be kidnapped and held for ransom if you are on your own.)  In the EXTREMELY unlikely event a passenger touring independently misses the ship no doubt they will have the attitude that it just the adventure of travel!! 

Be well. 

Deck Chair.

We are going on Oceania Marina Sept 2023 Barcelona to Trieste(Venice) do you have any recommendations for tour companies