marazul

Don't chance it. Especially for 14 people.

Yes.

Just make sure that the shuttle runs at 5 am And, yes, that is as close as the hotels are to the airport.

Monfalcone is a good 1.5 hours from the Venice airport. You need to be at the airport 3 hours ahead of time. There is a chance you will make it if everything works out perfectly (no late arrival, no traffic, no delays). If you can, bump the flight to the next day and stay in Venice.

Macdooger- A taxi from Pisa should be about 50-65 euros. Certainly more at night. https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Pisa/Piazza-Luigi-Orlando-Livorno-Province-of-Livorno-Italy A transfer service will be more expensive than the taxi. Not to sound crazy, but you can book a good, simple room in Florence for between 50 and 100 euros and it will include breakfast. You can train to Pisa the next day for sightseeing. Then train to Livorno followed by inexpensive bus or shuttle to the port. I just did a fake booking for early May on one of the hotel search engines and it came up with about 115 rooms between 50 and 100 euros. Some with very good ratings in simple guest houses or 1 or 2 star hotels. They generally do not require prepayment and can be cancelled up to a day or so before arrival. You could book one at no risk while you decide on other arrangements or reconsider your plans. A night in Florence is something to really be enjoyed.

You could stay overnight in Florence. Enjoy lots of time and dinner there and next day go to Pisa on the way back to the ship.

There are two separate visits to the Vatican. One is to the Vatican Museums and there are various tours you can take. https://tickets.museivaticani.va/home The other one is a visit to St Peter's Basilica which is separate from the Museums and not included in that visit. Admission is free and you have to stand in line to go through security. Fortunately for you, the lines will not be long in January. It is open daily from 7 am to 8:30 pm in winter. https://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_pietro/it/basilica/orari.htm You need to take a taxi between the two or go on a very long walk. The shortcut from the Sistine Chapel to St Peter's is no longer open. I am not sure where you get that St Peter's is closed on Wednesdays. There is a papal audience most Wednesdays in the Audience Hall, but that does not close the basilica. If you want to split it up, you could go to St Peter's on Tuesday, at any time after you leave your bags at your hotel, and then go to the Colosseum or Borghese in the afternoon. Then go to an early Vatican tour on Wednesday. You should be done by 11 at the latest.

Many of us on this board use Stefano's Rome Cabs. Here is a link to their transfers page: https://www.romecabs.com/transferservice/civitavecchia/ You also have the option to add some sightseeing on the way to your hotel: https://www.romecabs.com/post-cruise-tours-civitavecchia/ They will pick you up at the ship's side and deliver you safely to your hotel. You don't say if your land tour includes sightseeing in Rome or if it takes you elsewhere right away. See what their offerings are before deciding what to do on the day "on your own." For that day I would recommend that you look at the many ideas on this board. Most importantly, if you wish to visit the Vatican Museums or the Colosseum, you should buy your tickets on their websites as soon as they become available, or else, book them now through a reputable tour company (for example, Context Travel). This could be the best option for you. Have Rome Cabs take you to your hotel and then, have a tour with whichever company you choose. Make sure it is not just a drive-by tour, but that you actually visit the attractions.

Yes, you can take pictures.

Do the Gothic Quarter tour. The Gaudi houses is only an "outside" tour. You are better off visiting either the Casa Batllo or La Pedrera by yourself. The ticket lines are usually short or you can go on their websites. But, first of all, get your own tickets to la Sagrada Familia ahead of time on their website. Don't miss it.

Tips are not required in Europe. Only American tourists feel that they have to do it. The guides and drivers are paid full wages and benefits, not like in the US. If it makes you feel better or if you had great service, tip the guide 20 euros and 10-20 for the driver. That's for the tour, not per person.

Maybe. What are the stops?

Is the full day the day you disembark then flying out the next day (one night in Greece)? Or is the full day the day after you disembark leaving the third day (2 nights in Greece)? If it is the first, I would take the first option (Corinth, etc.) so you also have a relaxing evening in Athens without so much driving. If it is the second, I would go to Delphi and Meteora with the first night in Kalambaka (by Meteora) and the second night in Athens.

I'll believe it when I see it.

Then try ManiMani.

Zakynthos is perfect for a beach day. In Mykonos, do checkout going to Delos. Since this is normally a long port day in most cruises, you would have plenty of time for Delos and to spend time in Mykonos town afterwards. An option that is fun, would be a 4-wheel drive tour of the island that takes you to see the sights and stops at a couple of beaches for a swim.

Think back to your English Lit days. Lawrence Durrell, author of the Alexandria Quartet. Brother Gerald Durrell, author of The Corfu Trilogy. (Not as famous.) And assorted other Durrells. The television series "Durrells in Corfu" is about their very unconventional lives on the island.

I have taken many taxis in Lisbon. I have never been ripped off. I always agree on a price before starting the ride. I am truly not that paranoid.

Taxis will pick up at the airport and the prices are cheap. About the same as Uber.

Try the Hera Hotel.

I know of many. Psaras is very typical with very good food. But there is a huge range of restaurants. Look at a few reviews.

That's a very long day. You can take the train or bus to Nice in the morning and spend 3-4 hours there. Flower Market, old town, little tourist train. Lunch. Then you have two options: train to Monaco and spend the time in the old town or bus to St Jean-Cap Ferrat or to Villefranche. If you go to Monaco, take the train back to Villefranche. Villefranche. Eze or St Paul require transport by car unless you want to spend the day in public transportation.

Do you really port in Nice or in Villefranche? It makes a difference.

Find one that picks up at port, or take a taxi to meeting point.

Close, but not that central. It is about a 15 minute walk to Plaka. Walking in Athens is safe. Taxis are cheap.. Don't miss walking around and having dinner in Plaka in the evening.