carlmm

If you really ask about mask rules in particular, any guess is as fine. Just today we had a post reporting of QV introducing masks like we had others before. Especially easy to implement rules might change any time in any direction. Looking at the past the chance of other Covid related restrictions, eg. flights, Immigration rules, are more likely in cold Winter. About you changing your mind: Cancellation fees are currently charged if not cancelling a long time before.

Viel Freude und Spaß!

Taking taxis would be my first choice, too, yet you can also use public transportation easily if you change the order a little bit: From San Pietro to roughly the Pantheon area take the bus. Walk from there via Trevi to the Spanish steps. Take the Metro to Termini. Take the train back from there. This also has the advantage that you have the Chance to get a seat.

Thanks fir all the informatuon!

True, but not in a cafe or creperie or other nice sit down places.

Indeed, I am standing squeezes i an overly full regional train and I amlooking forward to change unto an IC next station.😆

Sure, the reservations will generaly work. Only if there is some kind of irregularity like a train has broken down or something, your reservations might not be valid anymore. Even than, you still hold a first class ticket and the 9 Euro local trains second class ticket does not affect you.

Or why not take one of the combined transfer and sightseeing options from the ship if such are offered?

Indeed, currently all Mediterranean European countries allow independent excursions. Yet rules might change on short notice.

The weather might ba a bit nicer and the seas calmer in the Med compared to the North Sea. Foodwise I would not count on many differences.

Thanks for making me smile: A couple of years ago I heard Mr Nelson telling the same story about the bedroom furniture yet the final punch line was different. A good story gets even better over time.

The city centre is too far to walk but there are public buses available. It should be perfectly safe to walk around in your own. Tourists as well as business women and other locals will be around.

Good to hear that the hotel was up to your expectations. I'll put it on my list of potential hotels.

Differences I found between Summer and Winter cruises on the same ship: In Winter, the dining times were earlier. There were, obviously, no deck parties. Overall the atmosphere was less lively. The evenings/nights finished earlier.

Thank you @DaisyUK for the information and the link. I expect to enjoy his performance and I am looking forward to it.

@DaisyUK, will you be on this cruise? If so, so might like to join us on the roll call. Regarding Alfie Boe please ignore my German lack of knowledge - is he famous in the UK? A celebrity of any kind?

Coming from where? Within Schengen - no problem. Non Schengen to Schengen - normally close but doable, yet right now there are problems due to staff shortages everywhere.

I do not know about Princess specifically, but have had the Situation on other lines: One was able to leave the ship like in any other port as soon as the doors opened, within minutes after docking..

I am so sorry for you. As additional warning: Dutch friends told me, that this is already the preferential treatment for long distance flights. For inner European flights it is supposed to be even worse.

As you have sailed before with MSC you know much the people there live children - enjoy your cruise!

If you upgrade to Aurea you keep your drinks packsgr, if you upgrade to Yacht Club an ever bettercthan the usual package will be include. If you, as you say, got an excellent price, the upgrade offers could be quite good, too, but of course that is apersonal decision and one should check the current full prices.

Basically you have got it, you have to follow what ever the stricter regulations are. Currently for many countries and cruiseline, these are the cruise specific rules requiring a test.

Marbella- oh, Marbella - had it's best days as meeting point of the international jetset. Today it is a huge seaside resort town with accommodations and activities from somewhat moderate up to really luxury. Nightlife is still big. The old town center is nice and friendly, nothing spectacular, but enjoyable.

If you look for the city itself diring das time I would recommend Cadiz for its typical restaurants. If you stay overnight Marbella has some excellent, and expensive, restaurants.

Not a tour but an option: The historic Rhodos town is right next to the cruis port. There you need to walk anyway, thus you could see as many or as few of the sights, alleys, churches, palaces and museums as you like on your own. Once you have passed through the ancient part you get to a large square where you also find most busstops. There is a direct bus to Kallithea Springs, running every 30 minutes.