julieawill

One would think the answer is straightforward; it’s not. Every port calendar states that Ascent will tender in Villefranche. The original itinerary from Celebrity listed the port as tendering in Villefranche. Celebrity sent out an email changing the time and port to tendering in Nice. Our confusion is justified. Clarification is important, as it affects those who are scheduling private shore excursions or choose to DIY. 

On 1/11/2023 at 12:28 PM, njhorseman said:

I think it would be more useful and appropriate to post your Cartagena and Puerto Limon reviews on the Colombia and Costa Rica boards, respectively.

I’m thrilled that you posted here, it’s been very helpful. Did your ship also do the transit, or was it a partial?

Hi All,

We are looking to book the Raumabanen at Andalsnes. This port was substituted for Lofoten, so we've settled on this scenic railway option. For those who have been on the train recently, does it matter which seats we book? We're a party of four, so we'd like to sit across from each other. Does the train turn around or simply reverse? It would make a difference for our return seat selection.

TIA

There is a shuttle from ship to tourist office. Can't walk out of port area. Tourist office gave us a map and info. We walked to train station. Once you get away from main road you are walking through a mostly pedestrian area to train. Walk took about 20 min or so.

 

 

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Thank you, I really appreciate it!

I was wondering the best way to get from La Spezia port to the train station. Can you walk off the ship and hail a taxi, or is traffic restricted in the port? Is there a shuttle to the train station? We have a group of 12, and I wanted to know the most efficient way to get our crew to Stazione Centrale (specifically Platform 1 to get CT passes, and then catch the 8:10 train to CT).

Thanks to all you experienced posters.

Julie

Thanks Hank. You confirmed my fears.

I am saddened that the walkways have not been repaired. It was one of the highlights of our honeymoon in 2003.

Julie

Hi All,

I'm looking for an update on the coastal trail in the Cinque Terre between Riomaggiore and Manarola, and between Manarola and Corniglia. My understanding is that a small portion of the Via dell'Amore was opened between Manarola and Corniglia (not all the way through), with the remainder being closed. The portion between Riomaggiore and Manarola is also closed. Anyone with first hand knowledge would be very helpful.

Also, information on the port at La Spezia would be great. Such as, can we walk to get a taxi to the train station, or do we have to take the port shuttle?

Thanks,

Julie

From Bobal: It's very easy to find. The port bus will drop you at Traversa S. Lucia, you then need to cross the road so that you are walking along the sea front with the sea on your right. It's around a 15 minute walk to the ferry stop which is at Piazza Concordia. You actually have to walk from the road and onto the pier which juts out into the sea, the ticket office is at the end of the pier. (If you look on Google Maps you can see what I mean)

Hi Bobal,

Thanks for the update. We are planning to take the NLG jet boat out of Molo Manfredi to Amalfi. It leaves at 8:20, arriving about 9:00. Where is the ship in relation to Molo Manfredi (it looks like it's at the same pier area)? Will they let us walk to Molo Manfredi?

Thanks,

Julie

We used SeeAmalfiCoast in 2013. We saw Pompeii in the morning, then headed to Sorrento where we had a fabulous lunch, and then Positano for a couple of hours. We were back to Naples in plenty of time for a brief walk to the Castle and Umberto Galleria (which you can see from the ship). Our guide was Marcello. We all agreed that this was our favorite tour of the entire cruise. And, it was mostly due to Marcello and his fabulous personality.

Your guide must be certified at Pompeii in order to accompany you into the city. I am so glad we had Marcello rather than the audio guide; he was able to answer all of our questions, and he really brought the ruins to life.

Have fun!

I will definitely update after I've visited Salerno next month. Even if the new terminal isn't open yet I'll try and get a date for when it will be :)

That would be so helpful; thank you. I've scoured and searched the boards, but I don't see anything from anyone that has actually been through the new terminal.

Thank you Bobal and Hank, I was hoping you would both weigh in. I appreciate all the great advice you've given on these boards, and my trip has been planned after reading both your earlier posts, as well as euro cruiser's. I hope you know how much you are appreciated on these boards.

Bobal, did I read correctly that you will be in Salerno next month? If so, will you please update us on the status of the port?

Another question; has anyone visited the ceramics factories/stores in Vietri sul Mare? Any tips?

Thanks,

Julie

Okay eurocruiser, I've been checking taxi prices, and the bus situation. Is it really 30 euro from Amalfi to Ravello? Yikes! I've also seen warnings that the buses can be super-crowded with no air-conditioning. What is it really like on a SITA bus in mid-September? And is it less-crowded between Amalfi and Salerno.

We were on the Amalfi Coast (Sorrento to Positano) in late-September in 2013, and the traffic was non-existent.

It does appear that NavLib operates out of Molo Manfredi, and the 8:20 is a jet boat.

Thanks for the tip on walking from Vietri sul Mare. My husband lived in Italy for 2 years back in the '70s, spending several months in Salerno. If time allows, we may opt to catch a taxi and see some of the old town.

Thanks EuroCruiser, you've been most helpful.

We will be in Salerno in mid-September from 7:00a - 6:30p. My basic plan is to take the ferry (8:20 NavLib) from Salerno to Amalfi, and either the SITA bus or taxi to Ravello. We will tour both Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone in Ravello (approx 3 hours), and then probably take a taxi/bus to Vietri sul Mare with a photo stop in Cetara. Is this a reasonable itinerary? We previously toured Pompeii, Sorrento and Positano with SeeAmalfiCoast in 2013, so this time we want to focus on the southern end of the Amalfi Coast. Ravello is my must-see on this trip, and I would love to find some tiles in Vietri for our kitchen remodel.

I have some specific questions:

1. I understand there is a new cruise port in Salerno. Is it now open and operating? Can you walk from Piazza della Liberta to the Molo Manfredi pier for the ferry?

2. Is it easy to transfer from the pier in Amalfi to the bus for Ravello? I understand it runs every 30 minutes. If we miss it, should we just grab a taxi, and what is the approximate price for the taxi (I am more concerned about spending time waiting, than I am about a few extra dollars)?

3. Are taxis easy to find in Ravello and what is the approximate price from Ravello to Vietri sul Mare, with a photo stop in Cetara? Is it just as reasonable to take the bus from Ravello to Amalfi, and then another bus to Vietri sul Mare (skipping the photo stop)?

4. Is it reasonably easy to get a cab in Vietri sul Mare for the quick trip to the port?

We are resigned to the fact that we will have to return many times to see all of the Amalfi Coast <grin>.

I have read through many prior posts which have been invaluable for narrowing down our interests for this cruise. I look forward to hearing the opinions of those who have gone before us, and those who post frequently to offer advice. It is greatly appreciated.

Julie

Thank you Sam and thecook, I will check out both of your options.

Julie

Okay, clearly a lot of people would like feedback on British Airport Transfers. I'll take a chance (unless I get negative feedback first) with them and let you all know.

Julie

We have a quote from British Airport Transfers of £34 from LHR to Trafalgar Square. It's in line with other quotes we've received. Has anyone used them? How was the experience?

Thanks,

Julie

Ultima,

Thanks for the tips. I had considered buying the film in the giftshop (if they sell it) to watch it at our leisure and not use up valuable port time. Your tip on the YouTube film will be very helpful.

Thank you for the plans for Gamla Stan, at least now we know what our trade-offs will have to be.

Julie

Hi Ultima Thule,

We arrive at 8:00a at Stadsgarden 167 and depart at 5:00p. Are we crazy to try to see the Vasa Museum, a bit of Skansen and Gamla Stan in that amount of time? I'm started to feel frenzied just thinking about it.

Thanks,

Julie

We have also opted to forgo Berlin in favor of a more local excursion. While taking the train is tempting, there is too little time left for Lubeck (we are at Warnemunde 9:00a - 11:59p), so we opted for the ship excursion. It's generally my last choice, but in this case, was much cheaper than a private tour, and allows us some free time in Lubeck. We also stop at Wismar on the way back, so we don't have to choose!

I'm hoping it's as wonderful as everyone says. Schwerin was a close contender.

Julie