samavarcruiser

8 hours ago, kokopelli-az said:

We also used J&G Elegance Cars and highly recommend them.  We used them from BCN to our hotel, from the hotel to the pier, and from the pier back to BCN. 

 

One person was in a wheelchair and it was so worth it to have our transportation confirmed and waiting for us in a shiny new Mercedes van. 

Can you please share the website?

Be careful with pickpockets 😞

On 7/6/2019 at 2:22 PM, Beanb41 said:

WE didn't do the tour as we didn't have enogh time and my wife is somewhat claustrophobic. If one suffers from this condition this tour is not recommended

 

The Vatican tour is not recommended if you are claustrophobic?

On 6/29/2019 at 1:40 PM, Beanb41 said:

For an additional fee it is also possible to go down into the Crypts under St Peters

What do you mean for adult fee? how much did you paid for the tour?

On 6/23/2019 at 6:36 PM, mapleleaves said:

In preparation for our trip in Sept, I bought Rick Steves book  about Mediterranean cruise ports.  Lots of DIY options listed and he even provides a couple of walking tours.   The Barcelona forum on tripadvisor is another good resource, especially the info under TOP QUESTIONS.   https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g187497-i44-Barcelona_Catalonia.html

 

A couple in our group are really into Markets so we'll spend some time at the Boqueria and Santa Caterina markets,  walk down Las Ramblas, eventually ending up in the Bari Gotic area, which is the area that interests me the most.  We're going to do a free Runner Bean tour there.   Undecided about a HOHO tour .... decide when we arrive.

I guess we're in the vast minority, but we have no interest in the Gaudi stuff, other than a look at Sagrada Familia from the outside.   So I would encourage you to do some research and determine what it is that YOU want to see and do in Barcelona.  Have fun with your planning !

https://www.timeout.com/barcelona/things-to-do/50-best-sights-and-attractions-in-barcelona

Thanks a lot, is very helpful 🙂

On 6/23/2019 at 11:27 AM, Beanb41 said:

The full Vatican museum tour takes around 3 hours minimum

and covers also the St.Peter Basilica?

On 6/19/2019 at 4:53 PM, momag101 said:

Yes in Naples we did this tour-http://www.romeinlimo.com/naples/positano-amalfi-ravello.htm

Oh my goodness Alex was the best guide, scenery was beautiful, and we had a wonderful lunch over looking Positano and the coast.

In Rome we did a private tour-http://www.romeinlimo.com/rome-civitavecchia/highlights.htm. 

Stephano was a wonderful guide and we had an amazing day in Rome! Mossimo was our tour guide in the Vatican ( an extra 150.00 but well worth it), and honestly I couldn't imagine doing the Sistine Chapel and Vatican without a guide.We never waited in line, our guide knew everyone and he got us right through! I hope this helps!

Thank you very much,  appreciate your feedback. can you please advice how long you spend inside the Vatican with your guide?

On 6/13/2019 at 11:51 PM, Hlitner said:

We have docked at Getxo 3 times, once with Princess and twice with HAL.  On each of the ships they tried to sell bus transfers as excursions.  On all three cruises the port (in conjunction with a business organization in Bilbao) provided free shuttle buses.  Of course those who had purchased ship transfer excursions did not get refunds and took the ship excursion buses (no nicer then the free buses).  Whether this is still the situation we do not know, but you might want to ask this question when you are on the ship.  It is also possible to get from Getxo to Bilbao via inexpensive public transit, but this does involve some walking to get to the transportation.

 

Once in Bilbao there is an excellent electric tram/train system for longer distances such as for going out to the museum from downtown (although this is walkable for those of us who love to walk).  Bilbao gets my vote as one of the more improved cities in Europe.  There is a lot to like about this city including their old town (and its lively market), the Museum (better outside then in), the main shopping area, promenade along the river, etc.

 

Hank

Thanks a lot Hank, this is very helpful 🙂

On 6/8/2019 at 2:18 PM, momag101 said:

Yes you go to this sight-https://www.sharingtoursinitaly.com/tour-sharing/livorno/

find the port and then tour you are interested in. 

Create your group and then start promoting it. 

I signed up on my Cruise Critic role call, and then told people what the tour was, and shared the link. People were able to sign up on the web sight and Rome in A Limo would email

me when people would join our group. We

had a great group and it was very easy! Hope this helps. I couldn’t recommend a better tour company, believe me we used a different company in Florence to save money and we were sadly disappointed! 

Haven't heard back from you 😞

On 6/11/2019 at 3:13 AM, bkaction said:

We have an overnight  in Bilbao this Sept. 2019, I'm planning on walking to the nearest Metro station, Neguri and taking it to the old town, and from there walking to the market and the narrow streets. I don't care how long it takes, this is part of the do it your self excursion. We will also walk or maybe ride the tram to the bridge near the Guggenheim, maybe take the funicular up to a veiwpoint, and eventually take the Metro back and walk to the ship. Sounds like a lot of walking but that's what do it yourself is all about.

Seems like a good plan, enjoy the narrow streets and stop for lunch whenever you want.

Have fun planing 🙂

On 6/8/2019 at 4:48 PM, momag101 said:

Yes you go to this sight-https://www.sharingtoursinitaly.com/tour-sharing/livorno/

find the port and then tour you are interested in. 

Create your group and then start promoting it. 

I signed up on my Cruise Critic role call, and then told people what the tour was, and shared the link. People were able to sign up on the web sight and Rome in A Limo would email

me when people would join our group. We

had a great group and it was very easy! Hope this helps. I couldn’t recommend a better tour company, believe me we used a different company in Florence to save money and we were sadly disappointed! 

Thank you, could you provide more details about your tour, like which towns you visited, how much time in each town?

I am still wondering how that sharing site works! Anyone can help me?

On 4/23/2019 at 6:26 PM, erby2283 said:

Going to Italy has been a dream for me. Finally happening in Aug. One thing I learned - plan on spending more than you think you will. Now, I am booking excursions (not through the ship) - but that's bc this may be my one and only time to make it to Europe and I want the best experience and to learn about the history of the sites and not just see them. You can definitely save money by booking an inside room, not booking excursions and choosing an off-peak time of year.  My one deciding factor was that my bf wanted to see as many different European countries as possible since this may be our one time in Europe. So we choose an Itinerary that visited 4 Italian ports as well as 3 others.  If it was just me, I probably would have taken a land-tour and spent more time in just Italy. 😉

As someone else mentioned, make a list of what countries you want to see and go from there.

 

I would definitely go on a land-tour to Italy, cruise days are absolutely not giving you enough time to explore cities like Rome and Florence.

Have fun planning 🙂

On 5/14/2019 at 6:08 PM, MaiTaiMary said:

We would like to do one or two "beach days" at the following ports. Any recommendations which ones are the best?

 

-Tenerife, Canary Islands

-Grand Canaria, Canary Islands

-Lanzarote, Canary Islands

-Vigo, Spain

-La Coruna

 

Cruise is in October.  Hoping weather will be nice and ocean warm enough to swim in!

 

Thanks. 🙂

Oct? I don't think so 😞

RomeCabs and RomeInLimo are both highly recommended by cruise critic members.

Have fun planning 🙂

21 hours ago, VMax1700 said:

 

Yes! And the chance of gun crime is negligible, unlike some other places.

🙂

Being careful is enough, just like any other big city!

On 5/17/2019 at 9:54 PM, momag101 said:

We did a rome in a limo shared excursion in Naples.We were 6 total in a comfortable van and our great driver Alex. 

 

Thanks for sharing your experience with us, can you please tell me how did you shared your excursions?

On 5/7/2019 at 7:29 PM, caripoo said:

Madeinspainandportugal

I ecco this recommendation "madeforspainandportugal". A great tour company, you can't go wrong with them.

Have fun planing 🙂

On 5/11/2019 at 5:56 PM, coffee cream said:

Thank you so much for all your replies. I have contacted those, and am defintely enjoying the planning!

Keep us posted 🙂

RomeCabs.com and Romeinlimo.com are both highly recommended on cruise critic.

Have fun planing 🙂

RomeInlimo.com and Romecabs.com are highly recommended by people here on cruise critic.

Have fun planning 🙂

On 5/7/2019 at 4:22 AM, Luv2cruz1000 said:

For first timers who want to soak in Italy would you go to Florence or Lucca?

Do NOT miss Florence 

Lately I stayed in Murmuri hotel next to all Gaudi masterpieces which I loved 

https://www.murmuri.com/en?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhaTFgLuV4QIVCYjVCh1anwjcEAAYAiAAEgKKz_D_BwE

On 3/20/2019 at 2:43 PM, mafiadon said:

RIL is the best tour company and if you want to book with them I would not wait as they book up fast and you wouldn't want to miss out on having them as your guide. Jany is so easy to work with and they are very accommodating. You just can't go wrong with booking with them,  and your experience in Italy will be so much better having done so.  

Thanks for sharing your experience, I was looking at your signature and you have been on many cruises 🙂