PelicanLvr

There is a reason it the deck 10 "formally aqua" cabin went to the lowest veranda cabins.  Don't insist on staying there...they  probably have issues!!

"Land side"  seems like a good think...but ships go far out to sea each night to open shops and casinos....  Small size and the nightclub is directly above the deck 10 cabins.... MOVE!! 

Really suggest you consider a small group tour by a company that has authority to skip public lines.  You will see everything you want to see without waiting in long lines in the hot July Roman sun!

We were in Rome a few months ago in March.  Security line for St. Peters was across the entire Square, and that is low tourist season.  

We have used "Walks of Italy" and they are great.  Their times may not work for your schedule.  But I have read here on these board about "Roman Guy Tours" and they sound similar to the Walks tour we took.  Roman Guy has more departures that might work for you.

These Tour company have reserved entrance slots for their groups and you avoid the Museum line.  Also they are allowed to enter St. Peters without going thru public security again(which the public must so) so that saves that huge line in the square.  They use a St. Peter's entrance not open to the public.  It's GREAT!

You CAN see both...but this is the way to do it!!  

Can that schedule be done....yes, probably.... but it won't be easy.

Guided tours don't always end right on time.  Our Vatican/St. Peter's tour in March ended about 1/2 hour late.  We were grateful for the guide's extra time.  Be ready to leave the tour on time or early if it's not done yet.

Your tour will probably not end at a taxi stand.  The Vatican complex is huge and very crowded...so are the surrounding streets.  Not that easy to "make haste" thru, either walking or by taxi.

Agree that walking may be your best bet, if that is an option.  

OP is returning on the 24th......the Sunday BEFORE Thanksgiving.  That should not be an issue.

We disembarked from Summit in SJU in January.  Did self-walkoff and was at the airport gate (thru security) at 7:45 am.  But that was San Juan....and that was even during the government shutdown!

You must do self- walkoff from the ship.  Be early for the lineup and be one of the first off the ship.   You will have your luggage with you and hopefully will "sail" thru customs and into a cab. 

On 5/3/2019 at 3:44 PM, cruisead said:

Is it possible to go from the cruise port to the Old Town using a mobility scooter?  We'd just like to go around the area without taking a tour, but we have no idea if there's a way to get there with no stairs.  

 

Thank you

I am not a mobility impaired person, but have been to Dubrovnik several times by ship. 

I believe the old town can be easily enjoyed by scooter (the Stradum is wide and flat) so there is no need for you to take a tour once you are there.  However, I would highly recommend you plan on some type of transportation from the ship to the Pile gate entrance to the old town.  Cabs are plentiful at the gangway;   Ship transfers too ... but the cab would be easier as the bus leaves you further from the gate (in a bus parking area) while the cab can get you really close.     It's easy to get a cab back to the ship too.

So think about a cab to Pile Gate and enjoy the old town on your own without a tour.  The road to the old town is chaotic and busy with buses etc. and is not intended for pedestrians or scooters.   

Several years ago DW and I got a cab in Fira and had them drop us about 1/2 way along the walk to Oia.  There are several access points to the trail from the main road.  Tell the driver how long you want to be out there etc and they will put you on the trail.   It was a great plan because we really got the feeling of the hike without being out there for the whole long walk.  Enjoy lunch in Oia at a cliff top cafe and get a bus or cab back to Fira.  Great day!

Please know that the hike is under the full hot Greek summer sun.  Late June will be very hot....bring lots of water no matter how much of it you do!

Dubrovnik:  Take a taxi or ship transfer to Pile Gate, the main entrance to the old city.  Walk the walls, find Cafe Buza Cafe- google it and you'll see why. 

The cable car is easy to do on your own.  It's a short walk from the side city gate (not Pile Gate) ...  It's easy to spot...it's a cable car!  Spend as much time up top as you like. Great view!

Enjoy!!

On M-class ships there are only limited specialty restaurant options.  To make Qsine a fixed menu cartoon "plate show"  really hurts a passenger's dining choices.  We so enjoyed multiple nights in Qsine trying a different cuisine each night.  

Keep LPC on multi-dining venue ships like Edge and S-class....too limiting for M-class.  

On 3/24/2019 at 10:25 PM, kuddles14 said:

We will be visiting Valetta, Malta the end of September on the Jewel of the Seas. The excursions through the ship seem to be limited. I am looking for suggestions as to either doing a private excursion or is this a port where it is best to just walk around on our own?

 

Thank you in advance for your suggestions.

 

 

Really up to you to either tour or DIY in town.  

If you want a tour...google the "Malta Loop tour".  Good overview of the island.

DIY in Valetta is easy, but you won't get further than that.  the major in-town sites have already been suggested above.  

Always bring your "proof of perks" with you. 

On our last Summit cruise last January, our OBC from TA did not show on account until day #2 of the cruise.....but it did arrive correctly.  Lots of things don't show up pre-cruise.....but somehow X usually gets it right.

We always travel with color copies of our USA passport face pages.  Never had a problem, but understand that assists with getting a replacement if needed.

OP - I don't expect you to get a lot of support on these boards of flying into SJU on departure day even if your sailing time is 8pm.  In April, the odds are that snow will not be a factor, but you never know.  Of course if all goes according to plan, you should be fine....but if not, you will have one stressful day!

PS:  In January our Summit sailaway was 8:30pm.....the mandatory muster drill was at 4:45pm.  

12 minutes ago, weregoingcruising said:

What deck is disembarkation on on the Equinox? is it possible for one person to wait near security with luggage while other stands in the line?

It's an easy process and you will get instructions.  Don't "over-worry" about it.

I would not plan on someone staying near the gangway with luggage....if everyone did that it would be awful.  I have seen X staff moving people away from the doorway and into the line.

Sometimes the line can seem like several hundred people long....but it's well run by X.

Used Romeinlimo...very good!

Ask your hotel staff for suggestions.

See post #7 here:

There's hardly enough room for everyone to get space for a lounge chair.....and you want to set up a private baby pool. 

OP said "Please no negative comments", so I won't comment. 

6 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Have to disagree a bit that Athens is difficult to do on your own. Piraeus is only 20--30 minutes from central Athens (depending on traffic) and there is easy transportation available, including a HOHO bus that you can pick up right at the cruise terminal with a stop near the central pedestrianized area.  From here it is quite easy to walk to and up the Acropolis to see all the sights there, to the Greek Agora, with the beautiful and well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus, to the Roman Agora and the Tower of the Winds, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. The Acropolis Museum is also in this highly walkable area. 

 

I've done all of the above in a day, even back when one had to get to the subway/train from the port either by a long walk or by bus. Now it is even easier.  No need to take a tour unless it is what you want to do.

Thanks for this great info.  We have only stayed in Athens in a hotel and now understand that transportation from the port into town is not that difficult.  The sites you suggest make a great itinerary!

Glad Vatican tour worked out.  Keep looking for Coliseum tour, much easier way to do it. 

Santorini: Get to Oia.  Just soak it in.  No tour needed. - But (if you are not aware) check these boards about the "drill" for tendering/cable car (all ships tender here) in Santorini.  Some people take a tour just to get off the ship early.  

Mykonos:  Also just enjoy Greek Island life and soak it in.  Walk around by the windmills and "little Venice" area and eat some great local food in a waterfront cafe.

Athens:  If only there one day on a cruise stop you should consider a tour.  Dirty, chaotic city with unbelievable history.  You will be docked in Piraeus, the port area just outside the city.  Tour would get you in and out of the city and to the major sites.  Tough on your own in such a short amount of time. 

Valletta:  Amazing history here, most recently in World War 2.  If you want to see alot do the "loop tour" or if you want to just be on your own, walk Valletta and see the Cathedral and most importantly the fort at the harbor entrance....Sit in a cafe and people watch.   

Naples:  See Pompeii and/or Amalfi Coast, and eat pizza in Naples (birthplace of pizza).

Have an outstanding cruise!!

Typical Bermuda weather forecast (really from the Royal Gazette):

"Partly cloudy with showers"

Weather in Bermuda is so unpredictable (especially so far out) that you can't worry now.

21 hours ago, cooljay said:

Just booked the following tour: Now my question  is that even though i booked Vatican skip the line with them they are saying that i wont get confirmation until the last minute whether i will be able to visit the vatican or not? anyone elese face this problem? also how long does a vatican tour take?

 For the walksof italy tour what kind of transportation do i use to get to to The Vatican and then back to my hotel?

BEST OF ROME & VATICAN --- full day Private tour from hotel

- Date: May 20, 2019

- Reservation name/code: Hirani-ROME-0520

- Number of visitors in your party: 4 persons

- Pick-up Place: Please provide your hotel name and exact address in Rome as soon as possible

- Meeting time: 07:30 am (we will wait for you if you are late)

- Drop-off: Civitavecchia port

- Duration of tour: approximately 8 hours

- Vatican Skip-the-line – YES - (subject to availability - we will try until the day of touring so you may not know if we got them or not until you meet us – sorry its peak season time and access is limited)

- Colosseum Skip-the-Line - NO

- Type of tour: Private tour with an English speaking driver and an expert guide in Vatican

 

ITINERARY

- Transfer from Rome hotel in an air-conditioned mini-van

- Guided walking tour with an English speaking expert & certified guide

- Panoramic tour with driver for the rest of the sites

- Drop off at the port

Didn't completely follow the above post but will try to answer the questions:

Never heard of the "we won't know until the day of your visit if you will get your tickets" approach.  Remember, this is Italy and anything can happen.   But I don't like the sound of that.  Would not risk my ability to visit the Vatican on them.  Hope you can cancel.  The Vatican is a "must-see" museum.

But, seems you are buying an "express" entrance ticket to the Vatican Museum...that's all.  You will be on your own in the museum?  It is huge and will be mobbed.  Really suggest you purchase a guided tour with skips the line entrance.  That way you will have someone who knows where the "masterpieces" are, and (most importantly) how to best see them.  Otherwise you will be wondering in a crowd looking for them.  

Also, if you plan to go into St. Peters, there is no public "skip the line" ability.  It's free so there is no ticket line....but the huge line is for security.  Public must go thru security twice for Museum and again for St. Peters.  In March the line for St. Peters was completely across St. Peter's square....and that was early March.  The public can't avoid that line, but combination Vatican/St, Peters tours do!!  Really valuable time saver.  Combo tours use a side door between the Vatican and St. Peters that is not open to the public.  

Combo tour covering both Vatican and St. Peters takes about 3.5 - 4 hours.   Most time in Vatican...so I would say 3 hours in Vatican.

How did we get to the Vatican?  We walked from our hotel near Spanish Steps.  Rome is a very walkable city.  But your hotel can certainly advise you on best public transportation there and back.

Also, the entire area around the Coliseum is under construction for a new subway line. It's a mess....Plan a bit of extra time.  Lots of the Coliseum is open to "tours only".  So if you want to see the underground or be on the floor....you need to take a tour.  Long lines there too and mid-day it can close for awhile if too many tourists are inside.

Know we are not "tour-people".  But sometimes you have to do them to get the best experience.  Yes, you can go on your own....but the Vatican/St. Peters and Coliseum are 2 places I would strongly suggest a tour.

Have an outstanding trip!!  Rome is wonderful.

9 hours ago, 2theship said:

If you book a private tour through a reputable private company, they have a vested interest in getting you back in time. You are more likely to be late when you are on your own at the mercy of local transportation and the siren call of shops and bars.

8 hours ago, Husky61 said:

We have been on numerous private tours and have NEVER missed returning on time.  We rarely  take a ship tour.😃

Agreed ....  but how many threads go on and on about.... "take a cruise line tour so you won't miss the ship"??

Really wonder how many have "missed the ship" because they booked an independence tour that was delayed.  Anyone??

A year or so ago we wanted to buy a few select photos and asked to buy only the jpeg.  Was told we could only buy a printed copy and even then could not have the jpeg.  Told we needed a full package to have the jpeg.

Thought that policy was odd and outdated....so we declined.  

I really wonder how often people miss the ship because a private tour is late and not because of their own stupidity??

Another vote for Romeinlimo.  We have used them.  Hightly recommended.