aquilegia

It may be common now but it has not been in the past, my last cruise was two years ago, which was Princess and including that one I have never been asked to fill out such a form.

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I'm suprised at that. My last Princess cruise was 3 years ago (Emerald) and I certainly had to fill out a form.

I wouldn't call missing ports because of strikes or bad weather arbitrary. A captain won't risk endangering his passengers and ship if the sea is to rough to dock and if port or transport workers are on strike there's nothing the cruise line can do about it.

Well, you can be sure that the transfer buses will be there at 3am if that's what Princess states, but as iancal says this will be for Princess's convenience, not for yours. We were dumped early at Barcelona airport by a Princess transfer on one occasion (though nothing like as early as you), a full 2 hours before the check-in desk or other facilities opened, and there were a lot of very grumpy cruisers, some of them elderly people with nowhere to sit down. Once cruise lines have performed their part of the contract by getting you to the airport in time, they don't really care what inconvenience you suffer. I'd do as others suggest, forget the transfer and order a taxi at a more civilised hour or spend another night in Venice.

It's not relatively easy, it's extremely easy!

Out of interest, why do you particularly want a port side cabin?

I don't know if you're familiar with hot air balloon rides, but they are very weather dependent in that the wind strength and direction have to be within quite narrow limits. So don't be too disappointed if you book a ride and then on the day are unable to go.

Another thing, I would advise you to check the terms and conditions carefully before you book. I believe that with at least some companies over here a cancelled flight is rescheduled and a refund is only given if it is cancelled a second time. Obviously, that wouldn't be satisfactory when you're only there a couple of days, so you need to get everything clear before you book.

Actually this is true. If you truly want to go off on your own you do need to get a Russian Visa before you leave home (we have done this in the past). However, some of the local tour operators can arrange for group visas which does make private tours a good option.

 

Hank

Yes, I know this. But the impression some of the cruise lines like to give you (or were certainly doing only a few years ago) is that the only options are taking the ships tours or getting your own visa. They studiously avoid mentioning accredited Russian tour operators and insist that the ONLY way to avoid the hassle and expensive of obtaining an independent visa is to take the ships tour. That's misleading if not downright devious.

The OP raises an interesting issue. Cruise lines make a nice profit on their ship excursions and have little interest in helping passengers who want to "do their own thing." Holland America is about the only line we have recently cruised that goes out of their way to make the port lecturer (these are generally independent folks not related to the tour company or tour dest) available to passengers who want independent information. Having traveled extensively for over 40 years without the use of tours or excursions we have long known that we must do our own "homework" and not rely on cruise ship personel for good info.

 

Hank

Too true. It's the same as cruise lines giving you the impression that unless you take their tours in St Petersburg, you'll have to arrange your own visa. I believe very little the cruise line tells me.

We found Civitavecchia to be a very pleasant little town. There's a lively market and you can walk along by the sea.

As far as I can recall, the bus drew up right next to the terminal building entrance. I don't recall seeing any porters. After checking in, another bus took us to the ship.