BrocktonCruiser

We used Rome in Limo in October/November 2022 for airport to hotel transfer in Rome, a private evening tour, a full day tour of Rome and transfer to the port of Civitavecchia.  This was our third time using the company and we could not have been more pleased with the service - AGAIN.  We had a great experience last year and requested the same driver/guide in Rome.  It was like reuniting with an old friend.  We were able to customize our itinerary to our wants, incorporating some old favorite sites and some new ones, as well as stops for lunch, drinks and gelato.  RIL organized a delightful and knowledgeable private guide for the Colosseum.  An in-depth tour there was on my husband's bucket list and he was delighted.  RIL is a great value compared to cruise ship excursions, especially if you are 2 or more people.  The vehicles are spacious and comfortable and the driver/guides are personable and know the city.  You will be amazed by the unexpected sites you can see or the ability to navigate the narrowest of streets to get out of traffic.  

If we are in Rome again, I would not hesitate to contract with RomeInLimo again.  They are a pleasure to work with.

On 3/30/2022 at 2:58 PM, martyap said:

Doing some research for my daughter and another family for mid July. They are interested in touring the Amalfi Coast…Amalfi, Ravello and Positano…….with a little extra time browsing in Sorrento and a DIY quick lunch. They do not want to visit Pompeii or have the tour operator’s pre planned restaurant for lunch…..usually great views but so so food. They also want to end and visit a pizza shop or two in Naples before returning to the ship. They are in port 11 hours so I guess 8 for the tour would work. I just emailed Rome Cabs and Limo in Rome…..any others? Thanks

I have utilized Rome in Limo on a couple of cruises and for pre-cruise touring in Rome.  They were quite flexible in terms of organizing the stops we wanted (rather than a rigid itinerary).  Our driver discussed our interests and helped choose the perfect places for lunch.  We found the company very pleasant to work with.  

On 1/1/2022 at 2:35 PM, euro cruiser said:

Just to be clear, a driver and a guide are two different professional licenses and must be two different people in Italy.  One person who happens to hold both licenses cannot legally use them at the same time.  (Which is why so few bother to attain both.)

 

That said, a driver can certainly chat his/her heart out while escorting you around, they simply cannot take you into any sites.  For that you need a licensed tour guide.

Thank you for adding that clarification.  You are correct.  We had a very informative driver.

On 12/6/2021 at 12:32 PM, seapad said:

That sounds fantastic. Sounds like you did a private tour for 2, is that right? I'm just trying to look at my options, still considering the DIY with Rick Steve, but being escorted around with an expert sounds very tempting too. Just wondering what kind of budget that might be? 

although prices will vary based on what tours you choose, on average we spent $500 a day total for a private car and driver/guide.   This was for two people.  Prices are generally per vehicle, so if you were 3 or 4, the cost per person would be less.  Lunch and admissions to museums or attractions would be extra.

Hello!  We are just back from the November 17th Transatlantic crossing of Oceania Riviera.  Before departure we spent 4 days in Rome and used Rome in Limo exclusively.  We used them for our pickup at the Rome airport, 3 days of touring and a transfer to Civitavecchia port.  Everything was perfect.  Each trip was on time, in a comfortable vehicle and with an excellent driver/guide.  

This was our second cruise utilizing them and we plan to use them again in May when we return to Rome.

Our tours included a day exploring more touristy sites in Rome, another visiting more hidden jewels and a third day visiting Villa D'Este and the town of Tivoli.  For each day, our guide was Peter.  He was excellent.  He clearly studied the history of Rome, but also had a real passion for his work, his city and country.  

The company is great to work with, very responsive and helpful in terms of planning your perfect itinerary.

We are sailing Riviera on Nov. 17th. The Blue Book arrived this morning, Nov. 6th.  

1 hour ago, Wheelhouse said:

Hey BrocktonCruiser the roll call has already started.   I guess you will be able to stop at home and water the plants on the Boston stop.   

We are smart enough to have no living things at home besides us.  That way we are free to travel whenever 😀. But, we will be pretty close to home for sure.

5 hours ago, Wheelhouse said:

Booked Montreal to Miami Sep 29 2023 and my TA got the stateroom I requested.  

See you on board!

5 hours ago, Wheelhouse said:

Booked Montreal to Miami Sep 29 2023 and my TA got the stateroom I requested.  

See you on board!

25 minutes ago, Wheelhouse said:

Booked Montreal to Miami Sep 29 2023 and my TA got the stateroom I requested.  

We will be joining you on this cruise as well!  

1 hour ago, jwitt2 said:

We were on our first Oceania cruise on the Riviera over the holidays almost 8 years ago. My birthday falls during this time. Our friends had gone the previous year and raved about it. The ship was beautifully decorated and there were special events. We were surprised at how many children were on board, because we had heard they don't usually travel on Oceania, even at the holidays. There were almost 100, so they had to hire special staff for them because there normally are no programs for children. Some of them didn't go to those activities though and seemed to be underfoot. There was a nice visit with Santa for them complete with presents. On New Years Eve, many of them were running around up in the lounge on the dance floor which was annoying. We went on the holiday cruise on the QM2 several years ago and it was not as overwhelmed with children. We probably won't do Oceania over the holidays again. 

We did Christmas 2019 on Insignia and had only 6 children on board and I only saw any of them at the special visit from Santa when they received gifts.

  I think the experience of 100 is  likely an anomaly.  

We spent a lovely Christmas on Insignia in 2019.  The ship had tasteful decorations and trees.  On Christmas Eve there were carols in the atrium and a visit from Santa Claus with gifts for each of the handful of children on board.  Oceania left a small commemorative gift in our Penthouse as well.  Bakers put out a spread of holiday cookies and Gingerbread houses.  We were in the Caribbean, so also enjoyed some Christmas decor and shopping in our ports of call.  It was festive, yet not over the top.  We thoroughly enjoyed it.

We are primarily NCL cruisers who recently (late 2019) tried Oceania and have reservations for a cruise on the Riviera in November.  We enjoyed the smaller ship size and lower number of passengers and great ratio to crew.  The food quality was great, as advertised, even in the pool buffet.  The focus on great food and wine and ability to visit smaller unique ports of call suited us.  

The cabin was comfortable and well appointed.  The atmosphere on O is classy, but not "formal".  

We found O suited our lifestyle and interests and provided a relaxing vacation and when the inclusions are considered, the overall value was high.  On NCL we paid premiums to enjoy the Haven or specialty restaurants or even a cappuccino.  We appreciated a more all inclusive format.

Personally, we found the design and layout of our cabin on Epic too "funky" for our liking.    We have sailed on Breakaway multiple times and always enjoyed the ship.

3 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

I love the Eggs Benedict.  You are so right.  Also, I will never forget the first time I had the Steak & Eggs.  You referred to the buffet.  I think you mean the one in the Dining Room.  OK, now we are talking.  51 weeks a year I crave Lox.  I would never go to a restaurant and order Lox and Bagel with Steak & Eggs.  However, when you can get one or two pieces of lox off that buffet before your breakfast comes, it makes me so happy.

Please allow me to add one more thing.  French Press Coffee. No words......

They typically had a small buffet in the Haven Restaurant at breakfast, with fruits, pastries, meats and cheeses, cereal etc. that you could use alone or as a supplement to breakfast items off the menu.  Very nice.

The French Press coffee also a great perk, although we normally had to ask the waiter not to press it, so it could steep longer.  They tended to press the ground too soon.

1 hour ago, clairol said:

I hear you! We too are still working to pay for our traveling life. We are only at the "every other year big cruise combined with a land trip" frequency. I am hoping by the time I retire (in about 20 years) we will have achieved the "suite life". Enjoy your Vista! Don't look back. 🥂

 

PS - We are Massachusetts neighbors down on the South Coast!

Thanks!  Enjoy your cruises and adventures as well.  

31 minutes ago, clairol said:

Thanks, everyone, for taking to time to share! Great insight into the PH experience. After four cruises in a concierge, I have a feeling we are going to love the added room and service. To be honest, I am excited about the walk-in closet alone. The question is... will we ever be able to go back to the concierge after this cruise? Happy sailing, all!  

 

Clare

From my experience, once you move to Penthouses (or Haven Suites on NCL) it is impossible to go back to lower category.  We find we use and enjoy our rooms much more and vacation seems more restful and special.  We are not yet retired so our 1 or 2 cruises a year really provide our retreat.  We love the added space and extra services provided in a Penthouse.    I'm actually scared, since for our next cruise we are upgraded to a Vista Suite on Riviera.  If we love it I will have to work longer and harder to sustain that lifestyle 🙂

15 minutes ago, PhD-iva said:

I don’t mind tipping extra, but my question is how many butlers will be assigned to my penthouse state room? I assume that more than one butler is assigned to my state room (as well as to many others). I guess if I have a budget for what I feel I can provide in extra tips, will I be distributing that among several butlers over the course of my 16 day TA?

Thx!

Our experience has always been that we were assigned a single butler for the duration of the trip.  On a very rare occasion we were served by another butler, if we requested something and our butler was busy. 

They are launching updates to the program.  This was in a recent update from Oceania.

New Evening Canapé Choices and Elevated Service Levels
Canapés served in the lounges and bars after a day of exploring are a much-loved tradition on board Oceania Cruises. The experience now features a wider variety of selections, echoing the gourmet inspiration of the new dishes offered in The Grand Dining Room. The selections will also be presented individually to each table as part of the line's enhanced health and safety measures. Guests in Penthouse, Oceania, Vista, and Owner's Suites may choose from a canapé selection now including the addition of plant-based California rolls, a Mezze Platter and a Taco Trilogy.

Thanks for the update.  Disappointing that we will not be able to prebook for our Nov. 17th sailing until onboard, but appreciate the challenges related to adjusting to COVID situation etc.

Don't expect to keep up with your favorite TV shows.  You will be able to stay abreast of international news.  

The on demand menu was pretty extensive and current, so it was a good option for in room entertainment.

5 minutes ago, Laszlo said:

I'm trying wrap my head around what to wear to dinner. I've watched a view videos and never saw any men in a jacket or sports coat. In fact the person doing the tour said no jackets or sport coats are needed.  Per Oceania web site it looks like jackets are requested? Some people say no jackets require some say they are. I'm planning on wearing dockers or khaki for pants and either a polo or button dress shirt and dress ish shoes. I'm not planning on taking a jacket, not on a southern caribbean cruise. 

You should be just fine

Thanks for the tips about the Tapas and Wine Flights.  We will look for that offering.  

Thanks!  We are planning to do the French Dinner, if available.  The menu sounded most appealing to us.  Hope to see you onboard.

Thanks so much!  You are right, we are in a Vista Suite ( making up for my 60th birthday cruise that got cancelled just as COVID was beginning, and 1 other cancelled cruise as it intensified) So, I was able to book dining very early.  I will keep an eye out for the La Reserve a bit further down the line.  Thanks for your input.  This will only be our 2nd time on Oceania and first time on larger ship, so some offerings are new to us.