MSunshine

Thank you!

Is bottled water included in the package price?

TIA, Melanie

Oops, I mistakenly put FCC but the correct company is NCC airport. So sorry! The website is https://www.fiumicinoshuttleexpress.com/ Our driver was Claudio Notarbartolo.

After booking the no deposit transfer you will get an email with a confirmation ticket that you print and give to the driver upon arrival. The company emails you the day before the pick up with a picture of your driver, make of vehicle and driver's mobile #. It worked out well for us.

Melanie

Just wanted to report back and say that our experience with FCC Transport was fantastic! After disembarking and collecting our luggage we walked through to the waiting shuttles and our driver was waiting for us. He loaded up the van and off we went without a hitch!

Has anyone used NCC Transport for shuttle service from Civitavecchia port to FCO? I was wondering if they pick you up directly at the ship or if you are required to take the free shuttle to the port entrance? The website says that they will pick up at the ship but was wondering if anyone has had first hand experience?

Thanks! Melanie

Cool video! There is a "pool"

Why not just rental the van at the port from Hertz and return it back to the airport?

Unfortunately, all port rental offices are closed on Sundays:(

Well, we have voted...and the decision is for all to take a shuttle to the airport. No decision on which company to book with quite yet but we for sure want to be picked up at the ship so this will narrow it down. We will have a mobility scooter and luggage so we have decided that this would be the least stressful for our first time in Civitavecchia post cruise.

Time of travelling to and from the airport and to our destination is also a huge factor. Also, we are arriving on Sunday where the port rental places are closed; therefore having to make the long trek to the airport. Another issue that was brought up in the decision making is that the weather might not be cooperative so we would have to find a sheltered waiting area.

We would seriously consider waiting at the port while the driver went to pick up the rental vehicle if this was our situation in a Florida port. From past experiences in Florida, the rental companies have free shuttles to get you back and forth from the ship to rental office. That is not the case this time so we have to pay the extra for convenience. Either way we are just fortunate to be vacationing with our friends.

Hope this information helps others. Thank you all for your guidance!

Melanie

Any of the common car services recommended here can help you, like the wonderful Rome in Limo. Just look down the board for the many threads with recommendations.

 

The problem would be if you send off the "sacrificial" driver, he/she will not be able to get back in the port with the car to pick you up, due to security. So the rest of your group with all your stuff must get to the gate on your own.

I don't know, I think it's a lot easier to take the free port shuttle to the lot where the driver could pick everyone up rather than move everyone and all their stuff all the way to FCO (not to mention the expense, with that many people you'd pay more for a van to haul it all).

I wasn't aware of the port shuttle. We were thinking that it might be more cost efficient to have one person get to the airport rental but weren't sure of the means of transportation available. This is our first time from Civitavecchia and with such a large group. We have a van rental which was a very reasonable cost so that we could all travel together. I will check all the suggestions and let you know what we all decide.

Thank you all so much for the great ideas and recommendations. Much appreciated!

Melanie

Contact Stefano's RomeCabs. RomeCabs.com. You can see several videos on YouTube. They are great, inexpensive and friendly. You reserve a car and driver online and pay in cash when you arrive at your destination. I used them in November 2017 for transport from FCO to Civitavecchia. Our plane was an hour late and then it took another 30 minutes to get our luggage but the driver was still waiting for us.

 

James

 

 

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Thank you James! I will check them out!

Melanie

We've done this after cruises both in the States and European ports (although not Civitavecchia); we always send one person off to get the car while the rest of us remain on board with the luggage until the very last minute. As long as the sacrificial driver gets going early enough, they're back with the car as the rest of us get off.

 

 

For FCO the fastest route would be a car service, but the train is also possible especially if the driver isn't bogged down with luggage. Maybe you could get on the roll call for your sailing and find someone else, perhaps a couple, who have a car to the airport and would have room for a third who doesn't need trunk space for bags.

Great ideas. I never thought about staying on the ship as long as possible. Thanks! I will look into that.

Melanie

Hello! We have organized a road trip up the coast of Italy and now we are in need of your experiences/suggestions/recommendations for our group of 6. We are travelling with friends, luggage and a mobility scooter post-cruise arriving in Civitavecchia on a Sunday in May. The rental car companies at the port are closed on Sundays so we have booked a rental from the FCO location. I was wondering what would be the best way for us (or maybe just one of us) to get to the airport to pick up the rental vehicle. Is it best for all of us to get a transfer to the airport or should one person go and come back to pick us up? Of course, then there's the issue of what we would do in the meantime with all our luggage. Any companies that are reputable?

Thanks in advance,

Melanie

All cruises out of the US have a drinking age of 21 (despite the fact that the legal drinking age of the nationality of the cruiser might be lower). Parents can sign a letter of consent for wine and beer for "kids" ages 18 to 20 but have to be present on the cruise. Or a person 21 and over has to be present. And you can only book a cruise being 21 or older (or you have to be accompanied by a person 21 and older).

 

 

Cruises out of Europe have a drinking age of 18 (as almost all European countries have a legal drinking age of 18). As in all European countries you´re regarded as an adult by the age of 18 you can also book a cruise out of an European port at the age of 18.

 

BTW, here in Germany kids can be allowed by their parents to drink beer/wine at the age of 14 (parents have to be present). Legal drinking age for beer and wine is 16. Legal drinking age for everything else (meaning all spirits, cocktails...) is 18.

 

 

Anyway as for cruises it´s up to the cruise line and their rules. It doesn´t matter what your country of origin allows you to do at a certain age.

 

steamboats

I was simply expressing our experience. It's not an issue for us as she doesn't drink alcohol. She did take advantage of having a coke and nibbles in the lounge with me. The free day of internet was a surprise to us as she had the youth coupon letter delivered to the room. Even that wasn't really an issue as it was only a 7 day cruise and we enjoy being disconnected. We just appreciate the fact that we can take our kids on vacations and enjoy our time with our family. :)

I very much doubt your daughter would have been served alcohol intentionally.

 

My son was 20 when we were on Allure in August this year. There was a definite no alcohol policy for under 21. He was entitled to 3 free non alcoholic drinks during happy hour. Can't remember other benefits and whether there were any differences.

She's legal age in Canada where we live but still refused when offered. She drank coke also.:)

My 19 year old daughter and I sailed on Allure this past October and she received the youth letter in the room. She was able to get her free day of internet and could have been served alcohol in the Diamond lounge if she had accepted the offer but she doesn't drink.

We've had a few experiences with groups. One of our cruises had a huge group of transvestites. They seemed to be having a blast. At night they were the best dressed in their formal gowns. Another time there was a large group of deaf cruisers. All shows had someone signing for them. The best surprise was on Freedom of the Seas with a fifties group which included Bowzer from Sha na na. I found out about it after we booked. The group had their own special events nightly. They also held a show for all cruisers and a signing and photo op with Bowzer. Again, some great entertainment just to see how they all wore their fifties attire for the events.

There's 5 weeks between Europe and Caribbean:confused:

Barcelona is very easy to get around. You can purchase a T10 ticket for 10 euros. It is shareable for 10 rides on metro or bus. Take some time to just walk in the Gothic area. It is a great experience as long as you are aware of your belongings. Be safe and enjoy! We will be back in May also. Can't wait!

We have been to Barcelona a few times. Look into Airbnb for an apartment rental. You'll have more room and privacy for less cost. Hotels are pricey.

We found that a taxi works best for early morning flights. It will cost approximately 30 euros. The price from city to airport is posted in the taxi window.

Do you know if the bottom pulled out like the picture later in this thread? starting to freak out with 4 in a room lol

The picture I posted is from an ocean view balcony on the Harmony room 10188. I believe it only accommodated 3 from the deck plan symbol (triangle)

Maybe check the deck plans and see what symbol is attacked to your room #.

Here is a couple more pictures of a full room view.

Hope this helps!

We sailed the Harmony transatlantic with my 15 year old daughter sleeping on the pull out couch. It is only large enough for 1 sleeping across both seat cushions. It isn't as large as a regular pull out sofa where 2 can sleep in the opposite direction. Our attendant left it continuously set up as a bed. You can see the cushions at the end of the sofa next to the balcony door. There was only enough room to walk between the sofa and dresser to get to our balcony door so there wouldn't be enough room for a portable cot or mattress.

Each person you want to communicate with must buy the call and text package . You must download the Royal IQ app before you leave because you need internet to download it.

We had problems with the calling not working so we got a credit a few days in.

We also have used Airbnb. Great experiences!

Research the places you want to see and stay close or in the middle of those areas and walk. The metro is very easy to navigate and it only takes 20-25 minutes to walk La Ramblas from port to Placa Catalunya. Walking is best if you want to take in all the amazing architecture.

It is a little less noisy if you do not stay in the gothic area or the el Raval area. After 9 pm shops are closed up with garage door fronts and men are selling beer in these areas so might make for an uneasy feeling. We have stayed in the gothic area with no problems but you might want to research areas first. We have also stayed in the Dreta de Eixample area and near Camp Nou which are less noisy.

Look for places with washer/dryer, lift/elevator. Most buildings are tall so you could have a few steep floors to climb with luggage.

Why not try an apartment? Airbnb or Homeaway family have great prices with all the amenities you could ask for. Most places supply brochures and maps as you would get in any hotel lobby. This is definitely the way to go with a family of 3 or 4 or couples. Our family of 4 stayed in a 2 bedroom with pull out coach and 2 full bathrooms, washer, dryer, and dishwasher near Placa Catalunya for less than 100 euros/night.

I've had this same problem each cruise. You have to check out and go back in for each day. It is a very long process. Each reservation will get you an email confirmation also. There should be a better process.:(