Girr

On our last cruise we had four nights of specialty dining, and left two of the nights unused due to the excellent service we received in the Haven. We even found the food equal to, or better than the specialty restaurants.

You don't say what cruise so I don't know what ports are involved, but no, most aren't tender ports. For the most part with a mobility scoter getting off/on the ship is easy and can be rented for a cruise. However, as mentioned cobblestone streets make it very challenging. I just spent a month in Italy with DH who uses a motorized wheelchair (one of the newer lightweight folding ones), and overall we left the wheelchair for the most part in our hotel/apartment. It was just too painful/difficult. Another important disadvantage was going during the height of tourist season - the streets are just too packed with people. I will say over the years more and more major cities have adapted sidewalks to allow wheelchair accessibility; however as mentioned it's rare and elevators are even rarer. Now, if you're thinking about Venice you'll have a minimum of one bridge no matter where you're going. I would suggest: 1. Go in the off season. While the last two years have had record numbers of tourist, I keep hoping things get better. Trying to get around in when the streets/sidewalks are packed isn't fun - even if you don't have mobility issues! 2. Golf cart tours. Okay, right up front you're not going to see anything in detail, but it does the basic job. I'll be honest, DH had not real desire to visit museums and a lot of things that interest me, but I wasn't about to buy into the idea of him just staying in the apartment. 😀 The golf card tours got him out, and in turn, had him decide he did want to see "more". This trip we did use cabs a lot more than usual to get him to locations that I'd normally just walk to. 3. Private tours. Often the initial price of a private tour seems outrageous; however, by the time you consider the control you have over the tour it is well worth the money spent. If/when the day gets too much you can stop it and have them head back.

The city of Livorno has taken over the shuttle service from the port to Piazza Municipio where most tours start. It runs 7 euros pp, and they take card or euros.

Just sailed on Epic in July embarking in Civitavecchia, and the process is almost invisible, and probably the easiest I've experienced. When we boarded in Civitavecchia at 11.30 there weren't any long lines dropping off the bags and going through security. From dropping off the bags to sitting down in the Heaven restaurant was less than twenty minutes, and our room was ready. When you're only loading 50% (or less) of the passengers it goes really smooth! Now, if you arrive later in the day when day trippers to Rome are returning, I'd bet it's a lot busier. Two nights before arriving in Barcelona there were priority bag tags displayed at the concierge desk. Then the night before occasionally you'd see luggage in the hallway, but it quickly disappeared. The morning in Barcelona the hallways was staged with sheets/towels to quickly get the rooms ready (if I recall they ask you to be out of the room by 8:30; however, you still have time for breakfast). On the way to the Heaven restaurant the concierge was staged at one of the elevators to assist passengers off the ship for disembarking or for sightseeing - it was very much like any other port day. The Haven lounge was "busy" with passengers hanging out waiting for car service/excursions since they had vacated their rooms. Leaving the ship, we just walked by the passengers picking up their luggage and headed to find our driver. Coming back that evening the check in process was still ongoing in Barcelona (I was really surprised at how many people were still checking in!). However, there's a separate line for those who'd only been off for the day. We did share the same security scanners as those getting on, but this line did move faster. Once thru security you'll just proceed thru the cruise port, while new passengers head to the right to finish checking in. While I'm Sapphire I didn't elect to participate in the Wines Around the World, Behind the Scenes, etc., so I'm not sure how this worked. Considering this is usually done on a sea day and there's only one sea day for the entire cruise this may have high participation whether you get on in Barcelona or Civitavecchia. If you want to participate, I'd do this first - yes, even before having lunch. (Ask the concierge if they can sign you up.) I also attempted to make some dinner reservations (later than I should have) prior to Barcelona, and everything showed as booked, but the concierge told me to come back on the Barcelona day as everything opened up. This was also the case for excursion (however, if you're planning on using NCL excursions be aware you need to book early as almost everything sold out),

You know what they say about assuming, so I try to avoid it as much as possible. 😀 It was posted in Afar.com (June this year), and it mentioned the new train station and transportation hub. I didn't get to Pompeii this year and would be interested in hearing from someone if they noticed any new construction along the train line. Also read recently the once a month service currently operating will be going to once a week (Sunday) starting 6 August. (Per www.italymagazine.com). As you stated this is a train/bus combo.

There's also a new Rome to Pompeii direct train scheduled to start sometime in 2024. As this will include a new train station and transportation hub at Pompeii, I wouldn't be too surprised to see the date slip.

Oops, meant to add what you have going in your favor though is sailing in October is most children will be in school!

The only area in the Haven child free is the sundeck above the swimming pool area/deck. The sundeck is reserved for 16+. As NCL places their 2-bedroom suites in the Haven you should expect children throughout the Haven.

I forgot all about Florence does offer golf cart tours which is a fast way to see a lot of the city. The only downsides are they don't actually go into the historical plaza area (skirt all around it, with glimpses) and you need to have a set time. You might contact them if there's any flexibility in timing. Also, if you book your tickets ahead of time you could probably so the Accademia or the Duomo.

Yes, it's "doable" but it would really leave me wanting more. However, if you're sure you only plan on walking around and taking pictures this can be done. As already mentioned at your ship Livorno is offering a bus transfer city center for 7 euros (they take euros or credit card) per person. From Piazza Municipio you still need to get to the train station (aprx 1.5 miles) which can be done on foot or city bus. Keep in mind you're going to be losing time in getting to the train station, then waiting for the next train, again in Pisa waiting for the train to Florence, plus time spent in Pisa trying to get cab to/from Field of Miracles. While not a fan I'll mention in Livorno's Piazza Municipio there were multiple bus companies picking up cruisers and going to the major cities. I recommend doing some research on Livorno Cruise Excursions, Day Trips from Livorno, etc., and I know you'll find several options. I know in Livorno this month one of the bus companies did offer a trip from Livorno which included Pisa (about 75 minutes) and Florence (about 3.5 hours). (Keep in mind this will adjust due to traffic!) In Pisa I believe the bus will park about one mile from the Field of Miracles, but you'll still have time to walk and get your photos. Then in Florence you can walk by the Duomo, Piazza della Repubblica, Ponte Vecchio, and still have time to sit down for an apéritif or gelato. You'll definitely not have time for the Uffizi Gallery, Accademia Gallery or Pitti Palace.

Please have your group dress up for dinner - that's the joy in sailing NCL! I just completed a cruise with my husband who has no desire in dressing up, so we went casual. Yet when traveling with my parents we always pack a special outfit or two. For dad it's a wonderful opportunity to pull out his mess dress uniform from his military days (retired back in 1972 and it still fits!) or sometimes it's a formal kilt (after a trip to the naughty room he's learned to leave the skean dhu at home). Mom and dad really enjoy the opportunity to "get cleaned up" and have pictures taken.

First, I'd contact your hotel and verify the private car service has access to the port. It does require the company/driver have a permit, so this is a good question on your part. If so, then book the service ASAP. Rome currently has a shortage of taxis and with record heat and crowds it's getting hard to find transport. Once at the port there is no separate drop off for Haven passenger luggage (it's a very small/old port). The porters will take your bags, and then you proceed to security (again no separate line). While I've never taken the Breakaway out of Civitavecchia I've taken Epic and Jewel and the lines have never been long. Once past security you'll proceed to the Haven checkpoint - nothing special. If you've done all your pre-check in this will go fast. From there they do have a small table of beverages/snacks. We were walked right by and onto the ship this month. Less than fifteen/twenty minutes for all three of us from drop off to being on ship.

Normally I would agree; however, currently there is a problem in Rome getting a taxi. I would definitely have the hotel pre-book a cab, and then maybe a leave a litter earlier than normal in the even the taxi is late.

I just used a car service I hadn't seen discussed here, RomeHabiCabs as I also was having a hard time finding a service. I booked them for the trip from Centro to the port, and then port to FCO. It was 150 euros each way, and the service was very good. It was a large three seater van with plenty of space for luggage.

Something to think about if renting a car is traffic. Maybe by the end of the month it will get better, but the Med cruise I just got done in mid-July was plagued with excessive bumper-to-bumper traffic (worse I've seen in Europe - it seems everyone is traveling this year!). From Naples to Sorento we were almost an hour late to our first stop. In Cannes (3 July) ten of our ship's excursions got back late due to traffic.

Cruisemom, absolutely concur about the “if”, and this year it seems worse than usual in getting a cab in Italy (read the other day Rome has less than 9000 taxis!).

This has changed - was on the Epic just this month. While NCL is providing a shuttle in Palma and Ibiza for a fee, in Livorno the shuttle is being offered by the city (it was a little strange as sometimes they were city buses, but other times excursion style buses.) The Excursion Desk (or the concierge) doesn't offer the tickets. You have to get off the ship and line up to acquire tickets. Then as I mentioned above you still need to get to the train station. Depending upon the number in your group by the time you pay for multiple shuttle tickets if you can get a taxi at the port it could be cheaper and a little less stressful in making train connections.

I was on the Epic earlier this month and asked the concierge about the shuttle to the train station, and it wasn't offered. What was offered was a shuttle service to Piazza del Municipio which is a little over 1.5 miles from the central train station. If I remember correctly the cost was around 7 euro per person. At the piazza it was a zoo - lots of ships in port that day. I did notice a lot of buses picking up people to transport them on to Pisa, Florence, Lucca, etc. from the piazza. (One bus had a sign on it with the name tuscanybus.com). There were plenty of taxis at the port so if you can find a taxi to take you directly to the train station it would probably be a better option.

Sorry for not being clearer - my USA banks don't charge a fee for using the post office ATMs. Also, (slightly off subject) banks in Spain do charge fees.

If you don't need Euros immediately use the Italian post offices (Poste Italiane) ATMs in town. There's no fee and the exchange rate is excellent. The downside is you're limited to 200 Euros at a time, but I've always been able to make two withdrawals at a visit.

If you go to the meet and greet ask this question. On a past cruise there was a large family, and they asked if it was possible to do more than one bag. I know they were told they could do as many as needed! This may have been ship dependent, and not on all.

Just off the Epic. Per the slip says it will be done by the next day around 6:00 PM. I know we had ours back within 24 hours.

Unless there's been a recent change capacity is 7, not 6. One of the rooms has a small pull out sofa (similar to the ones in penthouse suites).