Girr

Have you asked on the Port of Call (Europe/Other Med) about this port? It’s been years since my last visit, but I used Ephesus Shuttle on two occasions and was very impressed with the tour and guide. They worked with me to see what I wanted to see and excluded what I didn’t want (turkey rug factory). For the price I recommend a private tour.

My experience using Livorno as an example. Italy Tours (www.italytours.eu) will pick you up at your ship and at the end of the tour return you to the ship. You can arrange a tour just for your group or look to join one of their larger tours. My tours have been in mini vans to larger 15 seaters. There’s a couple of options, but for the most part they recommend a guide and will obtained scheduled entry tickets. I’ve never had a problem with the company, and you’ll find a whole thread on them in this forum. Shore Excursions requires you to take the shuttle from the port into the city. (Shuttle is six or seven euros each and you can pay by credit card or euros.) At Piazza M you’ll find their large tour buses. Once bus fills up it leaves. As I’ve not used them I don’t know how many buses they offer daily and what, if any services they offer beyond transportation.

The best way would probably be a rental car, but driving in Italy isn't for everyone. Public transportation for your trip is possible, but complicated. Airport to Siena: 1. Private car service or taxi. I've never used any of them, but a quick online search found several companies providing service starting around 190 euros. 2. Bus or train requires you going into Florence and from there connecting via bus or train at Santa Maria Novella station. Keep in mind when using the train you will have to handle/transfer all your luggage - can be a pain if you travel "heavy". Siena to Civitavecchia: 1. Again, I did a quick search and did manage to find a private car service but it starts at 475 euros. 2. Bus or train are options but will require anywhere from 1 to 3 changes for connections. Each change of train will require you getting your luggage on/off train and to the next platform (may or may not have elevator). If you're adventurous and can handle your luggage bus and/or trains are the best economical option. Go to google map (or apple) and put in each starting and end point and select the train option (this also provides bus info). It will give you a breakout of the steps involved. For example from Siena to Civitavecchia with an early morning start you could start on the bus, then transfer to train at the Grossi F.S. Google maps will provide bus/train numbers, numbers of stops, time, etc. On the other hand, if traipsing between trains dragging luggage doesn't sound like fun check out a one-way rental from the airport to Civitavecchia. If you haven't driven in Italy prior you do need to read up on Italy's driving restricted zones, where you can park in Siena, and obtain an international driver's license. Also, it never hurts to call your hotel in Siena and see if they have any recommendations!

The other option is a good deal. Just keep in mind you’ll need to wait in line to buy the port shuttle ticket then wait at Piazza M for that bus to fill up. You can end up wasting time. Have you checked out your cruises Roll Call? Often there’s others looking to share a taxi to Pisa’s train station.

Avis was right at the port last year for my two cruises with NCL. Also, as mentioned you need to research ZTLs and parking locations in Florence. Driving in Italy requires an international drivers license which can be easily obtained thru AAA or online. If you’re not comfortable with driving in Italy another option is NCL does offer a bus transfer (under excursions) directly to Florence which gives you around 5 hours in the city. It’s not cheap (around $150 each), but may be the less stressful option.

Based on my two NCL cruises last year (July & Dec), no there isn’t a shuttle to the train station. The city offers the shuttle (I don’t remember exact charge but seems it was 6 or 7 euros-good for length of stay). You can pay by credit card or euros. Expect a long line to buy your tickets as they couldn’t be purchased before getting dock side. Shuttle in turn takes you to central point where several non-cruise affiliated tour companies operate. Drop off point is about 1.5 miles to train station. If you’re only in port one day you waste (IMO) a lot of time getting to/from train station. There will be taxis ship side, but it’s difficult to get a taxi to only the train station. This port is one where using the NCL sponsored excursion directly to Florence is not a bad option.

Effective 1 March, Frecciarossa, Frecciargento and Frecciabiana high-speed trains have new luggage regulations. The new policy mandates a maximum of two bags per passenger, and new size limitations based on class of ticket. Second, standard and premium class passengers are limited to luggage with total dimensions not to exceed 161 centimeters per bag. First, executive and business class travelers will be allowed bags up to 183 centimeters each. Additionally, each piece of luggage must have a visible label with the owner's contact information. Travelers who exceed the limitations in size or number of bags are subject to a 50 Euro fine. One of the articles I read also said they could direct you offload belongings at the next station. So far, the rules are only being implemented on the high-speed trains.

All legitimate Rome taxis are required to have a point of sale (POS) for you to pay by credit card; however I’ve experienced “my POS is not working.” Plus is you’re using American Express they make not accept. A good plan is to always ask before getting in is if they take a credit card. As for Rome to port my last two times I was charged $180, but that was for three people and a wheelchair. I’ve heard others paying as little as $120, and others over $200. Shop around. Another excellent option is using SharedShuttle. Will still pick you up at your hotel and drop you ship side. www.sharedshuttle.it

I’ll be the first to admit I love walking out those doors and seeing a driver waiting with a sign with my name. But… 1. Fixed taxi fare from FCO to Rome Central is 48 euros. 2. In December for my last trip to Rome I ended up having to wait for driver about 15 minutes even though we’d been communicating since I’d landed. 3. Then car was parked all the way on the opposite end of terminal (I was traveling with a mobility impaired individual and this is a problem.). Taxi stand was right outside the door we exited. In the future I’ll probably just grab a taxi to my hotel if it’s just the two of us.

With an overnight you may want to consider spending the night in Florence. You don't say what cities you want to visit, but in going directly to Florence then returning the following day stopping off in Pisa you'll not beat yourselves up going to/from plus gives yourselves more time to tour. With the extra day in port using the train becomes less of a problem. At Piazza del Municipio you may get lucky and find a cab (don't depend upon it) or another option is the bus around the corner to the train station. The shuttle fare you pay the first day is good for both days in port. Also, to answer your initial post, yes you're not allowed to walk out of the port.

There will be a city bus at the port to take you Piazza del Municipio - depending upon your cruise line the bus may be free or around 7 euros per person (I know NCL isn't free). From the Piazza to the train station, it's about 1.5 miles. Between waiting for the initial bus into town and then walking to the train station you'll waste a lot of time. (There will be cabs at the port, but for the most part will not take a fare just to the train station.) Also, upon return it can be problematic getting a taxi to return to port, so another hour (plus/minus) wasted getting back to the ship. If you're planning on just going to Pisa or Lucca the time expended isn't that big of a deal breaker. However, if you're planning on Florance or Florance and Pisa this is a port to really consider doing with an arranged tour that picks you up at port.

As already mentioned, cruises with a 7-to-10-day length have a set menu. On my recent TA starting on about day 3 they started offering a daily special for dinner (not lunch) on most days. For the most part I was not impressed with the offerings.

Also, so many people book their car service for an early morning departure to the port just to sit and wait to get on the ship. With just a few days in Rome I highly recommend spending as much time there as possible. It's very easy to do one last early morning tour or walk, head back to hotel to collect luggage, and finally meet my driver around noon.

Shared Shuttle (www.sharedshuttle.it)

Also, keep in mind not all cabs have permission to enter the port area and may drop you off by the bus shuttle service in Civitavecchia.

Also, if you don't have priority with the airline to expedite your time in lines, there's a fast track available at FCO for 7 or 8 euros each.

Have you checked your credit card coverage? If you paid for your cruise and/or flight with a card many offer coverage which could make up the balance. I'm so sorry you had to go thru this "adventure", but so thankful you shared with us, and in turn, I'm sharing your story with many more. Hopefully, your first-hand account will save others from experiencing this situation.

Yes, this was limited to NCL, and is somewhat a "fluid" issue. I believe it was late May or June when NCL limited Livorno stops to only beer and wine. During this same time NCL identified some Greece cruises to only allow passengers with a beverage package to order alcoholic drinks - you could not buy a drink without a package! Both of these events were limited to one, maybe two cruises. By the time I sailed in July out of Rome (loop to Barcelona/Epic) NCL had implemented charging VAT on all beverages with or without beverage package - not just Spain, but the entire cruise in port or out. We were never limited to only beer or wine at any port. Then due to hoopla over the VAT charges they stopped levying the tax leading to speculation NCL had reversed their decision on VAT and was absorbing the cost. However, most of these cruises were making at least one non-EU stop which also changes the rules and may have been a factor. Then all of a sudden VAT was being charged again the entire cruise, but again, beverages never limited. When I sailed on the Epic again in December (TA) VAT was never charged (not even in Barcelona) nor beverages restricted in any ports. Who knows what the rules will be next year.

Not only timed entry, but if you're there during the busy season, you're only allotted a certain time before having to move to the next gallery.

I just finished the transatlantic crossing on the Epic. During this time they offered the bag service three times. I’ve found the number of bags ship depended, plus if I asked was always told I could have more.

FCO offers free Wi-Fi, and to expedite meeting your friend you can use WhatsApp or Facetime to call each other without international calling fees.

As mentioned, breakfast and lunch have a designated restaurant that's open only for suite guest. For dinner there isn't a designated area - you're on your own.

IMO a lot of so-called travel agents need to get another job! Years ago, for the most part, travel agents were personally well versed in travel. Anymore I think they've never left home. Yes, strikes do occur in Italy, but if you'll read thru these boards you'll see they are well advertised, and there are work arounds. I might add airline workers also strike! The train from Bologna to Rome will take about 2 to 2.5 hours. You'll waste more time than that getting to/from airports in both Bologna and Rome, and having check-in required times. There's also the added expense of getting from Rome airport to city center. While I do find trains have negatives (primarily centered around luggage), for these short hauls I'm on the train.

I have added as late as a week before, but as already mentioned it depends upon lifeboat capacity. Fee charged will be determined by your booking offer. Keep in mind with the bidding system NCL has in place the Haven sails at full capacity a lot. If you just booked you should have no problem, but I wouldn’t wait very long.

I had dinner with my mother last night. To subject people to that 3 times a day over 7 days is unthinkable. 😜