AnnetteSC

Agree with other posts - modest attire is strictly observed at the basilica. I have seen inappropriately dressed visitors slip through at other holy sites in Italy but not at the basilica in Rome.

I always respect the various dress codes when visiting places of worship and dress accordingly. However, on a recent visit to Temple Mount in Jerusalem, I was denied entry unless I paid the 25 shekels that the two Palestinian men demanded to rent their dirty scarves to cover my arms. This was clearly extortion as I was dressed appropriately - the shirt I wore covered my arms well past my elbows and I even was wearing a head scarf (which is not required). In any event, I paid because I wanted to visit. Sometimes, I must roll with the curve balls thrown.

Yes, absolutely! DH and I went on a Mediterranean cruise for our honeymoon (many moons ago! LOL) and went to the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. DH had cargo shorts (to the knee) and thought he was ok but he had to wear a wrap skirt over them in order to go in! :loudcry:

They are really strict, first time there I was 15, as you daughter and was wearing a polo t-shirt and nor very short shorts. Luckyly and misteriously I had a tank top on my bagthat I had to put on and cover my legs to my knees. If you feel that the dress code is going to be too much for summer, just take something in your bags to cover when they ask you to. My mom was in long pants and a not very oppened tshirt and they let her into vatican but not into ths chapels inside, she was wearing something like this but with short sleeves. (https://sc02.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1uDIzJVXXXXXwXVXXq6xXFXXX4.jpg).

Wow! I'm surprised she was not allowed into the chapel with long pants and short sleeves! :confused:

Like I said before, I prefer (conservative) sundresses in summer and always bring a silk shawl for shoulders. I may bring an extra one, JIC.

Thanks for the diatribe :')

 

Sounds like you have it under control. Have a great trip!

Thanks and by no means that I want my reply to come across as a verbal attack. :) I appreciate all the very informative replies I get here. :hearteyes:

Now would be a good time to teach your DD about dressing properly for the occasion... she won't be let it otherwise. I can confirm that they are very strict and that if she does manage to sneak by, she'll stick out like a sore thumb. This is a pilgrimage for some, not a tourist destination.

The dilemma was more about being comfortable than an argument on respect for the Vatican. My DD has been in private Catholic school since she was five, She graduated last year from 8th grade (side note...she was valedictorian of her class-not that it matters here but just to show how serious she is) and her school dress code was strict. She's used to that and respects it.

The reason I asked is because we'll be on a 9 hour tour of Rome all day, in the summer. It would be nice to be able to wear comfortable clothes. Like I said in my original post, she does not like short dresses nor short-shorts (comes from her Catholic education) but she does like to be in a tshirt and just-above-the-knee shorts while trekking around.

I think we'll do capris that day. :)

Now, I assume the same applies in Pisa and Florence if one wants to visit the Basilica and Duomo, right?

Last time I was there, it was a long time ago and don't remember details of people's attire.

I usually wear sundresses in summer so I'm not worried about knees exposure. I always bring a light scarf/shawl in my purse when visiting churches so shoulders would be covered.

The problem is my DD (almost 15). She prefers shorts and tshirts. Shoulders would be ok with tshirt but I'm worried about the shorts. They are not short-shorts but they do expose the knees.

Should we bring a wrap-around-skirt to cover her shorts?

I looked at that site and found tickets in 3 clicks. Once you click on "choose your tour" you will see several options including "individual visitors" which is likely what you want. So click on that and it brings up a list of dozens of different ticket/tour options. Just click on what you want and eventually you will get where you purchase the ticket.

 

I will add an important word about buying tour tickets in Europe. There are always third party vendors that will sell tickets...but at a significant mark-up. One should always look for the actual official web site of the attraction...like in this case where you have the link to the Vatican's own Official Site. The only time we would ever consider a third party site is if they provide something we cannot get by booking direct.

 

Hank

Thanks. I found it. I was also looking on http://www.tickitaly.com because they sell tickets to all of the places we're planning on visiting. I compared prices and they are the same as the official sites (as you mentioned to do in your reply).

I guess, the nice thing about tickitaly is that it would be one-stop-shopping instead of going to each individual website for every attraction.

Anyone used it? Want to make sure it's reputable...Thanks!

I was going to ask the same question as the OP so thanks for the link. One thing, though, when I click on the link it says to choose your tour and I cannot find where to actually buy the tickets....I only see descriptions. What am I doing wrong?

Well, I found out that transfers can be added (even if cruise was booked through TA) by calling Choiceair.

I also found out that hotel rates are per person, not per room.

I hope this info helps someone else new like me.

never book a hotel through a cruise line. Never! Never! Never! Unless of course your hobby is watching your cash burn in an ashtray,

lol !!:')

We booked an apartment for a week through Airbnb. Lots more space and way way cheaper.

I would do that in a heartbeat if we were staying longer. We're only there for one night.

Did anyone stay at the Herodion? It is also at the base of the Acropolis and has great reviews on Trip Advisor.

We stayed here last September http://www.athenswas.gr/en

Very modern and clean and a few minutes walk to Acropolis and Museum.

Thanks. I just checked and there's no availability for my dates. I found that a lot, even on trip advisor.

After reading the hotel reviews on the Greece forum, I booked the last triple room at the Herodion.

I was going to book an extended hotel stay through Azamara but I was just informed that the price I saw for the hotel on the AZ website is not the price per room, it's per person! Yikes! For the three of us it would be $600 for one night!

I was totally unaware of this and just putting it here as an FYI for other newbies like me! :o

Back to doing research on a good hotel in Athens for a reasonable price.....:eek:

As far as I know OBC is not applicable to pre- or post-cruise hotel stays.

The list of prohibited items does not include clothes steamers.

https://www.azamaraclubcruises.com/booked-guests/you-board/packing-tips

Thank you, Bonnie! You're right, it lists clothes iron as prohibited but not a steamer.

If you booked direct with Azamara, then it should be perfectly possible to purchase transfers as an excursion ( although you couldn't use OBC to buy them ahead of the cruise). Have you checked the excursions list for the cruise to see if transfers are offered yet. If they are not, it is likely they will be nearer the time.

A multiple outlet plug should be OK. We have taken one on board and had no problem. I think a steamer might not be allowed, but there are irons available on the self-service laundry on Deck 7.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Thank you! We booked the cruise with TA but flights with choiceair ourselves.

Do you know about the hotel, Host Grandma Cruising?

I just spoke to a CS agent at Azamara and got a few answers to questions I have. I'd like to make sure because I seem to get different answers, depending whom I'm speaking with...

First, I asked if I could book a hotel (one that is offered by AZ) on board instead of now. He told me that if I book on board, it would not be considered a package and that rates would be higher on board and would not include transfers for free (from port to hotel). He also told me I would not be able to use OBC for the booking on board. True or False?

Next, I asked if I could book our transfers now from airport to cruise ship for arrival date (I booked flights with choiceair a few days after we booked the cruise) and he said no, it has to be done by TA. I explained that I booked flights myself and that I was told by another AZ agent at time of booking flights that I could call back anytime to purchase transfers but he still said no. Which is it?

Finally, I asked if a (grounded) multiple outlet tap or cord can be brought onboard because we have multiple electronics to recharge at night and he said yes. He also said yes to me asking if I could bring a small, portable steamer to get wrinkles out of clothes. True or false?

This is our first time on AZ and want to make sure I do things right. Thanks.

Azamara transfer from port to Nice airport this Wednesday is $16.50/person. Last departure from ship for coach transfer to airport is 8:40am. Delayed disembarkation not available in Nice.

Where did you see that quote, marinaro? I was trying to find the precise quote last night on Azamara's website but it wouldn't show me, despite my many attempts. I only remembered what was quoted when we booked the flights (three weeks ago).

We're booked on Azamara Quest leaving from Nice. We'll be flying in from NY. We were offered transfers from airport to cruise ship at a cost of well over $100.

I saw online that the distance between the two is only 10 Km, about 15 minutes by car. Should we just get a taxi instead? It would probably be cheaper, no?

Thanks!

Our cruise departs from Nice. We booked flights from NY through choiceair because they were much cheaper than booking on our own. Transfers from airport to ship were offered but we decided to wait booking them until trip got closer.

I was just looking on Azamara's website and it looks like the airport is about 10 kilometers, about 15 minute drive, to cruise ship.

Transfers for 3 of us were well over $100. Now that we know it's so close, should we just get a taxi instead?

Thanks!

A miracle just happened!! Another party of two is interested in joining our tours and, even though it's only two more people, the price drop is substantial! I was able to book three tours with Italytoursharing (Joe Banana limo) despite the last minute crunch!!!

I'm SOOOOOOOO happy!!!!! :)

Thanks again for all the great tips!!

A miracle just happened!! Another party of two is interested in joining our tours and, even though it's only two more people, the price drop is substantial! I was able to book three tours with Italytoursharing (Joe Banana limo) despite the last minute crunch!!!

I'm SOOOOOOOO happy!!!!! :)

Thanks again for all the great tips!!

A miracle just happened!! Another party of two is interested in joining our tours and, even though it's only two more people, the price drop is substantial! I was able to book three tours with Italytoursharing (Joe Banana limo) despite the last minute crunch!!!

I'm SOOOOOOOO happy!!!!! :)

Thanks again for all the great tips!!

Thanks for all the great advice.

Has anyone used the hop-on-hop-off bus in Rome? If so, how easy is it to do the highlights of the city plus Vatican by using it?

Thanks for all the great advice.

Has anyone used the hop-on-hop-off bus in Rome?

Thanks for all the great advice.

Has anyone used the hop-on-hop-off bus in Rome?