southerngirl8

I am booked on the Legend out of Rome Sept. 15, 2021... it will happen!!! I am Canadian, so yes I can enter Europe (can go now).  How knows what the new protocols and precautionary measures will be though.... 

On 8/4/2020 at 3:14 PM, Moviela said:

Europe is not accepting Americans at the moment unless you are a critical worker, or endure a 14 day lock down on arrival. 

 

They may be looking at the pax density compared to what European rules will accept. It can be different for each country too.

 

It is difficult to guess what any one authority will demand to allow business to continue.

I am booked on the Legend Sept 2021, and I am Canadian.  Europe is accepting Canadians, and I do believe at the moment we would also  have to self isolate for the mandatory 14 day period....... and when I try and search for a "European Cruise" on the website, none exist at the moment.  I hope it is just a glitch 

If your hotel can be reached by car or bus your shuttle is a good idea. The issue is most of Venice is located where no cars or busses are allowed. People travel by the canals

True... our hotel is a 600 meter walk from the P. Roma and this is what our hotel recommends to. So this is an easy way for us to go.

Wow southerngirl18. You are doing almost exactly what we are thinking of doing! I would love to hear about your train experience AND the car ride from Rome to Civitevecchia. Wonder how the driving is there. I somehow need to remember to try and look you up to see your posts when you return. Thank you!

 

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Here's my email address if you want to chat about our trips!!!

amyk0008@gmail.com I'm Amy by the way!

Hi all. I have a train travel question....we have never been to Venice. Doing a cruise from Civitevecchia, and woukd like to spend a few days in Venice before. Going to fly into Venice and thinking of taking the train to Rome. Then getting a car service to Civitevecchia. We have heard not so great stories of luggage and train travel. We will be doing two cruises so will have luggage. We will each have a carry on, and large suitcase and then we will have one garment bag. We are considering paying a crazy price for the train ($366) for the two of us, booking Executive class on the 1000 train. We have seen so many peoole post such low train fares, but we are worried about handling and watching our luggage. Does anyone have an experience with this class and can you keep all of your luggage with you? We are thinking it will be easier and a piece of mind. These seats on the train look to have so much more room and have plenty of space for luggage, where as we can keep our luggage with us. Or is it crazy and not worth the extra expense? Would appreciate any opinions from people who have traveled on these high speed trains. Thank you so much. :)

So- in 23 days I am flying to Venice- to spend 3 nights - then will take the train to Rome to spend 2 nights before I get on my ship in Civitevecchia for my 3rd Med. Cruise... so I hope I can pass on some info. The train I am taking from Venice to Rome is NOT costing $366!!! It under $129 for 5. We are taking the train (the one that takes like 2.5 hours - Italia Rail )- and we have purchased luggage locks (pacsafe retractable for under $20) to lock our luggage at the luggage area at the end of the train. We have then arranged transport on Rome in Limo from our hotel to the cruise ship and back post cruise. Purchase a retractable luggage lock and ease your mind. We have a total of 3 for a group of 5. You can get them off of Amazon.

I am going to go out in a limb here.... please don't hate the messenger!!! I was on the Navigator of the Seas in December and we booked 2 excursions thru RCL and on both they clearly stated "lots of walking" not for those with mobility issues.... Well I guess not everyone read the descriptions.... on one tour there was a passenger who was in a mobility scooter and was "not small" either ... the driver who had to stow the scooter probably weighed 90 lbs soaking wet... the additional time that was added to our tour as we had 3 passengers with mobility issues (only one with a scooter) added up to the point our "free time" was not existent and we waited on these 3 passengers to get on and off the bus at each stop and they held up the entire tour. Our bus driver could barely lift the scooter into the luggage area of the bus... if you are in a scooter- not all buses can accommodate your scooter and not all drivers can either. While we all get that "everyone" can go on a cruise if they can afford the trip... but please respect your fellow passengers and if a tour is "not for those with mobility issues" please heed the warnings!!! There are many alternatives for tours and tour companies- there are private tours and tours which are designed for "everyone".

I am not sure how much research you have done on that topic... I have done lots as I leave for Venice for the first time in 24 days! But from all my research a private water taxi is SUPER expensive.... plan on spending 160+ euro!!! I looked into booking a private car - which was a lot cheaper! But ended up purchasing tickets for the ATVO bus- will be 7 euro each for the 3 of us.

I posted a link to "shuttle direct" which will talk about your options!

https://www.shuttledirect.com/en/airport/vce.html

Definitely go into Rome! Take the "fast train" which is only available on days when a cruise ship is in port. Pre-book your ticket. It is a bit more expensive than the regular train that stops along the way. The fast train is direct into St. Peter's Station in Rome. 1 train in the am and 1 in the pm. Once you get into Rome, my advice is to DIY. Don't do the HOHO bus as it is a cluster in Rome! Take a cab from the train station area over to the Trevi Fountain. Then do a walking tour - Trevi- Spanish Steps- Pantheon- Colosseum. Then cab back to the train station. You will see a lot and this is a very walkable - doable for the day and not a huge rush. You will happen upon places for lunch and see the highlights. Or you can set up a "transport only" thru someone like Rome in Limo- and depending on your group size, you can always add a few more from your Roll Call. Rome in Limo will be a van to pick you up at the port drop you off in Rome and pick up back up at the same place and take you back to the Port. Either way, if you only have one day, and it is your first time in Rome, I would see the city instead of trying to see the Vatican and then feeling rushed. You will miss the best parts of the city.

Question for anyone who has sailed on the jewel before who did the "anytime dining", which I love! I got an email from RCL saying I can make reservations now for my anytime dining....my question: do we HAVE to make reservations now? Or can we make daily or just show up?

And I thought it was just ME!!!!!! At least I know I am not losing my mind!!! It is hard to navigate the new website...

Well, the good news is that your hotel is very near the main train station, Termini. That makes it easy to get from the airport to your hotel via either the express train direct from the airport OR by express airport bus, which also drops off near Termini. The bus is cheaper, the train is faster, both are reasonable choices. Your hotel is only two blocks from the main station entrance at Termini -- if you pack reasonably and are mobile, you can simply walk. Same thing when you depart via train for Florence.

 

Regarding getting around Rome, it's very walkable when taken area by area. You might consider figuring out an area or two each day. You can take a taxi or even the metro (stations for both lines are also located at Termini) to your chosen location, and then just explore on foot.

Rome is very walkable with a good map and last time we were there and asked for directions everyone was very helpful and nice. Lots of people speak English. As for the HOHO bus- my friend did it and it was not the best.... from what I hear- Rome is not the place to do the HOHO bus.... just the layout of the city and where things are located. Cabs are easy to get from a cab stand. We had a great day last time - we walked from the Trevi Fountain to Spanish Steps to the Pantheon to the Colosseum and got to see so much and down narrow streets that are typical of Rome that twist and turn.

Last time we were in Athens there was a transit strike and taxi's were scarce... we had pre-booked welcome pickups. You can book them from the ship to the city and return at the end of the day, which we are doing in May. You pre-pay and they are waiting for you at the Pier and at your afternoon pre-arranged pick up location. Well worth it!

I am doing the opposite, 3 nights in Venice pre-cruise!!! Then taking the train to Rome for 2 nights pre-cruise then the cruise!!!

Agreed, I would go to your roll call for your actual cruise to see if you can share. Having said that, I am going to be in Venice about 2 weeks before you as we are doing 3 nights in Venice before taking the train to Rome where we cruise from. I did find several "airport" shuttles and there are several different types depending in your $$$ range and how you want to get from the airport and where your hotel is.

https://www.airportshuttles.com/venice.php

https://www.shuttledirect.com/en/airport/vce.html

there is one thru expedia also

From my research, and friends who have been to Venice-

you can also go by "shuttle bus" - the "ATVO"

"Your personal James' car service

But remember not all of these can go in front of each hotel- for instance, I have to get off at the Piazzale Roma and walk about 700 meters to my hotel. And the bus is something like 8 euro each....

We plan to take the ATVO bus ... you can prepay on line or wait til you get there and pay then. From what I saw in my research a private water taxi can be 160+ euro!!! Just to put it all in perspective.

Question: I will be in Venice for 3 nights pre-cruise -and then will go to Rome for 2 nights then cruise... my question: Airport transport: private pre-booked vehicle that will get me about 700 meters from Hotel...for 3 people.... or a shared shuttle or take a bus and get dropped off at the same spot. In my opinion it is totally worth the extra money for the car/shared shuttle. I am flying from Vancouver to NYC (2 flights there) then I will meet my 18 year old niece and 22 year old nephew and fly over from JFK.... do I really want the hassle of a bus ride???? Any opinions....I checked the water taxi/transport and my hotel is not close enough to make it worth while. I don't mind spending a bit extra for a shared shuttle or car...as I arrive in Venice at 7:30 pm

I would highly recommend the Plaka Hotel. I stayed there in 2016. We even hosted a pre-cruise party on their roof top bar and about 50 people attended. They were so accommodating!!!! Breakfast was great everyday. Yes, rooms were what you would expect in Europe. But clean, centrally located and great staff.

It's a sad sad way for things to be :(, but I'll second Hank's advice.

 

JB :)

Unfortunately, the paksafe one on Amazon does not ship to Canada:(

I have already read online about the snatching of luggage. That is why I was asking. I definately will get a lock to secure our bags. Thank you for the link online to buy the lock. Also, it was recommended to stand by the luggage rack near your stuff when pulling into a station. Less chance of things being taken.

I have read similar posts and stories. I will be taking the train from Venice to Rome in May and will definitely be getting one of these cable locks. One quick question, would one be sufficient for 3 pieces of luggage? There are 3 of us traveling together? I do realize that part of that would dependent on the fact that all 3 pieces are be places side x side.

I just booked on HomeAway for next May, 2 nights pre-cruise! Got a Penthouse apt 350 meters from Trevi Fountain!

Rome in Limo! They are great! Will pick you up and take you directly to/from the Ship. I will be using next year.

I am interested to know whether Jewel stocks bourbon whilst on European itineraries. I like bourbon best of all the whiskeys - for mixed drinks , anyway - but often bourbon is difficult to find, hilariously expensive (Jack Daniel's selling for the price of a really nice Scotch whisky) and rather limited to Jack Daniel's (which is fine!, but in our house it's the cooking bourbon) in Europe. We are B2B and I have the all-includive package and would prefer shots or mixed drinks to sub-par wine or beer. We do drink a lot of the frozen drinks and they are always good.

 

Barring whiskey/whisky (heh heh) that, what sort of vodka is included in the package whilst in the Med?

 

Any insight?

I am booked on the Jewel for a Med cruise next May. I do know that on my last 2 Med. cruises (even though on 2 different cruise lines) all had Jack Daniel's, and a variety of vodka(s) that were including in the drink packages. All had bourbon also. There will be enough liquor to satisfy every preference and daily drink specials.

Please share your recommendations of private shore excursions. I have 7 travelers.

In Italy, use Rome in Limo. They are great.If you can't get a single cruiser from your thread, the 7 of you can split an 8 person tour and each person absorb the 60-80 euro. They also do transports and I will use them to get from Rome to/from the Port which is over an hour as they will take you right to the ship.

I will call for any price drop! Even if I have made the final payment, the amount I save becomes on OBC for spending ON the cruise.

I live in Vancouver. If you are getting in that late at night, it will take about 15-20 minutes to get downtown to your hotel. The skytrain stops at like 1am and I would not recommend with all your luggage etc after a day of traveling. Depending where your hotel is you may have to lug your luggage late at night. Take a cab. It will be quick and easy. Some hotels do have shuttles. Some hotels you just call at the courtesy phones at the airport and they send a shuttle. There is nice hotel close to the airport that does have a shuttle, it is not downtown though but is reasonable priced. Coast Hotel (airport location) it is a quick cab ride the next day to the cruise terminal. Uber is not up and running in Vancouver yet. Another decent hotel downtown that is reasonable if you want to stay downtown and it not cost and arm and a leg is the Moda Hotel. We often put clients up there. They have kitchenettes and free breakfast. A quick cab ride to the cruise terminal. Vancouver is very cab friendly and lots of cabs. If you want to splurge a bit, stay at the Pan Pacific hotel. It is AMAZING! And so worth the extra money to stay there. It is right at the cruise ship terminal and you may be able to get a special rate.

I got an alert about a price drop called RCL- I got the price drop and did lose my OBC. Since my price drop totaled $233 and the obc I lost was only $50. - in mho- it was a no brainer- I took the price drop! I think it all depends on your original booking.