Royal Clipper Roll Call Rome to Rome September 8th 2018

I would like to start a discussion about the upcoming sailing from out of Rome on September 8th.

We will be sailing aboard the Royal Clipper out of Rome in September. This will be our 2nd Star Clipper trip. Our first trip was aboard the Star Clipper in the Leeward Islands a few years ago.

Does anyone have tips about the ports of call for this trip?

1. Civitavecchia
   
2. Ponza
   
3. Palmarola
   
4. Sorrento
   
5. Amalfi
   
6. Taormina
   
7. Lipari
   

Does anyone know if there is Scuba Diving offered either on board or in any of the ports?

Thanks everyone , Hope everyone has a fantastic and safe trip !

I am hoping you get answers to your questions as I am booked on that cruise in September 2019!

Anyone know if they do a pirate night aboard where we all dress up in costumes ?

We did that itinerary some years ago. In all ports of call we just strolled around in the nice towns, enjoyed street life, tasted some local specialties... If wether will be fine, there will be given recommendations by the cruise director about swimming/water sports.

Be aware that Palmarola is not a port of call; the island will be circumnavigated in the afternoon till sundown with very nice views.

From Sorrent you may do some excursions: Capri island (ferry boats are running; schedule is isted at their office boxes in the harbour). Naples, if you want to see a biger town. Or heading to Pompej or Herculaneum - both cities has been destroyed ba the vulcano 2000 years ago. While Pompej is more kwown and some bigger, in Herculaneum preservation is better. If you haven't been there before, visit Pompej. There they will explain haw life was in ancient times. In Herculaneum, you will see that easier on your own. We have been all there before our Royal Clipper trip, so we decided to stay in Sorrento.

Be aware that there is only one of that excursions possible due to the time frame and the distances between.

Last but not least some words about Civitavecchia. We arrived early by plane and had a pre-arranged driver who took us and our luggage directly to the ship. While embarcation starts in the afternoon, we were able to leave our luggage and the driver took us back to the small town of Civitaveccia, which we already knew from a former visit. Civitavecchia can be easily visited by feet; 2 - 3 hrs (including a 'glass of wine-stop' in one of the few cafés) is enough. Next to the harbour is a nice 'city'-beach, not overcrowded (maybe on sundays). Even next to the harbour entrance (about 200 meters) is a nice restaurant, "Da Baffone". Looks a bit like a tourist trap, but isn't! Family-owned, original italian food for low prices (try their pasta or fish!), nice italian service (one of the staff is able to communicate in english, and an english menu is available), it is that a 'must' for us, when we are visiting Civitavecchia. Open for lunch and dinner, but not continously open in the afternoon. The cook needs his break. If you want to dive into italian life, take a table outside in the small corner (not in front of the restaurant). That is the meting point for the locals where they use to have lunch. Ask for sharing a table, if all tables are occupied - that is usual there.

If there are possibilities for scuba diving onroute should be answered by the cruise director who may arrange a scuba diving excursion if possible. Sorry, no own experience with that.

Enjoy your cruise - the itinerary was one of the best we had in the mediterranean sea.

And to answer the pirate question: I have never seen Star Clippers passengers in costumes. (That is, related to italian cruising, a Costa thing.) There are no 'themed' evenings on board. Be sure, under sails you will feel like a pirate if you want that - even without a costume. ;-)

Greetings

Diddn

counting the days until our next Star Clippers cruise: 96 :-)

Thank you so much for the information!!

On 9/1/2018 at 10:05 AM, Ional said:

I am hoping you get answers to your questions as I am booked on that cruise in September 2019!

Me too!!! 

On 8/31/2018 at 3:46 PM, TBMBMurphy said:

I would like to start a discussion about the upcoming sailing from out of Rome on September 8th.

 

We will be sailing aboard the Royal Clipper out of Rome in September. This will be our 2nd Star Clipper trip. Our first trip was aboard the Star Clipper in the Leeward Islands a few years ago.

 

Does anyone have tips about the ports of call for this trip?

 

1. Civitavecchia
2. Ponza
3. Palmarola
4. Sorrento
5. Amalfi
6. Taormina
7. Lipari

Does anyone know if there is Scuba Diving offered either on board or in any of the ports?

 

Thanks everyone , Hope everyone has a fantastic and safe trip !

Dear TBMBMurphy,

We are sailing on October  this year, the same clipper and the same itinerary. Unfortunately there isn't any roll for this journey. "Diddn" wrote very helpful post, but may be you can give us some new tips, as you sailed only half a year before. 

Does the company arrange any  transfer from Rome or from the airport to the pier and back? Did you take their shore excursions, if yes, what do you recommend? Thank you very much!

On 9/3/2018 at 8:59 AM, Diddn said:

We did that itinerary some years ago. In all ports of call we just strolled around in the nice towns, enjoyed street life, tasted some local specialties... If wether will be fine, there will be given recommendations by the cruise director about swimming/water sports.

 

Be aware that Palmarola is not a port of call; the island will be circumnavigated in the afternoon till sundown with very nice views.

 

From Sorrent you may do some excursions: Capri island (ferry boats are running; schedule is isted at their office boxes in the harbour). Naples, if you want to see a biger town. Or heading to Pompej or Herculaneum - both cities has been destroyed ba the vulcano 2000 years ago. While Pompej is more kwown and some bigger, in Herculaneum preservation is better. If you haven't been there before, visit Pompej. There they will explain haw life was in ancient times. In Herculaneum, you will see that easier on your own. We have been all there before our Royal Clipper trip, so we decided to stay in Sorrento.

 

Be aware that there is only one of that excursions possible due to the time frame and the distances between.

 

Last but not least some words about Civitavecchia. We arrived early by plane and had a pre-arranged driver who took us and our luggage directly to the ship. While embarcation starts in the afternoon, we were able to leave our luggage and the driver took us back to the small town of Civitaveccia, which we already knew from a former visit. Civitavecchia can be easily visited by feet; 2 - 3 hrs (including a 'glass of wine-stop' in one of the few cafés) is enough. Next to the harbour is a nice 'city'-beach, not overcrowded (maybe on sundays). Even next to the harbour entrance (about 200 meters) is a nice restaurant, "Da Baffone". Looks a bit like a tourist trap, but isn't! Family-owned, original italian food for low prices (try their pasta or fish!), nice italian service (one of the staff is able to communicate in english, and an english menu is available), it is that a 'must' for us, when we are visiting Civitavecchia. Open for lunch and dinner, but not continously open in the afternoon. The cook needs his break. If you want to dive into italian life, take a table outside in the small corner (not in front of the restaurant). That is the meting point for the locals where they use to have lunch. Ask for sharing a table, if all tables are occupied - that is usual there.

 

If there are possibilities for scuba diving onroute should be answered by the cruise director who may arrange a scuba diving excursion if possible. Sorry, no own experience with that.

 

Enjoy your cruise - the itinerary was one of the best we had in the mediterranean sea.

 

And to answer the pirate question: I have never seen Star Clippers passengers in costumes. (That is, related to italian cruising, a Costa thing.) There are no 'themed' evenings on board. Be sure, under sails you will feel like a pirate if you want that - even without a costume. ;-)

 

Greetings

 

Diddn

counting the days until our next Star Clippers cruise: 96 :-)

Very estimable information! Thank you so much, as I'm sailing same journey this October, your post is very helpful.