hmstins

I am on a RT Venice cruise in May that goes to (among other ports) Corfu, Athens, Mykonos and Argostoli. I was in Athens, Crete, Santorini and another port in Oct 2014 and had a wonderful time. I can think of NO reason to avoid Greece right now! The people are wonderful, and yes times are tough for them, but to stay away only makes it worse. Please don't let fear run your life. Make smart decisions and continue to do what you want!

Just Google "cable car Santorini" and you will see an actual photo of it. I couldn't post a copy of it here.

If fear of heights is the issue, the height is just the same whether you ride the cable car or walk. So what is the difference? I wouldn't walk it.

I don't have a fear of heights so I'm not trying to make light of it. But I bet you could ride the cable car just as easily as walking all those steps!

I was on Serenade OTS in 2014 when we stopped at Santorini -- there was no repositioning of the ship. The tenders went ashore at the cable car and returned from there. Just FYI in case someone is hoping that happens!

DiamondGirl, I really hope you change your mind, but it's your decision to live with. I don't have a fear of heights so I can't possibly understand, but I will tell you that the top of the island is fairly small so you see the water from almost every point. The small stores are beautiful and the people are very friendly. The whitewashed buildings with blue doors and flowers everywhere are just gorgeous.

Whatever decision you make, I hope you enjoy your trip!

Whatever you do, DON'T ride the donkeys. They are abused and very sad. I wouldn't walk, either. You are on the same steps the donkeys use and they may come right next to you. There is also donkey poop on the steps and I have been told they are treacherous and slippery.

Take the cable car and avoid facing the water. Close your eyes and remind yourself you will be there only once in your life (probably) and think how sad it would be to miss it. The view is gorgeous and something to remember always.

Your help has been invaluable -- I owe you a Christmas present!!!

I forgot to ask you where to buy tickets for these trips. I have heard you can get them from a machine and have to validate in a different machine? Is this true? I don't want to get fined if I get on without having a validated ticket!

Thanks again!

Wonderful idea -- a cruise down the Grand Canal for less than 10 euros! Thanks so much and it sounds like fun!

Thanks again for being so helpful!

I will return the favor to someone else some day -- that's the way this forum works and it is awesome. Thanks again!

There aren't enough ways to thank you for this information! You are a wonderful person!!!!!

Thank you so much for the information - just what I need!!!

We will be spending only one night in Venice and need to go to the ship the next day, Saturday, for a cruise. Do you think the hotel can give us directions or do you know how to do that?

I appreciate your help more than you can imagine!!! This is my 23rd cruise and my 6th time to Europe and Venice has almost defeated me!

I am so confused I could scream! I am trying to figure out how to get to our hotel (very close to San Marco) from the Santa Lucia Train Station. Every site uses different terminology and gives different directions! I understand there are two paths -- via the Grand Canal, or around Venice to the water stop just past San Marco.

I also understand there are different means of transportation, but I want the least expensive. Is that the vaporetto, the water bus, the Aliluguna (sp?) or what? I appreciate any help you experts can give me! We will be arriving Santa Lucia around noon-2:00 pm on Friday, May 6.

Thanks!!!!

If you are still looking at hotels, I suggest the Albergo Cesari in very central Rome. It is walking distance to MANY sites, and the hotel staff is very helpful. There is a restaurant simply steps away from the hotel's front door with Al Fresco dining. Wonderful food! I see no reason to stay anywhere else and highly recommend it. The room was nice and the bathroom large and very nice. Whatever you choose, have a great time!

Has anyone taken the Bernina Express out of Milan to St Moritz, or from Zurich back to Milan? I have several questions and would like to discuss!

Thanks,

Margie in Austin

Also, some of you talked about checking in. Is that checking in at the gate to get a boarding pass? Can they not be printed onboard or sent to your phone? I am more concerned about checking the large baggage. Maybe I'm confused? Appreciate any help someone would like to offer!

Hi, guys. I'm departing Venice Marco Polo at 1:25 pm and don't have any worries. Question is my cruise partner has a flight scheduled at 10:55 am. We were wondering what time to leave the ship and then I read this thread. Should I just ask her to reschedule to a flight after noon? She is on United FF miles. What do you think? I don't want to get to the airport at 8:00 am and have to stand around with my luggage until 11:30 before I can check it!

For Bobby D, in re rooms at the Albergo Cesari --

I'm sorry I have no info to offer. We had a room with two double beds and it was nice. I had no opportunity to see into other rooms. Wish I could have been more helpful!

I might be mistaken about the two blocks from the Colosseum, but I know if you go out the front door of the Albergo Cesari, turn left and go to the corner, you turn left at the corner and you can SEE the colosseum - short walk, also convenient to the Victor Emmanuel Monument (sp?), which has a roof top view to die for. I think it's a terrific location!

The rooms are good (not fantastic), clean, and the bathrooms are GOOD. They also have an elevator, which is a good thing for me!

I have used Bob's Limo multiple times and really like them. They give a senior discount (if that applies) and they drive Mercedes. You can arrange a private transfer or join the shuttle at a lower rate. They took me directly to the hotel and brought my luggage in for me. They are very competitive in their pricing so check out their website if you are interested. Bob is an American who has lived in Rome for over 25 years. I have never had a problem in the past.

I wouldn't spend the night in Civitavecchia if it were me. I would either spend the night at an airport hotel and travel to Civitavecchia the next day, or my preference would be to transfer into Rome, spend the night, eat dinner and relax, sightsee if you stay close in (I like the Albergo Cesari for a GREAT location, maybe two blocks to the Colosseum) and get to the ship all caught up on your sleep the next day!

If you do choose to go into Rome, and if you choose the Albergo Cesari location, there is fabulous dining right at your doorstep. Just step outside and walk maybe 10-20 feet to your table, al fresco. We enjoyed it immensely!

Sorry to post so late -- just found this thread and hope you are still monitoring.

Please don't EVER ride the donkeys in Santorini. The owners have been investigated for animal cruelty allegations multiple times, improve their treatment, then go back to the cruelty as soon as the investigators leave. The animals are found to have no water, work long hours, sometimes have open sores under the saddles, and are treated horribly.

If you are an animal lover like I am, please heed this advice. I have been there and seen the donkeys. Please pass the word if you can!

One of my favorite cruise ports EVER is Brugges (spelled many different ways). It is a delightful place, has canals with boat rides, and I just loved it. I don't know how far it is from Brussels, but it would definitely be worth a day spent there.

Another question -- what are the other ways to get to the hotel? Should I contact the hotel and ask for the best way to get there? I'm sorry to sound so dumb, this will be my 23rd cruise and I usually know how to get around, but Venice is a complete mystery! Is there somewhere I should go to read about it?

This will be my first time to Venice. When we get a water taxi to get to our hotel from the airport, (please don't laugh) do they take you the closest they can get to the hotel or do you have to get off on the Grand Canal? I see water all over the map but I don't know if the water taxis go there! Thanks for any help anyone can offer!

I checked Hotel Colimbina because that is the area we want to be in -- unfortunately it is booked for the date we need. We have the Hotel Canaletto booked -- like the area but still looking. I like the idea of the water taxi right to the door!