Kittie Ladie

We just stayed at the Albergo del Senato for two nights in August and the total was around 220 euros per night. It was fabulous. Our room was large and faced the Pantheon. Opening the window and watching the activities and listening to the sounds of the people was breathtaking. I took several videos so I can remember my love of Rome. I so want to go back there again. They serve a nice breakfast and you can walk everywhere. We booked directly with the hotel online and got a discount.

Thank you for the nice send off. We plan to spend a few days in Venice pre cruise and are really looking forward to this trip.

I have a question. Someone said to put the phone in airplane mode when on the ship. We have the T-Mobile plan and I was told by T-Mobile to turn the phone off when on the ship. They said if someone left us a voicemail message we would be charged either $4.99 or $5.99 (can’t remember which) if our phone was on, even in airplane mode. They said to be away from the ship before turning the phone on. So wondering about others experiences.

We will be in the Mediterranean in a couple of weeks and hope everything works when we need it. Mostly thinking to contact those we have reservations/bookings with if needed. Also hoping the Find Friends app works overseas cause DH is a wanderer!

Grateful for the reminder of thanks to those who do our laundry and the others on the ship who make our trip so enjoyable. Little things, like saying thank you, make life so much nicer. I appreciate all the positive info shared. Thank you.

Thank you Moriah.

The Veendam offers an unlimited laundry package for our 12 day cruise in August. I was wondering if this includes pressing of clothing (not washed).

I am enjoying the stories of your trip and the beautiful pictures. Thank you.

March or October should have better hotel rates. 

I enjoyed cruising for many years with my mom. I felt very lucky she asked me to go with her. Trip next year will be second cruise with my husband.

I wanted to ensure that we had a view of the Pantheon so we booked a superior double room for two nights for $388 Euros. You can get a discount (not much) by going to the bottom of the home page where it says News & Discounts and click the Subscribe button. They'll send you an email to confirm subscription and then you'll get a discount when you book a room. Learned that from another CC member who just stayed at this hotel. Also noticed a social media discount on their website which can add another 5% off. The prices also change at different times of the year. We are going in August.

The Hotel Smeraldo looks like it is in a nice central location too. You have lots of time to look at different hotels. I really enjoy researching all the hotels and things to do, both on CC and online. Although I spent a lot more time looking at hotels for Venice pre-cruise than for Rome. A couple of people on CC mentioned the Albergo del Senato and my love of ancient history led me to want to stay right next to the Pantheon. I also love older styles and am not really into modern. So just keep looking till the right place comes along. You'll know it when it happens.

Another thing to do, especially if you are booking way ahead of time, is to book a room with free cancellation. It costs a little more but then you can still continue to look around and if you find something else, just cancel the first one you have booked. 

2 hours ago, TSUmom said:

Great pictures!  Love your whole attitude about the weather and change of itinerary.....Making the best of the situation is the only way to go....

I loved Rome and can't wait until next year when I can be there again!!

Totally agree. Best to enjoy the adventure and whatever it brings. 

Love your sharing and picture stories Dragon. 

That sounds lots better than RomeCabs cost wise.  I'll be sure to check that out. Thanks Cruisemom. 

Great info. I booked a superior double room to ensure a view of the Pantheon so it might be a slightly larger room. Appreciate the info on the the Coliseum and Forum. Sounds like we will have time to get a bite to eat too. Husband will appreciate that. 

Looking forward to hearing further about your trip. Safe travels. 

Just read about Stefano's RomeCabs and looked them up. I think that will work best for us. 

Great info from Cruisemom re detailed instructions getting off the ship and taking two busses to the train station. Sounds a little intimidating moving luggage across the train station. If we do take the train what is the best way to get to the hotel near the Pantheon? Are there taxis outside the train station? 

Any suggestions for getting a car (what kind and where picked up) from the port to the hotel instead of taking the train? Do cabs run from the port into Rome? Maybe I should talk to the hotel for suggestions but am interested in what has worked for others. 

Thanks. 

I've booked a room at the Albergo Del Senato which is 100 feet from the Pantheon. Recommended by others on CC and is centrally located for walking to most sites in Rome. 

Dragon, thanks for continuing to share your journey.  I visited the Vatican in the summer of 1994 and it was just as crowded.  I would have hoped it would be slower in the fall but guess not. 

I have been trying to find out if they have started charging a fee to enter the Pantheon but can't find out for sure online. Did you need to pay to enter? It was supposed to start earlier this year but heard there have been some delays. I won't be there till next August so I'm expecting it. Staying at the Albergo del Senato I would like to stop into the Pantheon several times to drink in the wonder of it all. By the way, how is your room/stay at the hotel? 

I am also planning to go to Palatine Hill, walk down to the Forum,  then go to the Coliseum. Hoping to do this the morning of getting off the ship (post cruise) and will need to figure out what time we can get to the hotel to drop off luggage and then catch a cab. So I was wondering what time you left the hotel and how much time you spent at Palatine Hill/Forum before heading to the Coliseum? Trying to figure out best time for tickets to Coliseum. 

Very much enjoying your pictures and stories. Happy travels. 

Looking forward to following your adventures in Rome after reading your other thread preparing for this trip. Next August we are on a Venice to Rome cruise, spending two nights in Venice pre-cruise and two nights in Rome post cruise. Got great ideas from your other thread and even booked the Albergo del Senato for our two nights in Rome. So thank you and those who participated in offering suggestions. Now can't wait to read all about it. Wishing you a wonderful time and dreaming about our vacation next year. 

Thanks Kazu. Just realized from your reply that it was August 26. The 2 and 6 seem to have a space between them so I read it differently. Silly me. 

Veendam August 7 - 19, 2019 (12 day Adriatic Dream - Venice to Rome) My second cruise with HAL, husband's first. Our second cruise together. Will spend two nights in Venice pre-cruise and two nights in Rome post-cruise.

I did notice this posting on the list: Veendam - 2 6-Aug-19 - 12 day Voyage of the Explorers. I think this is the leg August 26 to Sept. 7 from Lisbon to Boston. Kind of confusing with the dates.

Thank you Kazu for the list and seeing all the wonderful adventures everyone will have.

Appreciate your follow-up and the details for this hotel, its webcam, etc. Sounds like a handy location near many top attractions. BUT, make sure you explore Venice and get away from the busy, most tourist-focused locations. Walking around in "real Venice" is so much fun, too!!

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Yes, we definitely plan on exploring as much as we can. I love reading yours and others suggestions and researching as much as I can. Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences and the stories you have found.

The wife and I will be taking a cruise from Venice to Rome in June of 2019. We are looking for recommendations for hotels or B&Bs in Venice for two days before the cruise and in Rome or surrounding area for three days after the cruise.

My husband and I will be in Venice for two nights before our Venice to Rome cruise in August 2019. I have booked a room at the Hotel Colombina which is on the canal with the Bridge of Sighs. They have a live webcam from one of the rooms looking down the canal with 5 bridges in sight. I've become addicted to the webcam watching in the morning and late evening because of the 9 hour time difference. Whether you choose this hotel or not, watching the webcam sure brings me great joy and anticipation of this trip to Venice.

https://www.hotelcolombina.com/location/