helpthejuggler

After 4.30 would be my backup plan if things went wrong. Always have one

So, after reading this let me make sure I have this right.

 

I must first take a bus from the port. How much is it and how do you pay for it? Where do you buy the ticket?

 

Then you must walk one mile to the train station.

 

I then buy a train ticket at the station and simply take the next train.

 

My ship leaves at 7 p.m. which means all aboard at 6:30. What is the latest train you recommend from Rome?

 

Is it really worth doing all this? Our ship arrives in Civ at 8 a.m.

 

thanks.

Sounds about right.

The port bus from ship to port entrance is free.

You can also buy BIRG tickets from newstands along the walk. Or at the ticket office. Or in the shop at the station.

Validate your ticket in the machine on the wall after you go onto the platform.

Depending on which platform your train is using you may have to cross under the lines.

I would be coming back on a train leaving before 4pm.

Worthwhile and not much trouble at all.

No - Cunard does offer anytime option as well.'

Brittania Club rooms offer this but not in the Brittania MDR.

There is a separate Club dining room.

Only passengers in Club balcony rooms have use of this dining room.

Of course everyone has their own preferences. However, I do not believe there are any lines (mass market, certainly) which only have traditional dining. Sadly, a number of lines which have both, have dedicated so much space to anytime that people who want traditional often cannot get their choice of time - and sometimes (if they book late) cannot get traditional at all. On the other hand, NCL only offers Freestyle - putting them out of the picture from my point of view.

Cunard is the only one I know only offers traditional 2 sittings in the MDR.

I can't see value in walking to/from the port gate to take the train into Rome. The walk would be long and dull even if permitted.

My goal is to get on the first train I can to allow more time in Rome.

The walk from port to station is adequate leg stretching. Save the energy for later in the day.

A really nice town to have a relaxed day.

The beach is visible from the tender stop just 10 mins walk away should you fancy a change of pace.

There are many bars, shops and places to eat at and enjoy.

A more tricky situation to explain traditional dining to the un-initiated as it differs so much from anywhere else.

1) Eat at the same time every night

2) at the same restaurant

3) at the same table

4) with the same people

5) and make a big deal about having the same waiters

If you did this at home people would think you quite odd.

For the last week, possibly longer, it has not been possible to search or register for a CC roll-call connections party.

Has anyone reported this problem?

We have some eager roll-callers....who needs to know there is a problem to fix it?

You mean Cellar Masters? They are trying to change that unsuccessful venue onto something useful, like the Gastro Pub. Maybe the concept will change as they experiment with it, but anything will drive better revenues that has Cellar masters.

Yes, Cellar Masters. Should the change have been made on Silhouette & Reflection when they were built. Other changes were made.

Perhaps this should have been one of those improvements. CM being under used is not 'breaking news' is it.

Well I'm glad it wasn't just me that thought that!

 

The great thing is that because we don't all have the same priorities we can make a choice to go or not to go. If enough people don't go then Celebrity will know that it's not a good idea and will think again. Cellar Masters to me has always been a waste of space so it's good to see they are giving an alternative a chance.

 

Phil

I have to question the wisdom of replicating the same unsuccessful venue on all 5 ships.

We had VIP status on NCL recently.

Even though we remained in our normal room we were given access to Cagneys for Breakfast and Lunch, use of suite area in the theatre, assistance from the concierge, escorted off the ship, tickets and stickers for ship tours were delivered to us so no need to go the theatre.

Choc strawberries, some sparkling wine, invites to evening receptions etc.

A very nice perk

As another example what you call ketchup we call tomato sauce. It's nickname is dead horse

Warning to all mortuusequusphobics out there....

mortuusequusphobia : the unusual fear of ketchup or condiments.

Thanks!

I have sailed with you before - met on a tour too - just too many cruises to remember WHICH one, only that it was Europe, we chatted before on rollcall, and the place we met in person was cobblestone streets, a balcony view at the end of a beautiful plaza area.... LOL How's that for a clue???

 

I also remember because my husband is British and I was curious where you lived...

 

ANYWAY - thanks again!

Debra

You are right Debra - we were on Silhouette in the Adriatic in Sept 2012.

I think that was in Sicily on the tour with Mario overlooking Mt Etna.

It doesn't seem that long ago, which shows how quickly time flies. I think that was the cruise with the busy port days.

The CC event was not ideal as it clashed with some people having dinner

We had a run of port days and the CC event was held at around 7/7:30-8 on the first evening.

Boring after dinner on embarkation day?

Many people will have had a long day travelling, early flights, jetlag and preparing for a port day on day 2 on the French Riviera.

Some will be taking the chance to explore the ship and others settling in.

Hardly a surprise

Don't overlook the non-alcohol packages combined with pay as you go for alcoholic drinks. Many will cite the inclusion of juice, coffees, teas, water bottles to justify the alcohol package yet forget the non-alcohol packages offer this also.

Our next cruise has 1 sea day from 7 so the chances of an alcohol package being worthwhile .....nope. I must be a wimp - just can't manage 7 or 8 drinks every night then an early start + full day in port for 6 days solid.

Of course we also have less incentive to rush back to the ship rather than enjoy a drink or two in the port. After all I cruise to visit the ports so it seems a shame to rush back to get full use of a package.

Unless the OP is already RCI Diamond so the TA is ensuring reciprocal benefits

Stop all the fake free promos.

My next cruise $1350 without 123.

$3500 with 123.

One expensive freebie!!!

My husband is the same way with certain beers - he suffers from cluster headaches and drinking certain beers with certain ingredients can trigger a cluster cycle of migraines that can last up to a month. He has to be careful; can't drink just anything.

With such a severe problem - I would just drink something else rather than risk it.

An excessive price rise is always going to make people re-consider their choices.

A $20-25 mark up on a sale is always more profitable than a $35 mark up that stays on the shelf.

We did a 11-night Greek islands cruise last year on Reflection, and they never confiscated any bottles of wine we brought on board from the ports we visited. Of course, so many people had the beverage packages, so I'm guessing they really didn't care.

I had the same thought

But they do scan all bags. Is it worth it ??:cool:

I am happy they scan all the bags. We often take a bottle back from port to bring it home or enjoy it as we pack on the last night. If it gets to our room sooner then we will try a glass before this time.

It is worth it to us. I don't care when we get the wine or if it comes home or to the post cruise hotel.

I take the 2 bottles on-board initially, get a sparkling wine in our room and with perhaps 1 more bottle this gives us a glass each afternoon as we relax or change for dinner. We then go out and enjoy the bars for the evening. It does not alter our behaviour but adds to the modern luxury experience. If I have no wine in the room, I can't be bothered going to fetch one from a bar or order room service, so just skip it.

Any tips on getting a bottle on board after being in port

Keep it to one bottle and return to the ship at a busy time. Tender ports mean lots of people at the same time.

I understand that you may bring 2 bottles of wine onboard. Can you bring 2 bottles onboard in every port or just for embarkation?

2 bottles at embarkation which you can take to your room to enjoy there or take to dinner with a $25 corkage fee.

If you bring additional bottles at later ports the policy is they are stored for you until the end of the cruise to bring home.

Sometimes policy and service do not quite align so that you can enjoy a glass of local wine after a day in port.