helpthejuggler

We always use taxis from hotels on Bath Road. For two it costs a little more, but the hoppa is infrequent and with our bags the taxi is just much easier so justifies the marginally higher cost.

In the area outside Pompeii there is a place offering limoncello tasting. If you visit Sorrento it is fairly common to find places offering the same.

It will be harder to avoid than find tastings, and for Meloncello too.

It will be Moll Adossat. All the larger ships will be in berthed in a line. The exact berth is ņot normally crucial to know

I assumed this was because they did not know.

When filling in their questionnaire I wrote that this had stopped me booking their tours since the could not be trusted to plan the day properly.

We are staying near Plaza Reial, do you think there will be shops that carry personal items such as shampoo ect?

Without a doubt. Not actually on the Plaza, but certainly within a few minutes walk.

We have been in G733. No noise problems from the Live Lounge.

The port bus is also an option too for a few euro for a return ticket

Denis54 we have walked it from station to ship. It is quite a long walk particularly after a long day walking around Rome.

Bus is the better choice.

It is not difficult and the language is not a barrier. The risk of being left in Rome can be reduced by planning to return in good time, travelling as a group which makes a shared taxi a viable plan B.

Any planned strikes are scheduled so you can check in advance.

https://www.italiarail.com/strike-information

Planning makes all the difference.

90% of Europeans, and 100% of tour guides speak English. In Europe the worst mistake you can make is going on ship excursions.

A little harsh. There are worse mistakes, but ship excursions are normally in large groups which makes them a poorer choice.

Liverpool is easy to walk to the city or to see other attractions.

Cobh is easy to walk, although to reach Cork take the train which is right at the dock, although at Cork station it is a 10-15 minute walk into the city.

It is possible. We walked in November to dock 13 which is further still. It is a long walk in the port, with nothing to see.

It is not unsafe if following the marked walkways. We were looking for a port bus stop at the time, but there is none.

By the time we realised it was closer than trying to go back to the port gate so we pressed on.

After a long day walking around Rome, at least the evening was cool.

I would not choose to walk to the more distant berths again. It is a shorter walk to walk through town to the via Turco gate then take the port bus.

The port bus does not run very late though so check the schedule first.

There is an emarkation reception which P&O do a terrible job of telling you about.

https://ask.pocruises.com/help/PO/before-you-sail/priority_lounge

We had to ask after we boarded. Seems odd to offer a reception and not invite your guests.

I have never seen a post on "utensil/hand switching" :), so refreshing to see something new rather than the tiresome tipping, smoking, chairhogs, bottled water ...............

 

I think someone should begin a new thread for this one.

Only if you link the video from above and ask if it is classy ;)

helpthejuggler, you agree that people should accept the norm of the country they are visiting. OK, having worked in more than one tipped position in the past I can tell you for a fact that folks many from the UK are some of the worst when it comes to following the US custom for tipping while visiting here. Not all of them of course, but many have come right out and told me they don't like the system and refuse to follow it. That's fine, what's good for the goose is good for the gander. They want insist on doing things their way here, then I will do my way there (yes, been there several times). Heaven forbid I should give a fellow human a few extra coins regardless of what they are paid.

 

Oh well, I'm outta' here. We'll just have to disagree.

Indeed - I agree with your first point. Follow the local custom if you are able.

I too would disagree with my countrymen who intentionally ignore their host custom.

There we diverge. Those who are ignorant, know no better I criticise their poor manners as a visitor by neglecting research for their visit. I applaud your earlier plan to explain your crazy system.

They may come around, or they may not.

You would of course accept their conclusion. I might be less forgiving for their intentional disregard for your custom.

To intentionally repeat their poor behaviour, despite our earlier view that we should modify our practice to suit the host custom seems perverse. Didn't we agree that we all should follow cultural norms?.

For this I have to find fault ignoring your own advice.

Since you left the thread, my post falls on deaf ears. Shame - we agree on the basics. I don't like the taste of goose though so cannot gander with you.

The real villain is the US tipping system and tax rules which should be the focus of your disquiet.

If there is so much ambiguity that US natives find it hard to follow, what hope does the visitor have?

I suspect that I have got it wrong on my 8 visits to the US. At least I always tried...

With only a little research, you can easily see the highlights of Venice on your own.

On a 1st visit to Venice, you will have lots to see.

Recently our table mates went to Verona to see Opera while the ship was in port overnight.

What I don't understand when people say this is why it is acceptable for you to continue your tipping system wherever you go regardless of the cultural norms of the places you visit?

 

When British or Australian or other people visit the US, we expect them to adhere to our (somewhat chaotic) system of tipping. In fact, people regularly chastise folks on these forums who don't understand US tipping and don't particularly want to comply.

 

So why, then, do people from the US feel it is okay to tip according to US custom when traveling outside the US? That's the kind of thing that makes people stand out as culturally insensitive.

 

Sure, the person to whom you give the tip is unlikely to refuse it. They don't want to offend you and/or they are willing to accept it. But what about all the other people who LIVE in that geography? When Americans come in and tip BIG and regularly, servers, guides, etc. get used to it and expect it from everyone -- even though they already make a fair wage to which tips are not expected to contribute.

Agree completely.

The warm beer myth was sold a sweetener along with "London Bridge".

Lager is chilled, Bitters and stouts may be chilled, but can be at room temperature too. If beer is too cold, it hides the taste, for me at least.

Some have mentioned soda which seems to be an obsession in the US. DW & I hardly touch it.

The British equivalent might be worry about having a kettle to make tea first thing. Never on my list but for some a deal breaker.

Travel and meeting others draws your attention to the little differences between us.

Anyone else noticed the knife and fork thing? So very different!!

I read that many people ask their steward for ice to be in their room. We only ask for an ice bucket when we have a bottle of wine to chill Is everyone else drinking much more wine than we do?

What on earth is everyone using all this ice for?

On Friday / Saturday evening in November you could see the Magic Fountains at Montjuic.

http://irbarcelona.org/barcelona-tourist-attractions/magic-fountain-montjuic/

We like this area during the day too. Easy to reach via Metro. Walkable from the Espana station. The NMAC is lovely, great views for sunset and has a very nice restaurant.

Obviously you should see the work of Gaudi. Enjoy dusk in the gothic area which becomes very atmospheric as night falls and you enjoy Tapas.

Cava is the local sparkling wine - so give that a try.

Reserve your tickets for Parc Guell as entry is via timed tickets.

When the evening cools, churros with chocolate will be a welcome treat. My favourite place for churros was Fargas who has a few cafes. The hot chocolate is soooo thick and warming. If that is your thing, a chocolate tour?

https://tourismwithme.com/barcelona-a-city-of-chocolate-tour

Stroll on Las Ramblas, there are a few sights along there. You cannot skip Sagrada Familia, the symbol of the city.

Filling your time will be very easy.

So this is a port day, not a pre/post cruise visit....

The difficulty in Rome is choosing what to skip, as you cannot do it all.

We were in Rome a couple of weeks ago. The Spanish steps are being refurbished at the moment and Barberini while nearby and has a metro stop it is not worth the time. Don't skip the Trevi fountain which had been renovated and looks wonderful.

There are some take away pasta places that we saw. Maybe one of those could work. The Lost food place near the Pantheon is perfect for a quick snack, or try the Antica Deli on the Pantheon square.

I forgot to ask...is this your plan for Tuesday, then to head to the ship on Weds?

If you only have 30 minutes then I would make other plans. Your time is better spent at St. Peters. It can take 10 mins to pay your bill.

Assume you have arranged entry to the vatican museum already. This is the most efficient way to see the Sistine chapel and the Basilica.

Yes. Focus your search on 14 night or 2 x 7nt Back to Back with your favourite line. Those embarking in Venice, Barcelona, Athens or Civitavecchia (Rome) are a likely match.

I just found an example on Cunard Queen Victoria on 17 sep 2016

I have never used the S. Basilio part of the port. How are you getting to P. Roma?

The Vaporetto ticket permits you to take a suitcase for free. Extra bags can be cumbersome and may need a charge.

It is essential that you swipe your ACTV ticket at the dock before boarding to confirm it is valid. This is hard to miss though so should not cause you stress.

It may be that San Basilio had a different area for water taxis than the one for Maritima.

Each Vap ticket is good for around 1 hour so a single ticket should work for a contiguous journey. I think it is 8euro prr ticket.

If you are in Venice for long enough a 24hr ticket can be a good option.

Google for ACTV for prices