euro cruiser

Have you tried posting on the NCL boards? Maybe you can find someone there who has experience with a Livorno overnight. I doubt that they run shuttles all night so it will be important to find out what time they stop.

It's not a bad Plan B, just a time consuming one as it takes so long to get out along the coast. If you haven't seen Il Postino, it's worth watching before visiting Procida. It's set there and was partially filmed there.

Zero. I never even saw the porters at Civitavecchia, the luggage was just taken and no one stood around waiting for me to get the hint. And there is no expectation of a tip for a taxi either, though most people round up to avoid the change.

This is walkable (600 meters/four-tenths of a mile) from the port: Home - Lido di Naxos - Stabilimento Balneare - Ristorante - Bar

Yes, both are easy to do. If there are several ships in port you may not get the first crossing but they continue throughout the day. You don't have to buy the return from the same company (there are two ferry companies on this route) but be sure to get the ticket either in the morning in Naples or immediately upon arrival on Capri, because returns getting back in time for cruise ship departures do sell out. There are several companies based right in the marina where the ferry docks on Capri that provide round the island trips. You can read about some of them here: Capri Boat Tours 2024: Top Deals and Prices

There absolutely will be taxis very happy to accept a fare to Positano. I'm wondering what you'd do there, however, if the weather is so bad that the ferries can't run. There's really nowhere to hide in Positano. The fixed fare is 130 euro one way. Round trip for six hours is 230 euro, if you want to stay longer (you will eat up at least three hours getting there and back) you will have to negotiate the extra fare with the driver. You can download the fixed fares from the city's website here: Comune di Napoli - Servizio Taxi

Maybe it's just limited rooms you can see on your own? I know that to see the prison cells and the bridge of Sighs you had to be with a guide. Or things have changed, it has been five years since I was last there.

As for the Doge's palace, I don't think you are allowed to visit except with a guide, but you can read about the options. The official web site is here: Palazzo Ducale | Doge's Palace | Venice (visitmuve.it)

This is the basilica's web site, with the link to purchase tickets: Buy online the tickets to visit St. Mark's Basilica in Venice, Italy! - Buy online the tickets to visit St. Mark's Basilica in Venice, Italy! (skiperformance.com)

Be aware, however, that the bus is wildly oversubscribed. Even in the off season it is imperative to be at the bus stop well before boarding time and be prepared for a bit of a scrum once the bus arrives and the door opens. You absolutely should NOT count on the bus for the return to Sorrento, due to the overcrowding it often does not take on passengers at intermediate stops (the run is Sorrento-Amalfi and Amalfi-Sorrento). To be on the safe side you would need to be at the bus stop at least two buses before the last one that would get you back on time, wasting most of your afternoon.

In addition to the company above, there are several other ferry companies on this route: Seremar - Sailing Company, Daily Excursions, Cruises from Sorrento to Capri,Ischia, Procida and Amalfi Coast Positano Jet | Lucibello NLG » Official website

I often say on these boards that last minute/wildcat strikes are extremely uncommon in Italy, and they are, but this is an example of one. They can happen so DIY travelers should always know what their "plan B" would be in the unlikely event that one happens when they are there (this is true anywhere, not just in Italy). The strike was announced the day before, but if you're not checking the web site every day or unable to watch and understand Italian TV news programs, it's unlikely you would know. The causal event, in this case, was a fatal accident in Calabria (a train hit a truck). Several unions voted immediately to protest infrastructure issues left unaddressed. Incidente in Calabria, sciopero di 8 ore delle ferrovie - Ultima ora - Ansa.it Sciopero nazionale del trasporto ferroviario (rainews.it) Ferrovie.it - Gruppo FS, sciopero nazionale il 30 novembre e il 1° dicembre

I noticed a marked difference post-Covid, things that were always paid in cash in Italy are now paid with credit cards, it's more common than in the past. I still like to have currency on me but for most things you can get away without it. Coins to pay for public restrooms are often needed, that's one exception to the credit card rule.

Yes, for a multi-week rental definitely check out Autoeurope and Kemwel. Also read up on driving and parking regulations in Italy, especially ZTLs as violating them is an expensive mistake. Also be sure to get an IDP - International Driving Permit) for every driver (available from AAA in the States, perhaps similar in Canada?).

It's here: GeServ2017 by DVA (digitalvideoarts.eu) Enter date at the top in european form (day, month, year) and the list of scheduled ships comes up along with the date and time of arrival (arrivo) and departure (partenza).

It's a lot easier to get to Naples from Rome than to Genoa.

Check with any of the transfer companies linked on this thread, most will be able to accommodate a group of eight, especially if it's a day trip and no luggage is involved.

Are you looking for a car service, or a tour guide, or both? Or maybe just a driver who speaks English?

These are two places that are very easy to reach by train, is there a reason you want to drive? Lucca is pretty easy, you can't drive inside the walls but there is generally parking available just outside them. Pisa has ZTLs, so do familiarize yourself with them before driving, and be sure to have an IDP (International Driving Permit) for all drivers.

Any of the recommended private tour companies should be able to arrange this for them. If they (or you in their stead) join the role call for their sailing and find another couple or two to join them they can dramatically reduce the cost, but even if they don't, the relatively small increase in cost-per-person for a private tour might be worth it to them to avoid the bus and group experience. Mornings at the Vatican museums are much worse than afternoons, so I would suggest they lay out their day with the Vatican at the end of the day.

Here is the Lucca tourism web site, maybe it will give you some ideas: Home Page | Turismo Lucca If you're up for it, renting a bike to ride atop the city walls is a lot of fun.

Pisa and Lucca are very easy to reach by train from Livorno. Florence is also straightforward, though it takes longer. If you and your travel partner don't have a strong desire to go to Florence, Lucca, or a combination of Pisa and Lucca, is a great option.

Civitavecchia Porto as the destination should return the list of trains plus the bus from the train station to the port. As noted above, just use Civitavecchia and you'll see the trains.

The port calendar is showing three ships in port that day: CELEBRITY CONSTELLATION 8:00 -18:00 (2,170 passengers) CELEBRITY EQUINOX 7:00 - 18:00 (2,850 passengers) OASIS OTS 7:00 - 20:00 (5,606 passengers) Generally it isn't necessary to purchase ferry tickets in advance but with that many people all arriving within a hour of one another, I would get them ahead. If possible I'd wait and buy only a few days in advance if you'll have internet access, because your money is pretty much sunk if it's pouring down rain and you decide not to go. You can purchase directly from the ferry companies to avoid excess fees: Snav: Naples - Capri | Snav NLG: NLG » Official website You can purchase your return from a different company if the timing works better for you, there is no financial benefit to purchasing both from one company. They don't offer round trip tickets, just two one ways (andata e ritorno). The fact that OAS leaves so much later takes some of the pressure off the return but I still wouldn't risk it; if you don't purchase ahead of time on line go directly to the ticket office when you arrive on Capri and buy your return then.

One other thought about the bus option, if you decide to go this way do make a reservation. If there is track work impeding the trains, the bus will sell out.