euro cruiser

Some info on Mt. Etna: Mount Etna | Visit Sicily official page

I did a little digging on the city's web site and I find no mention of fixed fares.

Are you looking for places that you can reach with public transit, or will you have a car?

How about Mt. Etna?

When you get to Porta Nolana you can take one of two trains, whichever one leaves first, the train to Sorrento or the train to Poggiomarino. They both stop at Ercolano Scavi, the stop for the ruins. The same thing works on the way back, any train heading north that stops at Ercolano Scavi is going to Naples. Another map that's not particularly easy to follow unless you know the area, but here it is showing the two lines that stop at Ercolano Scavi: EAV treni_mappa web_0.pdf (eavsrl.it)

There are two tram lines that start/end at the stop across from the cruise port, you want line #1. The other one, line #4, doesn't make the left turn on Corso Garibaldi. This is the official info on the tram line: ANM Web Site - Tram Linea 1 As you'll see, it's not very helpful. The moovit app has a map that may make it easier to understand: Linea 1: orari, fermate e mappe - Poggioreale (Aggiornato) (moovitapp.com) As you look at the map, you'd be getting on at the bottom and staying on for six stops, to the first stop after making the left turn. The construction you saw continues, they are building a new metro line and expanding the Municipio station to link the two lines.

If you wind up in Genova it's easy to take the train from Piazza Principe (a quick 500 meters/one-third of a mile walk from the cruise port) to Rapallo and do the hike from there to Portofino (see here: Hike from Rapallo-Santa Margherita-Portofino - Daily Nautica). The hike is about 8 km/five miles so you might want to do it one way and take a bus or taxi back. The train ride takes between 30 minutes to one hour, depending on the train you get. There is no need to buy these tickets in advance, making it an easy fall back option if you suddenly find yourself at Genova.

Another option that I just came across is the Sit Bus Shuttle, from Termini to the port. It drops off at the port shuttle bus station, so you'd need to transfer your luggage from one bus to the other, but it's easier than the train and you're guaranteed a seat. It's also three times the cost, but still pretty inexpensive at 15 euro. Sit Bus Shuttle, servizio bus navetta tra Roma e aeroporti

Yes, there's only one functioning train station in Civitavecchia. At the station you can get the Port Link bus to your ship for 3 euro. Civitavecchia Servizi Pubblici Srl - Portlink (civitavecchia-servizi-pubblici-srl.it)

Good news, the station at Civitavecchia now has elevators to get around between tracks. One strong suggestion: as you make your train plans, limit your search to Frecce or IC trains from Rome to Civitavecchia. The reason for this is that regional trains going to Civitavecchia depart from auxiliary tracks about three city blocks from the main track head, where you will arrive from Florence.

That is a train back to port. It's not the Civitavecchia Express, if that's what you are asking.

The one time I visited Genova from a cruise we had a relatively short port day, something like 8 - 5, and we were toward the end of a packed itinerary. We decided to make it an easy day and simply walked off the ship into town and wandered around. We had a lovely day, stumbled into a wedding at city hall, walked past Colombus's house, and along the waterfront. My mother, then in her 80's, managed it all.

If you tell us where you're staying we can help direct you.

I had to think about this for a minute, because it surprised me, but with all the time I've spent in Florence I've only used one hotel. The rest of the visits I rented apartments or was staying in Tuscany and made day trips in. I chose the Machiavelli Palace hotel the first time for the location, close to the train station and steps from many of the key sites. We returned a second time for the same reasons, and because it was a nice place. The rooms were small but well outfitted, front desk staff was helpful. The breakfast must not have been much to write home about, I usually remember food but I have no recollection of it there. I'm sure others with more hotel experience in Florence will offer other recommendations. Hotel Machiavelli Palace | 3 Star Hotel Florence Center

I've only ever been in first class on IC trains, but those were older ones. I don't know if they are using newer train cars now (I sure hope so!). At any rate, it's only a few euro more so I'd go for it. For the same price you can take a Frecce from Rome, in those trains second class is fine.

While there is a lot to do from Messina, probably the two most popular are Taormina and Mt. Etna. If the weather cooperates there are great boat trips to the Aeolian islands.

Naples is a great port, there is an embarrassment of riches to choose from, but choose you must. Your options range from important historical sites like Pompei and Herculeneum, to Naples herself, a fascinating two thousand year old city, to the Amalfi Coast, Capri and the other islands in the bay of Naples. It's a lot to wade through.

I hope you're both feeling better now. The silver lining is that you missed one of the worst heat waves in recent European history. September/October is a much better time to be in Europe, in my opinion. I would suggest getting a hotel room in Florence for the overnight rather than schleping all the way back to La Spezia, unless you plan to see Cinque Terre one day and Florence the other.

See this article today on European baggage issues, to Hank's point: Baggage piles up as Europe fights air travel delays, staffing shortages (msn.com)

If you want to be at the Colosseum by 9:15, you'll want to be at Roma Ostiense by 8:45 - 8:50 to get the metro two stops to the Colosseum. You'll probably be early, but the extra time is the safety in case either the train or the metro are running late. Which means you are correct, you need to be on the 7:44 train. I would want to be off the ship and headed toward the station no later than 7, since you don't know where you'll be berthed and how long it will take to board the shuttle, get to the drop off, and how long from there to the station (if you want to take another bus). If you walk from the drop off it's 1.6 km/1 mile from the current bus stop or 1.5 km/0.9 miles if they go back to the old stop.

Why not go to Ravenna for your day trip and see the amazing mosaics? Home - Ravenna Turismo RCI is offering a shuttle bus from the train station in Ravenna to the port, perhaps X does/will as well. Otherwise there are public buses or taxis.

It's the Cotral puddle hopper, something like 70 stops along the way. It takes 90 minutes but it only costs 3,90 euro. The lady did ask for the cheapest options, so there it is.

The least expensive route to Civitavecchia from Rome is the public bus, 1,50 euro for the metro to the bus depot, plus bus ticket of under 5 euro. This is a small bit of walking from the bus stop to the port shuttle stop to get to your ship. Just slightly more expensive is the train, 1,50 euro to the train station in Rome, 4,60 euro train fare, 3 euro bus from train station to port. Little walking with this option.

See posts #14 and #20 for info on the RCI shuttle between the train station and the port at Ravenna.

If you'll give me the train times I'll look on the quadri and see what tracks they are supposed to use at Ferrara. That doesn't guarantee they will use them, but the plan is published and as far as I know they stick to it unless there is a reason they have to deviate.