mapleleaves

I was on the GEM last Sept 28, 2pm to 10pm. Also in port, COSTA 7am-4pm with 2700 pax and a WINDSTAR 8am-9pm with 200 pax. I certainly didn't expect a line for the cable car. Even though we were on the 2nd tender we still stood in line for 2 hrs !!! It was brutal. In hindsight we should have taken the water taxi to Amoudi Bay for 25/30E. It sat at the pier for just over an hr hoping to collect more pax. But I didn't think we'd be in line for another hour! And realistically my travel partner couldn't have managed the stairs if the cable line was too busy on th return. On a positive note, we decided to watch the sunset from the ship so we headed to the cable car counter around 6:30/7pm and there was NO ONE in line. Same sunset and no crowds! Plus it was wonderful to watch the lights slowly come on all along the cliff side. Good luck!

for the benefit of others, perhaps you could post the name of this transfer company and the cost. The Ravenna transportation question is a popular one.

The only transfer companies I've seen on this forum are NCC VIM Transfer and VQ Travel. (The poster who used VQ last yr said it was 450E for 6 pax) As previously suggested, the NCL transfer might be the easiest option. Maybe $75pp?? As for the train, there are several departures in the morning, esp if you include the Mestre station as your departure point. Mestre is on the mainland, directly across the bridge from Venice. You could board the train at Venice S Lucia for 1.5 E and be in Mestre within 10 minutes. Why do you need to be in Ravenna by noon? Most cruises depart between 5pm and 9pm. Actually I'm curious about your cruise in general .....the NCL web site shows that Viva only departs from Athens or Rome during Oct.

if you want a definitive answer, call or email the Port Valet program. Their contact info is listed on the Port website. Port Valet (Bags Inc.) Maritime Email: commandcenter@maketraveleasier.com Phone: 321-251-5435

It was only a 2hr drive from Trieste to VCE. The 7am transfer was for flights between noon and 1pm. There was an 8am transfer for flights between 1 and 3pm A 9am transfer for flights after 3pm. If you're a anxious traveler and would prefer the earlier shuttle, just find a flight that departs between noon and 1 and write that on your transfer request. ( NCL doesn't have the time/staff to check.) I don't recall the transfer cost, but I'm thinking $65. That was a year and a half ago.

Are you saying a 13:15 hr flight ? or the flight departs at 13:15 ?

I took the train TO Trieste, a comfortable 2 hr ride. But I used FlixBus for the return trip since it went directly to VCE. Also 2 hrs. Both trips cost about 20E. Be aware that the Trieste train and bus stations are about a 15 minute walk from the cruise pier. It's a flat easy walk on a nice day. (we arrived to a downpour and had to wait an hour for a taxi to the ship!) What time is your flight out of VCE? NCL offered a transfer to VCE at 7am for pax with flights that left at 1pm. That was the earliest. My flight from VCE was to Madrid at 6:20am and I had been to Venice several times so I chose a hotel by the airport, Hotel Antony. The hotel shuttle picked me up at the airport, but my flight was too early the next day so I had to get a cab. The Desk asked if I wanted to share the ride and cost with another guest, and arranged that. Nice touch. Less than a 10 minute drive. The hotel restaurant was very good. The room was booked way in advance and was so reasonable that I chose a room on the top floor with a view across the water to Venice. Have a great cruise.

In past yrs, the water taxi fare included a shuttle ride up the hill to Oia. BUT before you board the shuttle, look across the bay to where there are steps leading up the hill. Last yr someone posted that at the bottom of the steps there were 2 small boats offering rides BACK to the Old Port, the tender dock. They even took reservations. If those boats are available you could avoid the entire cable car nightmare. p.s. the bus from Oia to Fira is often full, even beyond standing room. When there's no more standing room, the bus leaves and you wait for the next one. So allow wiggle room for your return. (KTEL is the bus company. They have a web site with prices/schedule)

In post #12 I included the link to Tuscany Tours and Transfers for their Florence/Pisa bus excursion. But if you just want to visit Florence, they pick up at the Livorno Piazza where the free shuttles drop off cruise pax. If I remember correctly, the dropoff/pickup point in Florence was near the train station. I considered this company but their time was too limited for the Fl/Pisa option so we went DIY by train instead. I don't know the timing of the Florenc only option. Transfer service to Florence from Livorno (shore-experience.com)

in which town ? Look down the page for " Getting around Santorini by Bus" Santorini Public Bus - Routes, Schedules, Tickets, Map (santorinidave.com)

NCL discontinued their shuttle between the pier and train station after 2022 Doubtful that it will be resurrected for 2024 but you can hope. Perhaps watch for current trip reports to see what current travelers experience (It was $25) You'll need to take the free shuttle to the Piazza then walk or take a local bus to the station,

yes, you're definitely overthinking! And keep in mind that MANY other pax from your ship will also take the train to Florence, so you won't be alone in your journey. Have you asked on your RollCall ? (here or on FB) I was fortunate that when we stopped in Livorno, NCL was still providing a $25 shuttle from the pier to the station. We weren't so lucky in Civi though. We had to take the Civi port shuttle to the port entrance, then wait for a city bus to take us to the train station. Similar to what you will experience in Livorno. But it was fine! We just followed the crowd of fellow cruisers. Once you're there, and in the middle of it, you'll realize that you worried too much.

Riva de Biasio is the water bus stop I mentioned in post #11. You really need to have a talk with your group about the transportation issues of your apt's location to make sure everyone understands and is agreeable.

Water taxis and water buses are very different. A water taxi is a beautiful speed boat providing a private/ pricey ride for up to 10 pax. A water bus is a large public boat that carries over 100 pax. But in response to your question, from P Roma you can walk 15-20 minutes to your apt, OR, take a water bus. An individual ticket to ride a water bus is 10E and is good for about 70 minutes. But if you plan on sightseeing after checking into your apt, it might be worthwhile to buy a 24 or 48 hr pass so that you can have multiple trips on the Grand Canal, including that initial trip from PRoma to your apt. The #1 bus leaves from P Roma every 10 minutes. The Riva de Biasio stop looks to be closest to your street. The bus would leave P Roma, go to Ferrovia (the train station) then to Riva de Biasio. A good resource for you: Venice Transportation and Parking | Venice for Visitors (europeforvisitors.com)

Well, if you won't change the apt location and you think they can all manage their one suitcase, I think a private water taxi from the airport would be your easiest option. It will drop you at whichever dock is closest to your apt. The cost will be around 200E,. But it's a classy and scenic way to arrive in Venice. And would eliminate a little walking. The other options from the airport are taxi at 40-45E per car and your group would need 3 cars, OR, the ATVO express bus is 10Epp. It's a large Greyhound type bus with luggage hold beneath. Both these options would drop you at Piazzale Roma; the last point of land travel in Venice, so it's where buses, taxis, cars must drop passengers But then you must get from P Roma to your apt. It will be at least a 15 minute walk. To get your bearings, go to Google Maps. Search for Piazzale Roma, then ask for walking directions to B&B Vista Sul Canal Grande (a room near the entrance of CalleZen). As for how to get to S Lucia train station, you either walk 15-20 minutes, or catch a water bus to the Ferrovia stop which is right outside the station. That ride would cost 10E unless you plan on buying 48 passes for your stay.

You indicate elderly people and possibly more luggage than they can easily manage on their own. So why not book an apt near the train station and avoid all these transportation issues?

I started with AutoEurope and found the best rate they offered was at Avis. Then I went to the Avis site and found that the AARP discount was even better, so I booked with Avis directly. So just like a hotel search, try several options to find the best deal. I also found that a VISA card from my credit union provides full insurance, so I opted out of the Avis insurance. The car had dents so I took photos and video before we left the lot.

Our cruise ended in Trieste, but we were on the Gem not the Viva. The first guests could disembark at 7am. These were pax with NCL transfers to VCE. "independent guests' could disembark at 7:30am. It's about a 15 minute walk from the cruise pier to the station. Flat, easy walk. We just had 1 carryon sized case. (Our issue was heavy rain when we got off the train in Trieste. So EVERYONE was waiting for a cab to the ship .... took an hr). So be prepared in case of rain.

In the past, RC offered a transfer to Bologna Airport or to Ravenna train station. Bologna is only 1 hr from Ravenna, as compared to 2 1/2 hr to Venice, so many European residents will prefer to use Bologna Airport. Do a search on 'Bologna' and limit your search to the Italy forum and you'll find past threads about transportation.

FlixBus ? Check the Tourist Info Centers for Trieste and for Ljubljana. Since they're geared towards tourism. they usually provide options on how to get there.

With an electronic ticket, I believe you must check-in ON LINE before boarding. With a paper ticket , you would validate the ticket at a machine at the station, but with an electronic ticket your check-in/validation is done on-line, ON the day of travel. Hopefully the details were provided with your e-ticket purchase.

the only 2 companies I've read about on this forum are VQTravels and NCC VIM.

Click on your name. When that screen comes up, look in the black banner just below your name, and on the right you will see "SEE MY ACTIVITY" . Click on that and it will open your past posts.

You don't NEED to purchase your tickets in advance. You can buy at the station. There is no financial advantage to buy in advance on Regional Trains; there's no discount and they don't sell out. You can tell it's a Regional train by opening up the particular time you're interested in and it will say RV , ie the 8:16am and 9:16am are RV. If you can manage your luggage, it's a15 minute walk to the Trieste station; easy, no hills. But if it's raining you might have to wait an hr for a cab.

If the monastery and wine tasting are important you don't have much choice.