cruisesusie

We will be spending a few days in Rome pre-cruise next fall and would like to take an excursion to an area outside of Rome since we have visited Rome a few times & have covered all the must-see sights. Can anyone recommend a guide/driver to offer suggestions of places to see for a day tour outside of Rome. Thanks in advance for your help.

Susan

I checked Rome Cab's website and it looks good. I like paying the day of instead of in advance. Also looking into using them for a day tour.

Thanks,

Susan

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I'll add Rome Cabs to my list. I like the idea of paying on the day of the trip instead of charging credit card ahead of time.

Thanks,

Susan

We booked this: http://www.civitavecchiaport.org/shared-shuttle-service/

 

"Now you can also use our service from Civitavecchia port to Rome City center, from Rome City center to Civitavecchia port. DOOR-TO-DOOR SERVICE! PICK-UP/DROP-OFF AT YOUR HOTEL. PRICES FROM/TO ROME CITY. YOU WILL BE PICKED UP/DROPPED OFF AT YOUR HOTEL OR PRIVATE ADDRESS IN ROME CITY CENTER"

 

TOTAL PRICE

2 PASSENGERS € 70

3 PASSENGERS € 100

4 PASSENGERS € 130

 

 

This link will bring you to the port of Civitavecchia's shared shuttle service. They will pick you up at your hotel in Rome and bring you right to your ship. Costs 75 eu per couple. Check the website and see if someone has a shuttle already set up on the date you need your ride, and you can join if they have space (max is 8 people). If none available, you can start your own shuttle and people can join yours. All the details are on the website. I posted it on our roll call, and had no problem filling it.

Thanks for your response. Our hotel offers a transfer service for 180 euros for 4. Before booking it I thought I would look for other possibilities. I'll check out the website.

Thanks,

Susan

There’s no charge walking around the city. There’s a charge if you want to climb to the top to the fort. I forgot how much but not expensive. Our ship got there around 7 am so the guy wasn’t there yet. Lol

Thanks Got2Cruise. I think I was confusing Kotor with Dubrovnik. There is a charge in Dubrovnik.

Susan

Does anyone know if there is a shuttle bus from hotels in Rome to Civitavecchia ? I think I read it somewhere on the boards, but neglected to write it down.

Thanks,

Susan

Our cruise last spring was very port intensive and in Motor we tendered in leisurely in the morning and visited the old walled town. It is very quaint with narrow passageways and interesting little shops. We found a restaurant in one of the squares that specialized in seafood. We had a delicious lunch of mussels, red or white sauce, a huge bowl for €7,50. The wine was very good too.

I understand there is a charge for walking around the walled town. Do you know the cost?

Thanks,

Susan

My wife and I enjoyed a wonderful tour by Catherine of Tour Designer in Provence. Our ship was originally scheduled to dock at La Seyne Sur Mer but put into Toulon. Catherine was aware of this and met us there.

 

We visited the beautiful fishing village of Cassis, toured the market there and took a boat ride to see the Calanques (impressive limestone cliffs). We saw the Cap Canaille and drove up Montagne St. Victoire for a beautiful view of Cassis.

 

We then traveled to Catherine's home town of Aix-En-Provence. Catherine gave us the option of purchasing some charcuterie for lunch in Cassis or eating in Aix. She took us to one of her favorite restaurants in Aix which was frequented by locals. Lunch was wonderful. We saw the sights of Aix including the Cathedral and the Cours Mirabeau.

 

Catherine was very knowledgable and pleasant. She patiently waited while I took many photographs and took several of my wife and I as well. She was happy to customize our tour. We felt like we had made a new friend by the end of the day.

 

I hope you enjoy your visit whatever you decide to do.

We enjoyed a tour with Catherine in 2008. So happy to hear she is still doing tours. We'll be in Toulon next September so I'll contact her for tour recommendations. We also ate in a wonderful restaurant, but I can't remember the name. We had one of our favorite meals there. Would love to go again.

Thanks,

Susan

We were in Palermo last week. We're a family of 8, 3 generations ages 12-75. We did a really fun 3 hr food walking tour thru the street market. It was my favorite guide and walking tour of our trip. Our guide was a hoot and obviously a local, with a great rapport with the vendors. We had arancini, a chickpea flour pancake thing, spleen and lung sandwich (optional for sure and not as disgusting as you'd think), two kids had a fizzy volcano sort of drink, cheese, olives, several breads, beer and drinks, and gelato the Palermo way - sandwiched in a brioche bun. We did not return to the ship hungry. We also walked by several interesting cultural areas, and got a bit of history as well. The tour started at Piazza Verdi, an easy 15 min walk from the front of the terminal up a tree lined mostly pedestrian way.

 

The terminal is right near the tourist area and it would be an easy port to DIY. There were several tour operators at the gate looking for business.

Sounds like something we would love. Would you share the name and contact info? Thanks.

Susan

We returned home a few days ago after spending 3 days in Prague pre-cruise and 7 days on the Danube on the Amacerto. It was our first river cruise after many ocean cruises. Our experience in Prague was wonderful. After picking up our luggage, we were able to easily find the Ama representative. She called the driver and 5 minutes later we were on our way and our room was ready when we arrived. The first night the cruise manager, Martina, gave us all an overview of the cruise and specific instructions for our stay in Prague. The next morning we had a half day tour - our tour guide, Liba, was excellent. Both Martina & Liba were available all day & night to help with restaurant reservations and suggestions for sightseeing. The restaurant in the hotel was very good.

The bus ride to the ship took about 6 hours with a stop in Pilsen. Embarkation in Nuremberg was very quick - you give them a credit card and you're on your way. We had a room with a sliding door on the 3rd. deck. The only complaint we had about the room was the shower. The floor is very slippery and I would suggest putting a towel on the floor. The bed was comfortable, but the pillows very flat.

The food was very good. Don't miss the Chef's Table - it was awesome. In addition to the 3 meals a day, there are snacks in the lounge all day.

The excursions were very enjoyable. If you like history, don't miss the WWII tour in Nuremberg. Another nice touch was being met with cold towels, a special drink and snack upon returning to the ship after excursions. We didn't take the optional excursion to Salzburg, but everyone loved it. We're sorry we missed it.

A special note about our cruise manager, Martina - she was fabulous ! Always smiling and ready to solve any problem or answer any question. She truly loved her job.

If anyone has questions, I would be happy to answer them. If I remember any other details, I'll add them later.

Susan

Hi Everyone,

Just got home from our cruise on Amacerto - Legendary Danube. I will post a review in the next couple of days. Because of the time change, my body thinks its 3 a.m. so when my brain starts functioning again, I'll write a review. If anyone has questions I will be happy to answer. In a nutshell, the food was great, the weather perfect, the staff, particularly our cruise manager, Martina, was outstanding.

Stay tuned. I have lots to say.

Susan

Sandy,

Thanks for your review. We leave in 2 weeks. Happy to hear all your positive comments. Since this is our first river cruise we're trying to learn as much as possible. Happy to hear the food was good as well as the tours. On a personal note, I'm curious about your screen name. There was a prominent family with that name in the town where I grew up. Is Doktor your last name? Thanks again for taking the time to post your review.

Susan

People have asked about receiving their documents. We leave on May 23 and got our documents (with luggage tags and hotel meeting place for ship transfer) from AMA last week. Very excited!

 

 

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We're leaving on May 18 and also received our documents last week. They include a very detailed itinerary which we found helpful.

Susan

Salzburg yesterday-my opinion a must. Great ride-beautiful city. One thing to remember if you going the a lot of the Cafe only take cash. Euro's

 

 

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What were the other options when you went to Salzburg?

Thanks,

Susan

We are onboard. Arrived yesterday about 3:30. We left Prague around 9 AM . Pilsen was quit nice, however bitter cold with Lost's of wind. AMAdante in excellent condition. Rooms are nice, many are say, far to small. We are in 302 which is the small suite. This suite has a small fridge with complimentary juices, sodas, and beer. We had champagne and fresh fruit upon Arrival. Draws and shelf space is a premium. I wish there was a stool at the vanity. We do have a nice sitting area. Wine and food are great! Did the World War II excursion. Guide was awesome. We are currently in canal heading to the Danube.

 

 

 

 

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Thanks for taking the time to post. Happy to hear the food and wine are great. We are also doing the WW II excursion so glad to hear you enjoyed. Has the weather improved ?

Susan

Just returned from walking tour of Prague. Most skipped castle because of 40 minute wait to get through security. The tour we took was all down hill, but was about a 3 1/2 walk. It was chilly and rained on and off. Tonight is folklore dinner show.

 

 

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Thanks for posting. 3 1/2 miles? What other sights did the tour cover?

Susan

Susan and Neil

I will try to give you post each day. Going with Jeri tomorrow to Kunta Hora.

 

 

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Thanks for doing this. Looking forward to reading your posts.

Susan

Prague, super busy with the 4 day Easter Holiday.

Walking tour with Jeri, Tours By Locals. of Jewish Sector was exceptional. Hoping to see AMA rep shortly.

 

 

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Sandy,

Thanks so much for posting. Since we'll be on the same trip next month, we're particularly interested in your impressions. Enjoy !

Susan & Neil

We will be in Prague from 15th until the 20th. Then on to Nuremberg to the Amadante-Legendary Danube. We are at the Cosmopolitan. Where are you?

Sandy

 

 

 

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Doktor,

Have a wonderful cruise. We're on the same cruise in May. Also staying at The Cosmopolitan. Looking forward to hearing all about it.

Susan

Thanks everyone for the info. Looking forward to our visit.

Susan

Which port? Corsica is a large island with several cruise ports.

The port is Ajaccio.

Thanks,

Susan

We will be visiting Corsica in Sept., 2018. Does anyone know if its a port to do on your own or will we need a guide. We much prefer private guides to ship's tours.

Thanks,

Susan

We used a wonderful tour guide in 2008. Her email is tour.designer@provence-travel.com. Her name is Catherine D'Antuono. We docked in Marseilles and visited Aix, several villages in Luberon and had a delicious lunch. She offers several tour options and was very knowledgeable about the area. If you have any questions, please post. We have a cruise planned for next year and I plan on contacting her for another tour.

Susan

It doesn't say anything in the FAQ except about the smoking section. However, I personally would be very upset if I could smell cigar smoke. I don't think I'm alone.

 

Certainly, if docked, it would be much better to get off and smoke on shore.

His first choice is to smoke on shore & if anyone objected to the smell he certainly would refrain from smoking on board.

Susan

Hi Susan, when I sailed AMA last year I recall the only place to smoke was upstairs outside.....there was an area with

ashtrays. No smoking anywhere inside.

Thanks Lois. I understand that there is no smoking inside. I was just wondering if the outside smoking section includes cigars. In our experience cigars are sometimes prohibited in outdoor smoking sections.

Susan