Liberty days 2-3-4 MORe info!

[RatherBCrusin]

This is a continuation of my last posting.

I want to mention that Carnival is trying new ways for port debarkation. In Naples we were told that the folks "on our tours" would debark from one door at the front of the ship and the folks" doing Naples on their own" would have a second door to do their debarkation. Kudos to Carnival to figure our how to accomodate those of us who generally do tours on our own! We also saw a change in the tender day-- Villefranche- those of us who wanted to get off early were told to meet at a certain place on the ship WITH our COMPLETE PARTY-- (they would not hand you a sticker for a late person in your group). Then we were loaded on the first tender. ADDED to our tender were folks on their first tour. This made for a speedy and efficient debatkation by tender- not an easy feat! We really appreciated Carnival listening to all the feedback that has been given on prior occasions and trying new ways to execute debarkations. Same thing when we debarked the ship for the final time. It was so speedy and well organized that we (blue 22- those parties who had early flights, but NOT Carnival transfers) were off by 7:15AM!!! We were VERY early as we were not supposed to even officially arrive into port until 8AM! Since we told our driver(Rome shuttle) to be there at 8-9 we had to call and get them on their way. We still made it to the airport in PLENTY of time. In fact, a couple from Canada who had a 10:40 flight went on our shuttle and were at the airport by 8:45! So anything is possible.

But I digress... Day 2 I mentioned that we used Adriano in Naples from Drive Amalfi.

Day 3 At Sea-- pretty much your standard day. We enjoyed our balcony, but when it got too sunny, we went to deck 3 and sat on the lovely chaises on deck. We had a nice sea breeze and it was very peaceful. We went to lunch at the "Fish and Chips" restauarant. We had Calamari/Zucchini/Onion fritters and an awesome Boullibase. It was not crowded at all at this time, but we went later in the week and the word was out re: the food and the place was mobbed. No stamps yet. People were changing Euros like crazy. The rate was 1.20 to sell your Euros, 1.28 for you to buy Euros, but that could fluctuate daily.

Day 4 Dubrovnick-- on our own as usual. We were assaulted by shuttle busses who would take you in and our of the old city for 10E each person round trip. Preyy reasonable for a couple but not for our group of 6-- that would have been 60E for a $10-12E fare each way! We got a cab- what a trip. These people wll want to take you on "Panorama" for 150E per cab!!!

wE FINALLY JUST GOT INTO A CAB AND SAID TAKE US TO TOWN. The driver was not thrilled, but it only took 10 min, so he was back at the ship to pick up another group in no time. He did point out that the Taxi stand is at the right side of the area from whre you go into the old town.

We walked into the Old City and looked in the old churches and monuments. Beautiful. A few words if you are doing this city on your own:

1. Go in the morning. After 1pm it was MOBBED!!!

2. Go all the way through the town-- don't just stop at the very touristy shops on the main drag. We went into town and to the lft, up alleyways and down streets and found some lovely shops that were selling original artwork and one shop that was handmaking linens with silk they had spun from silkworms they raised!

3. Eat off the main drag. We had a wonderful lunch when we stopped on one of the upper streets and sat down. They have lots of local seafood specialties and are very happy to give you suggestions. Damage was about 15E each including wine and beer.

4. Go to the little port area. Again, local women doing crafts and we were able to charter for a little ride to Loupid (SP) to see some of the scenery.

5. Friends of ours took the Ships tour to Cravat and loved the area, but did not have time on the tour to get to the Old town.

6. Heres the best tip--- When you are finished and going to the Taxi it is generally disorganized. We went to the shuttle bus and asked for a 1 way to the ship. They were happy to oblige for 5E each (at that point there were only two of us) and we saved ourselves hours of waiting in the very slow and competetive taxi line. More later... Ciao

[Flip2cruise]

Thanks for the review! Much appreciated. Do you plan to post any pics of the ship? Where you given a special book about Liberty that you could keep?

[Cruzluvin]

thanks for the info on dubruvnik...so you suggest taking the shuttle if you are with a small group?

[GrammaZ]

Did you hear of anyone taking the Jeep tour in Dubrovnik and what they thought of it? Also, do you know if there are fridges in the inside cabins. Thanks so much for your review.

[winewanderer]

RatherBcruisin,

 

Thanks for your continuing review. Very much interested to know about other places you did on your own.

 

Glad to know Carnival is listening and finding better ways to allow people off the ship earlier that have private excursions or wanting to explore "on-your-own"

[jedg22]

Really looking forward to more of your trip report...one question...we're planning this trip for next May and my 22 year old daughter is coming along...did you happen to notice whether there were many 20 somethings on board (guys in particular) ? We would be ionterested in knowing the age span of the passengers. Thank you so much....keep it coming !!

[Learning the ropes]

Thanks RatherBCrusin...when in Dubrovnik and you took the cab from the port to the old town...how many people would the cab hold?

We are a family of 5 and wonder which would be more costly -- TWO cabs or the shuttle?