Anyone make an early flight from Rome?

[jazzsea]

Good thinking, cs1.

 

You might consider the Hilton Airport hotel for the night before your return flight. We've stayed there many times because it is so convenient. Just walk with your bags (on an airport cart) right from the hotel lobby.

[Jade13]

This is the fiirst time HAL via the travel agent has made our plane reservations - leaving at 11:15 AM non-stop out of Rome. From what you'all are saying - this is cutting it really close - but if HAL booked it and we miss it - then it becomes their problem?

 

I asked HAL about the USAirways flight (if this is US Airways as HAL was not contracted to use them in Alaska last year, but perhaps is in Europe?), and they said no, it was too early.

[Jade13]

yes, naples (for amalfi coast/capri) and yes we will perhaps disembark in the pm and train or hire a driver up to rome for the evening so we will be able to make our flight early the next morning. we are lucky that naples is very close.

 

 

Does HAL allow you disembark a day early? I know this was an issue on the Europe board but I think the couple (another cruise ship) wanted to get off and on in the middle of a cruise so the DH could go to the Casino in Monte Carlo (and they already had non-refundable flights).

 

This sounds like something that has to be pre-arranged, especially since HAL holds your passports in Europe.

[casm152]

I am interested to know because we are on the 10:20 am flight. It's the latest one of the day. I called the airlines and the flights for the next two days are full. The cost to change is $$$. We are going for it, though! And as an FYI we did this brainiac booking ourselves. :rolleyes:

[jtl513]

This sounds like something that has to be pre-arranged, especially since HAL holds your passports in Europe.

Sometimes HAL may hold your passport in Europe ... but they didn't on either of our Europe cruises except for 12 hours before docking in Russia.

[cs1]

Yes, I did check with Hal and we can disembark in Naples. They, of course don't refund any money.

We decided that it would be best to run around the coast or capri for the day and then hire a driver to go up to the airport or maybe train into the Rome area. I hate to stay at the airport but the chidlren will be tired and it just makes sense to get a good night's sleep.

I think we could make the 10:30 flight but we are travelling with small kids and a sitter so it would be added stress at the end of what will be a great vacation and who needs it?

[dakrewser]

Actually, I called Hal and they said that they won't book air before 12:30pm. I guess plan B is to stay disembark in Naples the night before and head up to ROme. Thanks for all of the great advice!!!!!!

 

The fee to change your flight is probably less than the rail fare from Naples to Rome. Plus the added inconvenience of getting from the pier in Naples to the train station, worrying about luggage, getting to the hotel, to FCO airport, etc...

[Denn33]

The fee to change your flight is probably less than the rail fare from Naples to Rome. Plus the added inconvenience of getting from the pier in Naples to the train station, worrying about luggage, getting to the hotel, to FCO airport, etc...

 

From the trenitalia website, I believe you can get a 2nd class ticket from Naples to rome for about 30 euro per person. To change an international flight, I think the fee might be $200 per person, plus the potential extra cost of at least another night's hotel in Rome.

[Jade13]

Sometimes HAL may hold your passport in Europe ... but they didn't on either of our Europe cruises except for 12 hours before docking in Russia.

 

I was surprised too, but that is what a ship coordinator e-mailed me, BUT she did not know that the laundry price had increased so could be wrong again.

[dakrewser]

From the trenitalia website, I believe you can get a 2nd class ticket from Naples to rome for about 30 euro per person. To change an international flight, I think the fee might be $200 per person, plus the potential extra cost of at least another night's hotel in Rome.

 

There's no "potential" hotel cost, it's an extra night in a hotel either way. Then it comes down to:

 

1) 1st or 2nd class tix on train

2) pull (i.e., class of ticket/FF status) with airline

3) intangible cost of getting off ship, to train, to hotel, to airport without any outside aid (i.e., from HAL)

 

Only the OP can decide what the actual "cost" might be....

[Copper10-8]

Does HAL allow you disembark a day early? I know this was an issue on the Europe board but I think the couple (another cruise ship) wanted to get off and on in the middle of a cruise so the DH could go to the Casino in Monte Carlo (and they already had non-refundable flights).

 

This sounds like something that has to be pre-arranged, especially since HAL holds your passports in Europe.

 

Unless things changed recently, HAL does not hold on to your passport for your entire cruise while in Europe

[cs1]

This is a wonderful board, thanks for all the things to think about!

 

I am taking 5 people so that is 1000 just to change the ticket.

We would have to pay for an extra night in Italy either way so that is a wash.

I would hire a private driver to pick us up at the dock in Civitavecchia and take us to the airport so the cost of the rail ticket isn't much more if at all(was actually thinking about hiring a driver from Naples to Fregene outside Fiumicino for the night)

As for the assistance from Hal, no thanks we have travelled around Europe a lot and I would rather just do my own thing anyway.

 

Again, many thanks for all the insight!

[kryos]

I am the Queen of tight connections and this is one that I chose to not make, given most of the flights are booked solid and if you miss it, you could be in for serious rebooking problems.

If you're the Queen of tight connections, then I have to be the Princess ... and I too would not even attempt this. I've done tight connections ... as in an 10:40 a.m. flight out of Fort Lauderdale on disembarkation day ... and I was very, very lucky and made my flight with time to spare. But if there had been disembarkation problems, I could have blown it. However, after just one experience with foreign airports, I wouldn't even chance it. Marco Polo Airport was an absolute zoo when I flew from there to Heathrow last month. Just getting through security is gonna take a while. Then, of course, there's always the very real possibility of problems clearing the ship ... and getting off too late to even make it to the airport by 10:30.

 

I too would definitely begin looking at alternatives if I were the OP ... even if that means staying overnight in Rome and flying out the following day. She's not gonna have a prayer of making a 10:30 a.m. flight on disembarkation day.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[hammybee]

If you're the Queen of tight connections, then I have to be the Princess ... and I too would not even attempt this.

 

Blue skies ...--rita

 

Craving a Big Mac is also another sign of Tight Connection Royalty :)

[tomko2]

I am interested to know because we are on the 10:20 am flight. It's the latest one of the day. I called the airlines and the flights for the next two days are full. The cost to change is $$$. We are going for it, though! And as an FYI we did this brainiac booking ourselves. :rolleyes:

 

 

You have a wonderful sense of humour! Good things happen to good people so I am betting it goes well for you.

Fingers crossed.:)

[sail7seas]

[B]Please let us know if you make it.........

I'm rooting for 'ya!!!! :D :)

[/B]