General Chat

Think that's how it's spelt---------we are going on a last minute cruise around the Med and wonder how easy it is to do things on our own,like going into Rome and into Florence from Livorno. EEEEHHH---so excited

Ooo Wow posh Eh Carol Just how easy it is to go by public transport into Rome.

I am going on Royal Caribbean Navigator of the seas on 28th July, we stop at both Rome and Florence/Pisa, we have been on a previous cruise to Rome and docked at citiveccia, what do you want to know! Carol

I have been told this! There are 25 docks/quays covering a huge area to the west of the city,. Doesn't look like a fun walk to me, I remember it being all trucks and buses and desolate port surroundings. There may be a city bus line, The train station is in the middle of town. Trains take a bit over an hour to Roma Termini, the ride is E4.10 one way for adults, E2.10 for children (not sure about age cut-off), or 'Offerta Famiglia' (family ticket) for 3 -- two adults and one child E8.20 (essentially, the kid rides for free). I'm questioning how much fun you'd have going into Rome by yourselves. What ship are you going by and what excursions are they offering! Rome is 90 minutes away by bus. The Port is truly an armpit, with nothing to offer, but Rome is absolutely tremendous. We took the light taste of Rome excursion which included over three hours on our own and experienced more than we could write about in under 100 pages. Again, some of the people on this tour didn’t read the brochure description and complained about being left “in a foreign city without assistance.” Rome is a popular cruise/tour destination and there seemed to be hundreds of tour buses in town. We visited St. Peter’s Square it was beautiful had a quick look around and also visited the many gift shops shop. We were next bused to the Colosseum where our guide lead us on a walking tour (must say I rested and let my husband carry on) we then tossed three coins into the Trevi Fountain for us to return to Rome. We started at the Trevi fountain and ended at the Spanish Steps. We glimpsed the Vatican, Piazza de Venezia, the Pantheon (stopped for five minutes so we could walk in), P. de Navoli, and many other sites during the tour. Rome is truly a beautiful city but very,very hot and busy (be warned to look after your wallet at ALL stops.

also Ann I would advise you to be very careful with the time your ship leaves Port and the time you leave Rome to get back to the Port as the ship waits for no one!!, we had a man and his son left at Gibraltar and there passports we left at the dock and they had to pay to fly onto Rome (our next Port of Call).

Spending only one day in Florence, or Firenze, as it is called in Italy, is almost overwhelming. Florence is one of the most beautiful, fascinating, and popular cities in Europe for travelers. Because of this popularity, many cruise ships sailing the Mediterranean include Livorno, the nearest port to Florence, as a stopover. Even very small cruise ships cannot sail up the Arno River to Florence, so after docking in Livorno, you will need to ride a bus the 1-1/2 hours into Florence for a full day shore excursion. Florence is located in the north central Tuscany region of Italy. The Renaissance was born in Florence, and the city has long been famous for its museums, universities, and architecture. The powerful Medici family exerted their influence over the arts and the politics of the city during the 15th century. Some of the most talented of the Italian artists of the Renaissance lived and worked in Florence at one time or another - Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raffaello, Donatello, and Brunelleschi - and all left their mark on the city. Florence has had its share of tragedy along with its artistic glory. During World War II, the Germans blew up every bridge over the Arno except the famous Ponte Vecchio. In 1966, the Arno flooded the city, and Florentines found themselves under 15 feet of mud, and with many of their art treasures damaged or destroyed. Cruise ships port in Livorno, and usually offer day trips to Pisa or Lucca in addition to Florence. You will pass by both of these on the drive to Florence. Florence doesn't allow busses into the city center.

Lucky you......... we went last year and I cant wait to go again...... to get from Citiviccico to Rome is an hours train trip for a few euros. The train goes right into the centeral station in Rome. OUr boat docked in Livorno and we caught the local train to Lucca (a beautiful walled city) we did not go to Florence as we were there on a monday and on mondays Florence is all but closed for the day!! be warned. We did all our own trips except for going to Ephesus in Turkey. Have a great time, green with envy.. June

Thank you for all that information that was very kind of you. Cow girl we have only just booked it but going on a smaller ship than Carol,on Thomson Destiny.