Ruby Princess port review Venice to Rome - first time family

[wilson4]

I have earlier reviewed my experience of a first time cruise with my husband and two children aged 9. I will attempt here to describe our experience of the ports we visited on the Ruby Princess. I learned a lot from these posts before leaving and hope that I can in some way help others with their planning.

Our cruise went out of Venice. We had a water taxi transfer from the airport. It is very easy - you just need to walk towards the jetty at the airport – no pre booking needed. The arrival in Venice this way is breathtaking.
We stayed overnight in the Hotel Olimpia Venice. The location at the Piazza Roma is ideal for the port and everything else about the hotel was OK for a short stay. We hoped to catch the free shuttle from the P Roma but there was general chaos and loads of people so we hopped in a taxi, which was well worth it.
We had been to Venice before and as this is our first cruise we enjoyed the excitement of our first sight of the gorgeous Ruby Princess and during the overnight in Venice we stayed on the ship.

Dubrovnik was our first port of call. We caught a taxi to the old town and walked halfway around the walls, admiring the stunning views. The children were hot and had had enough. We spotted a café underneath the walls set out on layers of rock and we managed to find our way there through a hole in the wall. Had a wonderful couple of hours here, swimming off the rocks in wonderfully clear sea, before heading back to the ship.

Next stop Corfu and we had decided that as there were so many cultural places to visit in other ports, we would spend this day at Aqualand. It was not great – those of you who are used to Orlando standard waterparks could well be disappointed. It was expensive to get in and the water quality was a bit murky with some leaves and bugs on the surface. The lazy river was so lazy you had to get off the ring and walk to get round!!!
We also had hassle with taxi drivers who charged over double what we’d been led to expect by the ship information and drove whilst smoking and chatting on the mobile hand held phone!!

At Katakolon we just strolled around the pretty little port.

We stayed onboard and enjoyed the ship at Athens.

At Mykanos Princess had transfers to the town for a small cost. We arrived in town early on a Sunday morning and the place was a little worse for wear after a clearly boozy Saturday night. There was a lot of broken glass, cigarette butts and in more than one place, a smell of vomit. A couple of hours later we returned to the town and it was all clean and immaculate. Perhaps it is better not to visit early on a Sunday morning. In the meantime we caught a taxi to Patis Yialos beach. It was a nice beach and not far. We rented loungers and had a lovely swim before returning easily on the local bus.

We took a Princess tour to Ephesus. Really amazing place and worth getting some kind of guide.

We really loved Rhodes. The sail into port was particularly good as you are right at the old town. We enjoyed strolling round, bought some lovely presents for family and explored the Knights Palace.

Santorini was my favourite stop. The landscape is just incredible and Oia is stunning. There were 5 ships in port that day, so we were up very early and tendered over to the cable car – no wait at all. We got straight on the bus and headed to Oia. It was very quiet and we were able to enjoy the amazing place. We returned to the cable car at around 1pm and had about 20 minutes to wait to get down but by this time the queue to get up was horrendous. I really would recommend going as early as possible.

At Naples we caught a taxi to the station and train to Pompeii. Again we were up early and in Pompeii by 8.30am. It was relatively cool for a while and uncrowded. I was very moved by Pompeii with Mount Versuvius looming ominously behind it. I certainly would not have missed this incredible place but would arrange a private tour next time. I did not like the experience of the train station in Naples or the journey. We were certainly being watched and I felt very uneasy. It is not a pleasant journey in the cramped graffiti covered train. I know some people have found it fine but I would not do it that way again with children. We took the train on to Sorrento which was no better – a lot of time was spent in tunnels. Had a nice lunch there and tried to find a ferry or hydrofoil back. This also was not easy and we ended up on a boat that was going to another port in Naples and we had to get a taxi back.

Disembarkation in Rome was fine and we have to thank two lovely American friends who we met through Cruise Critic, for arranging a private transfer into Rome with Rome Cabs. This was very easy and comfortable. We stayed at the Hotel Richmond, which is ideally located for the Colosseum. Our stay was just overnight and we visited the Vatican on Saturday afternoon. We had pre booked tickets. Again I was amazed at the beauty of the Vatican. The Sistine chapel was beautiful but the tannoy booming out the word ‘Silence’ and ‘no photos’ was a bit distracting. The Basilica on the other hand, really exceeded my expectations and was a wonderful experience.
The very best advice I got from this board is when you leave the Sistine Chapel, do not go out the regular exit door. There is a door off to the right. Just walk through it, go down a flight a steps, around the corner and you are at the Basilicia. This completely avoids the long queues

The Colosseum was awesome and we enjoyed just enjoyed wandering round.

This was an incredible experience for us and the children and we feel so lucky that we have been able to see so many amazing sights.
We loved returning to our room at the end of the day and enjoying the comfort and excitement of sailing away again to somewhere new. Whilst I think Princess do an amazing job of making the experience very enjoyable, I would respectfully like to suggest to them that providing not only full excursions, but also shuttles to the nearest town/sights where appropriate, would make life easier for passengers – even if there is a small charge as in Mykanos. Full tours with guides are not always appropriate for children who have a shorter attention span and like to explore at a quicker pace with less detail.

I must agree with Fridaythecat.u.k, who responded to my previous post, I am madly saving the pennies in anticipation of cruise number 2!!!!!!!

[chrysalis]

Thanks for the review and the info.

[Colo Cruiser]

Thanks for the review.

[fridaythecat.u.k.]

Hi Wilson

Thanks for your thoughts on the ports you visited. We did a similar itinerary to you: Rome - Venice. You must have got on as we got off

I agree with you re Santorini - this was our favourite port too. We thought it was ideal for a cruise as it is a lovely place to visit for a day or so, but would (for us anyway) be too quiet to spend a whole week's holiday there.

Glad you liked the other ports, some of which were the same as ours. We took the train in Naples and agree it is not very comfortable and very covered in graffiti, but we didn't ever feel "watched" or insecure. Perhaps we just didn't notice

Good call to stay on board at Corfu as we didn't find that a particularly inspiring place.

Just wondering, though, why you stayed on board at Athens? Have you been there before? Were the wildfires raging whilst you were there?

[Shogun]

Hi wilson 4

Thanks for posting.

yours Shogun

[pmc7704]

Thanks for the review Wilson. We also will be staying at the Olimpia Hotel in Venice, can you tell me anything about it ? What didn't you like ? How easy is it to get to. Also, do you remember what the cost was for the taxi to the port ?

[sidari]

We also had hassle with taxi drivers who charged over double what we’d been led to expect by the ship information and drove whilst smoking and chatting on the mobile hand held phone!!

Wilson ...... Welcome to Greece ! .... always haggle with the taxi drivers .... if you are not happy with the price go to the next one..... Aqualand is not a massive place and should not be judged alongside those in the USA .... as for Dirty water well there is no excuse for that.


Friday the cat ..... Good call to stay on board at Corfu as we didn't find that a particularly inspiring place.

Wilson didnt stay onboard in Corfu!!!!! as for not being inspiring you obviously didnt look close enough at Corfu !! .... maybe you should take a look at our website about the island.... having been there around 15 times now, people who go to the island and find nothing to like didnt look anywhere close enough for what they were looking for ....

[wilson4]

Thank you for your replies.
Fridaythecat. With hindsight we would have liked to see Athens. At the time, we felt it would be too busy and hectic. Maybe there will be a next time??

Pmc7704
There was nothing wrong with the Olimpia, it was just that we found a real gem the year before called Hotel Grimani. It was right by St Marks Square and gorgeous so if we were going for longer we would stay there. However the Olimpia is perfectly positioned for a pre-cruise stay as it is right next to the P. Roma. The taxi only cost 10 euro and although it was only a very short drive - it is well worth it with luggage. I hope you have a wonderful time.

Sidari
I am sure you are absolutely right about Corfu. My views were purely personal and based on a very small snapshot of the place. We visited 11 different places on the cruise and although I had researched for months and made decisions with the best intent, sometimes we look back and think we could have done something differently.

[sidari]

Wilson4 ..... Everyone tries to make a great day of their port call no matter where it is, we travelled to Pompeii in the same way as you did with no problems and if anyone did look at us we just smiled at them which from most got the the same in return!

If you return to Corfu at some time .... take a look at our website on the island .... there is much more to it than just Aqualand ..... maybe next time consider hiring a car and go and see more of what Corfu has to offer..... the same goes for anyone else visiting the island.

[Kruznut]

Thanks for your review I enjoyed it.

[sunshine nana]

Was that the Best Western Olimpia? We are booked there pre and post cruise for one night each. When you say you took a taxi, do you mean a car or a boat? How long did it take from the airport? I've never been to Venice and it's hard to get oriented. Where there affordable restaurants near the Hotel? Thanks.

[fridaythecat.u.k.]

Originally Posted by sidari

Friday the cat ..... Good call to stay on board at Corfu as we didn't find that a particularly inspiring place.

Wilson didnt stay onboard in Corfu!!!!! as for not being inspiring you obviously didnt look close enough at Corfu !! .... maybe you should take a look at our website about the island.... having been there around 15 times now, people who go to the island and find nothing to like didnt look anywhere close enough for what they were looking for ....

Hi Sidari,

OK, so I made a mistake about the OP staying on board

As to Corfu, we are all entitled to our own opinions about different places that we travel to. It is great that you enjoy Corfu I, personally, stand by my thoughts that I didn't find it inspiring. Having been there only for a few hours and not 15 times like you, I am bound not to have as much experience of it! And I am not particularly inspired to go back and find anything more out about it - each to his/her own!

[fridaythecat.u.k.]

Originally Posted by wilson4

Thank you for your replies.
Fridaythecat. With hindsight we would have liked to see Athens. At the time, we felt it would be too busy and hectic. Maybe there will be a next time??

....
Sidari
I am sure you are absolutely right about Corfu. My views were purely personal and based on a very small snapshot of the place. We visited 11 different places on the cruise and although I had researched for months and made decisions with the best intent, sometimes we look back and think we could have done something differently.

Wilson,

Hindisght is a wonderful thing I'm sure almost everyone would have changed at least one thing about their cruise with hindsight!

The most important thing is that you and your family had a great cruise. Athens / Corfu etc are only a couple of hours away by air, so I'm sure there will be opportunities to revisit these places in the future should you choose to do so

[wilson4]

Hi sunshine nana
Yes we stayed in the Best Western Olimpia. We jumped in a water taxi at the airport and asked the driver to take a route which would take in the main sights of the Grand Canal. It dropped us at the door of the hotel and cost 90 euros and took about 20 to 25 minutes. It is expensive but a fantastic experience and so easy when you are tired from traveling and have children and luggage in tow.
It was late evening when we arrived but found a few restaurants on the canal right by the hotel. They were simple little places but the food was great. We just turned right out of the hotel and the restaurants were just around the corner - a few yards away. I am sorry I cant be of any more help if you are looking for something more special.
The following day we took a regular taxi from the P. Roma to the ship.
Hope this helps
I am sure you will have a wonderful time

[sunshine nana]

Thanks for the info. We will be getting into Venice in early am, so probably won't spring for the water taxi, but I'm glad to know the cost. The nearby restaurants sound like just what we like. I think I've gotten everything arranged so I can just sit back and anticipate a great trip.