KiwiGal117

Hi Harry - I was pondering your deep dive into the financials while driving my son to the bus (yes, my life is THAT exciting)... how are the tips treated by the corporation? Are they income? They must have to go through the balance sheet no? If they are income do they then take some to offset the tax liability?

Yup - every time - always have to have the pictures redone. I no longer bother doing them at home.

Just to justify your paranoia, when we were at an AirBnb in Civitavecchia, I left my Kindle on the nightstand (black cover, black nightstand). We got a call from the owner right after we boarded Harmony, and I had to go back to the AirBnb to pick it up. I had plenty of time, but it totally wrecked the first day vibe!! I guess if it's justified, it isn't paranoia right? Anyway - nice to see you back! I was late to the party here, but thrilled to see another Cheapo Dad review!

Crown and Anchor Member Benefits (royalcaribbean.com) Here is a link to the benefits. Platinum members get 2 coupons for 50% off a glass of wine, beer or soda, and a 10% off on a glass of wine, beer or soda. Not great, but it is something. We usually get the drinks package, but given how expensive it has become, we are going to pay as we go on our September cruise.

Check this review out - he has a screen shot of the transportation options. We arranged our transfer from the ship to Bologna airport via our travel agent. You have to call in to arrange it, but it is available. As others have reported there should be a shuttle at the train station and there is apparently RCI reps there to direct you.

Unfortunately, we have two ships leaving at 7pm, ours departs at 8pm and the last for the day leaves at 9pm, so I don't think that there is going to be a point after 5pm where you're not waiting in a long line for the cable car, which holds 600 passengers an hour each way... In your case, I think you'll be fine as plenty of time between the last departure and yours.

Check out the Greece Ports forum, here: Greece Ports - Cruise Critic Community There are lots of discussions of how best to do Fira/Oia. We settled on the "Oia on Your Own" tour, and we are thinking about arranging for a private car transport back to Fira later in the day as the tour is only about 3 hours long. We don't seem to be able to escape the cable car though, and we are in port with 3 other ships.😒

If you go to Naples you can do a day trip to the Amalfi Coast, or Capri. From La Spezia, you can do Cinque Terre. I believe from La Spezia you can also go to Florence, although that would be a long day. Likewise, Civitavecchia serves Rome - also a long day. But the itineraries are generally set up for that - early arrival, late-ish departure. We have done July and August cruises - super hot and lots of tourists much like ourselves. We are going the end of September this year (Eastern Med though) and I am hoping it will be less of the "vacation of the sweaty back".😂

Hi Longstockingpippi1 - I have booked the ship transfer from Ravenna to Bologna airport through my travel agent for our September Royal cruise. You can call to book it, so I would guess you could call to book to Bologna train station shuttle as well. Not available on the website, but should be available if you call.

You don't need to be in Venice first. You could start off in Bologna. RCI has a transfer between Bologna airport and the Ravenna port.

Thanks for sharing. We are heading there on our Explorer of the Seas cruise in late September. We're really looking forward to a chill day being able to walk off the ship and just wander.

Hi Visitors4: Do you happen to know if the Welcome Pickups people would have been able to take you back to the new port? I have heard there are taxis there, but cruise ships seem to only transport excursion passengers there. I just wondered if you are on the excursion in the morning, could you be dropped back there (thereby avoiding the cable car) at the end of the day for the return tender? Thank you for a very helpful post!

We are using RomeInLimo in October. Also check Stefano's Roman Cabs just as a comparison. They also get good reviews here for their tours etc.

In 2016, we used See Amalfi Coast, a tour company based out of Naples, I believe. As there were 6 of us, we hired a private driver for a tour. He did an excellent job and started us at the opposite end of where most tours start so the roads were quieter as were the towns. They appear to still be around. We had a long port day, and had no trouble being back well before all aboard, but maybe we just go lucky!

I don't have an answer for you, but I would check with your tour company. My instinct is that that Athinios area is limited to cruise ship coaches only. Hopefully my message will push your inquiry back to the top and someone with more knowledge will be able to weigh in.