carlmm

We like to make it a game to try to identify the port photos others post here. Yes, @bluemarble, thank for all your effort, would indeed be great to get some new challenging, unidentified photos of actual visitors to so far unseen ports!

I was denied such a request in the past. Others might have other experiences. Certainly does not hurt to ask your travel agent.

Looks like in your situation the drinks package might not be the best option. If you search you will find a number of posts. Some people enjyo the package, many more are better off eg ordering bottles of wine for dinner and other drinks individually. Prices are lower than on some US based lines. The formal dress code does apply not only to the dining room but also the theatre, the ball room and many other rooms, basically to all public spaces that are not specifically exempted. Shirt and jacket will not suffice. Dark suit and tie is minimum. The majority wears black tie. Anything else? It is different than US style lines. Great lectures. Good music. Mostly people with good manners. A lot awaits you to enjoy!

What for? If one desire one or some or all of the addtional items, one can buy them. To have "Cunard plus" guests vs lowely normal guests might be quite a bit against the overall brand image.

My first advice would be to skip all of the cities that require additional travelling time and to stick to the port cities. Do not go to Seville and Florence. In Bilbao and Oporto it also takes some time to get to the historic areas, thus they are candidates for skipping. Cannes is famous by name but otherwise less significant and may be skipped. Just from the point of balancing sightseeing and relaxation, you might consider skipping every third day or so. All of the cities will be around a couple of years more 😉

Yes, the Alcazana is very close to the port. The way to the entrance is all even. Within the site there is some incline. Now the Gibralfaro is a different story, high above the city.

In case public transportation is an option for you: There is a train station right in Trastevere, where you can get a train directly to Civitavecchia. Very easy. There you can continue by taxi or shuttle/bus.

No tip is expected. The European culture is different from the US.

I have actually taken the SIT bus. It was very convenient, starting right at the port gate. From the upper deck one has a nice view. I did not go all the way to Termini but left at Via Crescenzio which is closer to the Vatican and many parts of the city centre. The 9.30 h departure was fine with me for a more relaxed start. We had more than five hours in Rome.

Good to know. I will make a note never to sail any of these ships!

Music stops rather early. In my experience most often around midnight.

Nothing akward at all with eating there as solo. I have done this several times. They treat one well. Yes, there are some items that are available only for a surcharge but the included choice is rather nice, too. Search for one of the existing threats about this for details.

To update on my own question: Last week taxis were available roght at the port gate for fixed prices starting from € 70 for Mycene or Epidaurus.

Debarked last Friday: There were many, many taxis. The line went through all the port area at terminal C and there was even an overflow of taxis on the street outside the gate.

Today it is 22 celcius in Heraklion. Likewise yesterday the pool deck was full of sun bathers and swimmers. On Cyprus locals said, they expect the cold period to be over now. JFYI. Enjoy your cruise.