Lexiloo62

Wow its HUGE

We're on board. All good made muster

Now working out where to have breakfast

Thanks, that makes a big difference. Also, I assume the ship is leaving from Barcelona, so the 90 minute check-in requirement is not in play.

We embark in Rome...

The ship leaves at 8pm

We land at 2pm so won't be on the boat until 4.30 at the earliest so no worries about that score.

Thank you all so much for the info so far. Very useful.

Another quick question where on board can my husband get a 'pint' of lager... I have seen various menus saying '12 or 14 oz" or even sometimes 20 oz... assuming everything is in American measurements. We have a select package so I assume we will only be allowed to get one drink each at a time!

Just counting the days down to our first ever cruise and had a few questions I would like to ask you more experienced cruisers.

1.As you embark... what is the first thing you do? Look about. have a drink? Where on the Allure should we head to?

2. Can we pay cash as we go for extra drinks etc, or is everything put on your account and you settle as you go along?

3. I've got lots of Euros to use up... I've read that Euros Dollars and GBP are all acceptable is this true?

4. I often get seasick on the Isle of Wight Ferry... will this huge ship be that smooth I might not need Stugeron?

5. Any other first time tips gratefully received.

Thanks for the mini review. We board her in Rome on October 1st. Can't believe it's almost time for this cruise.

Do you have any tips for Marseille and Mallorca? We also plan on DIYing those 2 ports and just walking around.

Thanks Again

I'm on your cruise too.. We are DIY in Marseille... so I've booked a segway tour - couple of hours around the port/city! Maybe see you on board... have you signed up to the 1st October roll call?

Anyone else have no cruise docs for an upcoming cruise? 15 days until our cruise and they haven't been issued yet.

I found mine on the Manage my booking page = haven't had them in the post... just had to download my set sail pass etc.

I plan on doing as Cornishpastyman1 did. Take the ferry first from La Spezia to Monterosso than work my way back by train. If the ferries aren't running in the morning I'll take the train first and get a second shot at the ferry on the way back.

 

Here is the schedule from October 2014. From what I've read they run fairly consistent year to year.

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwrO8cDtfrshUHJVLVN2Z0E1Q1E/view?pli=1

 

This is the website I got the link from

http://www.apathtolunch.com/2014/06/complete-cinque-terre-portovenere-la.html

Brillant. Just the thing I've been looking for... probably following in your footsteps as we also plan to go to Monterosso and work our way back by land and sea.

I've seen kettle balls. I've never participated in the organized pay classes, thinking they seemed expensive, but if you have OBC to burn off maybe? I just workout by myself and hit the long track.

Do they charge for all classes then?

I was there late Aug. as a cruise pax (from Livorno:eek:) and hiked a section of the Blue Path (Senitiero Azzurro).

 

-- re CT cards, you have to buy pass to hike the Blue Path (7.5 Euro/adult, or 20/family), there are booths at beginning and end of trail in each town (I assume, I saw them at Monterroso and Vernazza) that sell them. There are also unlimited train ride cards for intra Ct travelling at 12 E/adult sold at train stations (I think you need to ride trains at least 6 times to breakeven).

 

-- Both riding boat and hiking at least part of the path are highly recommended to appreciate CT (train ride is not scenic).

 

-- while I did not hike the whole path - just b/w Monterroso and Vernazza (reputed to be the toughest section), I believe the section b/w Riomagiorre and Corniglia is the easiest. Each section b/w towns is 1.5-2 mile range. Even in my hike, which was challenging, I saw young children, senior citizens.

 

Here's a link about our hike/Ct visit (not sure it'll work):

https://danieltcyang.wordpress.com/unique-trails/cinque-terre-italy/

Thank you for this wonderful photos.

The village up the hill is Corniglia. It is worth the effort to get there for the views and the friendly people. The train lets you off below and you can walk up a ziz zag path through the vineyards or apparently there is also a shuttle van to take you up.

 

We ate on an outside terrace overlooking the vineyards and the water. It was simply magical.

Thank you... currently studying on the net as much as I can about the area to get the most of out it... I will add this to my list of "must do's"

Could anyone help out with a little planning for our day?We will be in the port of Le Spezia Oct. 7. We have a nice long port day here! From what I've been reading it seems easy enough to do on our own but I still need some direction!

 

I'd like to take a cab to the train and take the train to the first town. Then we would like to do the rest of the towns by ferry. I have read conflicting dates on when the ferry stops running for the season. Can I take the train from the last town back to Le Spezia? If there are no ferry's that time of year do I take the train between the towns?

Any suggestions on how to handle the day would be appreciated!

We looked at this in detail last night and have definitely decided to do this on our own as opposed to an organised tour. Our plan is to get the train to Monterosso which takes about 30 mins. Then weave our way back to La Spezia. Need to sort out train times too.

Can I therefore ask help from those who have done it...

1. If we do all 5 villages - by train - ferry if the weather is ok - what is there in each village that should be a 'must not miss'.

2. Where is the best place to have a bite to eat.

3. If we only do it by train will miss out by not seeing it from the water - if so what would be the best mix of ferry/train stops. I know one village is in the hills...

September 23. That is the day we dock in LaSpezia. It is a long trip to Florence so we decided we wanted to go to Cinque Terre instead.

Shame.. we are there on Oct 7

Is anybody interested in sharing a rented boat with a captain that leaves from one of the villages in Cinque Terre and takes us around to all the villages. We basically tell him what we want to do and when to stop and what villages we want to go to. It sounds really nice. We have four people and are looking for a few more. The cost is $80 per hour for the boat and captain. They recommend about 3-4 hours would be good. The company is called cinqueterredalmare. If anybody is interested please respond to this asap. Thanks. Leslie

What date?

Hello

 

I did that sort of thing in October 2013, and made a video of it which can be found from the Italy playlist in my signature below, if that's of interest.

 

Due to the variables with the ferry (relatively infrequent and can be affected by weather) and because it's so much nicer than the train, I did ferry first (to Manarola and Vernazza) intending to walk to Monterrosso and take the train home. But it was raining and I was soaked so I came home from Vernazza on the train. However you do it, I wish you nicer weather than I had. All the best, Tony

Thank you for your link to the videos.. will have a look at those for elsewhere too. Shame the weather was wet... we are there on the 7th October.. hope the weather will be better...

Could anyone help out with a little planning for our day?We will be in the port of Le Spezia Oct. 7. We have a nice long port day here! From what I've been reading it seems easy enough to do on our own but I still need some direction!

 

I'd like to take a cab to the train and take the train to the first town. Then we would like to do the rest of the towns by ferry. I have read conflicting dates on when the ferry stops running for the season. Can I take the train from the last town back to Le Spezia? If there are no ferry's that time of year do I take the train between the towns?

Any suggestions on how to handle the day would be appreciated!

We are there at the same time and are looking to do the same on our own day - organised tours are about €500 for two which seems extortionate . I found there is a shuttle to the port and station isn't far from there. I have read to get a train to Monterosso and work back towards La Spezia either by foot or train or ferry... need to do more homework. Will post here when if I found out what the best combination is. Also as the weather is unpredictable this way I can tailor our day to suit the conditions!

Totally agree with both these points. We loved our tour with Carmine of seeamalficoast, loved our lunch at La Tagliata, and didn't much enjoy Sorrento. Sorrento might be worthwhile if you are really into shopping. Carmine did a great job of taking us to the most beautiful, unique scenery.

not interested in shopping.... so will perhaps ask to miss that part of Sorrento... but would love to see the views from the peninsula around Sorrento..were you able to change the itinerary to suit what you wanted with Carmine?

Did you look at the company that I recommended to you?

Yes I got a quote €400 - which is a little too expensive - seeamalfitcoast is €300 with great reviews on trip advisor

Try Aldos Limos, we used them to go to Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi from Naples. Lunch was not included but they were good value and we had a great day.

Sadly Aldo is fully booked😩

No right or wrong, but simply a matter of personal preference. Personally, we would not waste time in Sorrento (which is not actually on the Amalfi Coast). Lunch really becomes a driver of your solution and its a matter of where and what cafe/restaurant. If you are looking for a really high end lunch experience there are some excellent restaurants in the region (including some places in both Positano and Ravello. If it is just a matter of grabbing a bite a a decent cafe then you also have options. And it all gets further complicated by private tour operators (and even frequent tourists) who have other favorite eating places outside the towns.

 

Hank

Thank you.. One lunch is in Positano..not named. Another is quoted as italian restaurant La Tagliata. I'm considering Seeamalficoast - lunch in Positano (the cheapest of my quotes at €300).. Joebanana is the most expensive at €400! Sorrento 1st Choice is on my list too at €380!

trying to tie down a day on the Amalfi coast. So many recommendations not sure which company to use. Prices all pretty similar.

Which would be better.... those starting in Ravello and lunching in Positano or those starting in Sorrento and lunching in Ravello? I'm sure we will see the same coastline.. just not sure which way to see it!

Hi Hank:

You seem very knowlegeable. We decided to take a boat tour by a company named Angelos boat tours. I have sent them several e mails and we have tried calling and cant get through. They have not responded to our e-mails Another couple on our cruise has been trying as well. They got rave reviews. Do you happen to have any clue about them? The other couple tried another boat tour company and they are booked. Our cruise is in less then two weeks away and have no resolve on this. Any input might be helpful.

Leslie

I'm also looking do something from La Spezia and have found a company called Papillon today.I am on the Allure from 1st - 8th October.. are you on the same voyage? I'd be interested in trying to join a group to do the Cinque Terre somehow!

OK everyone, I'm back (booo :p) and this is what I managed to find out:

 

MTD experience - Not too long of a wait if you have no reservation, but people eat late in the Med, so if you go to MDR at about eight pm there will be lines.

 

Cruise director after TA - Bellyflopchamp - Sorry, couldn't find this one out. Tried to talk to the current CD between the Belly flop and sexiest man competitions, but so did about 10 other people, so I never got the chance.

 

Cost for eating in Sabor for Lunch - BillOh - We didn't go there for lunch, but when we asked one of the staff he claimed it was the same as for dinner, no special menu, no special prices.

 

What diameter and height are the balcony tables? – papcx - diameter: 69 cm, height:76 cm

 

Are there motorbikes for hire in Naples – Lexiloo62 - Couldning find any on the strech of street following the harbor, but there is a road leading to a square that might have rentals. Sorry, I couldn't find out more.

 

Cost for a carton of 200 cigarettes – neesy11 - Couldn't find cigarettes for sale in the shop, sorry.

 

Check what TV-channels they have – coolja10386 - Didn't seem to be anything with sports unfortunately. A few BBC-channels, and then some Spanish channels and some childrens channels, that was about it.

 

Find out what goes for Costal Kitchen if you’re in a JS – pettygirl –JS are not allowed during any time. You need to scan your card in the card reader to have access, and it will only accept gold cards.

 

Working on my review now, so if you want you can read more and see some pics there.

Thank you so much for trying. Think we are going to just get a private tour as it seems to difficult to sort out.. and I don't want to leave it till we get there.

If anyone would like to join us we are planning a tour that goes from Naples and travels to Sorrento-Amalfi Coast - Positano-Ravello with 'seeamalficoast' which comes very highly recommended... over 1400 excellents on Trip Advisor

6312 and 8662 have the beds near the closet, plus 8662 is a connecting stateroom. Even though I like deck 8, I'd rather have 6314 as I don't want a connecting room, and I'd want the bed near the balcony.

So far then its a toss up as to whether we have a bed near the balcony in 6314 or we have a better positioned room on Deck 8!

I have been upgraded to a Superior Ocean View room with Balcony which I' m very happy about.

We have been given D4-6312 on Deck 6. Also available is 6314 on the same Deck, and on Deck 8 - 8662. They are all the same category.

Has anyone got any knowledge as to which room would be best. I read somewhere today about where the bed was and that if it was too near the closet it isn't as good as the ones with beds near the Balcony!