marazul

What time do your boarding documents say? It takes about one hour from central Rome to the port, so allow 1.5 hours.

The fastest would be to go to Monterosso by train and then use the ferry between the villages. When you are in Riomaggiore, which is the closest to La Spezia, you can decide whether to return by train or ferry depending on how much time you have. In that way you visit four villages. On a longer day, you could get off the train in Corniglia, then train to Monterosso and ferry back as above. Like that you visit all five villages.

There should be plenty of cabs, but a single cab should take all of you. Spaniards are very accommodating of children and families. Two cabs is your fall back option.

Cabotage laws require ships that have their first and last ports in the same country to make a stop in another country during the trip. (It's complicated, search this forum or google "cabotage law.") The exception is for ships flagged by that country. So f you sail a Greek cruise line like Celestyal, they are allowed to vist only Greek ports. Any foreign flag cruise line, has to make a stop in another country. The most common stops for Greek cruises are Turkey, Cyprus or Italy. You have three options if you don't want to go to Turkey: Pick a cruise that stops in Cyprus or Italy. Pick a Greek cruise line that stays only on Greek ports. Or pick a cruise that starts or ends in another country. The on-board duty free issue mentioned by @edinburgher is a separate issue. Cabotage laws go back centuries and are meant to protect the maritime industry of every country, not only the EU.

You are lucky to get Palermo. It is a wonderful city with much to see. Consider a visit to Palermo and Cefalu to spend the day. It does not have good beaches. IMO, it would be a waste to spend the day by the pool. There may be better places for that on your cruise.

@mgel728 - Are any of the 5 small children? If so, the taxis will likely take them. If all are adults, just take two taxis.

Nice in a 10.5 x 8 ft room? Clean, yes. Ample, not.

Well, the room is tiny. It says 8 sq.meters which is 86 sq. ft. I don't see the shuttle mentioned, but hotels in Rome, especially 3-star hotels, do not have shuttles. They will book you a limo or taxi that you have to pay for. It will be around 50 euros. It also doesn't mention if the room has its own bathroom. Go to the hotel website and look at pictures and descriptions of their various rooms. Look for a single measuring 8 sq. meters and see if you want to book it. By the way, four nights in Rome will let you see the main sites. That is a reasonable length of time for your first trip. For the cookies in the other browser, go into "details" or something like that and select only "essential" cookies. The EU requires all website to offer the choice.

That's a very good rate for four nights. Is it "pay-at-the-hotel and cancellable"? Or at least, refundable? If so, grab it. You have a full year to find something else if you want to. Is this the hotel website or a reservations search engine. If the latter, at some point get confirmation from the hotel that they do have the reservation.

Yes. Little Venice, windmills and the pelican. Search this board for transportation options. It will be a short ride from the port. If you tender, you might also tender into the town.

@jb12 @JerryInIL Just to confirm the website information - The only official website for the Acropolis MUSEUM is: https://www.theacropolismuseum.gr/en/plan-your-visit The only official website for the actual Acropolis is the Hellenic Heritage website: https://hhticket.gr/tap_b2c_new/english/tap.exe?PM=P1P&place=000000002 You cannot buy tickets for the other site on each website.

Not at all if you pay whatever they are asking.

George's Taxi does not put groups togethrr. If you want to share with others, you put togethrr your own group and you all agree on payment. They will price it according to the size of the vehicle. Otherwise, you get and pay for your own private tour for the two of you. They will not add anyone else to your own group of whatever size. PK Travel does shared tours priced per person. You have to check their rules on their website.

Patience. Try again in a few days.

Might do so too.

Not really. That was our favorite place in that area.

Just a comment. Los Bellota is under new ownership and we have been told it isn't as good as it used to be. It was our favorite lunch place and I would be interested on your comments since you obviously have been there before.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2962859-acropolis-tickets-official-website-this-is-it/?do=findComment&comment=66080751

No such thing. Go to the official website and buy timed entry tickets. Show up at the time you select and you will be in within a few minutes. The Acropolis is now limiting the number of people that can enter each hour. No need to pay a third party website for supposed skip the line tickets. Again, no such thing.

We just had to cancel a cruise due to a health issue of one of our traveling companions. It is very effective. It also covers flights selected through Seabourn. Any amount not covered by Seabourn Shield results in a credit to be used for a future cruise. Just be aware that it is not enough to select Seabourn Shield at the time of booking. It is not effective until you pay for it.

The 15% seems to apply to their less popular properties. The 5% to the most popular.

Tender. There are no piers for cruise ships.

No, and you cannot buy tickets for the Museum at the Acropolis. There is an Acropolis ticket booth practically across the street from the Museum at the Plaka entrance to the Acropolis.

Yes, that's the official site. The only tickets you might want to get in advance are for Casa Battló. If you are interested in Modernist architecture, do not miss visiting the Hospital de San Pau. It is not a Gaudí work, but it is by his contemporary Lluis Domenech. https://www.introducingbarcelona.com/hospital-de-san-pau

@NCteacherlovescruising I have not taken either excursion but I have visited both cities. I would choose Bologna over Faena. Bologna has been in the news recently with its huge, leaning tower. It is also the seat of the oldest university of the Western world (around 1000 years). However, do not miss seeing the mosaics in Ravenna. At the very least, go to the Basilica of san Vitale to see the 5th Century mosaics. All sites are close together and easy to reach from the port. Search this board for details and google "Ravenna mosaics" for more info. They are magnificent and a top destination by themselves.