Oliver Wilson

We liked them very much. Very adequate, affordable transport. I vote yes to Caselmola as well - beautiful place and not crowded with tourists. They will customize where you can go so try to mix a little of all to get the best experience

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Can't speak to where you'll taste wine but you will waste a lot of time at Gival jewels. Nice folks there but trapped and poor use of time. Several lines stop there - use Sicily taxi or other private tour to do what you want at your pace and not a bus. The other 3 are excellent but that stop cuts out better time added to the former.

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I have to agree with David. We were on the Jan 9th sailing, in a Royal suite and much preferred Luminae. We were also at Normandie the first night and doubt there were more than 20 people there when we dined. That big space with so few people didn't help the acoustics. So empty that I'm really not surprised they are converting it to a more lively place better suited to the demographics sailing those itineraries. (Quisine was hopping the night we ate there). I had expected something more like Morano but it felt pretty dated as did the food. The music and entertainment was a great mix - we enjoyed it but then we are mid to late 50's. As for the ship herself, we had been leery since we'd only sailed S class on Celebrity. We had such a fantastic time that we'd do this again in a heartbeat - One of our best trips! We're only elite on Celebrity but kudos to Ashley, the Capt Club rep - she's amazing!

Thanks for all of your responses. I have booked a private transfer who will be waiting for us at 0630 and since it is a Saturday, I am hoping for less traffic?

 

 

 

We are in a suite so I am hoping that we will be among the first off the ship for self-disembarkation. We will give it a go and hope for the best.

Tip (and hoping not to tick off others) but the Michaels Club concierge will likely be available to escort you off avoiding any lines. Make friends with them when on board and they will know and expect you. Lots of tips on navigating the terminals including know which one you leave from and not being dropped at the wrong one can be helpful. If you have status on your airline, even better. If you share your destination or if you stop somewhere first that could make a difference.

We have done mid-late morning flights the last 3 years from Rome with our June 2015 being on a 10:20 Flt. Private drivers were more expensive before 7am so we went with a 7am pickup. We are fairly seasoned travelers, have no mobility issues and were comfortable with our decision. We self disembarked early and were down around 6:45 with the happy discovery that our driver was already waiting for us. We had plenty of time to spare even with some of the confusion from the recent airport fire.

IMO self disembarkation in Rome (say versus the US) is less popular (certainly no mass exodus) because of the larger number of passengers with later flights, few have their car at the port :) or extended stays post-cruise.

Thank you for your kind response. Of our 7 day cruise, we plan to leave the ship twice. We are doing a carribean cruise and don't find a need to get off in Puerto Rico (which is at 4pm or later anyway). We will get off in St Marteen and st thomas (to head to st John). This was done purposely so we could enjoy Luminae for breakfast or lunch or both and have a relaxing leisurely cruise.

I did that cruise on Reflection 2 years ago and appreciate your intentions. It is my opinion that they adapt their hours based on itinerary and general expectations. Their breakfast hours most days appeared to be 8-9:30 but again this was a port intensive itinerary where most were getting off in that same time period (or earlier like us!) so those hours were logical. If you want a later breakfast than posted, your butler can always serve you on that fabulous balcony pretty much anything you want within reason. They were extremely accommodating and even if they had brunch (loose term that also includes non-breakfast items) would do their best to prepare something off-menu.

Had I not just had the experience I would be anxious as well due to some of the prior posts. That said, some of them may need a vacation more than us [emoji6]

You're sailing on the Reflection, right? We had a nice embarkation lunch. According to my husband his burger made Mast Grill taste like McDonalds [emoji3]As far as I recall they offered breakfast and lunch every day. We never bothered after day 1 with those as we enjoy having breakfast delivered to the cabin and were visiting ports most days. I recall that the hours weren't extensive but they were open.

Luminae was a fabulous experience and well worth it even if we only used it primarily for dinner. I am dismayed that so much assumption and conjecture on this board have the OP and others so worried and up in arms. The experience exceeded my expectations and Celebrity should be congratulated.

I'm chiming in with SeeAmalfiCoast as well. Just finished our 3rd trip with them this past Sunday and they are simply wonderful. Carmine's father was a tour driver before private cars/vans became so popular. Carmine and his cousin Vito do the most personal and wonderful tours. Our favorite tours across all over 3 years. They live there, know everything and everybody! What a blast!!!

Agree with CDragon's comments. Not too windy in the East Med and very convenient to everything really. We considered a RS but since we don't invite people to dinner in our cabin, decided the dining table was a waste of space for us [emoji3]. This is now our cabin of choice even for just 2 of us.

BTW we had our 27 yr DD with us. Plenty of room for the 3 of us. Sofa bed was comfortable, separate thermostat controls in the rooms if one like it cooler, full door between the bedroom and living area. Only 2 chairs on the balcony but the butler brought us a 3 rd chair [emoji3].

We just got back Monday and stayed in 4107. We loved it - the much taller ceilings added to the sense of spaciousness. No recliners, but chairs with nice footstools - we felt the Veranda was very roomy and not at all dark.

Not sure what you mean by slider? Happy to answer any other questions.

We just got off Monday and agree Luminae was exceptional. Any night there you can choose from either the Luminae menu OR anything from the MDR menu. DH loves prime rib as well and had it the night it was served in the MDR. You may need to ask for the menu but no big deal and no slower service. We loved it.

We had a good experience with them. Went to Castelmola which is a beautiful little village on a mountain top then Taormina. Nice car, good driver - we enjoyed it and would certainly use them again!

There was a line of cabs waiting last June, we caught one. Plan to do the same in 2 weeks. The driver pushed for a tour but we declined and they took us straight to the Acropolis well before buses arrived. Hope this helps!

I agree with (and always appreciate) Cruisemom's response. We did this last year and will again in a couple of weeks. Only further tip I have to offer is that the many taxi drivers waiting will press you hard to engage them for a personal tour but you have no obligation or need to do so. Being the first one at the Acropolis is amazing and well worth being 30 minutes ahead of those taking slightly longer modes of transportation.

Bob's Limousine stranded us at the airport upon arrival in Rome for a transfer to Civitavecchia. Thank goodness for Celebrity being at the airport. They allowed us to book transport with them to the pier. We opted out of using Bob for a return. Very unreliable. Love the staff on Celebrity!

Any chance your flight was late or baggage delayed? We had a driver arranged by our hotel who wasn't there for us at the airport and we subsequently took a cab. Discovered in Rome, most drivers wait an hour and then leave. We've used Bobs and had success, even early drivers.

We've sailed Celebrity, done that 10 day itinerary and doing again in late May. Reflection is much newer, nicer than the Connie. Reflection also does an 11 day with an overnight in Istanbul. You can always add days before and/after to extend your stay and see more. I have to agree after seeing the Louis ships, but also that their ships have shorter port times - perhaps a bigger factor than you might have realized. Huge to us.

No, it is not necessary to pre-arrange transport. But, in the case of city to port, and port to airport, taxi is about the most expensive way to do it. Airport to city, taxi is a very good way to do it.

 

If you read down the board, there are MANY recommendations, including the wonderful Rome in Limo, with a huge thread, some 2800+ positive recommendations.

I agree with taxi from the airport into the city - last summer, our flights luggage was slow, slow and arranged drivers usually will only wait for one Hour. You can walk right out and get a taxi for the same price. We've used Bob's as well for to/from the port and they are not only affordable but from the ship to airport or back to city early and waiting for you. We are using them again in June.

That would be really nice. We are going in July ( the 23rd).

Will do!

I've booked them for early June as we are looking mainly for transportation (including Castelmola, Taormina) which doesn't require any guide services. We've been before, their price was right and we don't have much to lose. If you are going later than that I'm happy to report back for you.

Wow thanks. Great to see this thread is still active after all this time.

 

 

 

We're actually booked on a June Princess Emerald cruise that will be stopping here again... I can't wait to get back to Santorini. Not sure what we will do this time, but we may very well do the same things.

You're so good I check all your posts to see if you've been where we're going [emoji3]. We did the boring ship trip in Santorini last year, but this June we're renting a car from Tony's. We're also following your Athens tips! We were on the Emerald for New Years as we're from Houston - you're a Princess guy so as you can imagine, Crown Grill was our favorite. Thanks again for the invaluable information. It's right on point [emoji3]

It's optional - you pick what's best for you. You certainly don't have to take a resident rate that keeps you from - say a 123 promo [emoji3] This is sometimes tricky on their website. It may be easier to give them a call.

Virtual Rain, if I haven't said it before you write very inspiring DIYs. We've referred to your posts on multiple trips and although we haven't hit all you've done in one, we ultimately will :). Thanks for some of the very best posts on CC.

Tip for Majorca: don't stay in Palma or you will miss what's there. if they have a trip - yes even ship excursion - on the old open air Sollar train and to Deia it will be completely worthwhile. We did this (yes) on a ship excursion and promptly decided we wanted to retire in Majorca. Michael Douglas and Cetherine ZetaJones have their holiday house around Deia - we saw it :)

Excellent service with Bob's last summer at 7 am. We were early and so were they. We self disembarked (always do it now) and were some of the first off. Doing it again this May - you will have tons of time.