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mapleleaves

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Everything posted by mapleleaves

  1. yes, you're definitely overthinking! And keep in mind that MANY other pax from your ship will also take the train to Florence, so you won't be alone in your journey. Have you asked on your RollCall ? (here or on FB) I was fortunate that when we stopped in Livorno, NCL was still providing a $25 shuttle from the pier to the station. We weren't so lucky in Civi though. We had to take the Civi port shuttle to the port entrance, then wait for a city bus to take us to the train station. Similar to what you will experience in Livorno. But it was fine! We just followed the crowd of fellow cruisers. Once you're there, and in the middle of it, you'll realize that you worried too much.
  2. Riva de Biasio is the water bus stop I mentioned in post #11. You really need to have a talk with your group about the transportation issues of your apt's location to make sure everyone understands and is agreeable.
  3. Water taxis and water buses are very different. A water taxi is a beautiful speed boat providing a private/ pricey ride for up to 10 pax. A water bus is a large public boat that carries over 100 pax. But in response to your question, from P Roma you can walk 15-20 minutes to your apt, OR, take a water bus. An individual ticket to ride a water bus is 10E and is good for about 70 minutes. But if you plan on sightseeing after checking into your apt, it might be worthwhile to buy a 24 or 48 hr pass so that you can have multiple trips on the Grand Canal, including that initial trip from PRoma to your apt. The #1 bus leaves from P Roma every 10 minutes. The Riva de Biasio stop looks to be closest to your street. The bus would leave P Roma, go to Ferrovia (the train station) then to Riva de Biasio. A good resource for you: Venice Transportation and Parking | Venice for Visitors (europeforvisitors.com)
  4. Well, if you won't change the apt location and you think they can all manage their one suitcase, I think a private water taxi from the airport would be your easiest option. It will drop you at whichever dock is closest to your apt. The cost will be around 200E,. But it's a classy and scenic way to arrive in Venice. And would eliminate a little walking. The other options from the airport are taxi at 40-45E per car and your group would need 3 cars, OR, the ATVO express bus is 10Epp. It's a large Greyhound type bus with luggage hold beneath. Both these options would drop you at Piazzale Roma; the last point of land travel in Venice, so it's where buses, taxis, cars must drop passengers But then you must get from P Roma to your apt. It will be at least a 15 minute walk. To get your bearings, go to Google Maps. Search for Piazzale Roma, then ask for walking directions to B&B Vista Sul Canal Grande (a room near the entrance of CalleZen). As for how to get to S Lucia train station, you either walk 15-20 minutes, or catch a water bus to the Ferrovia stop which is right outside the station. That ride would cost 10E unless you plan on buying 48 passes for your stay.
  5. You indicate elderly people and possibly more luggage than they can easily manage on their own. So why not book an apt near the train station and avoid all these transportation issues?
  6. I started with AutoEurope and found the best rate they offered was at Avis. Then I went to the Avis site and found that the AARP discount was even better, so I booked with Avis directly. So just like a hotel search, try several options to find the best deal. I also found that a VISA card from my credit union provides full insurance, so I opted out of the Avis insurance. The car had dents so I took photos and video before we left the lot.
  7. Our cruise ended in Trieste, but we were on the Gem not the Viva. The first guests could disembark at 7am. These were pax with NCL transfers to VCE. "independent guests' could disembark at 7:30am. It's about a 15 minute walk from the cruise pier to the station. Flat, easy walk. We just had 1 carryon sized case. (Our issue was heavy rain when we got off the train in Trieste. So EVERYONE was waiting for a cab to the ship .... took an hr). So be prepared in case of rain.
  8. In the past, RC offered a transfer to Bologna Airport or to Ravenna train station. Bologna is only 1 hr from Ravenna, as compared to 2 1/2 hr to Venice, so many European residents will prefer to use Bologna Airport. Do a search on 'Bologna' and limit your search to the Italy forum and you'll find past threads about transportation.
  9. FlixBus ? Check the Tourist Info Centers for Trieste and for Ljubljana. Since they're geared towards tourism. they usually provide options on how to get there.
  10. With an electronic ticket, I believe you must check-in ON LINE before boarding. With a paper ticket , you would validate the ticket at a machine at the station, but with an electronic ticket your check-in/validation is done on-line, ON the day of travel. Hopefully the details were provided with your e-ticket purchase.
  11. the only 2 companies I've read about on this forum are VQTravels and NCC VIM.
  12. Click on your name. When that screen comes up, look in the black banner just below your name, and on the right you will see "SEE MY ACTIVITY" . Click on that and it will open your past posts.
  13. You don't NEED to purchase your tickets in advance. You can buy at the station. There is no financial advantage to buy in advance on Regional Trains; there's no discount and they don't sell out. You can tell it's a Regional train by opening up the particular time you're interested in and it will say RV , ie the 8:16am and 9:16am are RV. If you can manage your luggage, it's a15 minute walk to the Trieste station; easy, no hills. But if it's raining you might have to wait an hr for a cab.
  14. If the monastery and wine tasting are important you don't have much choice.
  15. ugh, that's a nasty port schedule! Odd that NCL isn't offering the Oia tour. What is the tour you're looking at ? Here's an option to consider. Sunset will be around 8:30pm. If there's a long line at the cable car to go down to the tender dock would you be willing to walk down the donkey trail during daylight, say 8pm? If so, ask if your tour would meet and wait for you in Oia. Take the water taxi to Oia, $30 IIRC. It doesn't have a fixed time so you might have to wait an hr at the dock but it would eliminate the cable car wait going up to Fira and also that expensive ride to Athinios.
  16. I like cruisemom's suggestion. And I'll add that there's a small beach at the edge of town. Everyone can enjoy a sandy beach.
  17. How long is your port day? do you have time for your planned activities to make it worthwhile? We only spent 4 hrs there during our cruise, but it was enough time to see the Duomo, the PonteVecchio, have lunch at the Market and browse the adjacent market, (personally I prefer the train over a bus, and the station is less than 10 minutes from the Duomo)
  18. Where is the tour starting point? If this is a private tour, won't they take your luggage? Usually tour groups use Mercedes mini vans, so there should be room. A shared tour, probably has no room for luggage. The train station is a 15 minute walk from the ship. The Left Luggage will probably charge 5-7E per item. I'd be concerned about leaving the luggage in a car park while you're sightseeing. If it all fits in the trunk/boot, fine, but if any luggage is in the back seat and visible, you could fall victim to a smash and grab. How does it compare financially .... the cost of the tour (plus left luggage) vs cost of car rental.
  19. The Shared Shuttle web site says 2 per pax. (in the FAQ) For private it says a boat can take 12 pieces of luggage total. Shuttle | Venicelink
  20. contact the vendor directly regarding your specific excursion. I'd go with the April date due to the amount of snow on the mountains would make the journey incredible, but the downside would be that emerald lake would probably still be iced over. You imight also ask about the chance of a late opening date due to heavy snow? White Pass & Yukon Route Railway | Scenic Railway of the World (wpyr.com)
  21. Since this is a group of adults I suggest getting a travel book about Med cruises so that everyone can learn a bit about each destination, ie Rick Steves has "Mediterranean Cruise Ports". The books provide information about the history, sights to see, activities, tours and DIY options. Some of your family members may want to see Pompeii, while others want to visit Capri. Best to learn about all the options so they can make informed decisions.
  22. but 100e for 5 pax is only 20E pp. Compared to 10E for the vaporetto? No contest! I'd happily pay 20E to ride in style down the Grand Canal, rather than be squished with my luggage on a crowded water bus.
  23. nope, I used the train and Flixbus. A few vendors have been mentioned here. Just do a search on Trieste, using THIS FORUM and look thru those posts.
  24. I'd say 12-15 E. (based on the fact that our party of 4 paid 18E going in the opposite direction)
  25. use the water taxi coop web site to get an estimate. The cost is the same whether there's 1 pax or 5. Explore Venice Water Taxi Rates - Consorzio Motoscafi Venezia
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