kdooley

We boarded a Princess ship in Naples a few years ago. It was the 1st stop for the cruise and there were only a few people scheduled to board. We just walked on around noon and went to our cabin. 

Not sure on the times when Naples is the start of the cruise. What line are you going on?

Here is another thought, depending on the last port before you get to Rome, you can leave the ship early. We have done this several times and is allowed in Europe with advanced notice.

For example, if your last port is Naples, you can leave the ship in the morning with your luggage and spend a few days in Amalifi then take train back to Rome for your flight.  

We did this pre-cruise and joined the cruise on the 2nd day in Naples. That way we saved a day of traveling by avoiding the trip out to Civi. 

We stayed at the Best Western near the university area. It was moderately priced but we walked a lot!

Coming from the airport we took the A2 Bus and it allowed us to get off at university. We walked about 5 blocks to hotel.

We were told we couldn't return to airport from that stop, that we had to go to the final stop, which added about 4 more blocks. We took a car to airport for €35.

We walked about a mile to the Sagrada then bought hop on hop off tickets for 2 days. That helped but we got stuck on the bus going way out of the way so wasted time until we figured the route out. Other than that we could get around to all the major locations using the bus.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We were there yesterday and it was beautiful! I can answer most of your questions.

They only checked the time going in, after that it seemed like you could stay as long as you wished.

The elevator to the towers where on the opposite side of where you entered. They were to the left in the hall area before leaving building.

There were bathrooms near the gift shop.

Don't forget to visit the crypt after you leave the main building. It's to the right after you exit.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We spent a few days on Aegina a couple of years ago. I don't remember which ferry we went on but do know there are two ports. There is one that goes to Agia Marina a few times a day. Then there are more frequent ferries to the other side of the island to Aegina Town.

There was a bus that took you across the island, which we took to get to our hotel. It only broke down twice!

It is a beautiful island and we are trying to make it back this summer.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We have joined a Princess ship at the 2nd port in Italy, Naples instead of Rome. And we have left the ship early twice. In Europe there is no problem doing this, you just need to inform Princess. I believe they will rewrite the ticket to say boarding in the new city. If you intend to depart early, you just let customer service know when you board.

This is not possible in the United States due to Jones Act (I think that is that is the name).

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I would select #4!

I loved the Venice sail away! Amazing experience that is rumored to go away one day.

Then there are the Greek ports! We loved Mykonos so much that we came back for a week long vacation to enjoy the beautiful beaches.

Crete and Corfu are nice too but not as spectacular.

Croatia was a surprise the first time we went, very historic with a walled city but surrounded by beautiful water. And I think Game of Thrones was filmed here?

Haven't been to Bari, but love Italy!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

When we collected our medallion at the terminal we had our photo taken once for the medallion system and then again for the cruise card system.Hardly seems efficient or seamless!

We had our pictures taken at terminal then again when we got on the ship then after we weren't recognized in the system after 2 more pictures, they took our blue ***** cards and gave us platinum cards because they couldn't get them to work.

I mentioned earlier that my biggest problem with program was that anytime I got near a public ***** terminal (like waiting in line for dining room), my personal information (picture, name, cabin number) was available for anyone to see.

We had ***** and were on April 1-8 Eastern Caribbean midship Baja.

We got one free connection with ***** for the whole trip by logging in with cabin and birthdate. My son was in a regular cabin and was able to connect without logging in and have access to a few Apps (FB, whatsapp) and iMessage for no charge.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We did the Princess 'on your own' tour. It was about $40pp and we were able to walk from the ship to their ferry at dock. That worked for us to limit time in the sun and walking.

We just left the Regal this morning. We were assigned a Medallion class cabin on a guarantee interior. We picked up our medallion at the port and here are some of my comments on the program:

We had our picture taken at least 3 times and they still couldn't recognize us getting on and off the ship. We had to before to switch to a regular card to get resolved. Wasted a lot of time in line over 3 days trying to get this straight.

We never tried to use the app/website or attend the class so I don't know if that was working.

I hated that they took away the mailbox from the cabin door. Everything was placed under the door at all hours of the day and night.

I didn't like how they tracked you! I would be waiting for the dining room and my picture, name and cabin number would appear on a screen for everyone to see. But I was also able to use this in my defense when the customer service rep said it had only taken a few minutes to resolve card issue .... Check my medallion location for last 30 mins...

We had to take it out of the cabin when we left or they wouldn't clean (they thought you were in the cabin) so you had to carry a card and the medallion.

So like everyone has pointed out, the only thing it did was open the door and if you wanted to keep the lights on you needed another key.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I checked my map and both lovely cities are on the suggested route.

The whole coast is called the Amalfi coast. There is a town in the middle named Amalfi. It's located about halfway between Positano and Salerno.

I like to drive so I enjoy driving in Italy, but it's not for everyone. Most cars are stick shift and it's very fast with optional road rules ( such as stop signs...).

With 5 people I would hire a driver. they know the roads.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We spent 3 days on the Amalfi coast last year. We flew in and drove down from Rome airport (FCO) to Pompeii. We stayed at a hotel in town that allowed us to walk. We slept for a few hours then walked through the ruins until dark.

Then in the morning I drove and my husband was (supposed) to navigate to get us to Praiano, the next village down from Positano.

We were supposed be headed towards Salerno but ended up going up and over the mountains to the middle of the coast, coming out near Amalfi! Wow! What a view! He still lost his navigating job...

We stayed at a lovely hotel with view of the sea. We parked the car and they shuttled us down to the beach then down to town. There is also a local bus but it was always packed.

I wanted to stay and visit Positano but we couldn't get into the town. It was over crowded. One road makes the loop down into the village, and was filled with tour buses and tours. Next time I would take the ferry from Amalfi.

We had already been to Sorrento and Capri, so we stayed near Positano until we were going back to Naples and then drove up to towards Amalfi.

Can't go wrong anywhere on this coast! Can't wait to go back!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Aegina is a beautiful little island!

We spent 4 days in Aegina Marina a few years ago. The fast ferry take you to the Aegina town, where the slow ferry take you to the marina on the other side of the island.

The town has a lot more shops. You can also go the the middle of the island to visit a monastery but don't rely on public buses. We rode them over and it only broke down twice!

Hope to return again very soon!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We didn't know what to do when we visited so we signed up for a ship tour to Spinalonga. It's a small island that used to be a fortress made into a national park.

It was about a 1 hour bus ride, where the guide told us all about Greek culture and Crete history. Park was interesting and scenery was beautiful. We got to do some shopping and get something to eat before getting back on bus.

You could make trip yourself by renting a car (which we normally do), but it was nice to have someone else drive and navigate and to learn about the island.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

At one point it was actually mandated by some regulation that A/C could not be turned before such-and-such a date and had to be turned off by October (1st? 15th? It's been too long since I looked it up....).

We were told this as well several years ago. That they had to wait for govt to tell them when they could turn a/c on. We were there in April and the room was very warm because we couldn't open the windows!

They had those 'hurricane' type shutters that wouldn't open beyond a few inches, so It was a long stuffy night. I think this was at a BW in Rome. Since then we have been staying at Marriott's when we visit Rome because they have individual room controls.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I would recommend Cortona for a short stop between Rome and Venice.

The village is on top of a hill and has lovely views. And it was the setting for the movie 'Under the Tuscan Sun'.

Or Assisi, another beautiful stop with lots of history.

We stayed in a small village in Umbria a few years ago and explored the region.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We rented a car when we visited the island a few years ago. The car rental companies were all by the port (can't remember if we rocked or tendered). We walked into one of the companies without a reservation and I don't think it was very expensive (maybe $50 for the day?).

Driving was fine, we just drove around and explored the island. We went to a few little villages and the beach. In one village the streets where so narrow we almost got wedged in a corner when the road turned!

We took a ship tour to Spinalonga - an island that is a national park with a preserved fortress.

It takes about 1 HR to get to a small fishing village, then you go by boat over to the island. The island and the water were beautiful! We also had time to get something to eat and shop in the village.

We normally go on our own but like tours sometimes so we can learn about the local culture from the guides.

We stayed at an great swimming resort - not beach but swim off the rocks - on the island of Aegina. It's about 1 HR from Piraeus.

They do start to shut down the resorts in mid-sept in Greece so check the dates before you decide on a place.

Check out the Apollo Resort in Aegina Marina. You can take a ferry over and they have a shuttle from the dock. Very small town but beautiful water.

Maybe a trip to one of the islands? The ferries are very close to where the cruise ships dock. You can walk or take a cab (depending on how far out you are docked) to the ferry dock and buy your tickets at the docks. It's near the metro stop and bus stop.

Look into Aegina or Hydra. They have frequent departures. Aegina is about 45 mins and Hydra is about 1 hour each way (on fast ferry) so that gives you a few hours to explore the villages on the island.

Another question - where is your first Port?

We booked a cruise out of Rome in Sept that had Naples as the first Port. We wanted to spend time in Amalfi so we changed our embarkment to Naples. This saved us a lot of time.

We stayed on Grand Cayman a few years ago for a week and rented a car and explored the whole island.

Driving is on the left and you won't go over 30 mph! We rented from the airport so not sure about rentals downtown. But it's not that far away so they might come get you.

Our favorite beach, Smith's Cove, was just down from downtown (where you should arrive on tender). It looks like the beaches you see in the movies! We went back several times. There are no facilities, more of a local beach.

Not much else than what you have listed, except maybe the shoe tree, if that's still there!?

If you put your phone on airplane mode, it won't update to local time. We check the phone in the cabin when we dock to see what time the ship is using.