drdaddy

Thanks! I guess that IS the final and true answer. That will save a bit of walking so we may turn around before Catalunya.

I know we will still contribute to the local economy, somehow. I heard that La Fonda near Placa Reial is pretty good. There seems to be a few recommendations for lunch near the port.

So, we will be in Barcelona on Sunday (Only).

I have heard (from a Spaniard) that El Cortes Ingles has been opening on Sundays. Maybe. Does anyone know FOR SURE either way if it is open in Barcelona on Sunday? Perhaps this person mentioned in only for Madrid but I am not sure. I guess the two cities are a bit different from each other.

We know that La Boqueria is closed Sunday, understandably.

Thanks

Hi. We will be in Rome for 5 days pre-cruise. Doing the usual stuff but we were curious about Sundays. I know many restaurants are closed. What about shopping on Sunday?

We figure to walk up and down Corso and visit the 3 04 side streets that go between Corso and The Spanish Steps. Is everything open?

Also, what about the all the small shops around the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon?

Thanks so much.

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts. There are so many tour operators it is hard to choose. This trip (pre-cruise) is weird. We are usually able to get a group together from the meet and mingle but this is a mini stop for the Allure, heading back to Florida so there are not many staying in Rome. Most are already on the ship and coming in from the port.

We booked with them so I will tell y'all how it goes. We are back first week in November. We chose a van/walking tour and it sounds good, at lease on the website.

Will be in Rome for 5 days pre cruise in October. I was looking at Walks of Italy for a couple of tours they do. Any one have any experience with this company? Any insight is appreciated.

I don't think it would affect most tourists but it can be a pain. I remember one year where there was a garbage collection strike somewhere (Paris?) and the pictures were not pretty.

We are going mid October. Flying one way so I hope the airline stuff is resolved. The hotel has a car picking us up and we have a private operator taking us to the cruise. Other than cabs and such in Rome, hopefully it will be done with.

This was on the home page of my ISP under International News.

I agree about the strikes. They usually announce them before hand.

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ROME (AP) — Italy's summer of woe got worse Friday with one strike at Pompeii that left lines of tourists baking in the sun outside the World Heritage archaeological site and another at Alitalia that left passengers scrambling to rebook cancelled flights.

The slowdowns added to record-high temperatures and labor slowdowns that have made living in and visiting Italy particularly unpleasant this summer.

Rome's transit problems got so bad that Mayor Ig****o Marino fired the leadership of the ATAC public transport company and issued a public apology for the "unacceptable problems" that have bedeviled the capital in recent weeks.

Those included transport employees showing up for work but barely doing their jobs — so-called "white strikes" that have enraged residents trying to get to and from work.

Separately, Alitalia cancelled 15 percent of its flights Friday because of a walkout by pilots and flight attendants.

Further south, hundreds of tourists lined up for hours in the sun Friday outside the gates of Pompeii, near Naples, after unions called a wildcat strike and kept the archaeological park closed for several hours.

Culture Minister Dario Franceschini said the Pompeii closure caused "incalculable damage" — both to Pompeii and to the image of the country.

Much of Italy has also been baking under a relentless heat wave for over two weeks, with average temperatures in Rome around 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit).

I was reading that there are some major problems in quite a few spots due to wildcat strikes and slowdowns. Has anyone who has been in Rome, Naples, or Pompeii seen this or have heard anything else about potential problems?

We are not travelling by train but flying in to FCO but hate when there is strife in the city that we are visiting.

Thanks for all that, Flyer!

I think I have seen that blue sign for the shuttle. It is on the street where I mentioned that those benches are on the way to the area where, in the past, RCI has had port shuttles when Barcelona is just a port stop.

I think it will be a busy day for sure!

Maremagnum is that shopping area I saw. We have not been there as yet. I think that will be part of our day.

This thread is so helpful.

We have been to Barcelona a few times in the past.

But I have questions for one very unique trip in October.

We are on Allure of the Seas. We leave Rome for a 3 night trip to Barcelona, then from Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale.

For us, it is a b2b. But, unfortunately, it will be a Sunday. Now, I assume there is some mechanism for us to be able to get off the ship and return without checking back in?

Also, according to Cruisett.com there will be more than ALOT of cruise passengers in transit on this day! It said 16,000+ but can I assume that this is the capacity of the 4 ships in port and may we assume that this might be the main embark/disembark point for them? That comes to 32,000 cruise passengers in and out!

What's open on Sunday other than La Sagrada? We would usually take a cab up to Catalunya or beyond and walk back, seeing the sights, shopping at El Cortes Ingles and feeding at the Market on Las Ramblas. Which is closed as is El Cortes Ingles.

I am especially curious about the port bus. Does it come to all the terminals? And where would one pick it up at the terminal and where to pick it up to come back?

Does anyone know if Royal Caribbean has their shuttle running on a "turn around" day like this. That has also worked well for us in the past.

And, concerning another's question about cell phone service. I have gotten excellent reception near the port. When you walk from the Ramblas, to the water are that when you face the water, the big shopping pier is to your left. There are a few concrete benches as you walk back towards the port and where some of the shuttle buses have been located. Always seems to be good on that bench!

Thanks for any of you who can help with these very individual questions.

We are interested in exploring Trastavere and heading over to the Janiculum Hill to get a great view of Rome.

Many spots on the net mention it is a strenuous walk up the hill. We are staying near Piazza Navona. Can anyone suggest a good way to get over to the area and up the hill? We know that the #8 tram goes along the main drag in Trastavere but not too neat the hill itself.

Is a cab the best way? We want to have dinner near St. Cecilia and if we did get to the hill, how tough a walk is it back to "the other side" of Trastavere?

Thanks!

Mickey,

So glad that we have someone who has just been there. Cruisemom is so overwhelmed I think.

You say you took a cab from Naples to Ercolano? What did that run if you would be so kind? How easy was it to get one back to Naples or did you then take the train back?

If you took the train back, is the information about the walk correct? In other words, is it a straight run or has truly become a bit circuitous?

Thanks!

Cruisemom,

I am so embarrassed. You already sent me your notes but I had a major crash and lost all my emails. On your next run and when you have the chance, I would appreciate it so much.

drdaddy at earthlink dot net

I have that show on the DVR. Nice that these guys are going and keeping things current. Nothing like watching a show from 2004 and the restaurant is gone!

Pizzeria Ostiense sounds good but it seems too new. Ovens not seasoned yet! I would rather go to Da Baffetto and be abused there and get great pizza. They seem to be abusive to everyone but you cannot go against the fact that there is always a long wait.

Can't wait!

Cruisemom,

I hate to be so late to the party. At your convenience, really no rush (we don't go until October for Allure's return to Florida).

drdaddy at earthlink dot net

Thanks so much.

The "rabbit" report was amusing. But things like that happen on all flights. I upgraded from Coach to Coach + on British and terrible service and rude people in front.

But I was also interested in Alitalia. I have heard that many times, the bags do not get to your destination with you. But they have a Non Stop from Miami to Rome that is less expensive than a 1 stop through Atlanta or JFK with Delta. More desirable I think but wonder how many problems Alitalia has. Maybe non stop from the states is better?

Looking for some insight too.

That must have been a record for a response! :D

That is the information I was looking for! And sounds pretty easy.

Thanks!

We will be stopping in Naples next October. We did the Pompeii-Sorrento-Positano thing last year. Very tiring for us even with a private tour.

We would like to try going to Herculaneum using the train system. I understand that there is a station that has these trains. I am having trouble locating this station on a map. Does anyone have experience doing this? Would you have an idea as to the cost R/T? I think I read that you could cab it from the port. Which bus would go from the port to this station?

I think there is also a stop at Garibaldi station that I might utilize on the way back to get off and stroll back to the ship, after stopping for a pizza at Da Michele, which is near that station. I think I would have enough time for this?

Thanks.

We stayed at Smeraldo 3 years ago. Found it to be nice but there is a bar across the alley which stays open VERY late. Noisy. Mostly a good stay.

We will also be in Rome October but a couple of weeks later. We decided on a B & B near Piazza Navona. I tiny bit more I think but seems great. Highly rated on Booking dot com. 9.5. Nice people. Breakfast in room. And just as good a location as Smeraldo.

Mynavona. Just use the dot com after. Unfortunately, I can't give a personal just yet. But I am hopeful:rolleyes:

We were on the Transatlantic on the Oasis this past October. I thought I would mention a couple of things about the CATS production.

If you do not know the story, I would recommend reading a little about it. We had no real inkling as to the story. After we got home, it all made sense.

I mention this because I just saw a professional production of the show on PBS. Let me tell you. The production on board was EVERY bit as good as the professional version, right down to the scenery, choreography, costumes, and makeup. I even thought that Deuteronomy and the tall skinny cat (I can't remember his name) were BETTER on the ship!

After you see the ship's performance, you understand all the aggravation it caused for some people. It is definitely worthwhile if not a little ambitious. Maybe a little long but that IS the show. I am not sure on a Caribbean cruise it is something some people want.

JMHO

This all sounds fabulous and I am quite more happy that it will not be too traumatic.

Those were really fast replies! Thanks.

For the Stewards to take care of bags, I assume I would not leave the bags out at night? I just cannot figure out what they will do with them while fixing up the cabins. And we usually have a few "schleppers" with stuff we bought in Rome, essentials like Olive Oil, Cheeses, and Pasta! Also, some valuables we would prefer not to take with us in to Barcelona. I guess the ship has a vault we could use.

On the cabin change, yes, it was a category D8 to a D6. Up a few decks is not an upgrade IMHO. But the mini cruise went up $1000 for a 3 day trip. Go figure. The 12 night TA went up $40 total.

Hello. We are booked for Allure when it comes back to the US October, 2015. We are on the 3 day Mini cruise, Rome to Barcelona, then the Transatlantic to Ft. Lauderdale.

At the time of booking, there were only 3 cabins that were available for both legs that were in our category. Got a decent deal because booked early on board the Oasis. Fooling around, I found another cabin that was much better that was open for both legs. Travel agent went ahead and changed it but the 3 day mini went up by $1000 over what we originally paid. TA leg only went up $40. So he changed one and not the other.

The question is: How do we get the bags over to the new cabin easier on a turnaround day? We are consigned to the fact that we cannot unpack fully on the 3 day (DW is upset). But, we cannot leave the bags in the original room because it has to be serviced for the next passengers. We cannot get the bags over to the new cabin early because THAT cabin needs to be serviced for us! I want to get off the ship in Barcelona and enjoy the Ramblas and not have to come back at 1 PM and ruin the day to figure out the baggage situation.

I know this is probably not the first time this has had to be done but does anyone know the details? Travel agent says Cabin Steward will take care of it. Really? I think maybe not!

Thanks

Thanks for all that info! The coupons are ok. Not that much better than Emerald except for the Internet. But the drinks and the DL are the thing, I guess.

I appreciate the time, MerionMom you took to print the coupons, Tres cool!

And Hi, Patti. I know we have sailed before together.

We just reached Diamond status.:D

We will be on Oasis for the Westbound Transatlantic. What amenities and perks can we take advantage of now? I know about the 3 drinks on the Seapass. Is that for both of us? And I think I read it is during "Happy Hour" only? What can I expect in the Diamond Lounge? And are there any other perks such as a different breakfast or such that is available? Also, is there a special internet package?

Thanks!