tcocktail

I really don't see how anyone can say that a ship excursion is better than private, but everyone has their own tastes. I actually have never heard of anyone getting left in Taormina due to a private excursion late. If anyone did, I'm sure it would be blasted all over the boards and that tour providers business would be ruined. I can see however that someone doing it on their own can be left.

 

You have to make your own decision about shore excursions. I do know that there is the charming town of Castelmola that is above Taormina. Buses cannot get up there due to the narrow roads, so no cruise line excursion goes there. Mario took us there and we had the best lunch at a great restaurant he recommended that brought us out some of the best brushetta I've ever tasted (& it was free).

If cost is your primary concern, you can likely get others together from your ship. Or you can tell Mario that you do not mind if he adds others to your group that inquire about a tour. I have never heard of anyone that went with either him or his brother who were not pleased.

 

Mario does not have a website. I asked him about that and he said he is always booked and he really did not need to spend out the extra to have someone set it up and maintain it.

 

When he contacts you back, tell him Theresa from the summer says hello.

I am in no way saying that a ships tour is better. I generally do all on my own or with a tour operator. It's the time and distance to Taormina that is the issue here. If mario did all that for you, that is outstanding and if it were me I would be corresponding with him. Castelmola is a very unique village, they filmed the wedding from the GodFather there. I still don't know how they got the film crew and equipment up there. Also be know that there are phallic symbols everywhere, even the knobs on the sinks, back of the chairs. We did too have a great meal there and some of the best wine. If you did Toarmina on your own you would have time to get there. If you can believe, I wasn't on a cruise for that visit and I drove up the mountain, OMG what an experience.

We are not going until next August. Yes, I am the kind who likes to plan months ahead. Just to do some preliminary research and I will fine tune the planning as we get closer. The ship is supposed to dock from 7 to 4. Not keen on getting off the ship really early so chances are we will be out by 8 earliest .I checked the ship's website and they have a tour called "Taormina on your own" Basically they are providing the transportation to and from Taormina. They say the traveling time is 1 hour, (x2) The whole trip is 6 1/2 hour so that means they give you about 4 hours to sightsee. It does not give you anytime in Messina. You are on your own to do your look see in Messina. Heard there is a clock tower, saw the picture. Seems nice. The train will be really inexpensive, providing it doesn't go on strike.Oh I think the ship charges $70 each for the Taromina on your own. Wonder how much Mario charges. I emailed him, waiting for a response.

You have more time then most ships. Taormina on your own is a great way to see this beautiful city. I know people that have taken the train with no issues at all. But you are correct they can go on strikeat any time. What a crazy way to live. I recall being on the train in Rome, it stopped for 10 minutes, they went on strike and then they restarted again. Please understand that the train goes to the bottom of the hill and then you have to take a taxi from the train station to Taormina. The clock tower is cute and if you miss it you are not missing much. Taormina is beautiful and not to be missed. I completely understand you planning so early. I always do that an happier for it. Going with the ship is a no hassle way. I typically do not travel with the ship toursbut there are sometimes I think it is necessary.

I always worry about missing the ship whenever we book a tour with a local vendor. Although we have always booked excursions not with the ship whenever we travel. What are some of the circumstances that cause the people to be late for the ship? Did they book with Mario?

The traffic is a huge issue. Another time the ship departed earlier then expected, although I don't think happens too often. Remember that if you are on a tour with the ship and there is a delay on the roads the ship will wait. If you are on your own you are out of luck. The sicilians drive all over the roads. two cars drive in the same lane. I think the lines are just suggestions,lol. When we did this Mario's prices were much higher then the ship too. Where do you plan on going? How much time do you have?

We are considering a cruise that has one stop in Messina . Read that some folks have booked with Mario Astone. Just want to hear more feedback from people who have used his service. Just a bit concern about one family arriving late in port and almost miss the ship. Another family got into the van and was eventually told to get off and they ended up taking a taxi tour with a taxi driver. Please share your experience in Messina, including do it yourself kind of excursions. Thank yoo.

Although I have heard only the best about Mario Astone, I would highly suggest that if you are going to Toaminoa that you stay with the cruise line. People have been left behind for one reason or another. It really depends on how much time you will have at that port. There is nothing really to do in Messina although the last time I was there we stayed in the city and mingled with the locals.

We were on the Century, not only did the customer relations staff tell us not to go to Capri but the concierge told us the same thing. They said the safest way was to take a shorer excursion. We had decided not to go, then when we got on the bus, the staff announced to be sure that we get on the 3:30pm jetferry.

If anything the shuttle will go into town and not to the the dock where the ferry is. If you take the bus on the Amalfi coast I highly suggest that you sit up front and not in the back. You could easily get sick.

Going to Sorrento then onto to Capri sounds like a very aggressive plan. A taxi from Salerno to Sorrento is 150 Euros. I really am not sure if you will have enough time to do both. You could take the ferry to Amalfi or Positano and then onto Capri. We left on the 8:40AM ferry and didn't have a lot of time in Capri. It was VERY rushed day. You might consider doing the Amalfi coast or Capri but not both.

Odd that the Connie is tendering in Salerno. Maybe they can not get dock space. The terminal is huge and is primarmily a shipping port as you will see all the containers. Costa was moored at Capri but that was the only other ship in that area that we saw that day. I think the reason Celebrity is goingto SAlerno and not Naples on the Century is due to a late schedule change of the ship. THis ship was to be in the Carribbean this year. For the Connie it most likely is more cost effective for the cruise line. but that is only a guess.

I would acll Celebrity and confirm that they this is a tender port and find out where they are tendering.

In Salerno Celebrity ran a free shuttle bus from the dock to the port area where the ferries come and go. It's not in the same area where the ship docks. That same shuttle continues onto the center of town. There were no taxis where the shipped docked. Salerno is a rather large port so don't think about walking into Salerno.

Going to Capri from Salerno we took the ALICOST S P A tel: 081.7041911 8:40AM cost 16 Euros one way Then we took the Jet Ferry back at 3:30Pm 17 Euros

The ferry also stops in Amalfi and Positano about 35 minutes from Salerno, very easy to do. If you have any other questions it all fresh in my my mind now.;)

We are just back from Celebrity Century. We docked in Salerno and was told by Celebrity that we would NOT be able to do Capri on our own due to the ferry schedule getting us back from Capri too late. We boarded the shuttle and there was an announcement that all passengers going to Capri MUST be on the 3:30pm Jet Ferry to Salerno. We departed on the 8:40Am, although there is an earlier ferry to Capri and spent a great day on the Island. We then boarded the JetFerry back and had plenty of time to board the ship.

SO YES YOU CAN DO CAPRI FROM SALERNO ON YOUR OWN!!!

We are doing Messina to Taormina and Etna in September on the Liberty. We have rented a car from Hertz for the day for 58 Euros including 100 kilometres and all the taxes etc. We figure about another 150 kilometres (which I am being very generous) at .17 each should do the trip, an additional 26 Euros, plus petrol & tolls, which Via Michelin estimates at 9 Euros for a total of 93 Euros. Divide that in two and that's about 46 Euros per couple, far cheaper than Carnival excursions. The driving seems not too crazy in this part of Italy and pretty straightforward. This might not suit your circumstances but I am presenting it as information for others.

You are quite correct about the driving. It is not too crazy. They do drive two cars to one lane. This means the drive part in the shoulder so another car can pass. It's a little odd. I drove from Taormina to Palermo no real issues. BTW, when you are in Sicilia don't mention it is part if italy to the locals. They don't feel that way.