Tour Guide for Isle of Capri?

[lucyjohnz]

We are looking at touring the Isle of Capri from Naples (on the RCL Splendour cruise May 28th) with a private tour guide as opposed to doing a shore excursion. We would really like to see the Blue Grotto, even though I've heard it's overrated. The cost for the tour guide alone (for 4 of us) is 400 Euros for a full day tour (8-5). This cost does not include the hydrofoil there or any local transportation or the additional cost to view the Blue Grotto. Since there are 4 of us, doing any kind of shore excursion will probably cost around the same amount ($520 = 400 Euros), but a shore excursion would not be personalized and would probably NOT include the Blue Grotto.

 

My question is: do you think it's worth it to pay 400 Euros for a personalized full-day tour and then probably pay additional amounts to add in hydrofoil, local transportation, etc? And, does anyone know what the hydrofoil costs or how much it costs/pp to see the Blue Grotto? Finally, we're really choosing between the Blue Grotto (my husband's lifelong dream) and Pompeii. I've read on the boards that Pompeii is very doable by train and we could hire a guide there for 100 Euros - obviously much cheaper than doing Capri with a private guide.

 

HELP!

[Artemis]

Lucy,

 

You don't need to choose between Pompeii and the Blue Grotto--it's easy to do both in one day. May I suggest you consult a travel guide, whether paper or online, to see a map and learn more about the logistics.

 

The route of your ideal day is: Naples-Pompeii-Sorrento-ferry to Capri-ferry to Naples. The ferry will let you out in the same commercial dock area where your cruise ship will be located.

 

At most, it looks like fast hydrofoils on both legs will cost a total of 23,50 Euro = $30.50 USD. Check this site out for ferry information: http://www.capri.net/salsa/lang/en/page/transport.html

 

Frommer's describes the Blue Grotto adventure fairly accurately and estimates the total cost at $30. http://www.frommers.com/destinations/capri/0762010043.html

 

So, your add-on expenses will total roughly $60pp for the two ferries and the Blue Grotto.

 

However, you don't really need the guide all day. I'd arrange for the guide for a half day to pick you up at the ship, take you directly to Pompeii (go early when it's cool), then to Sorrento. You can say good bye to the guide there, eat lunch, walk down to the marina, catch the next ferry to Capri, as soon as you exit the ferry, you will see signs for the tour to the Blue Grotto. You will get on the tour boat, go to the Grotto, take the rowboats in/out and return to the marina. At that point, you should find out all ferry departures to Naple and pick your target departure time. You should still have time before that departure to go up to the main shopping drag of Capri for a while.

 

If budget is a concern and your group is willing to study up on logistics and do this on your own, you can catch a cab from the Naples dock to the train station, take the local "Circumvesuviano" train from Naples to Pompeii, see the ruins, then catch the train and proceed on to Sorrento. There are detailed instructions in archived posts here and elsewhere on the 'net and in guide books re: how to make this train trip. We did it--it's cheap, easy & fun!

[Artemis]

There's a lot of good info on the thread entitled "Pompeii and Capri" started by sebasco.

[lucyjohnz]

I've about decided that we're going to leave the Naples day free and perhaps do the trip you've mentioned (at least to Pompeii) and maybe add in Capri if we feel like it. I think that as this will be the last shore stop of the 5, we may just be exhausted by that last day. Here's my plans so far:

 

Marseilles: Ships tour to Home of Nostradamus 5-hour tour @ $45/pp

Villefranche: Take the train to Monte Carlo, visit the casino, take the train to Nice and perhaps Eze, all on our own

Livorno: join a private tour to Florence and Pisa - cost 300 Euros before tip, so about $400 for 4 of us

Rome: Ship's tour: A Taste of Rome: transportation to Rome, partly guided tour and then return from Rome: $85/pp

Naples: Probably the train to Pompeii and maybe on to Capri.

 

Cost for tours: $920 plus additional costs of tours on our own. We're getting into some serious money here and I don't think it'll be worth it to add another $800 just to do Capri.

[24butterfly]

On papaer and in theory, doing Pompeii and then going back to Naples to take a hydrofoil to Capri and then back is a bit tough. You have to figure out what time the ferry leaves for Capri, and then make sure it gets back in time for the ship. As for Capri-- the ferry/ hydrofoil from Naples leaves you off at Marina Grande. Not a big deal. From there (right there, actually) you take a little motorboat around the island where they then transfer you to another smaller boat (you transfer while you are IN the water-boat to boat)and then you are rowed some several yards into the BLue Grotto and you have to DUCK or lie flat--otherwise--I kid you not-you will be headless. The B.G. is lit up blue due to the suns rays hitting the water and making it blue. It's cave-like, the gondolier sings, rows you around once or twice and then its the reverse on the way back. If you go late in the day, not sure how the sun will hit the water.....Also--there are TWO prices you have to pay--1 for the motorboat and one for the rowboat!!!

[steamboats]

Lucy,

 

I think doing Pompeii and Capri on the same day as Artemis suggested might be possible but maybe a bit stressy.

24butterfly, Artemis didn´t say that you have to return to Naples for the ferry to Capri. There´s a ferry out of Sorrento too which is much closer to Pompeii.

 

The train ride is very scenic. I walked up from the ferry landing to the train station. You can do it but this was a couple of years ago. In the meantime Naples isn´t as secure as it was during the 90ies. I´m not sure if you still can walk. If you want to make sure you´re on a big street and don´t take any small side streets. Keep all your valuables close to your body, don´t wear a camera open around your neck.

 

You will easily find tours to the Blue Grotto at Marina Grande where the ferry is terminating. I prefer the incline (Funiculare) up to the main plaza of Capri and a walking tour leading up to the ruins of a roman palace (Villa Iovis) with a spectecluar view, on to Arco Naturale, the red villa and the Faraglioni bluffs (nice place for swimming), a spectecluar view over Marina Piccola and back to the main Plaza of Capri. You can walk downhill or take the incline to Marina Grande.

 

You can also take a cab or the bus to Anacapri, visit the Villa San Michele and buy a perfume (my favourite Capri Azzurra, lemon scented) or take the ropeway (?) up the mountain. There used to be a walking path down to Marina Grande called Scala Fenicia

 

http://www.giovis.com/caprianacapri.htm

 

This is a very scenic way but I´m currently not sure about the condition of this path. I´ve done this about 20 years ago and the path was in decay partially closed. They talked about restoring the path but I´m not sure if that has ever been completed.

 

These are suggestions if you love to walk. I did both in a day but I won´t suggest that. I´ve never been to the Blue Grotto as there are usually long lines during summer season and I found the price wasn´t worth it. I wanted to spend my time more efficient. Grotta Esmeralda on the Amalfi Coast isn´t as spectecluar as the Blue Grotto but it´s not that crowded.

 

steamboats

[Andym]

To add to Steamboats info on Naples.

I wouldn't walk to the station in Naples (part of the walk is through a run down market area), either take a bus, which you catch on the traffic island by the newsagents immediately outside the port, tickets from the newsagent. Alternatively you can get a cab, It cost us 15 euros to the station and 10 euros back. They are all touting for tours near the port and lots were reluctant to just take us to the station. We walked up to the roadside where we picked up a cab no problem.

[envy4u]

Unless you love ruins go see Capri rather than Pompeii . We did both . It is breath taking . Don't hire anyone it is a waste of money . You can take the hydrofoil (ferry )to Capri and the Funicular up and than do Capri on your own . You can take the bus up further to Anacapri .You can't get lost . Great shopping and restaurants and the view is priceless . Just make sure you get back to the ship on time . Leave a little earlier because it can get busy at the end of the day with the funicular and hydrofoil . Hope that helps.

[envy4u]

Forgot to mention that you can walk from the ship to the ferry .