RCCL Shore excursion to Florence

[neesy11]

Apologies if this should be in the ports of call section but has anybody been on the taste of Florence excursion recently from La Spezia.

It's a 10 hour trip with a bus journey of 2hrs each way and time spent in Florence with a tour guide, 2 1/2 hrs then 3hrs on your own

 

Going in 4 weeks and tempted to book it with RCI but just a bit wary of spending 4 hrs on a bus

 

Thanks

[pinkroses]

Apologies if this should be in the ports of call section but has anybody been on the taste of Florence excursion recently from La Spezia.

It's a 10 hour trip with a bus journey of 2hrs each way and time spent in Florence with a tour guide, 2 1/2 hrs then 3hrs on your own

 

Going in 4 weeks and tempted to book it with RCI but just a bit wary of spending 4 hrs on a bus

 

Thanks

 

We used a private company, Rome in Limo. Our guide in Florence made our trip memorable. She is Clara. Look at this company. You can find many reviews in the Ports of Call area of cc.

[voyager70]

Apologies if this should be in the ports of call section but has anybody been on the taste of Florence excursion recently from La Spezia.

It's a 10 hour trip with a bus journey of 2hrs each way and time spent in Florence with a tour guide, 2 1/2 hrs then 3hrs on your own

 

Going in 4 weeks and tempted to book it with RCI but just a bit wary of spending 4 hrs on a bus

 

Thanks

 

Hi, haven't done this excursion but spoke with others who did. They said the bus journey was 2 1/2 hours each way due to construction. They did enjoy the excursion very much, you just need to decide if the 4-5 hour bus ride is worth it. Florence is beautiful, tough decision!

[voyager70]

Forgot to add I've also used Rome Cabs for private excursions in Italy & would highly recommend them.

[neesy11]

Thanks folks

I had a look at rome in limo but they don't have any shared excursions at the min

The excursion with RCI isn't too bad for price, £75 each, and due to the distance from La Spezia I think we'd be happier using the official one as at least we know the boat wont leave without us

The 5 hour on a bus is a bit of a worry compared to the alternative of DIY Cinque Terre which seems relatively easy to do

 

Decisions decisions :o

[tonkie]

Got the same problem, we are on the Allure in 4 weeks to, but we have, I think :) decided we are not going to do the Florence trip simply cause of time on the coach and overall length of the round trip,

[jennywren46]

think it depends if you've been to Florence before. We've been twice but from Livorno which was quite a way on the coach a couple of hours I think. IMHO Florence is breathtaking and not to be missed.the rci tour is fine you get a taster of the wonderful city with the knowledge that if your held up on the road you won't miss the ship

[Baseball fan]

Florence is so worth it if you've never been. Yes, the ship tours generally cost more money. Overall the drive will take about the same time no matter if by bus or van or car. One recommendation is to pre-book the tickets to the Accademia to see David. I call there to reserve, so you pay when you get there. Florence is a beautiful place.

[CRUISEFAN0001]

We used a private company, Rome in Limo. Our guide in Florence made our trip memorable. She is Clara. Look at this company. You can find many reviews in the Ports of Call area of cc.

We second the recommendation on RomeInLimo.

 

We took the combined Pisa/Florence tour with them...and it was fantastic. Ironically, we had a nice smaller group of 8 go together, and the cost-per-person was actually about 1/2 of the ship's tour. Going in a group of 4 or more really cuts down the cost.

 

If you wish, they also help recommend the museum in Florence to see while there (we went to the Academia Museum).

Edited August 24, 2015 by CRUISEFAN0001

[suite dreams]

We get on the Allure on the 30 of August (almost there). We have booked this tour. There are 4 of us and two of us have been to Florence several times. We booked this tour because you spend more time in Florence than another that was offered. Can't remember the name.

 

The plan is to skip the organized part of the tour and just wander on our own, shop and have a nice lunch. I will post back and let you know.

[neesy11]

Thanks all for the info. Our gut feeling is to go to Florence and just accept that it's a bit of a journey but might be a few years before we get the chance to go back

[jennywren46]

You won't regret it ,which ever tour you take , it's an amazing place.

[bay guy]

I haven't looked into it but is there good train service between Spezia and Florence? A few years ago, when our RCI ship stopped in Livorno for Florence, we took the train both ways and ended up,having at least two more hours in town plus saved a lot,of money since there were six of us.

[bay guy]

Just checked the train schedule. There are several trains each way all day. However, in either direction, they stop in Pisa and you have to transfer. The average travel time appears to be about 2 hours each way. If you wanted to do,your own tour, this is one way to,handle the transportation. Thenticketsbwerebabout $28 each way with reserved seats.

[barbon2]

Used Romeinlimo in Florence.

We got to see a lot in one day.

Remember, a private guide will give you the time you need in each spot, gets around quickly, and knows the ins and outs of the area.

We did one bus tour on our Med cruise and it was very confining.

 

Barb

[bay guy]

I would definitely agree that if you can do so, set up a private tour. We have found them to be more information, generally less expensive and definitely more flexible to your needs versus a big bus tour.

Unfortunately, on many of the big bus tours, you have to interpret tour speak to know what you are going to do. If it says "see" a specific site, that most likely means a drive by with brief explanation. If it says "visit" or "tour" then you will most likely get out and go into the place. However, you're in a big group and may not get to actually hear and see al you want. Plus you have lots of wasted time waiting for everyone to get off and on the big bus and there are always people who are inconsiderate of others' time and get back late thus cutting your tour time short for other stops.