Italian ports now require shp tours ONLY again!

[Fun4Us2013]

On 9/2/2021 at 3:47 AM, steamboats said:

From the Harmony of the Seas  - which was in La Spezia as first Italian port on the current cruise yesterday - all guests had to be tested (altough the requirement has only been extended to US - plus UK). All guests on shore tours had to wear KN95/FFP2 masks. All guests had to fill in the online PLF form for Italy.

 

So it seems that the Italian regulations for US have changed to the same as for UK.

 

steamboats

Not trying to poke anyone with a stick, but, I don’t own a K95 mask. If that’s required will I have to buy one from NCL? I have paper masks (useless) and a cloth mask ( also useless) that I wear when required to satisfy the masses. Just trying to prepare myself for all nickel and dime things that might occur. 

[ScratchTheRat]

Just now, Fun4Us2013 said:

Not trying to poke anyone with a stick, but, I don’t own a K95 mask. If that’s required will I have to buy one from NCL? I have paper masks (useless) and a cloth mask ( also useless) that I wear when required to satisfy the masses. Just trying to prepare myself for all nickel and dime things that might occur. 

NCL are providing everyone with a face mask and a bottle of sanitiser.

[steamboats]

1 hour ago, Fun4Us2013 said:

Not trying to poke anyone with a stick, but, I don’t own a K95 mask. If that’s required will I have to buy one from NCL? I have paper masks (useless) and a cloth mask ( also useless) that I wear when required to satisfy the masses. Just trying to prepare myself for all nickel and dime things that might occur. 

 

Here in Germany I can buy them in every supermarket. Cloth masks are not allowed all over Germany. Paper (surgical) masks are o.k.. I can also order FFP2/KN95 masks on Amazon.

 

1 hour ago, ScratchTheRat said:

NCL are providing everyone with a face mask and a bottle of sanitiser.

 

The one my husband got in Greece was a cloth mask which won´t help you much on land. Unless they provide surgical or KN95 masks you won´t be able to use them on land.

 

steamboats

[ScratchTheRat]

9 minutes ago, steamboats said:

 

Here in Germany I can buy them in every supermarket. Cloth masks are not allowed all over Germany. Paper (surgical) masks are o.k.. I can also order FFP2/KN95 masks on Amazon.

 

 

The one my husband got in Greece was a cloth mask which won´t help you much on land. Unless they provide surgical or KN95 masks you won´t be able to use them on land.

 

steamboats

From my research, cloth (surgical) masks are fine in Italy, Greece and Croatia for my cruise.

[3kidsncats]

On 8/22/2021 at 12:46 PM, kirtihk said:

None of this is a vacation. A vacation is total mind relaxation, and any current trip to anywhere is just stress regardless of whether me might think (constant warnings, “protocols”, restrictions, “guidelines”, directives). I’m sure I repeat myself, but it is what it is, no more, no less.  There is nothing to discuss (all these conversation of any thread are rhetorical - they return no constructive outcome, because there if nothing constructive objective exists here by default, and anyone thinks otherwise, they are cheating on themselves).

I just spent 2 weeks on a Royal cruise in the Bahamas — one of the best vacations we’ve ever had even with the testing, visas and social distancing.  Sounds like you have unrealistic expectations because even before Covid most vacations involved some level of planning and stress.  If there is nothing to discuss, why are you here??  

[kirtihk]

On 9/6/2021 at 10:30 PM, 3kidsncats said:

I just spent 2 weeks on a Royal cruise in the Bahamas — one of the best vacations we’ve ever had even with the testing, visas and social distancing.  Sounds like you have unrealistic expectations because even before Covid most vacations involved some level of planning and stress.  If there is nothing to discuss, why are you here??  

I am here, because I am trying to locate a glimpse of normality; yes, I understand some people are flexible enough to not breath an actual air for hours, days, weeks, months, and as I can see now years. Also, yes, preparation is important, but that is not stress; it is a part of vacationing. Testing, masking, “dancing” around people to stay away from them, constant reminder to wash one’s hands (as if it is not what we get with “mother’s milk” as a obvious matter to do) have nothing to do with vacation (relaxation) whatsoever, and no one can say otherwise. What would you say if I remind you non-stop all the time to chew slowly, walk 2-3 hours a day, wash your hands (once again) after going to washroom… you would say - “mind your own business and go away”, and that’s exactly what I’m saying to those who try to control my life as if I am a new born baby. By the way, I mentioned here multiple times how I had the best cruise of my life on Ponant Le Soleal South Pacific crossing Easter Island to Tahiti cruise in March 8-24, 2020 during the craziest time! No one forced me to do anything! Just relaxation! Even though I had no idea whether, when, and how I will fly back from Tahiti. Actually, I did not want to come back to more snow. And sure enough, it was snowing through April and to the end of May in 2021 (weather probably thought if you are forced to be hiding in your basement for months why would not I do some tricks for awhile), but that is a different story.

Edited September 9, 2021 by kirtihk

[Ms02]

Heads up to anyone considering the cheap "Pompeii on your own tour". I'm following someone on Instagram who's there now and took this tour. Entry to Pompeii is NOT included, it's €16 extra. He also said that once they went inside they were free to roam as they wanted for about 3 hours. 

[DCGuy64]

On 9/6/2021 at 10:30 PM, 3kidsncats said:

I just spent 2 weeks on a Royal cruise in the Bahamas — one of the best vacations we’ve ever had even with the testing, visas and social distancing.  Sounds like you have unrealistic expectations because even before Covid most vacations involved some level of planning and stress.  If there is nothing to discuss, why are you here??  

Well said! We just came back from a lovely 7-day cruise in Italy on MSC. Yes, there were some slightly annoying protocols to deal with, but BY FAR it was carefree, relaxing, and extremely enjoyable. We had the time of our lives and I guess if some people find the COVID protocols so bad, they should just not cruise right now. I am glad you had such a wonderful time in the Bahamas on Royal, @3kidsncats! We are looking forward to our next cruise on the 19th with NCL. 😀

[Lisa353]

50 minutes ago, Ms02 said:

Heads up to anyone considering the cheap "Pompeii on your own tour". I'm following someone on Instagram who's there now and took this tour. Entry to Pompeii is NOT included, it's €16 extra. He also said that once they went inside they were free to roam as they wanted for about 3 hours. 

Is that the Escorted Pompeii tour?  I thought your ticket to get in would have been included.  Maybe that is why it is so cheap.

[3kidsncats]

1 hour ago, DCGuy64 said:

Well said! We just came back from a lovely 7-day cruise in Italy on MSC. Yes, there were some slightly annoying protocols to deal with, but BY FAR it was carefree, relaxing, and extremely enjoyable. We had the time of our lives and I guess if some people find the COVID protocols so bad, they should just not cruise right now. I am glad you had such a wonderful time in the Bahamas on Royal, @3kidsncats! We are looking forward to our next cruise on the 19th with NCL. 😀

Glad to hear you also had an amazing trip!!  We are hoping our TA and land trip to Italy is a go in the spring — your experience gives me hope :-) We have an NCL trip or two to look forward to as well 

[Ms02]

1 hour ago, Lisa353 said:

Is that the Escorted Pompeii tour?  I thought your ticket to get in would have been included.  Maybe that is why it is so cheap.

Ah yes i guess that's the one

[goodmanl1975]

4 hours ago, Ms02 said:

Heads up to anyone considering the cheap "Pompeii on your own tour". I'm following someone on Instagram who's there now and took this tour. Entry to Pompeii is NOT included, it's €16 extra. He also said that once they went inside they were free to roam as they wanted for about 3 hours. 

That is great news.  I assume it is the Escorted Pompeii one for $39?  If this is the case, I will be booking that one today.

 

Do you mind sharing the Instagram user name?

[Ms02]

21 minutes ago, goodmanl1975 said:

That is great news.  I assume it is the Escorted Pompeii one for $39?  If this is the case, I will be booking that one today.

 

Do you mind sharing the Instagram user name?

Meine_kreuzfarthen (German)

[goodmanl1975]

2 minutes ago, Ms02 said:

Meine_kreuzfarthen (German)

Thank you!

[eileeshb]

If people want to prod the Italian authorities to stop the cruiseline-only excursion requirement you could try tweeting the relevant authorities in Italy.

their health ministry is @ministerosalute

and the tourism account on Twitter  is @Italia   
if you scroll to the bottom on their webpage you’ll get a link to their twitter

http://www.italia.it/en/useful-info/covid-19-updates-information-for-tourists.html

[ScratchTheRat]

15 hours ago, Ms02 said:

Heads up to anyone considering the cheap "Pompeii on your own tour". I'm following someone on Instagram who's there now and took this tour. Entry to Pompeii is NOT included, it's €16 extra. He also said that once they went inside they were free to roam as they wanted for about 3 hours. 

It says that in the excursion details on the website 🙂

[Ms02]

11 minutes ago, ScratchTheRat said:

It says that in the excursion details on the website 🙂

Really? I can't see it anywhere in the app or on the website. I'm on their European site, maybe it's different?

[steamboats]

16 hours ago, Ms02 said:

Heads up to anyone considering the cheap "Pompeii on your own tour". I'm following someone on Instagram who's there now and took this tour. Entry to Pompeii is NOT included, it's €16 extra. He also said that once they went inside they were free to roam as they wanted for about 3 hours. 

 

And a very important information: You need the Green Pass (proof of vaccination) to enter Pompeii.

 

steamboats

[elbarney]

I was yesterday on the same excursion.

Before the cruise it was Pompeii on you own, and it said that you would need to get your own ticket. I think the new one says the same.

It was supposed to be a bubble tour, but the bubble finishes at Porta Marina. I'm not sure this is ok and it will continue to be this way, but that is what happened.

We were required to see a cameo demonstration before entering Pompeii, took about 10 minutes and half of that was bathroom time, so mostly ok.

After that, 2:45 hours of free time to enter Pompeii(or not). Show greenpass/cdc card, buy tickets, enter and enjoy.

We really enjoyed the semi freedom, it felt like 2 years gobut with masks.

 

[Ms02]

36 minutes ago, elbarney said:

I was yesterday on the same excursion.

Before the cruise it was Pompeii on you own, and it said that you would need to get your own ticket. I think the new one says the same.

It was supposed to be a bubble tour, but the bubble finishes at Porta Marina. I'm not sure this is ok and it will continue to be this way, but that is what happened.

We were required to see a cameo demonstration before entering Pompeii, took about 10 minutes and half of that was bathroom time, so mostly ok.

After that, 2:45 hours of free time to enter Pompeii(or not). Show greenpass/cdc card, buy tickets, enter and enjoy.

We really enjoyed the semi freedom, it felt like 2 years gobut with masks.

 

Very interesting, I'll see what the reports are next week if we'll consider booking it just to have some free time on shore to wander around (have been to the archeological site before). This is all it says about the tour in my app and website:

 

[steamboats]

Giggling about the "wheelchair" note... Last time I´ve been to Pompeii the site was definitely not wheelchair accessible 🤣!

 

Yep, the Cameo factory was a constant on those Pompeii tours. But 10 min is o.k..

 

steamboats

[goodmanl1975]

38 minutes ago, steamboats said:

Giggling about the "wheelchair" note... Last time I´ve been to Pompeii the site was definitely not wheelchair accessible 🤣!

 

Yep, the Cameo factory was a constant on those Pompeii tours. But 10 min is o.k..

 

steamboats

I agree.  I am sure it is the same one we had to stop by in 2018 when we did Pompeii.  What a joke.

[Lisa353]

8 hours ago, Ms02 said:

Really? I can't see it anywhere in the app or on the website. I'm on their European site, maybe it's different?

I was the same when I booked it.  I couldn't see it say anywhere that you would then need to pay an entrance fee for Pompeii.  I'm on the UK site.

[Ms02]

I see that there is a train by porta marina that take 35 minutes to Sorrento. If it goes quite regularly one could just get the cheap tour to get off the ship, and instead of visiting Pompeii just get a train and spend an hour or so in Sorrento. Or grab a taxi to the beach. So weird. I wonder if this would be considered breaking the rules, considering you're left on your own anyway, and they don't explicitly say you have to visit the archeological site (they also can't make you considering it's not even included).

[eileeshb]

4 hours ago, Lisa353 said:

I was the same when I booked it.  I couldn't see it say anywhere that you would then need to pay an entrance fee for Pompeii.  I'm on the UK site.

They’re 2 different excursions… anyone that booked Pompeii on your own booked a bus transfer only, no entry ticket.

but the  Escorted Pompeii excursion is more expensive and doesn’t say you need to buy an entry ticket.

both excursions are described on the website, I suspect the latter didn’t exist until the new “rule” for Italian ports came in. So while the “on your own” excursions effectively became “escorted”  the additional charge wasn’t added for guests who’d booked the original version.