Boarding in Livorno

[Fergus]

Doing 7 day Med circuit on MSC Grandiosa.  Anyone have tips or info needed to make our boarding easy and quick?  We plan to arrive in Italy a few days ahead of time, but haven't decided exactly where we will stay. (Trying to avoid a luggage nightmare we experienced last year in Norway - went 3 days without our luggage, had to track the pieces down completely on our own, finally found someone to ship our bags to one of our stops, unexpectedly drove by the town's airport on an excursion, they were kind enough to let my husband off to retrieve our luggage and take a cab back to the ship.🤪)

 

Thanks in advance!

[Hlitner]

Hmm.  We would stay in Florence (for at least 2 days)  and make our way to Livorno (via train or a pre-booked transfer) the day of the cruise.  Bottom line (for us) is that Florence is one of premier tourist cities in the world while Livorno, is at best, tolerable.  

 

Our alternative plan would be to fly-in to Italy days (or weeks) in advance, rent a car (with a drop in Livorno) and have fun with an independent driving trip (we have often done this in Italy).  When we have a rental car we do avoid Rome, but if we want to go to Florence we stay at the Hotel David where we feel very comfortable, enjoy their free parking, and can also enjoy the long stroll (along the Arno) into central Florence.

 

Hank

 

 

[edinburgher]

17 hours ago, Fergus said:

We plan to arrive in Italy a few days ahead of time, but haven't decided exactly where we will stay.

An alternative option might be to stay in a location much closer to Livorno, such as Pisa.  It would not be everyones idea of "best place to stay" in the region,but the location offers several advantages.

 

Good train connections to Florence, variable time depending on whether fast or slower train, but good for an easy enough day trip or two.

 

Good train connections to Lucca, approx a half hour, and another great option for a day trip,

 

Best of all, great connections to Livorno to board your ship.  Should be less than (or around)  a half hour door- to- door by taxi which means not having to carry your own luggage.

 

Pisa accommodation should be less costly than accommodation in Florence (restaurants may be too, but that I do not know) and you may have more options for your travel dates than you might have in Florence where accommodation may book up months or even a year ahead.  Google is your friend for hotel and restaurant recommendations and pricing.

 

And if you wanted to actually climb the Leaning tower as opposed to only a photo stop, you would have time to do that, or at least consider it if it didn't interfere with other day plans.

 

Or you could consider Lucca as a base, but not quite as easy for the Livorno transfer, taxis will cost more than those from Pisa and it would be a longer travel time.

 

And should you be incredibly unlucky and any of your luggage go astray once again, whether of any use or not, just adding that, Pisa has an international airport.

 

Edited September 11, 2023 by edinburgher

[Fergus]

Great advice - particularly about the stray luggage - we're hoping NOT to have that wonderful experience again!  Thank you all!