Weather & Dress Info Venice to Rome March

[okgirl]

We're 1st time Med cruisers leaving on the maiden voyage on the Freedom on 03/05/07. I think the weather is mid 50 to 60F range but want to make sure.

 

Also, Don't want to be a vulger American in my dress or tipping manners. We're on a 9 day voyage with 2 days in Venice precruise and 4 days in Rome post cruise. I think that slacks and some kind of light blazer for the days will be okay but not sure (2 sisters in their 50's). Some threads recommend tipping everyone, but again don't have a problem with tipping just need to know the customs.

 

I sure hope that some of you are going to be on this cruise with us. We're a little nervous about this, and would love to have the encouragement of the more experienced Med cruisers.

 

This will be our 10th cruise, all with Carnival so we're not complete novices, but Europe is DEFINATELY new to us.

 

Also, we're traveling from Dallas to Europe so ANY tips would be appreciated.

 

Thx, Janey

[carlmm]

Your temperature expectations are about right for day times; at night temperatures can be lower.

 

Also, your dress plans sound alright. Yet be advised that many Italien ladies prefer to wear skirts. Also, take something to keep warm if you should encounter the lower range of temperatures.

 

Tipping is much less common in Europe than it is in the States. Please do not tip everyone. E.g. in restaurants it is sufficient to round up to the next Euro or maybe, if your really want to, to give a couple of Euros. There is no need to tip every driver, guide, everybody who is of service to you or who smiles at you.

 

Venice and Rome - you have choosen great cities. Enjoy!

[debbiejohncruise]

Your temperature expectations are about right for day times; at night temperatures can be lower.

 

Also, your dress plans sound alright. Yet be advised that many Italien ladies prefer to wear skirts. Also, take something to keep warm if you should encounter the lower range of temperatures.

 

Tipping is much less common in Europe than it is in the States. Please do not tip everyone. E.g. in restaurants it is sufficient to round up to the next Euro or maybe, if your really want to, to give a couple of Euros. There is no need to tip every driver, guide, everybody who is of service to you or who smiles at you.

 

Venice and Rome - you have choosen great cities. Enjoy!

 

In restaurants the tip is already included in your bill so you just round up to the nearest Euro.

[ckthomas00]

I'm going on the same cruise in March - first time on a cruise and first time to Europe!! I am also a little concerned about the weather because I heard it tends to be cold and rainy at that time of the year.

 

I think our best bet is to plan on it being cold and dress in layers. I'm going to, of course, check the weather before packing - but I'm bringing a mid-weight winter coat, sweaters/blazers and dress slacks for our stops in Italy. And might think about wearing jeans in Croatia and Turkey...

 

See you on the Freedom!

[pcur]

I've been to the Med twice, and another short cruise plus land stays in Istanbul and Athens. In hot weather I would agree about wearing skirts to stay cool (which I did in Athens), but I was much more comfortable in slacks on my cooler visits. We were on our Med and Med to Venice cruises in October.

 

Your temperature is going to be slightly cooler than what we experienced from what I see from the averages, including rainfall.

 

I wore comfortable slacks with good walking shoes, a knit top or a blouse, a lightweight raincoat, and took a travel umbrella.

 

The raincoat was great for an extra layer for warmth, and then I was ready for rain, too. Highly recommend it. I have one that zips up and down so I can adjust how warm or cool I want to be, with a hood. That way I didn't have to bring an extra hat or scarf, and could forego the umbrella if it was crowded.

 

If it was a chilly day, I wore another knit jacket (like a zippered hoodie) under the raincoat. The raincoat could be removed and folded into my bag, too, if I got too warm (which I did in Florence, but didn't in Venice!). If you are walking a lot, then you stay warmer. I was never cold.

 

Gloves, help, too.

 

Don't take bulky clothes or jackets, since they are a hassle to carry, and you might get too warm being forced to wear them while walking. Best to take lighter layers.

 

We were in Venice for two days with the weather in the low 60's and it misted or rained lightly both days. I was very comfortable the entire time.

 

You will love your trip!! You are going to well visited areas, so the locals are accustomed to all kinds of tourists. Being polite and friendly helps alot, and I have yet to meet anyone on my trips that was not nice to me.

 

I agree that tipping is usually included in the price of the food in restaurants and cafes, and it's usually stated on the menu.

 

Enjoy!

[travelingmcmahans]

Sounds like you have a wonderful trip planned! I visited Venice, Tuscany and Rome this past March and found the weather quite chilly to begin. In Venice I needed gloves and earmuffs as well as a lighweight long coat. It even snowed a bit one morning! By the time we got to Rome a longsleeved blouse and pants were fine.

 

Weather.com has a great resource for checking temperature averages. I used their tool when planning my trip and learned that in Venice in March the average is 38 low to 53 high.

 

It's great that you want to be respectful of local culture. Observing locals is the best key to not being the person everyone stares out. Using your "inside" voice ;) is the best advice I can give you for not standing out.

 

Have a great time! You'll absolutely love Italy.

[Silverfox]

We, too, will be on that Maiden Voyage, arriving in Venice 2 days prior to the cruise embarkation.

 

For Venice I plan to take a warm pair of slacks and optional layers -- light sweater, turtleneck, etc. in order to layer as needed. Everything should be lightweight for packing/weight. In the evening a nice pair of slacks, sweater and blazer (but always a jacket handy in case).

 

The odd part about "average temperatures" is that it doesn't guarantee that temp when you're there, so it's better to have layers and adjust accordingly.

 

I don't think it will be as cool in Croatia, Greece, and Turkey. Still on the cool side (it is winter), but not as damp as Venice because of all the waterways there.

 

I think it's going to be a fun cruise with it being a Maiden Voyage! Lots of extras and excitement coming in to each port for the first time.

 

109 days to go.........

[Keith1010]

Just as the case in the United States the weather can vary in March. You might have a sunny day in the 50's or 60's or you might have a cloudy/rainy day in the 50/s/60/s making it feel a little cooler. But, better to be on the cooler side than being there when it is very hot and humid.

 

Be sure to bring jackets with you to keep you warm and for the rain. I would bring small umbrellas as well that are easy to carry around with you.

 

Dress comfortably in these ports. If you plan to do a lot of walking either wear athletic shoes or nice walking shoes. Dress the way you would if you were going to say New York City.

 

The mediterranean is wonderful. There is so much to do in Rome and we have been to Venice several times and to me Venice looks like it is out of a story book with all of the beautiful canals. There is so much to see in all of these places that you might find that you want to go back another time.

 

Have a wonderful cruise.

 

Keith

[NorthernLite]

My first year living in Rome it rained every day from January 1st to the end of February. Venice is notorious for rains and flooding of Piazza San Marco that time of year also. We also just returned from a 14 day Rome round trip on the Galaxy to the Greek Islands, Istanbul and the Black Sea. Rome was by far the chilliest. Take a sturdy traveling umbrella if one is not supplied by the ship. I also keep a lightweight rain poncho that actually has some shape to it in my backpack at all times. If the Piazza floods you'll need goulashes or waterproof some boots. The city puts up wooden walkways to get around on as long as you can balance on 2 foot wide planks of wood.

 

Skirts? I wore dressed up no-wale corduroys in Rome with a blouse and pullover and a washable suede jacket over that for exploring. I get these pullovers that look like sweaters or really nice sweatshirts from Facconable and they are washable so 2 can get you through a long trip with trips to the ship's laundry (they are also washable). As long as you wear lipstick and have on earrings you will be chic enough. Oh, and no running shoes. We spent 5 nights there reexploring old haunts. Me and the DH were married in the magistrate's office on the Capitoline Hill there 20 years ago. Keep an eye on the weather reports in the weeks before you leave to see how the spring weather is going. I agree with the layering but do prepare for some rain.

[pcur]

I forgot to post this link before. I took a pair each of these for DH and I. Very lightweight, and good insurance for your feet!

 

http://www.packinglight.net/plight/product.asp?s_id=0&dept_id=3067&pf_id=PAAAAAAEMKHOEFOE

 

$5 per pair.

[okgirl]

Thanks for all the great information! I've also been reading that jeans in some ports may be acceptable (and for Donna and I certainly more comfortable)

 

I have another trip question for everyone. (sorry I'm a bit of a compulsive planner) We have booked a private car from the port to our Rome hotel. I'm not at my house so I can't exactly remember who it's through but maybe Charlotta w/ Romelimousine or something like that. I got an email that I would need to pay a deposit of 50E via paypal???? I've never used paypal, so I need more information from her about an account? or just how do I go about paying this deposit, or should I just email Charlotta with yet another in my series of questions.

 

14 weeks and a couple of days doesn't seem like it will ever get here and yet I haven't done near enough research. I'm still most concerned about getting from the airport in Venice to our hotel (by St. Marks) with bags and in the dark :(

 

Janey

[pcur]

okgirl:

 

PayPal is very, very easy to use. I wish all online businesses would use it.

 

Go to PayPal.com and sign up. You can hook it to your checking account, or to your credit card. Then you have it available permanently to use to pay anybody who also has a PayPal account. I bought my friend something she can't find where she lives, and she paid me back using PayPal. It was originally used for eBay, but now is used all over the internet.

 

Very convenient way to make a payment, because only PayPal has your credit card number, no one else. The vendor just receives the funds, but not the card info.

[juliostone]

Tipping is much less common in Europe than it is in the States. Please do not tip everyone. E.g. in restaurants it is sufficient to round up to the next Euro or maybe, if your really want to, to give a couple of Euros. There is no need to tip every driver, guide, everybody who is of service to you or who smiles at you.

 

Venice and Rome - you have choosen great cities. Enjoy!

 

Agree on the part about guides and drivers etc. But in restaurants in Europe it is common to tip 5%-10% provided that the tip is not already included and only if you're pleased with the service provided. In Rome and Venice the tip is often included (my guess would be in 60% of the restaurants), the bill will mention if so.

[ckthomas00]

I was also a little worried about getting from the airport to my hotel in Venice... but I looked on the website for my hotel and it gives very specific directions on how to use public transportation to get there - so think we'll give that a try. Check your hotel's website or call them.

 

My hotel suggests a private water taxi (even though its more expensive, its probably the easiest) and since our hotel is located right on a canal - it will drop us off at the door, so don't have to worry too much about luggage.