A
altzma
Guest
We are looking for people to share private tours (most tour buses accommodate up to 8 or 12 people) in France, Greece and Italy.
Anyone going on this cruise?
Laurie
Anyone going on this cruise?
Laurie
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M
Marion Paris
Guest
We are just about to book the same cruise but on September 16.
I will be also looking for others who are interested in taking some private tours.
Good luck, I hope you find some other cruisers who will be sailing with you!
Where are you flying from? Have you started checking out air yet. Celebrity was charging too much for air, I hope to do better on my own.
Regards,
I will be also looking for others who are interested in taking some private tours.
Good luck, I hope you find some other cruisers who will be sailing with you!
Where are you flying from? Have you started checking out air yet. Celebrity was charging too much for air, I hope to do better on my own.
Regards,
A
altzma
Guest
Thanks. Good luck to you as well. We just received our plane tickets which we received with our frequent flyer miles. We are leaving from Nevada and are flying into Rome. Have fun!
A
altzma
Guest
Thanks. Good luck to you as well. We just received our plane tickets which we received with our frequent flyer miles. We are leaving from Nevada and are flying into Rome. Have fun!
M
makai
Guest
We are scheduled for back to back cruises starting with the Oct. 7th Galaxy Mediterranean Cruise and then the 14 day Trans-Atlantic cruise that follows. We would be interested in any tour information you have. Have you read the cruise review posted for the Galaxy by efschlenk submitted 06/21/2004. It has a lot of good information. We live in Truckee Ca. what part of Nevada are you from? We are leaving Sunday for Hawaii for a month so we won't respond untill we get back.
Bill and Helen
Bill and Helen
B
Beantowncroozer
Guest
Hi all,
I have just discovered this website & am happy to be aboard.
We are going on the Galazy 10/7 also. I am researching transfers, port tours, etc. now. I have accumulated a lot of info already & would be happy to share it w/ anyone.
We have not booked our airfare yet because prices are still very high out of Boston, our departure city. We may fly the day before so we can do some tours of Rome. We have never been b4. Has anyone else been that can suggest tours, etc.? If we fly in the day of the cruise, will we have enough time to do a 3-4 hr. tour of Rome and get to the ship b4 sailaway.
Flights home after the cruise seem to be departing too early to get to the airport from the port. I don't want to get stuck in traffic, etc. I have only found one airline that leaves at 12:30 pm. That may still be cutting it close because it's an hour's drive to the airport. What are others doing?
We would be interested in sharing tours, transfers, etc.
Have a nice day.
I have just discovered this website & am happy to be aboard.
We are going on the Galazy 10/7 also. I am researching transfers, port tours, etc. now. I have accumulated a lot of info already & would be happy to share it w/ anyone.
We have not booked our airfare yet because prices are still very high out of Boston, our departure city. We may fly the day before so we can do some tours of Rome. We have never been b4. Has anyone else been that can suggest tours, etc.? If we fly in the day of the cruise, will we have enough time to do a 3-4 hr. tour of Rome and get to the ship b4 sailaway.
Flights home after the cruise seem to be departing too early to get to the airport from the port. I don't want to get stuck in traffic, etc. I have only found one airline that leaves at 12:30 pm. That may still be cutting it close because it's an hour's drive to the airport. What are others doing?
We would be interested in sharing tours, transfers, etc.
Have a nice day.
A
altzma
Guest
Bill & Helen. My husband and I live in Las Vegas and have not yet seriously considered tour information.
Beantowncroozer, we are flying in at noon on the 7th and are going to leave the morning of the 18th. We plan to squeeze in a tour on the 17th and then we are back to reality! We have some tour information through Celebrity and some basic internet searches. We were planning on taking the train as far as it gets to get to the port and then will walk or take a taxi the rest of the way. I have heard it is better to book a tour guide instead of taking the traditional tour that the cruise line offers. I think you can cover more ground if you have 6-8 people and it sounds like it might be more cost efficient. Maybe we could book something together with Bill & Helen?
Laurie
Beantowncroozer, we are flying in at noon on the 7th and are going to leave the morning of the 18th. We plan to squeeze in a tour on the 17th and then we are back to reality! We have some tour information through Celebrity and some basic internet searches. We were planning on taking the train as far as it gets to get to the port and then will walk or take a taxi the rest of the way. I have heard it is better to book a tour guide instead of taking the traditional tour that the cruise line offers. I think you can cover more ground if you have 6-8 people and it sounds like it might be more cost efficient. Maybe we could book something together with Bill & Helen?
Laurie
B
Beantowncroozer
Guest
Hi Laurie, Bill & Helen,
I am still trying to book my airfare out of Boston. It is still way too high. My TA said it should come down so I may wait a bit. We may fly in on the 6th, do a tour that day and maybe a 1/2 day tour on the 7th before we transfer to the ship. I have been on another cruise board and there are lots of people going on the Galaxy looking to share transfers or tours.
I have a lot of info that I can email you if you like. I have been doing research for a couple of months now & have started a file in my Word docs. I cut and paste any info I find on the boards about transportation, hotels, etc.
What hotel are you going to stay at on the 17th? The return flight times to Boston seem to be leaving mid morning on the 17th & I think it will be cutting it very close to get to the airport on time, what with Rome traffic, etc. We may stay on the 17th and fly out on the 18th. If that is the case, we would be interested in sharing a tour on the 17th. I know a couple of other people interested in doing this also.
It is difficult trying to coordinate the transfers and tours because I don't have my air flights booked yet.
Feel free to email me if you like. I am really looking forward to meeting everyone I have met online. Should be a fun cruise. I am researching Santorini tours now also.
The ship's tours are usually very expensive. I would prefer a smaller tour, perhaps a private guided tour or on a mini bus. I really want to see the Ruins in Santorini and perhaps a Winery. Otherwise, we may just take the cable car, hop on the local bus & do our thing. Should be fun either way.
Laurie, I have read that taking the train if you have a lot of luggage to carry can be difficult. I think you have about a 10 min. walk from the station to the ship. I have a lot of info on transfers from the airport and if you share them w/ several others, it is very cheap. The private tour vans can take 8 passengers. I have a price of E170.00 for 6 passengers in a van from airport to port (I think the price would be the same for 8 passengers also). This would average out to about E21.25 pp for 8. I also have quotes for 3-4 hr. guided tours of the Vatican, St. Peter's, Sistine Chapel, etc.
Mary
email: mziergiebel@yahoo.com
I am still trying to book my airfare out of Boston. It is still way too high. My TA said it should come down so I may wait a bit. We may fly in on the 6th, do a tour that day and maybe a 1/2 day tour on the 7th before we transfer to the ship. I have been on another cruise board and there are lots of people going on the Galaxy looking to share transfers or tours.
I have a lot of info that I can email you if you like. I have been doing research for a couple of months now & have started a file in my Word docs. I cut and paste any info I find on the boards about transportation, hotels, etc.
What hotel are you going to stay at on the 17th? The return flight times to Boston seem to be leaving mid morning on the 17th & I think it will be cutting it very close to get to the airport on time, what with Rome traffic, etc. We may stay on the 17th and fly out on the 18th. If that is the case, we would be interested in sharing a tour on the 17th. I know a couple of other people interested in doing this also.
It is difficult trying to coordinate the transfers and tours because I don't have my air flights booked yet.
Feel free to email me if you like. I am really looking forward to meeting everyone I have met online. Should be a fun cruise. I am researching Santorini tours now also.
The ship's tours are usually very expensive. I would prefer a smaller tour, perhaps a private guided tour or on a mini bus. I really want to see the Ruins in Santorini and perhaps a Winery. Otherwise, we may just take the cable car, hop on the local bus & do our thing. Should be fun either way.
Laurie, I have read that taking the train if you have a lot of luggage to carry can be difficult. I think you have about a 10 min. walk from the station to the ship. I have a lot of info on transfers from the airport and if you share them w/ several others, it is very cheap. The private tour vans can take 8 passengers. I have a price of E170.00 for 6 passengers in a van from airport to port (I think the price would be the same for 8 passengers also). This would average out to about E21.25 pp for 8. I also have quotes for 3-4 hr. guided tours of the Vatican, St. Peter's, Sistine Chapel, etc.
Mary
email: mziergiebel@yahoo.com
B
Beantowncroozer
Guest
Ok, where are all the Galaxy 10/7 cruisers? This is the quietest board I have ever seen.
Come on, let's liven it up!
Still trying to coordinate transfers, tours, etc. Haven't booked airfare as yet. Has to come down a bit.
Does anyone have any info on Genoa & what to do there?
Mary
Come on, let's liven it up!
Still trying to coordinate transfers, tours, etc. Haven't booked airfare as yet. Has to come down a bit.
Does anyone have any info on Genoa & what to do there?
Mary
A
altzma
Guest
Hi everyone. We arrive in Rome at 11:55AM on the 7th and would be interested in taking a tour too if we have time. Is anyone else arriving around the same time? We don't know where we are staying on the 17th yet - we are considering 69 Manin Street De Luxe B&B.
I keep thinking I have plenty of time to decide everything, but I know it will be coming soon! Regarding Genoa, you can check out http://genoait.ags.myareaguide.com/detail.html?cityguide=tours or http://goitaly.about.com/cs/italianriviera/a/genoa.htm
Mary, we appreciate the information regarding the transfers. It would be great to hire a private tour guide to take us from the airport and around Rome for 2-3 hours and then drop us at the pier.
I am getting excited just thinking about it!
Laurie
I keep thinking I have plenty of time to decide everything, but I know it will be coming soon! Regarding Genoa, you can check out http://genoait.ags.myareaguide.com/detail.html?cityguide=tours or http://goitaly.about.com/cs/italianriviera/a/genoa.htm
Mary, we appreciate the information regarding the transfers. It would be great to hire a private tour guide to take us from the airport and around Rome for 2-3 hours and then drop us at the pier.
I am getting excited just thinking about it!
Laurie
B
Beantowncroozer
Guest
Hi Laurie,
We still have not booked our airfare. I know others have gotten good rates but Boston is still coming up $700-900. If we fly in on the 7th we would probably be arriving at approx. the same time as you. I am looking at Air France or Alitalia for good flights w/ just a short layover. Would prefer AA so I can accummulate some more ff miles but they are ridiculously high. I am looking at a short tour of 2-3 hrs. that day b4 we head to the ship. Somehow we could coordinate something if we get in at the same time.
It's the flights home I am concerned about. Most airlines seem to have flights out of Rome no later than 11:30 and I am afraid that is really cutting it very close to get from the ship to the airport. I believe you are supposed to be at the airport 3 hr. prior to your flight departure.
Do you know if we will be clearing customs on the ship as you do on other ships? I am assuming so. I am figuring that by the time we get off the ship it's going to be 9-9:30 then get a transfer to the airport which is another hour trip (at least w/ no traffic delays) that's going to be really close.
I have looked at a lot of hotels online & have found some reasonably priced ones. I am leaning towards a B&B because they are more reasonable in price. I went to Borders bookstore yesterday and was browsing the Italy travel books for information. One of the books said not to get lodging near the Termini area because it was very dark and not safe there. I am thinking the Spanish Steps area is the best one but I am sure prices will be higher there. I am also thinking we are only going to be one night so it couldn't be that big a deal. Going to check out the 69 Manin St. B&B right now. I can give you the names of the other places I found that are reasonable if you like.
I am very excited about this cruise. It is going to be so fabulous. I just love Europe.
I am going to check out Genoa also. What have you decided for Mykonos & Santorini? I think we may just get off the ship & see what happens. Take the cable car in Santorini & go to the top & just grab a local tour guide. Are you interested in sharing any tours in either Santorini or Mykonos? I wanted to go to Delos to see the ruins (Mykonos) but another cruiser said they are closed on Mondays and that is the day we will be in port.
Talk to you later. Feel free to email me w/ any info. I'll be happy to do the same.
Mary
We still have not booked our airfare. I know others have gotten good rates but Boston is still coming up $700-900. If we fly in on the 7th we would probably be arriving at approx. the same time as you. I am looking at Air France or Alitalia for good flights w/ just a short layover. Would prefer AA so I can accummulate some more ff miles but they are ridiculously high. I am looking at a short tour of 2-3 hrs. that day b4 we head to the ship. Somehow we could coordinate something if we get in at the same time.
It's the flights home I am concerned about. Most airlines seem to have flights out of Rome no later than 11:30 and I am afraid that is really cutting it very close to get from the ship to the airport. I believe you are supposed to be at the airport 3 hr. prior to your flight departure.
Do you know if we will be clearing customs on the ship as you do on other ships? I am assuming so. I am figuring that by the time we get off the ship it's going to be 9-9:30 then get a transfer to the airport which is another hour trip (at least w/ no traffic delays) that's going to be really close.
I have looked at a lot of hotels online & have found some reasonably priced ones. I am leaning towards a B&B because they are more reasonable in price. I went to Borders bookstore yesterday and was browsing the Italy travel books for information. One of the books said not to get lodging near the Termini area because it was very dark and not safe there. I am thinking the Spanish Steps area is the best one but I am sure prices will be higher there. I am also thinking we are only going to be one night so it couldn't be that big a deal. Going to check out the 69 Manin St. B&B right now. I can give you the names of the other places I found that are reasonable if you like.
I am very excited about this cruise. It is going to be so fabulous. I just love Europe.
I am going to check out Genoa also. What have you decided for Mykonos & Santorini? I think we may just get off the ship & see what happens. Take the cable car in Santorini & go to the top & just grab a local tour guide. Are you interested in sharing any tours in either Santorini or Mykonos? I wanted to go to Delos to see the ruins (Mykonos) but another cruiser said they are closed on Mondays and that is the day we will be in port.
Talk to you later. Feel free to email me w/ any info. I'll be happy to do the same.
Mary
C
cruiztime
Guest
Try this site for your airfare. I found it too late and paid a lot more for our tickets to Rome.
Good luck, hope you can save some money here:
http://www.yatratravel.com/
I have never used them but some people from other boards have had good success and saved $$$$.
Good luck, hope you can save some money here:
http://www.yatratravel.com/
I have never used them but some people from other boards have had good success and saved $$$$.
B
Beantowncroozer
Guest
Thanks cruiztime. I'll check it out. Have you found a hotel yet?
B
Beantowncroozer
Guest
Here are some websites for everyone to check out:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/ (has Europe travel section listed)
This has some excellent info on it on travel. Have to do a little searching tho.
http://www.romeguide.it/TROLLEY/Troll.htm (this sounds like fun)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5377574/ (this is a list of 9 hotels in Rome & prices). Has good info.
Check these out & let me know what you think.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/ (has Europe travel section listed)
This has some excellent info on it on travel. Have to do a little searching tho.
http://www.romeguide.it/TROLLEY/Troll.htm (this sounds like fun)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5377574/ (this is a list of 9 hotels in Rome & prices). Has good info.
Check these out & let me know what you think.
A
altzma
Guest
Hi everyone. We are still in search of a hotel for one night after the cruise. We are considering the hotel Aberdeen, but are not sure.
Mary, I have also read that you are supposed to be at the airport 3 hr. prior to your flight departure and don't know if we will be clearing customs on the ship, but assuming so as well.
We will need to find transportation from the port back to Rome and hope to pick up a tour that day. We leave the next morning at 7:45AM, so we will have to get to the airport at around 5AM (it doesn't open until 5AM).
We are very excited about this cruise because we have never been to Europe. When cruising, we tend to get off the ship and see what we can find as well. We would like to see Mt. Etna and some of the other famous attractions in each port. We haven't finalized anything yet. We would be interested in sharing tours in any port.
The more research I do, the more confused I get.
Talk to you soon,
Laurie
Mary, I have also read that you are supposed to be at the airport 3 hr. prior to your flight departure and don't know if we will be clearing customs on the ship, but assuming so as well.
We will need to find transportation from the port back to Rome and hope to pick up a tour that day. We leave the next morning at 7:45AM, so we will have to get to the airport at around 5AM (it doesn't open until 5AM).
We are very excited about this cruise because we have never been to Europe. When cruising, we tend to get off the ship and see what we can find as well. We would like to see Mt. Etna and some of the other famous attractions in each port. We haven't finalized anything yet. We would be interested in sharing tours in any port.
The more research I do, the more confused I get.
Talk to you soon,
Laurie
B
Beantowncroozer
Guest
Hi Laurie (& everyone else),
We are in the same boat as you about our plans. I haven't done too much posting because I have been doing research. We still have to book our airfare but it's still so high. We don't have any FF miles or anything to help out.
As of now, we will be flying in on the 7th, staying over on the 17th and flying out on the 18th. We too are looking for a place for the 17th. Maybe we can both stay at the same hotel (& anyone else too), share a ride from the port to the hotel, and share our tours. That way, it will save all of us some money.
Hotel Aberdeen is an ok hotel, I believe. Someone said it's not that convenient to things. What price range are you looking for? Hotels are ridiculously high because we are going to be in the high season.
I emailed my TA & asked her if she could give us recommendations for a hotel in Rome. Just got one back from her this morning & she thought a couple of people in the office had been to Rome. She'll get back to me today. I am researching safe areas, etc. I am not particularly worried about finding a hotel. There are so many of them it will not be a problem. Sometimes at the last minute you get some great bargains. We did this in Oct. for our Ireland trip. Couldn't find a place in Galway we really liked. Had checked one hotel out that was very pricey that we liked because of its location. Checked back again a few weeks b4 we left and they had some great specials.
Let's coordinate our plans. Here's my email:
mziergiebel@yahoo.com
Send me your email address. I have a couple of other things to share with you.
We're getting ready for another snowstorm here in MA. We've had 99" of snow so far this winter. We're over the edge here!
Have a nice weekend.
Mary
We are in the same boat as you about our plans. I haven't done too much posting because I have been doing research. We still have to book our airfare but it's still so high. We don't have any FF miles or anything to help out.
As of now, we will be flying in on the 7th, staying over on the 17th and flying out on the 18th. We too are looking for a place for the 17th. Maybe we can both stay at the same hotel (& anyone else too), share a ride from the port to the hotel, and share our tours. That way, it will save all of us some money.
Hotel Aberdeen is an ok hotel, I believe. Someone said it's not that convenient to things. What price range are you looking for? Hotels are ridiculously high because we are going to be in the high season.
I emailed my TA & asked her if she could give us recommendations for a hotel in Rome. Just got one back from her this morning & she thought a couple of people in the office had been to Rome. She'll get back to me today. I am researching safe areas, etc. I am not particularly worried about finding a hotel. There are so many of them it will not be a problem. Sometimes at the last minute you get some great bargains. We did this in Oct. for our Ireland trip. Couldn't find a place in Galway we really liked. Had checked one hotel out that was very pricey that we liked because of its location. Checked back again a few weeks b4 we left and they had some great specials.
Let's coordinate our plans. Here's my email:
mziergiebel@yahoo.com
Send me your email address. I have a couple of other things to share with you.
We're getting ready for another snowstorm here in MA. We've had 99" of snow so far this winter. We're over the edge here!
Have a nice weekend.
Mary
C
cruiztime
Guest
We are on the Galaxy on Sept 16 and the hotel costs are very high the three days we will be in Rome - Sept 13-16. The Aberdeen is booked. Still checking out the B & B's. Have found a few but they are over by the Vatican. Think we will be booking one of them because the price is right, 100 Euros per night, sorry I'm not on your cruise!
Marion
Marion
A
aldesonia
Guest
We. are on the 10-7-05 cruise we will be in Rome on the 6th we booked 1pre &1post in Rome. Don't know what hotel yet waiting for that info from T.A. We want to do some thing on our own in Rome not sure what to do until we know what hotel.Will be checking the boards for any info. Looking forward to meeting everyone. AL.D
B
Beantowncroozer
Guest
Hi everyone,
Hope you are enjoying your weekend. It's a nice sunny day here in MA after 2 days of snow.
Laurie, I am working on a hotel for the 17th. Will keep you posted. Have found a couple of moderate priced ones. Transportation will not be a problem. We can find enough people to share a ride from the ship to hotel on the 17th. It would be nice to stay at the same hotel or near each other. We could then do a tour together. I have found lots of good tours.
Al.D - Welcome to this board. I believe I have seen your posting on CC board. We are on the same ship. I have noticed that all of the hotels seem to be offering tours of Rome. That may be easier than booking someone that has to come to the hotel to pick you up, etc. I think the prices are all the same.
I'll let you know what I find.
We are not going to Pompeii (as far as I know right now). We've already been there. It's a great tour. I was thinking of doing a tour of Naples and either Mt. Etna or Vesuvius. It's a combo tour I found. They go about 1/2 way up the mountain & then you can go to the top to see the crater. Think it would be neat to see. Also have heard that the archeological museum in Naples is very worthwhile seeing. We may do this because we've already seen Pompeii and it would be more meaningful after having seen Pompeii. Got to find the websites. I'll post them so you can check them out.
Has anyone checked out the ship's tours? I am also thinking that maybe the ship's tours may be easier and possibly cheaper because they will be paid for through our shipboard account in American $$$$ rather than Euros. Just a thought.
Mary
Hope you are enjoying your weekend. It's a nice sunny day here in MA after 2 days of snow.
Laurie, I am working on a hotel for the 17th. Will keep you posted. Have found a couple of moderate priced ones. Transportation will not be a problem. We can find enough people to share a ride from the ship to hotel on the 17th. It would be nice to stay at the same hotel or near each other. We could then do a tour together. I have found lots of good tours.
Al.D - Welcome to this board. I believe I have seen your posting on CC board. We are on the same ship. I have noticed that all of the hotels seem to be offering tours of Rome. That may be easier than booking someone that has to come to the hotel to pick you up, etc. I think the prices are all the same.
I'll let you know what I find.
We are not going to Pompeii (as far as I know right now). We've already been there. It's a great tour. I was thinking of doing a tour of Naples and either Mt. Etna or Vesuvius. It's a combo tour I found. They go about 1/2 way up the mountain & then you can go to the top to see the crater. Think it would be neat to see. Also have heard that the archeological museum in Naples is very worthwhile seeing. We may do this because we've already seen Pompeii and it would be more meaningful after having seen Pompeii. Got to find the websites. I'll post them so you can check them out.
Has anyone checked out the ship's tours? I am also thinking that maybe the ship's tours may be easier and possibly cheaper because they will be paid for through our shipboard account in American $$$$ rather than Euros. Just a thought.
Mary
B
Beantowncroozer
Guest
Here's the tour of Naples and Mt. Vesuvius. I found it in an internet search. It's not an all day tour which is nice because there would be time for other things also.
http://www.thingstodo-rome.com/brochure/ed_PRODUCT_results.jsp?TOPX=11-20&CITY=NAPLES
Looks like it has to be prebooked through the internet.
http://www.thingstodo-rome.com/brochure/ed_PRODUCT_results.jsp?TOPX=11-20&CITY=NAPLES
Looks like it has to be prebooked through the internet.