Disembarking the Royal in Civitavecchia

Streets are narrow here in Lucca - one van is parked and the other can not get by

It was particularly hard for me to get off the ship.  Maybe because we were only on for a short time, but today I am on the verge of tears whenever I say goodbye to someone else.

We wake and we are showered and completely packed and out of the cabin just before 8.  Breakfast in the dining room this morning where we say goodbye to Felippe, and Silvio.  Both will be here in Jan so that is some comfort.

After breakfast we go to say goodbye to Michael.  And that is hard too!  

Disembarking was a breeze.  Here in Italy the ship gets cleared easily, they don’t require a zero count so in transit can go out and bing back in easily.   But sadly we are getting off.

We get our bags and get in the line for the free shuttle to the port gate.  The line is long but it moves fast.  The couple in front of us in the bus was not having a good day.  From what we heard (and those around us)  he had lost quite a bit at the casino on board.  They are mad taxis can't come right to the ship.  They aren't sure how to get to the train station.  We did not say anything -- there is no way I want to listen to them all the way to the train.

Once at the port gate we walk to the train station where we board the train to Pisa and then on to Lucca.  Easy!  But there is a shuttle bus for 2E from the port gate to the train station if you need it.  Also numerous shuttles, taxis, shared rides to Rome city, or airport at the port gate.  

We board our train to Pisa which is just under 3 hours.  We upgraded to first class train (nothing fancy but extra room and more room to store our bags between the seats).  

on train to Lucca they had this great up to date screen which showed speed of train, exactly where you were, next stop and connections at that next station.

Our train is late by 12 minutes and we only have 20 minutes between trains in Pisa but it runs very efficiently and when we get off in Pisa we just have to move one platform and catch the train to Lucca.  We also knew that if we missed that train there was another about 20 minutes later.  But we managed to get on the train with around 4 minutes to spare.

The ride to Lucca is short and when we get off we have to get orientated.  I pull out the paper map and try and figure it out, but street signs are not as easy to find in Europe so out comes the map app (make sure you download your map so you can view it off line) and we can quickly locate where we are and we are off in the direction of our Airbnb.

When we arrive at 1500 there is no one there so I open the Airbnb app and easily click on the contact host option and I am connected with Giorgia.  She arrives ten minutes later.

Note we have used Airbnb three times now and each time we have had to contact the host someway either by phone or email to let us in.  So having some free wifi or data plan and even phone plan in the country is necessary.  

When she arrives she apologizes thinking when I sent the message about when we would arrive at 1500 via the train she thought our train arrived at 1500 not that we would be at the door at 1500.  

She takes us up to the apartment which is located on the ground floor which is really the first floor in North America.

The place is HUGE - certainly bigger than our apartment at home.  Very nicely decorated.  Two bedroom, two bathrooms and very reasonably priced.  The kitchen has all modern appliances and omg there is a huge bathtub with rain shower.  The other bathroom has another one of those space ship beam me up showers.  

There is even a washer AND dryer!  

It is so nice to have this space and to make it feel like home.

We head out to wander the streets of Lucca, which are maze like.   We have a simple meal that starts with calpraise salad then we each have a bowl of bean soup and we share a plate of eggplant lasagna and of course a half litre of house red wine.  Total was 27 E.

We wander around some more and enjoy the ambiance.  Not many cars come into the walled city, most travel on foot and on bicycle.  

Roads are large boulders and the buildings ouze history.  If you look up you see the older ladies watching the sights of the streets below.

We need a few groceries for breakfasts and we locate a grocer using the map app.  Now these grocery stores are nothing like you would find at home.  These are small stores that carry most of what you would need.  But of course there are numerous stores for your baked goods (which we locate and buy some foccacia for tomorrow), wine, meats, cheese, pasta and well you name it.  

Back at the apartment we figure out the washer then dryer and we relax for a few hours.

Later on in the early evening we head out for our evening stroll walking arm in arm along the streets of Lucca.  Ahh life is good and I feel like I am in a movie - Under the Tuscan Sun, maybe?  

We check out some streets that lead to interesting spots.  We feel very safe here.  There are tourists here but nothing like many of the other cities we have visited like Rome, Venice, Florence or Barcelona.  Mainly locals and a few tourists.  

Of course what stroll would be complete without a stop for some gelato.  It is all in Italian and I don't know what the flavours are so I ask what her favorites are and I take that.  Ended up being hazelnut and marscapone.

The square we are in is called Piazza Amfiteatro - the old Roman amphitheater.  It use to be in this square (it actually sat 10,000) but was gradually cannibalized for its stones.  Now there are homes all around and on the main level stores, bars, restaurants and tourist shops.  The main floor here is actually nine feet above the original arena floor.  

We wander out and then Bernie comments "some wine would be nice" well low and behold a little wine bar (but also sells beer and cocktails) is there just calling our name.  We love these types of places.  Small, only a few chairs, most people stand, or take their drinks outside and enjoy their drinks.  The bar also provides little nibbles - like olives, bread, spreads, and other items, nothing big just to nibble on.

We each get a glass of red wine that is made locally and sip and enjoy the ambiance.

But we are beat, it has been a long day and we are looking forward to a few relaxing days here and the idea of sleeping in.  So we are back at the apartment early and I catch up on the blog.

I can hear the tv in the bedroom - but there are no Enlish channels so I can only hear Italian but he is watching it.  Hard to separate a man from his tv I guess.  He tells me later he was watching Pawn Stars in Italian!  Go figure.

Well good night everyone, thanks for following.

Travelling to the Port of Civitavecchia

 

We are up bright and early to catch the train at 8 am. Even on a Saturday the train station is busy.

We check the main board to see what platform the train arrives on.  Note it is usually only posted a few minutes before arrival.  Once it is posted we are able to proceed to the platform.

Today we are taking the high speed train to Rome from Florence.  Just 1.5 hours to get there, boy it goes fast! Bring gum because your ears will pop.

Arrive in Rome and we have only 15 minutes until our next train departs, but that is sufficient time as we only have to change platforms.

Again we find our platform and make our way there.  This train is a regular train but it is express (doesn't stop at all the stops like the local train.  But it does stop at the Vatican City stop.

When we get on the train it is busy.  Lots of cruisers.  Lots of bags but we are all happy and friendly and helpful.  We all manage to store our bags easily and enjoy the short ride (just under an hour) and for a very low price.

If you are interested in learning more about taking the train to the port read my blog from last year that explains the whole process. 

Now if you are wanting to take the train you must be able to handle your own bags.  You do have to carry them off the train, and down a flight of stairs, the up a flight of stairs to get to the station.  For some this is not a problem for others they would never even consider it.  For us we can easily manage  our bags (each big one weighs 40lbs and that is a bit of a struggle).

Once we exit the station there are taxis, shuttles and buses that get you easily to the port.  

The day is lovely and we decide to just walk as the shuttle is not there and there is a queue for taxis.  One person said the shuttle doesn't start for another hour - but I doubt that is true.  If people are willing to pay that shuttle will probably operate.

We walk very easily along the sidewalk.  I recommend you stay on the sidewalk right from the station.  Don't cross the street and walk along the water as you just have to cross back over.  Exit the station and turn right and walk on that same side following the beach.  Follow it until you get near the fort then you head along a main street still parallel to the water.  

Very easy walk, relatively flat half hour walk but not practical if you have lots of bags or have mobility issues.

Once at the entrance to the port there are lines for shuttles to the ship.  There a few ships in port so make sure you get in the right line.  Here they take your bags and place them in the cargo hold of the buses.  It is then a short ride to the ship.

Check in was busier than last year.  A lot of people arrived at the pier early like we did (around noon).   There is no preferred check in or at least not at this time.  Really don't think it would of been a preferred line anyhow as many seasoned cruisers on this voyage and the age of the passengers is much higher at check in.  

In all the check in process took around a half hour from drop off to walking on the ship.

Wednesday November 11, 2015 – Civitavecchia for Rome

It is an early port day, we arrive for 7 am but we are docked earlier to that and clearance came quick.  The NCL Epic is in port too and we have friends getting on her today.

This is an industrial port and you have to take a ship’s shuttle to the main port gate – note that the main port gate is a little further north than it use to be and from what Rick Steve’s mentions. 

The Patter mentions that the first shuttle will start at 7:30 but we are down there at 7:20 and they are loading the shuttle buses that are like public buses now – when we came to board on Oct 25 we had big highway coaches and place to store luggage underneath.  The buses we have now are quick and easy to load.  The shuttle ride is about 7 minutes and drops you right at the port gate. 

Once at the gate you can meet up with your private guide here (note Princess Excursions come right to the pier to pick you up).  You can also hire a taxi here as well.  The other option was to take the small shuttle bus to the train station – cost was 2E each.  

the shuttle from the port to the train station

But since we have about 50 minutes before our train leaves we decide to walk.  The walk is an easy one and pretty flat and for us it took about 15 minutes but give yourself 20 minutes just in case.  In fact when we arrived at the train we beat the shuttle that many from our shuttle bus were on.

the train station

Now when you arrive at the train station there was a ticket booth selling bus tickets with hop on hop off tickets and at first we were going to go in there but we noticed it said travel agent and did not look like the train ticket booth.  Sneaky… cause many were buying them, and perhaps unwittingly.

We find the ticket booth in the train station and we buy the BIRG ticket which is 12E each (may be cheaper for seniors – but I can’t confirm).  The BIRG ticket gives you round trip transport on the train and then unlimited use of the buses/trams and metro in Rome, ticket expires at midnight.

We are taking the 842 train into Roma – but we will get off at Trastevere.  Note the stop prior is San Pietro for the Vatican, but the train then heads to Termini if necessary.  

don't forget to validate your ticket

You should check the train scheduled from their website ahead of time.  The train trip to Trastevere is about 45 minutes give or take five.

check the board for what track your train will arrive on

but first a coffee stop

Once off the train we catch the #8 bus – or you can take the tram to Cesto Bridge where we start Rick Steve’s Trastevere audio tour. 

We love the tour and the places it takes us. 

The Santa Cecilia in Trastevere is stunning and the story behind it even better.

Another great church is Santa Maria in Trastevere.

   
The tour took about an hour and we cross over the bridge over the Tiber and wander around checking out churches, sites and even the Piazzo Navona. 

We are determined to go to a restaurant that our friend Claudio recommended.  We tried on two different occasions to dine her when we stayed in Rome but to no avail.  This time we make it to the restaurant Maccheroni.

The place fills up quickly with workers, no tourists, but they are very helpful and we get a starter.  Anchovies in butter for Bernie and I get a cheese and honey plate.  For our entrée I get the pasta with spicy cheese and Bernie gets their penne with tomato and basil and chilies and it is good too.  Of course a litre of house wine.  No dessert and the whole meal comes to 50E and was very very good.

We are full and we have been walking a lot but we are determined to walk to the Trevi Fountain now that it is now open.  It is a short walk of about 15 minutes and the place is packed – a lot different than the last time we were here.

We each throw a coin into the fountain to ensure our return. 

The place is hoping – all of Rome is it seems.  The weather is great (low 20s) in fact we take off layers.  We are walking back and stop by the Pantheon and then catch the tram, back to a few stops shy of the train station.  We walk back to the train station after picking up a few sundries – shampoo/conditioner and aspirin.

At the station we run into Karin and John who are just heading back too.  We catch the train just after 1500 (I believe it was 1527) and it is busy.  The ride is quick and we get up and get off all together and we notice it is a little different but we start walking along the roadway and we are laughing and catching up with John/Karin. 

After walking for about 15 minutes we all comment that this just doesn’t look similar to this morning. 

Oh no we got off at the stop prior to the one we needed to.  What town are we in?  It is not Civitavecchia.  Okay we can turn around and high tail it back and hopefully catch another train.  We are early, still it is around 16:30 and the last shuttle from the pier is 1800.

Thankfully we walk fast enough to catch the 16:55 train!  

Our last option – next option would have been a taxi.  But if by chance we did miss the ship we could easily have taken a train to the next port of Livorno for the next day.  But we made it and we are off in Civitavecchia – now this station does look familiar at 17:05.

The 2E shuttle was there waiting but we have enough time to walk back and I want to see the town a bit more.  There is quite a bit here.  You will certainly find anything you may need here.  The town is lovely and I would love to explore it some more in the future.

Taking the train into Rome is a very easy option and very economical and you have the flexibility of planning your own day.  It is very unlikely you could catch any train prior to 8:15 if docking at 7:00.

We are back on board and we are beat!  I don’t want to dress for dinner and we head up to the Horizon Court – but we are not the only ones with that idea.  The place is very busy, but the ship seems to manage quite well.

It will be an early night for us – we are both tired and I am just under 30,000 steps today.  All that walking in Rome and then back and forth from the wrong port sure adds up.  See even I can screw up but it was easily fixed and makes a great story now.

We are watching tv in the cabin right now and we have put out the breakfast room service menu for tomorrow.  

Tomorrow we are in Livorno and we are heading to Florence with a scheduled meeting time of 7:15 in Crooners we better get a good rest.

Sunday October 25 – Rome to Civitavecchia

It is nice to sleep in – well sleep in means not have to get up for a tour.  But we are still up relatively early and I get my blog posted and everything caught up to date.  

Check out is at 10 and we are heading to the port today.  So first thing is cleaning up things and organizing things in our bags for the short trip to the port.  

Once packed up we head out.  We are taking the train to the port but first we need to get to the Metro Station about four blocks away.  Since we don’t have too many bags, just one suitcase each and a small roller bag and we can lug them to the Metro.   

We stop at a small coffee shop and sit outside and enjoy two cappuccinos and a pastry each.  It is definitely a Sunday as the church bells ring and the families stroll by.

There was a staircase to the first level of the Metro station and we managed to get thru the gates with no issue.  We only have two stops to the Termini station but when the first train arrives it is packed so we just let it go and catch the next one.  The next one is almost empty and was only 2 minutes later.  So sometimes it is worth waiting for the next train.

We arrive at the station and we were prepared for a maze but it was quite easy to look at the signs above pointing to the train station.  There were escalators everywhere and we manage quite fine.  Once on the level of the train station we are impressed with all the stores and restaurants and facilities.  It really is like a huge mall.  

I need to use the washroom and we see the sign so we head that way and I walk towards it and then get confused, were is it.  Oh there are gates and a turnstile like device where we have to put in one Euro and the door opens and we can use the washroom.  I giggle, see I do learn something new every day.  In fact today I am learning a lot of new things. 

Our train is at 11:57 and we go to the display to see what track to go to.  Note that the track only shows up shortly before the embarkation.  They don’t want a lot of people hanging out on the tracks near the trains so one way to do this is to not post the track number.  Once the track is posted you can enter and two staff were there to check your ticket to make sure you were allowed on.

Our track is announced and we start walking down the track.  Look at the electronic displays on the side of the train that list train number and the carriage number.  We are in first class – carriage #2 – seat 8A and 9A. 

We take our seat and there is room behind each of the seats for our bigger bag and our small roller bags fit easily on the rack above.  The seats are very comfortable, there is a plug for our devices, a large table, food service, washrooms. 

The only reason we went with first class was to have the space for our bags and it was only a few Euros more.  But I think the regular class would have been just fine too.  

There are four men beside us and they notice our Canadian Flag on our bag and say hi and ask if we are Canadian, “yes” and we chat with them.  They are all from Saudi Arabia and are visiting.  At 12:30 when they had the call to prayer they faced Mecca and did their prayers.  I have to admire their dedication to their religion and I would of like to have spoken to them more but we are getting off.  The ride was just over a half hour and quick and smooth and certainly economical.  

If you want to read more about the train and how we booked it check this blog report I did a few months on all the details.

Once in Civitavecchia we have to lug our bags up a flight and then down another to get over the train track but it is quite manageable.  Once on street level we cross the street and then down another flight to a lower road that runs along the water.  First thing we do here is take off our jackets.  It is warm, well actually it is hot, I would say around 23.

Now, hmmm getting to the ship.  We can see some ships not far away and I think I see the Island but it is smaller and hidden by the others.  I see a MSC and Aida ship and a ferry.
There is a shuttle to get you to the port but the line is long and we just decide to keep walking along the water.  We get to the port and they have big busses there. We board and will take us to the ship (note the port is a very industrial port and there are no pedestrians allowed, although later we heard a couple did walk with no issue but it was confusing).  

We have to put our own luggage in the bus and haul it out afterwards.  We get on the bus but it is turned off, and that means the AC is off and it is hot!!!  So we get off the bus and wait as it is cooler outside than in.  We waited about 15 minutes and then we were off to the ship.  

In all taking the train and then walking to the port and then the bus was a bit cumbersome and I don’t recommend it to those who have mobility issues at all, and if you will have trouble with your bags or don’t like to walk then don’t do it.  But to save a lot of money it is a great option and I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again.  

But there are numerous other options, including Princess Shuttle, private car service and shared service.  Make sure to join the cruise critic roll call and find others to share a shuttle with.  Many of our friends did join a group and the prices varied and you can find savings here too.  
I always say do what is right for you.

We arrive at the ship and we drop our bags off and then go thru the security – absolutely no lines!  The time is 1:15. We get our cruise cards and our photo taken and we walk up the gangway to the beautiful Island Princess.

Our cabin for this voyage is E229 and when we board we are offered an elevator in the Atrium so we take it up the three flights.  We have a giggle cause we board the elevator with six others and the woman in charge of the elevator says “are you all one family” and I respond “oh yeah that is Dad, that is my sister”.  Now I am not sure how they felt but later we met up with our friends Karin and John and they introduced us to their friends and guess who their friends were – the family we joined in the elevator.  See it is a smaller world and even a smaller ship.

We stayed in this cabin quite a few years ago when we did the Panama Canal.  It is a nice cabin and we notice it is a bit bigger than other balcony cabins.  The desk area is definitely longer, now I am not saying it is feet and feet longer but it is about two feet longer.  We have more desk space and more space under the desk where the chair goes.

We are welcomed with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a bottle of champagne from Antonio the Executive Housekeeper.  We met Antonio many years ago on the Diamond Princess when we sailed for two weeks on it.  Then we saw him again last spring on the Crown and we have kept in touch and we are so happy to see him again, and really appreciate the lovely gift.

The bed is so comfortable and the cabin looks very nice.  

There are new lamps/shades on the side tables and everything looks good.  We meet our Cabin Stewart Dendi and we ask for our normal things – top sheet for the bed, two robes, four towels, and to change the shower curtain cause this one smells moldy and is immediately noticeable as soon as we enter the washroom.  Again I am not sure why they don’t change these more often.  All they need is to wash them at the end of each cruise but I would say about 75% of the time when we board the shower curtains are bad. 

We head up to the Horizon Court for lunch.  It is busy but not crazy.  We love the new layout of the buffet and the seating area is more streamlined.  They use to have these heavy iron chairs and now they have lovely tables and chairs. We do notice later that the old chairs are now just outside near the grill/pizzeria and they suit the area as they look like lovely garden chairs/tables. 

Lunch was good and we decide to get Bernie the Ultimate Soda Package cause he loves fresh squeezed orange juice and we often get sparkling water.  I buy the Wine Card – yes they are walking around selling the wine card.  The waiter has a paper with the details of it and we decide to get the 12 Silver bottle package for $240 which gives us 12 bottle of wine for $29 or less.  If you buy a bottle that is more then you just pay the difference.  If you want to learn more about the wine card read my blog all about it here.  

Sitting beside us are two men that we start chatting with – I believe if memory serves me their names are Trevor and Sheldon and they are from Vancouver!  Small world. Sheldon is celebrating this year too it is his 50th and it is their 30th anniversary.  We chat for quite a while.

Back in the cabin we notice that Dendi has taken care of our request so fast that when we come back from lunch they are all done.  Wow that is the fastest service we have ever had.

We decide to wander around a bit and explore the ship, especially since all the new changes.  There are some noticeable changes good and bad.  I will take some pictures and will report back in a separate blog on my thoughts later in the cruise after I have been on board and can give a true feeling of the experience on board.  Here is a link to the blog about our reflection of the ship.

We run into Karin and John up in Horizon Court.  It is so lovely to see them both again, it has been a few years but to get to sit and chat with them both again is great.  We meet their friends (aka our family – see above).  John just retired and their son just got married – they are on board for the 30 days too so we look forward to spending more time with them.  While chatting Antonio sees us and gives us a big hug and kiss and we need to plan some time together on board.

Crissy is the Captain Circle host on board and we pop in to see her and she is shocked to see us.  Big hugs and a quick catch up and a promise of getting together for a drink some time.  It has been such a long time since we have seen her – two years I think.

I notice the table selling the drink packages then and see that the Ultimate Soda Sticker does not include bottled water.  So I ask, does it include fresh squeezed orange juice? I ask “no”, does it include sparkling water? “no”, bottled water? “no”.  Oh no…. this is the only reason Bernie got the sticker.  So we decide to go to the Purser’s desk and cancel the sticker.  We definitely don’t want it then.  See I don’t know all things Princess…. and learned something else today.  Cancelling it was very easy, we took the free plastic glass we got and the card to the Purser’s desk and they refunded it.

We run into Bonnie and Jim from Alaska and catch up with them.  We need to get a few things done before Muster Drill so we are off to the cabin to unpack a bit.

Transportation to the Port of Civitavecchia

First I should start with - research traveling in a city I have never visited before is exhausting but exciting.  You cruise/travel fans will understand.

We both like to do things independently and go with the flow.  

After much research of the options for travel to the port to catch the cruise we decided on the train.

We ended up booking it thru ItaliaRail cause the price was right and was in US dollars instead of Euros at a better exchange rate.

So for two first class tickets to the port for less than an hours journey from the train station in Rome to the port of Civitavecchia it cost $18 each and then there was a $5 service fee for the entire order.  So a total of $41.  

The walk from the train to the port is not long and we can manage our bags easily.

There are other options:

• The cruiseline offers shuttles from Rome directly to the ship - very convenient, don't need to worry about your bags, but price is very high.

• Independent shuttle thru some of the many services available - very convenient, cost can be high (one quote was 160E for two but for 6 it is 190E, you may have to share with others).  Here are some companies I have found this company that provides shuttles, but there are many out there  Rome in Limo,