Where to start

Questions from those who are new to cruising
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Raybosailor
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Re: where to start

#26

Post by Raybosailor »

Hi sunrisecards and lesetier welcome,

Sunrisecard glad you enjoyed your mini cruise, being new to cruising myself I took a lot of advice from reading cruise forums like this one which helped me prepare myself for my first cruise. I didn't want to go on a cruise at first because like you I wasn't that keen on the formality and fuss that I expected. Now we are waiting to go on our third cruise and already looking to book our fourth, the cruising experience really is the way for us now.

Lesetier we did a Mediterranean cruise on Azura in May and our favourite port was Monte Carlo, we did the Nice and Little Train shore excursion which was lovely. A coach picked us up at the port and took us part way along the Monte Carlo F1 course then along the Corniche to Nice where a little road train was waiting to take us around the old town and up the hill to the castle ruins where there were fantastic views along the bay. We had free time to wander round the streets and have coffee in a cafe in the flower market which is beautiful.
We didn't do Rome as the ship docks in Civitaveccia which is quite a journey from Rome and I would imagine the tranfers could take a couple of hours out of a day visit so we used the shuttle bus to the old town and had a walk round and found a very interesting market.

Take a look at the links put on here by Silver Shiney and also read the cruise reviews on this forum as you get lots of tips from them as to what to do and more importantly what to avoid.
Finally enjoy,

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Silver_Shiney
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Re: where to start

#27

Post by Silver_Shiney »

As Ray says, it's a sizeable chunk out of the day to take the coach excursion to Rome (also there's only one stop for the loo en-route and the queue for the facilities is horrendous - the one for the ladies' is even worse!!). Although it is possible to go into Civvi and get the train to Rome, you are at the mercy of the Italian transport system and, if delays occur on the way back, you're stuffed as the ship won't wait, whereas if you are on the P&O coach, they will wait. We've done the trip twice but last time we opted for a "Taste of Tuscany", which took us into the surrounding countryside and was very enjoyable.

Speaking of loos, if you are in Monte Carlo on a Sunday, there are no public facilities open, but you are allowed to use the one in the main casino.
Alan

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Raybosailor
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Re: where to start

#28

Post by Raybosailor »

Silver_Shiney wrote:
As Ray says, it's a sizeable chunk out of the day to take the coach excursion to Rome (also there's only one stop for the loo en-route and the queue for the facilities is horrendous - the one for the ladies' is even worse!!). Although it is possible to go into Civvi and get the train to Rome, you are at the mercy of the Italian transport system and, if delays occur on the way back, you're stuffed as the ship won't wait, whereas if you are on the P&O coach, they will wait. We've done the trip twice but last time we opted for a "Taste of Tuscany", which took us into the surrounding countryside and was very enjoyable.

Speaking of loos,if you are in Monte Carlo on a Sunday, there are no public facilities open, but you are allowed to use the one in the main casino.
From where the tenders drop off if you follow the harbour wall anti clockwise to the Port Authority building there are some toilets in there, they are not advertised but we just walked in without question. Usually port authority buildings are open every day but Silver Shiney might be right in saying no toilets are open on Sunday including this one.

There is an American style burger house underneath the buisiness centre at the port and there are toilets in there that are easy to access, its like a posh McDonalds and is so busy nobody knows whether you are a customer or not.

By the way they serve amazing frites in there and before Stephen jumps on it no they don't serve them in the toilet the restaurant.

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Silver_Shiney
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Re: where to start

#29

Post by Silver_Shiney »

We weren't told about those toilets, Ray, just the ones in the shopping mall, which were shut (although the mall was open for people to window-shop) !
Alan

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Ranchi
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Re: where to start

#30

Post by Ranchi »

We've just returned from Azura to Civi. In the past we have done Rome by rail and by P&O coach. As mentioned in previous posts with the rail link you are always concerned that you will be delayed & with the coach it takes a big chunk out of your day ( especially if traffic is bad). This time we took the organised train trip. It was very efficient and dropped you at St Peter's ( about 9:45 & picked you up at 4:15). It is a charter train & they give you maps etc on board. There is also a guide in each coach to answer qs. It's dearer than the FS train but no worry about delays.
Steve

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Silver_Shiney
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Re: where to start

#31

Post by Silver_Shiney »

That's interesting, Steve. The chartered train option wasn't available when we went. How did the cost compare to the coach? We paid around £70 (2013) each for a walking tour that took us to the Colosseum, the Forum and the Basilica. Lunch was included.
Alan

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GillD46
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Re: where to start

#32

Post by GillD46 »

Silver_Shiney wrote:

Speaking of loos, if you are in Monte Carlo on a Sunday, there are no public facilities open, but you are allowed to use the one in the main casino.
We used the toilets in the Cafe de Paris, where we had lunch. Beautifully appointed and very clean.
Gill

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Jan Rosser
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Re: where to start

#33

Post by Jan Rosser »

GillD46 wrote:
Silver_Shiney wrote:

Speaking of loos, if you are in Monte Carlo on a Sunday, there are no public facilities open, but you are allowed to use the one in the main casino.
We used the toilets in the Cafe de Paris, where we had lunch. Beautifully appointed and very clean.
Amazing toilets in the Cafe de Paris - worth paying for a very expensive cup of coffee just to try them out and sitting outside people and car watching is a lovely way to pass the day :thumbup:
Janis


Ranchi
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Re: where to start

#34

Post by Ranchi »

Can only guess, Silver Shiney. We booked it before we went so it isn't on our cruise bill. We don't have access to the tours online as we have returned. I think it was £46 pp (discount was applied to that.. So it would be £42). I will have the credit card bill somewhere ....but not now!
The train was made up of diesel multiple units. The coaches has been refurbished with pale linings to the walls & ceiling and red leather individual seats were standard. We met dockside at about 8:10 and were driven to a local station ( not the main Civi station) where the train was waiting ( smart maroon & cream) the journey took us to Ste. Pietro where the guide walked us (5 mins max) to the meeting point at a shop in front of St Peter's square. She told us to meet here at 4:15. When the process was reversed.
We thought it was a good system ( I'm not enamoured with coach travel in hot weather). I will write again if I find I am wildly out on the cost front.
Steve

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qbman1
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Re: where to start

#35

Post by qbman1 »

Jan Rosser wrote:
GillD46 wrote:
Silver_Shiney wrote:

Speaking of loos, if you are in Monte Carlo on a Sunday, there are no public facilities open, but you are allowed to use the one in the main casino.
We used the toilets in the Cafe de Paris, where we had lunch. Beautifully appointed and very clean.
Amazing toilets in the Cafe de Paris - worth paying for a very expensive cup of coffee just to try them out and sitting outside people and car watching is a lovely way to pass the day :thumbup:
This is turning into the Good Lav Guide !!


Quizzical Bob
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Re: where to start

#36

Post by Quizzical Bob »

If using the normal train to Rome then a Lazio day pass gives you travel on the trains (not the really high-speed express, but that doesn't concern us), the buses and the Rome metro all for less than €10 per person. Young children go free. We were four adults and two toddlers and the total cost was less of than €40 as opposed to nearly £300. If you don't leave it til the last train then you should have no problems.

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Manoverboard
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Re: where to start

#37

Post by Manoverboard »

They have toilets in the Monte Carlo Railway Station concourse .... just saying.
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qbman1
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Re: where to start

#38

Post by qbman1 »

Not sure they are quite up to the standard of our members ?

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qbman1
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Re: where to start

#39

Post by qbman1 »

Just saying !


Ranchi
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Re: where to start

#40

Post by Ranchi »

Silver Shiney, just found a tours book & it is £46 for the train. ( Rome on your own by coach is £42).
Steve

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Silver_Shiney
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Re: where to start

#41

Post by Silver_Shiney »

Thanks, Steve, I'm sure that will be invaluable information for others planning on going to Rome. That coach journey is not fun.
Alan

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