Here are some of my photos of Livorno, along with some tips cruise travelers might consider to save money or time (or both) while visiting a port.
Comments
4 Replies to “Docking in Livorno — Florence’s Port”
Could be you are right Rick – but those who don’t take the ship’s tour may encounter (for a much lower price of course): a less vetted trip; a less safe tour; a tour which means they will miss the departure of their ship.
Rick, I’m curious how much weight you’re gaining on this cruise. :P I’m guessing your exercise level has been cut to about 25% of normal (travel) while your intake has increased about a third.
You have to be careful of the tours you take even through the cruise lines. Now if it is of Pompei it is really worth the time and money. A good guided tour of sights that you may not get anything from on your own. But some are just like Disneyland, a bit made up. But if you are cruising with a family of kids, the kids might like a day that is just frivolous. It would take me a few times to be confident that we actually made it back on the cruise ship in time with a non cruise tour. I can’t wait until you get to Naples and tell us how to navigate the rif raf at the port. Also, you don’t have to over eat on a cruise. They serve lots of options. No more than drinking and eating up every night in France, Italy and Spain. And also we had a guide in Lucca that was “Michael” a Rick Steves tour guide that also worked for the tours through NCL cruise line.
Glad to see you’re discovering the ways cruisers, with a little research, can really enhance their on-shore experience beyond the oh-so-easy packaged tours – and at a much lower cost. If you haven’t already, check out some of the online cruise message board sites where cruisers write reviews of ships, itineraries and ports of call and participate in roll-calls for their specific cruise, where they swap experiences and frequently self-organize private tours for small groups before setting sail.
I’m looking forward to your guidebook. We have used your Country and City guides to great advantage and it will sure be nice to have these port cities all gathered together in one place.
Could be you are right Rick – but those who don’t take the ship’s tour may encounter (for a much lower price of course): a less vetted trip; a less safe tour; a tour which means they will miss the departure of their ship.
Rick, I’m curious how much weight you’re gaining on this cruise. :P I’m guessing your exercise level has been cut to about 25% of normal (travel) while your intake has increased about a third.
You have to be careful of the tours you take even through the cruise lines. Now if it is of Pompei it is really worth the time and money. A good guided tour of sights that you may not get anything from on your own. But some are just like Disneyland, a bit made up. But if you are cruising with a family of kids, the kids might like a day that is just frivolous. It would take me a few times to be confident that we actually made it back on the cruise ship in time with a non cruise tour. I can’t wait until you get to Naples and tell us how to navigate the rif raf at the port. Also, you don’t have to over eat on a cruise. They serve lots of options. No more than drinking and eating up every night in France, Italy and Spain. And also we had a guide in Lucca that was “Michael” a Rick Steves tour guide that also worked for the tours through NCL cruise line.
Glad to see you’re discovering the ways cruisers, with a little research, can really enhance their on-shore experience beyond the oh-so-easy packaged tours – and at a much lower cost. If you haven’t already, check out some of the online cruise message board sites where cruisers write reviews of ships, itineraries and ports of call and participate in roll-calls for their specific cruise, where they swap experiences and frequently self-organize private tours for small groups before setting sail.
I’m looking forward to your guidebook. We have used your Country and City guides to great advantage and it will sure be nice to have these port cities all gathered together in one place.