KenCP

I have friends who were just there in Livorno and they said it is a lovely town. Take the shuttle bus from the port into the town. No problem to spend the day there exploring she said. Have a look at some Youtube videos online and do some research, it seems like a lovely place. Sometimes you do not have to go so far inland to find a great town to explore and have a great time.

@Clifford RCI does not offer a Lucca only option, they do offer an accessible tour to Pisa and Lucca for people with mobility issues. I was torn between doing Lucca on my own or doing the Tuscan Countryside - San Gimignano & Volterra tour through RCI.

Lucca is one of the cities most loved all of Tuscany, a stop that can not really miss in a classic itinerary to the discovery of the region. You can also make a pit stop in Pisa as you have to change trains there anyways. I am planning on doing this day trip in September, leaving Florence for a trip where I have a few days to spend exploring instead of buzzing around and only seeing glimpses of everything.

@Donnaf516 I originally purchased mine on Black Friday and got 25% off. Then on Memorial Day weekend it went to 30% off so I cancelled my original package and purchased this one. I am less than 3 months out now, so I do not think it will go any lower unless they have a July 4th sale and it goes to 40% off. I doubt that, but it would be nice, it adds up on 12 night cruise. Keep checking once or twice a week in your cruise planner. I think it also depends on your particular cruise if the package is selling or not. I have seen the price change from week to week with out a sale being announced.

Thanks @KristiZ

Has anyone done this tour through RCL?

You put you clothes in the pouch and zip it up. Then there is another zipper that you zip closed as you press down on it. Kind of the same way you would with suitcase when you are returning home and you bought way to much and you have to sit on the case while you have someone zip it up and hope for the best. Lol

@DeAnne I got these lanyards on Amazon Canada also available on Amazon US site they also come with the luggage tags. The Royal luggage tags are longer and thinner than some other cruise lines.

If anyone has been on this years 12 night Mediterranean Venice cruise on Vision of the Seas, or will be going has a copy of this years Cruise Compass I would love it if you could upload it to the Cruise Compass section this blog. Or if you know of one that has been uploaded somewhere else and have a link that would be great as well. Ports of Call: Barcelona Nice Florence Rome Amalfi Coast Venice Split, Kotor

I have the 25" suitcase and the 22" carry on sometimes a small backpack depending on the length of trip. I am considering getting a back style carry on or a small duffle instead of having a wheeled carry on. I have paid more for my suitcases on flights than the actual cost of the ticket. I can not travel with just a carry on for a month, not possible. That is why now some airlines in Europe charge for carry on because everyone is trying to fly with 2 carry ons. I was ok with the driving in Ireland but had a very close encounter with a car because I looked the wrong way once. Did not do that again.

I love packing cubes especially the compression ones. It has allowed be to use a smaller suitcase, especially in Europe. Having smaller luggage makes a big difference when you rent a car as rentals in Europe are usually smaller than in North America. Also if you have to walk to get to your hotel from the car park smaller cases are much easier to maneuver in the small alleyways, and sometimes the many stairs you might have to climb or go down. Still carry my 50lbs though!

I leave September 3 from Barcelona, I will be arriving 4 days prior to explore a little. Visit a few Bodega's for sure for some wine and vermouths! I will probably not be blogging but I will post pictures for sure. Unfortunately after the mishap with MSC this past weekend it only strengthens the Venetian's cause to have cruise ships banned from the canal. I was also torn between the two but Italy always wins with me. I will do Greece some day!

@mom2mybugs do you have the Royal App downloaded to your phone? My app seems to add new info to the "Daily Planner" every few days even though it says "We're finalizing activities schedules"

@mom2mybugs I am looking for one for this years Mediterranean Venice 12 night if someone responds. If I come across one I will be sure to send it along to you. There is one for last year on the blog but I was hoping for an updated one. My cruise is: Barcelona Nice Florence Rome Amalfi Coast Venice Split, Kotor

Vision of the Seas September 3, 2019

I was looking at going to Lucca Italy, it is a city that usually gets overlooked by tourists but it is such a great city. Has anyone visited this on their own from Livorno? This is not offered on on RCL tour and I am thinking of going there instead of Florence.

Anyone looking to go on private excursions through any of the 3rd party companies on the Mediterranean Cruise Sept. 3-15, 2019?

I just rebooked mine the Wednesday on the Memorial Day weekend sale. I had saved 25% on the black Friday sale and now the new package was 30% off for memorial day. It probably will not get any cheaper but I will keep an eye out as I get closer to sailing date.

I am just going to order my drinks then transfer them to my Yeti Rambler. The new Hot Shot cap is excellent no no spills when you put your bottle a back pack full. This kid figured out how to use any cup once you have the package purchased https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAxjfd2Kd4s

@Traveler thanks for reminding of a few things I have forgotten. Can't wait to be back in the Mediterranean later this summer! Hungry now thinking about Gelato!

@Jolly Ogre hang in there! You will most likely get a sale at a later date. My cruise is coming up in August and I have been booked since October and mine just came up on this last sale. Keep an eye on the July 4th sale or in your case maybe Labour Day weekend.

Currently it only effects restaurants in the UK. US and Canada are not affected. I would imagine RCL operates their restaurants as their own and under a license agreement from Jamie's Italian. Jamie's Italian provides the name and menus.

My Ultimate Drink Package dropped, I rebooked it and saved $80. My Unlimited Dining that I booked on Black Friday was still cheaper than the Memorial Day pricing.

Thanks @bmatrose I have been checking every few days and it has never been cheaper than Black Friday. My Ultimate Drink Package dropped, I rebooked it and saved $80. My Unlimited Dining that I booked on Black Friday was still cheaper than the Memorial Day pricing.

It depends on how many passengers are on a ship, so it varies from ship to ship. They have a percentage based on the amount of passengers booked.