A Voyage for the Ages – VY 7/8/2024 – 7/15/2024

asquared17 · July 14

5 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

The tender was actually the RC lifeboats. It was cozy

GOODBYE. NO.

[flees in claustrophobia]

also i hope the cheese tortellini was at least a marginal step up from normal given they were sourcing more local ingredients???

seems blasphemous to have pasta on the ship when you are legit steps (swims? ) away from the real deal though…

Ampurp85 · July 14

I agree with @WAAAYTOOO, that lifeboat situation is alarming. I'm glad everyone was safe but wow. Somebody had to drop the ball.

Lovetocruise2002 · July 14

My thoughts the same as all of you regarding the lifeboat situation!!! Alarming and claustrophobic big time. We should have took that as a sign for the rest of the day because it just got worse after that.

After bobbing around the water for the rescue boat to rescue us, we were already quite ill. Now, we were prepared. I knew that this tour included boats, bus, and trains so we took our Gravol and packed plenty of extra for the day. Still, bobbing around in a tiny, packed lifeboat, did not feel too good.

We finally got to the dock in Portifino. It was almost 7:45am at this point and the tender ate up an hour.

Upon meeting our guide, she lead us to another larger ferry to head to Santa Margherita. It was here that we were supposed to catch a bus to Levanto to catch a train to Vernazza. Well she was scattered and not paying attention and then another group jumps ahead of us to hop on the ferry first. More bad signs. Finally she gets us on a ferry and off we go to Santa Margherita. This 15 min ride was much calmer.

Lovetocruise2002 · July 14

When we got to Santa Margherita, things went from sketchy to just bad. As we disembarked the ferry, our guide told is to get onto one bus. All the buses on all our excursions so far have be clearly marked. These ones there are no RC signage with numbers or anything. We get to the bus and another group is finishing up loading onto it. Our guide gets mad, says they are stealing our bus, they start yelling at each other and apparently swearing in Italian. End of the story is that the other group left with the bus and we were stranded. Then she called for another bus which would take 30 mins to arrive. Big waste of time!

Lovetocruise2002 · July 14

Finally the bus shows up and it’s an hour drive to Levanto for the train. The tour description did mention a bus, but not a one hour bus ride through winding roads. Needless to say, we felt even worse by the time we got to Levanto, now late. From here we got on a train to Vernazza.
Oh, but that was not with drama. She loaded us onto one train, then realized it was the wrong train and we all had to get off and board another. Good grief. By now, many people are shaking their heads.

Lovetocruise2002 · July 14

Finally in Vernazza, it’s now past 11am. 4 hours had gone by! So ridiculous. She gave us about an hour here and we tried to make the most of it and grabbed a bite to eat and some gelato.

Lovetocruise2002 · July 14

She tells is to meet her at 12:15 in a loading area for a ferry. Omg it was a disaster in that area. And she was barely holding her sign up. We found her but many could not. Then she starts leaving without even verifying that everyone was there. People are getting angry at this point and it’s literally pushing and shoving with other groups to get into this ferry that was rocking like it was going to tip over. As we got on, we knew it would be an awful ride. Hubby has a video, motion does not bother him, but the kids and I are lucky we did not hurl into the recycle bins we sat in front of. Hopefully the pics give you an idea of the wild ride that was the ferry from Vernazza to Monterosso. Again, I feel like RC dropped the ball here and should have put some warning in the tour description about severe motion and we would not have booked this. This ride really took out D17 for the rest of the day. Others were green and ill around us as well. Then, as we all stumble off the crazy ferry, she takes off without waiting for the whole group. At this point, others are mad and start shouting at her to stop.

Lovetocruise2002 · July 14

In what seemed like it took forever, we get to Vernazza. Here we got another hour and fifteen minutes to wander. After giving both kids some time to get it together (and were were on our second Gravol by now) we tried to wander to get a feel for the place and take a few pics.

Lovetocruise2002 · July 14

Unfortunately, on the way back, we were not spared the drama. As we approached the train platform to take us back to Levanto, she tells us that the train is not running 15-20mins late. I was pretty sure I knew the answer, but at this point I was fed up and asked her in front of everyone (freeloaders were mortified) what time we were “supposed” to get back to the tender. She says 4:45pm. Which what I already knew. So let’s do the math…last tender is 5pm and we had a 15 mins buffer. Now we are 20mins behind because of this late train. I told her we won’t make it back for our last tender and asked her in front of everyone if she should call someone. By this point I did not want to assume that she knew she was supposed to call. She told me not to worry, we have time and last tender is 5:30pm. I told her as politely as I could that it was 5pm and she got this look on her face. She said, “Oh, thank you for telling me, I thought it was 5:30pm” and then she started making calls.

Kelseylovestocruise · July 14

Oh my goodness it reminds me of my awful tour in 2022 in Naples.

Kelseylovestocruise · July 14

2 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Unfortunately, on the way back, we were not spared the drama. As we approached the train platform to take us back to Levanto, she tells us that the train is not running 15-20mins late. I was pretty sure I knew the answer, but at this point I was fed up and asked her in front of everyone (freeloaders were mortified) what time we were “supposed” to get back to the tender. She says 4:45pm. Which what I already knew. So let’s do the math…last tender is 5pm and we had a 15 mins buffer. Now we are 20mins behind because of this late train. I told her we won’t make it back for our last tender and asked her in front of everyone if she should call someone. By this point I did not want to assume that she knew she was supposed to call. She told me not to worry, we have time and last tender is 5:30pm. I told her as politely as I could that it was 5pm and she got this look on her face. She said, “Oh, thank you for telling me, I thought it was 5:30pm” and then she started making calls.

On behalf of the people not on this excursion and I’m sure many of the ones who were I’m glad you spoke up!

Lovetocruise2002 · July 14

The train finally shows up, and because we are now late, the one hour bus ride is now more frantic and motion filled than on the way there. This was followed by an overfilled ferry that was listing to one side back to Santa Margherita. I was so done with the day by this point. At least when we got back they had real tender boats back to the ship and not lifeboats.

Lovetocruise2002 · July 14

I would be totally lying to all of you if I said I wasn’t disappointed! I am actually beyond disappointed because I have been waiting over a decide to visit and see Cinque Terre and between crazy *** day, horrible tour guide, kids feeling ill for most of the day, it was a huge disappointment. I feel like the tour company that Royal used dropped the ball here with not having enough buses on site, and providing the tour guide who was so scattered. Maybe I am being too critical because I teach 13 year olds and I lead around 30-40 of them daily and she only had group of 36. I also feel RC dropped the ball by not providing a more accurate description of the tour. They should have mentioned the travel time vs. actual land time, and they should have mentioned the possibility of severe motion. Had we known that, we would have booked this tour. This tour was 9.5 hours. Only about 2.5 hours were spent not travelling. In conclusion, do not recommend!!! Stay far away from this tour!

Lovetocruise2002 · July 14

Packed and ready for bed! Disembarking around 8am tomorrow. We hired a private van through CabRoma to pick us up and take us to Rome.

WAAAYTOOO · July 14

OMG that’s the worst tour EVER ! So sorry it was so bad BUT the good news is, you experienced all of the bad stuff at once so now all the bad sh$t is over !

Sweety · July 14

Please relax and make the rest of your trip peaceful.

bellemiche · July 14

How awful! I hope you fill them in on what happened on the tour.

Enjoy the rest of your time.

asquared17 · July 14

oh my lord this tour is the stuff nightmares are made of.

i am glad you are back safe but i would have simply expired.

not even the pretty striped umbrellas could have revived me.

SweetPea · July 14

18 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Room service came on time at 6am this morning. We are now waiting for our tender in the Royal Theatre. It’s 7am while I was getting ready this morning, I thought of @SweetPea and Batman and wondered if they would even bother going to sleep on this sort of itinerary

After the day you had, I'd probably regret getting up at all.

asquared17 · July 14

7 minutes ago, SweetPea said:

I'd probably regret getting up at all.

this is when i usually chime in, “i am awake, but at what cost??????”

Ampurp85 · July 14

This sucks and you are right; the description should have been better. All that travel would have made me sick too, especially since you didn't get to enjoy anything. I hope the rest of your time is better enjoyed.

WAAAYTOOO · July 15

GITCC

SMOKEY0202 · July 15

What was this tour called and price?

I would have went to speak to Shore Excursion desk and made a major complaint.

I have done Cinque Terres tour thru independent company and thoroughly enjoyed coming directly from Rome. It was a group of 10 and did train, van and ferry to numerous stops in Cinque Terres and was so enjoyable. I remember climbing all steps to lemon farm but at the top such great views with limoncello and pastries waiting.

Problem is Royal omits important details in tour descriptions and with it being prime summer season, Cinque Terres is a mob scene so Royal should make tours in smaller scale size and be detailed on methods of transportation so you get to enjoy it. With crowds, heat and tour guide disorganization, it would be a miserable day. I would think twice before booking any tour with that vendor Royal used.

Can't wait for next endeavor of your trip in Rome.

Jax · July 15

What a sh$t show. I hope it’s going in the comment card (GITCC). Totally unacceptable. Who would book an excursion knowing 7 hours out of 9.5 hours is various modes of transportation…no one.

Lovetocruise2002 · July 15

10 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

OMG that’s the worst tour EVER ! So sorry it was so bad BUT the good news is, you experienced all of the bad stuff at once so now all the bad sh$t is over !

I sure hope so!

10 hours ago, Sweety said:

Please relax and make the rest of your trip peaceful.

Thank you

9 hours ago, bellemiche said:

How awful! I hope you fill them in on what happened on the tour.

Enjoy the rest of your time.

Oh, they heard all about it when I got back. lol

8 hours ago, asquared17 said:

oh my lord this tour is the stuff nightmares are made of.

i am glad you are back safe but i would have simply expired.

not even the pretty striped umbrellas could have revived me.

We pretty much did expire. Hubby has a pic of us after the crazy ferry ride and at the end of the day but the kids would be so mad at me if I posted it

8 hours ago, SweetPea said:

After the day you had, I'd probably regret getting up at all.

I told Hubby I actually wished I had stayed in Portofino. It was super pretty there, but I had wanted to see Cinque Terre so bad.

8 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

This sucks and you are right; the description should have been better. All that travel would have made me sick too, especially since you didn't get to enjoy anything. I hope the rest of your time is better enjoyed.

Thanks! It’s a new day! Going to soak in Rome.

6 hours ago, SMOKEY0202 said:

What was this tour called and price?

I would have went to speak to Shore Excursion desk and made a major complaint.

It was called Cinque Terre: Monterosso and Vernazza. The lowest I got it for was $139.99pp but towards the end it was holding steady at $249.99pp. I did make a major complaint. Others in the group said they were going too.

4 hours ago, Jax said:

What a sh$t show. I hope it’s going in the comment card (GITCC). Totally unacceptable. Who would book an excursion knowing 7 hours out of 9.5 hours is various modes of transportation…no one.

It’s GITCC for sure! They need to revise the description.

twangster · July 15

Using some life boats as tenders is very normal.

To be clear, some life boats are by design dual purpose. They are designed to tender and at the same time be life boats.

There are life boats that are not designed to participate in tender operations. They look distinctively different.

The non-tender life boats are very difficult to maneuver with precision because that isn't part of their scope.

The tender capable life boats are two story in some cases with an upper deck outside that I tend to prefer.

Seating is different, capacity is different. Non tender life boats tend to look like a bean. They are rounded.

The tender capable life boats are not as bean shaped.

Sweety · July 15

Leave the madness behind you. Have a fun filled stay in Rome. The food, sites, culture and people are all there to take in. Did I mention the food? My mouth is watering.

Lovetocruise2002 · July 15

I knew @twangster would have a better explanation! And like @Sweety said, it’s all but a bad memory now.

Disembarkation was very smooth. Luisa met us at the schooner bar and room exit to curb was 15 mins. We waited about 5 mins for our driver (we were way earlier than our meeting time of 8:30am). CabRoma was who we booked through. They were on time, and very good to deal with. If you pay cash, it’s 10% less.

We are now checked into the Marriott Grand Flora. Our room is not ready yet so we are leaving our luggage and headed out for a walk.

Lovetocruise2002 · July 15

Lovetocruise2002 · July 15

Walked around our hotel area for a bit. It’s blazing hot here! Hotter than any other port/place that we have been to so far. We found a cafe that looked decent so we stopped here for some food.

Lovetocruise2002 · July 15

A few final thoughts on VY:

She’s definitely an older ship, but there is a great crew on board. We had some hiccups along the way but each thing was resolved very quickly. MDR crew were all stars! I already mentioned that. They are going in the survey for sure! Luisa is also a very good concierge. She is efficient at what she does, she is personable, and handles everything promptly. We had a great time sailing with her. She said she will be on VY until the crossing.

Picking this ship to do such a port intensive itinerary was a great idea. I did not feel pressured to explore the ship.

We felt like we saw a lot on this sailing. Created some great family memories.

The stateroom is exactly like what you see in the YouTube videos. There is wear and tear like what you would expect from an older ship. The kids toilet was fussy over the week, the hallways leading to the aft did have a bit of sewage smell, but not near our room. But overall, problems were handled promptly and efficiently. D15 put a skirt in the laundry and they found it. And our room attendant was probably the best one we have had in a very long time! She is so funny, great to chat with, and she paid attention to the smallest details.

While I might not book a small ship again for a while, we still enjoyed our sailing this week.

PPPJJ-GCVAB · July 15

So sorry you had to endure such an awful final port day! I’m happy you’ve had so many positives throughout your family adventure and looking forward to reliving Rome through your eyes the next few days!
Italy must be trying to compete with the heat wave we are experiencing here on the East Coast!
Hope you are able to stay cool and enjoy all the beautiful sights still to come!

Sweety · July 15

All I am going to say I gained 15 pounds in three months living in Italy. There was a Mom and Pop restaurant that the food was awesome. I ate there almost every night. Didn’t have to order. They brought whatever Mom was cooking. MMmmm.

JohnK6404 · July 15

1 hour ago, Sweety said:

All I am going to say I gained 15 pounds in three months living in Italy.

Only 15 pounds... you did well!

Ampurp85 · July 15

Enjoy Rome, I found it to be really hot even in Oct, something about the way the sun sits.

Also, the Mom and Pop little cafes and restaurants are where it is at. I think fondly of this chicken pesto panini I had at this cute cafe not too far from the Trevi fountain.

Shari · July 15

What is the name of that cafe? We will be staying at the Golden Hotel about a block away from the Marriott in September and that food looks awesome!

Lovetocruise2002 · July 15

1 hour ago, Shari said:

What is the name of that cafe? We will be staying at the Golden Hotel about a block away from the Marriott in September and that food looks awesome!

It’s called d’angelo caffé. Hubby has it in the last pic of that post.

Lovetocruise2002 · July 15

After the cafe, we were able to get into the room. We are at the Marriott Grand Flora and we booked a family room. It was actually cheaper than booking 2 rooms. The rooms are basically connected by a small hallway which I like better than having to step out in the hallway to reach the kids.
This setup is odd though. The room with the twin beds is way bigger than the room with the king. Guess which one Hubby said we are taking? The freeloaders are whining big time even though their whole trip has been funded.

Lovetocruise2002 · July 15

After unpacking our gold cart tour started. We told our guide that we have a 2 day tour booked over the next two days, so he tried to take us to some areas that were not as common. The coolest was a restaurant (we did not eat there) that contained an underground area dating back to I don’t even remember, but it was ancient lol

Other places we drove to included Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps, and many more. Unfortunately, it was just way too hot to really enjoy this tour. There was nothing wrong with it, but the heat was getting to all of us, except Hubby, so after a quick stop at one of the original gelato places in Rome (dating back to 1914), we asked him to take us back to the hotel early so we could reset for the food tour.

Lovetocruise2002 · July 15

After a short reset back at the hotel, we grabbed a cab to take us to the Jewish Ghetto to meet our next LivTours guide. This tour is by far our favourite so far! Not just because of the food. It was relaxing, the guide was amazing, you could tell almost immediately that Brando loved his job. He told us story after story, and we had great conversation while eating and drinking at 4 different stops. He also took us to an ancient site that has been excavated. It truly was a marvel to see. The last two stops were near the Pantheon, and we got some background about that from Brando as well. The food was amazing! Such a great way to end off the night! Highly recommend this tour!

Stop 1: Artichoke app and Brut in the Jewish Ghetto

Stop 2: Ancient Ruins followed by Pizza

Stop 3: A quick look at a monument which was sort of an example of political satire at the time it was built. A backstory too long to type, but look it up. It’s funny. Then…pasta!! It was amazing! Like nothing I have ever tasted in North America!