Shore excursions
Big Bus or Private Sedan/Minivan Tour?
Unfortunately, the time on hand to visit the city is very little, because usually the cruises dock at around 7.00 am and depart the same day at around 7.00 pm. The cruise companies use this short time available as an excuse to sell their guided tours, which are very expensive (at least 120 euros or more for 7 hours of tour) and, eventually, quite disappointing.
In fact, first of all, an identification number is assigned to the excursionists, who are then taken in crammed coaches to few places of interest, big buses drop off passengers in special parking areas from which they’ll have to walk for miles to each site to visit, following the guide’s rhythm; for lunch time, they are led to a restaurant passed off as ‘typical’ (but that is not).
In our opinion, these types of tours provide the visitor with a distorted image of the city, which cannot thus be truly appreciated. It is a vision of tourism to which we are strongly against.
If you will cruising with a large group of friends or family, it may be more cost effective for you to hire a tour guide, rent a private minivan shore excursion than to book sightseeing excursions through the cruise line. You’ll have more control over where you go and the timing of the day and you already know that you’ll like the other people on your tour! This is also a useful strategy when you’re traveling with kids who may need more breaks or play time than a bus ship’s tour would allow.
If you are thinking about hiring a Rome, Florence, Naples – or any other destination – private minivan shore excursion or a big bus sightseeing, ItalyBestExcursions.com will help you to make your choice, while deciding what’s better or not between those two options:
By Bus: on the cruise ships, most of the tickets for the big buses are sold at around 115-135 Euro each person.
By Private Minivan: a group of 6 up to 8 people hiring a private full day shore excursion with Italy Best Excursions will have it for much less, from 60 to 90 Euro per passenger.
By Bus: coming, as example, to Rome from Civitavecchia port (or to Florence from Livorno port) with a big bus will take approximately two hours, and other two hours to drive back to the dock.
By Private Minivan: by minivan it will take about 1,20 hour each way, seat in comfortable vehicles.
By Bus: big buses drop off passengers in special parking areas from which they’ll have to walk for miles to each site to visit, following the guide’s rhythm.
By Private Minivan: with us you will be taken as closer as possible to the site you will visit and it will be your driver following your rhythm.
By Bus: in big bus tours, 95% of the times you will be taken without any choice in restaurants with poor and fixed menu.
By Private Minivan: generally such tourist cheats. We think that food makes an essential part of your Roman or Italian experience, and we will have the pleasure to suggest nice local to eat like you never did before.
By Bus: asking a question to your guide will be most of the times a tough job in a bus tour, lost in a group of fifty people.
By Private Minivan: with us each question will have its answer from the beginning to the end of your full day: your private English Speaking Driver, and your certified Guide, if charged, will satisfy all your general and cultural treasures.
By Bus: you need suddenly a restroom for any reason during a bus tour, with its own strict schedule.
By Private Minivan: most of the times it won’t be possible. Just ask to stop for a restroom to your private driver at any time, and it’s done!