Hi Lucy, when are you there? We're in Sorrento for 2 weeks from the 11th- can't wait!

The last time we were there some people caught a bus from Sorrento and did the Amalfi drive that way. I suppose you'd have to do the bit from Naples to Sorrento via ferry? Will they do boat trips from Naples to Amalfi - you'll pass Sorrento and the coast line is stunning!

Capri is a good day out and we are planning to do it ourselves rather than by organised excursion.

We have done Pompeii via an excursion but the last time we took ourselves and took ourselves round - it was incredible - we saw bits you don't see on an organised visit - the bottom end which hasn't been uncovered long and which is pretty much intact -- superb.

Also have you thought of a trek up Mt Vesuvius ? We've done that and we were knackered but enjoyed the experience! There is also Herculanaeum which is close by and a miniture Pompeii.

Apparently Naples museum is good - but I wouldn't really want to go round Naples on my own!

OOOOHHHH, can't wait - have a great time. Which cruise are you doing? We're toying with that another year

Hi Presto, thanks for your reply.

I think we are in Naples on 22 August. We are cruising on the Island Star doing the Mediterranean Spirit itinerary.

Yes I think you can get a ferry or a hydrofoil from Naples to Sorrento. Would we just get a local bus from Sorrento to where? It will either be that or Capri. Will probably make up our minds once we get there.

luci

Hi Luci,

last time we were there the folk we knew got the bus to Amalfi - they go from the square in Sorrento but are not for the faint hearted and no matter how long you queue you have to remember that the Italiens just do not understand the word queue! Its a case of every man for himself!

Capri - still think you'd be better doing it yourself - we've done the excursion version and they just leave you there and tell you when to meet up!

Happy holidays -

Hmmm decision, decisions.... We are there for a whole day so may do one in the morning and the other in the afternoon, depending on ferry/hydrofoil times.

luci

To be honest both are a whole day -------- we've been to both and wuold hate to pick one!

I suppose you know that what ever you pick will be superb!

hello luci
so you are visiting napoli....bella napoli. a real pity you do not want to spend your time in the city itself. contrary to popular belief, it is a magnificent city and the home to the worlds first opera house, the worlds first archeological museum, the worlds first aquarium to mention a few. however, as you wish to venture i hope the following will help. from naples you are best taking the jet boat to capri from the "molo beverello" the small harbour next to the main maritime station, i imagine your ship will dock there. there are numerous operators offering transport to capri and you will see all their ticket windows facing the castle. my advise, is go the the waterside and see the "metro del mare" kiosk. these are new and cost a fraction of the normal operators. the "metro del mare" is operated by the campania region.
on capri the option of the blue grotto is available however, this depends on time and water conditions. the cost is 11 euro for the boat to take you to the entrance where you exchange boats and pay a further 8 euro to go in. is it worth it? having been in 1000 times, my answer is no. i would strongly advise you to take another option...a full 1 hour cruise around the island visiting the green, coral and white grottos. this also takes in the faraglione rocks and is a perfect 1 hour seeing capri at its best. the cruise around the island costs 11 euro.
if you want to take in sorrento also then book a single ticket from naples to capri on the jet. from capri to sorrento take another jet (20 mins crossing). tou could spend some time in sorrento. if you then choose to call it a day you can take the "circumvesuviana" train from sorrento to naples. the trains run every 25 mins and cost 3.20 euro. the journey time is 1hr and 10 mins. however, should you wish to include amalfi then after time in sorrento you can take the "sita" bus from outside the train station in sorrento (opposite piazza lauro). the sita busses operate every half hour and cost 2.00 euro. the journey will take you along the amalfi coast passing positano, praiano, fiordo di furore and takes just over 1 hour. after time in amalfi you could then take the "metro del mare" service from amalfi to naples.
it all depends on how much time you have and how long you want to spend in these palces. you can get the metro del mare timetable at http://www.metrodelmare.it . should you like me to e-mail you the timetables for all services please do not hesitate to ask. the information is all upto date as i live in sorrento.
have fun

Hi ACJ and welcome to HT!

Many thanks for your detailed post. There are plenty of ideas there, it's just deciding what to do. The boat trip round Capri sounds good and I think I'd rather do that than the Blue Grotto.

I am guessing we will be in port from 8am till 5.30pm so may have time to do both Capri and the Amalfi coast.

I shall copy your post into the DIY excursions topic in the Cruis forum as I'm sure it will be useful to many of our members.

I am feeling much more confident about it now I have all the facts to hand. I have printed off this post to take with me. I was going to print the metro del mare timetable, but I couldn't find it on that link and unfortunately there isn't an English version.

Thanks again.

luci

Hi Luci
My pleasure! If you go to http://www.metrodelmare.com you will find that under the mobile phone icon there is an ENGLISH icon (left hand side). Have a super time in Napoli/Sorrento/Amalfi or a mixture of....

Ah! That's a different website from the one in your first post, ie ends in .com instead of .it.

I've managed to access the site, but the timetables ar not opening up, eg when I click on MM1 nothing happens.
** Edit - I can access the timetable on the Italian version of the site, but as far as I can see, there are very few times on it.

luci

Hi Luci
yes ther are very few being operated via metro del mare. We have been having a lot of problems this year as new companies have been pushed out of action by the larger ones trying to monopolize the routes. I have decided to write them for you instead. Here goes

NAPLES (MOLO BEVERELLO) TO CAPRI
TIME OPERATOR COST JOURNEY
08.10 SNAV 14.00EURO 50MINS
08.35 NLG " " " "
09.10 SNAV " " " "
09.30 NLG " " " "
10.00 NEAPOLIS " " " "
10.10 SNAV 15.00EURO " "
10.35 NLG " " " "

CAPRI TO SORRENTO

10.20 NLG 12.00EURO 20 MINS
11.20 " " "
11.40 " " "
12.20 " " "
13.30 " " "
13.50 " " "
15.20 " " "

SORRENTO TO AMALFI (BY SEA)

13.30 " 9.00EURO 50 MINS

SORRENTO TO AMALFI BUS
"SITA" BUS EVERY HALF HOUR FROM BUS ATOP OUTSIDE RAILWAY STATION IN SORRENTO JOURNEY 1HR 10 MINS

AMALFI TO SORRENTO BUS
"SITA" BUS EVERY HALF HOUR FROM PORT COACH PARK IN AMALFI
JOURNEY TIME 1HR 10 MINS

SORRENTO TO NAPLES TRAIN
EVERY 25 MINS. ALL TRAINS LEAVING SORRENTO GO TO NAPLES. FOR THE PORT YOU ARE BETTER GETTING OFF AT THE STATION "PORTA NOLANA" COME OUT OF THE STATION, TURN LEFT, WALK TO END OF ROAD AND TURN RIGHT. YOU ARE NOW ON MAIN SEA FRONT ROAD.

HOPE THIS HELPS
ACJ

Many thanks for that. I shall print it off and take it with me.

luci