Are You Ready For Your Italian Odyssey?

The countdown is on! It’s time to start planning all those little details that will make our OUTbound Italian Odyssey cruise even more amazing! Below are a few things to help you make the most of our vacation together. As always, if you have any questions that we haven’t covered, or have a special request, hit us up… either by phone at 916.683.1000 or email us at info@iamOUTbound.com.

Let’s get started!

Flights

Flight Ideas

Since our Italian Odyssey Cruise leaves from Rome (Civitavecchia) and we disembark in Venice, many OUTbounders are booking a ‘Multi-City’ ticket when looking for flights. The ‘Multi-City’ option can be found on most airline’s websites where you would choose between a one-way or round trip flight or under the ‘Advanced Search’ link. With the ‘Multi-City’ option, you’ll be able to enter your departure airport, arrival in Rome (FCO) and then a departure from Venice (VCE) back to your original airport. The multi-city option will often be cheaper than purchasing two one-way tickets separately.

The airline you choose is completely up to you. While flights are not included, we’re always happy to help narrow down the best flight options for you. Simply give us a call or send us an email, letting us know where you’ll be flying from, if you have a preferred airline (based on frequent flyer miles or credit card points), & what class of service you typically like to book.

Boarding Our Ship

Getting to the Ship

Our ship will be docked at the Port of Civitavecchia.

The exact address of the port of Civitavecchia is Prato del Turco, 00053 Civitavecchia.

The Civitavecchia port is huge, with over 25 different dock locations for cruise ships, passenger ferries and cargo ships. As we get a little closer to our sail date, our ship, the Azamara Pursuit, will be assigned a specific dock. We’ll update this section with the most current dock location once that has been assigned.

There are a number of ways to reach the Port of Civitavecchia. The port is accessible from both Rome’s Termini Station and the Rome Airport via train and shuttle. We will post updates on the various ways to get to our ship from either Rome or the airport, including train schedules and links, as we get a little closer to our sail date.

Boarding

Boarding officially begins at 4:00pm local time on September 1, 2024, but you are free to arrive at our ship at any time after 2:00pm, drop your luggage with one of the many porters, head through a quick security checkpoint, and then relax with some light refreshments in the dock facility until pre-boarding opens. Once pre-boarding opens, you’ll be able to register at one of the many gate agent counters, board the ship and participate in a quick muster station and security information session, and then begin exploring the gorgeous Azamara Pursuit.

The Windows Café on Deck 9 will be open to grab a bite and start getting to know your fellow OUTbounders!

Rome Hotel Options

Rome Hotels

For those of you who are getting an early start and arriving early in Rome, there are a good selection of hotels to choose from. Below are a couple of really good options for getting a jump on your vacation!

First is the UNA Roma. A stylish, contemporary hotel in great location that is only a quick a 10-minute walk from the Colosseum and the gay bars on Via di San Giovanni. UNA Hotel Roma offers bright, comfortable rooms with air conditioning and a generous breakfast buffet that will set you up for a day exploring Rome. Here’s a link to their website… UNA Hotel Roma

Mercure Roma Centro Colosseo is another great spot, and it’s location is right in the heart of historic Rome, a short walk from the Colosseum and the metro. The hotel has a fabulous rooftop swimming pool and terrace with views of the city. You’ll even find two stylish bars inside, and room service is available. Here’s their website… Mercure Roma Centro Colosseo

You might also want to look at The Independent Hotel Rome. This is a reasonably priced, modern hotel in the heart of Rome, near the Termini station and within easy reach of the gay venues. The Independent offers 45 rooms with free WiFi, a bar and rooftop terrace. The hotel serves a generous breakfast buffet in the rooftop lounge that has great city views. Here’s their website… The Independent Hotel Rome

Venice Hotel Options

Venice Hotels

Can you ever get enough of Venice? Sure our ship is docked overnight so that we get a full day here, but there are plenty of our OUTbounders who will want to stay an extra night or two in this fabulous city. For those of you who are looking to stay on in Venice, there are a wide variety of hotels to choose from. Below are a couple of our favorites for extending your vacation just a little longer!

First is the Hotel Palazzo Giovanelli. Built in an elegant, romantic sixteenth-century palace overlooking the Grand Canal , the fabulous views here can’t be beat. The classic-styled rooms are decorated with original paintings, Italian furniture and modern comforts such as flat screen satellite TV and air conditioning, and is within each reach of all the major sights, either on foot or by water bus. Here’s a link to their website… Hotel Palazzo Giovanelli

The Sogno di Giulietta e Romeo is a 3-star boutique hotel located in the heart of Venice and offers modern rooms in a historic 19th-century residence. It is located in the district of San Polo, the perfect location to stroll and wander through Venice’s romantic streets. Rooms range from simpler economy rooms, to classic ones, to superior deluxe rooms with jacuzzi, each individually decorated, with classically frescoed ceilings. Here’s their website… Sogno di Giulietta e Romeo

Finally, the Venezia Palazzo Barocci has a fabulous location overlooking the Grand Canal, close to the Rialto Bridge and just 15 minutes’ walk from the famous St Mark’s Square and Doge’s Palace. The Venetian-styled rooms & suites feature satellite TV, minibar, high-speed WiFi and espresso coffee makers, and the hotel’s café bar and a great outdoor terrace. Here’s their website… Palazzo Barocci

Tipping

Tipping Our Hosts

Tipping is the ONLY thing not included with your OUTbound vacation. We never want to dictate anyone’s generosity or decide how much you think YOUR experience with a crew member, waitstaff or tour guide was worth. How much to tip depends on the type of service you receive and your personal experience.

During our trip together, you’ll come into contact with many different servers and hosts. At the end of each day’s guided tour, you’ll have the chance to tip our guide and driver whatever you feel your experience was worth. Feel free at any point during your cruise to tip whoever you’d like, be it a bartender who goes the extra mile, your stateroom attendants who not only clean your room but provide nightly turn down service, or a tour guide who’s insight and knowledge makes your visit even more memorable than expected.

If you feel that any individual in particular has gone above and beyond in making your experience something extra special, then we encourage you to reach out to them directly and let them know how much you appreciated their service during our time together.

Currency

What Money Should You Bring?

Italy, Montenegro & Croatia

Each country we are visiting during our cruise is a member of the European Union and one of 27 countries that uses the Euro (abbreviated €) as their national currency.

You can also use your credit or debit card as well throughout our trip, as credit cards are widely accepted everywhere in both countries. However, remember that there will be additional bank charges upon usage and even a foreign transaction fee in some cases, depending on your bank.

Power Outlets

What Power Converters Will I Need?

Our ship, the Azamara Pursuit, has two (2) EU 220v Type C outlets and two (2) US 110v Standard outlets in each stateroom. Feel free to bring a UBS adapter with multiple outlets so that you can charge several of your devices at once.

Travel Insurance

If we’ve learned anything over these last couple of years, it’s that the world can be an uncertain place at times. While you’re never required to buy travel insurance, it’s a good idea and we recommend all OUTbounders consider protecting your hard-earned vacation money. The price of your coverage will depend on a few factors, including the cost of the trip, what state you live in, how long before the trip departs, and if you have any pre-existing or underlying health conditions, to name a few.

Some reasons why you might buy travel insurance include:

Cancel for Any Reason
Unexpected Work Requirements
Personal or Family Illness

OUTbound does not provide travel insurance. However, we always recommend using a third-party insurance carrier to provide your coverage.

Get Ready Italian Odyssey