12 Sep 2022
These are things that would have been really helpful when I was reading reviews, preparing and deciding on a shore excursion on Royale Caribeean cruise. If you ask me, DO NOT pay more for the expensive "small group" excursions. My brother and i did the same Rome/Coluseum excursion but mine said small group. He paid $173 and I paid $350+. The description on mine said it went inside the Coluseum and that it included lunch at a "5 star restaurant". His did not so we assumed and expected something more for my extra $180. Nope, he did the exact SAME tour. There was absolutely NO difference in the fact that mine was a "small group". In fact, we kept running into him at every spot. Also, I know it's not important to all but for those that want and like to buy souvenirs because it's your first time in Rome, forget it. For the 10+ hour excursion we were given 15 mins right outside the Basilica and that was it. It would've been helpful if they mentioned there would be NO other opportunity to buy souvenirs. Our guide was HORRIBLE!! She ran through the whole tour like it was a sprint. We didn't even get to take pictures of most things because she was moving so fast. We got left behind a few times because we decided to that a minute to admire things like the Piata by Michaelangelo. The "5 star" restaurant food was awful and my brother ended up at the same restaurant. I hope my post is helpful.