Thought I'd give you an update about our adventure in Sorrento yesterday.

We had booked the helicopter trip that was to fly over the Amalfi Coast, Capri, Pompeii, Naples and back to Sorrento. There were 6 people so they divided us into two groups. We were paired with another couple (who turned out to be from Loveland, CO just north of Denver) and were assigned to the afternoon helicopter ride.

So we ran and caught the hydrafoil across the bay to Capri. First thing we did was go to the Blue Grotto. It is a cave which a very small opening to the sea but is larger inside. So, we walk down about 30 steps to the edge of the sea, stand on a very small metal platform and wait for the very small boat to come pick us up. The 4 of us went together..someboats have as many as 6-7! You have to get in the boat, sit down on the floor, stretch your feet out, and position yourself to lay flat. I didn't think Fred would do it, but he said if he could get in first, he would go. So he gets in first, sits down, I get in next to him, Layne (the lady with us) get in next and sits between and infront of Fred and I and her husband gets in the front of the boat. So, off we go. You get to the opening and then the boat guy yells "lay down" and you have to get below the edge of the boat and then he pulls on a chain and pulls us through the opening in the cave. Well, we made it just fine. It was beautiful inside and the water is very, very blue. Our boat guy had a nice voice and sang a couple of songs. Then is was time to go back out. All of the boats stacked up at the opening and it became obvious that the sea had gotten a bit rougher so it took more time to get through. It was finally our time. Well, we didn't make it through as well. He hit one side and tipped the boat and then the water came rushing over my side. I got totally drenched with salt water and everyone else got wet but not as bad as I. So here I am, somewhat better dressed than usual as we had reservations at the fanciest restaurant in Capri. My hair was totally wet, my blouse was soaked, and my slacks were ringing wet both front and back.

There wasn't really anything to do but just to "drip dry"! Luckily it wasn't too cold and we had some sun. So then we walked around Capri and I kept seeing people looking at me and whispering behind their hands...I probably looked like I had had a bathroom accident!

Anyway, I finally dried out and I discovered the salt water is a great hair gel...I looked like I had hair because it made it so thick. Just as we were about to go to the restaurant, our guide gets a call and we find out that the helicopter cannot make it to Capri to pick us up so we have to cut short our lunch and get back to the dock and catch another hyrdofoil back to Sorrento so we can make it to the pickup spot for the helicopter by 2:45pm.

For a fancy hotel, lunch wasn't much and it was very rushed because of our time crunch. So we made it back to Sorrento where they had a car waiting for us. It drove us up to the highest point in the area where there is a small hotel. There was our helicopter sitting on the grassy open area. As we were ready to board, they tell us that they will not be able to land back in Sorrento so we will land in Naples and be driven back. So off we go in the helicopter. We had a beautiful ride over Capri, over Sorrento, over the ruins at Pomopeii and Herculeum and Naples. We land in Naples about 4:00pm. Now we know that the last tender is at 4:30pm and that the ship sails at 5:00pm and we also know that there isn't any way we can drive from Naples to Sorrento in less than 1.5 hours.

The airport took us in a van around to the terminal so we can meet our new car and driver to take us to Sorrento and the ship. As we walk in, we see Englebert (our Hotel Director) at the baggage carosel. His wife was late arriving and he was picking her up..so I knew that they ship wasn't going to leave without us....They wouldn't have left us anyway as we were on a ship sponsored tour. Englebert was absolutely shocked to see us and said "what in H.... are you doing at the Naples airport?". We laughed and said we just landed and were on our way back. Later he said that he immediately called the ship and said...what are the Groth's doing in the Naples Airport and they told him that our tour had left us there rather than Sorrento.

Now, Naples is the 3rd largest city in Italy and famous for its traffic. Italian drivers are not known for their manners or being too slow. It was a harrowing drive back. He didn't pay any attention to the lane markers, passed on curves, etc,. etc., we kept telling him that we weren't worried and to slow down. But his company kept calling him and saying, hurry, hurry! Fred promised not to fuss about my fast driving any more!

We got back to the dock in Sorrento at about 5:20pm (one hour late) where the other couple from the 6 helicopter tourists was also there. They had their own stories and had just made it back from Capri via the hydrfoil! So the tender was there, with Englebert, his family, the head of security. As we got off the tender, and started up the stairs, cheers broke out from the other passengers who were on the pool deck having a sail away party! The Captain had kept everyone informed about the missing helicopter guests!

So we did make it back and we didn't have to stay in Sorrento. The plans kept changing through the day so when we were almost back and the phone rang again I said "Plan G...we are driving to Rome". Everyone broke out laughing as it had been that kind of day!

All in all we had a good day and now have a fun story to tell!

Jan and Fred

Jan, you and Fred are real troopers!!! I would have been going crazy! At least once you saw Englebert you knew you were safe.

Great story. Can't wait to meet you both and hear more of your adventures on this cruise.

See you in a week.

I loved reading that account and you have the BEST attitude. It was an adventure, and you made it a day you will never forget. In the end these types of days are the ones we laugh about for years and remember with fondness.

Jan & Fred many years ago when we did a land tour of India, our tour guide told us to think of every day as a happening. You certainly did have a happening but glad that everything worked out fine for you.We are sure that was an experience you won't forget.Your terrific attitude should be a lesson to a lot of people who go on cruises. Enjoy the rest of your cruise.

Jan and Fred,

What a fantastic adventure! You'll never forget it!Why couldn't they land in Sorrento, did they tell you?

Jan and Fred, loved hearing your story! I had only a slight adventure in Sorrento that involved a private guide and getting the very last tender to the ship after the table/umbrella was taken down. I NEVER EVER worry that the ship will leave us on a Regent sponsored excursion. That is the advantage of taking them! Sometimes I just like to move at a different pace (usually faster).

Jan and Fred - what a day is right! Sorrento is one of my all-time favorite port stops. You got the full tour for sure! Glad you could roll with it and enjoy the day. I can only imagine how shocked Englebert was to see your smiling faces in the Naples airport. La Dolce Vita .. as only Italy can do it.

Cheers, Anne

Jan and Fred: It is obvious you are wonderful "make the best of things" type cruisers - what an adventure and your story was refreshing - we were on an Alaska cruise that hit a snag and the complainers were unbearable (ad nauseum) - thanks for your fun post!

What a great story, Jan and Fred! It'll be something to remember, that's for sure!

Masaki

The landing area in Sorrento was a grassy area at a small hotel at the top of the hill overlooking Sorrento. I think the hotel just didn't want the helicopter there at that time. The weather had cleared so it wasn't a problem with the wind like it had been in the morning.

The other helicopter had problems landing because of the wind and the couple that was on it said they really had a rough ride. No one made it to Capri via helicopter so all of us had hydrfoil coming and going. They didn't get to enter the Blue Grotto (so were dry!) because of the wind and had little time in Capri. So the experiences of the helicopter 6 were different, but still "exciting".

I'd do it again, but think I'll suggest to travel desk to do this trip the first day instead of the second day so if there are problems, like landing in Naples, they don't have to hold up the ship!

The landing area in Sorrento was a grassy area at a small hotel at the top of the hill overlooking Sorrento. I think the hotel just didn't want the helicopter there at that time. The weather had cleared so it wasn't a problem with the wind like it had been in the morning.

The other helicopter had problems landing because of the wind and the couple that was on it said they really had a rough ride. No one made it to Capri via helicopter so all of us had hydrfoil coming and going. They didn't get to enter the Blue Grotto (so were dry!) because of the wind and had little time in Capri. So the experiences of the helicopter 6 were different, but still "exciting".

I'd do it again, but think I'll suggest to travel desk to do this trip the first day instead of the second day so if there are problems, like landing in Naples, they don't have to hold up the ship!