day trip in Sorrento

What time of year?

You should do all the amalfi coast by BOAT, take at least 2 full days there.

Best season.June, September, October

We will be in Sorrento October 10 for one day only...too bad . We are on a cruise ship

The poster is stopping through on a cruise: two days is not an option. Season is not an option either as they'll be there whatever month their cruise has been booked for. Sightseeing the Amalfi by ferry may not be an option if they're coming off season.

Which is why I asked when your trip is, jabts. Regarding Capri, the ferries do run there all year with the exception of the very worst of weather but many of the businesses close for the winter season, and you could have rain. I would not do the island JUST for the grotto as ability for boats to get in there on a day of rough sea is sketchy at ANY time of the year. But low season also means a lot fewer bodies to contend with so if you're interest in treking around the island, it's not a bad time to go.

If the Amafli coast wins out, you can either do that by car - which is not everyone's preference due to the wind-y, narrow roads - or taking the SITA buses from place to place. Ferries are indeed an option during the warmer months, although they can't dock in Positano if the sea doesn't cooperate.

In any case, you're going to have to keep an eye very carefully on the time if venturing far from your ship as it will not wait for tardy passengers who are not on a sponsored tour. The buses can be very busy during peak tourist season.

No interest in Pompei? That's an easy one from Sorrento.

Full day Amalfi Coast tour with guide. We just did this in April out of Sorrento and it was a perfect day!

jabts,

The information that Kathy provided is spot-on. If you're planning on booking a private tour rather than one provided by the cruise line, you must ensure that you're back on board at the appointed time.

I wouldn't bother with Capri or the Blue Grotto as there's a greater degree of "uncertainty" there in terms of the boats and the weather, so a tour of the Amalfi Coast would be the best idea (IMO). Visits to Sorrento, Positano and Ravello should fill the day nicely. The road along the coast is very winding in spots, so if you're subject to motion sickness you might want to pack along some Dramamine, Gravol or whatever.

I would spend the day in Sorrento. It's a wonderful town, fun to walk around. Why go somewhere else? We've been to Sorrento 3 times, for a week each time, it's our favorite place in Italy.

I would stay in Sorrento. Marina Grande charmed me in March 2013. Sorrento has cute shops, lots of limoncello, pretty churches. The Cloister of Saint Francis is very relaxing. The views of Vesuvius are quite nice from certain points in Sorrento. With only one day, the Amalfi Coast trip can be frantic. The bus we were planning to take just didn't run that day. We had to wait an hour. (I forgot what time of the year you'll go.) Anyway, Sorrento has a charm of its own. Relax there!

Thank you all for your thoughtful responses. I now have a much better idea about what we would like to do!

Have you used cruisecritic.com? (links: Community > Roll Call > cruise line> ship > month) You can get in touch with others on your sailing. People put together small private tours that are usually cheaper than the cruise ship's offerings and cover more ground. You may be able to join one. You will also get ideas about individual itineraries.

This will cover all your port stops.

You could probably visit Pompeii and have time to see some of Sorrento too. Or visit 1-2 Amalfi Coast towns and Sorrento.