Salerno to view the Amalfi Coast

You can't imagine how complicated it is to answer your question. One issue is whether Salerno is a tender-port or a pier-mooring-port. But in any case, you know that the ship will leave without you if you are late. Luckily, meeting the ship at Rome or Capri is not that expensive, although a last-minute hotel might be.

I think the second week of September is still high enough season that the ferries will still be running. But that also means there will be competition for space on the ferries. But you don't really want advance tickets because that constricts your schedule. It's also (in my experience) difficult to be sure you have downloaded the timetables for every ferry company on the route you are interested in. And you can't tell how many of them are huge and how many of them are tiny (which affects the chances of being shut out of the "next boat.) (Although you can know that Positano cannot accomodate any large ferry.)

I would not attempt more than one destination with the strictures you have given. (Those include having 5 people, which makes HERDING all five out of the pottery shop ... that more difficult, and having one with limited mobility.) I think Amalfi has much less to see on level ground than Positano. (One plus for Amalfi is that if you find you do get there promptly, you could take a local bus or a taxi up to the beautiful town and views of Ravelllo. Understand that that excursion implies that you are willing to have the backup plan of paying any amount necessary for a taxi to the ferry if there is the slightest danger of missing the boat back to Salerno.)

Pompeii is unsuitable for someone with a bad knee or leg. But Herculaneum or Oplontis may be possible. You said you're not interested in the ancient sites.

I am inclined to guess that Sorrento may be best for your group, but it is much farther than Amalfi or Positano. And the ferry delivers you 200' lower than the town. You have to take a taxi, a cheap public bus, or walk to a 2 Euro elevator to get to the town, which is very level. My guess assumes shopping-street desire rather than monuments and history.

Because your issues are so wide ranging, I urge you to use the Search box to read about Amalfi Coast Ferries on this newsboard.

from your post I assume your cruise ship is docking only in salerno and not sorrento?
last year we spent time ( again) in sorrento and amalfi and also had a day trip to positano and capri ( from a base at sorrento)
we caught the ferry from amalfi to salerno.( to catch the train from salerno)

note, what ever you do there will no doubt be lots of tourists to contend with. visiting positano may be possible by ferry ( weather permitting), but it can take a long time by car or ferry.
sorrento is a lot further away, by car or ferry. capri would also be a fair way by ferry ( time to travel there etc)

my suggestion ( for what its worth) is to catch the ferry from salerno to amalfi, have a look around the town, at some stage in the day ( its not large, but generally flat), then from there either/or
walk up the valley to the paper mill etc
explore nearby atrani, which is a nice walk.
or catch the bus up to ravello , for spectacular views. ( the bus leaves from the port area of amalfi)

that way you will see enough of the coast and towns to have a good day and not spend it all in transit.

look up some ferry timetables to see how long trips will take! the option of road transport ( along the coast) would mean you could spend most of the day in a 'traffic jam' travelling along the coast. the drive is great but very slow. and can take hours.
while we did not spend much time in salerno, ( only walked from the port to the train station) it did not seem to have the 'wow' of the other coastal towns?

hope this helps.

Ferry and bus schedules here.

https://www.positano.com/en/ferry-schedule

Travel Mar ferry schedules.

https://www.travelmar.it/en/hours

The towns closer to Salerno. Vietri sul mare, Maiori and Minori are all less hilly. They're also much less touristy than Amalfi and Positano.

Having explored all of this area, I do agree with Tim in that you should only see one port. Take the first ferry you can to Amalfi, take that bus up to Ravello and back, explore the little town and St. Andrew's. We had a stellar lunch at Lido Azzurro on the water. Then...I'd take the SITA bus back to Salerno through the towns of Maiori, Minori and Vietri sul Mare, all cool little coastal hamlets.

If you have at least 3 hours left before boarding when you get back to Salerno, explore the Old Town, the vertical Minerva Gardens, the 10th Century Duomo, and then the best Napolitan pizza around, Pizzeria Trianon, where a margherita (bufala mozzarella, San Marzano tomatoes and basil) pie will cost you no more than 7 Euro. Salerno's a charming town. Maybe you'll have time to walk the passagieta (an every evening stroll with the locals) along the lungomare (promenade along the ocean)!

Enjoy your planning!

I would agree that one(ish) ferry stop is best, you can explore Amalfi, maybe bus to Ravello, and then make your way back to Salerno.....if you end up having a lot of time, a walk on the corso or lungomare is great, and I agree with Jay, Trianon is my fav! (though I usually get the hot dog and french fry pizza there, as its my fav version of that in town)