>>>My husband and I will arrive in Rome April 29 after a transatlantic cruise, hopefully with minimal jet-lag..<<<

Can't imagine being jet lagged from a cruise.

I would not stay in Rome twice. If you are flying home from Rome, put all of your Rome time at the end.

The cruise port isn't actually in Rome. If you are heading to Tuscany, I would leave from the port (Civitavecchia). It's not easy to get around Tuscany without a car. If you don't want to rent a car, then take the train from the port to Naples and on to the Amalfi coast.

If you have too much luggage and take the train, you can store your luggage at Rome Termini.
http://www.grandistazioni.it/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=5dc9fb73699fb110VgnVCM1000003f16f90aRCRD

nycagirl,

If your husband has back problems and you think you will see more by car, I would recommend you go to Tuscany.

First of all, driving the Amalfi Coast is difficult and not for everyone. I have stayed in Positano and the walking is up and down hills and steps.

Though Tuscany has many hill towns that can be difficult to walk, you can still see some amazing sights by car. And there is alot more to see in Tuscany.

At your suggestion we've decided to go directly to Sorrento when we arrive and leave Rome to the end of our trip. I think that will maximize our time. We have arranged for lodging in a B&B in the center of Sorrento. Although I am not happy giving up panoramic views in hillside accommodations from what I read it seems it might be better for us to be within walking distance of most transportation. Do you know if motor scooters are available for rental in Sorrento? Thanks for your help.

By motor scooters do you mean a scooter like a Vespa? Or do you mean those motorized chair things for people with disabilities?
I was in Sorrento in October and I did not see any of those motorized chairs, nor do I think they would work with the narrow streets and tons of people on those sidewalks.
If you mean a two wheeled scooter like a Vespa Im sure you can rent those as they are everywhere but it isn't for the faint of heart. Not something I would advise.

Sorrento is lovely, enjoy your trip.

>>>We have arranged for lodging in a B&B in the center of Sorrento. Although I am not happy giving up panoramic views in hillside accommodations from what I read it seems it might be better for us to be within walking distance of most transportation.<<<

Many hotels in the hills above Sorrento with views have shuttle transportation into town.

http://www.aminta.com/en/services_hotel_sorrento.php

http://www.ilnido.com/free-shuttle-service

So have you worked out the details for getting from Civitavecchia to Sorrento? If you could hire a driver for this leg, it would be easiest. Otherwise, I would assume you need to take a train to Rome's Stazione Termini, another train to Naples, then switch in the Naples station to the Circumvesuviana commuter train to Sorrento. Or catch a train to Rome's Tiburtina station and switch to a bus direct to Sorrento. Maybe others know an easier route.

The third possibility is renting a car in Civitavecchia. Early April is not crowded on the Amalfi coast, but the road along the AC is still very narrow, notched into the hillside high above the sea.

There are buses along the AC. Don't know about boats that early in the season. You wouldn't need a car for Capri or Pompeii. (Don't forget about Pompeii or Herculaneum -- if you're interested in that kind of stuff.)

Your husband has back problems and you're thinking about renting motor scooters in Italy?????

I would rent a car and visit Tuscany.

If you don't do that and decide on another area that is better visited by train, your concerns about luggage are only valid if you're carrying too much of it. Train travel in Italy is a breeze, and definitely the way to go if traveling city to city. But too much luggage is always a problem, back problems or not.